School Notes

Here are some people and events making news at your Fairfax County Public Schools.

• NBC4 chief meteorologist Doug Kammerer will talk about weather patterns, forecasting tools, and how to read radar during a visit to Aldrin Elementary  on Tuesday, October 9, at 1 p.m. An alumnus of FCPS, Kammerer will speak to students in grades 2-6 about reporting current weather conditions, making forecasts that are accurate for the current day and future days, and how meteorologists use electronic tools to help them identify weather patterns and develop a forecast.
• Shannon Pickard, a motivational speaker whose inspirational programs include high energy antics and challenges for audience members, will speak to students at Carson Middle on Wednesday, October 10, throughout the day. October 10 is recognized as Unity Day by the National Bullying Prevention Center and students at Carson will work together on that day to unite against bullying. Pickard is also a writer, producer, and co-host of a weekly TV show, Teen Talk.
• Clermont Elementary  plans to Rock the Red during its schoolwide bullying prevention program, Be a Buddy not a Bully, on Wednesday, October 10, at 2 p.m. Washington Capitals mascot Slapshot will be on hand to reinforce the school’s goals of teaching students to be active, not passive, bystanders if they see someone being bullied, harassed, or teased.
• Auto Collision, Auto Technology and Auto Dealership students and staff are working together to host an open house at Marshall Academy on Wednesday, October 10, from noon to 2:30 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. Tours, student demonstrations and presentations by auto program teachers to showcase the academy’s auto programs will be held for invited guests, including employees of local dealerships and auto parts stores and other professionals in the industry. This is the first open house to highlight the auto program and will help local employers see how students are prepared for careers in these fields. Marshall Academy houses the state’s only high school auto dealership.
• Zip lines, a rope course, and team building lessons will be part of the Haycock Elementary fifth grade field trip to Camp Highroads October 10-12. The six classes will learn to work together as they enjoy nature hikes and star gazing; learn survival skills, how to identify trees, stream ecology, and how to build a campfire and bonfire; take a hay ride; and hear from speakers about Native Americans and the Civil War. The trip is designed to teach students how to reach beyond their comfort zones and work as a team with their classmates while supporting each other during the three-day, two-night trip.
• Everyone Belongs, an assembly that focuses on anti-bullying strategies, will be presented at Greenbriar East Elementary on Thursday, October 11, at 9:45 and 11 a.m. Counselor and comedian Paul Hadfield will present students with the knowledge and skills to stop bullying at their school. He uses comedy, visuals, student performers, and role-play to help reinforce the message that everyone belongs while teaching students to be aware of bullying behavior, exhibit empathy, and, as bystanders, use skills to thwart negative behavior. This assembly is the second part of the series sponsored by the school on bullying awareness. Students are learning four rules: to not bully others, help fellow students, include everyone and tell an adult if someone is being bullied.
• Author and FCPS alumna Tori Hogan, founder and director of Beyond Good Intentions, will speak to eighth grade social studies students at Longfellow Middle  on Friday, October 12, beginning at 12:27 p.m. Hogan’s organization produces films and educational programs on the effectiveness of international aid. She has spent more than a decade in the developing world as an aid worker, volunteer, researcher, and filmmaker. Frustrated by the lack of results she witnessed while working with refugees in Africa and the Middle East, she began working on a ten-part film series on the effectiveness of aid and has written a book about her experiences. She now dedicates her time to educating young people about the topic.
• The Chantilly High Pyramid will host its first Bullying Awareness Day on Friday, October 12, at Rocky Run Middle. The theme of the day, Stand by Me, was chosen to support the countywide initiative to provide students with information and strategies to identify bullying and what to do if they are faced with a bullying situation. Students will learn the definition of bullying — when a person or group of people repeatedly use words or actions to intentionally cause physical or emotional harm to another person — and will be given the opportunity to take an anti-bullying pledge. Students will receive a purple wristband with the theme on it and are encouraged to wear purple for the day. Each of the nine schools in the Chantilly Pyramid will display the signed pledges in their school and a message on the school marquee.
• With a goal of strengthening the links between school and families, members of the Westgate Elementary staff will present several workshops to help parents on Saturday, October 13, from 8:40 to 11:45 a.m. Sessions will include information about the Parent Resource Center, writing and reading workshops, positive discipline, math help, healthy habits, and Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) testing. Westgate 101, a session designed to answer questions specifically about the school, will also be offered. The event was planned for a Saturday in an effort to accommodate more parents.
• Bull Run Elementary’s Student Council Association held elections in late September as 24 candidates campaigned for nine positions on the council. Candidates made posters, wrote speeches and delivered messages live via the in-house TV news show. On election day, they greeted students arriving at school with homemade handouts seeking support. The mission of the Bull Run SCA is to represent the interests of all students and increase student decision-making power, and to improve school life through the creation and continuation of viable, effective student services. The group is committed to preserve and protect the traditions of the school while supporting students in their academic and community endeavors.
• The Girls on the Run program is up and running at Bull Run Elementary, where 20 girls have registered for the fall session, which began October 2. The 10-week program meets before school and includes running as a mentoring tool to help students train for a 5K while participating in activities related to self-esteem, lifestyle choices, and healthy eating. Teachers and coaches Martha Mishkin and Dana Doss, along with a parent volunteer, lead the girls in discussions about building confidence and healthy lifestyles. Sessions also include a warm-up, a running activity, and a cool down.
• Two new Nigerian dwarf goats have been donated to Cameron Elementary by James Otwell, a high school classmate of Cameron teacher David Hill. Otwell shared information with the school on how to care for the school’s newest residents. The goats join numerous chickens and rabbits that live in the courtyard at the school, and are cared for by a group of students, assisted by the principal and two instructional assistants. The courtyard was established by retired principal George Towery, who wanted to give the students an opportunity to love and be responsible for living creatures.
• Daniels Run Elementary has been selected as a Virginia Naturally School for the sixth straight year by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries for its environmental efforts during the 2011-12 school year. Virginia Naturally Schools is the official environmental education school recognition for the state and is also supported by the Virginia Departments of Education and Environmental Quality. Last year, Daniels Run also became an official monarch way station, a program of Monarchwatch.org. The school provides milkweed, nectar plants, and shelter for monarchs throughout their annual cycle of reproduction and migration.
• Run, Floris, Run!, the popular fitness program at Floris Elementary that includes more than 220 students, staff members, and parents, is in its second year. Spearheaded by physical education teachers Heather O’Neal and Maddie Humphrey, Run, Floris, Run! uses a reward system for motivation. Students use running cards to keep track of the laps and miles run over the course of two six-week sessions. Participants run or walk as many laps as possible in a 30-minute time period every Friday morning. For each lap, a student earns a mark on his or her card until the card is filled after 25 laps or five miles. Students receive a toe token when they complete a card; after running 25, 75, and 100 miles, they also receive a number token representing the number of miles completed. Participation in community fun runs and local events can also be counted in their number of laps and miles. While Run, Floris, Run! promotes fitness, it is also designed to build self-confidence and encourage new friendships. The program runs through November and resumes in April.