In the closing weeks of August, finishing vacations and shopping for school supplies seems to be the schedule for many Burke families. With the area's elementary schools, many have additions, while some maintain the same level of education as last year.
Bonnie Brae
Ten new teachers arrive at Bonnie Brae. The school also has a new assistant principal, Kathy Bruce, who came from Orange Hunt Elementary School in Springfield. Back to school night is Tuesday, Sept. 9 at 7 p.m., for grades 1-3 , and Thursday, Sept. 11 at 7 p.m., for kindergarten, and grades 4-6. Enrollment is at 917.
Cherry Run
New assistant principal Nick Rousos will join first-year teachers Debbie Daly, Sara Kane, Shira Swartz, Mike Salpeter, Stacy Callaway, Ryan Smith and Mary Ellen Zavaleta. Last year, the school had fully accredited SOL tests. Back-to-School Night is Thursday, Sept. 11, for kindergarten through third grade. Times are 6:15 p.m., for first grade; 7 p.m., for kindegarten, 7:45 for second grade, and 8:30 for third grade. On Monday, Sept. 15, is a Back-to-School Night for grades four through six. Times are 6:30 p.m., for fourth grade; 7:15 p.m., for fifth grade; and 8 p.m., for sixth grade. Cherry Run's enrollment is at 565 students.
Fairview
Seven new teachers join the faculty this year at Fairview. Open house at Fairview is Thursday, Aug. 28, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. for grades one through six, and 7 p.m. for kindergarten. Back-to-School Night for kindergarten through third grade is on Sept. 9, and for grades four through six on Sept. 11, all at 7 p.m. This year's student enrollment is 650.
Halley
With the introduction of Lorton Station Elementary School in the south part of the county, Halley lost a total of 330 students. Some are going to Silverbrook, while some will be attending the new school. Halley's enrollment is now 620. Three new teachers have joined the staff, two second-grade teachers and one first-grade. Back-to-School Night is Wednesday, Sept. 10, at 7:30 p.m., for kindergarten, second and fourth grades; and Thursday, Sept. 11, at 7:30 p.m., for grades one, three, five and six.
Laurel Ridge
Students will have to work while renovations continue at Laurel Ridge. Work will be completed in the summer of 2004. Rebecca Gannon is a new assistant principal this year. Open House is on Aug. 29, at 10:30 a.m., and Back-to-School Nights are on Thursday, Sept. 11 for kindergarten, Tuesday, Sept. 16 for grades one through three, and Thursday, Sept. 18 for grades four through six. The program begins at 7 p.m. each night. Student enrollment at Laurel Ridge is 801.
Sangster
New staff members at Sangster include fourth-grade gifted-and-talented teachers Mary Beth Austin and Karen Clemdemin, as well as P.E. teacher John Koget, and special-education teacher Lisa McNamee.
The gifted-and-talented center is adding a new third-grade class, and there is an additional autism class. Back-to-School Night is Tuesday, Sept. 9, at 7 p.m. for kindergarten through third grades and gifted-and-talented students. The following Tuesday, Sept. 16, at 6 p.m., is Back-to-School Night for grades four through six. The enrollment is 675.
Silverbrook
This year, Silverbrook is welcoming a 10-classroom module to address 52 additional students resulting from new-home construction in the area and boundary changes due to the new elementary school in Lorton. Open House is Friday, Aug. 29, at 10 a.m. Back-to-School Night is Tuesday, Sept. 16, at 7 p.m. for a.m. kindergarten and grades one, three and five, and Thursday, Sept. 11, at 7 p.m., for grades two, four and six. Enrollment is 900.
Terra Centre
At Terra Centre, Back-to-School Night is Tuesday, Sept. 16, at 7 p.m., for kindergarten through third grade, and on Sept. 23 at 7 p.m., for grades four through six. Terra Centre's enrollment is 644.
White Oaks
This year, students will work at a new computer lab, new kiln, a renovated gym lighting system, and an updated telephone system. Back-to-School Night for a.m. kindergarten, and grades one through three is Wednesday, Sept. 17, from 7-8:30 p.m., and grades four through six is Thursday, Sept. 18. at 7 p.m. Back-to-School Night for afternoon kindergarten and gifted-and-talented students is also on Sept. 18, from 7-8:30 p.m. Student enrollment is 800.