SCA Fundraising Success Support Haiti!

Under the direction of Ms. Bullard and Ms. Bafaro, the SCA team raised more than $8,000 in about ten days to be donated to Project Hope. The Snow Storms did interrupt the collection, therefore, two of the teachers are still going forward with shaving their heads in appreciation of the students’ efforts. Wednesday, March 10th, there will be a “head shaving event’ during Lancer Time and the media will be present to record the event and to also recognize the students’ efforts. The funds will be donated to Project Hope. 

On March 10, 2010, at 9:00 AM in the Langley High School Auditorium, the LHS PTSA Family Network committee will present a program entitled, "What's the big deal-kids will be kids." Recent research indicates that even occasional binge drinking can have a lasting effect on a teen's brain. In fact, a comparison between teens who binge drink (even just twice a month) and those who do not shows a 10% difference in thinking and memory test--in school, that could be the difference between one letter grade or another. Our guest speakers will discuss how alcohol use really does affect teens differently than adults, and how "pre-gaming" has changed in recent years. In the most recent FXCo. Youth Survey, McLean area high schools had some of the highest rates of alcohol use and binge drinking in the County; come learn what that means for our kids and why teen drinking really is a big deal.

Recently added to the program: LHS's substance abuse counselor will bring drug and alcohol paraphernalia actually confiscated from Fairfax County public schools. These items could sit out in plain sight and most parents would never realize that they were paraphernalia used by teens. It will be eye opening!

Regular registration for the Johns Hopkins University's Center for Talented Youth Residential Summer Programs will remain open until April 3rd.

Our summer programs offer eligible students from all over the country and around the world the opportunity to engage in challenging academic work in the company of peers who share their exceptional abilities and love of learning. While the focus is on rigorous academics and learning, the social experience that results from bringing these students together is an integral part of the program.  

Program dates for 2010:

First session: June 27 - July 16

Second session: July 18 - August 6

Applications are being taken online.

Financial Aid is available.

The 2010 Book Fair is coming!   

When:  March 8th through the 12th

Time:  8:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Location: Longfellow Library.

'Snack and Shop' will be opened for all students, accompanied with an adult, on Wednesday from 2:35-4:30pm.

Click HERE To Visit The Book Fair Website.  You can use the site to make up a "wish list" to print out to bring along to the fair!

New and FUN this year:

• Locker Lottery! Two locker numbers and one faculty name will be drawn each day March 8-12th. Winners will receive a $10 book certificate to use at the fair.
• "One for Books": This is Scholastic's charity program. The process is simple, just bring in your spare change and drop it in the collection box that will be in the main office beginning March 1st! Monies gathered are used to buy more books and the funds are matched by Scholastic and given to one of their three charity partners. For more information, please see the Book Fair Website. Proceeds will go to the upgrading of technology in the library.

Cash, Checks and Credit Cards accepted.

Proceeds will go to the upgrading of technology in the library.

Any questions, contact Judy Williams at jandjwilliams@yahoo.com or 703-347-1470.

Thanks to all of you who wrote letters, signed petitions, and made phone calls, Governor McDonnell decided to retore full funding for the Fairfax County share of the Local Composite Index.  So it appears that FCPS will receive the full $239.9 in operating revenue from the Commonwealth's Standards of Quality Basic Aid Account.

• 19 assistant principals will be cut; 
• Class size will increase because 297 teachers will be let go; 
• 66.5 custodians will be dismissed;
• 31 instructional assistants will be let go; 
• FLES program will be terminated;
• Teachers will not receive a pay raise for the second year in a row;
• Teacher training programs will suffer cuts;
• And, more.  

Click HERE To Read FY 2011 Proposed Budget Highlights.

Treats for the Troops is a Girl Scout Silver Star service project that our very own Lisa Cofrancesco (8-Spartans) has created to . . . well, in her own words . . .

"get donations of beanie babies and beef jerky, ramen soup etc. for our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. I called it Treats for the Troops because that is exactly what my project is about – getting treats for our troops. I felt like this would make them feel better and a little bit closer to home, just like we do when we have these same treats in our home. The beanie babies was a special kicker. I found out that beanie babies were being used by our troops to get local kids to help the troops find out where the explosives were hidden (IEDs). Through my research, I found two groups that send packages directly to the troops and they both agreed to accept the gifts that I raise for the troops (Operation Gratitude and Give2TheTroops). I am also sending packages directly to two platoons who have families in our community."

Lisa has several Treats for the Troops Collection Sites that have graciously agreed to help her with this worthwhile Silver Star service project:

• Longfellow Middle School front office, 2000 Westmoreland St, Falls Church, VA
• Bach to Rock music studio, 1440 Emerson Ave, McLean, VA
• Howrey LLP, 1299 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington DC 20004
• Datatel, 4375 Fair Lakes Court, Fairfax, Virginia 22033
• St. Luke’s Catholic Parish School, 7001 Georgetown Pike, McLean VA 22101

Thank You For Supporting Lisa Cofrancesco as she sends Treats for the Troops!