George Mason High School music instructor Mary Jo West is one of 217 teachers nationwide who advanced out of a pool of 30,000 to the quarterfinals of the first-ever Grammy Award competition for high school educator. The 10 finalists and the winner will be announced at the 56th annual Grammy Awards next January. Ms. West just completed Mason High’s annual spring band concert last week that included a drum troupe, band, orchestra and the school’s now famous jazz ensemble.

Falls Church Schools Seek Community Input on Strategic Plan
Falls Church City Public Schools (FCCPS) is inviting students, families, staff and community members to help shape the school division’s next strategic plan, which will establish educational priorities for the



