for the week of May 27 - June 2, 2010
Celebrate Memorial Day in Falls Church City The City’s 29th Annual Memorial Day Parade and 29 Festival will take place this Monday, May 31, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Falls Church City Hall grounds, 2010 located at 300 Park Ave. This free event is open to the public and will be held rain or shine! Those who have given their lives serving in the armed forces will be honored at a fallen Veterans Ceremony at 11 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial in front of the Community Center, 223 Little Falls St. Ann Mills-Griffiths, Executive Director of the National League of POW/MIA Families, will deliver the keynote address. In addition, Specialist Stephan L. Mace, a soldier born in Falls Church and killed in Iraq on Oct 3, 2009, will be recognized for his service. The day also features a Don Beyer 3K Fun Run at 9 a.m. The Memorial Day Parade steps off at 2 p.m. under the direction of this year’s Grand Marshal, Edna Frady.
Memorial Day Holiday Schedule CITY HALL COURTS DMV SELECT OFFICE IN CITY HALL SENIOR CENTER SHERIFF’S OFFICE MARY RILEY STYLES PUBLIC LIBRARY COMMUNITY CENTER GEORGE BUS YARD WASTE, BUNDLED BRUSH, SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
New Citywide Solid Waste Collection Begins Next Wednesday
CLOSED May 31
CLOSED May 30-31 OPEN May 31 until 5 p.m. NO SERVICE May 31 NO PICKUP May 31 For information, call 703-248-5081 (TTY 711).
Provide Input for Pedestrian, Bicycle, Traffic Calming Project
city
A resident since 1947, Ms. Frady saw the town of Falls Church become a City. Ms. Frady has been an active member of the Falls Church community, having participated in the Woman’s Club of Falls Church, Village Preservation and Improvement Society, Citizens for a Better City, and the Falls Church Democratic Committee. Grand Marshal Edna Frady Throughout the day, festivalgoers of all ages will enjoy amusement rides, pony rides, arts and crafts, food, civic and business booths, public safety tips, stage entertainment, and more. Live musical entertainment will be provided by the Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition, Big Tow, the City of Falls Church Concert Band, and Judo Chop. For more information, visit www.fallschurchva.gov or 703-248-5178.
The City will be holding a Pedestrian, Bicycle and Traffic Calming Strategic Implementation Plan meeting next Wednesday, June 2. This project will include the evaluation of every City street to find deficiencies in pedestrian and bicycle access and to develop a plan for improvement. The public is invited to learn about the project, provide comments, and walk/bike City streets to identify first-hand the type of improvements most needed (bring your walking shoes and/or bicycle). The meeting will begin at the Community Center, 223 Little Falls St., at 7 p.m. Opportunity for input will continue throughout the project, which is expected to take about one year. Citizens are invited to send comments and photos to Wendy Block Sanford, Principal Planner/ Transportation Planner, at wblocksanford@fallschurchva.gov or 703-248-5041 (TTY 711).
Beginning June 2, Wednesday is Waste Day in the City. That means residents who receive City-provided curbside solid waste collection will have refuse, recycling, yard waste, bundled brush and special bulk items collected all on the same day - Wednesday. Rolling carts for trash and recycling will be distributed in late summer or early fall 2010. In the meantime, residents should use current receptacles. Place trash, recycling, bundled brush and yard bags at the curb by 7 a.m. on Wednesdays (or after 5 p.m. Tuesdays). Brush must be bundled with twine and yard waste must be in compostable paper Kraft bags with a 50 cent orange collection sticker (available at Brown’s Hardware, Giant Food Store, and City Hall in the Treasurer’s Office and permit counter). The new rolling carts will be on display at the Memorial Day Parade and Festival. For more information, visit www.fallschurchva.gov or call the Solid Waste Hotline at 703-248-5160 or e-mail recycling2@fallschurchva.gov.
City News Comes to You in Your E-Mail Inbox The e-FOCUS is the City’s online newsletter that highlights the City’s financial, environmental, transportation, economic development, public safety, and housing issues. Check it out or subscribe online at www.fallschurchva.gov.
www.fallschurchva.gov - The official site for City of Falls Church news
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Questions or Comments?
City of Falls Church, Harry E. Wells Building 300 Park Avenue, Falls Church, VA 22046 703-248-5003 (TTY 711) The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This document will be made available in alternate format upon request. Call 703-248-5003 (TTY 711).
Leadership to Change at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School
FCC-TV Spotlight: George Mason High School Play Tune in to Falls Church Community Television (FCC-TV) to see George Mason High School students perform William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. One of Shakespeare’s most famous comedies, this play is sure to delight all audiences. You can catch the GMHS performance on FCC-TV at the following times: • Thursday, May 27 at 11:00 a.m. • Friday, May 28 at 4:30 p.m. • Saturday, May 29 at 4:00 p.m. You can now see FCC-TV programming live at www.fcctv.net anywhere in the world! FCC-TV also airs in the greater Falls Church area on Cox Channel 12, Verizon Channel 35 and RCN Channel 2.
BIE Partner of the Week Hedi Ben-Abdallah & Marco Escudero
Idylwood Grill and Wine Bar School involvement: Hedi and Marco participated as judges for the Gourmet Cooking Iron Chef competition at George Mason High School. Hedi also visited the IB French class to speak French with students, tell them about life in Tunisia and teach them how to cook a Tunisian meal. Idylwood Grill has also provided complementary lunches for new FCCPS teachers and their mentors. Why Hedi and Marco are BIE partners: “It was a treat to judge the Iron Chef competition and give the students tips on their product and presentation. Supporting the schools is important because everyone in the community needs to work together on behalf of the next generation.” For more information about sharing your expertise through the BIE Partnership, visit www.fccps.org or contact Marybeth Connelly at connellym@fccps.org.
Foundation Footnotes Spring Appeal raises funds for immediate needs FCCPS families will soon receive a letter from FCEF President Dan Gardner asking for support for current needs in the school system. 75% of each donation will be directed to short-term, high priority needs and 25% will be invested in the Foundation’s Legacy Endowment Fund for future needs. The Falls Church Education Foundation is a registered 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. For more information, visit www.fcedf.org or contact Donna Englander at (703) 538-3381. School content published in The Schools Focus is written and edited by the Falls Church City Public Schools. For more information, visit www.fccps.org - the official site for Falls Church City Public Schools news.
it at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School. Under his leadership, the faculty and staff have been developing the first phase of implementation as they work toward formal recognition as an International Baccalaureate school. In an effort to ensure a smooth transition at Thomas Jefferson, Superintendent Lois Berlin said that Assistant Principal Bob Palermo will be promoted to principal, and the school’s PYP coordinator, Mary Kay Howard, will assume additional responsibilities as the assistant principal. Berlin shared that message with the school’s faculty and staff Wednesday morning. “At this critical time, it is important that there’s a continuum,” Berlin said. “Mr. Palermo and Ms. Howard have been a part of the school culture for many years, they are well-respected by the faculty, staff, students and parents, and they are well-versed in PYP and its attributes. All of this will help ensure a smooth transition at TJ.”
GM Hosts Iron Chef Competition The final exam in the George Mason High School Gourmet Cooking class doesn’t involve essays, multiple choice or fill-in-the blank questions. Instead it is a team Iron Chef Competition. Over the course of two days, four teams created (l to r) Paula O’Rourke, Nicole Philbin, and sweet and savory dishes Alex Gann show off their GM Iron Chef using the “secret” ingredi- Competition winning Raspberry Sour Cream ents of sour cream and car- Tart dessert. rots. In the first competition, the groups created Italian NachosRestaurant Style, Sour Cream Coffee Cake, Blue Cheese Potato Cakes and Raspberry Sour Cream Tart. The second bake-off featured carrot dishes including Grilled Beef and Vegetables in a Lettuce Wrap, Roasted Carrot and Fennel Soup and Carrot Apple Muffins. Judges included GMHS teachers Jon Pepper and Sarah Meservey, assistant principal Paige Whitlock, FCCPS food service supervisor Richard Kane and restaurant owners Hedi BenAbdallah and Marco Escudero of the Idylwood Grill. The overall favorite dish was the raspberry sour cream tart created by freshmen Alex Gann and Paula O’Rourke, and sophomore Nicole Philbin.
Calendar for May 28-June 4, 2010 Testing Now – 28 PALS Post Test (MD/TJ) Now – 6/4 DRA/QRI Posttest (MD/TJ) Now – 6-4 SOL (TJ/MEH/GM) May 27 5:30 p.m. FCCPS Retirement Ceremony (MEH) 7:00 p.m. Mason @ Bull Run District Final (G Soccer) 7:30 p.m. Family Life Education Advisory Committee (MEH) 28 11:30 a.m. School Board Luncheon (TJ) 29 12:00 p.m. Mason @ Region B Semifinals (B/G Tennis) 31 Memorial Day (Schools Closed/Day Care Closed) June 1 12:00 p.m. School Board Luncheon (MEH) 7:00 p.m. School Board Work Session (CO) 2 7:00 p.m. Award Ceremonies (GM) 7:00 p.m. Band Concert (TJ) 7:30 p.m. PTSA (GM) 3 7:00 p.m. Rising 5th Grade Parent Tour (MEH) 4 11:30 a.m. School Board Luncheon (MD) For more calendar information, visit www.fccps.org/calendar. (MD) Mt. Daniel School (TJ) Thomas Jefferson Elementary (MEH) Mary Ellen Henderson Middle (GM) George Mason High (CO) Central Office
Schools
When the 2009-2010 school year ends,Thomas Jefferson Elementary School Principal Vincent Baxter will say so long to the Falls Church City Public Schools. Baxter shared his decision with the TJ faculty and staff Tuesday afternoon, and the school board formally accepted his resignation at its regular meeting Tuesday night. Baxter’s last day with the FCCPS will be June 30th. “I’ve had four wonderful years here in Falls Church City,” Baxter said. “My decision to leave is personal and stems from a desire to work a little Vincent Baxter closer to home so that I can be more involved with my own children’s lives as well as the lives of the students I serve in school.” Baxter’s tenure with the FCCPS began in 2006 when he signed on as Assistant Principal of Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School. Two years later, he succeeded retiring Principal Trudy Taylor at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School. While Taylor was among those who helped spearhead exploration of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (PYP) for the division’s elementary schools, Baxter was charged with implementing