Community News & Notes

Classroom Visits MHS

On Monday, February 27th, Meridian’s Gun Violence Prevention Club, in partnership with “Change the Ref,” held an event outside of Meridian to raise awareness about gun violence in America. It was a joint effort between Change the Ref and the club to educate students.

The founder of Change the Ref, Manuel Oliver, who lost his son in the Parkland school shooting five years ago and has since devoted his life to protecting other people’s children, spoke to students and staff who attended the event.

Meridian’s Gun Violence Prevention Club started last year after the Uvalde shooting. President Elijah Pelton said the club officially began with a walkout of 600 Meridian students in protest of recent mass shootings. The idea behind the club was that students have easy access to national politics and should speak for those whose voices “can’t be heard.”

The Gun Violence Prevention Club has worked with other organizations such as Change the Ref,

March for Our Lives and Students Demand Action to support their events and goals to “promote a safer America for students like us.”

Clare and Don’s to Host Fundraiser for Aurora House

Support the Aurora House college scholarship fund for the girls on Monday, March 13th, for an evening of dinner, live music, and a silent auction at Clare & Don’s while supporting the girls’ continued success from 4:30 p.m. — 8:00 p.m.

Aurora House is a residential counseling facility located right here in Falls Church that serves at-risk teen girls. Performances will be by talented, young musicians – including an opener by Meridian’s Hannah Boesen.

The FCEPTA’s annual International Night will take place on Saturday, March 18 from 5 — 7 p.m. at Meridian High School. International Night gives students an opportunity to experience the rich cultural diversity of the school community by offering an educational experience, cultural performances and a “tasting table” with dishes from around the world.

In order to offer this enriching experience to the students, they need families that are willing to host country tables, bring dishes to share, and to fill a variety of roles at the event.

Please email Gwendolyn Osborn (g@osbornclan.com) for more information.

Grace Christian Academy’s “Parent University” will be offering a presentation on bullying. “Bullying: How to Help Your Child” will offer parents and caregivers lessons on helping children develop skills to cope with adversity at school, and in so doing, develop skills that will address the adversities that will come to them throughout their lives. The presentation will focus on how children respond to and stand up against bullying.

The discussion is open to the public and will be led by Renae Smith, elementary classroom teacher, music teacher, and licensed professional counselor. The event will be hosted on Monday, March 20th at 7:00 p.m., and will be held at Grace Christian Academy (3233 Annandale Road, Falls Church).

Join ArtsFairfax on March 9, at 12:00 PM ET to learn about the FY24 Operating Support Grants and changes for the next cycle. The session will be held via Zoom. The presentation will be recorded and posted on their website. For further information, please contact Jackie Dubin, Grants Manager, by email at jdubin@artsfairfax.org.

ArtsFairfax Operating Support advances the arts in Fairfax County by supporting the goals and objectives of the County’s arts organizations, helping them maintain and develop their programs, services, and facilities. Operating Support Grants are awarded annually to arts organizations of all disciplines for up to 15 percent of their general operating expenses.

Those that are eligible are nonprofit arts organizations based in Fairfax County, the City of Fairfax, or the City of Falls Church are eligible to apply for Operating Support Grants to support basic operations.

Northern Virginia leaders gathered Friday to announce an earthquake relief effort for the people of Turkey.

Northern Virginia’s fundraiser is collecting money to buy food packages for people impacted by the earthquakes. The commission is working with partner Embrace Relief, which officials previously worked with on Syrian refugee assistance. Embrace Relief has contracted with a firm in Turkey to provide food through the relief initiative.

The commission has a goal of raising $25,000 for the relief effort. Donations can be made at helpearthquakevictims.org.