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APRIL 2008
The Virginia State Future Business Leaders of American (FBLA) conference was held in Reston on
April 11-12. Over 100 students from Fairfax County Public Schools’ business programs participated. Members of the Key Middle School chapter ran the merchandise store for the state office. Of the 80 students who received recognition at the ceremony, 21 advanced to the national competition in Atlanta in June.
From the 67 teams in competition, a team of four students from the Lee High School accounting class won the Mutual Fund Challenge in Virginia for the Stock Market Game. They will be honored at a reception at the Richmond Federal Reserve Bank on May 9, and each student will receive $50.00. Another Lee High School student will also be honored at this reception for her winning InvestWrite essay for the state of Virginia.
Each year, all students enrolled in finance classes in the Chantilly Business Department participate in the Virginia Stock Market Game (SMG). For 2008, a team of three students placed first in the George Mason Region and third in the state in the SMG. There were 2,700 teams across the state participating in this contest. Each team started with $100,000 to invest over a 10-week span. The team had a portfolio increase of over $59,000. They will attend the Annual SMG Awards Luncheon held at the Federal Reserve Bank in Richmond on May 9. A second team composed of four members placed third in the George Mason Region. Both teams will be attending awards in May held at George Mason University.
Fairfax High School students had the opportunity to attend two IT-related presentations recently--the "Cisco Rocks" presentation about computer networking and job opportunities in the IT field, and a presentation by Mythic Entertainment (a subsidiary of EA Games) on the computer gaming industry and careers related to that field.
West Potomac FBLA members served as ambassadors, for a program called “Pathway to Success,” with the Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, April 16, 2008. Pathway to Success is a program that allows local business owners to partner with FBLA and the career center to present real life experiences in the following areas: World of Business Interviews, World of Business Appearance, World of Business Etiquette and Networking, and World of Business Writing.
MARCH 2008
A South Lakes High School student won a $1000 college scholarship from the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce for designing the winning annual Taste of the Town celebration poster contest.
The business law class from Hayfield Secondary School visited the Fairfax County Courthouse, where they were able to sit in on two contract law disputes, one being a technology issue. They sat in on the final portion of the jury and alternate selection, pretrial motions, and opening arguments.
Female BIT students from Annandale, South County, Hayfield, Mt. Vernon and Chantilly schools were session coordinators at the Future Professionals Conference for Middle School Girls. The conference took place at George Mason University on March 1, 2008. This is a conference for at-risk middle school girls where women speak about their professions. The high school girls introduced the speakers and helped during the sessions.
The Business Honor Society of Hayfield Secondary School sent Girl Scout Cookies to the 4th Infantry Division in Iraq. This was done through a Cadet Girl Scout Troop from Atlanta, Georgia.
Bonnie Thompson, BIT teacher, and Lisa Eyer, marketing teacher, co-chairs of the Mountain View School Learning for Transitions Committee, attended the Virginia Career Development Association (VCDA) Conference and accepted the VCDA Model Career Development Award on behalf of the committee.
The Mountain View Learning for Transitions activity, Mountain View Professional (MVP) Day was held on December 19, 2007. Students participated in a variety of workshops including: appearance, putting together a wardrobe; writing a thank you note; professional business etiquette; health/wellness on the job; job interview case studies; networking simulation; and, a portfolio review for seniors.
Congratulations to Janice Findley for being nominated and awarded the Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce Educator of the Year for Chantilly High School
The Future Business Leaders group from Lee High School concluded its annual drive to help Project ASK, The Association for the Support of Children with Cancer. The drive focuses efforts to help Virginia's teens with cancer since that age group is often overlooked.
Congratulations to Virtual Enterprise teams from Centreville, Herndon, Marshall, and Robinson High Schools. Students and advisers traveled to Virginia Beach on March 14 to compete in the statewide trade fair competition. Fairfax County business students brought back 12 awards, representing four companies. Competitions included case studies, catalog sales, business plan update, booth salesmanship, website design, video commercial, human resource scenario and job interview. Students and advisers found the activity engaging and challenging.
FEBRUARY 2008
The BIT teacher at Fairfax High School, Mark Campbell, received the Virginia Career and Technical Education Association (VACTE) New Teacher of the Year Award at the annual conference.
A Lee High School accounting student won first prize in the high school category for the Virginia InvestWrite Essay Contest; this is in conjunction with the Stock Market Game. An awards ceremony will be held on May 9 in Richmond, Virginia.
Hayfield Secondary School business teacher Nancy Dolan and her students spent a day recently at the Fairfax County Circuit Court where they witnessed contract dispute cases that correlated to the curriculum in their class. The visit culminated with sitting in on the final phase of jury selection and the opening arguments in a capital murder case being re-tried by Commonwealth Attorneys Robert Horan and Raymond Murrough and Defense Attorneys Jonathan Shapiro and Peter Greenspun.
During the month of January, FBLA students have been competing in online competitions, performance and skill events as well as preparing web site and business presentations. The awards ceremony will take place March 5 at George Mason University.
The Business and Information Technology (BIT) Advisory Committee has been working on a project to develop promotional presentations for BIT class in the middle school technology tools classes. The program will be piloted in the spring at selected sites.
JANUARY 2008
Business and Information Systems students are preparing for the upcoming FBLA regional competitions. All events will take place in February with the awards ceremony on March 5 at George Mason University. Following the boundary hearing held at Oakton High School, the business students transcribed notes from each of the break-out sessions. This curriculum relevant activity gave students the opportunity to participate in real world activities first hand, and to assist the school system.
OCTOBER 2007
The Business and Information Technology (BIT) teachers had a busy month with the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Fall Leadership conference. Two hundred and forty-two students and advisers attended the conference at Marymount University on October 9. Conference highlights included presentations by regional officers on topics such as communication, team building, and parliamentary procedure. Dean Ryerson from the College of Business at Marymount gave the keynote address.
SEPTEMBER 2007
BIT teachers received training for Virtual Enterprise, Information Technology Fundamentals, Cooperative Office Education, and at the new teacher institute this summer. In addition, teachers attended the Virginia Business Education Association summer conference and training.
Kim Fields, Marshall High School, was named Junior Achievement Teacher of the Year and attended an awards ceremony in June.
At the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) national conference, four students placed in the top ten, and a Robinson Secondary School student was elected Southern Region National Vice President.
MAY 2007
The Annual Business Education Association awards dinner was held this month at Greenspring Village in Springfield, Virginia. The purpose of the event is to recognize outstanding achievement for business students and teachers. Student scholarships were awarded at the middle and high school levels. Teacher recognition included high school teacher of the year, middle school teacher of the year, retirees, special recognitions, and first-year teacher awards. Two School Board members and many school-based administrators were in attendance.
APRIL 2007
Twenty-nine Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) members qualified for national competition at the FBLA state conference held in Reston, Virginia, March 30-31. These members will travel to Chicago at the end of June to represent Fairfax County Public Schools and Virginia. Competitive events range from web page development to public speaking.
Several business teachers traveled to New York for the annual National Business Education Association conference. Highlights of the conference were training on new software, financial literacy initiatives, and project- based learning.
Three Virtual Enterprise teams attended the state Virtual Enterprise Trade Show in Virginia Beach the last week in March. The teams had an opportunity to compete in events such as best trade show booth, and also "sell" their product to potential customers.
The Business and Information Technology Advisory Committee is currently working on a series of template presentations that committee members can use with students and community members. The focus of the presentations will be careers available in the business and information technology fields and what courses would benefit students.
MARCH 2007
A team of business students from Marshall High School competed in the Virginia LifeSmarts competition this month placing first in the state. The team will represent Virginia in the national competition next month in Florida.
Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) members from across the county were recognized at the Annual Spring Regional Conference on March 5. Students were recognized for the top three places in 35 events. First and second place winners will represent Northern Virginia at the state conference, March 30 - 31 in Reston.
FEBRUARY 2007
BIT students are currently preparing for the FBLA regional conference. Students will be taking online tests February 12-23. Performance events are scheduled for February 27 with the awards program on March 6.
BIT teachers participated in an in-service training at the end of January. Over 200 IC3 industry certification tests were completed by teachers. The IC3 certification is comprised of three separate tests: Computer Fundamentals, Living On-line, and Key Applications. Teachers will continue to complete tests in the coming months to earn the full certification.
JANUARY 2007
Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) members from across the county participated in the annual project ASK toy drive for the cancer patients at the Medical College of Virginia hospital. Members collected a truckload of toys, gift cards and other items to be sent to the hospitalized children.
Students from FBLA at Bryant Alternative School laid wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery in conjunction with the Maine Society. This information was published in the Washington Post and the TV news.
Monica Bentley from Annandale High School received her National Board Certification .
Janice Findley, Chantilly High School, and Rodney Bedford, Herndon High School, completed production of training videos for the new financial literacy initiative through the VDOE.
Several business teachers attended the Annual Virginia Association for Career and Technical Education Professional Development Conference in Richmond during the second week of January.
The Business and Information Technology Advisory Committee is currently looking at developing a process by which they select and evaluate projects. In addition to recruiting new members, the committee has decided to visit middle schools to talk to business students about the options available to them in high school.
NOVEMBER 2006
Marshall Academy hosted the eighth annual Department of Information Technology (DIT) Internship Job Fair. There are 12 DIT internship positions open to junior and senior students currently attending Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) high schools and academies. During the job fair, students had a chance to meet with representatives from offices in DIT and to present their resumes, and reference letters. Positions are available in the areas of Desktop Management, Digital Media, IT Customer Service, Multimedia Design, Network Engineering and Network Systems Support, Photography, Technology Consulting & Assessing, and Technology Support Services. Interviews for specific internship positions will be held in November and December. The internship will run January through May. A Chantilly Academy student has been awarded a five-week internship with DIT.
Kim Fields, from Marshall High School, was appointed to the Business Education National Advisory for the Praxis II test. Kim will travel to Princeton, NJ at the end of November.
FBLA Members traveled to Jacksonville, FL for the National Fall Leadership Conference. Members and advisers attended workshop and leadership development sessions.
A teacher from Chantilly High School and one from Lake Braddock High School attended the state curriculum development session for the finance course.
Virtual Enterprise students from Fairfax, Herndon, and Mt. Vernon High Schools are competing in the business plan defense located in Newport News. Students have developed business plans for their virtual businesses. They will present all aspects of the plan to a group of “investors” who will determine if their plan will be funded through the virtual bank. The top three teams from this competition will compete in the state competition in December. Results will be posted in the January highlights.
Mountain View Alternative High School held a financial literacy program for all its students.
OCTOBER 2006
FBLA Regional Conference
The Northern Virginia Regional Conference was held at Marymount University on October 5. More than 200 members and advisers registered for the event. Professors from the School of Business presented workshops on business topics relevant to high school students. Participants enjoyed a sampling of college life while learning relevant business skills. The conference ended with dinner and a keynote address from the Dean, School of Business.
SEPTEMBER 2006
Ten schools participated in the National Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Conference. Three FCPS students placed in the top 10 for the competition. FBLA members received awards at the National Conference in July. Students participating in Banking and Financial Systems were awarded 6th place. The Network Design Team also placed 6th and Visual Basic Programming placed 4th. Two FBLA members were appointed to the Southern Region Board for the coming school year.
Thirty-five teachers participated in the Virginia Business Education Association (VBEA) Conference. One BIT teacher was installed as the VBEA State President, and one BIT teacher was named Virginia Middle School Teacher of the Year.
In-service activities for Business and Information Technology teachers included: industry certification and testing, general informational meeting, new teacher orientation, Academy Information Technology Teachers Meeting, FBLA Executive Board Meeting, and Technology Tools Meeting.
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