Report Card Change
<bt>The Fairfax County School Board will be introducing a new report card for Kindergarten for a future vote at its meeting Thursday, Sept. 12.
The new Kindergarten Progress Report was piloted in 41 elementary schools during the 2001-02 school year and an additional 32 elementary schools will use the card this year.
The revamped report is designed to provide more information to parents regarding their child's progress. It is also more in line with the county's program of studies and the state's standards of learning. The last time the Kindergarten report card was revised was in 1987.
<sh>Information Distribution
<bt>The School Board, at a work session Sept. 5, debated its policy concerning the distribution of information from community groups through the schools.
The current school system policy permits information from a school official, the school's PTA, the School Board or other school organization to be inserted in the students' take-home packets. In some cases, selected nonprofit groups have also been permitted with approval from the Office of Community Relations.
The board is reviewing whether a wider-range of nonprofit groups should also be able to send information home through the schools. Some concerns raised by principals have been the amount of paperwork opening up the access will create and the loss of the Office of Community Relations as the central approving authority due to budget constraints.
The board was presented two versions of a draft policy, with neither gaining clear support. Instead, some suggestions made by the board included allowing the nonprofits to include information twice a year, providing an area in a central location such as the library or school lobby for materials and allowing the groups to take part in back-to-school nights.
The staff was asked to incorporate the suggestions and bring it back to the board for final review.
<sh>Glascow Middle Update
<bt>It appears Glascow Middle School may be on its last legs. An independent consulting firm, Peck & Peck, has determined it is not fiscally sound to renovate the aging Alexandria-area school. The consultant instead suggests building a new school on the grounds of the current facility and tearing down the old structure.
Jerry Peck said it would cost approximately $23.8 million, in today's dollars, to renovate the school compared to $30.3 million to build a new school, a difference of about $6 million. He also said there was enough land on the property to construct the new school, while still using the current facility. The new building could be built on the existing ball fields. The existing building would then be converted to ball fields when the new structure opens.
Changing Glasgow's status in the capital improvement plan from renovation to new construction will not move the school up in the cue, said Tom Brady, assistant superintendent of the Department of Facilities Services. The school is not slated to receive any renovation funding until FY 2005, with the bulk coming in FY 2007.
"The key issue is cost-effectiveness of the number of children that will be in Glascow and the type of programs required there, the conditions came together at this particular time. This middle school is perfect for this," Brady said.
The School Board has already raised the possibility of doing the same sort of analysis for other aging buildings.
<sh>AP Exam Numbers Increase
<bt>The total number of Fairfax County Public Schools students taking advanced placement (AP) exams rose to 10,313 in 2002, up from 8,716 in 2001. The number of tests taken by all students rose to 20,236 from 17,351 last year. In addition, there has been an increase in scores of three or above to 13,089 in 2002, up from 10,825 in 2001.
Participation of minority students in the AP exams has increased; Asian and white students' participation increased the most. The number of tests taken by Asian students rose from 3,488 last year to 4,187, and their scores rose from 2.88 to 2.95. Scores for white students rose from 3.08 to 3.16 with 12,509 tests taken, up from 11,022. Scores for Hispanic students remained constant at 3.11, while the number of tests taken rose from 825 to 1,012. Black students took 780 tests, up from 673, but had a slight decline in test scores from 2.47 to 2.39.
<sh>ESL Classes Offered
<bt>Adult English as a Second Language classes are being offered by Hogar Hispano of Catholic Charities. The cost for registration and books is $35. Classes are held evenings, weekends and mornings and begin September in various locations throughout Northern Virginia. Call 703-534-9805, Ext. 239, between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., for more information.
<sh>Schools Calendar
<bt>Wednesday, Sept. 11, 7 p.m., Back-to-School Night
Churchill Road Elementary School (ES), afternoon kindergarten and grades four to six. 7100 Churchill Road, McLean;
Forestville ES, grades one, three, five. 1085 Utterback Store Road, Great Falls;
Great Falls ES, grades five and six. 701 Walker Road, Great Falls;
Haycock ES, kindergarten through grade three. 6616 Haycock Road, Falls Church.
Wednesday, Sept. 11, 7:30 p.m.
Minority Student Achievement Oversight Committee meeting. Walnut Hill Center, 7423 Camp Alger Ave., Falls Church.
Wednesday, Sept. 11, 7:30 p.m., Back-to-School Night
Keene Mill ES, grades four to six, GT three to six. 6310 Bardu Ave., Springfield.
Thursday, Sept. 12, 6:30 p.m., Back-to-School Night
Clearview ES, prekindergarten to grade six. 12635 Builders Road, Herndon;
Kings Park ES, grades two and three. 5400 Harrow Way, Springfield;
Westgate ES, kindergarten and grades four to six. 7500 Magarity Road, Falls Church.
Thursday, Sept. 12, 6:45 p.m., Back-to-School Night
Virginia Run ES, kindergarten to second grade. 15450 Martins Hundred Drive, Centreville.
Thursday, Sept. 12, 7 p.m., Back-to-School Night
Bonnie Brae ES, kindergarten and grades four to six. 5420 Sideburn Road, Fairfax;
Brookfield ES and Center, kindergarten and grades one and two, four through six. 4200 Lees Corner Road, Chantilly;
Centre Ridge ES, morning kindergarten and grades one, three, five. 14400 New Braddock Road, Centreville;
Clifton ES, grades four to six. 7010 Clifton Road;
Cub Run ES, grades TBD. 5301 Sully Station Drive, Centreville;
Fairview ES, kindergarten to grade three. 5815 Ox Road, Fairfax Station;
Forestdale ES, kindergarten through grade six. 6530 Elder Ave., Springfield;
Forestville ES, grades two, four, six. 1085 Utterback Store Road, Great Falls;
Freedom Hill ES, kindergarten to grade six. 1945 Lord Fairfax Road, Vienna;
Haycock ES, grades four to six. 6616 Haycock Road, Falls Church;
Hollin Meadows ES, grades ESL/kindergarten. 2310 Nordok Place;
Hunt Valley ES, grades four to six. 7107 Sydenstricker Road, Springfield;
Lanier MS, grade eight. 3710 Bevan Drive, Fairfax;
Laurel Ridge ES, kindergarten. 10110 Commonwealth Blvd., Fairfax;
Lees Corner ES, kindergarten to grade two. 13500 Hollinger Ave., Fairfax;
London Towne ES, grades four to six. 6100 Stone Road, Centreville;
McNair ES, grades three to six. 2499 Thomas Jefferson Drive, Herndon;
Mosby Woods ES, kindergarten to grade three. 9819 Five Oaks Road, Fairfax;
North Springfield ES and Center, kindergarten to grade five. 7602 Heming Court, Springfield;
Oak Hill ES, kindergarten to grade six. 3210 Kinross Circle, Herndon;
Poplar Tree ES, grades three to six. 13440 Melville Lane, Chantilly;
Rolling Valley ES, kindergarten to grade six. 6703 Barnack Drive, Springfield;
Saratoga ES, grades one, three. 8111 Northumberland Road, Springfield;
Springfield Estates ES, grades four to six. 6200 Charles C. Goff Drive, Springfield;
Terraset ES, kindergarten to grade six. 11411 Ridge Heights Road, Reston;
Union Mill ES, kindergarten to grade three. 13611 Springstone Drive, Clifton;
Woodlawn ES, kindergarten to grade six. 85-5 Highland Lane, Mount Vernon.
Thursday, Sept. 12, 7:30 p.m., Back-to-School Night
Deer Park ES, grades two, three, six. 15109 Carlbern Drive, Centreville.
Thursday, Sept. 12, 8 p.m., Back-to-School Night
Mosby Woods ES, grades four to six. 9819 Five Oaks Road, Fairfax;
Saratoga ES, grade five. 8111 Northumberland Road, Springfield;
Thursday, Sept. 12, 8 p.m.
Fairfax County School Board regular business meeting. Luther Jackson Middle School, 3020 Gallows Road, Falls Church;
Tuesday, Sept. 17, 6:30 p.m., Back-to-School Night
Cedar Lane Center, grades nine to 12. 101 Cedar Lane S.W., Vienna;
Crestwood ES, kindergarten to grade six. 6010 Hanover Ave., Springfield;
Daniel's Run ES, kindergarten to grade six. 3705 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax;
Hybla Valley ES, kindergarten to grade six. 3415 Lockheed Blvd., Mount Vernon;
Oak View ES, kindergarten, gold team, three, six. 5004 Sideburn Road, Fairfax.
Tuesday, Sept. 17, 6:45 p.m., Back-to-School Night
Navy ES, kindergarten to grade three. 3500 West Ox Road, Fairfax;
Westfield HS, grades nine to 12. 4700 Stonecroft Blvd., Chantilly.
Tuesday, Sept. 17, 7 p.m., Back-to-School Night
Armstrong ES and Center, a.m. kindergarten to grade three. 11900 Lake Newport Road, Reston;
Centreville ES, grades one to three. 14330 Green Trails Blvd., Centreville;
Hunters Woods ES, kindergarten to grade two. 2401 Colts Neck Road, Reston;
Hutchison ES, kindergarten to grade six. 13209 Parcher Ave., Herndon;
Lake Anne ES, kindergarten to grade six. 11510 North Shore Drive, Reston;
Louise Archer ES, kindergarten to grade six. 324 Nutley St. N.W., Vienna;
Riverside ES, kindergarten to grade six. 8410 Old Mount Vernon Road, Mount Vernon;
Sangster ES, grades four to six. 7420 Reservation Drive, Springfield;
Silverbrook ES, a.m. kindergarten, grades one, three, five. 9350 Crosspointe Drive, Fairfax Station;
Quander Road School. 6400 Quander Road, Mount Vernon;
Terra Centre ES, kindergarten to grade three multiage. 6000 Burke Center Parkway, Burke.
Tuesday, Sept. 17, 7:30 p.m., Back-to-School Night
Deer Park ES, grades PS, AUT, NCE, kindergarten-one. 15109 Carlbern Drive, Centreville;
Wednesday, Sept. 18, 6:30 p.m., Back-to-School Night
Chantilly HS and Center, grades nine-12. 4201 Stringfellow Road, Chantilly;
Groveton ES, kindergarten to grade six. 6900 Harrison Lane, Mount Vernon;
Providence ES, kindergarten. 3616 Jermantown Road, Fairfax.
Wednesday, Sept. 18, 6:45 p.m., Back-to-School Night
Oakton ES, kindergarten to grade two. 3000 Chain Bridge Road, Oakton;
Wednesday, Sept. 18, 7 p.m., Back-to-School Night
Armstrong ES, p.m. kindergarten, grades four to six. 11900 Lake Newport Road, Reston;
Brookfield ES and Center, 1/2 kindergarten, grades one to three. 11900 Lake Newport Road, Reston;
Cardinal Forest ES, grades four to six. 8600 Forrester Blvd., Springfield;
Carson Middle School (MS), grade seven. 13618 McLearen Road, Herndon;
Centreville ES, kindergarten, grades four to six. 14330 Green Trails Blvd., Centreville;
Great Falls ES, grades two, four. 701 Walker Road, Great Falls;
Herndon ES, kindergarten to grade six. 630 Dranesville Road, Herndon;
Longfellow MS, grade seven. 2000 Westmoreland St., Falls Church;
Ravensworth ES, kindergarten to grade three. 5411 Nutting Drive, Springfield;
Robinson Secondary, grades seven, eight. 5035 Sideburn Road, Fairfax;
Silverbrook ES, p.m. kindergarten, grades two, four, six. 9350 Crosspointe Drive, Fairfax Station;
Stone MS, grade seven. 5500 Sully Park Drive, Centreville;
White Oaks ES, grades four to six. 6130 Shiplett Blvd., Burke;
Wolftrap ES, kindergarten to grade six. 1903 Beulah Road, Vienna.
Wednesday, Sept. 18, 7 p.m.
School Health Advisory Committee meeting. Devonshire Center, 2831 Graham Road, Falls Church.
Wednesday, Sept. 18, 7:30 p.m.
Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities meeting. Belle Willard Center, 10310 Layton Hall Drive, Fairfax.
Thursday, Sept. 19, 6:30 p.m., Back-to-School Night
Sunrise Valley ES, newcomers. 10824 Cross School Road, Reston;
Waples Mill ES, grades p.m. kindergarten, prekindergarten, 1-3, prim. flex. 11509 Waples Mill Road, Oakton.
Thursday, Sept. 19, 6:45 p.m., Back-to-School Night
Oakton ES, kindergarten to grade two. 3000 Chain Bridge Road, Oakton;
Navy ES, grades four to six. 3500 West Ox Road, Fairfax.
Washington Mill ES, kindergarten to grade six. 9100 Cherrytree Drive, Mount Vernon.
Thursday, Sept. 19, 7 p.m., Back-to-School Night
Chesterbrook ES, kindergarten to grade six. 1753 Kirby Road, McLean;
Cooper MS, grade seven. 977 Balls Hill Road, McLean;
Crossfield ES, kindergarten to grade three. 2791 Fox Mill Road, Herndon;
Flint Hill ES, kindergarten to grade six. 2444 Flint Hill Road, Vienna;
Frost MS, grades seven, eight. 4101 Pickett Road, Fairfax;
Hayfield Secondary, grades nine to 12. 7630 Telegraph Road, Alexandria;
Herndon MS and Center, grade seven. 901 Locust St., McLean;
Hollin Meadows ES, grades one to six. 2310 Nordok Place, Mount Vernon;
Hunters Woods ES, grades three to six. 2401 Colts Neck Road, Reston;
Irving MS, grade seven. 8100 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield;
Kilmer MS, grades seven, eight. 8100 Wolftrap Road, Vienna;
Laurel Ridge ES, grades one to three. 10110 Commonwealth Blvd., Fairfax;
Marshall Road ES and Center, kindergarten to grade six. 730 Marshall Road S.W., Vienna;
Sunrise Valley ES, kindergarten to grade six. 10824 Cross School Road, Reston
White Oaks ES, kindergarten to grade three, GT. 6130 Shiplett Blvd., Burke.
Thursday, Sept. 19, 7:30 p.m., Back-to-School Night
Deer Park ES, grades four, five. 15109 Carlbern Drive, Centreville.
Thursday, Sept. 19, 7:45 p.m., Back-to-School Night
Waples Mill ES, a.m. kindergarten, grades four to six, upper flex. 11509 Waples Mill Road, Oakton.