Working Together

Continuing expansion and strengthening of school and community partnerships extend and enhance educational opportunities provided by Fairfax County Public Schools. They include contributions from individuals, corporations, and civic groups. Nearly 250 area business partners providing tutoring, internships, mentoring, professional expertise, career awareness, and other services. Here is just a sampling:


Apple Federal Credit Union In its partnership with Kent Gardens Elementary School, Apple Federal Credit Union has opened its Bear Branch Bank. Students are encouraged to open a savings account at the branch which is located in the school building. Apple FCU is a not-for-profit financial organization that offers high interest savings, investment opportunities and low interest loans. The branch is staffed by sixth graders and its hours of operation are from 8:30 to 9:00 each Tuesday and Thursday morning.
Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development The Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) is a partner of Parklawn Elementary School, an FCPS K-5 school in Lincolnia. We helped found the mentoring program there, through "MentorWorks" and the school counselor, in which ASCD staff serve as school-based mentors for elementary schoolchildren in need of another adult in their lives. We also conduct school-supply drives among the 190 staff members, and deliver these to Parklawn. In addition, we provide many professional educational books and magazines to the school staff for their professional development. We also support staff members who attend partnership meetings and ceremonies. As of June 2007, 11 staff members serve as mentors, who devote one hour each week to their mentees. The ASCD Community Outreach Team sponsors the partnership activities. In 2002, the Partnership awarded ASCD a "MentorWorks" award as an "Outstanding MentorWorks Partnership."
BRTRC Technology Research Corporation BRTRC and Westlawn Elementary School have a flourishing partnership of five years. Westlawn is very appreciative of BRTRC's varied support and shows it through the many thank-you notes and banners sent to BRTRC. Partnership activities include: 6th grade science workshops; "Adopt-a-Book" fundraiser to provide paperback books for students; Hats & Mittens drive to provide winter clothing for needs students; school supply drive; student artist visits to the BRTRC Fairfax office to present art for the office gallery displays; 6th grade end-of-year "Celebrating Excellence" evening event; sponsorship of 6th grade essay contest; "Soaring Sam" geography project; participation on MentorWorkds' end-events; Boxtops for Education; donation of "gently used" computer/business equipment; support for the Outdoor Classroom atrium project; donation of library books; participation in Career Day for 6th grade; and fulfillment of teacher wish lists that provide "extras" for classrooms. In 2005 BRTRC funded a "Camera for Kids" program to provide cameras for students who take extended visits to foreign countires during the school year. Students take photographs and write narratives as part of their school assignments.
Chevy's Chevy's has assisted in the fundraising efforts of many Fairfax County Public Schools, including Mantua Elementary School, Jackson Middle School, Freedom Hill Elementary, Louise Archer Elementary, Falls Church High School, Fairhill Elementary School, Braddock Elementary, Stenwood Elementary School and Woodburn Elementary School. They have also donated gift certificates to outstanding students and teachers at Mantua Elementary School and Jackson Middle School.
The Colonnade The partnership the merchants of the Colonnade at Union Mill have with Willow Springs Elementary School involves an annual two-day field trip for first graders to tour the businesses at the shopping center. Original student artwork is featured on direct mail. The center provides the school with "accomplishment award" gift certificates that can be spent at the center. A holiday promotion gives customers the chance to win a $1,000 donation to their favorite school and Willow Springs won this year.
Defense Acquisition University
 The Defense Acquisition University/Bryant Adult Alternative high School partnership included a variety of activities involving volunteer hours from many individuals. Our volunteers read to the Headstart class weekly, held two parties for the Headstart kids, conducted food, clothing, and book collection drives, supplied speakers for Career Day, helped serve Thanksgiving lunch at the school, and presented an award to an outstanding student at an awards ceremony at the end of each semester.
ExxonMobil Expanding Visions is an exciting program for all seventh grade students at Luther Jackson Middle School. . Expanding Visions, developed by Mobil Corporation and Fairfax County Public Schools, is in its eleventh year at Luther Jackson. Through the support and involvement of the business community, students have the opportunity to see the practical applications of the concepts learned in math and science classes, and how these concepts and skills are used in a variety of careers.
FCPS Department of Finance
 The partnership between Willow Springs Elementary School and the Fairfax County Department of Finance began in September 2002. The partners provide tutoring as well as their support of Willow Springs' hands-on science program and after-school chess club. On Take Your Child to Work Day, sixth-graders get to experience the workplace, firsthand, courtesy of the county's partnership. The financial departments are also donating some 60 used, surplus computers to the school to help upgrade Willow Springs' technology. In return, Willow Springs provides student artwork and displays for exhibits at the Government Center. The school has hosted classroom visits so the volunteers can see the students in action during the day. The school provides meeting space plus musical entertainment for the county employees and invites them to school concerts.
Fort Belvoir Employees of The Defense Mapping School, INSCOM, and HQ Battalion, Fort Belvoir are all on-board to help out Fort Belvoir Elementary School in various ways. Ppartners from Fort Belvoir participate as tutors, library volunteers, student mentors, computer lab assistants ,art room assistants ,cultural speakers, readers, music assistants for special events, geography/cartography lessons, and lunch buddies.
The Grevey Foundation The Grevey Foundation, founded by former Washington Bullet Champion Kevin Grevey, his wife Sandy, and Bob Treseler, hosts the Annual Grevey Foundation Charity Golf Classic to benefit Fairfax County Public Schools. This event raises money for under funded technology curriculum in Fairfax County Public Schools.

The tournament has experienced rapid growth in recent years, raising over $75,000 for the Multimedia Labs at Fairfax County's Middle Schools. Also, for the fourth year, The Grevey Foundation will host its Life Skills Institute. The Life Skills Institute is a proven program that combines academia and athletics to benefit in-need and at-risk youth from Fairfax County, Virginia. The program seeks to give a hand up to 150 in-need and at-risk youth from Fairfax County, Virginia. These 7th, 8th, and 9th graders do not have the means necessary to attend either the high-priced sports camps or summer schools their better-off peers routinely attend. Former teammates, college coaches, and high school-aged mentors will again join former NBA star Kevin Grevey of the Washington Bullets in administering the basketball camp. The key to providing needed guidance and direction is the program’s 8:1 student-mentor ratio, which ensures that lessons learned on the court follow students off it.
Herndon Dulles Chamber of Commerce

The Herndon Dulles Chamber of Commerce was recently named Partner of the Year by Fairfax County Public Schools.

The Chamber is comprised of 800 businesses predominantly drawn from the Route 28 Corridor area stretching between Herndon and Centreville. We partner with both Herndon High and Mountain View as well as working closely with Chantilly Academy, Westfield High and occasionally with Centreville High, Chantilly High and Herndon Middle Schools. Our education programs include day-long Ethics Seminars at the F.C. Government Center and Westfields Marriott, as well as a monthly career choice program. In 2002 the Herndon Dulles Chamber was honored to be recognized by Fairfax County Public Schools with its Career Connections Award. Our Education and Workforce Committee is currently working on an ESL curriculum for our new area residents and some supplemental job training. Mentors are needed and invite interested volunteers to contact us at 703-437-5556 or email ecurtis@herndondulleschamber.org.

Interstate Worldwide Relocation Founded in 1943 and headquartered in Springfield, Virginia, Interstate Worldwide Relocation comprises a global group of relocation, logistics and transportation management companies. With a team of 300 employees and a fleet of over 300 vehicles, Interstate provides domestic and international relocation and mobility advisory services to individual, government, military and corporate clients, as well as specialized logistics services to major global corporations. Interstate consistently receives awards and recognitions from industry and community groups for its outstanding customer service and quality efforts, most recently receiving the Department of Defense's 2004 SDDC Quality Award for customer service. Interstate is partnered with the Lake Braddock pyramid as well as Flint Hill Elementary School.
Lee Technologies began its volunteer services partnership with Poplar Tree Elementary School in 2001. Over 20 Lee Technologies’ employees are actively involved in the program annually. Lee Tech employees volunteer as classroom tutors, judges at the Annual “Show What You Know” Expo, and as pen pals to 5 th and 6 th graders at Poplar Tree. Employees also support Poplar Tree’s Spring Fair and act in an overall mentoring role to the students. In appreciation of Lee Technologies’ volunteer activities, Polar Tree Elementary students reciprocate by ringing in the holiday season and serenading the entire staff in the lobby of Lee Technologies’ offices.
U.S. Minerals Manangement Service
 The partnership between the U.S. Minerals Management Service (MMS) and Herndon Elementary School officially began in June 1991.  For the last decade or so, each partnership year has begun with an educational kickoff assembly at the school and a kickoff celebration at the nearby MMS building, during which students sing for employees.  MMS provides tutors, mentors, and readers, along with helpers for the school’s two annual book fairs and its Math/Science Tech Night. MMS sponsors a chess club with more than 10% of the student body participating.  Each Arbor Day, in cooperation with the Town of Herndon and/or Herndon High School, MMS sponsors a short educational program and plants a tree on the school grounds. MMS also participates in Read Across America Day and the annual Career Fair, and employees contribute Campbell's product labels & Big G “Box Tops for Education,” as well as surplus supplies, to the school.  In addition to entertaining MMS employees, the school provides a link to the MMS Kids’ Page on its web site and honors MMS employees twice a year, while the students provide affection and great personal satisfaction to those MMS employees who get to work with them and see them grow and blossom through the years
Mitre
 MITRE's Dogwood Elementary School mentoring program has been in existence for the last four school years. The program has thrived despite many upheavals at Dogwood—new administration, a new year-round schedule, and even a fire that destroyed the building. Through it all, an average of 14 MITRE employees have spent time reading with students, playing games with students, struggling through arithmetic problems, or just serving in a big brother/big sister role.
Mt. Vernon Orchestra Association Mount Vernon Orchestra Association enjoys a partnership with Ft. Hunt Elementary School. We offer after-school enrichment programs for students who wish to enhance their recorder performance skills and increase their fundamental knowledge of music. MVOA has provided assistance for numerous musical programs at the school. These programs often involve a large portion of the student body. MVOA provides musicians who perform at these events and often arranges specific musical selections requested by the staff for a MVOA instrumental group. In 2002-2003, members of MVOA participated in the Renovation Celebration and the Kindergarten Ant Extravaganza. Our association will continue its support in 2003-2004 and is greatly appreciative of the cooperation of the Ft. Hunt staff.
Navy Federal Credit Union The Navy Federal-Thoreau Business/School Partnership began over 15 years ago and brings Navy Federal employees together with Thoreau Middle School’s students and faculty to share time, talents, and expertise. The partnership’s programs are many and varied, all with the same goal – to enhance student motivation and career awareness and improve basic skills. Navy Federal employees volunteer as speakers, tutors, activity sponsors and mentors. Through their commitment to these programs, Navy Federal employees demonstrate that volunteers can truly make a difference.Annual Partnership events/activities include Navy Reader and Mentor Program, Pen Pal Program, choral and band boncerts, Project Neighbors, Student Art Exhibit and Reception at Navy Federal, All “A” Honor Roll Parties, Teacher Appreciation Luncheon, awards for service excellence, monetary donation for faculty professional development, printing of various newsletters, student-parent handbooks, literary arts magazines, music programs, and posters, donating of gently used equipment, and providing meeting places for faculty training.
NetSmartz is a program sponsored by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. It offers an interactive educational safety program for children aged 5 to 17, parents, guardians, educators, and law enforcement personnel. The NetSmartz workshop teaches basic rules for safe surfing online in order to prevent victimization of children. NetSmartz uses a series of games, real-life stories, activity cards, and safety pledges to present its message. Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) will introduce the NetSmartz Internet safety program in its schools during the 2005-06 school year in an effort to encourage elementary, middle, and high school students to use the Internet responsibly.
Network Resources As the Technology Partner for Bull Run Elementary School, Network Resources realizes that creating outstanding schools and a valuable learning environment involves the cooperative effort of the entire community. This is an educational partnership that provides computer knowledge and assistance to the students and staff at Bull Run. We hope to broaden the understanding of computers and the computer industry. Past programs included: S.W.A.T. (Students Working for the Advancement of Technology), the Email Buddies Program, the Student Web Club, the Bull Run Web Challenge and Super Citizens.
Parsons Brinckerhoff
 Employees of Parsons Brinckerhoff’s (PB) various subsidiary companies located in Herndon are participating in a partnering relationship with Herndon Middle School. PB employees act as tutors for the students on a regular basis. PB Managers have visited the school, spending the day describing the engineering profession to students and have plans to work with students to plan and design model engineering projects throughout the coming school year. PB is a consulting engineering and construction management firm specializing in the planning, design, construction management and operations and maintenance of large, complex infrastructure projects. 
ShugollResearch Shugoll Research's partnerships with Poe Middle and Annandale High School have received national and local awards from the Business Committee for the Arts, the Cultural Alliance of Washington, and the Washington Post. In its ArtSpeak! program, nationally known performance artists visit the schools to talk about their careers, answer questions, sign autographs, and perform. Artists appearing have included Broadway stars Brian Stokes Mitchell, Kristin Chenoweth, Melissa Errico, and Alice Ripley, composer and conductor Marvin Hamlisch, jazz pianist Peter Cincotti, and songwriter Amanda McBroom. In the TheaterTrips! program, Shugoll Research underwrites the cost of theater tickets for students. Shugoll Research's Voice Scholarship Fund underwrites voice lessons for choral students who do not have the means to afford private lessons. This combination of programs is intended to excite students about the arts and help create the arts audiences of tomorrow.
The U.S. Army 12th Aviation Battalion at Ft. Belvoir, VA supports Walt Whitman Middle School in its Partnership in Education agreement. Every Tuesday during the school year, they send soldiers to help tutor at-risk students. We also support the school with static displays of a U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopter. They also provide support to the Junior ROTC program.
YRCI and Providence ES have formed a steering committee to identify opportunities for support to the school. 9 YRCI employees mentor students weekly and another 6 employees are weekly "reading buddies". YRCI has also provided volunteers to help with the school's Fun Fair and Field Days. In return, the students have given a Holiday Concert at YRCI's office and provided artwork for our office.