Send announcements to the Alexandria Gazette Packet, by e-mail to gazette@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is Thursday at noon for the following week’s paper. Photos are encouraged. Call Rebecca Halik at 703-917-6407 with questions.
The Foundations for Families will hold workshops from Jan. 26 through Jan. 29 at the Foundations for Families Learning Center, 108A. S. Columbus St. Parents can talk about child development and parenting issues. $20/workshop. Visit www.foundationsforfamilies.com or 703-299-6570 to register and for schedule.
The Scholarship Fund of Alexandria invites graduating seniors from the T.C. Williams High School Class of 2009 to apply for more than 200 scholarships through a single application on the organization’s Web site, www.AlexScholarshipFund.org. The deadline for completing the application is 5 p.m., Feb. 6. For more information, visit the Fund’s Web site or call 703-824-6730.
Saint Rita School is holding an open house on Sunday, Jan. 25 from 12:15-1:30 p.m. and Monday, Jan. 26 from 9:30-11 a.m. for K-8th grade and Saturday, Jan. 31 from 6:15-7:30 p.m. for middle school. Located at 3801 Russell Road. Visit www.saintrita-school.org or 703-548-1888 ext. 32.
The T.C. Williams High School Army Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) Drill Team and Color Guard, honored with an invitation to march in the 2009 Presidential Inaugural Parade on Jan. 20, is seeking the community’s help to purchase winter coats, gloves and a new banner, as well as snacks and water for the long day. Approximately $6,500 to $7,000 will be needed to pay for the items for the 56-cadet group. Those interested in contributing may make their checks payable to T.C. PTSA and note "JROTC" in the memo line. Mail your contribution to: T.C. Williams PTSA, c/o T.C. Williams High School, 3330 King St., Alexandria, Va. 22302-3001. If you have questions, contact T.C. PTSA President Julie Carey at miket17752@aol.com.
The T.C. Williams High School 2009 Calendar features photographs of the new school taken by current T.C. Williams students. All proceeds from sales will be used to fund future publications. Calendars are $10 each and can be purchased in the main office of the school, 3330 King St., Alexandria, or on line at www.wearethetitans.com.
Students entering grades nine through 12 are invited to spend a day with a student host at St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School, Upper School campus, 1000 St. Stephen’s Road, Alexandria. Call for reservations: 703-212-2706. Visiting days are Jan. 12 and Feb. 9.
Alexandria Tutoring Consortium needs volunteer tutors to work with 1st and 2nd grade ACPS students. Tutors focus on improving literacy skills in one-on-one sessions with students. 703-549-6670 ext. 119, www.alexandriatutors.org.
Messiah Lutheran Church is offering pre-school for children ages 2-4. Call 703-765-5003 or visit messiahelca.org for more.
Campagna Center introduces Afternoon Adventures for children in half-day preschool to receive childcare at John Adams Elementary, 5652 Rayburn Ave. or Jefferson Houston Elementary, 1501 Cameron St., from 3-6 p.m. $14/day. To register, visit www.campagnacenter.org or 703-549-0111 ext. 112.
Three Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) teachers received National Board Certification from the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). The newly certified teachers are Suzette Adams, counselor at Cora Kelly School for Math, Science and Technology; Jennifer Larsen, first-grade teacher at George Mason Elementary School; and Celia Ochs, second-grade teacher at James K. Polk Elementary School.
A team of students from Bishop Ireton High School of Alexandria competed with teams from Stonewall Jackson High School of Manassas and Walt Whitman High School of Bethesda on It's Academic, the high school quiz program. The competition was spirited, and Walt Whitman won the match. The program will air Saturday, Feb. 7, at 10:30 a.m. on NBC4, Channel 4. The Bishop Ireton team consists of Captain Ben Dahljelm, Emily Conron, and David Bernier. Their faculty coach is Ron Umbeck.
George Mason Elementary School is one of 162 Virginia public schools earning the 2009 Governor’s Award for Educational Excellence. Douglas MacArthur Elementary School, James K. Polk Elementary School, Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy and Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School are among 544 schools and 24 school divisions to receive the Board of Education Excellence Award, the second-tier honor in the VIP program. Charles Barrett Elementary School is one of 276 schools and 10 school divisions to receive the Board of Education’s Competence to Excellence Award.
Four T.C. Williams High School students who received awards at the DECA District 10 Leadership Conference held on Jan. 8 at Potomac Mills Outlet Mall will compete at the State Leadership Conference set for March 13 to15 in Norfolk. Students who will advance to the next level of competition include Tiffany Bruce, second place emotional intelligence role-play, second place overall in the apparel and accessories management level; Michael Bullock, second place promotion role-play, second place overall, food marketing; Cecilia Najera, first place marketing information management role-play, second place overall, quick-serve restaurant management; and Roberto Small, second place economics role-play, third place promotion and second place overall, restaurant and food service management.
Jared L. Kuhmerker, son of Peter and Lynne Kuhmerker and a graduate of T C Williams High School, was named to the dean’s list at Bucknell University.
The following Alexandria residents were named to the dean’s list at University of Virginia’s College at Wise: Naana Akoto Denning, Daniel Allen Hobbs, Joshua Jamal Jordan, Tyler David Willey and Emily Barrett Witucki.