May 6
2008
Posted by: DMK
at 3:44 am
Project Hospitality Tackles Underage Drinking
The Safe Community Coalition (SCC) along with Fairfax County leaders join the Acting Surgeon General of the United States, Rear Admiral Steven Galson, MD, MPH, in calling on all citizens to reduce underage drinking and to restrict teenagers’ access to alcohol. Rear Admiral Galson states recent research demonstrates that alcohol harms developing adolescent brains and that young people who start drinking before the age of fifteen are five times more likely to have alcohol-related problems later in life. Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Gerald Connolly, Police Chief David Rohrer, and School Board Chairman Daniel Storck strongly support the Countywide Initiative to Reduce Underage Drinking and the “Parents Who Host, Lose the Most” (PWH) public awareness campaign to educate parents about the dangers of providing alcohol to those under 21 years old. This campaign was initiated by the nineteen school-community coalitions under the Safe and Drug-Free Youth Section of Fairfax County Public Schools and implemented by the Countywide Initiative to Reduce Underage Drinking task force consisting of over 35 organizations including the school-community coalitions, county agencies, the police, the school system, faith leaders, and community organizations. The objectives of Parents Who Host, Lose the Most are:
-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.buzzfreeprom.com
www.sadd.org: Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) has a Contract for Life between parents and children.
May 6
2008
Posted by: DMK
at 3:27 am
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).
May 1
2008
Posted by: DMK
at 3:46 am
Estonian Ambassador Visits Marshall on "Europe Day"
The Model United Nations (MUN) is sponsoring a visit to Marshall High School by the ambassador of Estonia to the US.
Mr. Vaino Reinart will visit the school on Europe Day, Monday, May 5, 2008, during Lunch and Learn.
All students are invited to the presentation, which will take place in the chorus room at 11 a.m.
Read Mr. Reinart's biography HERE.
Apr 24
2008
Posted by: DMK
at 6:42 am
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
Apr 24
2008
Posted by: DMK
at 6:39 am
Colleges That Change Lives
An information meeting based on the famous book "Colleges That Change Lives," by Lauren Pope, will be held free of charge in McLean, Virginia, on Sunday, May 18, at 3 p.m. at the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner. Parents, students and college counselors are invited to attend an enlightening discussion and have the opportunity to meet with representatives from each of the participating colleges.
For more information and directions to the event, go to www.CTCL.com and click on the CTCL events. The meeting is a part of their tour from May 17 - May 22.
Apr 18
2008
Posted by: DMK
at 10:50 am
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.
Apr 16
2008
Posted by: DMK
at 9:50 pm
Don't miss the last performance comedy of the year!
George C. Marshall High School Theater will present the musical comedy of the year, "City of Angels", the Tony Award-winning play
by Cy Coleman.
Set in Hollywood in the late 1940s, "City of Angels" is a film noir-style detective story that presents its own writer, Stine, who is having trouble transposing his book onto the big screen. In parallel, it follows the protagonist of the film, Detective Stone, on his adventures... as Stine writes. Many of the characters have a counterpart in the other world.
"City of Angels" performs May 1, 2, & 3 at 7:30 p.m. and May 4 at 3 p.m.
Tickets are $10.00 for adults and $8.00 for students and seniors.
Join the fun and watch these talented actors perform in the spacious auditorium this May.
Marshall High School thespians have captured the Virginia High School league group AAA state theater title five times. Marshall thespians are recognized as outstanding actors and their exceptional performances this year included student written and directed "Everything in Essence" and "You Can't Take It With You."
Apr 8
2008
Posted by: DMK
at 6:46 pm
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE
May 2008 Examination Schedule
The official IB Exam Schedule for May 2008 is now online HERE. Please take careful note of dates, times and locations, with the knowledge that not only should all students arrive 15 minutes early to their exam locations but also to emphasize that THERE ARE NO MAKE-UP EXAMS.
For more information, contact:
Carlota Bernal Shewchuk
Co-Coordinator
International Baccalaureate Program
tel. (703) 714-5580
fax (703) 714-5596
carlota.shewchuk@fcps.edu
Apr 8
2008
Posted by: DMK
at 6:34 pm
5th ANNUAL MARSHALL FOOTBALL GOLF TOURNAMENT
The 5th Annual Marshall Football Golf Tournament is Sunday, May 18 at 1 p.m.
Last year's tournament was a tremendous success, and this year's should be nothing less! And yes -- the amazing prize is back again for 2008: Win the hole-in-one contest and win a 2008 Ford Mustang! Courtesy of Kip Killmon's Tysons Ford.
Of course, there will be a variety of contests -- longest drive, closest to the pin and putting -- plus a silent auction, goodie bags and much, much more. The cost to participate, covering the greens fees at the prestigious Penderbrook Golf Club, personalized golf cart, snacks on the course, dinner after the tournament and your contribution to support your Marshall Statesmen football program, is a mere $150 a person ($125/person if you sign up as an entire foursome).
This is just the event to start off your golfing spring! Have a little fun and help your Marshall Statesmen at the same time. Sign up using this form now!
Support the Statesmen community by becoming a tournament sponsor (details here).
Marshall Pride!
Apr 5
2008
Posted by: DMK
at 12:38 pm
Support the Class of 2010
by going GREEN!
Order a three-pack of compact-fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs starting at just $8.00!
For an order form, click HERE!
For more information about CFL Bulbs and the Bright Futures Project, click HERE!
Or contact Class of 2010 sponsor Sunny Nieh at sunny.nieh@fcps.edu.
