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In cooperation with the Department of Defense, eKnowledge Corporation, along with a group of NFL players have donated more than $16 million worth of multimedia SAT/ACT Test Preparation products to Service members and their families worldwide. For more information, see the flyer HERE.
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"Reality Check" is a joint parent/student safe teen driving program offered at Inova Fairfax Hospital.
This is a 2.5 hour program offered on periodic Saturdays that gives teens a real-life look at the consequences of unsafe driving behavior and poor decision-making. The parent portion of the program offers parents information on coaching and mentoring teen drivers, talking to children about drugs and alcohol, and implementing a parent-teen driving safety contract.
For more information on this program, please see the brochure HERE. If you have further questions, you may also call 703-776-3259. A date for the upcoming Reality Check has not yet been set; however, one will be offered this summer. Check the Inova website periodically (www.inova.org) for upcoming program dates or call the number above.
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Food Donations Sought
As the All Night Graduation Celebration approaches we are seeking donations for the food committee. CLICK HERE for a list of items needed for the ANGC.
This is a list of items that have been a “hit” with the students, are easy to eat and serve. If you would prefer, you may make a monetary donation instead of sending food items.
Thanks in advance!
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Project Hospitality Tackles Underage Drinking
-to inform parents about the health and safety risks of serving alcohol to teens.
-to increase awareness of and compliance with the 2006 revised Virginia underage drinking laws.
Project Hospitality is an initiative of the Safe Community Coalition and a key component of the “Parents Who Host” campaign in Fairfax County. Through this community-wide education program, the program urges parents to plan alcohol-free post-prom parties for their graduating seniors. Founded 13 years ago by Margi Vanderhye, a McLean parent and current member of the Virginia House of Delegates, Project Hospitality each spring brings together area hotels, motels, restaurants, the public and private schools of Fairfax, Arlington, and Alexandria, and the police to promote safe prom nights for high school seniors. Through this initiative the project hopes to persuade parents to chaperone the parties they host and discourage unchaperoned post-prom parties in hotels. Because many parents are unaware that the legal age for drinking is 21 parents are informed that there are legal consequences for them and their teens if they permit underage drinking.
Parents are also made aware that if they rent a hotel room for a post-prom party, the hotels require them to be there chaperoning the party the whole time. If there is an accident, the adult signing for the room is legally liable. The program warns parents about the dangers of teens driving under the influence of alcohol that night, and urges parents to offer their own teens and their friends a ride out of any risky situation with no questions asked. In circulating the dates and places of the proms to area hotels, restaurants, and the Arlington and Fairfax County police, the whole community is united in promoting common sense and safety for area youth on prom night.
County law enforcement, business, and community leaders strongly support SCC’s program of uniting the community in an effort to keep seniors’ special night free from accidents and tragedy.
Colonel David M. Rohrer, Fairfax County Chief of Police, has endorsed the initiative, stating, “During the 2008 Prom Season, the Fairfax County Police Department has reaffirmed our partnership with Project Hospitality. It is through community partnerships like this one that we can have a positive effect on underage drinking and promote a safe and memorable prom experience.”
Jim Wordsworth, the Virginia Director Emeritus of the National Restaurant Association and Chairman of the Small Business Council of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, expressed his enthusiasm for Project Hospitality, commenting, “This program has two measurable goals – the immediacy of further reducing the incidents of underage drinking and bringing the Hospitality Industry, local law enforcement and parents together on this life threatening issue with our young people.”
Paul Giovanini, General Manager of the Sheraton National Hotel in Arlington, agreed with Project Hospitality's objectives and stated, "Our hotel, like many in the Northern Virginia area, will be host to a number of local High School Proms. Under no circumstances will prom attendees or non- prom party crashers be allowed to rent guestrooms or suites without full-time parental attendance and supervision. We will also screen all reservations prior to the event and monitor check-in registration for absentee parents."
As Margaret Vanderhye, Project Hospitality’s founder, points out, “In the happy and expectant atmosphere surrounding prom season, students may easily blur the distinction between adult settings and privileges that accompany prom night with adulthood itself. Parents should communicate clearly that the consumption of alcohol, the use of hotel party rooms, or the total suspension of rules and expectations are not acceptable. Our goal is that students and their parents remember Prom 2008 as a special highlight of the school year.”
For Further Information, Contact Sherry Wells, SCC Project Hospitality Committee Chair
sbwells@cox.net; 703-241-0335
For information on “Parents Who Host, Lose the Most” contact Sara Freund, co-chair of the Countywide Initiative to Reduce Underage Drinking at sara.freund@verizon .net
Note: the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles Carrier Section will provide verification that the limousine companies available for prom night hire have proper operating authority in the state. (Call toll free: 1-866-878-2582)
For additional resources to help keep our youth safe during prom season, check:
www.sadd.org: Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) has a Contract for Life between parents and children.
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MARSHALL DECA ROCKED ATLANTA!
Congratulations to the 42 Marshall DECA Competitors who represented Virginia DECA at the International Career Development Conference.
Third Place Winners in the WORLD:
Annie O'Brien, Maggie O'Brien and Christine Taylor (General Market Research) Top Ten Finalist Daniel Blakely, Bryan Herbert & Kelly Dean (Community Service Project: Best Buddies & Marshall DECA) Joanna Kim, Tricia Wallace, & Lizzie Wright (Internet Marketing Business Plan).
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Teacher/Guidance Counselor of the Year and Support Staff of the Year Awards
The PTSA board is now collecting recommendation letters for the 2007-2008 PTSA Teacher/Guidance Counselor of the Year Award and Support Staff of the Year Award.
This year criteria/guidelines have been established to help assist in the recommendation process. All letters of recommendations will be reviewed and considered with regard to the suggested criteria.
Recommendations must be in no later than Tuesday, April 29.
The PTSA Board will review and vote on the candidates at their next board meeting on Monday, May 5. The awards will be announced at the End-of the-Year Awards Ceremony on June 11. You may send your letter to Malou Rennert via the office or in an email attachment to gcmptsa@gmail.com All correspondence is confidential. Individuals who have received this award in the past 4 years are not eligible.
Criteria -- Teacher/Guidance Counselor
-- Is exceptionally dedicated, knowledgeable and skilled teacher/counselor
-- Inspires students of all backgrounds and abilities
-- Has the respect and admiration of students, parents and colleagues
-- Is a good role model to students and colleagues
-- Plays an active and useful role in the community as well as the school
-- Has a length of service at Marshall over two years
-- Demonstrates high motivation, initiative, integrity, leadership skills, commitment, and judgment
-- Is a great team player and collaborator
-- Is an effective communicator-responsive to parents/students
Criteria -- Support Staff (administrative assistants, library staff, custodians, instructional assistants, food service, security personnel, clinic aides, and bus drivers)
-- Interacts with co-workers, students, teachers/counselors, and administrators in a positive, responsive, and cheerful manner.
-- Is a positive role model for others and a good ambassador of the school
-- Demonstrates motivation, integrity, resourcefulness, and leadership
-- Is a dedicated and hard worker
-- Has a length of service at Marshall over two years
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Colleges That Change Lives
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WIN TWO SEASON TICKETS TO
THE WASHINGTON REDSKINS!
The Marshall High School Band is raffling off two season tickets to the Washington Redskins 2008-2009 season.
Each raffle ticket costs $25.
Seats are in Section 431, Row 3.
One parking pass to each game is included.
Proceeds benefit the GCM Band Program.
Drawing will be held 6/4/08 -- winner need not be present.
Odds of winning: 1/250 -- No more than 250 tickets will be sold!
See a band member or contact Band Director Bryan Baldwin at 703-714-5451 (email jbbaldwin@fcps.edu) for tickets or more information.
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