TJ Minorities Admissions Program
<bt>The PTSA Committee on Diversity at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology will offer a special program on opportunities for minorities at Jefferson Saturday, Sept. 21, from 3-5 p.m. at the school, 6560 Braddock Road, Alexandria.
The program will provide information on the admissions process and learning opportunities. It is designed for eighth-grade black, Hispanic and Native American students who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and their parents.
Jefferson is a Fairfax County public school and a Virginia Governor's School serving students selected on the basis of aptitude and interest in the biological, physical, mathematical and computer sciences. An admissions test is offered in early December.
Applications for admissions will be available beginning Oct. 1 from middle-school guidance offices or from the Jefferson admissions office. The deadline for applications for the 2003-04 school year is Nov. 1. For general information on admissions, call 703-750-8335 or on the Web at http://www.tjhsst.edu/about/admissions.
<sh>Tax Debate
<bt>The Fairfax County Council of PTAs, the umbrella group for the 80,000 PTA members in Fairfax County, will sponsor a debate Sept. 24 between supporters and opponents of the Northern Virginia transportation funding referendum that will go before local voters this November.
The debate, which is open to the public, will take place at 8 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 24 in the Little Theater of Falls Church High School. The school is at 7521 Jaguar Trail in Falls Church, off Arlington Boulevard (Route 50), one-half mile inside the Beltway (I-495).
The debate will focus on ways the road widening and mass transit measure might affect education. Appearing in support of the referendum will be representatives of Citizens for Better Transportation, and urging defeat will be members of the Coalition for Smarter Growth.
The transportation measure would increase the local sales tax by a half cent. In this year's session of the General Assembly, school supporters fought to include an additional half cent for school construction and renovation. But House leaders refused to allow consideration of the school request.
<sh>New Magnet School?
<bt>School Board member Christian Braunlich (Lee) has asked Fairfax County Public Schools staff to look into the economic, transportation and academic feasibility of co-locating a Governor's Regional School at Mount Vernon High School. The school, he said, could focus on governmental studies.
Braunlich said that unlike Thomas Jefferson School for Science and Technology — a Governor's magnet school in the Alexandria-area of Fairfax County, which serves the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church, and the counties of Arlington, Fairfax Loudoun, Prince William and Fauquier — the Mount Vernon school would not have to be a "self-standing school."
"Other magnet schools operate as half-schools or half-day programs," he said.
Braunlich also said, like the creation of Jefferson, there could be plenty of opportunity for the private sector or even the federal government to get involved with funding. He said technology was the main industry when Jefferson was being planned, and as a result, private industry played a partnership that got the school opened. Government, he said, is the second biggest industry in the county, thanks to its proximity to Washington, D.C.
Mount Vernon was suggested in part because it already has an international baccalaureate program that could be a good match for the magnet school and because the school is projected to be underenrolled within a few years.
"I don't think this should be done lightly or quickly," he said.
Several board members, including Isis Castro (Mount Vernon), co-sponsored the referral at Thursday's School Board meeting.
<sh>Report Card Change
<bt>The Fairfax County School Board is slated to vote on a new report card for kindergarten at its meeting Thursday, Sept. 26.
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 (SOL). The last time the kindergarten report card was revised was in 1987.
<sh>Tutor Workshops
<bt>A 12-hour workshop, spread over three sessions, will be offered by the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia Inc., 3431-A Carlin Springs Road, Falls Church, to prepare volunteers to become one-to-one basic adult literacy tutors. Tutors provide instruction to English-speaking adults who need to develop their basic reading and writing skills. The sessions are scheduled for Sept. 28, Oct. 5 and 12. It is not necessary to have any prior teaching experience. Call 703-575-7900 to register, or log on to www.lcnv.org for more information.
<sh>Schools Events Calendar
<bt>Wednesday, Sept. 18, 6:30 p.m., Back-to-School Night
Chantilly High School (HS) and Center, grades nine-12, 4201 Stringfellow Road, Chantilly;
Groveton Elementary School (ES), grades kindergarten-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, grades kindergarten-two, 3000 Chain Bridge Road, Oakton;
Wednesday, Sept. 18, 7 p.m., Back-to-School Night
Armstrong ES, grades p.m. kindergarten, four to six, 11900 Lake Newport Road, Reston;
Brookfield ES and Center, grades 1/2 kindergarten, 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, grades kindergarten, four to six, 14330 Green Trails Blvd., Centreville;
Great Falls ES, grades two, four; 701 Walker Road, Great Falls;
Herndon ES, grades kindergarten-six, 630 Dranesville Road, Herndon;
Longfellow MS, grade seven, 2000 Westmoreland St., Falls Church;
Ravensworth ES, grades kindergarten-three, 5411 Nutting Drive, Springfield;
Robinson Secondary, grades seven-eight, 5035 Sideburn Road, Fairfax;
Silverbrook ES, grades p.m. kindergarten, 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, grades kindergarten-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, one to three, prim. flex. 11509 Waples Mill Road, Oakton.
Thursday, Sept. 19, 6:45 p.m., Back-to-School Night
Oakton ES, grades kindergarten-two, 3000 Chain Bridge Road, Oakton;
Navy ES, grades four to six, 3500 West Ox Road, Fairfax;
Washington Mill ES, grades kindergarten-six, 9100 Cherrytree Drive, Mount Vernon.
Thursday, Sept. 19, 7 p.m., Back-to-School Night
Chesterbrook ES, grades kindergarten-six, 1753 Kirby Road, McLean;
Cooper MS, grade seven, 977 Balls Hill Road, McLean;
Crossfield ES, grades kindergarten-three, 2791 Fox Mill Road, Herndon;
Flint Hill ES, grades kindergarten-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, grades kindergarten-six, 730 Marshall Road S.W., Vienna;
Sunrise Valley ES, kindergarten-six, 10824 Cross School Road, Reston
White Oaks ES, grades kindergarten-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, grades a.m. kindergarten, upper flex. 11509 Waples Mill Road, Oakton.
Monday, Sept. 23, 6:30 p.m., Back-to-School Night
Mount Vernon HS and Center, grades nine-12. 8515 Old Mount Vernon Road, Mount Vernon.
Monday, Sept. 23, 7 p.m., Back-to-School Night
Bull Run ES, grades kindergarten-three. 15301 Lee Highway, Centreville;
Cunningham Park ES, grades kindergarten-six. 1001 Park St. S.E., Vienna;
Forest Edge ES, grades kindergarten-three. 1501 Becontree Lane, Reston;
Fort Hunt ES, grades kindergarten-six. 8832 Linton Lane, Mount Vernon;
Lake Braddock Secondary, grades seven, eight; 9200 Burke Lake Road, Burke.
Monday, Sept. 23, 7:30 p.m., Back-to-School Night
Kilmer Center, all grades. 8102 Wolftrap Road, Vienna.
Tuesday, Sept. 24, 6:30 p.m., Back-to-School Night
Fox Mill ES, grades kindergarten-six, 2601 Viking Drive, Herndon.
Tuesday, Sept. 24, 7 p.m., Back-to-School Night
Fairfax HS, grade nine-12, 3500 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax;
Floris ES, grades a.m. kindergarten, one to three, 2708 Centreville Road, Herndon;
Forest Edge ES, grades four to six, 1501 Becontree Lane, Reston;
Halley ES, grades kindergarten, two, four; 8850 Cross Chase Circle, Fairfax Station;
Lee HS, grades nine-12, 6540 Franconia Road, Springfield;
Laurel Ridge Center, grades kindergarten-six, 10110 Commonwealth Blvd., Fairfax;
Laurel Ridge ES, grades four to six, 10110 Commonwealth Blvd., Fairfax;
Lemon Road ES, grades kindergarten-six, 7230 Idylwood Road, Falls Church;
Newington Forest ES, grades kindergarten-two,. 8001 Newington Forest Ave., Springfield;
Rocky Run MS, grades seven, eight; 4400 Stringfellow Road, Chantilly;
South Lakes HS, grades nine-12, 11400 South Lakes Drive, Reston;
Terra Centre ES, grades four to six, 6000 Burke Center Parkway, Burke;
Vienna ES, grades kindergarten-six, 128 Center St. S., Vienna;
Whitman MS, grades seven, eight; 2500 Parker's Lane, Mount Vernon;
Willow Springs ES, grades kindergarten-two, 5400 Willow Springs School Road, Fairfax;
Woodson HS and Center, grades nine-12, 9525 Main St., Fairfax.
Tuesday, Sept. 24, 7:30 p.m.
Advisory Committee for the Gifted and Talented meeting. Walnut Hill Center, 7423 Camp Alger Ave., Falls Church.
Wednesday, Sept. 25, 7 p.m., Back-to-School Night
Carson MS, grade eight, 13618 McLearen Road, Herndon;
Fairhill ES and Center, grades kindergarten-six, 3001 Chichester Lane, Fairfax;
Greenbriar East ES, grades kindergarten-three, 13006 Point Pleasant Drive, Fairfax;
Greenbriar West ES, grades four to six, GT; 13300 Poplar Tree Road, Fairfax;
Halley ES, grades one, three, five, six; 8850 Cross Chase Circle, Fairfax Station;
Herndon HS, grades nine-12, 700 Bennett St., Herndon;
Lake Braddock Secondary, grades nine-12, 9200 Burke Lake Road, Burke;
Longfellow MS, grade eight, 2000 Westmoreland St., Falls Church;
Madison HS, grades nine-12, 2500 James Madison Drive, Vienna;
Robinson Secondary , grades nine, 10; 5035 Sideburn Road, Fairfax;
Stone MS, grade eight, 5500 Sully Park Drive, Centreville;
Wakeforest ES, grades kindergarten-six, 4011 Iva Lane, Fairfax;
Westbriar ES, grades kindergarten-six, 1741 Pine Valley Drive, Vienna;
West Potomac HS, grades nine-12, 6500 Quander Road, Mount Vernon;
West Springfield HS, grades nine-12, 6100 Rolling Road, Springfield.
Wednesday, Sept. 25, 7:30 p.m., Back-to-School Night
Mount Vernon Woods ES, grades preschool-three, 4015 Fielding St., Mount Vernon.
Wednesday, Sept. 25, 8 p.m.
Adult and Community education Advisory Committee meeting. Pimmit Adult Center, 7510 Lisle Ave., Falls Church.
Thursday, Sept. 26, 6:30 p.m., Back-to-School Night
Mantua ES and Center, grades kindergarten-five, 9107 Horner Court, Fairfax;
Oak View ES, grades kindergarten, green team, four, five; 5004 Sideburn Road, Fairfax;
Providence ES, grades one to six, 3616 Jermantown Road, Fairfax
Thursday, Sept. 26, 7 p.m., Back-to-School Night
Burke Center. 9645 Burke Lake Road, Burke;
Cooper MS, grade eight, 977 Balls Hill Road, McLean;
Crossfield ES, grades four to six, 2791 Fox Mill Road, Herndon;
Fairfax Villa ES, grades kindergarten-six, 10900 Santa Clara Drive, Fairfax;
Floris ES, grades p.m. kindergarten, four to six, 2708 Centreville Road, Herndon
Greenbriar East ES, grades four to six, 13006 Point Pleasant Drive, Fairfax;
Greenbriar East ES, grades kindergarten-three, 13006 Point Pleasant Drive, Fairfax;
Hayfield Secondary, grades seven, eight; 7630 Telegraph Road, Alexandria;
Herndon MS and Center, grade eight, 901 Locust St., McLean;
Hughes MS, grades 7-8. 11401 Ridge Heights Road, Reston;
Irving MS, grade eight, 8100 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield;
Key Center. 6404 Franconia Road, Springfield;
Little Run ES, grades kindergarten-six, 4511 Olley Lane, Fairfax;
Marshall HS, grades nine-12, 7731 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church;
McLean HS, grades nine-12, 1633 Davidson Road, McLean;
Sandburg MS, grades seven, eight; 8428 Fort Hunt Road, Mount Vernon;
Willow Springs ES, grades three, four; 5400 Willow Springs School Road, Fairfax
Thursday, Sept. 26, 7:30 p.m., Back-to-School Night
Mount Vernon Woods ES, grades four to six, 4015 Fielding St., Mount Vernon.
Thursday, Sept. 26, 8 p.m.
Fairfax County School Board regular business meeting. Luther Jackson Middle School, 3020 Gallows Road, Falls Church.
Thursday, Sept. 26, 8 p.m.
Professional Technical Studies Advisory Committee meeting. Walnut Hill Center, 7423 Camp Alger Ave., Falls Church.