8/29/02
The first day of school in Fairfax County, Sept. 3, promises to be full of adventure for area high school students. With renovations, budget cuts, and the future of the new South County High School still uncertain, here's a glimpse of what's to come at area schools.
FAIRFAX HIGH SCHOOL
The staff at Fairfax had their usual retreat this summer but this year they took members of the student government along on the two-day working session at the Graves Mountain Lodge to give them an opportunity to develop an agenda for the coming year, according to the acting principal Steve Singman.
The SGA came up with plans on diversity, informing all the students, and their theme of "Fairfax Rebelution," Singman said.
New programs at Fairfax include its wireless computer lab, open to three levels of physics. In addition, they have two new trailers to accommodate their student body of 2,035 students. They also have 40 new staff members to fill new positions and vacancies, which Singman called "fairly typical for this size staff." Back to school night is Sept. 24, at 7 p.m.
Fairfax Academy, a "school within a school," according to Gwen Plummer, academy counselor, is open to juniors and seniors from all over the county, and there are 435 enrolled at the academy this year. Fairfax Academy focuses on communications and the arts. In addition, this year staff are teaching Korean at the academy, according to Plummer.
"I believe we're the only high school in the county that teaches Korean," she said.
Fairfax Academy is one of five academy schools in the county.
LAKE BRADDOCK SECONDARY SCHOOL
The new staff at Lake Braddock includes a college and career counselor, Amy Carroll. Business partners include Outback Steakhouse, DZD Computer Services, Springfield Chamber of Commerce, McGray Associates and McDonald's which are partners cluster-wide. The back to school night is Sept. 25 at 7 p.m.
ROBINSON SECONDARY SCHOOL
At 400 students over capacity, Robinson has an additional six portable classrooms for a total of 12 to handle the students. The student enrollment is 2,900. Film study and Shakespeare are two additional subjects being offered. Robinson's business partner is Inova Fairfax Hospital, according to Principal Anne Monday.
"They offer opportunities for career exploration in the medical field," she said.
Back to school night for grades 9-10 is Sept. 25 and for 11-12, it is Oct. 2, both at 7 p.m.
WOODSON HIGH SCHOOL
Woodson is kicking the year off with a pep rally, Sept. 5. Back to school night is Sept. 24, at 7 p.m.