Education

Ho-Ho Holiday Show

Westfield High presents annual children’s program.

The Grinch, Charlie Brown, Frosty the Snowman — these characters and more will be onstage to delight children during Westfield High’s 13th annual Ho-Ho Holiday Show. Entirely student-directed by seniors in the theater program, it’ll be presented Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 15-16, at 2 p.m. in the school theater. Tickets are $5/person and $12/groups of four.

‘The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow’

Stone Middle presents iconic musical, “Annie.”

Annie, Daddy Warbucks, even Sandy the dog — they’ll all be on stage when Stone Middle School presents the much-loved musical, “Annie Jr.” Show times are Thursday, Dec. 13, at 3 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 14, at 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday, Dec. 15, at 3 p.m. Tickets are $7 at the door, except for the Dec. 13 show, which is pre-sale only during school lunches, Dec. 10-12.

Joyful Noise at Chantilly High

School presents Holiday Spectacular and Tiny Tots show.

A musical feast for the ears and eyes, Chantilly High’s Holiday Spectacular will take the stage Thursday-Friday, Dec. 13-14, at 7 p.m. in the school theater. Living up to its name, this annual event features more than 300 choral, band, orchestra and theater students joining together to entertain the community.

School Opens Family Center

Bull Run Elementary creates welcoming climate for parents.

On the surface, it’s a beige trailer in a parking lot outside Bull Run Elementary. But inside, it’s both a haven and a source of information for parents. And on Nov. 12, it was officially dedicated as the Bull Run Family Center.

2012 Turkey Trot Yields Success

Just like the Thanksgiving turkey and pumpkin pie, this year’s Virginia Run Turkey Trot is history. But the good it’ll do for others will last a long time into the future.

Blast 24 To Salute American Bandstand

A tribute by Churchill’s choral director to an icon.

American Bandstand — the TV show that legitimized rock and roll, turned new artists into household names, and made the iconic Dick Clark famous — will be celebrated this December by Winston Churchill High School’s Blast 24: American Bandstand.

Gala To Support Israeli Montessori Schools

Alef Bet Montessori School merges languages and cultures.

On the evening of Dec. 6, the Alef Bet Montessori School will present “Education – Passport to the World” — a gala which will be held at the Potomac home of Amy and Alan Meltzer.

Failing Alexandria School Waits for Turnaround

After years of failing test scores, Jefferson-Houston to select external turnaround partner.

More than a decade of failing test scores and a revolving door of administrators have taken their toll on Jefferson-Houston School, which the Virginia Department of Education was identified as a “priority school” back in August.

A New Direction for the Alexandria School System

Seven new School Board members augur change.

The past few years have been chaotic at the Beauregard Street headquarters of the Alexandria City Public School system, which has struggled to cope with failing test scores as a parade of administrators have come and gone.

Letter: Something Special

For those of you who may have missed it, last Friday night's Varsity Football game between West Springfield High School and South County Secondary School proved to be more than just a game.

Cappies: Meeting Anne Frank

West Springfield High School’s production of “The Diary of Anne Frank” captures personal account of war horrors.

Memories of the horrors of World War II and Nazism are quickly starting to fade, and teens are finding it even harder to relate to the constant fear many Jews faced in the wake of the conflict. Yet these emotions came to full realization in West Springfield High School’s version of Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett’s “The Diary of Anne Frank,” newly adapted by Wendy Kesselman.

Annual JAMtech Inspires Students

Alexandria-based firm Carney, Inc. is showing local high school students interested in technology — including online gaming, graphics, computer programming and social media — how to turn their passion into careers.

Celebrating St. Clement

The 68 students at St. Clement preschool and junior kindergarten donned their togas and headed down the hall to lunch on Tuesday, Dec. 4.

Cooper Students Assemble Kits for Hurricane Relief

On Tuesday, Nov. 20, Cooper Middle School students worked together to assemble Hygiene Kits as part of nation-wide Hurricane Sandy Relief efforts.

Brief: Herndon, Oak Hill Students Perform in The Nutcracker

Conservatory Ballet celebrates 40 years of holiday magic.

Brief: More than 30 elementary, middle and high school students from Herndon and Oak Hill will dance in the Conservatory Ballet’s 40th anniversary production of the holiday classic, “The Nutcracker.”

The Connection