Tag: schools
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
Viewpoint: Pinecrest prepares students well for middle school
By Ragan Sawyer Transitioning to middle school can be filled with anxiety and feel like a mysterious next step for students and parents alike. Pinecrest School, an independent, private school in Annandale serving preschoolers through sixth graders, offers a special event every year called Life After Pinecrest to prepare students for middle school. At the … Continued
Major upgrade planned for Bren Mar Park ES
Fairfax County Public Schools is proceeding with the renovation and expansion of Bren Mar Park Elementary School. The community is invited to a hybrid meeting on March 14, 6-7 p.m., to learn more about the project and provide feedback. The meeting will be in person in the school cafeteria, 6344 Beryl Road, Alexandria. The meeting … 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
School board approves three-year calendar
The Fairfax County School Board has adopted a school calendar for the next three years with a school start date well before Labor Day. The 2023-24 school year will start on Aug. 21 and end on June 12. There will be a two-week winter break (Dec. 18-29). The school board approved the calendar by a … Continued
Sleepy Hollow Road gets a speed camera
Fairfax County plans to install speed cameras at eight school zones – including Sleepy Hollow Road at Sleepy Hollow Elementary School – by Feb. 10 The goals of the photo monitoring program are to encourage drivers to slow down and protect pedestrians. Studies have shown that speed camera enforcement reduces crashes and traffic-related injuries and … Continued
Student sexually assaulted at Frost MS
A female student at Frost Middle School in Fairfax was allegedly sexually assaulted by another student in a school restroom on Jan. 12. Fairfax County Public Schools is working with the police department’s Major Crimes Bureau to investigate the incident, which was first reported by Fairfax County Times on Jan. 20. FCPS Superintendent Michelle Reid … 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
Educator charged with assaulting a student
An educator assaulted a special-needs student at Glen Forest Elementary School in Bailey’ Crossroads, the Fairfax County Police Department reports. Another employee observed instructional assistant Meredith Capets, 36, of Alexandria, assaulting the student on Dec. 8. The employee immediately reported the assault to school administrators, who notified the police that evening. After conducting numerous interviews, … Continued
School news roundup
The following news briefs cover schools in the Annandale/Mason District area. Collective bargaining – The Fairfax County School Board will hold a public hearing on a resolution to allow collective bargaining on Dec. 15, 6-7 p.m., at Jackson Middle School. Registration for 25 speakers will open at 6 a.m. on Dec. 1. Legislation approved by … Continued
Two schools have new principals
Two schools in the Annandale/Mason District area have new principals. Raven Jones is the new principal at Luther Jackson Middle School, and Taiia Clarke will start work as principal of Beech Tree Elementary School on Nov. 14. Jones was formerly the administrator of Fairfax County Public Schools’ Montrose Alternative Learning Center in Alexandria. Before that, … Continued
School news roundup
The following news briefs and photos are from Fairfax County Public Schools. Where’s the equity? – The Fairfax County School Board passed a watered-down resolution Oct. 20 supporting educators “as they deliver FCPS-approved curriculum and classroom resources that are inclusive and meet the high aspirations of our students, families, and the Fairfax County community.” The … Continued
Board of Supervisors approves restrooms for high school stadiums
A carryover budget package for fiscal year 2022 approved by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Oct. 11 includes several items relevant to the Annandale/Mason District area. The BoS approved $7.5 million in carryover funds to provide permanent restrooms at the outdoor stadiums at 15 high schools, including Annandale, Justice, and Woodson. Currently, those … Continued
Students urged to avoid the extremely hot One Chip Challenge
School leaders nationwide are urging students not to try the One Chip Challenge, a super spicy tortilla chip that has sent people to the hospital. Glasgow Middle School Principal Victor Powell called upon parents to speak with their students “about the dangers of this challenge and encourage them not to participate.” “We are not allowing … Continued