Books To Remain
<bt>The last two book challenges to be appealed to the Fairfax County School Board from a list originally seeking to remove 25 books from school-system libraries failed Monday night.
The Ess family of Mount Vernon had sought to remove "The Chocolate War," by Robert Cormier from elementary-school libraries and "I Was a Teenage Fairy," by Francesca Lia Block from elementary- and middle-school libraries.
In paperwork submitted for the Cormier book, the Esses wrote that they challenged the book "because of language, actions and situations in it. The author, Robert Cormier, is well known as an author of controversial books. 'The Chocolate War' is one of the most controversial and challenged books. …"
As for the Block book, they wrote, "She is well known as an author of books with homosexual and other very controversial themes, actions and situations. We challenge 'I Was a Teenage Fairy' because of language, actions and situations in it."
Christian Braunlich (Lee) made a motion to limit "The Chocolate War" to middle- and high-school libraries. The motion was defeated along party lines with only Braunlich, Mychele Brickner (At large), Rita Thompson (At large) and Tessie Wilson (Braddock) — all Republican-endorsed School Board members — supporting the motion. The book is currently available in one elementary school, although at the time of the challenge, it could be found in five. Four have since removed the book.
In what could be considered the surprise of the evening, Stuart Gibson (Hunter Mill) broke rank and sided with the Republican minority, which favored limiting the Block book to high-school libraries. The motion failed by a 5-6 vote. The book is available in three middle schools.
"I have heard between 10 to 15 challenges since being on the board and this is the most troubling for me," Gibson said. "The content of this book … taken as a whole is it age appropriate? This has been the greatest challenge for me as a board member, as a parent, as an elected official … it has extreme adult content."
Kaye Kory (Mason) was absent from the meeting.
<1b>— Jennifer Lesinski
<sh>Alternative High School Graduations
<bt>Seventy-one graduates will receive their diplomas at Pimmit Hills Alternative High School Tuesday, June 17, at 7 p.m., in the Marshall High School auditorium. Three students will each receive a $1,000 scholarship from the Dunn Loring Rotary Club and Apple Federal Credit Union will present a $1,000 scholarship. Recipients of the following scholarships will also be honored: the Burger King scholarship, the Ronald McDonald House Hispanic American Commitment to Educational Resources scholarship, the Virginia Guaranteed Assistance program grant to Virginia Commonwealth University, the Michael Lukeman scholarship and the Pimmit Hills High School scholarship.
At Bryant Alternative High School, 62 students will graduate, along with seven students from the Landmark Career Academy, on Tuesday, June 17, at 7:30 p.m., in the school auditorium. Scholarships will be awarded to 11 students, including two Technology Tomorrow scholarships of $1,000 each funded through the Northern Virginia Regional Partnership and six Careers in Learning scholarships from $500 to $1,000 each funded by local businesses. Bryant Alternative High students will also receive scholarships from the Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber of Commerce, the South Alexandria Rotary Club, and the Edward A. Ball memorial scholarship fund.
Graduation ceremonies will also be held at the following schools:
* Cedar Lane School, Tuesday, June 10, 6 p.m., in the school gym.
* Davis Center, Tuesday, June 17, 7 p.m., in the Marshall High auditorium.
* Key Center, Tuesday, June 17, 7 p.m., at the school.
* Kilmer Center, Thursday, June 19, 7 p.m., at the school.
* Mountain View School, Wednesday, June 18, 2 p.m., at Fairfax High School.
* Quander Road School, Thursday, June 12, 3 p.m., at the school.
<sh>Draeger Honored
<bt>Brad Draeger, assistant superintendent for the Department of Human Resources (HR) in Fairfax County Public Schools, has been named the winner of the Human Resources Professional Excellence in Government award by HR Leadership Awards of Greater Washington.
The professional excellence awards honor executives who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership in addressing a critical business issue, challenge, or opportunity by enhancing the efficiency, performance, cost management or profitability of the organization.
Among Draeger's accomplishments are restructuring the teacher hiring process by introducing automated resume scanning and follow-up automated telephone interviews; providing incentives and benefits to augment the standard employee compensation package, including giving employees self-service access to their personal and benefit information and creating an employee service center to respond to employee questions; and developing a program to train current employees for key leadership positions, now known as the LEAD Fairfax program and supported by a grant from the Wallace Reader’s Digest Funds.
Draeger has been employed by school system since 1979. The Department of Human Resources serves more than 21,000 employees.
<sh>Experts Discuss Gifted Students
<bt>Dr. Rena Subotnik and Dr. Janet Soller from the American Psychological Foundation Center for Gifted Education Policy will speak about developing the talents of gifted students at Woodson High School's auditorium, 9525 Main St., Fairfax, Monday, June 16, from 7:30-9:30 PM. The meeting is free and open to the general public. It is sponsored by the Fairfax County Association for the Gifted. For more information, please call Louise Epstein at 703-917-7960.
<sh>FCPS Events Calendar
<bt>Wednesday, June 11, 7 p.m.
School Board, special meeting, student recognition. Luther Jackson Middle School, 3020 Gallows Road, Falls Church.
Wednesday, June 11, 7:30 p.m.
Minority Student Achievement Oversight Committee meeting. Leis Center, 7423 Camp Alger Ave., Falls Church.
Thursday, June 12, 7:30 p.m.
School Board regular business meeting. Luther Jackson Middle School, 3020 Gallows Road, Falls Church.
Tuesday, June 17-Friday, June 20
Standard-calendar schools graduations.
Thursday, June 19
Last day of school for modified elementary calendar Fairfax County Public Schools.
Friday, June 20
Last day of school for traditional calendar Fairfax County Public Schools.
Saturday, June 21
Lake Braddock Secondary School reunion, class of 1983. Marriott Tysons Corner, Vienna. For more information, call 800-655-7971 or on the Web, www.GreatReunions.com.800-655-7971 or on the Web, www.GreatReunions.com.