Jan 29
2009
Posted by: DMK
at 1:12 pm
GRADING POLICY ISSUES UPDATE
RESULTS OF FCPS SCHOOL BOARD VOTE - 1.22.09
The amended motion on the FCPS grading policy passed UNANIMOUSLY by FCPS School Board members Thursday (1.22.09) evening.
The amended motion directs Dr. Dale to report back to the School Board by the end of March 2009 with a version of the 10-point scale with pluses and minuses to be implemented at the beginning of the 2009-2010 school year and that AP/IB weights would be increased to 1.0 and weighted retroactively for classes taken up to Jan. 09 and that qualifying Honors courses would be weighted 0.5 beginning the 2009-2010 school year.
Dr. Dale said he would "ideally" like to retroactively weight qualifying Honors courses, but FCPS is uncertain at this time if that is technically feasible. FCPS will investigate this issue as they conduct their overview this summer to determine which courses will qualify as Honors.
FAIRGRADE is very pleased with the outcome from the 1.22.09 School Board meeting. The School Board exhibited strong leadership in crafting an amended motion that addresses community concerns, but still gives Superintendent Dale enough room to leave his thumbprint on the policy by refining exactly what the 10-point scale with pluses and minuses will look like and where the pass/fail bar will fall.
THANK YOU FCPS SCHOOL BOARD! THANK YOU FAIRGRADE SUPPORTERS!
Source: www.fairgrade.org
For details about last night's School Board actions, please visit http://www.boarddocs.com/vsba/fairfax/Board.nsf/News/2147F625F9041EAE8525754700172769?OpenDocument
Jan 15
2009
Posted by: DMK
at 11:16 pm
Liberty District Theater One-Act Festival
George C. Marshall will once again host the Liberty District Theater One-Act Festival on Saturday, January 24 (with a snow date of January 27). The entire Liberty District, comprised of eight high schools, will compete for the title with the two top schools advancing to the Regional Tournament, to be held at Lake Braddock High School on Saturday, January 31st.
Performances will begin at 10 am and the doors will remain closed during the performances. Each school will be allotted 45 minutes with a break for lunch at 12:15 pm. There is no cost for this event.
The order of school performances:
10:00 - 10:45 Woodson HS
10:45 - 11:30 Langley HS
11:30 - 12:15 South Lakes HS
12:15 - 1:15 LUNCH
1:15 - 2:00 Madison HS
2:00 - 2:45 Marshall HS
2:45 - 3:30 McLean HS
3:30 - 4:15 Stonebridge HS
4:15 - 5:00 Thomas Jefferson HS
There will be a preview performance of Marshall's entry, "Reflex Action" on Friday evening, January 23. An opening act consisting of a short puppet show by some of the Theater class will begin at 7 pm. There will be a short intermission, after which "Reflex Action" will be presented. This is a great opportunity to preview Marshall's entry and support our great Theater program.
Jan 15
2009
Posted by: DMK
at 11:12 pm
Letter from Northern Virginia District PTA
Due to the current economically challenging times, the Commonwealth of Virginia is facing difficult choices for the new budget term, one of which is proposed permanent cuts to public education funding. We know that this can result in reduced school programs and services to include counseling and classroom support and larger class sizes, just to name a few of the issues.
The Virginia PTA, along with our fellow members of the Virginia Education Coalition (VEC), advocate that any cuts in public education funding should be minimized and of a temporary nature and that all funding options should be considered prior to any cuts or eliminations. Read more about our legislatve positions. The VEC consists of many organizations representing elementary, middle, and high schools.
We would like to encourage you to look over this information and write an email or letter to your legislators and encourage them to vote against any permanent funding cuts to education. Please download contact information for Delegates and Senators representing the Northern Virginia District PTA. Currently, they have not heard from many of their constituents and Northern Virginia PTAs need to be represented.
Additionally, you can go to Alliance for Virginia's Students to sign an online petition. We have to be a strong voice for education – our children's future depends on it.
Please remember that you will have the opportunity to speak with your legislators during Virginia PTA Day at the General Assembly on Monday, Jan. 26. Pre-registration ends Jan. 19. Gov. Kaine addressing our PTA delegates promptly at 8:30 a.m. so please allow enough time to park and check-in at Registration before the start time. You are also invited to attend our Northern Virginia PTA District Legislators Reception, from 11 a.m. to noon, in the Third Floor Conference Room East. If you have any questions, please contact David Edelman legislative@novadistrictpta.org
We know that your time is valuable but we do hope you can take a few minutes to advocate for the future of public education policy and let our legislators know that it is not in the best interest of our children to permanently cut funding from education and other funding options should be explored.
Thank you for your time and concern for the future of our children's education.
Best regards,
Debbie
--
Debbie Kilpatrick, District Director
Northern Virginia District PTA
director@novadistrictpta.org
novadd@vapta.org
www.novadistrictpta.org
www.vapta.org
Jan 15
2009
Posted by: DMK
at 11:05 pm
SECOND ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL NIGHT
"A Night to Share Your Cultural Heritage"
Marshall High School will hold its International Night, on Thursday, February 19, 2009, from 6 to 9 p.m. The evening is an opportunity for members of the diverse Marshall community to socialize in an informal setting. We will have food provided on a potluck basis.
Potluck Dinner Coordinator: Kris Griswold kpgriswold@verizon.net
Country Booth Coordinator: Kitchka Petrova kpetrova@nsf.gov
(Click HERE to see the list of country booths and the coordinators.)
Set-up/ decorations/clean-up: Gay Cororaton sdcororaton@yahoo.com
Contact Parent Liaison Teresa Bennett if you can volunteer to help in any way. You can contact her by phone or email: 703-714-5482 or Teresa.Bennett@fcps.edu. This event is sponsored by the PTSA.
ANGC SILENT AUCTION/RAFFLE
George C. Marshall High School Silent Auction & Raffle
Join the fun February 19 at International Night
DONATIONS NEEDED
We only have about a month to get ready for the Silent Auction & Raffle to support the Class of 2009's All Night Graduation Celebration. Please consider one of the following:
1. Join with a friend or two and make your own basket to donate.
2. Support one of the baskets listed below!
3. Purchase & donate a gift card for any amount from any store or restaurant in the Metro area.
4. Donate something you make: An afghan, birthday cake for future birthday, decorative pillows, piece of art !
5. Donate your time/service/tour/week at your vacation home – you get the idea. A form for these kinds of donations will be coming out soon.
6. Donate an unloved or unused holiday gift – we'll create other theme baskets or put together a White Elephant basket!
7. Or, donate $$ and we'll do the purchasing - Please make checks payable to ANGC and make sure to earmark it for the "Silent Auction."
Drop your donation off at the GCM office. Please include your name, unless you want to remain "anonymous." If your item is too big, you can't get it to the school, or have any questions, call Marie Withrow at 703-560-5745 or Kim Sayer-Marsh at 703-356-8455.
Theme baskets to date:
Chocolate Lovers
GCM Basket
Movie Madness
Coffee Lovers
Games & Puzzles
Thank You !
Jan 14
2009
Posted by: DMK
at 8:02 pm
VIRGINIA LOTTERY SUPER TEACHER AWARDS
The Virginia Lottery, in partnership with the VA PTA and The Supply Rooms Co., will pay tribute to those educators who put smiles on their students' faces and who are shaping their futures. The Virginia Lottery will recognize eight teachers across the commonwealth as "Super Teachers." Each winning teacher will receive a $2,000 credit from the Supply Room Cos. to outfit his or her classroom as well as a $2,000 prize from the Virginia Lottery.
To nominate a "Super Teacher" and for more information, please go to http://www.valottery.com/promotion/teacher/.
Nomination deadline is March 6.
Jan 8
2009
Posted by: DMK
at 9:22 pm
Take a Practice SAT or ACT test at George C. Marshall High School, Saturday February 21, 2009 at 8:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
This practice test is proctored like an actual test,
except your score won’t go on record!
$10 pre-registered
Registration DEADLINE: February 18, 2009
To register, fill out the form HERE and follow the instructions for submitting by February 18.
