Greater Falls Church School Bulletin Board

Pine Spring Elementary School, a Fairfax County public school, in partnership with the American Culinary Federation-Nation’s Capital’s Chef’s Association, will host a celebration of National School Breakfast Week beginning at 8 a.m. on Friday, March 12, with breakfast specialties for all students and staff members, and an emphasis on the importance of a good breakfast to start the day.

With help from volunteers from the two partner organizations, Pine Spring students, parents, and teachers will enjoy French toast with syrup, yogurt, biscuits, cereal, and milk for breakfast.

FCPS offers its breakfast program in 154 schools and four centers. Nearly 20 percent—almost 32,000—of FCPS students qualify for free or reduced-price meals.

Studies from the state of Minnesota, Harvard University Medical School-Massachusetts General Hospital, and Tufts University all point to the importance of breakfast for school-age children. The Minnesota study found that students who ate breakfast had a general increase in math grades and reading scores and improved behaviors, and the Harvard-Massachusetts General study found that hungry children are more likely to have behavioral and academic problems, as well as more absences and tardiness. The Tufts study states that “undernutrition impacts the behavior of children, their school performance, and their overall cognitive development.”

More than 400 students attend Pine Spring Elementary in preschool through grade 6. They represent 25 countries and speak 14 different languages; approximately 120 of the students are enrolled in the English for speakers of other languages program.

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Superintendent Daniel A. Domenech and George Mason University (George Mason) President Alan Merten announce the formation of an educational partnership between Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) and George Mason to explore ways the two educational institutions can collaborate to improve educational opportunities for TJHSST students.

“This is a partnership with unlimited possibilities,” said Domenech. “The opportunities to update the curriculum, enhance faculty collaboration, and share resources and information are truly exciting. We are pleased to join George Mason in this partnership, which will greatly benefit students at TJHSST.”

The purpose of the partnership is to enhance student learning and faculty teaching by performing an ongoing review of the TJHSST curriculum and to enable faculty members and students from both institutions to share the latest research in order to keep abreast of advancements, especially in mathematics, technology, and the natural, physical, and social sciences. Students and faculty members will be able to expand their research opportunities by sharing resources and expertise. TJHSST students will work at the cutting edge of their disciplines, preparing for 21st century workplace demands. Faculty members at both institutions will be able to collaborate and improve their teaching while engaging in continuous professional learning and growth.

A committee has been formed to explore how the partnership can support TJHSST and George Mason to their mutual benefit. Serving as cochairs are Thomas Brady, chief operating officer for FCPS, and Thomas Hennessey, chief of staff to Merten. A current list of committee members is attached.

The curriculum and academic program at TJHSST will become the foundation for the work of the partnership; June 30 has been established for an academic planning report to be completed.

Approximately 500 students from Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST), a Fairfax County public school, will participate in an ethics forum on Tuesday, March 16, at George Mason University. Topics will include ethical issues in biotechnology, cybertechnology, the media, the corporate world, and government.

TJHSST sophomores, seniors taking government, and student leaders will participate in the forum. Scheduled topics for discussion during the morning session include Stem Cell Research and Cloning, the War on Terrorism and the Patriot Act, Whistle Blowing: A Question of Loyalty, and Intellectual Property: Who Owns the Internet? Afternoon topics include News Versus Entertainment, the War on Terrorism and the War in Iraq, Offshoring and the Loss of Domestic Jobs, and Downloading: Prosecution or Persecution?

The morning session is scheduled to begin at 9:50 a.m., and the afternoon session will begin at 12:05 p.m. The forum is being held in partnership with Guest Services and the Rotary Clubs of Northern Virginia.