May 15
2008
Posted by: DMK
at 8:06 pm
"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.
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.
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 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
Feb 18
2008
Posted by: DMK
at 5:36 pm
Statesmen Finish Respectably at Liberty Districts
by Coach Clifford C. Wong
It had to be hard following up the 2006 – 2007 season that including the Lady Statesmen winning the Liberty District team title for the first time in 11 years. However, this year's team included a great mix of up starters and experiences veterans.
Sophomore Brittany Johnson fell between the categories as she was no typical freshman last season. Johnson's freshman year included a trip to the outdoor state championship in two events, 100m dash and high jump. She also was a key contributor on the winning women's team indoor championship, racking up four regional qualifiers (55m dash, HJ, 4x2, 4x4). Brittany could have not have asked for a better teacher and teammate in 2007 Statesmen Athlete of the Year and multiple District Champion and school recorder holder Jacqueline Hargrove (currently at Manhattan College – #1 Ranked Conference 400m runner) who passed the touch to the freshman.
The experience learned from Hargrove and Shannon McVey (Class of 2007) paved the way to Johnson's first District title and the extension of the Statesmen domination in the 55m dash. With Johnson's victory in the 55m dash, it was the 5th straight year a Statesmen woman had won that event. Hargrove won three straight titles in her freshman, sophomore and junior year; she had to settle for a runner up title when fellow Senior McVey won her first title. Johnson won this year in time of 7.49 that would suggest that she would break the still standing meet record hold by another Statesmen Melissa Burgess of 7.30 back in 1996. Johnson has also showed her ability to extend herself into the field event taking a silver medal in the high jump (an event which she had three time hit the State Indoor qualifying mark of 5ft 2in) and bronze medal in the long jump.
Fellow sophomore Meara Goss took Marshall back to a time when we (bad habit – Statesmen) dominated the throwing events. There was a time not far back, when the Statesmen won at least one throwing event at the District championship with the name like Jose Portillo (Class of 1999), T.J. Stahl (Class of 2000), Carissa Culbreath (Class of 2002), Chris Barham (Class of 2003), Tim Silver (Class of 2005) under a balding hard nose, no nonsense coach Joe Swarm (current Interim Director of Activities). That tradition end during the 2005 – 2006 season and while Jacqueline Hargrove won the shot put title last year, it good to see a pure shot putter take the right full place at the top of the podium and bring the team back to its roots. Gross as a freshman took bronze in the event last year as a freshman and showed great promise which came to reality this season.
The reason why Senior Oscar Olazo is running track is because he was having a rocky day at school. So to stop him from getting in trouble, he was asked to try track to relieve some of that energy in a positive manner. However, his road to his first District crown had to go through those rocky paths but at last accomplishment. Having two runner-up titles (800m, 1000m) to his resume was great but it was not enough for Olazo and this was his final time to get one indoors. Running with great conviction and heart, Oscar was the only challenger that stood in the way of the great running machine from the distance and national rank powerhouse Thomas Jefferson (who won the 1600m & 3200m). However, this is the year of great expectation and Olazo expected to defeat the power and nothing was going to stop. Running from the front like he did the past two years, Olazo pushed the machines to the limit but this time there was no come backs, no passing at the end only victory and victory is what was achieved. Proud to say, Oscar Olazo, 2008 Liberty District Champion.
2007 Indoor Liberty District Champion and Senior Lance Cheng still looks like he did four years ago but his knowledge and experience is what make him an accomplished athlete. For third straight year, Cheng has qualified for the regional championship and for the second year in two events. The defending indoor triple jump champion will be returning to the regional in the event and he also pulled off the impossible once again by snatching the 6th place finish in the 55m hurdles.
Freshman Courtney Herbolsheimer is made her mark in the distance power strong District and Regional with a wonderful double performance in the 1600m and 3200m run. Herbolsheimer a quiet and friendly person off the track is a complete opposite on the track as she showed in her coming out party at the District championship. It been a long time since a Lady Statesmen had someone qualified in the 1600m not since Beth Stein back in Coach General's first year back in 2002 and that was outdoors. No one has qualified for the 3200m in the last eight seasons, so the accomplishment in two events by Herbolsheimer is remarkable. Her mark in the 1600m of 5:31.43 was the fastest in eight seasons by over 10 seconds.
Junior Tara Cappiello quietly has taken down the school record in the 1000m run with her third place finish in the championship last year and this year she improved on her record by dropping two seconds off and will be returning to regional. Junior Chandler Dennison has had an up and down season but it has to be satisfying to come back and secure a place in regional in the 500m dash. Senior Katherine Heffelmire will also be returning to the regional championship after tie her own school record in the women's pole vaulting event.
The drought continues for the men's in the 4x200m relay but the 4x400m relay team has always represented and this year they did in a big way. The team of Akkarin Chirachaturaphak, Patrick Roddy, Olazo and Robert Tynes put it down and produced the fastest time in the last eight indoor seasons to take the runner up title. The team anchor by an indoor newcomer and first time regional 500m qualifier Robert Tynes pulls off a surprising ending to the championship. Overall both the men's and woman's team's finished 6th in the championship.
It has been a season of changes and challenges for the Coach Staff, the Team and the School but the results and accomplishments are a testament of the Statesmen Pride:
SMALL SCHOOL, BIG HEART. GO STATESMEN
Feb 14
2008
Posted by: DMK
at 4:52 am
FCPS 2009 BUDGET UPDATE:
Activity Fee Clarification
It was brought to our attention that the original proposed activity fee has been changed. I have contacted FCPS for clarification. Please see below the response from Kristen Michael, Assistant Director, Office of Budget Services (571-423-3617)
Question # 42
School Board Member Requesting Information: Kaye Kory
Answer Prepared By: Jack Dale
Date Prepared: January 29, 2008
Question:
In the notebooks distributed to the School Board Members and the Board of Supervisors at the joint Work Session, on page 19, "This estimate includes charging for all activities in HS and MS." Please explain for which HS activities and for which MS activities families would be charged. On the same page is, '"This fee will be adjusted for students eligible for free and reduced-price meals." Please explain the adjustments planned for FRM students. (KK09 - Office of the Superintendent)
Response:
When the budget documents were being prepared, there was still an internal debate on how much to charge and what to charge. At this stage, staff is suggesting a $100 fee for high school students engaged in VHSL athletics. Any student eligible for free or reduced price meals would be exempt from the participation fee.
As School Board members continue to ask questions, the Budget Question responses will be updated. To access this information, go to http://www.fcps.edu/news/fy2009.htm and select "FY 2009 Proposed Budget Questions," which is the first item under Budget Documents. Please let me know if you have any additional questions.
***According to Ms. Michael, after further clarification, the athletic fee of $100 is charged per athlete per sport with no maximum cap.
*************************************************************************************************** PLEASE CONTACT THE PROVIDENCE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, Lynda Q. Smyth, AS WELL, TO EXPRESS YOUR CONCERNS.
Phone: 703.560.6946
Fax: 703.207.3541
Feb 11
2008
Posted by: DMK
at 9:34 pm
2008 International Night Silent Auction
To Support the 2008 All Night Graduation Celebration
Mark your calendar for the 2008 International Night Silent Auction, Thursday, February 21. Bidding starts at 5:30 p.m. International Night opens at 6 p.m. Proceeds from the auction will support the 2008 All Night Graduation Celebration and keeping our kids safe!
Take a preview of the some of the special items that will be on display by clicking on the links below. You’ll find:
Donations are still being accepted. Please e-mail Ronnie Taylor at vtaylor115@gmail.com or Sonia Guzman at guzmans@cox.net and indicate what you would like to donate. Also remember that your donations are tax deductible.
If you have questions or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to e-mail us. We look forward to your enthusiastic participation and seeing you at the 2008 International Night. Thank you in advance for your support of keeping our kids safe!
Feb 10
2008
Posted by: DMK
at 1:20 pm
A MESSAGE FROM SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER (PROVIDENCE DISTRICT),
Phillip A Niedzielski-Eichner REGARDING FCPS PROPOSED 2009 BUDGET
We will act at our Thursday, February 14th meeting on the Superintendent's proposed FY2009 budget. The FCPS advertised budget we approve next week will be based upon estimated revenue from the local, state, and federal governments. We will know by May how much our actual revenues will be.
Included in the "advertised" budget we approve will be our funding request to the Board of Supervisors (BOS). The "transfer" we receive from the County makes up 76% of our operating revenue. The BOS budget cycle begins at the end of this month with the presentation by the County Executive of his proposed budget. Public hearings will then be held by the BOS at the end of March. The Supervisors will then approve its budget on April 28th. Our Board will act on our approved budget on May 22nd, after a public hearing we will hold on May 14th and 15th. I will hold a Providence District Dialogue on March 3rd at 7:30 pm in the lecture hall at the Jackson Middle School. I will have with me a representative from our Budget Staff. Together we will review the School Board's advertised budget, answer any questions you may have about the budget; or simply listen to your concerns.
Additional Background on Deficit Situation
I provide some additional background information for those of you who would like to understand better why we are experiencing a budget deficit. As you can see in the attached budget update, we are extraordinarily reliant upon local resources for funding our schools..fully 76% of our operating revenue. From the perspective of the County, this translates into 53% of its revenue base going to support the school system. The remaining funding is received from the State [~21%] and the federal government [~2%]. The remainder is provided via our relationship with Fairfax City and miscellaneous other sources. We can have a separate discussion about unfunded mandates from the State and federal governments, but that impact substantially exceeds $200 million.
Based on preliminary information from the state and direct guidance from the (BOS) that we should expect a 0% increase in the transfer from the County, we have an expected budget shortfall of over $100 million. This shortfall includes a 3% increase in salary for our teachers and staff to offset the growth in the cost of living in this area and to keep our salaries competitive in relation to our surrounding school systems that are eager to attract our teachers. Since 86% of our expenses are for personnel salaries and benefits, the cost alone of this increase is $52.4 million dollars. We also project that we will have 1,800 more students than we did last year and the cost of educating those students is $24 million. These two items alone equate to $76 million of the anticipated shortfall. In order to address this shortage, we need to receive additional funding from the County and the State, both of which are experiencing significant funding shortages, and/or reduce our costs. The Superintendent proposes doing both - i.e., asking for a 3.5% increase from the County in its transfer [as opposed to 0%] and cutting or streamlining programs.
Just a note about our local revenue situation. I am often asked why it is so grim. The answer - in part -- is that Fairfax County is nearly completely reliant upon the value of our homes as our source of local revenues for operating both the County government and the school system. When home value rise, revenues increase; when they decline revenues decrease. The County has adjusted the rate charged per house over the years to reflect market conditions. For example, the real estate assessment rate in 2002 was $1.23 per $100 of assessed value. With escalating housing values the BOS lowered the assessment progressively over the last six years. Today we are at $.89 cents; a 34 cent reduction. To put this in perspective, one penny on the assessment brings in $22.7 million.
So, as we move toward final action Thursday on our advertised budget, the SB members are asking ourselves questions such as the following:
- What is the appropriate amount, or range, to request of the BOS?
- Should we modify or not approve certain recommendations made by the Superintendent?
- Are there other options that we should pursue?
For more information, click HERE.
Feb 5
2008
Posted by: DMK
at 6:13 am
Parent Safety Awareness Night will be held Monday, February 11, 2008, at GC Marshall High School, beginning at 7 p.m.
Two sessions, one on Internet Safety, the other on Teen Driving Safety, will be presented.
For more details on these programs, click HERE.
To RSVP, send an email to gcmptsa@gmail.com
Jan 28
2008
Posted by: DMK
at 8:54 pm
International Night Booth Coordinators/Organizers Needed
We are still looking for parents and/or students who would like to create a country display for International Night on February 21. The display can be as simple as a three-ply poster with information on the country or it may contain representative items (flags, textiles, pottery, music on CD, etc.) that will fit on 1/2 a cafeteria size table.
We are also still looking for booth coordinators for the following regions. If you can help, please email Lucy Uncu at luncu@cox.net
-- Brazil and Southern Cone (Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil)
-- Caribbean (Cuba, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, other islands in the Caribbean)
-- Middle East and North Africa (Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Oman, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco and Libya)
-- North America (USA, Canada and Mexico)
If you would be willing to help, please contact the booth coordinator listed below for the region you are interested in.
-- Africa (All countries except North Africa) Booth Coordinator: Beauty Dhlodhlo (bdhlodhlo@worldbank.org)
-- East Asia and Pacific (Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Tibet, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Burma, Viet Nam, Cambodia , Indonesia, Malaysia) Booth Coordinators: Malou Rennert (malouren@msn.com) and Sonnie Campos ( sonnie.camp@verizon.net)
-- South Asia (India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan)
Booth Coordinator: TBD
-- Nordic, Baltic, UK and Benlux (Iceland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, Estonia, England, Scotland Ireland, Belgium, Netherlands
Booth Coordinator: Tatiana van der Noorda ( vandernoordaa@verizon.net)
-- Eastern Europe and Central Asia (Russia, Ukraine, Georgia , Moldova, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan)
Booth Coordinator: Victoria Bloom (Bloom.Victoria@gmail.com)
-- Southern and South Central Europe (Greece, Turkey, Serbia, Bosnia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Bulgaria)
Booth Coordinator: Rada Carmichael (Jagodina_5@hotmail.com)
-- North Central and Western Europe (Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Malta)
Booth Coordinator: Suzi Clement-Sigur (clementsigur@hotmail.com)
Western Hemisphere
-- Andean Region (Colombia, Bolivia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru)
Booth Coordinator: Mary Arana (mcaej204@aol.com)
-- Central America (Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama)
Booth Coordinator: Adriana Yurko (Adriana.Yurko@yahoo.com)
