<lst>Know something that should be featured in School Notes? Awards? Special events? School fairs? Fax a brief write-up to 703-917-0991. Or call Jon Whiten at 703-917-6422.
Clifton Children's Academy's "Art Studio" Open House is on Thursday, Oct. 20, from 9:30-11:30 a.m. "Art Studio" is offered to all students in the community; registration in other Clifton Children's programs is not required. Classes are Tuesdays, Wednesday or Fridays, from 1-2 p.m. Children may enroll for four-week sessions. Visit www.childrensacademy.com or call 703-968-8455.
Halley Elementary School presents a book fair to benefit Bolton-Edwards Elementary and Middle School in Bolton, Miss. The fair will run Oct. 31-Nov. 3, from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. each day. In addition, it will run Nov. 7, from 8 a.m.-4 p.m., and Nov. 8, from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Call Kathy Brown at 703-551-5740.
Clifton Children's Academy's Registration Open House for kindergarten and preschool is Thursday, Oct. 27, from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. The school is located at 14315 Compton Road in Centreville. Call 703-968-8455 or visit www.childrensacademy.com.
Catherine Ashton, a sophmore at Robinson Secondary School, attended the National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC) in July 2005. The program is a leadership development program for outstanding high school students. Approximately 8,000 gifted students from around the world attended the conference.
The Youth Leadership Program, a partnership between Fairfax County Government and Fairfax County Public Schools, is designed to help high school students gain an understanding and appreciation of how local government impacts their lives. Applications for the 2006 program are due Oct. 31, and are available at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dmb/FCYLP.htm.
Springfield-based American Direct Mail Marketing sponsors the $10,000 2005-06 "In Hope Freedom Rings" scholarship for college-bound Fairfax County students. The recipient will be selected based on financial need, academic performance, extracurricular activities and completion of a 500-word essay on "the importance of good character and ethics in your life and their impact on others and the world in which we live." Applications are available in the Career Centers at Fairfax County high schools and at www.inhopefreedomrings.org. Inquiries can be directed to the individual Career Center at each student's high school, or to Beth Westbrook at 703-876-5248. The completed application should be sent to American Direct Mail Marketing, Inc., 8136 Old Keene Mill Road, Suite A-312, Springfield, VA, 22152. Applications must be postmarked no later than Oct. 26 and the winner will be notified by Nov. 18.
The Commission on the Arts supports both established and developing arts organizations by providing grants to qualified applicants. The commission also has an active school arts program that supplements and enhances regular school activities. Some of the performing groups that have benefited from grants this year include the City of Fairfax Band, the Fairfax Art League, Happy Feet Cloggers Lanier School, Acting for Young People, and Theater of the First Amendment. The commission is considering grant applications for any qualifying groups, schools or individuals.
Applications are now being accepted, closing date for applications is Nov. 15. To apply for a grant or for more information call at 703-352-2787 or e-mail fairfaxarts@fairfax.gov. Grant application forms can be downloaded from our Web site www.fairfaxarts.org.
Messiah United Methodist Church's Child Enrichment Program has openings in the 2- and 4-year-old classes for this fall. Four-year-old classes are Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., and the 2-year-old class is on Mondays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. For more, call Betsy Findley at 703-569-3033.