Tag: education
Award-winning teacher motivates students to love learning
Shea Hestmark, a second-grade teacher at Columbia Elementary School, motivates students to love learning.
Private school to open at the St. James sports complex
Middle and high school students aiming for a career in professional sports, or at a spot on a college team, have a new opportunity. The St. James Performance Academy is launching in late August at the St. James sports complex in Springfield. The school offers a rigorous college preparatory program combined with sports training and … Continued
The St. James launches an academic program for elite student athletes
Families with elite student-athletes struggling to find time for practices, training, and school now have a solution. The St. James, the sports complex on Industrial Road in the Springfield area of Mason District, will offer an academic program, beginning next fall, integrated with students’ athletic schedules. The facility has formed a partnership with the TPH … Continued
Wonder Wagon takes nature on the road
The Fairfax County Park Authority has a new way to help residents experience nature in their communities and schools. The new Wonder Wagon is a mobile nature center that brings environmental and nature-based educational programs to underserved areas. The brightly painted Wonder Wagon van makes the rounds of afterschool programs, Head Start centers, and … Continued
Meetup group focuses on Korean language and culture
If you’re interested in the Korean language and culture, you’re invited to join a group of like-minded people who take part in educational and social events together. The DMV Korean Language & Culture Meetup Group welcomes anyone in the D.C. area who wants to learn Korean and meet Koreans, Korean-Americans, and Korea enthusiasts who share … Continued
Annandale HS designated a ‘Professional Learning Community’
Annandale High School has been recognized as a Professional Learning Community (PLC) at Work. PLC schools are designated by Solution Tree following a rigorous three-year process that requires schools to implement PLC concepts over three years and prove that student learning improved during that time. PLC concepts call for educators to focus on learning, build … Continued
School news roundup
Middle school start times – FCPS is exploring options for changing middle school start times to ensure young teens get enough sleep. In September, FCPS awarded a contract to Prismatic Services to develop a plan for starting the middle school day at 8 a.m. or later, beginning in fall 2025. Middle schools currently start at … Continued
The Coach CJ Celebration: Fun for a cause
The community is invited to the annual Coach CJ Celebration, a fundraiser for college scholarships. The event is March 9 at the Annandale Volunteer Fire Department’s social hall, 7138 Columbia Pike, 7-10 p.m. There will be a DJ, dancing, a silent auction, catered food, beer and wine, and games for kids. The auction will include … Continued
Learn how climate change is affecting gardening
Hands On Harvests, the nonprofit organization that operates the new garden in the Eileen Garnett Civic Space on Columbia Pike in Annandale, is hosting three online gardening education programs. The first webinar, on Feb. 13, 7 p.m., is on gardening in a changing climate. Sara Via, a professor and climate extension specialist at the University … Continued
AHS music teacher brings home a Grammy
“It was a whirlwind,” says Annandale High School orchestra director Annie Ray of her time in Los Angeles at the Grammys to accept the 2024 Music Educator of the Year Award. “It was unbelievable. It was so cool to see what goes on behind the scenes,” Ray told Annandale Today. She met a slew of … Continued
Annandale teacher Annie Ray wins a Grammy
Annandale orchestra director Annie Ray won the 2024 Grammy Music Educator Award. The announcement was made to the nation Feb. 1 on CBS Mornings with Gayle King, Tony Dokoupil and Nate Burleson. Ray will travel to the Grammy ceremony in Los Angeles on Feb. 4 to officially receive the honor. Many of Ray’s students and … Continued
School news roundup
The following news briefs are from FCPS and individual schools. GRAMMY finalist – Annie Ray, the orchestra teacher at Annandale High School, is a finalist for the 2024 Grammy Music Educator Award. The winner will be announced Feb. 1 at 8 a.m. Ray is one of 10 finalists from nine states. The winner will receive … Continued
2023: The year in review
Here’s a recap of some of the major stories we covered this year. JANUARY Construction of new Seven Corners Fire Station underwayThe Seven Corners Fire Station on Sleepy Hollow Road is being replaced with a new larger building. A new sidewalk would improve pedestrian safety on Columbia PikeA planned sidewalk would fill in the gaps … Continued
Community invited to a Family STEM Fair
The community is invited to a Family STEM Fair next Tuesday, Dec. 5, at Braddock Elementary School in Annandale. The event, hosted by Lab Rascals in partnership with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, will be 5-7 p.m. at 7825 Heritage Drive. Lab Rascals is organizing hands-on STEM activities for families, involving virtual … Continued
School news roundup
Dental health – Students at the Falls Church Academy’s dental careers program conducted dental screenings at Annandale Terrace Elementary School. The high school students created posters, games. and hands-on activities to show kindergarteners and first-graders how to properly brush and floss their teeth, how a dentist checks for cavities and infections, and what foods and … Continued