F.E.S. Offers SOL-Related Intersession Activities
Franconia Elementary School is starting its seventh year on the modified elementary school calendar. At the end of each quarter, students have the opportunity to take reinforcement and enrichment classes associated with the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) tests.
Cooking heart-healthy foods, exploring the insect world, getting a head start on second quarter math expectations and reading great books linked to games and crafts are some of the activities students can choose during the first intersession, which runs Oct. 6 – 17. For more information, contact Principal Merrell Dade at 703-822-2200 or merrell.dade@fcps.edu, or event liaison Tracy Morgan-Hale at tracy.morgan@fcps.edu.
Language Credit Offered to Multilingual Students
Students that speak a language other than English may be eligible to receive up to two credits through the 2008-2009 Foreign Language Credit Program Exam at McLean High School. Registration for the exam is now open. There are 16 languages included in the program: Amharic, Arabic, Bengali/Bangla, Chinese/Mandarin, Farsi/Persian, French, Hindi, Korean, Punjabi, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog/Pilipino, Twi, Urdu, and Vietnamese. The deadline for registration will close at 3 p.m. on Oct., 20. Late registrations not accepted.
Aircraft Carrier Crew to Visit Chesterbrook
Students at Chesterbrook Elementary School will meet with crew members from the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson on Friday, Oct. 10, at 8 a.m. Chesterbrook has a partnership with Vinson Hall Retirement Community (6251 Old Dominion Dr., McLean), home to military veterans and their spouses, which is currently involved in an oral history program with the crew of the USS Carl Vinson. The crew members are multimedia specialists and will be interviewed by students on the school’s television station on multimedia techniques. The students also plan to establish a pen pal program with the crew members. For more information, contact Principal Bob Fuqua at 703-714-8200.
Alexandria High School to Celebrate 70th Anniversary
Mount Vernon High School, of Alexandria, is planning a celebration of the school’s 70th anniversary. Alumni who would like to help with the event are invited to attend the first organizational meeting on Saturday, Oct. 11, at 10 a.m. at the school. Interested alumni should contact the Mount Vernon Principal, Nardos King, at 703-619-3100 or nardos.king@fcps.edu.
Graham Road Receives Dispelling the Myth Award
Graham Road Elementary School has been named one of six schools nationwide to receive the Dispelling the Myth Award from the Education Trust. Graham Road received the award for moving all its students toward high achievement in reading and math. The award is given to schools that succeed in achieving high academic performance or in making the most improvement for low-income and minority students.
Graham Road’s students scored in the top 10 percent of all state schools, while almost 80 percent of its students are eligible for free or reduced-price meals. More than 80 percent come from homes in which English is not the first language, and 96 percent of the student body represent minorities.
Principal Molly Bensinger-Lacy and her staff have been invited to share the strategies they used to improve achievement at the Education Trust’s national conference in Crystal City in November. For more information, contact Molly Bensinger-Lacy at 571-226-2700 or molly.bensingerlacy@fcps.edu.
McLean Yearbook Space Available to Parents
Parents of McLean High School seniors are invited to purchase Senior Yearbook Ads. Space is being offered to place photos and information on sons or daughters. All-color ads are available. The deadline for submission is Oct. 15. Send all pictures, messages and checks payable to McLean High School Publications to Meghan Percival at McLean High School (1633 Davidson Rd., McLean). For more information, call the Yearbook Office at 703-714-5801, or email Percival at meghan.percival@fcps.edu.
Marshall Freshmen Retreat Hopes to Unite
George C. Marshall High School will hold its Freshman Retreat on Friday, Oct. 10. This is an out-of-school event where the freshmen get to mingle with other freshmen, listen to music, dance and enjoy refreshments. The event is sponsored and run by Parent Teacher Student Association. Freshmen will meet with squads, a group of 12-14 freshmen, two student mentors and a teacher squad leader in the morning. They shall then meet in the larger groups, or platoons, and attend the presentation on “Making High School Count” in the auditorium. This presentation details how to make the best use of high school, its opportunities, recognizing their potential and also how to deal with time management issues. At about 9:35 a.m., all squads, parent volunteers and chaperones will board the bus and go to Lake Fairfax Park (1400 Lake Fairfax Drive, Reston) the day.
McLean Homecoming Volunteers Needed
McLean High School is recruiting parent volunteers for Homecoming from approximately 8:15 p.m. – 11:45 p.m. Parents interested in helping chaperone or run the coat-check at the homecoming dance on Oct. 18 can contact Lori Wagoner at lori.wagoner@fcps.edu or Erin Truesdell at erin.truesdell@fcps.edu.