Fairfax Education

Fairfax: Robinson Square Root

Educational program part of FACETS plan to prevent homelessness.

“If you don’t do homework, you get bad grades,” Dowling asserted. The boys are receiving after school homework assistance at the Robinson Square community center, owned by Fairfax County and operated by Fairfax-based non-profit FACETS.

Herndon: Citizen Committee Rejects Cellphone Tower Next to Crossfield Elementary

Committee Denies Cell Tower Application

On Tuesday, Nov. 15, the Hunter Mill District Land Use Committee voted 3-2 to deny an application to build a cellphone tower on Crossfield Elementary School property on Fox Mill Road in Herndon. "This is about money, not anything else,” says Griffin, who is a father of a fourth grader who attends the elementary school.Milestone Communications towers on county school properties has generated more than $13 million of income over the last 20 years for the school system, says Forkas. The proposed tower would generate approximately $40,000 of revenue a year for the school system once at least three carriers agree to use the tower, he says.

Springfield: Key Center Teacher Publishes Counting Book

If Barney, the big purple dinosaur, motivates one of his students to learn to count, Ka’ala Rapoza won’t stand in the way. But Rapoza, 37, also recognizes the need to balance age-appropriate teaching tools with the skill being learned.

Fairfax: Educational program part of FACETS plan to prevent homelessness

On a weekday afternoon, young Fairfax resident Demetrius Dowling works independently on an extra math word problem. A few rows behind him, George Mason University senior and volunteer Rebecca Curtis spends time on a division problem with Yasir Abuelhassan, also from Dowling’s neighborhood.

Fairfax County: FCPS Testing Water Quality in Schools

Drinking water at 40 public schools in Fairfax County has been tested for safety, a release from FCPS said.

Fairfax County: School Board Formalizes Search for New Superintendent

Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates (HYA) has been contracted by Fairfax County Public Schools to search for a new school system superintendent. Dr. Karen Garza announced on Sept. 19 she would be leaving that role to become president and CEO of the Columbus-based education organization Battelle for Kids.

Sangster Hosts Veterans Day Assembly

Viewpoints: Burke Students on Meaning of Veterans Day

Of the 970 students and 665 families at Sangster, which serves parts of Burke, Fairfax Station and Springfield, Principal Lisa Reddel said 175 families are associated with the school’s Military Spouses Group that welcomes newcomers and supports new to the area military families getting settled.

FCPS Get2Green Program Receives Climate and Energy Leadership Award

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is recognized with a 2016 Climate and Energy Leadership Award in the Educational Institution category for its Get2Green program. FCPS is the 10th largest school district in the nation with over 220 facilities comprising 197 schools, 11 centers, and other support buildings.

Council gives go-ahead to Rust Curve project.

Rust Curve Project Gets ‘Green Light’

The Rust Curve proposal is controversial, with residents on both sides of the issue. But, believing in the many benefits it’ll bring, the Fairfax City Council has given it a green light. The project entails building a continuous brick sidewalk on the west side of Route 123/Chain Bridge Road between Old Town Fairfax and Rust Hill Place. It also replaces the drainage ditch and deteriorating sidewalk along Chain Bridge Road with a new, at-grade curb, gutter and sidewalk.

Fairfax: Paul VI Presents ‘Don’t Go Near the Water’

In an American embassy somewhere behind the Iron Curtain. The ambassador’s son, a bumbler, is running the embassy when three American tourists – parents and their 23-year-old daughter – run inside. They’re being chased by secret police who accuse them of spying and picture-taking. So they seek asylum and make plans to escape. Featuring a cast and crew of 50, Paul VI High presents the rollicking comedy, “Don’t Go Near the Water.” It takes the stage Thursday-Sunday, Nov. 17-20, in the school theater.

Patriotic Musical Salutes to America’s Veterans

Veterans Day weekend at Center for the Arts.

“Many young adults now do not grow up with the music of Duke Ellington so it is incredibly gratifying to watch them develop, both musically and emotionally, when they make a connection with ‘Jazz’ and its significance within American history,” said Darden Purcell, Director of Jazz Studies, George Mason University.

Attracting New Businesses, Improving the Economy

City of Fairfax establishes Technology Zone

The City Council has now established a citywide Technology Zone. Board Co-Chair Fred Cornett said, “Most cities of our size in Northern Virginia have Technology Zones – there are 40 total in the commonwealth. So to level the playing field, it would be beneficial to us to have a Technology Zone Ordinance to at least have what everybody else has in their tool kit.”

Fairfax Rotary Club Celebrates 85 Years

Serves people at home and abroad

“It’s about the Rotary motto, ‘Service above Self,’” explained Tuininga. “We also donate financially to the Boys and Girls Scouts programs and to the Fairfax Police Youth scholarship.” The Rotary Club of Fairfax had just 16 members when it was chartered in 1931 by local businessmen and community leaders. Today, it’s 75 members strong, has a long history of service to the City and just celebrated its 85th anniversary.

Having Adventures, Finding Family

Fairfax students are in ‘James and the Giant Peach Jr.’

When 10-year-old James loses his parents, he has to live with his two mean aunts. But things get better when he discovers a magic potion that grows a gigantic peach. Alliance Theatre’s upcoming musical, “James and the Giant Peach Jr.,” is about courage and self-discovery.

Fairfax County: Garza FCPS Departure Impacts Stuart Name Change Working Group

Responding to a student-led group petitioning to change the name of J.E.B. Stuart High School in Falls Church, the Fairfax County Public Schools board voted over the summer to create a working group that would consider the community concerns and look into the logistics of a potential name change.

Fairfax Connection