Education

Chinese Get Glimpse of American Schools

Group visits Lanier Middle and Fairfax High.

In mid-July, an envoy from China visited the United States – but the trip had nothing to do with politics. Instead, a group of teenage students, plus some parents and teachers, visited Lanier Middle School and Fairfax High to see firsthand what schools are like in the U.S. They were here via a program sponsored by the City of Fairfax and the American Assn. of School Administrators (AASA).

‘It Was Definitely Humbling’

Chinese and Fairfax High students share impressions of each other.

The teenagers played soccer, ate ice cream, joked with their friends and walked with their heads down, eyes on their Smart phones and tablets. In short, they looked just like their American counterparts – except these students live in China.

Hollin Meadows Staff Volunteer To Bring Writing Nights

“W is for Writing Nights” will be the title of a student-authored alphabet book created by Hollin Meadows rising Kindergarten through Grade 3 students during eight weekly Monday night writing lessons at Sherwood Regional Library, June 30-Aug. 18.

Forest Edge Elementary Teachers Learn New Ways to Teach Science

Next fall, students in Reston will join a growing movement of innovative science achievement and learning in Virginia.

Hutchison Elementary Teachers Learn New Ways to teach Science

Next fall, students in Herndon will join a growing movement of innovative science achievement and learning in Virginia.

Chess Phenomenon Combines Talent and Hard Work

Greenbriar West Elementary student places second in international chess tournament.

Aasa Dommalapati, 10, of Centreville, a rising fifth grade student at Greenbriar West Elementary School in Fairfax, won the silver medal in the Girls Under 10 category at the 2014 Pan-American Youth Chess Festival held in Mexico.

Jewish Community Center Announces Fall 2014 Course Schedule

The Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia (JCCNV) has announced the Fall 2014 course schedule for the Adult Learning Institute (ALI).

The End of an Era

After 33 years, Robinson’s Chip Rome retires.

It’s the end of an era at Robinson Secondary: Legendary Theater Director Chip Rome has retired. In 1981, he became the fourth drama teacher the school hired that year, and he more than provided stability. He spent all 33 years of his FCPS career there.

The Cellular Connection to Host Backpack Giveaway

Residents in Springfield are about to benefit from a national backpack giveaway campaign. The Cellular Connection, the largest Verizon Premium Wireless Retailer in the U.S., in a joint effort with its customers, will be donating 100,000 backpacks full of school supplies to children through its School Rocks Backpack Giveaway.

A Night at the Aquarium for Fairfax Youth

Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington members take a private overnight tour of Baltimore's National Aquarium.

Ten students from the Fairfax branch (Murraygate chapter) of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington got a sneak peak of Shark Week by spending the night among them at the Baltimore Aquarium at the seaport in Baltimore. They spent a “night at the museum” as part of the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) program sponsored by COX Communications last Friday, July 25.

Hosting Safetypalooza

Boy Scouts, professionals teach children how to avoid trouble.

Thanks to 15-year-old Boy Scout Alex Battani, several local children know more about bike, bus and fire safety, as well as avoiding strangers. A rising junior at Westfield High, he put on a Safetypalooza at the Sully District Police Station. Also participating was police Crime Prevention Specialist Tara Gerhard, with that station, plus firefighters from the Springfield District Station and members of the Blue Suit Pacers Cycling Team.

History

Alexandrians vs. British Raiders – June 1814

At 5:30 on the evening of Tuesday, June 21, 1814, a number of Alexandria cavalrymen were sitting on their horses on a hill overlooking the village of Benedict, Md. on the Patuxent River, about 40 miles southeast of Washington. Below them, they could see several British barges and ships anchored in the river near the village.

Primed To Learn about Work

Summer school program matches students with potential careers.

Julia Payne spent a week of her summer calling local restaurants asking them if they would like to hand out coasters and condoms for World Aids Day. She said this with a laugh, remarking on how some people had interesting responses to that offer.

A New Era at Local School

Matthew Gould tapped as head of Norwood School.

When the 2014-2015 school year opens in a few weeks, Norwood School will have a new leader at the helm. The Board of Trustees for the Bethesda school named Matthew A. Gould, Ph.D., as the new head of school earlier this month. Gould replaces Richard T. Ewing Jr., who retired from Norwood after 35 years. “Having grown up in the D.C. area and worked in various schools for the past 25 years, I was well aware of Norwood’s reputation as one of the largest and finest kindergarten-through-eighth grade schools in the country,” said Gould. “I was impressed with Norwood’s deep commitment and passion for educating the whole child in a joyful, nurturing and challenging learning environment. It was important for me to be in a school community that puts children at the center of everything.”

Surfer Bethany Hamilton Shares Her Story

Fourth Presbyterian School welcomed professional surfer Bethany Hamilton to campus in April. Hamilton became well known after she lost her left arm to a shark attack while surfing at the age of 13. Just one month later, she was back in the water pursuing her passion of surfing, and just over a year later won her first national title. In 2007 she turned pro and has since competed in a number of Association of Surfing Professionals and World Tour Events. In March, she won the Surf N Sea Pipeline Women’s Pro held in Oahu, Hawaii.

The Connection