Covering Annandale, Bailey's Crossroads, Lincolnia, and Seven Corners in Fairfax County, Virginia

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

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

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

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

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