It Takes a Village… to dig out a playground

By ANNETTE HENNESSEY
Falls Church Times Staff

February 19, 2010

An e-mail blast was sent.  People responded.  And students at MEHMS enjoyed recess outside for the first time since the Big Snows of 2010.  And that’s the way it works in The Little City.

Read the full story on the MEHMS website or watch and listen to the Rockin’ talents of MEHMS Technology Specialist Brett Sparrgrove.

Special thanks to Kathleen Donovan for the photos and inside scoop!

SUNDAY, JAN. 24: Relay For Life Kickoff

The 2010 Relay For Life of Falls Church will officially kick off on Sunday January 24 with an event at Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School from 2:30 to 4 p.m.

Last year’s Relay For Life exceeded all expectations as 84 teams raised more than $171,000 to support the American Cancer Society’s fight against cancer. More than 800 persons participated in the overnight event at the football field at George Mason High School.

This year’s Relay For Life will be held May 22-23. The Kick-off Event will feature a video presentation on last year’s event and provide information about how volunteers and teams can get involved this year. Already two dozen teams, many of them formed by junior and senior high school students, have been organized for the 2010 Relay.

Relay For Life features activities for all ages in a moving celebration of both cancer survivors and those who have lost their lives to the disease. Cancer survivors are particularly encouraged to attend a special reception at the beginning of the event and to participate in the “survivors’ lap” that starts off the relay.

“Thanks to the hard work of Falls Church residents of all ages, our Relay has grown substantially in just a few short years,” said Katie Clinton and Terry Rollo, co-chairs of the 2010 Relay for Life of Falls Church. “But because of that growth, we need even more people to get involved this year.” The co-chairs said they can identify a volunteer job for anyone, no matter what their skill or available time commitment may be.

Interested persons, including cancer survivors, caregivers and friends are encouraged to attend the kickoff event. For more information on the Relay, see www.fallschurchrelay.org.

Falls Church PTAs Seek Combined Federal Campaign Dollars

The Falls Church PTAs — Mount Daniel/Thomas Jefferson Elementary Schools, Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School, and George Mason High School — are reminding parents who are federal employees that they can designate part or all of their Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) contributions for their local PTA/PTSA chapters.  All three organizations are charities associated with the campaign, and federal employees have until December 15 to sign up to contribute through the CFC.   Designation codes for the three PTAs are:

• Falls Church Elementary PTA: 14598
• Mary Ellen Henderson PTA: 40097
• George Mason PTSA: 79191

POSITIVE FAMILY COMMUNICATION: MEHMS PTA Meeting

Middle school parents are invited to attend the Nov. 9 PTA meeting at 7:15 p.m. in the MEHMS library.  Mary Ann Moran, from the Arlington Partnership for Children, Youth, and Families, will share her insight and advice with parents trying to understand their child’s development during the middle school years, and will talk about effective strategies for staying connected.

BIE Partner of the Week: Erik Kimel of Peer2Peer Tutors

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Crosswalk at Penn. Ave & Broad? 7th Graders Influence City

By ANNETTE HENNESSEY
Falls Church Times Staff

Eight 7th grade students from Rory Dippold’s class at Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School will represent Virginia at the Project Citizen National Showcase in Philadelphia, PA on July 21 – 24th. Project Citizen is a federally funded program that encourages students to research a public policy they believe should be revised or created. It also teaches young people how to monitor and influence public policy.

The class’s project titled “Walking Our Way to Safety” identified the need for a crosswalk to be located on the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and Broad Street. Students conducted research to determine the scope of the problem by researching pedestrian accidents in the city and by counting jaywalkers at the intersection on a Saturday in March. They identified alternative policies and examined the advantages and disadvantages of each option, and determined that a crosswalk would be the best solution. They presented their research to the Citizens’ Advisory Committee on Transportation in April, spoke to a Planning Commission member, and created a website as ways to mobilize and inform people about their project. Government officials have said they will look into a possible crosswalk at that intersection.

So not only were the students successful in the regional and state competitions, they learned firsthand how to voice concerns in their local community by conducting research and contacting appropriate government officials.

Special thanks to Rory Dippold for the photos and information for the story.

Hometown Odyssey of the Mind Teams Shine at World Finals

Mary Ellen Henderson Band, Chorus Win 1st Place at Festival

Matt Earman, left, clowns with Nick Roberson in displaying band trophy at Hershey Park.

Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School’s 7th Grade Chorus and Band both won first place and Superior ratings on Saturday, May 2 in the Music Showcase Festival near Hershey, PA.  Participating were 35 chorus and 70 band members, led by Chorus Director Lauren Glass and Band Director Connie Jenkins. The Chorus also was honored with the award for Outstanding Baritone Vocal Section.

Band members Jade Uyeda-Trackman and Jack Ulses accepted the chorus honors, and Chorus members Connor Rhodes and Jake Acosta accepted the Chorus honors, at the awards assembly Saturday night at Hershey Park.

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