Falls Church City Focus 2-18-2010

for the week of February 18-24, 2010

“Balancing Priorities” City Budget Forum Tonight

Unpaid Parking Penalty Amnesty Ends Next Week

The City wants to know which general government and schools lines of services you value the most. Voice your opinion at tonight’s “Balancing Priorities” Budget Forum. It begins at 7 p.m. and will be held at the Community Center, 223 Little Falls St. The meeting will begin with brief backgrounds from the City Manager and School Superintendent, followed by small-group discussion and “open mic” Q&A about budget priorities. (Presentations are available to view online at www.fallschurchva.gov.)

This is the second of two Budget Forums, which are part of a series of public meetings that will run through April 26, when the City Council adopts a tax rate and budget for next year.

The information gathered from these meetings will help City officials develop the FY11 Budget (FY11 runs from July 1, 2010June 30, 2011). The Budget Forums will be taped and broadcast on FCC-TV and online at www.fallschurchva.gov.

For information about the City’s budget, go to www.fallschurchva.gov. If you are unable to attend tonight’s Budget Forum send in your general government budget suggestions to budget@fallschurchva.gov and school budget suggestions can be posted online at www.fccps.org/board/budget/fy11/.

Sign Up for Falls Church Alert Get real-time updates and instructions on what to do and where to go during an emergency in Falls Church City, by registering for Falls Church Alert. You will receive alerts from the City via portable electronic devices and e-mail, only in the event of an emergency. Sign up for this free service at alert.fallschurchva.gov.

Black History Celebration and Celebrity Basketball Game, Feb. 26

Submit Your Nomination for Memorial Day Grand Marshal

Enjoy an evening of laughter, family fun and basketball in celebration of Black History Month. The Falls Church City All-Star Team will play New York City’s finest – the Harlem MagicMasters! The MagicMasters barely beat the Falls Church All-Stars last year, so let’s show them what Falls Church is made of this year! The fun starts at 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 26 at the Community Center (223 Little Falls St.).

Advance Tickets available at: www.instantseats.com/events/tinnerhill Children under 5 free Advance purchase: youth $8, adults $10 At the door: youth $10, adults $12 Get your seats early! Seating is limited.

For more information, e-mail nikkigraves77@yahoo.com, call 703-241-4109, or visit www.tinnerhill.org.

The 2010 Falls Church City Memorial Day Parade & Festival Committee is seeking nominations for the Grand Marshal of this year’s parade. Contact Jenny Elmore in the Recreation & Parks Division at 703-248-5077 (TTY 711) or jelmore@fallschurchva.gov with nominations or questions.

2009 Memorial Day Parade

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If you have an unpaid parking ticket issued by the City, you have until Friday, Feb. 26 to pay the fine without paying overdue penalties. If you believe you have a delinquent parking ticket and did not get a notice letter, contact the Treasurer’s Office immediately.

The Treasurer’s Office receives and processes all payments for parking fines and penalties. For questions about payment, contact the Treasurer at 703-248-5046 (TTY 711) or e-mail treasurer@fallshcurchva.gov. The Treasurer will not be able to abate or change parking tickets. Questions about parking tickets should be addressed to the Falls Church Police Department at 703-241-5053 (non-emergency).

Grand Marshal Jessie Thackrey.

Register for Summer Fun After the winter we’ve had, now’s a great time to think ahead to the warmer months. What better way than to sign up for a fun summer camp? The Recreation & Parks Division’s annual summer camp program offers a variety of activities for youth of all ages. Programs are offered June through August, and range from sports to art and theatre. Registration is now open for area residents. View the 2010 Summer Camp brochure and register online at www.fallschurchva.gov.

Get Free Tax Preparation Help

Become a fan of the City of Falls Church on Facebook and get up-todate City government information. Get the link at www.fallschurchva.gov.

Sign up for e-FOCUS The e-FOCUS is the City’s online newsletter that highlights the City’s financial, environmental, transportation, economic development, public safety, and housing issues. Check it out or subscribe online at www.fallschurchva.gov.

If your income was less than $49,000 in 2009, you may qualify for free tax preparation. The Housing and Human Services Division is offering FREE tax preparation for eligible taxpayers who live or work in the City of Falls Church through April 13. Tax preparation will be by appointment only, MondayFriday from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Call 703-248-5005 (TTY 711) to make an appointment or for more information.

www.fallschurchva.gov - The official site for City of Falls Church news

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Questions or Comments?

City of Falls Church, Harry E. Wells Building 300 Park Avenue, Falls Church, VA 22046 703-248-5003 (TTY 711) The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This document will be made available in alternate format upon request. Call 703-248-5003 (TTY 711).

International Dinner Set for March 3rd The date for the 22nd annual George Mason High School International Dinner has been set for March 3rd at 6:00 p.m. in the Mustang Café. The annual celebration of the city’s ethnic diversity draws more than 200 attendees to enjoy a delicious array of ethnic foods and entertainment with an international flair.

The International Dinner is hosted by the GMHS International Club and co-sponsored by the PTSA and ESOL/Foreign Language staff.

Those planning to attend are asked to bring an Colorful, cultural entertainment entrée, side dish or salad in a disposable con- is always a crowd favorite at the annual GMHS International Dinner. tainer for 8-10 people.

Register for Kindergarten Info Night Mount Daniel Elementary School will present Kindergarten Information Night for parents of prospective kindergarten students on Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. in the school’s multipurpose room. The presentation will include a brief video overview of the school day, curriculum, day care program and registration requirements. A panel discussion will follow.

Parents should request a packet of registration information by mail prior to that evening with instructions for on-line registration. To request a registration packet, visit www.fccps.org/infonight.

To be eligible for kindergarten, students must be five years of age by September 30, 2010 and a resident of the City of Falls Church.

Support Employee of the Year Nominations Open Does your child’s school bus driver go above and beyond the call of duty? Do you know a school custodian, maintenance worker, day care staff member, clerical staff member or paraprofessional who provides exceptional service to the schools? Why not recognize that individual by nominating him or her to receive the 2010 FCCPS Support Staff Employee of the Year Award.

To qualify for the award, full or part-time employees must have at least five years of service with the Falls Church City Public Schools. Candidates may be nominated by FCCPS staff, students and community members. Former winners are not eligible to receive the award.

Nomination forms are available at www.fccps.org/ support or by contacting the school board office at (703) 2485600. The deadline for nominations is Friday, February 26th. The winner will be recognized at a reception in May 2010 and will receive a cash award.

FCC-TV Spotlight: NASA CONNECT

BIE Partner of the Week Sunni Carver and Bridget Friedrich Doodlehopper 4 Kids

School involvement: Regularly donates prizes to school programs like Turn of TV Week and New Teacher Welcome Bags. Most recently donated student prizes for the Thomas Jefferson Elementary School “Get Fit” program.

Why Sunni & Bridget are BIE partners: “Every Falls Church school child loves to visit Doodlehopper.

Now that we have two stores, we have even more toys, games, books, music and arts & crafts. We are pleased to be able to support the schools in many ways.”

For more information about sharing your expertise through the BIE Partnership, visit www.fccps.org or contact Marybeth Connelly at connellym@fccps.org.

Foundation Footnotes 5K Race to be part of Fall Festival The FCEF Annual Run for the Schools 5K Race and 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk will be held on Sunday, September 12th as part of the Falls Church City Fall Festival weekend. The foundation will promote the race through a generous grant from the Falls Church Economic Development Authority.

The Falls Church Education Foundation is a registered 501(c)3 taxexempt organization. For more information, visit www.fcedf.org or call (703) 538-3381.

School content published in The Schools 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.

2010 FCCPS Budget Calendar February 23rd 6:30 p.m. Budget Work Session #4

(City Hall)

8:00 p.m. Public Hearing #3 &

Regular School Board

Meeting (City Hall) March 2nd 7:00 p.m. School Board Work Session

& Adoption of Budget

(City Hall) For more FCCPS budget www.fccps.org/budget.

information,

visit

Calendar for February 18-27, 2010 Testing 24 8:00 a.m. National French Exam (GM) 27 8:00 a.m. Practice ACT Exam (GM) February 18 6:00 p.m. Symphonic Concert (GM) 19 10:00 a.m. Mason @ State Tournament in Salem (Wrestling) 20 9:00 a.m. It’s Academic Taping (NBC4) (Academic Team)

10:00 a.m. Mason @ State Tournament in Salem (Wrestling) 22 6:00 p.m. EIP/HEP Tutoring (GM) 23 8:15 a.m. Special Education Parent Meeting (GM)

6:30 p.m. Budget Work Session #4 (City Hall)

7:00 p.m. Gr8 Parent Registration & IB Info Night (GM)

8:00 p.m. Regular School Board Meeting &

Budget Public Hearing #3 (City Hall) 24 6:30 p.m. ESOL Advisory Committee (CO) 25 7:00 p.m. “The Music Man, Junior” (MEH)

7:30 p.m. Family Life Education Adv. Committee (MEH) 26 7:00 p.m. “The Music Man, Junior” (MEH) 27 7:00 p.m. “The Music Man, Junior” (MEH) For more calendar information, visit www.fccps.org/calendar.

(MD) Mt. Daniel School (TJ) Thomas Jefferson Elementary (MEH) Mary Ellen Henderson Middle (GM) George Mason High (CO) Central Office www.fccps.org - The official site for Falls Church City Public Schools news

Schools

NASA CONNECT offers viewers a “connection” between the mathematics, science and technology concepts taught in the classroom and the mathematics, science and technology used every day by NASA researchers. Catch the program on FCC-TV at the following time: • Wednesdays at 7:30 a.m.

You can now see FCC-TV programming live at www.fcctv.net anywhere in the world! FCC-TV also airs in the greater Falls Church area on Cox Channel 12, Verizon Channel 35 and RCN Channel 2.