Dozens Bike to School For Friday’s Bikesgiving

Last week, the Bikesgiving Bike Bus promoted biking to school for students. Biking is a healthy activity that can help improve overall well-being. FCCPS encourages anyone who wishes to bike to school, to read the safety tips on the transportation webpage before biking to school.

MEHMS Students Excel in Lab Experiments

The 8th grade Science Team at Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School recently conducted a classic baking soda and vinegar lab, observing the reaction between the two substances and how it affected the balloon on top of the beaker. The Science team is dedicated to providing engaging educational experiences for students, helping them develop a deeper understanding of scientific concepts through effective planning and execution of lab activities.

Growth, Challenges in FY 2025 Fiscal Forecast

In a joint presentation to the City Council and School Board, officials unveiled the fiscal forecast for FCCPS and the F.C. government for FY 2025, projecting robust growth amid financial challenges.
FCCPS forecasts a rise in student enrollment, necessitating the hiring of additional teachers and staff. Already grappling with national and state-level teacher shortages, FCCPS is planning significant investments in employee compensation, including steps and cost-of-living adjustments (COLA), alongside a ten percent increase in health insurance rates.

FCCPS’s expenditure needs amount to $4.3 million, covering costs related to enrollment growth, salary steps, COLA, health insurance, and unavoidable increases such as utility costs.

The City’s revenue is expected to grow by 8.0 percent, fueled by a 5.9 percent increase in real estate taxes and a significant 12.7 percent rise in other taxes. This increase, amounting to $7.5 million in new tax revenue, is partly attributed to new construction, contributing $2.1 million alone.

However, the city faces a projected budget gap of $3.1 million, considering the new revenues and its own expenditures. While facing these financial challenges, both the city and FCCPS emphasized their commitment to maintaining the high quality of services and education.

City council will vote on budget guidance Monday, with the school board discussing it the next evening. Superintendent Noonan will present his proposed budget on January 9.

OSE Students at Virginia Science Olympiad

Last month, Oak Street Elementary students competed at the Virginia Science Olympiad tournament at Langley High School. The team sent 23 students to compete in events for 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders against other Northern Virginia elementary school students. Events included written exams and practical building, where students competed in pairs. The Tigers (and the parents who coached them) did quite well! Below is a list of students who medaled in their events. The team was organized by parents Christina Freyman, Nirav Kapadia, and Julia Goldstein.

First place prizes went to Ekaagra Singh and Ellie Popelier (Data Investigations), E.J. Kemps-Reiling and Ekaagra Singh (Hydraulics), and Lev Gorbos and Tep Raimondi (Plate Tectonics). Third place prizes went to Lev Gorbos and Tep Raimondi (Build-a-Barge) and Myrtle Dietz and Julia Stearns (Forestry). A fourth place prize went to Nathan Conley and Parker Stivers (Crave the Wave). Fifth place prizes went to Jacob Goodwin and Nathan Barnette (Forces), Nathan Conley and Nikhil Kapadia (Gravity Vehicle), Myrtle Dietz and Julia Stearns (Morse Code Busters), Lucas Coulson and EJ Kemps-Reiling (States of Matter), and Jackson Boyd and Max Gilbert (Wright Stuff). Max Gilbert also won a sixth place prize (Plate Tectonics).

MHS Tri-M Music Honor Society Recognized

The Meridian High School Tri-M Music Honor Society was awarded the 2023 Virginia State Chapter of the Year! This remarkable accomplishment was officially recognized and celebrated at the Virginia Music Educators Association Conference in Richmond on November 17, to a captivated audience of hundreds of music educators.

The Tri-M Chapter at MHS created coffee houses during free blocks, where students could perform and enjoy their peers’ performances. The initiative expanded to a full-scale talent show, “Meridian’s Got Talent,” raising funds for music organizations. The chapter also contributed to the musical culture of MHS by ushering concerts, performing in classrooms, and organizing a musical toy drive for tots during the holidays.

MHS Cuts Ribbon on Rooftop Solar Array

On Tuesday, community members joined school faculty, and the owner and builders on the roof of Meridian High School, where a ribbon was cut celebrating the opening of its remarkable solar array project.

MHS Cheer Fundraises for Nationals Trip

The Meridian Varsity Cheer team received a bid to the cheer national tournament in Orlando, FL in February. The team is super excited for the opportunity to compete at the national level. Making this dream a reality means lots of practice and fundraising, of course. To cover the team’s travel and accommodation expenses, they’re launching a fundraising campaign, and will host a Parents Night Out fundraiser on Sunday, December 10, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the Teen Room at the F.C. Community Center (223 Little Falls St., Falls Church), with holiday themed crafts, cheer activities, and other fun. Tickets are $40 for the first child and $10 for siblings. Parents are invited to drop their kids off and enjoy their afternoons. Questions can be emailed to Brittany Sakata at brittanysakata@gmail.com. Sign up at bit.ly/FCNP1223mc.

F.C. 4-H Club Honored With Multiple Awards

On November 18, Fairfax County’s 4-H extension agent, India Pearson, recognized the members of the Falls Church City 4-H Club by presenting it with the First Place Club Fair Supporter Award. This award goes to the club with the highest participation in the Fairfax County 4-H Fair, held in August at Frying Pan Park. The club was recognized for the members’ participation on the fair planning committee, service as fair superintendents, help with setting up and taking down the fair, and participation in the 4-H Community Booth.

In addition, the Ann Marlow “Friend of 4-H” Award was bestowed on Falls Church City Public Schools (FCCPS). During the last few years, the school system has donated space at Meridian High School to allow youth from Fairfax County to compete in County Contest Day, which fosters public speaking and presentation skills, fashion review for sewing and clothing arts, and the performing arts. The FCCPS has also provided monthly meeting space to the members of the 4-H club.

The accolades didn’t stop there. The president of the FCC 4-H Club, Alexandra Blake, won the Clyde Jackson Spirit of 4-H Award, for her countless hours working with 4-H members the county, the 4-H summer camp and fair, and for inspiring others to live up to the 4-H motto. This honor is presented to an individual who “strives to exemplify the spirit of 4-H” just as its namesake did.

Jackson served as the first president of the Black Virginia 4-H Youth Program and was one of the African-American youth leaders to attend the first integrated State 4-H Congress. He was posthumously inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame.

The Larry Blair Memorial Award was awarded to Kate Diller as the club member with the highest participation in the 2023 fair. In addition to a plaque, Diller received a $100 scholarship. She was also named the Senior Division Overall High Point Winner, determined based on total points awarded for projects entered at the County Fair that win Grand Champion, Reserve Champion, Blue, Red, or White ribbons.

Three club members received the Head Award, awarded to the member in each age level showing exceptional leadership skills throughout the year: Molly York won the Junior Head Award for enthusiastically helping the Achievement Night decorating committee; Evie Bachman won the Intermediate Head Award for exceptional leadership skills; and Tony Diller won the Senior Head Award for efforts to create the fair superintendent guides for each department and the Senior Fair Supporter Award.

The Senior Hands Award, awarded to a member at each age level who strives to make a difference in their club and community, went to Owen Penrose for his dedication to the club and joy of teaching other members parliamentary procedure.

Two club members won the Health Award, awarded to a member at each age level who was proactive in helping make their club and community a healthier place: Elena Jimenez won the Junior Health Award for her work with the Chick Booth at the fair, which included setting the leg of a chick when it was broken; Seamus Cronin won the Junior Health Award for organizing and planning bicycle and hiking trips.

“We are so proud of these 4-H’ers,” said club managers of the Falls Church City 4-H club Mechelle Coppock and Esther Wisdom. “Their enthusiasm and willingness to learn and make a difference in their community embodies the spirit of 4-H, ‘To Make the Best Better.’”

4-H seeks to provide an environment where youth can learn and explore different subjects while having fun. It offers a variety of different project groups to ensure each club member will find a topic they value. By providing wonderful educational yet fun activities, a club member will retain skills for a lifetime.