<sh>Seeking Names for New School
<bt>Fairfax County Public Schools is seeking community input to name the new southwest county middle school to be located at Union Mill and Compton Roads in Clifton, scheduled to open September 2002.
The public is welcome to attend a community meeting Tuesday, March 19, in the Union Mill Elementary School cafeteria, 13611 Springstone Drive, Clifton, at 7 p.m.
School Board member Catherine Belter (Springfield), Cluster VII director Carma Norman and the new school's principal, Audra Sydnor, will be available at the meeting.
Questions about student assignment to the new middle school can be directed to Gary Chevalier, director of facilities planning services, at 703-246-3608. Questions about the meeting or naming the new school should be directed to the Cluster VII office at 703-246-8198.
<sh>Student CD on Sale
<bt>Arts & Education In Concert (AEIC), a nonprofit organization that provides creative outlets to students in Northern Virginia, has released "Project X," a compact disc compilation of songs composed and performed by students involved in the AEIC programs.
The CD, funded by the Northern Virginia Community Foundation, splices student compositions with clips of a discussion between AEIC staff and students at South Lakes High School in Reston. In between songs, the students talk about their experiences and thoughts on drugs, alcohol, violence, stress, depression and relations with peers and parents.
The music, ranging from jazz to rap, was written by students from South Lakes, Lake Braddock Secondary in Burke, Wakefield High School in Arlington, Loudoun Valley High School in Loudoun County and Fields High School in Washington D.C.
The CD can be purchased on the AEIC Web site at www.aeconcert.org or at Foxes Music in Falls Church and Sam Goody in the Fairfax Mall.
<sh>Student Mediation Conference Set
<bt>Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Daniel Domenech and Deputy Superintendent Alan Leis will provide the introductory remarks each day at the Tenth Annual Northern Virginia Regional Student Mediation Conference, March 14-15, at George Mason University.
Participants will earn skills and strategies to help ensure that their schools are safe and respectful learning environments, using the theme, "Pathways to Peace." During the workshops, participants will explore how student mediators can use the 10 pathways — respect, anger management, reconciliation, communication, mediation, listening, cooperation, trust, negotiation and teamwork — to help guide their peers to peaceful conflict resolution.
The March 14 conference, for middle and high school, will begin with remarks from Domenech followed by keynote speaker Gail Pennybacker of ABC 7 News. The March 15 conference, for elementary schools, will begin with remarks from Leis followed by keynote speaker Marcia Sweedler, a conflict resolution educator from Nova Southeastern University. One hundred workshops will be offered over the course of the two-day conference, as well as a PowerPoint presentation celebrating peer mediation will be given both days.
<sh>"Don't Drink the Water"
<bt>The students at the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology will perform the comedy, "Don't Drink the Water," written by Woody Allen, on April 19, 20, 26 and 27, beginning at 7:30 p.m., at the school.
The play centers around an American family, the Hollanders, who are on tour in a Communist country when they become the focus of an international spy incident. Tickets are $5 if purchased in advanced and $7 at the door. To reserve tickets, call 703-750-8300. The school is located at 6560 Braddock Road, Alexandria.
<sh>Schools Events Calendar
<bt>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.
Monday, March 18, 7 p.m.
Superintendent's Retreat for the School Board, reconvened. Burkholder Center, 10700 Page Ave., Fairfax.
Monday, March 18
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-old, 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 20, 6 p.m.
Fairfax County School Board post-session legislative reception. Springfield Golf and Country Club, 8301 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield.
Wednesday, March 20, 7 p.m.
School Health Advisory Committee meeting. Devonshire Center, 2831 Graham Road, Falls Church.
Wednesday, March 20, 7:30 p.m.
Adult and Community Education Advisory Committee meeting. Pimmit Adult Center, 7510 Lisle Ave., Falls Church.
Thursday, March 21, 8 a.m.
Professional Technical Studies Advisory Committee meeting. Walnut Hill Center, 7423 Camp Alger Ave., Falls Church.
Thursday, March 21, 7 p.m.
Fairfax County School Board regular meeting. Luther Jackson Middle School, 3020 Gallows Road, Falls Church.
Friday, March 22
Student holiday for all modified calendar elementary schools.