West*Group, a full-service real estate development company headquartered in McLean, has been named Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Partner of the Year for 2006-2007. West*Group was honored for its numerous programs that exist between the Company and Westgate Elementary School as part of their Business / School Partnership. West*Group provides financial support for Westgate’s Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) program, provides volunteers to read with kids who are enrolled in Westgate’s Reading Club, and publishes the school’s literary magazine annually so that every student can have their own copy. West*Group also sponsors luncheons twice a year to honor students who have followed the rules of the Westgate Way (the school’s code of conduct). While visiting West*Group, the students tour the building, complete a hands-on architectural project, eat lunch, and receive a child-sized West*Group hardhat, a goody bag, and a certificate for their outstanding performance. Throughout the partnership, West*Group has sponsored art contests and awarded prizes to the winning students. The company also displays student art work in the halls of their buildings and distributes certificates and books at the end-of-the-year awards assembly to every student who’s art was displayed throughout the year. West*Group recently provided Westgate with over $17,000 worth of landscaping including 60-foot long landscape walls with an array of flowers and a plants as well as a butterfly garden. Last year Gerald T. Halpin, president of West*Group, surprised Westgate at their end-of-the-year awards ceremony by announcing that West*Group was going to purchase a SMARTboard for every single classroom at Westgate Elementary School. This technology has allowed Westgate teachers to provide an interactive hands-on learning environment for the students
Their partnership is in its ninth year.