Fairfax County School Board Adds "Gender Identity" to Nondiscrimination Policy
Discrimination is bad, and everyone should have a safe environment in which to learn. These sentiments were common to the Fairfax County School Board members and the hundreds of parents who packed the auditorium and front lobby of Luther Jackson Middle School for the board’s May 7 meeting.
Lake Braddock, Hayfield Students Invited to the White House
On April 28, students in the Japanese language program at Lake Braddock Secondary and at Hayfield Secondary visited the White House for the official ceremony welcoming Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to the United States. Such an invitation was a first in each school’s history, and produced much excitement among the students and teachers.
Students Celebrate Burke School’s 75th Anniversary
Virginia Lee Fowler Hyer is the oldest of seven girls who used to live in the “top of the hill” home now referred to as the Silas Burke House. She attended Burke School from 1944 through 1949 and on April 23, crossed the building’s threshold again to witness a program celebrating its 75th anniversary.
Lake Braddock, Hayfield and TJHSST Win Japan Bowl
Competition tests students’ knowledge of history, language, culture and more.
Every year, high school students studying Japanese have a chance to participate in the National Japan Bowl, a competition that tests their knowledge of Japanese history, language, culture and more. Some of the country’s top language students make it to D.C. to compete; however, more than just classroom attendance is required in order to do well.
Fairfax County Task Force to Recommend Sexual Assault Education Reforms
Fairfax County is examining how it prepares students to prevent and respond to sexual assault. In December, Supervisor John Cook (R-Braddock) brought forward a board matter concerning sexual assault culture. County staff responded in March with a report that assesses what Fairfax County Public Schools is doing in this area.
Burke School Set to Celebrate 75th Anniversary
The Burke School is turning 75. The building at the corner of Burke Lake and Lee Chapel Roads, dedicated in 1940, was built to accommodate the student population overflowing older three-room schoolhouse that was first built in 1912. The new school project benefited from the Works Progress Administration under President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s “New Deal.”
Robinson Junior Nominated to Join Future Medical Leaders
Natalie Hessler, a junior at Robinson Secondary School, has been nominated to attend the Congress of Future Medical Leaders in Boston, on June 24-26.
Northern Virginia Nereids Send Synchronized Swimming Duet of Woodson and Robinson Students to Nationals
High school juniors Margot Baden and Jackie Hafner, students at W.T. Woodson High School and Robinson Secondary School respectively, and their coach chose to set their duet synchronized swimming routine to a medley of music from the “Batman” franchise.
Fairfax County School Board Votes Down Veterans Day School Holiday
Fairfax Station resident Steven Hunt, retired U.S. Navy, put it bluntly: “Votes count, words don’t.” That was following a vote in which all but two members of the Fairfax County School Board voted against an amendment to the 2015-2016 calendar that would have made Veterans Day a school holiday.
West Springfield High School Hosts Job and Opportunity Fair
Robinson graduate Jackson Muse was looking for some professional direction. Currently a junior political science major at Shepherd University in West Virginia, he’s worked at Barnes & Noble but is potentially interested in counseling for the Fairfax County Park Authority, or helping open the new Wegmans at Hilltop Village Center.
Classes Canceled after Bomb Threat at Lake Braddock Secondary School
Lake Braddock Secondary School staff received a bomb threat via email, according to the school and Fairfax County Public schools representative John Torre.
Students From Around Fairfax County Recognized for Promoting Peace
After a friend of South County High School senior Sakira Coleman was sexually assaulted while running on a local public path, Coleman decided to take action and started the “Fight for Your Right to Run at Night” program.
Burke Freshman Team Wins Top Honors at Robotics Contest
“It’s a big deal,” said Doug Desrochers, coach of the Burke robotics team The Blockheads. He said, “The competition was fierce” at the First Tech Challenge Virginia Championship held in Richmond on Saturday, Feb. 28. But what gave freshmen Sam Bove, of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Roger Clanton, David Desrochers, Paul Han, and Amanda Nguyen, of Lake Braddock High School, an advantage was their use of 3D printing technology.
Fairfax County Swimmers Shine at States
Swimmers from 36 high schools from around Virginia competed in the Virginia High School League 6A state championship held in Richmond on Feb. 20.
Inaugural Celebration of Gospel Event Held in Burke
Last Wednesday, Feb. 11, the Lake Braddock Secondary School (LBSS) welcomed the Howard Gospel Choir of Howard University (HGC) to headline its first musical Celebration of Gospel. The concert was sponsored by the Minority Parents for Excellence in Education (MPEE), a parent-led organization that has been active at LBSS for almost 30 years.