SUNDAY 9/12: ‘Run for the Schools’ 5K Race and 1 Mile Family Fun Run/Walk

This year’s Run for the Schools 5K race and 1 Mile Family Fun Run/Walk will be held on the same weekend as the Fall Festival. Competitive runners, joggers, and walkers are invited to participate in the race featuring a course that winds through the streets of Falls Church City.

An anonymous donor to the Falls Church Education Foundation has made a challenge pledge to surpass last year’s field of 300 runners and walkers. For every runner or walker exceeding 300 who signs up to participate, the donor will contribute $10.  The pledge is applicable to competitive runners, recreational joggers, and walkers.

The 5K race and 1 mile family fun run/walk will begin on Park Avenue near the intersection of Little Falls Street in the City of Falls Church. After completing the courses participants are invited to Cherry Hill Park for the awards ceremony and other activities.

Registered participants will receive a race packet including a bib number and t-shirt, and they are eligible to win prizes. Packet pick up will be available to registered participants throughout the weekend, including Saturday, September 11, at the Fall Festival in Cherry Hill Park.

Proceeds benefit the Falls Church Education Foundation.

INDIVIDUAL RUNNER REGISTRATION: Go to www.fcedf.org, click on Activities and go to “Run for the Schools”

TEAM INFORMATION:

• a minimum of four (4) runners per team, there is no maximum for teams;

• no gender restrictions for team members — you may organize co-ed or single sex teams;

• registration fee of $30/runner or walker

• runners are encouraged to wear something that identifies them as a team member-distinctive hats, t-shirts, etc;

• Team captains and/or team members may pick up race packets for team members at packet pick up; packets include a race t-shirt for every team member: Friday, September 10, at Road Runner Sports in Falls Plaza East from 4-8 p.m., and Saturday, September 11, at Fall Festival at Cherry Hill Park in Falls Church from 9-4 p.m. There will be no team registration on race day

• Team Captains: To create and join a team, go to http://www.active.com/running/falls-church-va/run-for-the-schools-5k-2010. Click the Register Now button and choose the Team Captain category. Create your team at the same time you register. BE SURE TO NAME YOUR TEAM AS TEAM NAME – CAPT’S NAME. This makes it easier for your team members later on. Finish your registration and pay.

• Team Members: To join your team go to http://www.active.com/running/falls-church-va/run-for-the-schools-5k-2010, click on the Register Now button and select the Team Members category. Select your team name from the drop down box on the registration form near the top. Finish your registration and pay.

Team awards:

• Fastest team: The average time of the first four finishers from each team will constitute that team’s finish time;

• Largest team: the largest number of registered runners;

• Team awards will be given immediately following the run in Cherry Hill Park in Falls Church

The Falls Church Education Foundation is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization established in 2003 to provide supplemental support for the Falls Church City Public Schools. The FCEF is engaged in a campaign to build a $10 million permanent Endowment Fund to help ensure that our students are prepared to meet the challenges of the 21st century. For more information on the Foundation  go to www.fced.org.

Police Give TJ Elementary ‘All Clear’ After Lockdown

By FALLS CHURCH CITY COMMUNICATIONS

July 30, 2010

City of Falls Church Police locked down Thomas Jefferson Elementary School at approximately 9:30 this morning after a pedestrian reported observing a man walking on Seaton Lane wearing camouflage and carrying a helmet and what appeared to be an assault weapon. Officers immediately locked down the school and moved the children and staff inside to a central location. Police swept through the entire building, and searched the school property and adjacent area. Nothing was found and police have cleared the scene. As a precaution, police were also sent to Mt. Daniel Elementary School and the St. James School, both of which are running summer school programs.

Police believe that due to the nature and description of the situation, the man was likely carrying a paintball gun or an airsoft gun, which are used for recreational purposes. The man is described as a while male in his early twenties. Anyone with information about this person is asked to call police at 703-241-5050.

Officers will remain in the area to look out for suspicious activity and the school staff has been advised to keep the children inside until dismissal time as a precaution.

All Night Grad Organizers Thank Businesses

Falls Church Times Staff

The 22^nd annual George Mason High School All Night Graduation Celebration for the Class of 2010 is a wonderful memory thanks to the support of many Falls Church businesses, community members and hundreds of volunteers. Graduation night is one of the highest risk nights for a teen. Students attend parties throughout the year, but peer pressure is highest when there is an event this momentous to celebrate. The ANGC is a drug and alcohol-free event held the night of graduation that gives every GMHS graduate a safe place to celebrate.

The ANGC committee extends its thanks to all of the local businesses that support this worthy cause.  Many were listed in last week’s City Focus, but that list is far from complete.  Please visit the web site at www.georgemasonptsa.com and click on the All Night Graduation tab to view the entire list of donors.  When you frequent these establishments, thank them for supporting the Falls Church City schools and its graduates. These businesses donate because they care about our community and the ANGC would not be possible without them. 

Linda Hamill, Chair of the GMHS 2010 ANGC, says “Congratulations to the Class of 2010!  You will always be Mustangs!”

 

Wodiska, Riccards Elected School Board Leaders

By FCCPS Communications

July 2, 2010

At its July 1 organizational meeting for the 2010-2011 school year, the Falls Church City School Board elected Joan Wodiska as its chairman and elected Patrick Riccards to serve as vice chairman. 

Wodiska, who became a school board member in July 2004, served as vice-chairman last year. She has served as school board liaison to the English-as-a-Second Language Advisory Committee, the Family Life Education Advisory Committee, the Special Education Advisory Committee. She has served as the school board’s legislative liaison and chairman of the Northeast Region for the Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA).

Riccards, who is serving his first term on the school board this year, is executive director of communications for the American Institutes for Research, a Washington, D.C. based non-profit organization which conducts behavioral and social science research in health and education.

In addition to electing a chairman and vice chairman, the Falls Church City School Board also set its calendar for the coming school year. The board will hold its regular meetings on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month at 8:00 p.m. in the Chambers at City Hall. 

Prior to regular meetings, the board will conduct work sessions, as needed, beginning at 7:00 p.m. 

The board also unanimously approved and signed a formal Code of Civility to serve as a guide in board members interactions with each other and with the community.

Falls Church City Council Members Roll Out Financial “Blueprint for Action”

By FALLS CHURCH TIMES STAFF

July 1, 2010

Four Falls Church City Council Members and Members-Elect rolled out a “Blueprint for Action” document yesterday aimed at improving the City’s financial planning and responsibility processes.

Sitting Council Members Nader Baroukh and Lawrence Webb and Council Members-Elect Johannah Barry and Ira Kaylin describe the document as a “discussion draft” designed to set priority areas for the Council in the coming term.

The Baroukh-Webb-Barry-Kaylin draft proposes the following action items for the City:

1)      Develop a five-year projection of the City’s financial situation;

2)      Undertake a comprehensive review of the City’s operating structure and organization;

3)      Develop revenue enhancing measures in the form of cost savings and additional net revenue from appropriate application of user fees;

4)      Adopt a three-year rolling budget though the budget approval process will be undertaken on a yearly basis;

5)      Align City budget preparation process that coincides with that of the School System in order to identify possible long term funding gaps (starting with the 5-year financial projections);

6)      Receive monthly & quarterly financial reports;

7)      Develop a minimum effort policy for capital investment;

8)      Develop a policy for a “Rainy Day” or Reserve/Stabilization Fund Policy;

9)      Continue to proactively and creatively market the City, including additional resources for the Economic Development Office;

10)   Adopt an Area Planning Process. Read more

SCHOOLS FOCUS:
Rasnake, Riccards Join School Board;
Mason Wins Wachovia Cup;
New School Board Committee Appointments;
Summer School Hours;
New Textbook Available for Public Review;
BIE Partner is Kathy Hamor;
FCEF Provides Laptops and Digital Cameras

Click here for the July 1-7, 2010 SCHOOLS FOCUS prepared by the Falls Church City Schools.

SCHOOLS FOCUS:
Giant Bonus Bucks = $10k for City Schools;
All-Night Grad Party a Success Thanks to Local Sponsors;
BIE Partner is Aladdin’s Lamp;
SCHOOL’S OUT — HAVE A GREAT SUMMER!!

Click here for the June 24-30, 2010,SCHOOLS FOCUS  prepared by the Falls Church City Schools.

SCHOOLS FOCUS:
Mason Wins 6 State Championships;
TJ Market Day;
Mason Commencement on FCC-TV;
Mason Spirit Walk Gets a Lift;
BIE Partner is Essential Health Care;
Run for Schools Registration Opens

Click here for the June 17-23, 2010, SCHOOLS FOCUS prepared by the Falls Church City Schools.

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