School news roundup

Students at Weyanoke Elementary School play a freeze game.

The school news items and photos in this article are from Fairfax County Public Schools.

Robotics – Westlawn Elementary School received a $10,000 engineering grant from the Northrop Grumman Corp. to support free after-school robotics instruction and to integrate robotics into the school’s science classes. Students from Luther Jackson Middle School and Falls Church High School will assist with the after-school program.

Poe Middle School students build a tower in a STEM class.

FCHS’ 75th – Falls Church High School invites alumni to celebrate the school’s 75th anniversary during homecoming weekend, Oct. 25-27. Activities include a community parade, alumni tailgate, homecoming football game, an anniversary celebration, and a golf tournament.

Digital citizenship – During the 2018-19 school year, Ravensworth Elementary School, Frost Middle School, and Holmes Middle School were among the 23 FCPS schools that earned recognition from Common Sense for demonstrating a whole-community approach to digital citizenship. Common Sense is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping kids and families use digital tools responsibly.

No more straws – Fairfax County has removed plastic straws from middle and high school cafeterias at the request of a group of students concerned about environmental waste. Plastic straws are still available to students in the lower grades and students with special needs. Paper or biodegradable straws are not available either, as the cost is prohibitive.

Congratulations – Maria Demarest, the Spanish parent liaison at Bailey’s Elementary School was honored with a 2019 FCPS Individual Excellence Award, in recognition of her commitment to serve the school with the highest degree of dedication and professionalism.

Author visit – R.J. Palacio, author of the popular graphic novel Wonder, a story of the power of kindness and courage during wartime, is coming to Glasgow Middle School Oct. 10 to talk about her new book White Bird: A Wonder Story.

First-graders at Beech Tree Elementary School learn to scientifically observe nature.

Fresh produce – Bailey’s Upper Elementary School and Weyanoke Elementary School are among the seven schools selected for the FCPS Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program. Students will get a fruit or vegetable snack once a week, and the fruit or vegetable will be incorporated into the curriculum, such as in math, science, or geography lessons.

Dragons Share – Camelot Elementary School has a partnership with Food for Others organized by parent volunteers. Students put unopened food items in a box in the cafeteria, and parents deliver the items to the food pantry operated by Food for Others.

National Merit Semifinalists – Of the 237 students named 2020 National Merit Semifinalists in Fairfax County, 157 are from Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. But there are some from Annandale/Mason District schools: Zakaria Belkhayat and Susan Connell from Annandale High School; Carlos Perez from Falls Church High School; and  Bridget Cassata, Ishan Kalburge, Khang Le, Ethan Lee, Catherine Liu, Jenny Park, Jessica Suh, Pratistha Timilsina, Samuel Wright, and Zhiyao Zhang from Woodson High Shool.