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Thursday, December 12, 2019
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FCCPS Photo/Jeff Buck
Presenting Platforms in Civics
 In 7th grade Civics, working in small groups, students form political parties. They come up with a name, slogan, and mascot, and work on ideas for a platform to improve the school. This week they presented their platform to their class and community members to try to win the election. The winning party's ideas will be given to the school's administrators and implemented using a PTA grant. This year, proposed new plans include many showing how students care about school culture and the environment. They include LGBTQ+ awareness, after school sports clubs, mental health days, a rainwater collection system for the building; food waste composting; gender-neutral bathrooms; more gluten-free, vegan, and lactose-free lunch options; and improved recycling at Henderson. A huge thank you to all the volunteers for judging and providing valuable feedback.
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On-Demand: Calendar Presentation and Discussion
Video of the Calendar Survey Results Presentation to the Falls Church School Board and board member discussion is now available on the FCCPS YouTube channel. The board is set to approve the 2020-21 calendar during a Special Meeting next Tuesday, December 17, at 7:00 p.m. in the Central Office Conference Room.
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FCCPS Photo/Lauren Carpel
Hour of Code Events
Computer Science Education Week
 This week is Computer Science Education Week, complete with the celebration of Hour of Code, being observed with different events in the schools. Plus for added inspiration, yesterday was the birthday of Grace Hopper. Born in 1906, she was a mathematician, professor, Navy admiral and pioneer of computing. Today at Mt. Daniel, the morning is blocked out for all the grades to participate in Hour of Code assemblies with chances to teach the adults all they know about coding. Thomas Jefferson students are participating in activities all week: 3rd graders love coding Ozobots, 4th and 5th grade are rocking it with Edison robots. While at Henderson, students above are immersed in writing lines of code.
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FCCPS Photo/Courtesy Ari Autor
Swimmers Win Class 3 Season Debut
 Mason's Boys and Girls Swim teams made their Class 3 debut last week with a surprise win against John Handley High School. Earning this victory in the season opener, Mustang swimmers were on top 125 to 38 for the boys and 96 to 66 for the girls. Mason swimmers dominated from the opening to final events, winning every relay and taking first place in 14 of 16 individual races. Read a complete write up here.
Mason swimmers have a busy weekend of competition with a tri-meet Friday, at 7:30 p.m. at the Manassas Park Community Center against James Wood and Sherando. On Saturday, Mason participates in the Holiday Hundreds Invitational at Colgan High School at 6:00 p.m. Please bring donations for the food drive. See the flyer here.
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This Saturday
GMHS Cheerleading Clinic for K-5
Aspiring cheerleaders and students who like to tumble, jump and balance should head to the Mustang's Auxilliary Gym on Saturday at 9:00 a.m. for a three-hour clinic, including pom poms and a bow! Kindergartners through fifth-graders are welcome. The $40 fee, payable at the door, benefits the GM Cheer program. Participants will cheer alongside GM cheerleaders at the Tuesday, Dec. 17th boys basketball game in the Main Gym. See the flyer here.
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Saturday Fun for Elementary Families
Winterfest Carnival Hosted by SCA
  Come to the WinterFest Carnival this Saturday, December 14th, from 5 to 8:00 p.m. This fun new event is GM's Student Council's way to fill a gap in their community charitable work. The fall's annual Halloween Hootenanny fundraiser for the Arlington Food Assistance Center was canceled because of the construction. To make up for fundraising loss, this new winter-themed event for the elementary-aged students will feature snowball fights, carnival games, a photo booth, Chick-Fil-A, raffle and prizes, and refreshments. Plan to attend! See the flyer here.
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GIVE Day for Elementary Students
 On the MLK Jr. Holiday, elementary students and their families can participate in the GIVE Day 2020 in the TJ Gym, packing "power packs" of weekend food for families in need in the region. The service/learning project needs to raise $10,000 to make the day a success. Please consider these ways to participate and contribute:
+ Dine Out at Clare & Don's on Monday from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. Portions of food sales will go to GIVE day, and the student ambassadors are hosting a raffle and silent auction.
+ Contribute today! Donate directly here.
+ Volunteer to participate on January 20th. Save the date now! Head to TJ that Monday at 10:00 a.m. and help assemble 1,600 "power packs."
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Coffees Today at TJ and JTP
Today, both TJ and JTP are inviting parents to participate in coffees.
 TJ's Principal Swanson is hosting Chalk Chats at 7:30 a.m., and 12:30 p.m. Sessions are for parents only! Please attend whichever meeting is right for you.
 JTP's Thursday's Parent Coffee is at 9:00 a.m. It's on the topic of "Managing Holiday Stress." Please park in the FC Presbyterian Church parking lot off of N. Fairfax and walk through Frady Park to the school.
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Today's Calendar
Start times
8:05 a.m. - Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School
8:05 a.m. - George Mason High School
8:20 a.m. - Jessie Thackrey Preschool
+ Parent Coffee, Managing Holiday Stress - 9:00 a.m.
8:50 a.m. - Mount Daniel Elementary
+ Hour of Code assemblies - 9:15 a.m., 10:15 a.m., 11:00 a.m.
8:50 a.m. - Thomas Jefferson Elementary
+ Chalk Chats with Principal Swanson - 7:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Extra-Curricular
7:00 p.m. - Town Hall on West End Economic Development (City Hall)
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