Education

CYA Collects Presents for Pediatric Party

CYA and DC Candlelighters united to make the holidays brighter for pediatric oncology patients at Inova Fairfax Hospital. CYA collected more than 300 presents for the DC Candlelighter families whose children are fighting cancer.

SSSAS Latin Students Excel

A group of St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School classics students took home more than 100 awards at the annual Virginia Junior Classical League state convention, held in Richmond in November. During the convention, junior Daniel Marshall was elected VJCL vice president, becoming the third state officer in a row from SSSAS.

Democratic Women of Clifton to Host ‘Our Children: Fostering, Mentoring and Adoption’ Program

The Democratic Women of Clifton and Northern Virginia will host a program titled Our Children: Fostering, Mentoring and Adoption in Virginia on Sunday, Jan. 19, from 3-5 p.m. at the Clifton Community Hall, 12641 Chapel Rd., Clifton, with special guests: Nannette Bowler - Director of the Department of Social Services for Fairfax County, Paul D. McWhinney - Director of Family Services for Virginia Department of Social Services, and Dr. Beverly Howard - Coordinator of Fairfax Families4Kids. They will talk about their work at the local and state level working and advocating for the welfare of children and specifically with fostering, mentoring and adoption. The attendees will hear how they can become involved and make a difference in the lives of children.

Fairfax Academy Hosts MCT Festival

Eight annual MCT Fest displays students’ talents, leadership.

Students enrolled in Fairfax Academy’s Music Computer Technology (MCT) class impressed parents and teachers by hosting and performing original compositions at the Eighth Annual MCT Fest on Jan. 8 in Fairfax.

Fairfax County Launches Sex Trafficking Prevention Campaign

Sex trafficking education materials also added to school curriculum.

In order to raise awareness to the fact that sex trafficking can happen anywhere, even in Fairfax County, a new prevention campaign and website raising awareness of this issue launched on Jan. 13.

Garza Proposes $2.5 Billion Budget for FY 2015

Proposed Fairfax County public schools budget would cut 731 positions, increase class size.

At the Jan. 9 School Board Meeting, Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Karen Garza released the proposed budget of $2.5 billion for FY 2015. The budget proposal requires an additional $98.1 million, or 5.7 percent increase compared to FY 2014, from Fairfax County, which the school system says is due to uncontrollable factors such as enrollment growth, retirement rate increases and the structural deficit. The FY 2015 proposed budget is an increase of $59.4 million from last year’s approved budget.

Chantilly Robotics Student Testifies Before Congress

Explains why it’s a valuable STEM program.

Chantilly High senior Brian Morris, CEO of Chantilly Robotics Team 612, testified in Washington, D.C., last Thursday, Jan. 9. He spoke before the Committee on Science, Space and Technology, Subcommittee on Research and Technology, of the U.S. House of Representatives.

And the Winners Are …

Trang Nguyen wins spelling bee competition at Herndon Middle School.

“Once you spell the word, there is no going back,” said Nancy Galm, English teacher at the Herndon Middle School on Locust Street. Galm was addressing a group of more than 20 students attending Herndon Middle School who had won or placed their way into the annual spelling bee competition. The competition was held on Jan. 8.

Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.

The Chantilly Pyramid Minority Student Achievement Committee (CPMSAC) held its 20th annual Martin Luther King Festival, Jan. 12, at Westfield High.

Summer Camp: Start Planning Now

Applications for many camps open in January.

The frigid January temperatures can make summer feel like a distant fantasy of sunscreen and popsicles, but it’s actually not that far away. If you have children who want to attend camp after the current school year ends, now is the time to start planning, said experts. In fact, registration for many camps begins this month.

Creating Books with Children

Experts say helping little readers become authors can deepen a love of reading.

K.J., 8, and his sister Kalina, 3, love reading books, particularly books they’ve written themselves or with their mother. In fact, K.J. is an avid reader of both homemade and traditionally published books, and his sister is following in his footsteps.

Winter Concerts Wow Audiences At Herndon High

Herndon students display their musical skills.

In December, students in the Herndon High choir and band were very active. Members of the Herndon High School Band "Pride of Herndon" went to Hawaii to represent Virginia in the 2013 Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade. The Pride of Herndon was awarded Grand Champion honors for their performance. The Herndon High School Choir Department has also been busy with choral groups putting on performances for the holiday season. This included an evening show on Dec. 7 at Herndon Town Square by The Herndon High School Madrigals and Herndon Brass Quintet.

‘Mr. Mac’ Nominated for Grammy Award

Glen McCarthy vying for first-ever music-educator honor.

Glen McCarthy played trumpet in high school; but when his parents gave him a guitar for graduation, it changed the trajectory of his life. He’s played guitar in bands ever since then – yet what’s defined him most, he says, is being a guitar teacher.

Area Roundups

News in the area.

School Notes for 1/8/14

School Notes for the week of 1/8/14.

The Connection