Fairfax Education

Raising Awareness, Money at Fairfax High

Seniors organize fundraising for Lou Gehrig’s Disease

For three Fairfax High School seniors--Hannah Kostoff, Carley Rolincik and Ryan Hess--a school marketing project became an opportunity to advance a noble cause. On Saturday, Jan. 12, the three seniors organized a fundraising and awareness event for the Lou Gehrig’s disease or ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis).

Area Roundups

Resiliency Expert to Speak at Robinson

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) will host a presentation by resiliency expert Nan Henderson—Resiliency in Action: How Families, Schools and Communities Create 'Bounce Back’ Kids—on Tuesday, Jan. 29, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Robinson Secondary School. This free presentation is designed for parents, school staff, and community members.

Mason’s School of Art Presents ‘Draw(n) Out’ Exhibit

George Mason University's School of Art is presenting "Draw(n) Out," an exhibition featuring works by nationally recognized artists from across the United States, including a selection of artists represented by galleryELL in Brooklyn, N.Y. The exhibition will be on display in the Fine Art Gallery in the Art and Design Building on Mason's Fairfax Campus from Jan. 22 through Feb. 15. Opening Reception will be held on Thursday, Jan. 24, from 6-8 p.m.

Whisked Away to the Land of Oz

Home school co-op students stage an original musical to benefit Rancho 3M Orphanage.

The Sovereign Grace Co-op Drama Club is staging The Patchwork Girl of Oz and giving ticket sales and all donations to Rancho 3M Orphanage in Guadalupe, Mexico. The production showcases the singing and acting talents of over 30 middle and high school students from Sovereign Grace Home School Co-op in Fairfax.

Fairfax Nonprofits Awarded $218,000 in United Way Grants

Several nonprofits providing health and education services in Fairfax County were awarded 20 grants totaling $218,360 from the United Way of the National Capital Area (United Way NCA) during the Tuesday, Jan. 1, Board of Supervisors meeting. The funds came through designations to the Fairfax/Falls Church Community Impact Fund in United Way NCA’s annual workplace giving campaign.

Readers of the Pack

What Fairfax County residents read in 2012.

According to Mary Mulrenen, spokesperson for the Fairfax County Public Library, Fairfax County readers selected many of the same fiction and non-fiction favorites that caught the attention of book-lovers nationwide. Dr. Seuss, science-fiction and, once again, lawyers (John Grisham’s 25th legal thriller) topped the charts.

Fairfax Rotary Club Awards Global Grant Scholarship

The Rotary Club of Fairfax, a part of Rotary District 7610 in Northern Virginia, recently awarded the Global Grant Scholarship to a young woman from Fairfax City. Sophie McManus learned she was the winner of the competitive scholarship on Nov. 4, nudging out many other young people from the area.

Enhanced Security Around Schools

FCPS releases message about Connecticut tragedy.

On Sunday, Dec. 16, Superintendent Jack Dale sent an email message to all FCPS families and employees. He said the Fairfax County Police Department will be increasing patrols and visibility this week around all FCPS schools, including elementary schools, in response to Friday's tragedy in Connecticut.

Editorial: Learning in a Global Community

Students in Fairfax County speak 160 languages.

This week our ongoing series about immigration in Fairfax County takes a look at county schools, and some of the joys and challenges of having a diverse student body that speaks as many as 160 different languages at home.

Week in Fairfax

Police collect toys for sick children, Fairfax County Animal Shelter to offer free spay or neuter for the first 100 animals adopted, Remembering Leslie Prokop, Woodson Drama Night Out, First bike sharing system implemented at GMU, and Christmas tree fire safety

Parent Perspective on Boundary Changes

After Monday’s boundary-change meeting, some parents discussed their own concerns with the potential changes.

Seeking Relief for Fairfax and Lanier

Parents discuss school boundary changes.

School boundary changes are never easy and, no matter how they end up, somebody’s always unhappy. But when schools are projected to be at 125 percent and 109 percent of their building capacities in just a few more years, something has to be done in advance to prevent it.

Schools Using Diversity for Student Benefits

Immersion, ESOL programs aim to take advantage of area cultures.

As Fairfax County has experienced massive growth in its international population, its effects have spread to its educational institutions. Forty-four percent of the Fairfax County Public Schools students come from homes that speak a language other than English, which includes 160 different languages.

We Are the World, at Garfield

Teachers discuss challenges of teaching English as a Second Language.

Garfield Elementary School in Springfield, like all of Fairfax County, has a population that reflects a wide range of backgrounds.

Marshall High is the Face of Fairfax County

Upwards of 90 countries represented by student population.

The schools that feed into George C. Marshall High School are the academic home to children from all over the world.

Fairfax Connection