Send announcements about school achievements to the Mount Vernon Gazette, by e-mail to gazette@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is Friday at noon for next week's issue. Call Rebecca Halik at 703-917-6407 with questions.
Kindergarten registration for the 2007-08 school year began Monday, March 26, for children who will be five years old on or before Sept. 30, 2007.
Parents are encouraged to register students as soon as possible so the school division can accurately estimate the number of incoming
kindergarteners. Register at the school in your attendance zone, even if your child will be attending a different school. If you aren't sure whichschool is in your attendance zone, call 703-824-6710. Bring:
* Child's original birth certificate (a copy will be made in the school
office).
* Proof of an adequate series of immunizations against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, and hepatitis B.
* Proof of a physical examination given within 12 months of child's first day of school (including an iron deficiency anemia assessment and urinalysis).
* Proof of lead screening assessment.
* Written results of a PPD tuberculin skin test given within 12 months of child's first day of school (to include dates received and read) or a negative TB risk assessment done within 12 months of the child's first day of school.
* Two different documents each proving Alexandria City residency (such as a rent receipt, lease agreement, utility bill, or personal property tax receipt).
* Child's social security card (a copy will be made in the school office).
Mount Vernon Community Children's Theatre (MVCCT) was awarded a Arts Council Arts Education Project Grant in the amount of $14,108. The grant will enable MVCCT to link with four local public elementary schools to provide an after-school drama program to enhance enrichment opportunities for students who otherwise might not have access to such activities. The four Fairfax County Elementary Schools--Woodlawn, Hybla Valley, Mount Vernon Woods and Woodley Hills--are located in the West Potomac and Mount Vernon High School pyramids and have significant populations of students on free or reduced lunch.
Auditions for "Oklahoma" will be held on April 28 from 2-4 p.m. and April 29 from 7-9 p.m. with call backs on April 30 at 7:30 p.m. Come prepared with 16 bars of a Rodgers & Hammerstein musical number, current photo, conflicts from May 1 and on and dancing shoes. Performances are held at Aldersgate Church Theater from June 22-July 8.
Zachary Brunt, an 8th grader at Carl Sandburg Middle School, has been named a semifinalist in the Virginia Geographic Bee, sponsored by JPMorgan Chase. Zach now qualifies to participate at the state competition to be held at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va. on Friday, March 30.
Many West Potomac High School students who competed this past weekend at the Fairfax County Regional Science and Engineering Fair held at Robinson Secondary School. The following awards were given to the students.
* Grand Prize Award Winner: Erika Swartz
Erika will now compete at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair
* First Place Award: Zachary Tillett (also a Grand Prize nominee)
Zachary is now eligible to compete at the Virginia State Science and Engineering Fair
* Second Place Awards: Gregory Bechtol, James Dressing and Matthew Fuqua
* Third Place Awards: Gregory Son, Bobby Clark, Michael Isani, Giovanni Quinteros, Devon Cain, Teresa Caro and Carolyn Gibson
* Honorable Mention: Andy Blacker and Drew Reese
* American Meteorological Society Awards Banquet: Devon Cain, Teresa Caro, Carolyn Gibson
* American Water Works Association 1st Place $200 Savings Bond: Zachary Tillett
* Capital PC User Group 1-Year Membership: Gregory Son
* Central Intelligence Agency Awards Ceremony and Tour: Erika Swartz
* Federal Water Quality Association 3rd Place Ribbon: Zachary Tillett
* George Washington Engineer Alumni Association Reception: Matthew Fuqua
* National Capital Area Skeptics Honorable Mention Award: Erika Swartz
* Northrop Grumman $500 Scholarship Award: Gregory Bechtol
* U.S. Stockholm Junior Water Prize: Zachary Tillett
* Washington Statistical Society Honorable Mention Award: Bobby Clark, Michael Isani and Giovanni Quinteros
Members of the Ocean Bowl team: Greg Bechtol, Yoonji Ha, Will Kline, James Lewis and Greg Son took West Potomac to a third-place finish in the 10-team regional Cheseapeake Bay Bowl competition.
This past weekend, 102 high school seniors who are interested in pursuing a career in journalism converged in Washington for the annual Al Neuharth Free Spirit Scholarship and Conference program. Among the selected participants are Virginia students Brian Kapur, Bishop Ireton High School, Alexandria and Christine Stoddard, Yorktown Senior High School, Arlington.
"Give the gift of literacy" by getting involved as a volunteer with Wright to Read, a literacy program administered by The Campagna Center. Tutor/Mentors, Book Buddies and Reach Out and Read volunteers are needed to make a difference with children six months to 10 years of age. Days, evening and/or weekends are available. Call 703-549-0111, ext. 142 or visit www.campagnacenter.org for more information and upcoming orientation dates.