 Fairfax Community :
What a tremendous weekend for our student performers! Saturday night, our cheerleading squad brought home a state championship from Richmond! After second-place finishes at both the district and regional competitions, losing to Stone Bridge by a half-point each time, the cheerleaders outscored all competing teams, beating their nearest rival by three points. Their effort is a wonderful example of commitment and persistence, and a great sequel to their second-place finish at states last year. Senior Kevin Dowd came in third place in the state cross country championship. His average of a 5:03 mile over the muddy 5K course made him the highest finisher in the region. Kevin will next turn his sights to the Footlocker national competition. Kevin will run in a qualifying race for nationals in Charlotte, North Carolina, at the end of this month. On Friday night, in the first round of regional playoffs, the football team had its tremendous season come to an end in a 19-14 loss to Lake Braddock. The team put a mighty scare into one of the best teams in the region, only to fall short at the end. While their efforts did not result in a championship, they certainly made history in their own right. Our Chorus students also turned in a spectacular performance. Last weekend, 39 of our students auditioned for the District chorus. 32 of those students were chosen, including 4 alternates. What great representation from Fairfax High School!
There was a presentation at Monday night’s PTSA meeting about our school’s AVID program. AVID, which stands for Advancement via Individual Determination, is a national program aimed to help students prepare for college success. The AVID program serves students who would be the first in their family to attend college, or students from low-income or minority families. A senior in the AVID program, Mr. Kinne (AVID coordinator), and Ms. Voss (head librarian and member of our core site team), told about their experiences working in the program. AVID students are required to take a rigorous academic curriculum, including a minimum of three Advanced Placement courses by the time they graduate. The senior, Valerie, told the PTSA how she came to the United States 9 years ago speaking no English, and has just recently submitted an early application to George Washington University with hopes of studying international relations. AVID students also take an elective course each year which helps them develop organizational skills, goal-setting, an inquiry-centered learning mindset, and habits of mind for critical thinking and problem-solving. Valerie passed around a binder to share an example of the organization stressed in her AVID class. Mr. Kinne and Ms. Voss spoke about the professional development they have received through AVID training, and how they have witnessed powerful student responses to the AVID program. Through the AVID program, students are provided a sense of college literacy, including an understanding of the application process and field trips to several local colleges. By going through the process together for four years, students in our AVID program have formed a tight community. There are nearly 100 Fairfax students enrolled in our school’s AVID program, with a class for students in each grade. Every student in last year’s AVID cohort graduated with an Advanced Studies diploma and was accepted to a four-year college. Having observed AVID classes and spoken individually with AVID students, I am impressed by the power in these young people. They are literally changing history; not only are most of them the first in their family to enter college, but they are such strong ambassadors for the importance of education that I know they will impact generations to come.
Thank you for your overwhelming response to our “Teacher of the Year” nomination process. Twenty-five faculty members, an all-time high, were nominated. Congratulations to Jose Ascarrunz, Tricia Colclaser, Leigh Faust, Brett Gustman, Tim Hoffman, Steve Ingrassia, Kelley Jackson, Maureen Keck, Maureen Kim, Wendy Knight, Tracey Kyle, Janice Lauffer, Nancy Melnick, Lauren Millette, Kyle Morrisey, Christina Owens, Pete Peterson, Mike Replogle, Rachel Schafer, Roslyn Spector, Kirk Swientoniowski, Julia Varanavage, Cathy Williams, Rob Williams and Randy Wolfinger. Of these nominations, Tim Hoffman, ESOL teacher and department chair, was selected the 2009-10 Fairfax High School Teacher of the Year. Tim will be forwarded as our school’s nominee for the Washington Post Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Award.
Tim, who has been in the classroom for 25 years, currently teaches ESOL students in both science and social studies classes. In addition to Fairfax High School, Tim has taught ESOL in schools in Ohio as well as Japan. Under Tim’s leadership, the ESOL department has become one of the strongest in Fairfax County. He is a valuable contributor to our Instructional Council and helps out in many facets of our school. One person who nominated Tim wrote, “A good example of how far Tim will go to help all of the ESOL students is the mobile library that he set up for our students. The students affectionately call him ‘Mr. Library’ as he travels around to the various ESOL classrooms with a cart full of books appropriate for ESOL students.”
Our schedule next week is shortened due to the Thanksgiving holiday. Fairfax High School will close early at 12:05 Wednesday afternoon, and will not have school on Thursday and Friday. We will not send out an end-of-week Keep in Touch next week. I hope that all of you are able to spend the holiday with your family and friends, and I wish you a peaceful and restful weekend.
Best,
Dave Goldfarb
Principal, Fairfax High School
Career Center News...
NOTE: Friday, Nov. 20 is the last day to register for the Dec. 12 ACT with a late fee. To register for the ACT, go to: http://www.actstudent.org/
R&R College Help Session for Seniors: Monday, Nov. 23 - Application & Essay Critiques, Career Center
Bring a draft of your college application and/or essay and a counselor will be available to provide you feedback.
No sign up required.
Future R&R Help Sessions:
Dec. 3: Applying to Arts Colleges
Dec. 9: College Interviews
Just come to the Career Center on the above dates for a mini-workshop on these topics.
Local College Information Session:
Johnson & Wales University Admissions Information Session
Sunday, Dec. 6, 1:00 pm
Marriott Fairview Park, 3111 Fairview Park Drive, Falls Church, VA
RSVP to: BJ Friedery at 703-864-2420 or bjfriedery@admissions.jwu.edu
Local Volunteer Opportunity:
The Ronald McDonald House Charities (located on Gallows Road in Falls Church) is looking for students to serve as Teen Council Members. Plan fundraising events, volunteer to help Ronald McDonald children and use you skills to help a cause. Applications are being accepted on-line until Friday, Nov. 27 at: http://tinyurl.com/teencouncil
Mentoring Program Opportunity:
Women in Technology (WIT) Mentor-Protégé Program’s mission is to encourage dynamic personal and career growth for women in technology. This FREE program consists of five 2 ½ hour sessions, January-May 2010. Student Protégés must have an interest in technology and must be able to attend all 5 Mentoring sessions at ManTech in Tysons Corner. The application is due Wednesday, December 2. Email Mrs. Kim (MHKim@fcps) if you are interested and she will forward you an electronic application.
Scholarships:
Air Force ROTC Scholarships - Deadline is December 1!
Eligibility: US citizen, complete physical fitness assessment, SAT 1100 (Math and Verbal portions only), GPA 3.0 or higher and have a class ranking in top 40%. You must apply for a major that is currently on the Air Force list of needed majors. For more information, see: http://afrotc.com/scholarships/high-school/
Note: All scholarships are listed on Family Connection, under scholarship list. For any questions on the above information, contact Mrs. Maureen Kim, Career Center Specialist, at 703-219-2204, or MHKim@fcps.edu.
Maureen Kim
Career Center Specialist
Fairfax High School
3501 Rebel Run
Fairfax, VA 22030
Phone: 703-219-2204
Fax: 703-219-4054
MHKim@fcps.edu
Great Music News!
On Nov. 14th, 39 of choir students tried out for district chorus. 32 were selected (28 delegates & 4 alternates).
Congratulations to the following students, who were selected for District Chorus!
Alanna Ross, Jessica Zelenack, Tiffany Herndon, Nadine Rousseau (alternate), Emily Schutz, Jasmin Green, Katie Baugh, Rosie Perash, Sam Yi, Kelly Spong, Kelsy Phillips, Leilani Green, Rachel Derrick, Sarah Butterworth, Laura Goad (alternate), Erick Enciso, Chip Barker, Thomas Park, Josh Fleitman, Patrick Weaver, Yeon jun Kim (alternate), Marvin Argueta-Sol, Evan McDade, Anne Norland, Sarah Newman, Ava Hassas, Hayley Bush, Kyung Lee, Felicia Lopez (alternate), Allison Doane, Katie Rossbach, and Rosie Altiere
THEATRE NEWS
You won't want to miss the musical “Lucky Stiff”, a very funny murder mystery with a “Weekend with Bernie” twist. The show features a mild mannered shoe salesman who inherits a fortune from his murdered uncle. There’s just one catch- he has to take his uncle’s corpse on a last fling to Monte Carlo, keeping his demise a secret. If he doesn’t succeed, the money will go to the dogs- literally. Come follow his hilarious misadventures as he and the dearly departed hit the gaming tables with the director of the Dog Home of Brooklyn and the gun-toting wife of the casino owner in hot pursuit. The dates are Thursday-Saturday Dec 3-5 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday Dec 6 at 2 p.m. Saturday's show will be an understudies' production- your opportunity to catch a rising star! Discounted tickets can be purchased on line in advance for $8 (www.fxplayers.org) and will make a great early holiday present for everyone on your list.
AND FROM THE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT:
Ashley Rollins signs with Wagner!!! Congratulations Ashley!
The Fall Athletic Banquet is November 23rd!! A letter was mailed – please call 703-219-2237 if you need further information.
BOOSTER PASSES: AVAILABLE IN THE ATHLETIC OFFICE-703-219-2201
Tickets for all regular season games are $5.00. Booster passes are still available! Student pass is $50. single adult is $90., 2 person pass is $150. and a family pack of 4 passes is still only $210! Buy yours and save money
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Parents and Student-Athletes – COLLEGE CONNECTION:
This website, http://www.thecoachescircle.com/school/681 , was purchased by FHS Athletic Department for your use in the college choice process. The login information is on the initial site and then click the Dynamite Sports link to enter using that login. It has features for Freshman through Senior years with checklists and can help in the actual matching of colleges to your needs.
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Football:
Congratulations on a fantastic season!!!
Volleyball:
Volleyball had a great season, advancing to region competition! Congratulations Lady Rebels
Field Hockey:
Congratulations to our Lady Rebels for a fantastic season and for winning the Liberty District Title!!!
Golf:
Congratulations to the entire team on a great season!!
Cross Country:
Congratulations to Kevin Dowd – for placing 3rd in the State competition on November 14th at Great Meadow!
Cheer:
Congratulations to our 2009 State Champions!!!!
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Basketball:
On the 24th Fairfax boys scrimmage at Centreville at 5:, 6:30 and 8:00 and the girls scrimmage Heritage here at home at 5:, 6:15 and 7:30. On the 28th boys scrimmage Yorktown here at home at 12:, 2:00 and 4:00.
WINTER SPORTS BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 16TH – Girls and Boys Basketball, Wrestling, Cheer, Dance, Swim and Dive, Indoor Track and Girls Gymnastics!
You MUST have a current VHSL physical form to try out for a sport! You also must have insurance – if you do not have coverage – stop by the athletic office and pick up a form for School insurance.
Basketball will need parent volunteers to man the snackbar!!
PLEASE CHECK THE WEBSITE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON TOURNAMENTS, SCORES AND TEAM CONTACTS –www.fairfaxhighsports.org
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