<lst>The school superintendent and 10 members of the education board from the Korean Jeon-ra province (as well as an interpreter) visited St. John's Catholic School in McLean on March 7, to be briefed on the school's administrative system and tour the facilities. The goal was to determine how the catholic school system in Korea compares with that of the United States and how best to implement changes within the Korean system. It was noted that channels of communication between students, families and teachers are more open and flexible in the American Catholic school system and better equipped to handle the different learning styles of the children.
The Langley High School Wind Symphony was invited to perform at the Bands of America National Concert Band Festival in Indianapolis March 10-12. Nineteen high-school concert bands and percussion ensembles were invited to perform at the festival, recognized as one of America's most prestigious concert band festivals. Five students from Fairfax County Public Schools have been named to the Honor Band and Honor Orchestra of America and will perform with these groups at the Festival. Among those selected is Amal Gochenour (flute) of Marshall High School.
Fairfax County Public Schools is soliciting community input on proposed new social studies textbooks for students in Grades 5, 9 and 10 beginning Thursday, March 10, through Monday, March 28. The books will be available at eight Fairfax County public library branches, including Fairfax City Regional Library, 3915 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax; Reston Regional Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston; and Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library, 7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church. For more information, contact Sara Shoob, FCPS social studies coordinator, at 703-846-8647 or sara.shoob@fcps.edu.
Marshall High earned the state championship in the Virginia High School League (VHSL) Theater Ensemble competition for one-act plays as well as its seventh straight first-place award in the Liberty District. Students performed drama teacher Mark Krikstan’s play “Here” to capture the title. Chantilly High finished fifth in the state competition, and Chantilly actors Melissa Klein (third place) and Phil Reid (seventh place) also earned state honors, as did Marshall actors Nathaniel Krause (fourth place) and Julia Weed (eighth place).
Award-winning children’s author David Schwartz will visit several Fairfax County elementary schools during the week of March 14-18 including Chesterbrook and Churchill Road Elementaries on Thursday, March 17. Author of "How Much is a Million," "G is for Googol," and the "Look Once, Look Again" science series, Schwartz's books have been cited by the American Library Association, the Smithsonian Institution, the Junior Library Guild, PBS's “Reading Rainbow,” School Library Journal, and the Children’s Book of the Month Club.
Dance From the Heart: United Belly Dance Benefit for Tsunami Aid. Dances of 1001 Nights, coordinating with sponsors in cities across the U.S., will present a Belly Dance Benefit on Saturday, April 2 to aid those in Southeast Asia affected by the tsunami. Titled “Dance From The Heart,” the Northern Virginia benefit will present performances of Egyptian, Persian, Turkish and American-influenced Middle Eastern Dance styles. This event will showcase some of the area’s top Middle Eastern dance artists, who have donated their time and effort in support of this cause. The event will be held in the main auditorium of Marshall High School, 7731 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church. The show begins at 7 p.m. Tickets for the show may be purchased at the door for $20 per person or in advance for $15 per person. Additional donations are welcome. Contact Nazie Massoumi at 703-653-8565 or e-mail iluv2shimmy@yahoo.com
Oakcrest School, 850 Balls Hill Road, presents the musical comedy "The Trouble with Flowers," based on an original script written by Oakcrest senior Alli Bacaj, Friday, April 8 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, April 9 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Call 703-790-5450.
The Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund honors Americans in the armed forces who have sacrificed life or limb by providing college scholarships to their children. Freedom Alliance is now accepting applications for the 2005-2006 academic year. The application deadline is June 30. Freedom Alliance is accepting applications from dependent children of U.S. military personnel who have been killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty during the War on Terror in Iraq, Afghanistan, Philippines, etc. Students must be enrolled, currently or by September, at an accredited college, university or vocational school. For more information about the Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund or to download an application, visit www.freedomalliance.org or call 800-475-6620.
Graduating seniors residing in or near Great Falls are invited to apply for two Alexander DeFilippis Scholarships being offered this spring. The Women's Association of St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Great Falls is proud to award these college scholarships to young men and women who have served their community with their time and talent. Membership in St. Catherine of Siena Parish is not required. The opportunity is open to college-bound seniors residing in Great Falls, Vienna, Reston, Herndon, McLean, Sterling and Potomac Falls and or registered parishioners. The selection process will place major emphasis on the student's development of Christian character and demonstrated service to others by involvement in school, church or community projects. The student must also have a 2.5 or higher overall high-school grade point average. Two scholarships of $3,000 each will be awarded again this year. Scholarship packages are available in the St. Catherine of Siena Parish office at 1020 Springvale Road, Great Falls, 703-759 4350. The applications must be returned by May 15.
The McLean High School Booster Club hosts an art show and auction on April 2. Come help the McLean Boosters celebrate the coming of spring in an evening of entertainment, door prizes, fun and auctioning fine art work at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 5115 Little Falls Road. The evening begins with a preview and reception at 7 p.m. offering live entertainment and a smorgasbord of hors d'oeuvres from local chefs and restaurateurs. The bidding commences at 8 p.m. Art for sale includes original oil, watercolors, enamels, etchings, lithographs and other graphics and is guaranteed to be substantially below gallery prices. Tickets cost $10 per person or 6 tickets for $50.00. Call John Smith at 703-760-9837. Tickets can be purchased at the door the day of the event for $15 per person.