Education

Teen Protects Friend From Speeding Baseball

Boy’s quick action prevented serious injury.

Two Potomac boys returned to school this year with a harrowing story of bravery and friendship. Fourteen-year-old Sam Parven and 11-year-old Donny Campuzano say they were selling pretzels for a vendor at a Bethesda Big Train baseball game this summer when a second baseman hit a line-drive foul ball into the stands.

Marshall High's Model UN Conference Focuses on Cyber Security

Cyber security and the threats posed to national infrastructure and economic networks will be the focus of Marshall High School’s ninth annual My First Model United Nations (UN) training conference on Saturday, Oct. 13.

Langley High Band to Hold Tag Day Fundraiser, Welcomes New Band Director

On Saturday, Sept. 22, band members from Langley High School will participate in “Tag Day” throughout neighborhoods in McLean and Great Falls.

Studying Monarch Butterflies at Churchill Road

Churchill Road second graders began the new school year by learning about the life cycle of the monarch butterfly.

Woman’s Club, Lemon Road School Reward Children for Summer Reading

On Friday, Sept. 14, at McLean’s Lemon Road Elementary School, the Woman’s Club of McLean hosted an awards party with pizza and ice cream for students in the school’s summer reading program. The club presented a $20 gift certificate for books to three of the children, selected by lot, one from first and second grade, one from third and fourth grade and one from fifth and sixth grade, and every student in the program got a “goody bag” of school supplies.

Reilly Takes Reins at McLean High School

New principal comes from Herndon High School.

Ellen Reilly has been named principal at McLean High School, replacing Dr. Deborah Jackson, who left in July. Reilly comes to McLean High from Herndon High School, where she served as an assistant principal. She previously served as an assistant principal at Oakton High School, and as an American Sign Language teacher at Falls Church High School and Mantua Elementary School.

Return of the Arlington Planetarium: Facility to Reopen After Existential Crisis

It looks like something from space, a Neo-Brutal landmark that descended next to Washington-Lee High School.

‘More Seats for More Students’

School board work session discusses boundary changes process.

More than 40 people, including School Board members, parents and staff gathered Sept. 12 for the first work session of the “More Seats for More Students” planning process to review the boundary changes as enrollment continues to grow.

Hoping for a Traffic Signal

Willow Springs parents describe transportation troubles.

It’s not a done deal, yet. But if the traffic volume at the intersection of Braddock Road and Willow Springs School Road warrants it, a traffic signal will someday be installed there. And it can’t come soon enough for Willow Springs Elementary parents and schoolbus drivers.

Letters: Appreciates Picnic’s Support

Centreville Elementary School’s Annual Welcome Back Picnic was a huge success. Hundreds of families turned out for what was a spectacular evening of fun, food and information.

Neighborhoods

Seminary Valley

Hammond Middle Schools 1, 2 and 3 started off the new school year with 454, 453 and 493, respectively. Polk Elementary has enrolled 642 students, and 586 students attend Patrick Henry. Remember to keep an eye out for the children as they walk to school; although some of the kids ride buses, many of our neighbors walk or ride their bikes to school, and they are often accompanied by parents and siblings.

Learning and Having Fun

Potomac Place Shopping Center, at the intersection of River and Fall roads, hosted a free back-to-school community service event on Saturday, Sept. 8.

Commentary: A Chance to Reexamine Brickyard School Site

On Aug. 12, Gov. Martin O'Malley sent a letter to County Executive Leggett and Board of Education President Shirley Brandman that begins with "I believe we are about to make a big mistake in destroying acres of productive organic farmland which could be a priceless asset to the education, health and well being of generations of Montgomery students." The letter went on to praise the vision and virtues of a Brickyard Educational Farm, already teaching school children about organic farming, looking to supply organic produce for school lunches, offering field trips and eventually a Beginning Farmer program.

Bulletin Board: Sept. 11, 2012

Upcoming events

Teachers Are Excited about New School Year

The bells have all rung and the students returned to their classes this week. But school started earlier for their teachers, who spent part of their summer working on lesson plans and readying their classrooms for the new school year.

The Connection