Special Programs
Band and Strings | Character Education | Chess Club | German Immersion
Odyssey of the Mind |
Peer Mediators | Reflections | SACC | Student Councl Association
Instrumental music is available within the school day. Students in grades 5 and 6 may participate in band. Strings instruction is available to students in grades 4, 5, and 6.
Orange Hunt emphasizes character values in the classroom, family involvements, and service learning opportunities. Some of the caring values that are being taught and reinforced are citizenship, responsibility, family/caring, respect, justice/kindness, cooperation, honesty/trust, self-discipline, and perseverance. Contact Julie Brannon at 703-913-6800, if you have any questions.
Through PTA sponsorship, students can join the after-school Chess Club. There is a fee for the Chess Club which covers the services of a professional instructor from the U.S. Chess Center, who trains students in the art of playing Chess. There are opportunities for challenging play at all levels and students can improve their rankings throughout the sessions. Some of our chess players are selected to represent Orange Hunt at local tournaments.
All students in Fairfax County are eligible for this optional program which begins in first grade. Through this program, students become proficient in German by using it as a medium for learning. Students spend approximately half the day learning math, science, and health in German; the rest of the instructional program is conducted in English. This program extends through sixth grade. New students are admitted only through the beginning of second grade unless they are fluent in German. Half of the new first grade students come from within Orange Hunt's boundaries, half are from outside Orange Hunt's boundaries. Parents of students who reside outside the boundaries must provide their own transportation. For more information about the partial-immersion program, contact the world languages office at 571-423-4602.
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Odyssey of the Mind (OM) is an annual international competition of creative problem solving. The PTA purchases a membership in OM which allows Orange Hunt students to participate in this exciting program. Each year, a set of problems are made available to members for the competition. Teams of interested students are formed to develop and perform their solutions to one of the problems. Because students are encouraged to be as creative as possible and humor is highly valued, "OMers" have a lot of fun. Orange Hunt teams are judged against other teams in Northern Virginia performing the same problem. The teams are also judged on spontaneous problem solving. Winners of the local competition will compete at the state level. There are also national and international levels of competition.
The Peer Mediation Program at Orange Hunt is in its 14th year. This year we have eight 5th and 6th grade students who are being trained in the Peer Mediation process. This program helps students to resolve conflicts in a peaceful, respectful way that preserves the dignity of each individual.
The Reflections program is an annual creative arts competition sponsored by the National PTA. On a voluntary basis, students present their interpretation of a given theme through visual arts, photography, literature, music, dance or film/video. A panel of judges selects winners in each category for further competition; however, all students who enter are honored in a ceremony at Orange Hunt and their works are displayed for others to appreciate.
A School-Age Child Care Program (SACC) is available for children attending Orange Hunt. This is a service of the Fairfax County Office for Children and is offered at most elementary schools. The SACC program provides year round professional child care for children in kindergarten through sixth grade. During the school year, children may enroll in three separate sessions: BEFORE SCHOOL, AFTER KINDERGARTEN, and AFTER SCHOOL. Monthly fees are based on family income. Full day care is offered from 7:15 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. during the summer, winter, and spring breaks at consolidated sites throughout the County. For further information, please contact the Office of Children, SACC Registration at 703-449-8989.
Student Council Association (SCA)
The Student Council Association helps develop democratic ideals and teaches respect, cooperation, loyalty, and school spirit. Two students from each class meet monthly as representatives to the Student Council Association. The SCA sponsors such activities which supports students and families in need from another Fairfax County Public School.
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