April 24 - 30, 2008
Page 45
ly Focus
Chairman: Craig Cheney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vice Chairman: Ronald Peppe II . . . . . . . . . . School Board Rosaura Aguerrebere . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kathryn Chandler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Susan Kearney. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kieran Sharpe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joan Wodiska. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Superintendent: Dr. Lois Berlin . . . . . . . . . . .
government and the falls church city public schools
April 24-30, 2008
For more news about the Falls Church City Public Schools visit: www.fccps.org
“Of all the candidates who applied for the position, Vincent Baxter emerged as the best candidate to lead TJ,” Superintendent Lois Berlin said. “His life experiences and educational credentials give him a solid leadership foundation, and his first-hand knowledge of the Mary Ellen Henderson culture will further ensure TJ fourth graders have the foundation they need
is always student-centered. He has established himself as a highly effective instructional leader and communicator who is easily approachable and who makes students, staff and parents feel comfortable and accepted.
Vincent Baxter becomes principal of Thomas Jefferson Elementary on July 1. to make a smooth transition into middle school.” Baxter’s FCCPS experience began in August 2006. In his two years at MEHMS, Baxter has distinguished himself as a firm, but fair administrator whose leadership approach
Brick Pathway Orders Now Being Taken The BIE Brick Pathway is accepting orders for new bricks. Located at the auditorium entrance to George Mason High School, the Pathway has been a Falls Church tradition since 1995.There are more than 1,000 inscribed bricks that tell the stories of individuals, families, events and organizations. Bricks are a special way to honor a graduate, a favorite teacher, coach or other school employee. This year, the profits from the sale of bricks will support Nora’s Garden, now under construction at George Mason High School in the Senior Courtyard, in memory of Nora Hemphill, class of 2005. The deadline for the 2008 brick order is July 11.
FCC-TV Spotlight: In The Fight
SCHOOL CALENDAR School. He also spent two years as a Peace Corps volunteer teaching English to 9, 10 and 11-year-old children in Central Africa.
When asked about taking on the leadership of Thomas Jefferson Elementary, Vincent Baxter said, “It will be an honor to serve the Thomas Jefferson school community. I look forward to getting to know each student, each family and each teacher.”
Baxter is a graduate of J.E.B. Stuart High School in Falls Church, Va. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia, and he earned his master’s degree in educational leadership from The George Washington University, where he is currently pursuing his doctoral degree in educational administration.
Prior to joining the FCCPS, Baxter served in various capacities within the Washington, D.C. Public Schools. He was a second and third grade teacher at Walker-Jones Elementary School, an administrator at Rock Creek International School and a summer school principal at W.B. Patterson Elementary
The search for a new principal at TJ began in January after the current principal, Trudy Taylor, announced her plans to retire at the end of this school year. Nine candidates applied for the position, five were interviewed by a principal selection committee, and two finalists were interviewed by Superintendent Lois Berlin.
Review of Recommended Social Studies Textbooks The Falls Church City Public Schools/Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School Social Studies Department is currently reviewing textbooks for the civics and economics curriculum. The following textbook has been recommended and the public is invited to review it and provide comments for the department’s consideration:
DATES ARE SubjEcT To chAngE TESTIng now – 4/25 SELP, SOL VAAP, VGLA & VSEP Testing (TJ/MEH/GM) 4/28–5/1 6th & 7th Spanish Proficiency Testing (MEH) 4/28–5/23 K-3 PALS Testing (MD/TJ) 4/28–5/30 AP & IB Testing (GM) April 24 4:15 p.m. Natl. Cathedral @ Mason (G Tennis) 5:00 p.m. JEB Stuart @ Mason (Softball) 7:00 p.m. Poetry Open Mic (MEH) 7:00 p.m. Mason @ Strasburg (G Soccer) 7:15 p.m. Mason @ Freedom (G Lacrosse) 7:30 p.m. Family Life Education Adv. Comm. (GM) 7:30 p.m. Freedom @ Mason (B Lacrosse) 25
The textbook will be on display through April 30 at the Falls Church City Public Schools Central Office, 803 W. Broad Street, in Suite 320. Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
7:00 p.m. Clarke Co. @ Mason (Soccer) 2:30 p.m. Mason @ Potomac School (Baseball)
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4:00 p.m. Briar Woods @ Mason (B Tennis) 4:00 p.m. Mason @ Briar woods (G Tennis) 7:00 p.m. Mason @ Loudoun Co. (B Lacrossse) 7:15 p.m. Loudoun Co. @ Mason (G Lacrosse) 7:30 p.m. Elementary PTA Home & Garden Tour Meeting (TJ)
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7:30 p.m. FCCPS Pyramid Concert 30
8:00 a.m. Rising Junior Parent Coffee (GM) 5:00 p.m. Mason @ Madison County (Track)
FCC-TV airs on Cox Channel 12, Verizon FiOS Channel 35 and RCN Channel 2. For more information about FCC-TV, or to view a complete schedule of the variety of community programs on FCC-TV, visit www.fcctv.net or call 703-248-5538.
6:00 p.m. Mason @ Park View (G. Lacrosse) 7:00 p.m. Robinson @ Mason (B Soccer)
BIE Partner of the Week
7:30 p.m. Mason @ Park View (B Lacrosse)
Tania Hindert
May
Cox Communications
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School involvement: Sponsor of the upcoming Falls Church PTA Home & Garden Tour;Worked with Falls Church Education Foundation on video production.
School content published in The Weekly Focus is written and edited by the Falls Church City Public Schools. For more information, contact the Falls Church City Public Schools Communications Office. Phone: (703) 248-5699 Fax: (703) 248-5613.
7:00 p.m. Mason @ Manassas Park (Baseball/Softball/G Soccer) 7:00 p.m. Manassas Park @ Mason (B Soccer)
• Tuesdays at 11 a.m. • Thursdays at 8:30 a.m. • Sundays at 7:30 a.m.
For more information about sharing your expertise through the BIE Partnership, visit www.fccps.org or contact Marybeth Connelly at connellym@fccps.org.
5:00 p.m. Mason @ Clarke Co. (Baseball/Softball)
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Civics In Practice: Principals of Government and Economics, Holt, Rinehart and Winston Publishing, 2007
Tune in to Falls Church Community Television (FCC-TV) to watch In The Fight, a monthly half-hour program showing the latest action from the field from all branches of the US Armed Forces. In The Fight airs on FCC-TV at the following times:
Why Tania is a BIE partner: “We are thrilled to help support this year’s Home & Garden tour in Falls Church. This partnership aligns perfectly with Cox’s historic commitment to supporting the communities we serve.”
703-536-8638 703-536-7564 703-532-0321 703-536-3130 703-533-1248 703-248-5601*
* Indicates TTY 711 Accessibility
New Elementary School Principal Hired A new leader will soon take the helm of Thomas Jefferson Elementary School, but he won’t be new to the Falls Church City Public Schools. Beginning July 1st, Vincent Baxter will leave his post as assistant principal of Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School to begin serving as principal of Thomas Jefferson Elementary. Baxter was officially hired last week with a vote by the Falls Church City School Board.
703-237-6931 703-534-4951
4:15 p.m. Stone Ridge Country @ Mason (G Tennis) 7:00 p.m. Rising 5th Grade Parent Night (MEH)
PTA home & garden Tour May 4th The Falls Church Elementary PTA Home and Garden Tour is just a week away, and it offers an inspiring look at historical properties, modern-day homes and magnificent gardens in the City of Falls Church. The annual fundraising project helps support the outdoor classrooms at Mount Daniel and Thomas Jefferson Elementary schools. This year’s PTA Home and Garden Tour is scheduled for next Sunday, May 4th from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more information and a sneak peek at this year’s homes, or to reserve tickets, visit www.fallschurchpta.org/hgtour.
7:15 p.m. Mason @ Briar Woods (G Lacrosse) 7:30 p.m. Briar Woods @ Mason (B Lacrosse) (MD) Mt. Daniel Elementary (TJ) Thomas Jefferson Elementary (MEH) Mary Ellen Henderson Middle (GM) George Mason High Check the FCCPS Web site for more calendar information. www.fccps.org