Education

Schools’ Band Director Honored

Jane Morgan, the band director at Stratford Landing Elementary School and Waynewood Elementary School, has been named the 2013-14 Elementary Band Director of the Year by the Fairfax County Band Directors Association. Morgan has been teaching band at Stratford Landing since 1999, and said she has learned a great deal from her students. It is her students that have brought her the most joy in her position, Morgan said. “It’s great to see what the kids accomplish and how far they go,” Morgan said. “They just keep me fresh every day.” Morgan has also taught middle and high school students.

Oratorical Winner: Jacob Atagi

Jacob Atagi, is the winner of this year's American Legion Post 24 Oratorical Contest. A freshman at West Potomac High School, Atagi represented Post 24 at the 17th District American Legion Oratorical Contest Jan. 25 at McLean Post 270.

Three Candidates Vie for Democratic Endorsement to Arlington School Board

Race to replace Sally Baird is on for Democrats.

Arlington County schools are at a crossroads. Enrollment is steadily rising, and parents have become upset about the amount of standardized testing that takes place in schools across the county.

‘Nerdicus’ Advances to State Finals

West Springfield High School attends finals second year in a row.

After West Springfield High School won the Virginia High School League district, regional and state one-act contests last year with the play “The Other Room” under the leadership of Bernie DeLeo, it became clear to the drama director that he wanted to write a play that demonstrated a less tragic side to autism.

Robinson Student Receives DAR Good Citizen Award

Katie Rogers awarded for patriotism, service, leadership and dependability.

Judy Erickson, a member of the Thomas Lee Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, has known for years that Katie Rogers would make a great candidate for the group’s Good Citizen award. Erickson met Rogers and her mother, Mariana Vervena, when Rogers was a child. The two are neighbors in Fairfax, and Rogers sold Erickson Girl Scout cookies for years.

Rock Run Annual Spelling Bee

Rocky Run students competed in their annual spelling bee.

From Two Perspectives

The Alexandria Mentoring Partnership (AMP) was created in 2006 to ensure that quality mentors and mentor programs are available for Alexandria's youth and young adults in need.

School Board Votes For Longer SLEEP

Money saved from annual bus route review will be earmarked for implementation of later start times.

According to SLEEP, a local group advocating for later high school start times in Fairfax County, 72 out of 92 counties in Virginia have a high school start time of 8 a.m. or later.

Don’t Ever Give Up — Ever

Principal offers advice to graduating seniors.

Before Mountain View’s graduating seniors received their diplomas last week, Principal Dave Jagels shared some words of wisdom with them.

Students Honored at Science Fair

The following West Potomac High School students received awards for their projects at the school’s science fair on Saturday, Feb. 9.

Arlington School Board Member Sally Baird Prepares to Exit Public Stage

Elected official recalls the ups and downs of two terms on the board.

When Sally Baird was first elected to the Arlington School Board in 2006, the county's public school system was still shrinking and Baird was a first-time candidate.

Superintendent Comes to West Springfield

Karen Garza continues listening tour.

Superintendent Karen Garza continued her listening tour of Fairfax County Public Schools this week with a stop at West Springfield High School on Feb. 4. Garza was joined by Springfield District School Board member Elizabeth Schultz.

‘Gazpacho for Nacho’

Key Middle School Spanish teacher publishes bilingual children’s book.

Colleagues and friends of Key Middle School Spanish teacher Tracey Kyle describe her as a creative and engaging teacher who is always thinking of new ways to teach. Now, Kyle has taken her creativity one step further by writing "Gazpacho for Nacho." The book was published by Two Lions, a division of Amazon Publishing, in January.

Alexandria School Board Considers Budget as Search Continues for Superintendent

Interim leader proposes spending priorities for a system in transition.

Alexandria City Public Schools is in a state of flux. School Board members are conducting a national search for the next superintendent as students are flooding into the city's classrooms. Meanwhile, interim superintendent Alvin Crawley is proposing a 3.3 percent increase over last year's budget, adding $8 million to the existing $235 million operating budget.

WHS’s Winter One-Act Play Festival

Westfield High is presenting its Winter One-Act Play Festival, next Thursday-Saturday, Feb. 13-15, in the school theater. All shows begin at 7 p.m. and most are student-directed.

The Connection