Thursday, February 14, 2013
Shanlon Wu says our children deserve no less.
- OPINION
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Thursday, February 14
As a parent and an attorney, I commend the McLean Patch for covering the need to reform school disciplinary policies, namely the Feb. 6 article, “The Ad Hoc Community Committee on Student Rights and Responsibilities is Gathering Community Input." The District of Columbia and Maryland are seeking to curb injustices by addressing the disproportionate suspension rate for charter schools and reducing out-of-school suspensions for nonviolent offenses respectively. The Fairfax school system should follow suit, given that college and university discipline codes suffer the same lack of uniformity. The proposed amendments to the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook requiring students be notified of their right to remain silent is a step in…
Monday, December 10, 2012
Jeffery Platenberg will replace retiring Dean Tistadt as assistant superintendent for facilities and services.
The Fairfax County Public School system has hired Jeffrey Platenberg to replace retiring assistant superintendent for facilities and services Dean Tistadt. Platenberg began his career with FCPS, but is currently the assistant superintendent for support services with Loudoun County Public Schools. He takes over the FCPS job on Jan. 3. “Jeffrey Platenberg is an experienced assistant superintendent for facilities, having worked in that capacity for Loudoun County schools since 2007,” FCPS Superintendent Jack Dale said in a statement. “His professional expertise will transfer easily to FCPS. And we are happy to welcome him back to Fairfax, where he began his career in 1985.” In Loudoun, Platenberg "oversees the operations of safety and …
AP scores rise while those for IB dipped slightly, Fairfax County Public Schools says
The number of Fairfax County Public Schools students taking higher-level courses is rising, the system said this week. Data released by the system shows a significant increase in the total number of students enrolled in classes as well as the number of exams given. It also shows a higher percentage of students are earning a passing score on Advanced Placement exams, though the percentage of International Baccalaureate students scoring 4 or higher on their exams dipped slightly. FCPS Superintendent Jack Dale said in a statement the increase can be attributed in part to more access to AP and IB coursework and differentiated instruction at the schools. “The increases in AP and IB participation are the result of an emphasis on expanding access…
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Lack of diversity, low math performance prompt members to ask for plan as early as September
The Fairfax County School Board is worried about a lack of diversity and slipping student math performance at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST), saying this week changes must be made to the school’s rigorous admissions process. The board convened to discuss what those changes might look like during a two-hour work session Thursday night in front of a packed crowd at FCPS’ Gatehouse Administration Center in Falls Church. Concerned parents, teachers and stakeholders piled into the conference room, with many choosing to stand or sit on the floor. The school attracts an average of 3,300 or more students every year, applying for 480 available spots. “Obviously, we have way more competitive applicants than we do …
Monday, July 16, 2012
How to tell school officials what you want.
Fairfax school officials hope to select a new principal for McLean High School by the time school opens September 6. “My goal is to have someone here for the first day of school,” Marty Smith, the assistant superintendent who oversees McLean schools, told 15 parents, students and residents who gathered in the high school auditorium Thursday for an explanation of the principal selection process. Earlier this month, popular McLean High School Principal Deborah Jackson was promoted within Fairfax County Public Schools, accepting a new position as a special project administrator and leaving a vacancy at the top of one of the most sought-after schools in the county. Paul Jones, a retired assistant principal from McLean High School, will serve…
Friday, May 25, 2012
Summer programs for students
Registration for FCPS summer enrichment camps ends today. Camps range from fashion camp to tech adventure camp. Parents can register their children through today for a few available spots in the Institute for the Arts (students currently in grades 6-11), the Elementary Institute for the Arts (students currently in grades 3-5) and Tech Adventure Camp (students currently in grades 5-7) . The Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics camp (for students in grades 3-5) currently is full, but a waiting list is available. For more information.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
U.S. News releases list of best high schools in the nation.
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) has been ranked the second-best high school in the country and the best high school in the state of Virginia, according to national rankings of the best high schools by U.S. News. McLean High was No. 4 and Langley No. 6 among Virginia schools. George Mason High and George Marshall High Schools, both in Falls Church, were Nos. 3 and 4. U.S. News evaluated nearly 22,000 public high schools in 49 states and the District of Columbia. Ninety-six Virginia schools made the list. George Mason was the only Virginia school to make the top 25 schools on the national list as No. 19. The School for the Talented and Gifted in Texas was selected as the top school in the nation. The School …
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
480 students accepted, 64 percent Asian students
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) has offered admission to 480 students for the class of 2016, according to a news release from Fairfax County Public Schools. The number of admitted students is the exact same as the number admitted last year since the school is permitted to admit 480 ninth grade students every year under Regulation 335.10. Many McLean students attend Thomas Jefferson, the county's most elite public high school. According to admissions statistics for the class of 2016, a total of 3,423 students applied. Based on data from previous years outlined in Patch’s admissions series on TJHSST from last year, the magnet school had 113 more applicants for the class of 2016 compared to the 3,310 that …
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Morning Briefing
- GOVERNMENT
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Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Good Morning Neighbors, Today Virginia Presidential Primary Day. 5 things to know to help you vote. Virginia Legislature to Fairfax County: Still can't open schools before Labor Day. New Plans for Lewinsville Center. Fairfax County tries again to build a new and expanded Lewinsville Center. McLean Daffodil Explosion. Profusion of daffs erupts in McLean, seemingly overnight.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Class sizes were a major issue in last year's tough school board race.
The proposed Fairfax County schools budget contains $2 million to shrink elementary school class sizes in McLean and Great Falls, the Dranesville school board representative told a citizens committee this week. Jane Strauss, Dranesville school board member and chair of the school board, joined Dranesville Supervisor John Foust at the annual joint meeting of the Education Committee and the Budget and Taxation Committee of the McLean Citizens Association to discuss the proposed budget. Foust reiterated his belief that the Board of Supervisors will not approve the school superintendent's request for a nine percent increase in the schools proposed budget of $2.4 billion. "I don’t see them going to 9 percent," Foust said. "I think that’s very…
Lifelong Dranesville Citizen
10:42 am on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Hopefully Mr. Platenberg is a more honest and trustworthy caretaker of taxpayer dollars than Dean Tistadt was. Not suprised that Mr. Tistadt is leaving with Mr. Dale... more ›