MEH Robotic Teams Conquer Regional, Move to State Tourney
November 14, 2011 by Stan Fendley, Falls Church City · Leave a Comment
By STAN FENDLEY
FALLS CHURCH TIMES STAFF
November 14, 2011
Two teams from Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School have qualified for the Virginia State Championships of the “FIRST” Lego League Robotics Tournament. The two teams are the “Plantain Pirates” and the “Bacteria Busters,” which qualified by placing among the top four spots at a regional competition at the Smithsonian Institute on Saturday.
FIRST is an organization whose mission is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering and technology skills. FIRST, which stands for “For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology,” was founded in 1989 by Dean Kamen, the prolific New Hampshire inventor who has developed products ranging from the insulin pump to the Segway personal transportation system. Some 250,000 students have participated in the organization’s competitions. Read more
MEH Robotics Team Wins Grant
November 8, 2011 by Falls Church Times Staff · Leave a Comment
The Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School 5th Grade First Lego League Team PROBOT has been selected to receive a grant from The Chrysler Foundation for the 2011-2012 FIRST Robotics season.
The Chrysler Foundation has a long history of supporting FIRST Robotics teams at the high school level, however, this is the first year it has awarded a grant to a middle school team.
The Team will compete on November 20 at George Mason University.
MEHMS Team PROBOT members: L to R: Miles Lankford, Jack Gradle, Anna Grace Ulses with Team parent coach Tony Ulses and MEHMS Assistant Principal, Jeanne Seabridge. (Photo courtesy of Linda Becker)
New Principal Selected for MEHMS
June 22, 2011 by Special to the Falls Church Times · Leave a Comment
BY FALLS CHUCH CITY SCHOOLS COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE
June 22, 2011
Mary Ellen Henderson’s next principal will do just about anything to encourage students to achieve – even if she has to kiss a camel. Seidah Ashshaheed will soon leave her principal position at King George County’s King George Middle School to become principal of Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School in Falls Church City. Ashshaheed was officially appointed June 21 with a vote by the Falls Church City School Board.
“Seidah Ashshaheed brings a record of enthusiasm, high energy and great accomplishment to Mary Ellen Henderson,” Superintendent Lois Berlin said. “In addition, her experience working with all age groups is a great benefit for FCCPS.”
Students Get Free Tickets to Show
June 7, 2011 by Falls Church Times Staff · Leave a Comment
By Falls Church Times Staff
The final weekend of performances of Tinner Hill: Portraits in Black and White is this Thursday through Sunday, June 9 – 12 at ArtSpace Falls Church. The Friday, June 10 at 7:30 pm show is a special performance for Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School students, faculty, staff and their families. Through a generous donation from Diener & Associates, students can attend FREE on Friday and Creative Cauldron will donate $5 from every adult ticket to the MEHMS PTA. You need not be associated with MEHMS to attend Friday’s performance. Everyone is welcome.
MEHMS students get in FREE to the Friday, June 10 performance of "Tinner Hill: Portraits in Black & White" through a donation from Diener & Associates. The 90-minute play continues Thursday through Sunday at ArtSpace, 410 S. Maple Avenue.
Through a series of monologues, ensemble scenes and music, Portraits in Black and White engagingly tells the history of early local civil rights activists E.B. Henderson and Joseph Tinner and educator Mary Ellen Henderson.
FC Education Foundation Gala Raises $90,000 Funds for School Programs
May 12, 2011 by Special to the Falls Church Times · 4 Comments
SPECIAL TO THE FALLS CHURCH TIMES
May 12, 2011
A crowd of more than 200 school supporters showed their support for the Falls Church City Public Schools through generous contributions at this year’s Gala on May 6th. A variety of events at the Gala engaged the crowd–from placing competing bids for exciting silent auction items, including an opportunity to be serenaded with an Italian opera ballad sung by GMHS student, Anne Briggs, to an academic duel against the State Championship George Mason High School Scholastic Bowl team, to a Live Auction which raised funds for several new school initiatives. In total, the Gala raised more than $90,000 and was the most successful fundraiser for the Foundation since its inception in 2003.
David Chavern, former Falls Church City Council member and the foundation president, said “Money raised by the foundation pays for items not funded by the school budget, allocations like teacher travel and advanced classroom technology, and the explosive-proof freezer for a George Mason science lab.” Mr. Chavern also announced that the Woman’s Club of Falls Church will transfer their sizable scholarship fund to the Foundation to continue stewardship of this award which provides two scholarships of $2,000 to two graduating seniors who have demonstrated exemplary achievement in community service and academics.
Proceeds from this year’s Gala will support teacher grants in all four schools, new technology to support student learning (link to video), classroom libraries at Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School, and the Pathway to the Baccalaureate program for junior and senior students at George Mason High School to facilitate their transition to state higher education colleges and universities.
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 and how you can help sustain our community’s commitment to strong support for public education, contact Executive Director Donna Englander at (703) 538-3381.
Falls Church City’s…
March 9, 2011 by Steven Valley · Leave a Comment
By STEVEN VALLEY
Falls Church Times Staff
March 9, 2011
Twelve Teams from Falls Church took part in the Regional Finals of the Odyssey of the Mind competition March 5. Nearly 100 boys, girls, and parent coaches solved problems, answered questions, and performed skits. Teams performed in front of judges and an audience at West Potomac HS in Alexandria. Teams had worked on the various questions and problems for over two months perfecting their skills as showmen, engineers, and scholars in a quest to be chosen to go on to the next level. Read more
“As they reached for the stars…”
March 2, 2011 by Steven Valley · Leave a Comment
By Carol Sly
Special to the Falls Church Times
March 2, 2010
The very talented cast and crew at Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School performed a lively and delightful performance of “High School Musical,Junior” on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights to standing room only crowds. The cafetorium was packed and the show enchanted the audience with its exuberant singing and dancing.
Including the cast and crew, over 60 MEH students contributed to the show’s success. The group was enthusiastically directed by the more-than-capable Barbara Piscopo, the long time drama teacher. She was supported by many teachers at the school including Debbie Baird (art), Connie Jenkins (music), Lauren Glass (music), Brett Sparrgrove
(tech/set), and many more. Several George Mason students also lent their talents to make the show a success including Shannon Upton (dance/ choreography), Andrew Finen (lighting/tech), and Ashley Brooks (tech).
The play, which is an adaption of the Disney “High School Musical,” starred sixth grader Lydia Gompper as Gabriella Montez, and 7th grader George Castillo as Troy Bolton. With Gabriella being new to East High, the cliques and divisions within the school are challenged as her “brainiac”/ science label is stretched when she auditions for the school play. Likewise Troy goes beyond what’s expected as star of the basketball team when he auditions with her.
Annie Washa (7th grade) did a thoroughly convincing job as the unkind, ambitious drama queen Sharpay whose dominance in theater is uncertain for the first time. Bryan Nelson played her brother Ryan and danced his way into the hearts of the audience. Bailey Franklin channelled her inner drama teacher and portrayed Ms. Darbus providing constant laughter for the audience. Coach Bolton was her foil as the serious basketball coach who knows sports are more important than drama. He was earnestly portrayed by Seamus Murphy. Jack Scott, the voice of East High, was done by Raheem Lawal for 2 nights and Braxton Puentes for the third. Many, many more students excelled in their roles, and the audience clapped and cheered at the curtain calls to show their appreciation.
If you see people around Falls Church smiling, humming and singing as they go about their routines, you can bet they were lucky members of the audience this weekend. It will be a long wait until next year’s performance by the talented students at MEH.
FRIDAY 2/25: MEH to Perform ‘High School Musical Jr’
February 21, 2011 by Falls Church Times Staff · Leave a Comment
High School Musical Junior” will be performed by a cast of dozens on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, February 24-26th. The performance begins at 7pm. This lively musical productions features student groups in a high school working through their differences and ultimately knowing “We are all in this together!”. The thespians, brainiacs, cheerleaders, skateboarders, basketball players and others will sing, dance and delight for three nights.
This is sure to be a great show with capacity crowds. Tickets for all ages are $8.00. Concessions will be available during each performance. Doors open at 6:30. Enter through the front door at Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School, 7130 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church. Ample parking available at the school
