Tag: education
Incoming FCPS superintendent vows to reach out to students
At a virtual Town Hall May 17, incoming Fairfax County Superintendent Michelle Reid promised to “stay resolutely student-centered.” Reid, currently the superintendent of the much smaller Northshore School District in Washington state, starts her new job July 1. When asked why she wanted to come to Fairfax County Public Schools, Reid cited FCPS’ “world-class reputation, … Continued
Two finalists were considered for FCPS superintendent – then one dropped out
UPDATE: Cheryl Logan has taken her name out of the competition for Fairfax County superintendent. She informed her board the same day the NAACP announced the two finalists. The Fairfax County School Board has narrowed the selection of the next school superintendent to two finalists, the Fairfax County NAACP reported April 9. The finalists are: … Continued
School news roundup
Glasgow on TV – CBS News came to Glasgow Middle School to film teacher Julie Kouril’s sixth-grade history class. The story will be be aired on March 29 for a segment on Women’s History Month. The news story features Kouril teaching the class about women’s rights and empowerment developed by Women for Education, Advocacy & … Continued
School advocates rally for librarians
Nearly 70 people participated in a rally to support school librarians March 24 before a school board meeting at Luther Jackson Middle School. At the meeting, several people attacked librarians for supporting LGBTQ students’ rights. The rally was co-hosted by 4 Public Education, the Fairfax County Federation of Teachers (FCFT), and FCPS Pride. “The librarians … Continued
School news roundup
School board seeks stay in TJ ruling – The Fairfax County School Board filed “a motion for stay pending appeal” on March 5 in response to the decision by a federal judge invalidating the admissions process for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. Judge Claude Hilton of the U.S. District Court ruled that … Continued
Historic marker project engages students
The Historical Marker Project, launched by the Fairfax County School Board and Board of Supervisors earlier this month, is aimed at encouraging students to bring attention to the accomplishments of lesser-known people and communities. The project will initially focus on the county’s Black/African American communities and will expand to other underrepresented stories in the coming … Continued
Youngkin pursues right-wing agenda
Virginia Gov. Glenn Younkin’s legislative priorities call for diverting funds from public schools to charter schools, banning critical race theory, restricting voting, and promoting massive tax cuts. The following bills and budget amendments introduced in the General Assembly are part of Youngkin’s “Day One Agenda.” Education The Board of Education or a local school board … Continued
Youngkin selects former school board member Elizabeth Schultz for state office
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin has selected former Fairfax County School Board member Elizabeth Schultz as assistant superintendent of public instruction. As a school board member, Schultz opposed including gender identity and sexual orientation in non-discrimination policies and was an outspoken advocate against efforts to support transgender students. Her Twitter account ThinkSchultz – which has been … Continued
Schedule set for Hidden Oaks camps
Registration is now open for summer camps at Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Annandale. The camp schedule wasn’t included in the printed version of the spring Parktakes due to the expansion and renovation underway at the nature center. Hidden Oaks camps will be conducted outdoors, except during bad weather. Maximum attendance has been reduced to … Continued
FCPS reinstates books challenged by parents
Two books that had been subject to a formal challenge have been reinstated in Fairfax County Public School libraries. The books – Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe and Lawn Boy by Jonathan Evison – had been temporarily removed following a complaint in September. Parents had charged the books were inappropriate in schools because of claims … Continued
Small band, big sound: Justice HS Wind Ensemble delights audiences
The Justice High School Wind Ensemble. [Andrea Fus] By Tara Rethore, JHS band parent The Justice High School (JHS) Wind Ensemble is taking its show on the road. They are just one of two high school concert bands in the commonwealth invited to play at the Virginia Music Educators Association (VMEA) conference this weekend in … Continued
Annandale Toastmasters Club builds speaking skills – and cleans up the community
Members of the Annandale Toastmasters’ cleanup crew. If Little River Turnpike looks a little cleaner, it’s thanks to the Annandale Toastmasters Club. Since the group adopted a section of the roadway in Lincolnia in 2019, members have collected many bags of litter during cleanup events, most recently on Nov. 7.
School news roundup: escape room, vaccine clinics, and more
Students solve a problem in Jackson Middle School’s Escape Room. [FCPS] The following news items about schools in the Annandale/Mason District area are from Fairfax County Public Schools and individual schools. COVID vaccine clinics – Beginning Tuesday, Nov. 16, the Fairfax Health District and Fairfax County Public Schools will offer the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine for children … Continued
Community center coming to Annandale
Plans are moving forward for the establishment of a community resource center in the Heritage Shopping Center in Annandale. Construction is expected to start in early 2022, said Supervisor James Walkinshaw (Braddock). Fairfax County signed a lease with the Webb Cos. for a 1,200-square-foot long-vacant space formerly occupied by CrossFit Annandale.
New historic marker commemorates James Lee Elementary School
Descendants of James Lee pull the cord to unveil a historic marker commemorating James Lee Elementary School. Alma Amaker, who attended James Lee Elementary School when it opened in 1948 in Falls Church, remembers it as the “very best concept of a neighborhood school.” Amaker spoke at the unveiling of a historic marker Oct. 2 … Continued