Send your organization's announcement to The Loudoun Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, e-mail to loudoun@connectionnewspapers.com or fax to 703-917-0991. Deadline is two weeks before publication. Photos/artwork encouraged. Questions? Call Michael O'Connell at 703-917-6449.
Broad Run High School Band Students will be in the neighborhood Saturday, Sept. 7, to invite residents to band concerts throughout the year and to ask for donations to support the band program. These students are members of the marching band, jazz ensembles and performance ensembles and will be wearing band shirts for easy identification. For more information, contact Adrienne Miller at 703-450-4079.
Loudoun County Public School students who took the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) in 2002 had an average combined score of 1049. Not only is that a 13-point increase from 200, it's the highest score the school division has posted in the past ten years. The score was also higher than the combined score posted by Virginia (1016) and the rest of the country (1020).
Here are the 2002 average scores for LCPS' six high schools: Broad Run 1066 (528 math/538 verbal); Loudoun County 1053 (520 math/533 verbal 533); Loudoun Valley 1069 (529 math/540 verbal); Park View 999 (498 math/501 verbal); Potomac Falls 1057 (526 math/531 verbal); and Stone Bridge 1040 (518 math/522 verbal).
Wendy Leonard, a SEARCH teacher at Lowes Island Elementary, was awarded the Presidential Citation for Outstanding Educator from the Governor's School for Humanities and Visual and Performing Arts. Students attending the Governor's School nominate an educator who had the greatest influence on their education. Rachel Eller, a senior at Sherando High School in Frederick County, nominated Leonard for the award. Eller was a student of Leonard's when she was a fourth-grader at Bass-Hoover Elementary School.
Family Life Education curriculum guides and audio-visual materials will be available for review at the Loudoun County Public School Staff Training Center from Tuesday, Sept. 3 through Friday, Sept. 6 and Monday, Sept. 9 through Thursday, Sept. 12. The materials will be available to view between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. each day. The LCPS Staff Training Center is located at 43711 Partlow Road in the former Ashburn Elementary School.
The Classroom of Discovery offers weekly educational enrichment for children 2 1/2-5 years old who are either already attending preschool or looking for a weekly educational experience that will prepare them for higher learning. Use this program as an initial preschool experience or as a supplement to their current preschool program. The program is offered Tuesday and Friday mornings this fall at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, Sterling. Call 703-406-6199 or 703-450-5456 for more information.
St. John Bosco High School, a private college preparatory school in Leesburg started by Catholic parents, is accepting applications for the fall for grades nine through 12. Two merit scholarships are available. Its future sister school, Our Lady Help of Christians Academy, is also accepting applications for consideration of students wishing to attend grades six through eight this fall. Only 15 students will be accepted in each of the schools. Home-schooled children are invited to take individual courses in the classical program which stresses literature, fine art and music, science and math to supplement their home studies. For immediate consideration, call 703-777-8590.
The Loudoun County School board has kicked off its LEF Knowledge Endowment Campaign, which raises funds to create exceptional learning opportunities for Loudoun's public school students. The program is designed to channel community resources to students and teachers and support projects that excite children's curiosity and enhance the quality of Loudoun County Public Schools. Contributions to a particular school or program can be made via the United Way or the Consolidated Federal Campaign using the designation "Agency No. 8491."
Loudoun County Public Schools is seeking four-year-olds who may qualify to participate in the Starting Towards Excellence in Preschool (STEP) and Head Start programs. Four-year-olds who could benefit from preschool experience can get an early start on success in school through these free, half-day programs. To be eligible for the preschool programs, children must be four years old on or before Sept. 30 and live in a low-income household. Children with disabilities are also welcome. There is no charge for either program. Head Start serves children throughout Loudoun County. STEP serves children who live in the Leesburg and Sterling areas. Both preschool programs provide developmentally appropriate preschool experiences and create a nurturing environment of active learning. Parents who would like additional information are encouraged to call 703-771-6444. Registration is limited to space available, so call as soon as possible before the Fall 2002 opening are filled.