Education

There’s a new person at the helm of Robinson Secondary School—one well equipped for the job. He’s Matt Eline, who was an assistant principal at Fairfax High for four years and principal of Rocky Run Middle School the past three years.

Students Design Greenovation Lab

James K. Polk’s Greenovation Lab, which reopened on June 13, showcases the school’s sustainable energy heating and cooling systems and explains to children how they work. Children across the school district will be able to tour the Greenovation Lab to learn such concepts as how to use ground air — which remains at a constant temperature of 56 degrees — to heat and cool classrooms, or how to harness solar power to heat water.

Centre View North School Notes

The following academic awards were given out at Chantilly High School

Centre View School Notes

Alison Hager earned a bachelor of arts from Villanova University.

Tiny Dancers Present Spring Recital

Before a packed auditorium at Bishop Ireton High School on June 2, several hundred young dancers from Tiny Dancers' Alexandria studio entertained family and friends in the annual Spring Recital.

Mountain View Departmental Awards

The following awards were given to Mountain View High school students.

Creative Flourish at Youth Arts Festival

Art displays filled the gym and overflowed down the sidewalk at George Washington Middle School for the annual Youth Arts Festival on Saturday, June 8.

Mount Vernon School Notes

Simone Liu was honored at a statewide awards ceremony for academically advanced children sponsored by The Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth.

He Preserved 200-Year-Old Legacy of Citizen Activism

Thomas Y. “Jay” Johnson, Jr. fought for volunteer firefighters.

Thomas Y. “Jay” Young Johnson Jr. hails from a long line of proud volunteer firefighters. His father and uncles were volunteer firefighters in Alexandria, where Jay was born, raised and educated. His early memories include doing his homework at the fire station. Now, 35 years after his father’s generation, he reflects on a distinguished history as president of the Alexandria Volunteer Fire Department. In addition to his family, a major influence in Johnson’s life was Mrs. Rigby, a teacher at T.C. Williams High School who arranged a part-time job for him at the Department of the Navy. He worked this job after school and in the summers, and parlayed it into a life-long career. He is now at the Pentagon as the deputy director of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, Human Resources and Enterprise Support.

Letter to the Editor: So Many Supported Grad Party

On June 13, the Chantilly community came together to celebrate the graduation of the Chantilly High School Class of 2013. The 2013 CHS All Night Grad Party, themed “Oh, What a Knight,” was held at Chantilly High School. It proved to be quite the night of fun for all who attended. The graduates enjoyed inflatables, carnival and casino games, as well as great food. It was a fantastic sendoff for our seniors as they begin a new phase of their lives. An event of this size takes many volunteers to make it a success.

Giving Circle Sponsors Car Seat Workshop

The Giving Circle of Alexandria sponsored a car seat workshop on June 8 for families that participate in playgroups for low-income families. These playgroups enables The Giving Circle to reach children who otherwise might not receive any preparation for kindergarten.

Gerald Mann Becomes Director of Middle Schools

Gerald Mann has been appointed the new director of middle schools. He will begin his new job on July 1. Mann formerly served as principal of George Washington 1 Middle School. Previously he served as an assistant principal at George Washington, where he led the Special Education, English Language Learner and Middle Alternative Program for Students departments, and worked with department chairs to provide instructional support and develop strategies to implement school-wide initiatives.

South Lakes Seniors Make Reston Proud

On June 6, I had occasion to go to South Lakes High School, the Alma Mater of our three children, to witness the 2013 South Lakes Seniors Awards Ceremony.

Fourth of July Trivia

Information provided by Smithsonian Children’s Magazine press releases. For more trivia, go to newsdesk.si.edu. Joke courtesy of Elle Ross, 7, of Vienna.

The Connection