The Northern Virginia Problem
Top Virginia Universities are harder to get into: checking why and how to help.
Many Northern Virginian students are biting their nails, waiting for their college admission letters this week. But in a sea of overachievers, NoVa students are coming across a pervasive issue with in-state colleges—what is being dubbed the "the Northern Virginia Problem." Many residents of Fairfax, Alexandria City, Loudon, Fauquier, Prince William and Arlington counties are spreading the word that top Virginia universities—the University of Virginia, Washington and Lee and William and Mary are becoming harder and harder to get into.
‘The Children’s Hour’ at Langley High
Classic Lillian Hellman play to run April 3-5.
A dainty redhead who pops into a room with daffodils behind her back is yelled at by one teacher after another until she feigns a heart attack.
Local Student Starts Foundation
Katharine Jiang’s contribution grants 100 D.C.-area students notebook-laden backpacks.
Few high school students can say they have created a foundation. Sixteen-year-old Katharine Jiang of Great Falls is one of those few.
Langley High Orchestra Inspires Florida School
The smiling high school senior held her violin in her outstretched hands, offering to show the 6-year-olds how to play it. As she plucked the strings, a child recoiled in surprise, afraid that he was close enough to hurt the instrument. Twenty minutes later, that same child was holding the violin and the bow, exclaiming,"I want to play this."
Nurturing Talent at Forestville
As Fairfax County considers reducing the number of assistant principals, Marietta Arbach -- Assistant Principal at Forestville Elementary -- seems too busy to think about it. Her day begins at 7:15 with a walkthrough of the school. She then "greets the children with hugs and high fives," according to PTA President Jamie Finch.
Langley, Cooper Orchestras Share the Spotlight
On the evening of March 13, the Langley High School Orchestra and Cooper Middle School Orchestra shared the stage in the annual Pyramid concert. Before the concert, a dinner was held to welcome the Middle School students and give them a chance to mingle with the older musicians.
Honored for Promoting Peace
The Student Peace Awards of Fairfax County honors 22 students.
The Student Peace Awards of Fairfax County, presented by the Herndon Friends Meeting, honored a group of 22 juniors and seniors who were nominated for their dedication to peace and conflict resolution on March 2.
School Board Votes For Longer SLEEP
Money saved from annual bus route review will be earmarked for implementation of later start times.
According to SLEEP, a local group advocating for later high school start times in Fairfax County, 72 out of 92 counties in Virginia have a high school start time of 8 a.m. or later.
Langley High Wins Theatre Festival
The school will compete at the Regional event on Saturday, Feb. 8.
Saxon Stage's production of "Fearful Symmetry," written by Alan Haehnel and directed by senior Jamie Joeyen-Waldorf, won the VHSL Conference 6 One Act Competition at James Madison High School on Saturday, Jan. 25. It is the first time in Saxon Stage history that Langley has won this event. Langley competed against Yorktown High School, Hayfield Secondary School, James Madison High School, Fairfax High School, McLean High School, South Lakes High School and Washington-Lee High School.
Great Falls Elementary Holds STEM Career Night
Parents teamed up with local high schools and volunteers from the Children’s Science Center for an evening full of fun.
Students packed the Great Falls Elementary gymnasium on the evening of Monday, Feb. 3, to learn the answers to questions such as "What is a polymer?" and "How is a vortex ring made?"
Colvin Run Elementary Students Visit Costa Rica
Thanks to the leadership of fifth grade teacher Allison Hutchins and EF Educational Tours, a group of Colvin Run Elementary School students went on an incredible adventure to Costa Rica during the week of Jan. 25-31.
Debate Over School Budget Continues
Later start times, class size among topics at School Board public hearing.
Later start times, class size, and cuts to needs-based staffing were major themes of the testimony given at the Jan. 27 public hearing on Superintendent Karen Garza’s proposed budget.
Board Cites Lack of Funds for School Renovations
Aging schools collide with increasing student enrollments.
While the 2015 to 2019 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) passed at the Fairfax County Public School Board meeting on Thursday, Jan. 3, many board members expressed concerns with the program.
Colvin Run Elementary Students Donate Food for Those in Need
Boxes of non-perishable food that filled the trunks of eight large SUVs were donated on Monday, Dec. 16, by Colvin Run Elementary School families to a local Fairfax County elementary school.
Family Science Night at Colvin Run Elementary
Colvin Run Elementary School (CRES) hosted its second annual Family Science Night on Dec. 6, with hands-on experiments from the Children's Science Center's Museum Without Walls Mobile Labs.