Fairfax Education

Debate Over School Budget Continues

Later start times, class size among topics at School Board public hearing.

Later start times, class size, and cuts to needs-based staffing were major themes of the testimony given at the Jan. 27 public hearing on Superintendent Karen Garza’s proposed budget.

Board Cites Lack of Funds for School Renovations

Aging schools collide with increasing student enrollments.

While the 2015 to 2019 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) passed at the Fairfax County Public School Board meeting on Thursday, Jan. 3, many board members expressed concerns with the program.

‘Family-Friendly, Magical and Heartwarming’

Robinson presents children’s play, “The Snow Queen.”

Based on the same Hans Christian Anderson tale as the Disney movie, “Frozen,” Robinson Secondary presents the children’s play, “The Snow Queen.”

Fairfax Academy Hosts MCT Festival

Eight annual MCT Fest displays students’ talents, leadership.

Students enrolled in Fairfax Academy’s Music Computer Technology (MCT) class impressed parents and teachers by hosting and performing original compositions at the Eighth Annual MCT Fest on Jan. 8 in Fairfax.

Fairfax County Launches Sex Trafficking Prevention Campaign

Sex trafficking education materials also added to school curriculum.

In order to raise awareness to the fact that sex trafficking can happen anywhere, even in Fairfax County, a new prevention campaign and website raising awareness of this issue launched on Jan. 13.

Garza Proposes $2.5 Billion Budget for FY 2015

Proposed Fairfax County public schools budget would cut 731 positions, increase class size.

At the Jan. 9 School Board Meeting, Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Karen Garza released the proposed budget of $2.5 billion for FY 2015. The budget proposal requires an additional $98.1 million, or 5.7 percent increase compared to FY 2014, from Fairfax County, which the school system says is due to uncontrollable factors such as enrollment growth, retirement rate increases and the structural deficit. The FY 2015 proposed budget is an increase of $59.4 million from last year’s approved budget.

Field Trip Grant Program Exposes Children to Nature

Grant brings local elementary and middle schools to Hemlock Overlook Regional Park in Clifton.

The Dominion Foundation’s grant of $10,000 to the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority will allow for children from local elementary and middle schools to attend field trips at Hemlock Overlook Regional Park in Clifton as part of the Field Trip Grant Program.

Wrapping up Joy for Christmas

Students, Scouts, police brighten holiday at Hanley Shelter.

The children living in the Katherine Hanley Family Shelter may not have many possessions; but on Christmas Day, they had presents. The gifts were donated by a variety of groups, including the Fair Oaks District Police Station and Chantilly High’s photography students.

DiCenzo Has Bright Vision for Fairfax

Getting to know the high school’s new theater director.

As theater teacher and director at Fairfax High, Erich DiCenzo is exactly where he wants to be. "I have a bachelor of fine arts in musical theater and dance and was a professional actor for eight years, so this is a second career," he said. "I knew I wanted to perform forever, but not make it my living."

Here They Come A-Wassailing

Robinson Singers selected to perform Candlelight Christmas concerts with The Washington Chorus.

While most of their peers are anxiously counting down the days until winter break, the 36 members of the Robinson Singers elite vocal group are focused on a different goal: performing with the renowned Washington Chorus at the Kennedy Center and Music Center at Strathmore.

Encore Dancers Present ‘Switching Christmas’

Fairfax High student is in new, holiday show.

When a precocious, young girl changes places with a playful elf at the North Pole, things are bound to go awry and only Santa can save the day.

‘It’s Not OK to Turn a Blind Eye to Bullying’

Fairfax High students pledge to stand by each other.

Children of all ages get bullied and bully others, themselves. It’s not true of all children, but it’s true of enough of them that Fairfax County and City of Fairfax schools want to do something about it.

Fairfax High’s Musicians Perform at VMEA Event

For the first time in Fairfax High’s history, the school band’s Wind Ensemble was chosen to perform at the Virginia Music Educators Association (VMEA) convention. This year’s event was held Friday, Nov. 22, at The Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, Va.

Facing the Life Challenges

W.T. Woodson High School’s production of ‘Into the Woods’

“Careful the things you say. Children will listen.” While we all want to tell our children to live happily ever after, such dreams are not always that simple. In W.T. Woodson High School’s production of “Into the Woods,” what started out as an innocent amalgamation of fairy tale characters became a powerful story of resilience, responsibility, and letting go of the people we love.

Musical with a Message

Journey ‘Into the Woods’ with Woodson High.

Fairytale characters come to life, but in different and unexpected ways in Woodson High’s upcoming musical, "Into the Woods."

Fairfax Connection