Financial Boost for SOL Preparation
<bt>The new Algebra Readiness Initiative, adopted by the Virginia Department of Education, provides more than $300,000 to Fairfax County Pubic Schools for materials to help students at risk for failing the algebra Standards of Learning (SOL) test and to pay teachers for providing extra instructional time. The program is funded by the Virginia General Assembly and began with the start of the third grading period of the 2001-02 school year.
Students in the program are working in groups of 10 during an added instructional period, which replaces one of their other classes but does not affect the core classes. In some cases, the additional time is after school or on Saturdays. The students take pre- and post-SOL tests online with immediate feedback, allowing teachers to focus on problem areas. The countywide program is based on a model used at Franklin Middle School in Chantilly, which has resulted in 100 percent of participating students’ passing the algebra SOL.
<sh>Regional Science, Engineering Fair
<bt>Students from 27 Fairfax County pubic and private schools will compete in the 47th Annual Fairfax County Regional Science and Engineering Fair, March 8-10, at Robinson Secondary School, 5035 Sideburn Road in Fairfax. Judging will take place Saturday, March 9, and the fair is open to the public Sunday, March 10, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
The winners will be able to compete at the state and national levels, and grand-prize winners will have the opportunity to have their projects reviewed for possible patent applications.
<sh>Bookmark Contest Winners Honored
<bt>More than 175 Fairfax County Public Schools students, winners of the annual Safe and Drug-Free Youth Bookmark Contest, were honored Sunday, March 3, at a reception at Fairfax High School.
The winners were selected at their respective schools and received certificates of recognition. The top 16 county winners — consisting of four students from each of the four school levels: kindergarten through third grade, fourth through sixth grade, middle school and high school — received U.S. savings bond and scholarships.
The winners are: For the K-3 grade level, Keara Jones, Lake Anne Elementary, first place; Karen Wagoner, Silverbrook Elementary, second place; Sota Yamanaka, Haycock Elementary, third place; and Emily Woods, Stratford Landing Elementary, fourth place.
For the 4th-6th grade level, Taylor Stewart-Cannon, Mantua Elementary, first place; Soo Han, Cherry Run Elementary, second place; Megan Elizabeth Shankle, Cub Run Elementary, third place; and Sebra Yen, Bull Run Elementary, fourth place.
For the middle school level, Cassandra Harden, Robinson Middle, first place; Dina Khalf-Allah, Rachel Carson Middle, second place; Steve Kim, Longfellow Middle, third place; and Jackie Medrano, Poe Middle, fourth place.
For the high school level, Luis A. Marazzi, Centreville High, first; Kieumi Le Nguyen, Oakton High, second place; Amber Weed, Oakwood School, third place; and Megan Oppenheimer, Chantilly High, fourth.
<sh>Schools Events Calendar
<bt>Thursday, March 7, 7:30 p.m.
Fairfax County School Board regular meeting. Luther Jackson Middle School, 3020 Gallows Road, Falls Church.
Friday, March 8 - Sunday, March 10
Annual Fairfax County Regional High School Science and Engineering Fair. More than 600 Fairfax County Public Schools winners from local science fairs will compete in 13 exhibit categories. Fourteen grand-prize projects will be selected to compete in the 54th Intel International Science and Engineering Fair to be held in Louisville, Ky., in May. Projects may be viewed Sunday, March 10, from 1-3 p.m., followed by the awards ceremony from 3-4 p.m. The event is open to the public. For more information, call 703-642-9728. Robinson Secondary School, 5035 Sideburn Road, Fairfax.
Monday, March 11, 8 a.m.
Fairfax County School Board work session, policy review; facilities; student services. Burkholder Center, 10700 Page Ave., Fairfax.
Monday, March 11, 10 a.m.
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors' budget workshop with the Fairfax County School Board. Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax.
Monday, March 11, 12:30 p.m.
Fairfax County School Board work session, instruction. Burkholder Center, 10700 Page Ave., Fairfax.
Monday, March 11, 7:30 p.m.
Advisory Committee for the Gifted and Talented meeting. Walnut Hill Center, 7423 Camp Alger Ave., Falls Church.
Monday, March 11
Nurturing Parenting Program. Department of Family Services, Prevention, of Fairfax County is holding a Nurturing Parenting Program for Hispanic Families, for parents and their children up to 4 years, to teach nurturing skills and to reinforce strengths, values and culture. No cost, but registration is required. For more information, call 703-324-7405 or 703-324-7723. St. Anthony's Catholic Church.
Wednesday, March 13, 7:30 p.m.
Advisory Committee for Students With Disabilities meeting. Belle Willard Center, 10310 Layton Hall Drive, Fairfax.
Wednesday, March 13, 7:30 p.m.
Minority Student Achievement Oversight Committee meeting, Walnut Hill Center, 7423 Camp Alger Ave., Falls Church.