Education

Arlington County Schools Increasingly Crowded as Enrollment Spikes

Two new elementary school planned; more changes on the horizon.

School leaders in Arlington are struggling to accommodate about 1,000 new students in the coming school year, a crunch that's sending school officials scrambling for teachers, assistants, administrators, equipment and relocatable classrooms.

Great Falls Elementary Students Summer in Japan

Great Falls Elementary, Cooper Middle Students visit Japan.

Nineteen students from Great Falls Elementary School and Cooper Middle School spent their summer in a unique way. The students spent two weeks in Japan as a culmination of their Japanese Immersion study

Share Readies Students for School

Nonprofit gives out school supplies, backpacks, back-to-school haircuts.

Share of McLean helped its clients get into back-to-school mode Wednesday, Aug. 14, with their annual school supply drive. The nonprofit worked with local individuals and organizations to stock their shelves with the items returning students were sure to need.

Should Jefferson-Houston Become a Charter School?

Alexandria's failing school is in crossfire of political debate.

Politicians love to talk about failing schools. As an abstract concept, they are an easy target. But when an actual school is identified as a failing school, the reality become a bit more complicated.

South County Grad Hampton to Play Basketball for CNU

Justin Hampton helped the South County boys' basketball team finish Patriot District runner-up in 2013.

Preserving History’s Jewels

Fairfax County considers new “resident curator” program to save historic properties.

“A successful resident curator program would allow the county to restore, maintain and protect important historic properties at little or no cost to the public.” —Cindy Walsh, Fairfax County Park Authority’s Resource Management Division director

David Fee to Lead Hunt Valley

Easy-going, approachable principal offers inclusive style of leadership.

After 18 years in education, David Fee was named new principal of Hunt Valley Elementary School in Springfield on July 1, taking over the position from former principal Pat Small who retired on June 30.

Brief: Giant Presents Check to McLean High

McLean Giant Food Store Manager Rick Makely (second from right) and Felis Andrade (third from right), director of marketing and external communications, Giant Food, present a check for $16,142.53 to McLean High School Principal Ellen Reilly (front row, fourth from right).

Brotemarkle Named Principal of Terra Centre

As a relationship-builder, he plans to be visible to students and staff.

“He’s a very collaborative leader and he’s a great listener. He always seeks input from staff and parents when he makes decisions.” Dr. Mahri Aste, Ph.D., principal of Mosby Woods

School Notes

The latest winners of National Merit Scholarships in Montgomery County Public Schools are include: Elena Waidmann of Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School; Montgomery Blair High School students Isaac Friend, Tony Liang, and Adam Lott; Winston Churchill students Felix Li and Sara Wang; Richard Montgomery High students Samuel Deutsch, Rachel Odessey, and Errin Saunders; Walt Whitman students Alison Foreman and Brandon Shapiro; and Thomas S. Wootton High students Amal Dadi and Austin Feng.

Local Author To Discuss Writing

Potomac Library to host book talk with Susan Keselenko Coll.

Looking for a way to beat the summer heat? On Aug. 8 at 7 p.m., the Potomac Library will be hosting a book talk with local author Susan Keselenko Coll where she will discuss her novels "Beachweek", "Rockville Pike", "karlmarx.com", "Acceptance" and her forthcoming novel "The Stager" which will be released next summer. "Acceptance" was made into a Lifetime movie.

Weaving Music and Art Together

Artstars Studio performs “A Garden Walk.”

The piano students of Artstars Studio recently performed in recitals with the theme of "A Garden Walk."

Guarding Against Identity Theft and Fraud

Police advise residents how to protect themselves.

With identity theft and fraud being such a major concern these days, police Investigator Tom Polhemus and Det. Mike Deane recently presented some ways local residents can protect themselves from becoming victims.

Alexandria School Notes

Back-to-School Drive. Through Aug. 19. Donate new backpacks and school supplies to any of the donation boxes in the area, send gift cards to the FACE Center, T.C. Williams High School Room A123, 3330 King St. or volunteer to sort supplies on Tuesday, Aug. 20. Visit http://www.acps.k12.va.us/face-centers.

Editorial: Enjoy Tax Holiday, Donate School Supplies

Good timing to help those in need.

It is debatable whether recurring tax holidays for different seasonal needs are good policy. But since this weekend is Virginia’s tax holiday on school supplies and clothing, it makes sense to take advantage of the savings, and to spread the wealth around. The savings are more significant this year with the new sales tax increases in effect as of July 1.

The Connection