A decade has come and gone, and next Friday, June 16, Mountain View School will celebrate its 10th anniversary. Planned are a reception, gift dedication, senior awards assembly and picnic.
"WE'RE VERY excited to be celebrating 10 years of the school," said guidance counselor Sue Houde. "There have definitely been a lot of success stories to come out of the school. And many students have graduated who, otherwise, may not have."
The school opened Jan. 31, 1996 with just 81 students. Since then, 1,210 students have graduated from Mountain View, and the average enrollment is usually around 300 students.
"The compassionate and respectful surroundings provided by teachers and staff have allowed over 1,000 students to have a positive outlook on school life and to achieve the ultimate goal of graduation," said Mountain View Principal Jim Oliver. "In the 10-year history of Mountain View, the 'Family Concept' — made up of students, teachers and staff — has been instilled as a vital part of all the success of our program."
At this school, said Oliver, the slogan says it all: "Love and respect; love for teaching and learning; respect for all who enter the doors of Mountain View."
Next week's festivities will begin at 8:30 a.m. with a coffee-and-doughnuts reception in the school's media center for staff, students, alumni and honored guests, including members of the Fairfax County School Board.
Then at 9 a.m. will be the dedication of a special gift to the school. Luck Stone donated a large rock on which Columbia Gardens Memorial chiseled the words, "Mountain View School," plus the school's timberwolf mascot logo. And Willow Springs Towing transported it to the parking-lot median.
"There was no sign for the school, at all," explained Houde. "When you drove in, there was no indication you were at Mountain View; now there is."
She said math teacher SueAnn Hilton-Griswold contacted Luck Stone and told people there what the school had in mind. And, said Houde, "They generously donated the rock."
Some Mountain View alumni will speak at the dedication ceremony, and laminated-paper "stepping stones" will lead from the parking lot to the school building. Written on them will be trivia about important events in the school's history.
THE SENIOR awards assembly will be held at 9:30 a.m. in the auditorium. Alumni and business representatives will present 13 scholarships totaling some $30,000. And several graduating seniors will tell their success stories since coming to Mountain View.
Then, capping off the day's events will be the school's annual picnic at 11 a.m. "The picnic is a Mountain View tradition to celebrate the end of the school year," said Houde. "All students, staff, alumni and guests are invited. The staff will barbecue hot dogs and hamburgers."
The picnic will be held under the trees, on the side of the school near the soccer field. In case of rain, the barbecue will go on, but the food will be served in the gym. For more information about the celebration, call Sharon DeBragga at 703-227-2388.