<sh>CIP Approved
<bt>The Fairfax County School Board approved an amended Capital Improvements Plan last Thursday, Jan. 24, and threw down the gauntlet challenging the county Board of Supervisors and the General Assembly to cough up more money for education.
School Board member Tessie Wilson (Braddock) proposed to move the beginning planning money for Key Middle in Springfield, South Lakes High in Reston and the south county high school into FY 2003 instead of FY 2004 and Glasgow Middle in Alexandria and Woodson High in Fairfax into FY 2004 instead of FY 2005.
"These renovations need to happen sooner than later," Wilson said.
In addition, Robert Frye (At Large) amended the motion to include, "contingent on the School Board receiving an annual cash flow for capital projects of at least $135 million."
Currently, the Board of Supervisors puts a spending cap of $130 million per year on bond money.
"We need to convince Richmond on the half-cent sales tax and to get the county to lift the self-imposed bond spending limit," Frye said.
Both amendments passed unanimously.
<sh>TJ Students Make Semifinals
<bt>Margaret Camilla Barusch, Mee-Jung Jang, Jina Kim and Jee-Hyun Lyu, all students at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, have been selected as semifinalists in the 2001-02 Intel Science Talent Search.
Each of the students will receive a $1,000 prize, and the school will receive $1,000 for each semifinalist, to support science and math programs.
Three hundred semifinalists were chosen from 1,562 applicants. Next, 40 finalists will be selected and invited to attend the Science Talent Institute in Washington, D.C., March 6-11. The research projects can be submitted in any of the science disciplines, including chemistry, physics, mathematics, engineering, social science and biology.
<sh>Burke Teacher Honored
<bt>David Evelyn, a long-time Lake Braddock Secondary School art teacher and former chair of the school's art department, has been selected by the National Art Education Association to receive the Southeastern Secondary Art Educator of the Year award. It will be presented at the NAEA convention in March.
<sh>Teacher Job Fairs
<bt>Fairfax County Public Schools will be holding teacher job fairs Saturday, Feb. 2, and Saturday, March 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Oakton High School, 2900 Sutton Road in Vienna.
The school system is looking for teachers with strong academic backgrounds and is actively recruiting teachers, librarians and counselors for the 2002-2003 school year. Teachers in critical-field areas who make it through the selection process will be offered early contracts and a $1,000 signing bonus.
The February fair is for elementary and special education teachers. Registration for this fair closed Jan. 29. The March fair is for secondary and special education teachers. Registration for this fair runs from Feb. 6 through Feb. 26. Call 703-750-8533 to schedule an interview.
<sh>NOVAC Scholarship Offered
<bt>Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVAC) is offering $1,000 scholarships to qualified high-school seniors living in each of the counties served by NOVAC including Fairfax. The student's home must be served by NOVEC.
A single $1,000 scholarship will be awarded in Clarke, Fauquier, Loudoun and Stafford counties and the City of Manassas Park and two $1,000 scholarships will be available to students in Fairfax and Prince William counties. Children of NOVEC employees are also eligible to apply for a single $1,000 scholarship.
Applications, which must be returned by April 8, can be obtained by calling 703-392-1540 or 888-335-0500 ext. 1540 or through e-mail at bwhite@novec.
<sh>Aftermath Workshop
<bt>Fairfax County Public Schools is co-sponsoring a free workshop, Teaching in the Aftermath of Sept. 11, Friday, Feb. 1, and Saturday, Feb. 2. at Marshall High School. The University of Virginia Northern Virginia Center, in collaboration with the Curry School of Education, is also co-sponsoring the event, which is designed to help educators address the challenges of teaching in these uncertain times.
The workshop will provide developmentally appropriate strategies and resources for coping with traumatic events in the school setting. The event will be from 5-8 p.m., Feb. 1, and 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Feb. 2, at Marshall, 7731 Leesburg Pike in Falls Church. Teachers from all local school districts are welcome to attend. There is no fee, but space is limited. To register, visit http://uvace.virginia.edu/registration/northern/aftermath.htm.
<sh>Schools Events Calendar
<bt>Thursday, Jan. 31, 7-9 p.m.
Curriculum Night at Madison High School. An orientation of course registration for 2002-03 for Madison students and parents of grades eight-11. For more information, call 703-319-2322. Madison High School, 2500 James Madison Drive, Vienna.
Thursday, Jan. 31, 7:30 p.m.
School Board work session, Finance and Budget Committee. Luther Jackson Middle School, 3020 Gallows Road, Falls Church.
Tuesday, Feb. 12, 7:30 p.m.
Magnet Program Info Night at Bailey's Elementary. Presentation of the magnet program and philosophy at Bailey's Elementary School. The event is open to the public. Snow date is Feb. 19, 7:30 p.m. For more information, call 703-575-6800. Bailey's Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences, 6111 Knollwood Drive, Falls Church.
Monday, Feb. 18
Washington's Birthday, all schools closed.
Monday, Feb. 25 - Friday, March 1
Northern Region Basketball Tournament involving 16 boys and girls teams with winners advancing to state tour. Public is invited, admission is $6. For more information, call 703-426-2125. At local high schools and GMU Patriot Center.