Tag: education
Aqua-Tots opens in Barcroft Plaza
Just in time for the opening of swimming pools next month, there’s a new place offering swimming lessons: Aqua-Tots swim school opened April 10 at Barcroft Plaza. Aqua-Tots provides group, semi-private, and private lessons for children ages four months to 12 years old. Parents can sign up their kids for swimming lessons one, two, or … Continued
Former school board member Ryan McElveen is running again
Former Fairfax County school board member Ryan McElveen is again running for an at-large seat on the board. McElveen was an at-large member of the board from 2012 to 2019. He is now seeking an endorsement from the Fairfax County Democratic Committee. His campaign platform calls for “bringing the joy back to education.” he announced … Continued
School board candidates outline their priorities at a Republican event
Kristin Ball, a candidate running to represent Mason District on the school board, wants Fairfax County Public Schools “to get back to the basics.” FCPS’ top priority should be academic excellence, with a focus on “reading, writing, and arithmetic,” Ball says, with the goal of bringing up test scores. Ball outlined her priorities at a … Continued
School news: farming, Arabic, and more
The following news items about schools in the Annandale/Mason District area are from Fairfax County Public Schools. Hydroponic farming – Engineering students at Luther Jackson Middle School are growing spinach and lettuce in a vertical farm in a shed behind the school. The produce they harvest will be donated to Poe’s food pantry. The shed … Continued
Registration open for Pinecrest summer camp
It’s just the first day of spring, but it’s not too late to register for summer camp. Registration is now open for Pinecrest Pavilion, the summer camp at the Pinecrest School in Annandale. Pinecrest Pavilion offers rising K-6th grade campers a mix of indoor and outdoor activities, arts and crafts, STEM experiments, nature discovery, games and … Continued
Students are working on robotic gardening
Students at Annandale and Falls Church high schools are learning how to use FarmBots to automate gardening. FarmBots are robots that can be programmed to plant seeds, water plants, pull weeds, and harvest the produce. It slides back and forth on a specially constructed raised garden bed. Hands On Harvests The FarmBot program is a … Continued
Oakwood School expansion nearly complete
After undergoing a major renovation and expansion, the Oakwood School in Annandale will be able to serve more students. The private school, at 7210 Braddock Road, focuses on specialized instructional methods for students with learning disabilities who struggled in their previous school. The expansion project is about 95 percent complete, says Head of School Lane … Continued
Fairfax County honors local heroes during Black History Month
Fairfax County honors local heroes of the African American community during Black History Month. A commemorative banner in honor of Dr. Edwin Bancroft Henderson is on display at the Providence Rec Center, and six new historic markers relating to Black history have been approved for installation around the county. Henderson (1883-1977), led the fight against … Continued
Proposed FCPS budget would raise teacher pay, increase school security
Fairfax County Schools Superintendent Michelle presented a proposed budget to the school board that would raise employee compensation and boost school security. FCPS is requesting a $3.5 billion operating budget for FY 2024. That’s a $249.6 million (7.6 percent) increase from the approved budget for 2023. Reid is requesting an increase of $159.6 million (7 … Continued
School news
Information in the following news briefs featuring schools in the Annandale/Mason District area are from Fairfax County Public Schools. Braddock ES expansion – Students at Braddock Elementary School are returning to the main building from their modular classrooms on Jan. 30 as renovation of the school nears completion. The administration office will relocate to the … Continued
FCPS to investigate TJ controversy
Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Michelle Reid told parents with students at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology that FCPS is investigating why the notification of “commended students” was delayed. Reid spoke about the issue at an emotionally charged meeting at the school Jan. 3 that drew nearly 100 parents and a smattering … Continued
Youngkin attacks public schools
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin and other Republican state leaders came down hard against public education at a back-to-school rally for GOP congressional candidates Aug. 31 at Mason District Park in Annandale. The key message at the event is that parents, not school administrators, teacher unions, or “radical politicians,” should have control over their children’s education. … Continued
Schools are over 99 percent fully staffed
When public school starts on Monday, Aug. 22, there will be “a certificated adult in every classroom,” said Superintendent Michelle Reid. Fairfax County Public Schools are “over 99 percent fully staffed,” Reid said during a virtual community meeting Aug. 17. FCPS is still hiring, though. The school system has been struggling with a teacher shortage, … Continued
New Virginia laws take effect
Here are a few of the newly enacted Virginia laws that took effect July 1: Public education Senate Bill 656 – The Department of Education is directed to develop model policies on sexually explicit content in instructional material by July 30. School boards must adopt policies by Jan. 1, 2023, for ensuring parental notification of … Continued
Outstanding Annandale educators honored
Two educators from the Mason District were among the 12 employees honored with Outstanding Employee Awards by Fairfax County Public Schools. Essel Linton, the music teacher at Annandale Terrace Elementary School, is the winner in the Outstanding Elementary Teacher category. “Essel’s music class is always filled with students singing, dancing, playing instruments, and, most importantly, … Continued