Tag: education

School news: Science and history
Braddock students plant ferns for a bioretention project. An occasional series highlighting programs and activities at schools in the Annandale/Mason District area. The information and photos here are from Fairfax County Public Schools and individual schools. Bioretention project – Students in grades 3-5 at Braddock Elementary School worked with the Fairfax County Stormwater Team to … Continued

Math-tutoring center coming to Annandale
Mathnasium, a math-only tutoring center for K12 students, is going into the vacant storefront next to Aldi at 7000 Columbia Pike, Annandale. Sarla Kale, the franchisee director of the new center, anticipates opening before the end of the year. It’s an afterschool program, open 4-8 p.m. five days a week. Mathnasium creates an individualized learning … Continued

School board candidates spar on budget issues, renaming Stuart High School
From the left: Chris Grisafe, Karen Keys-Gamarra, and Michael Owens. Candidates for an at-large seat on the Fairfax County School Board funding and school names at a candidate forum Aug. 23 at McLean High School. The special election is Aug. 29. The polls will be open 6 a.m.-7 p.m. The last day for in-person absentee … Continued

Child Development Center plans to expand
This end of the ACCA building, which used to house the Annandale Adult Day Center, is vacant. The Child Development Center (CDC), an early childhood education center and preschool operated by Annandale Christian Community for Action, is seeking permission to expand into a vacant area in its building at 7200 Columbia Pike. The space became … Continued

Summer Reading Adventure program under way
School might be out, but the reading continues. [FCPL] The Fairfax County Public Library’s Summer Reading Adventure program, running June 23-Sept. 2, is aimed at encouraging children to keep reading all summer long so, they’ll be ready to succeed when the new school year starts. The program includes rewards and incentives to make reading fun. … Continued

Water quality experts meet in Wakefield Park to study impact on Chesapeake Bay watershed
Vickie Blazer of the USGS and her assistants dissect a fish to demonstrate the history of fish health problems in the Chesapeake Bay watershed [Fairfax County] About 50 people from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the Environmental Protection Agency, congressional staff, and the Fairfax County Stormwater Planning Division gathered at Wakefield Park in Annandale on … Continued

School news: A new little library at Columbia ES
An occasional series highlighting programs and activities at schools in the Annandale/Mason District area. The following information is from Fairfax County Public Schools, individual schools, and parents. Little Free Library – Columbia Elementary School has a new Little Free Library full of books. Anyone can borrow a book; but people who takes one are encouraged … Continued

FCPS official will consider parents’ concerns about leadership at Mason Crest Elementary School
Region 2 Assistant Superintendent Fabio Zuluaga (left) and Region 2 Executive Principal Jay Pearson speak to parents at Mason Crest Elementary School. Fabio Zuluaga, the Fairfax County Public Schools assistant superintendent for Region 2, told several dozen parents at a meeting at Mason Crest Elementary School May 31 that he would address their concerns about … Continued

Parents concerned about leadership changes at Mason Crest Elementary School
Mason Crest Mason Crest Elementary School has developed a great reputation under its much-lauded principal Brian Butler and assistant principals Diane Kerr and Sherry Shin. But now that Butler and Kerr are leaving, parents are concerned that the school’s quality could decline if a new leadership team isn’t committed to the school’s Professional Learning Community … Continued

Northam, Perriello face off in primary debate
Left to right: Virginia Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam, moderator Tom Sherwood, and Tom Perriello. The Democratic candidates for governor – Ralph Northam and Tom Perriello – faced off in a debate April 29 that highlighted a few differences, on guns and proposed pipelines, for example, but for the most part, the candidates presented similar views … Continued

Volunteer program involving older adults in schools recognized by governor
A GrandInvolve volunteer works with a student at Parklawn Elementary School. [FCPS] The GrandInvolve program, in which older adults help young students with academic skills, was recognized with a 2017 Governor’s Volunteerism and Community Service Award. GrandInvolve is in six Fairfax County elementary schools, including Parklawn in Mason District. The program, launched three years ago, … Continued

Huge book sale at George Mason Regional Library has comics, games, first editions
Large selection of comics. [GMF] The semi-annual book sale April 27-30 at George Mason Regional Library in Annandale features movies, music, and videogames as well as 80 categories of books. There’s an entire room dedicated to children’s titles, sorted by subject and reading level. The event, hosted by George Mason Friends, is open 3-9 p.m. … Continued

New after-school program focuses on literacy
Kids and volunteers in the Read-Aloud program at the Wedgewood Community Center. Several dozen children who live in the Wedgwood garden apartments in Annandale gathered at the complex’s community center after school on April 18 for a literacy-based program sponsored by the Reading Connection. Volunteers read them stories, the children made maracas, they had a … Continued

Annandale HS orchestra director nominated for Teacher of the Year
Ammerman [FCPS] Angela Ammerman, the orchestra director at Annandale High School, has been selected to represent Fairfax County Public Schools in the Washington Post’s Teacher of the Year program. Ammerman has been recognized for her innovative and successful teaching methods. She believes all students have the ability to make music and tirelessly recruits students from … Continued

School news: Science stars
Third-graders at Belvedere Elementary School organized a seed sale as part of a unit on economics. An occasional series highlighting programs and activities at schools in the Annandale/Mason District area. The information and photos here are from Fairfax County Public Schools and individual schools. Science Olympiad – Luther Jackson Middle School came in third overall, beating … Continued