THE MHS Jazz Band performs at a Band Boosters benefit concert held at Solace Outpost on November 27. (Photo: Brian Reach) 
MERIDIAN BOYS OPEN Basketball Season With Win Over Kettle Run Winter sports season has officially tipped off, with Meridian High School’s boys’ basketball team hosting its season opener on Tuesday night against Kettle Run for a divisional showdown. The team was without senior big man Grant Greiner, who is out for a few weeks with a wrist injury, but with depth being a notable strength, there were plenty of others to step up in his absence. the Mustangs won by a final tally of 73-55. Martino had 24 points to lead all scorers, while newcomer John Lyman added 15. Head coach Jim Smith has had high praise for Martino, who he says could be the best point guard inthe district this season. Meridian will have an opportunity to assert itself as Falls Church’s premier high school basketball program this Friday when the Mustangs play at Justice. (Photo: FCNP) 
SIXTH GRADERS at Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School conduct a tasty Cheez-it experiment. (FCCPS Photo: Steve Pickering) 
MT. DANIELS kindergartners show off turkeys they disguised to help them escape Thanksgiving dinner. (FCCPS Photos: Chrissy Henderson) 
OVER 70 GIRLS from Oak Street E.S. participated in the Girls On The Run 5k on November 19. (FCCPS Photo: Carla Cardona Sighu)
MEHMS Students Conduct Tasty Experiment
Ms. Liebner’s 6th graders rated various types of Cheez-Its as they learned how to create rubrics. They evaluated whether their rubric accurately measured which type was best and then adjusted.
The evaluation included different varieties, such as Cheddar Jack, White Cheddar, Puffs, or Off Brand compared to the Original.
In the end, all agreed that Original was the best!
Move Along… No Turkeys Here!
The halls of Mt. Daniel Elementary were filled with everything but turkeys in an annual tradition, where kindergartners disguise a turkey to be saved from a Thanksgiving Day Feast. Superheroes, football players, rock stars, ballerinas, and unicorns decorate the walls, but no turkeys were spotted at the school, thanks to the artistic efforts of the kindergartners.
OSE Girls Triumph at GOTR Fall 5K
Girls on the Run (GOTR) from Oak Street Elementary participated in its Fall 5k on November 19 on a closed loop at Dulles Town Center.
The event represented the culmination of ten weeks of training (twice per week before school), included numerous schools and more than 1,000 runners from around the area.
Each girl was accompanied by a buddy runner and was cheered on by enthusiastic friends and family who gathered to celebrate such an incredible achievement.
Over 70 girls from Oak Street participated in GOTR, supported by nine volunteer coaches who taught the GOTR curriculum.
GOTR is a national organization with lessons designed to empower young women by boosting self-confidence, valuing relationships, and highlighting how women can impact their communities.
The Oak Street GOTR team dedicated an entire practice to beautifying the blacktop and playground area as their community impact project.
The girls worked hard to sweep mulch off the blacktop and walkways, pick up litter, and wash writing off walls.
GOTR will be back in the Spring! Look for sign-up information for the new year.
MHS Junior Recognized at Yorktown Day Events
Meridian Junior Nora Stufft attended the Yorktown Day Celebration last month, commemorating the 242nd anniversary of the Victory at Yorktown. As President of the Virginia Society of the Children of the American Revolution (VSCAR) this year, Nora was a recognized, honored guest at the Yorktown Day Dinner, along with the Ambassador from Spain, the French Deputy Chief of Mission, and other dignitaries.
Nora also participated in a commemorative ceremony at the French Cemetery honoring France’s contribution to America’s Revolution effort. She marched in the Yorktown Day Parade with Virginia and National CAR members.
The festivities aligned well with Nora’s state theme for the year: France, America’s First Wingman.
The Virginia State Project for this year supports two great co-pilot organizations that honor Rochambeau and Lafayette: First, the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route Association of Virginia, and second, the American Friends of Lafayette.
Nora aims to raise $15,000 for the W3R to produce an educational documentary about the Washington-Rochambeau Route in Virginia for use in Virginia schools. This film series includes episodes at critical locations along the Route and interviews with key historical experts like Dr. Robert Selig.
For the bicentennial of the Lafayette farewell tour in 2025, $2000 will be raised and donated for a large set of educational panels that discuss the life of Lafayette and will be seen by countless public attendees at the bicentennial events.
Meridian Wins Platinum VSBA Award
The Virginia School Board Association awarded Meridian High School the Platinum Design Award.
Stantec architecture designed the six-story adaptable urban school building, which opened in October 2021.
Meridian High School’s vertical high school design offers flexible floorplans, providing security, efficiency, and adaptability to support programs and educational needs as they evolve. The academic setting, with visual transparency and natural daylighting, encourages creative thought, community building, and individual growth.
All aspects of the design, from the space planning to the furniture, reinforce the client’s goals of community and collaboration.
MEHMS & MHS Bands Hold Benefit Concert
On Monday, Solace Outpost hosted a special benefit concert featuring performances by the Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School Jazz Band, Meridian High School Jazz Band, and Meridian High School Rock Band. Event proceeds supported the Fall Church City Band Boosters program.
Congressional School To Hold Open House
On Tuesday, December 12, the Congressioal School is holding an open house. Meet school administrators and current parents, take a tour of the Congressional School campus (3229 Sleepy Hollow Rd., Falls Church), and see the school in action. Open to all grades, infants through grade 8.
Interested families may RSVP at congressionalschool.org/welcome.
