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Media Tips
Media Tips Are in Chronological Order. May 23, 2012
It’s harvest time at Terra Centre Elementary as students, teachers, and parents plan to come together on Thursday, May 31, to harvest the spring crops that are growing in the school garden. Potatoes, lettuce, radishes, onions, garlic, and carrots are among the vegetables scheduled to be harvested. Lessons relating to the garden will be taught across all subject areas and students will reap the bounty of their hard work by enjoying fresh salads at lunch as part of a partnership with the cafeteria. Terra Centre’s garden program is tied into the school’s program of studies and woven into special activities through the year, including Colonial Days and the medieval fair. The garden is also used as a source to give back to the community; last year, over 100 pounds of lettuce were donated by the school to a local food bank. Also, dyes from some of the plants were used in a quilt that was donated to a local charity, and tulips grown in the garden were sent to a local hospice. Contact principal Michele Sims at 703-249-1400 or mfsims@fcps.edu or event liaison Morgan Occhuizzo at mlocchuizzo@fcps.edu.
The reigning Miss Virginia, Elizabeth Crot, will speak to seventh and eighth grade girls at Carson Middle at 3 p.m. on Thursday, May 31. The presentation will include topics such as the importance of saying no, respect for one’s self and others, leadership, positive self-image, self-esteem, maintaining sound friendships, obeying rules, and bullying. Contact principal Augie Frattali at 703-925-3600 or affrattali@fcps.edu or event liaison Tracy Bromberg at tlbromberg@fcps.edu .
The Robinson Secondary vocal musicians will present their final concert of the 2011-12 school year on Thursday, May 31, at 7 p.m. Performers include the Treble Ensemble, Men’s Choir, Women’s Camerata, Select Women’s Ensemble, and the Robinson Singers. This free concert is open to the public. Musical selections will include “Home on the Range,” “O Susannah,” “Voice Dance,” “Muddy Water” from the musical Deep River, “Walk in Jerusalem,” and “Music Down in My Soul.” For a video of the Robinson Singers, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqOj56G9f2g&feature=relmfu. Contact event liaison Michael Horanski at mthoranski@fcps.edu.
Seniors from West Potomac High will wrap up their high school careers with a service learning activity as they volunteer their time in numerous community settings. Beginning Friday, June 1, the students will be taking part in SHOUT—Students Helping Others, United Together. Some of the students will be teacher’s aides in elementary schools in the West Potomac Pyramid. Some have chosen to restore a garden on the high school grounds. Others have chosen to volunteer at nursing homes, social welfare organizations, and animal shelters. The project runs through June 12. Contact principal Cliff Hardison at 703-718-2500 or chardison@fcps.edu or event liaison Adriana Meeks at ammeeks@fcps.edu.
Herndon High science teacher Erin Sikes-Thurston will be featured in the June issue of Northern Virginia magazine as a Northern Virginian of the Year. Sikes-Thurston was recognized for her work in the classroom, facilitation of the school Science Fair, and involvement in the community. She serves as a coach for her son's football team. Contact principal William Bates at 703-810-2200 or wbates@fcps.edu or event liaison Erin Sikes-Thurston at epsikesthurs@fcps.edu.
Seventh grade history classes from Longfellow Middle recently visited Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in her chambers. Ginsburg spoke to the students about the increasing presence of women on the Court, as well as her dissent in the Lilly Ledbetter case, which led to a change in the law to provide more equal treatment for women in the workplace. Prior to meeting with Ginsburg, students were given a tour and lecture on both the courtroom and the west conference room. Contact principal Carole Kihm at 703-533-2600 or cakihm@fcps.edu or event liaison Jo Ellen Collins at jacollins1@fcps.edu.
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) sophomore Kalki Seksaria has qualified to compete for one of four spots on the U.S. team bound for the 44th annual International Chemistry Olympiad. Seksaria was one of only 20 students nationwide invited to a two-week intensive study camp at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado. The competition includes a three-part exam taken by at least 12,000 high school students in the U.S. His performance on this exam resulted in the opportunity to take the National Chemistry Olympiad test when he advanced to the 20 top out of 1,000 competitors. The next step is a study camp where Seksaria will receive college-level training, with an emphasis on organic chemistry, through a series of lectures, problem-solving exercises, lab work, and testing. At the camp’s conclusion, four students will be chosen to represent the U.S. at the International Chemistry Olympiad where they will compete with their peers from more than 70 nations. This year, for the first time since 1992, the U.S. will host the International Chemistry Olympiad, to be held July 21-30, at the University of Maryland, College Park. Contact principal Evan Glazer at 703-750-8300 or emglazer@fcps.edu or news liaison Cathie Love at cmlove@fcps.edu.