The Westfield High School Choral and Orchestral Programs present selections from Handel's Messiah on Saturday, Dec. 17 and Sunday Dec. 18, in the Westfield High School Auditorium. Saturday's performance is at 7 p.m. and Sunday's performance is at 4 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for school-age students, children and senior citizens. Come and support the students as they perform this famous masterwork, featuring the WHS Chamber Singers, Bel Canto, Chamber Orchestra and student soloists. Tickets available in advance and at the door. Call the "Handel Hotline" at 703-488-6363, ext. 7181.
Area Chesterbrook Academy schools — along with their network of 150 sister schools throughout the country — announce “Trees for Learning.” This program is designed to help students learn about the weather and its impact on the environment. The program was developed after Hurricane Wilma left Chesterbrook Academy’s sister schools in South Florida closed and without power for up to two weeks.
“Trees for Learning” is the first phase of the three-phase program, “The Conservation for Learning Project.” The program is aimed at educating all students and their families on the importance of thinking “green” when it comes to understanding environmental needs.
The idea behind “Trees for Learning” is that students can help replant trees in Florida and in their own communities, and at the same time study the beneficial impact trees have on the environment. While they are studying trees, Chesterbrook Academy students will build paper trees in their lobbies and will sell the paper leaves to families and local businesses. The funds will be used to plant a tree at a Florida sister school and at their own school.
Stone Middle School will present the musical, "Fiddler on the Roof Jr." on Dec. 1-3. Some 46 students are involved in the cast and stage crew. The dates are as follows: Dec. 1 at 3:30 p.m.; Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 3 at 3:30 p.m. Tickets are $5. Stone Middle School is located at 5500 Sully Park Drive, Centreville. Call 703-631-5500.
Poplar Tree Elementary School will be holding its Second Annual Craft Fair on Saturday, Dec. 3. It will be held in the cafeteria from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Crafters are welcome. Crafters interested in participating can contact Kathy Richter at KJRichter@aol.com or Tasha Virostek at TVirostek@verison.net.
Chantilly High School is offering caroling groups to entertain at local holiday parties as a fund-raiser. Small groups of eight carolers from the Touch of Class show choir and Jazz Touch choir will be available to perform at your place of business or private party this holiday season. Instead of a set fee, donations are given to the Chantilly Music Boosters. These funds are used to offset travel expenses to national competitions for students this spring. To schedule a group to perform at your party, e-mail Carol Hrubik at mchrubik@aol.com or call 703-222-1270.
The Art Department at Westfield High School is once again selling White House ornaments. The cost is $17 each. They are in stock now and ornaments can be set aside by calling 703-488-6577 to place an order.
Pleasant Valley Preschool is currently enrolling for its class for 4-year-olds. The co-operative preschool is located in the Greenbriar Community Center on Stringfellow Road. Call 703-378-6911 or visit www.pleasantvalleypreschool.com.
Liberty Middle School is looking for caring adults who can spare 30 minutes a day working with students. Tutoring takes place either any time between 11:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. on school days, or after school on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3-4 p.m. Boys and girls need help with organizational skills, homework, or any one or all of the core subjects. Students will be matched with adults, depending on strengths and availability. TB test required. Contact Mrs. MacLean at 703-988-8191 or sally.maclean@fcps.edu.
The Brookfield Elementary School and Center Parent Teacher Association is conducting its annual fall fund-raiser. Gifts and wrapping paper are available through catalogue and online sales. To order online, go to www.lavendersonline.org. On check out, enter the school “Brookfield Elementary.” Or, to order via catalogue, contact Dawne LeKang, 703-263-9099, or dlekang@cox.net. Profits are used to enhance curriculum studies including support for field trips, assemblies, classroom libraries/equipment, teacher development/training, after hours educational programs and to support the operations of the PTA.
Mountain View School in Centreville is planning a 10-year reunion/celebration. The school, located on Spindle Court, first opened its doors as FCPS’s third adult/alternative high school in January 1996 and graduated its first class in June 1996. Since that time, more than 1,000 students have graduated from Mountain View.
A committee comprised of staff and graduates has begun meeting to plan events. In the works are small monthly commemorations followed by a “family reunion” picnic event in June 2006.
The Reunion Committee is looking for contact information on all alumni and former staff. Any alumni, former staff member or person with contact information for either should e-mail reuattheview@yahoo.com or call Sharon DeBragga at the school at 703-227-2388.
South Lakes Class of 1985 is looking for classmates for its 20-year reunion in October 2005. Visit slhs1985.org or contact Melanie Kirsch Colston at 703-476-0579.
Centreville Preschool Inc. (CPI) currently has openings in their 4-year-old program from the 2005-2006 school year. CPI is a nonprofit, cooperative preschool established in 1969 by a group of parents wishing to provide the best possible preschool experience for their children. Call the school at 703-830-5656 and leave a message after hours. The school is located at 13916 Braddock Road, Centreville.