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 Lea Mae Rice at 703-917-6422.
The Huntington Learning Center is hosting an Open House Thursday, April 27 from 7-9 p.m. in its location at 11268 James Swart Circle, Fairfax. Discuss the benefits of summer on academic instruction, as well as providing information on how to help children pay attention, improve study skills and the new SAT. Contact Karen Helm 703-359-4700.
Lake Braddock Secondary School is having a reunion for the class of 1996 at the Hilton in Arlington on Saturday, Aug. 5. Visit www.greatreunions.com for classmate information.
Over 900 Fairfax County Public School sixth grade students will participate in the 30th annual All-County Choral Festival on Saturday, May 6 at 4:30 p.m. at Hayfield Secondary School, 7630 Telegraph Road, Alexandria. The program will include traditional, folk and classical music selections. Free and open to the public. Call Elaine Stanford 703-208-7720.
William Halley Elementary School PTA is sponsoring an art auction on Friday, April 28 at 7:30 p.m. at the Officer's Club on Fort Belvior. The $20 ticket includes a buffet and a cash bar. This event will enable the PTA to fund the purchase of additional "SMARTBoards" for classrooms. The PTA’s goal is for each class to have a SMARTboard in their room. The auction will feature original oils, lithographs, serigraphs, watercolors and more by a variety of world-renowned artists and exciting new artists. In addition Halley students have been working on various art projects that will be auctioned during the evening. For tickets contact Liz Mullany 703-495-9088 or e-mail Guinman@cox.net.
Paul VI Catholic High School hosts a spring open house on Thursday, May 4 at 7 p.m. in the high school, 10675 Fairfax Boulevard in Fairfax. The open house is for current seventh-grade students and their parents. Meet Paul VI faculty and staff who will be available to answer questions about the high school admissions process. Tours and refreshments available. Call the admissions office at 703-352-0925, x 331.
Grace Weekday Preschool is having its annual Basket Auction/End of Year Event on Friday, May 5, at 7 p.m. Parents have put together themed baskets that will be available for a silent auction that evening. In addition, the students of Grace Weekday Preschool will perform end of the year songs for their parents, families and friends. Community members are welcome to come and enjoy this evening of fellowship. Grace Weekday Preschool is located at 7434 Bath St., Springfield. Call the preschool office at 703-451-3314.
Scout Yard Sale. Large annual yard sale benefiting Burke Boy Scout Troop 698 on Saturday, May 6 from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at White Oaks Elementary School. For more information, contact Pat Snellings at 703-249-1118.
The National Merit Scholarship Program designated several Fairfax County Public Schools students as Merit Scholarship winners for 2006. Scholarships, which range from $500 to $10,000, are corporate-sponsored and are renewable for up to four years of study at the college of the student's choice.. This year's scholars include:
* Yidan Chen of Burke, a student at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, who received a scholarship from Computer Sciences Corporation for business management.
* Joel Garrett of Burke, a student at Mansfield High School in Mansfield, Mass., who received a scholarship from General Dynamics for biomedical engineering.
* Austin Kwon of Fairfax, a student at Robinson Secondary School, who received a scholarship from Northrop Grumman for business.
* Timothy Loffredo of Fairfax, a student at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, who received a scholarship from Lockheed Martin for computer science.
* Joceline Vu of Fairfax Station, a student at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, who received a scholarship from Science Applications International Corporation for biochemistry.
* Lue-Yee Tsang of Springfield, a student at Lake Braddock Secondary School, who received a scholarship from Northrop Grumman for linguistics.
William Gibson, trumpet player and a senior at Hayfield High School, is the winner of the City of Fairfax Band’s $2,000 Young Artist Competition Scholarship. He will be performing the Arutunian Concerto for Trumpet at the City of Fairfax Band’s upcoming concert on Saturday, May 6, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, and $5 for seniors and students. Call 703-757-0220 for further information, or visit the Web site at www.fairfaxband.org.
More than 900 Fairfax County Public Schools sixth grade students will participate in the 30th annual Sixth Grade All-County Choral Festival on Saturday, May 6, at 4:30 p.m. in the field house at Hayfield Secondary School. Serving as guest conductor will be Janet Galvan, professor of music education at Ithaca College. The program will include traditional, folk, and classical music selections, including “Et Exultavit” by Antoino Vivaldi. The performance, which is free and open to the public, is made possible by the FCPS Instructional Services Department and the Fairfax General Music Educators Association. It will also be aired on cable Channel 21; check http://www.fcps.edu/cable.htm for air times.
Preparing students with learning disabilities or ADHD for college is the focus of a Family Discussion Forum Tuesday, May 9 at 6 p.m. at the Fairfax SuccessLab Learning Center, Turnpike Shopping Center, 9518 Main St. in Fairfax. The forum will feature guest speaker Dr. Jon Thomas, LPC, a Fairfax-based professional counselor and founder of The College Success Guidance Program. Thomas will discuss elements of pre-college training to prepare students for a successful college transition, including skills such as time management, problem solving and independent decision-making.
The award-winning Fairfax High School Chorus Department, under the direction of Susanna Martone, has a Spring Concert on Friday, May 26, at 7:30 p.m. The choirs will be joined by Curtain Acts, selected through an audition process, and the theme of the concert is the delightful merriment of "Broadway". The concert will be held in FHS Auditorium, 3500 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax. Free. 703-219-2355.
The Campbell Wealth South County Golf Classic will be at Laurel Hill Golf Course on June 8. This fund-raiser golf tournament is open to the public and is jointly sponsored by the South County Secondary School PTSA, Athletic and Arts Boosters. The format will be a 4-person shotgun scramble. Players will receive gift bags, carts, drinks, lunch, cocktails and hors d'oeuvres and will compete for cash and prizes. The tournament will also feature putting contests and three hole-in-one opportunities to win three different cars donated as prizes by Jack Taylor's Alexandria Toyota, Fairfax Hyundai and Lindsay Cadillac. Visit www.campbellwealthgolf.com.
The next nationwide ACT test date for college-bound high school students is Saturday, June 10. Students must register online or have their paper registrations postmarked by the end of the day Friday, May 5. Late registration postmark deadline is May 19, and an additional $18 fee is required for late registration after May 5. The cost is $29 without and $43 with the Writing Test. Students can receive registration information from their high school guidance counselors or they can register online at www.actstudent.org.
The Points of Light Youth Leadership Institute runs from June 26-30. This Institute teaches youth leadership skills that can be applied to any life experience through a curriculum that includes both classroom instruction and experiential training. The institute trains young leaders to identify their community's needs and seek ways to solve these problems. During the institute, participants plan their own community service project and implement it as a group at the end of the Institute. Students entering grades 10-12 in fall 2006 are eligible to apply for this free leadership institute held from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., at the Mason District Government Center. For an application, visit www.volunteerfairfax.org or contact Emily Swenson at Volunteer Fairfax at 703-246-3460. The deadline for applications is May 1, 2006.
Several Fairfax County Public School received awards in the Northern Virginia regional competition of National History Day at George Mason University. Winners in the Senior category include Lindsey McGuiness of West Springfield High School; David Bae, Horatio Nguyen, and Homin Kim of West Springfield High School, second place for group exhibit; Jordan Serwin and Daniel Streicher of West Springfield High School, third place in group documentary; and Rebecca Koenig of West Springfield High School, second place for an individual paper.
Winners in the Junior category include Brian Hong of Lorton Station Elementary School, second place in an individual exhibit; Thomas Deanda of Springfield Estates Elementary School, honorable mentions in individual documentary; Colleen Garrott and Liana Epstein of Lake Braddock Secondary School, second place in group exhibit; Matt Krause and Rishav Adhikari of Springfield Estates Elementary School, second place in a group performance; Ryan Ledwith, Jeffrey Thompson, and Adam Bloom of Lorton Station Elementary School, third place in a group performance; Madeleine Stokowski and Elizabeth Yim of Lake Braddock Secondary School, first place in a group documentary; and Nick Grippin of Lake Braddock Secondary School, third place in an individual paper.
To compete in National History Day, students chose historical topics and conducted research using libraries, archives, museums, interviews, and historical sites. For more, visit www.nationalhistoryday.org.
Life Through Art is taking registration for the Summer 2006 Art Camp for ages 5-13. Explore architecture by making a fort, Graphic Art by designing a T- shirt, cartooning and animation, drawing and painting and sculpture. Camp takes place July 10-14 and July 19-23 in Springfield. Cost is $150 per week. Call Maureen at 703-455-4473 or visit www. lifethroughart.com.
Virginia Smiles, a non-profit organization that provides an essential link between families affected by cleft lip and/or cleft palate and the medical community that serves these patients, is beginning the 2006 Virginia Smiles Scholarship Program. Virginia Smiles will award a $1,000 college scholarship to a high school senior or college student in Virginia who was born with a cleft lip or cleft palate, and who is registered to attend a Virginia college in the fall of 2006. Requirements for the scholarship are: A completed Virginia Smiles College Scholarship Application, which is available at www.Virginia-Smiles.org; a 500 word essay describing why he/she is deserving of the $1,000 scholarship from Virginia Smiles; attendance and participation at the Virginia Smiles’ Family Picnic July 9 at Nottoway Park in Vienna. The recipient will receive the award and must give a 10-minute speech to families of children born with cleft lip and/or cleft palate, and other guests. The speech must highlight the accomplishments of his/her life and how he/she overcame the challenges of being born with a cleft lip/cleft palate. All entries must be postmarked on or before May 31, 2006. Late submissions will not be accepted. Candidates should mail their application and essay to: Virginia Smiles, P.O. Box 2891, Fairfax, VA 22031-2891. For more about the Virginia Smiles College Scholarship Program, submit an inquiry to info@virginia-smiles.org.
Eunyoung (Kelly) Choi, a fifth-grade student at Sangster Elementary School in Springfield, is the Virginia state winner in the 2006 Arbor Day National Poster Contest. She was honored on Saturday, April 15, in Charlottesville. Eunyoung and nine runners-up will enjoy a luncheon followed by fun tree games and activities and will be presented with a certificate and prizes for their artistic accomplishments. The contest, sponsored by The National Arbor Day Foundation and Toyota, asked students to create a poster reflecting the theme “Trees are Terrific … in All Shapes and Sizes!” More than 2,700 fifth-grade students from Virginia participated this year. As the grand prize winner, Choi will receive a $500 savings bond. Choi also is a finalist in the national contest.
Fifth and sixth grade students on Saturday, April 22 will participate in a baby-sitting class sponsored by the PTA and the school’s community of caring, and offered by the Inova Health System.. Students will receive a certificate of completion for the class. Contact Carolyn Gibson, school counselor at 703-921-2300 for more.
Registration has started for "Art Camp in Burke." Camp instructor Carol Zeitlin, a public school art teacher, has been conducting art camp for over 15 years in Burke. Register for:
* Fine Arts & Crafts Camp (8 and up) at 12:30-3:15 p.m.,
* Crafts & Drawing Fun Camp (5-8 years) at 9:45-11:45 a.m. and/or
* Drawing Camp (8 and up)at 9:30-11:45 a.m. from July 24-28 only.
There are four weekly sessions (Monday-Friday): June 26-30, July 10-14, July 24- 28 (no 5-8 yrs.) and July 31-Aug. 4. Call Carol Zeitlin at 703-250-6930 or visit www.geocities.com/czeitlinschneier for brochure or registration details.
Teens can be volunteers during a summer 4-H camp from June 25-29, at the Northern Virginia 4-H Center in Front Royal. Fairfax Cooperative Extension, the sponsor of the camp, is looking for counselors who are enthusiastic and enjoy working with youths. This volunteer position provides an opportunity for older teens to gain valuable skills in leadership and organizing projects and groups. Counselors will be responsible for teaching and/or assisting with classes, overseeing activities in a dorm room at the camp, facilitating group activities with and for youth ages 9-13 and creating a fun and energizing atmosphere for the campers. Sixty teens from the Fairfax/Arlington/Alexandria area will be selected; selected counselors will receive training and assistance with preparing for the experience. Training is local and is scheduled for June 3. To becoming a camp counselor or learn about 4-H camp, call Tameka Logan at 703-324-5353 or e-mail tameka.logan@fairfaxcounty.gov or call Clyde Jackson at 703-324-5357 or e-mail clyde.jackson@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Volunteer Fairfax and the ExxonMobil Foundation announced the selection of 60 Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C., nonprofit organizations as participants for the 2006 ExxonMobil Community Summer Jobs Program (CSJP). ExxonMobil Foundation sponsors paid internships for college students. The ExxonMobil Community Summer Jobs Program provides full-time, undergraduate-level college students with an eight-week, paid internship to experience operations in a nonprofit community environment. ExxonMobil Foundation funds the interns' salaries and Volunteer Fairfax’s administrative expenses for the program. The program also trains participating organizations in how to recruit and select interns, and how to design their summer internships. College students interested in the ExxonMobil-funded internship may visit the Volunteer Fairfax Web site, www.volunteerfairfax.org, to obtain a list of participating local agencies, internship descriptions and agency contacts. Interested college students should apply directly to the selected agencies.
The Robert E. Lee High School Library is accepting donations of used books for its annual book sale through March. Fiction and nonfiction books including children's books, cookbooks, college textbooks and many others are welcome. All proceeds will help the library buy new books and materials for student use. For further information or to make a delivery, please contact the library at 703-924-8370.
The yearbook at Robinson Secondary School, "Sentry," was named 2005 Yearbook Pacemaker Award finalist by the National Scholastic Press Association. This was one of 55 finalists from across the nation.
Dance Camp. Mrs. P hosts a three-day dance camp from Tuesday, June 27 through Thursday, June 29 from 2-6 p.m. at Paul VI High School. For students in first grade and up. The camp is taught by nationally-ranked varsity drill team seniors. $115/girl or $125 at the door. Call Mrs. P at 703-250-5711.
Terra Centre Elementary School Kindergarten orientation/registration for the 2006-2007 school year will be held on Monday, May 15 at 1:30 p.m. Those with a child who will be 5-years-old on or before Sept. 30 and will be attending Terra Centre School, 6000 Burke Centre Parkway, should call the office at 703-249-1400 or stop in the school office to pick up a registration packet.
Interested in hosting a child from Colombia this summer? Through its Summer Miracles Program, the nonprofit organization, Kidsave International, brings older children from orphanages around the world to the Washington, D.C. community to experience 6 weeks of summer camp, family life, and the chance to be adopted. Now in its eighth year, Summer Miracles has placed 95 percent of these children in adoptive families. Kidsave is currently seeking host families in the D.C. Metro area for this summer. Host families need not be interested in adoption; just provide room and board and a commitment to becoming that child's partner in helping them find a family. To learn more information, please come to the next orientation session on Monday, March 27 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the George Mason Regional Library, 7001 Little River Turnpike, Annandale. If you have any questions, please visit www.kidsave.org or email Alla Kamins at alla@global.t-bird.edu.