Scholarship to Aid Victims of Segregation Shutout
<bt>Virginia Gov. Mark Warner (D) proposed a $2 million budget amendment last week to underwrite scholarships for African-Americans who were shutout from Virginia schools in 1959 when Prince Edward County school opted to close rather than integrate. If approved, the funds will provide roughly 250 to 350 black men and women with the education opportunities they were denied. The recipients could each receive as much as $8,000 to obtain a high school diploma, a GED, career or technical education or training, or an undergraduate degree from a public university in the state.
<sh>Language Courses Available at NVCC
<bt>Registration is underway for summer language classes at Northern Virginia Community College. Courses in French, German, Spanish, Chinese and Arabic are available, as is an English course for non-English speakers. Classes begin on May 17; students can choose from one or two six-week sessions, an eight-week block, or 12-week class schedule. To register or for a complete listing of course offerings, go to www.nvcc.edu or call 703.323.3770.
<sh>FCPS Students Named to All-State Band, Chorus
<bt>A total of 191 high school students from Fairfax County Public Schools performed last month as part of the All-Virginia Band and Orchestra and the All-Virginia Chorus. The 126 band and orchestra students performed in Blacksburg and the 65 chorus students performed in Richmond. For a complete list of the students, go to www.fcps.edu.
<sh>‘Turnaround Specialists’
<bt>Principals from 10 of Virginia’s lowest-performing schools will receive training from "turnaround specialists" this summer as part of a new program for consultants to help troubled schools. The program, announced last week by Virginia Gov. Mark Warner (D), is intended to apply strategic business techniques to public education. "While students in most of Virginia’s public schools are performing at ever-higher levels, there are schools in the Commonwealth where student achievement remains low," Warner said in a statement. "Turnaround specialists will provide these schools with effective, results-oriented leadership."
<sh>School Board Honors Country, Soldiers
<bt>The Fairfax County School Board voted unanimously last week to declare May "Pride in America Month," in honor of the country and the soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. "Fairfax County Public Schools expresses strong support and deep gratitude to the men and women of our armed forces, and to the many Virginia-based loved ones of our military, including especially the children of military parents enrolled in Fairfax County Public Schools, for their courage, service, and sacrifice at this time," the resolution said.
<ro>Education Calendar
<cal1>College Admissions Program. Thursday, May 6 at 7:30 p.m. at Robinson Secondary School.
Fairfax County School Board Work Session on Finance/Budget. Monday, May 10 at 7 p.m. at Jackson Middle School.
Fairfax County School Board Regular Meeting. Thursday, May 13 at 7:30 at Jackson Middle School.
Public Hearing on School Budget. Monday, May 17 at 7 p.m. at Jackson Middle School.
Public Hearing on School Budget (if needed). Tuesday, May 18 at 7 p.m. at Jackson Middle School.