Tag: schools
Firefighters might hold training exercise at Lacey Center
If you see a bunch of firefighters and police officers swarming all over the Lacey Center this summer, don’t freak out; it’s probably just a training exercise. Before the Lacey Center is demolished—in preparation for building a new elementary school on that site—the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Academy might want to use the building … Continued
Proposed school budget cuts could pose financial burden for Annandale families
The proposed budget cuts for the Fairfax County Public Schools could have some major implications for Annandale families. The FCPS school board adopted an advertised budget calling for $2.3 billion in operating funds for fiscal year 2011. If this budget ends up being adopted, here is what it could mean for students and parents: You … Continued
Mason District elects Evans to FCPS school board
Mason District voters elected Sandy Evans to the Fairfax County school board March 2. Evans received 2,633 votes, while her opponent, Samantha Rucker received 2,069. While FCPS school board elections are considered non-partisan, Evans was endorsed by the Democratic Party, and Rucker was endorsed by the Republicans. Turnout was light, as this was the only … Continued
FCPS Superintendent drops proposal for longer school days
Fairfax County Superintendent Jack Dale recommends that FCPS stick with its original calendar, which calls for April 12 and June 23, 24, and 25 to be used as make-up days for the school days lost to the heavy snowfall earlier this month. Dale had earlier proposed two other options that called for the school day … Continued
Evans more qualified to represent Mason District on Fairfax County school board
Next Tuesday, voters will go to the polls to select a school board member to represent Mason District during a critical period. Over the next few months, the Fairfax County school board will be making some tough choices, as it struggles to adopt a balanced budget to close a shortfall of some $176 million. Of … Continued
FCPS weighs plans for making up snow days
If you have a children in Fairfax County Public Schools, how do you think the school system should make up the four school days lost due to snow? It’s already been determined that a teacher workday on April 12 would become a full day of school for all students, and schools using a modified calendar … Continued
School board candidates outline priorities
The dismal state of the school budget is dominating the race for the Mason District seat on the Fairfax County school board. At a forum sponsored by the Broyhill Crest Community Association in Annandale Tuesday evening, candidates Samantha Rucker and Sandy Evans agreed that funding cuts should target the central administrative staff, not the classroom. … Continued
Montessori School to open new preschool campus near Roundtree Park
Annandale’s Montessori School of Northern Virginia is opening a new campus for preschool-age children in September on the site of the former Valley Brook preschool at 3433 Rose Lane in Falls Church (off Annandale Road between Roundtree Park and Beech Tree Elementary School). The new facility will serve up to 90 students, says Head of … Continued
FCPS schools expected to reopen Tuesday
With Fairfax County public schools closed again on Monday, Beech Tree Elementary School and Poe Middle School are calling upon community volunteers to help clear snow off the sidewalks around the school and bus stops. Other schools in the Annandale area have the same needs. So if you’re not tired of shoveling—or even if you … Continued
School board votes to restore some funding cuts
The Fairfax County school board has voted Feb. 4 to adopt an “advertised budget” of $2.3 billion for fiscal year 2011 that restores some of the programs proposed for elimination by Superintendent Jack Dale. The advertised budget would maintain class size at current levels; restore the elementary school foreign language program; save indoor track and … Continued
Del. Kory to hold Town Hall Saturday morning
Annandale residents are encouraged to come to the first Town Hall meeting sponsored by our representative in the state House of Delegates, Kaye Kory. The meeting will be Saturday, Feb. 6, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at Belvedere Elementary School on Columbia Pike. The session features special guest, Dick Saslaw, the majority Leader in the state Senate. … Continued
Attend the school board candidates forum Feb. 3
The first candidates forum for the Mason District seat on the Fairfax County School Board will be Wednesday, Feb. 3, 6:45-8 p.m. at Bren Mar Park Elementary School, 6344 Beryl Road in Alexandria. A special election for the school board will be held March 2. The candidates are Sandy Evans, a longtime school advocate, and … Continued
Parent, teacher advocacy groups form coalition to push for more FCPS accountability
Leaders of parent advocacy groups, teacher organizations, and community groups announced the formation of the Fairfax Education Coalition (FEC) Jan. 20 “to advocate for improved accountability, transparency, and community participation in the Fairfax County Public Schools’ decision-making process.” Coalition members include representatives from the Fairfax Coalition of Advocates for Public Schools (FairfaxCAPS), the Fairfax County … Continued
Sandy Evans: ‘I will not be a rubber stamp’
School board candidate Sandy Evans (center) told voters Jan. 16, “I will not be a rubber stamp” for Fairfax County Superintendent Jack Dale. Noting that the Fairfax County Public Schools budget is in “terrible shape,” Evans vowed to protect class and look for more efficient ways of doing things so any funding cuts that need … Continued
Proposed budget cuts would decimate Fairfax County Public Schools
Faced with a “dismal” budget picture, Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Jack Dale is calling for gut-wrenching cuts in key programs, a one-student increase in class sizes, and new fees for participating in sports and taking advanced tests. Dale announced his budget proposals at the Jan. 7 school board meeting. The proposed $2.3 billion budget … Continued