education briefs

Thursday, May 19, 2005

GMU Commencement

George Mason University will hold its 38th commencement at 10 a.m. Saturday at the campus's Patriot Center arena. The graduating class of 6,354 will be the largest in the school's history.

U.S. Sen. John W. Warner (R-Va.) will deliver the commencement address.

Of the graduates, 3,494 students are receiving undergraduate degrees and 2,611 will be awarded master's or doctoral degrees. The School of Law will graduate 249 students.

George Mason's oldest graduate this year is 77, while the youngest is 18, GMU officials said in a news release.

Fairfax Seeks Census Data

Fairfax County and Fairfax City schools are sending a second census letter this month to those who did not respond to an initial mailing in March.

Officials said in a news release that since critical state funding depends upon the results of the Virginia School Census, every effort is being made to reach all county and city residents. Responses are being sought from all households, even if there are no children residing at an address.

The census is conducted every three years to determine the schools' share of the state sales tax. The census counts every child from age 5 to 19, including those serving in the military or not enrolled in an educational setting.

The 2005 Virginia School Census is available online at http://www.fcps.edu/census, and responses are confidential. More information can be found at http://www.fcps.edu/news/census.htm or by calling 703-329-7765. Translation assistance is provided in Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, Urdu, Chinese, Arabic and Farsi.

Chatterbox Fun Fair

The county school system will hold its annual Chatterbox Fun Fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Kings Glen Elementary School in Springfield.

Almost 400 students and their families have been invited to attend the fair, designed for students in preschool through sixth grade who use assistive technology to communicate.

The students use communication boards with picture symbols as well as devices that produce a verbal message when a switch or message area is activated.

Examples of the various communication devices will be available at the fair.

Students and their families will also be able to meet and talk with other children and families who use technology or picture boards to communicate.

For information, call 703-204-3919.

Snowshoe Program Cited

The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports has given the county school system an award for innovative education programs, singling out its pilot snowshoeing program.

The program was held at Dogwood, Flint Hill and Great Falls elementary schools, Franklin and Liberty middle schools and Marshall High School.

Students were instructed on proper technique and agility and participated in flexibility exercises and games. In addition, parent-accompanied field trips were held during the winter so students could practice the sport.

An Anniversary at Aldrin

Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, after Neil Armstrong the second person to walk on the moon, will speak at Buzz Aldrin Elementary School on May 27 to help the Reston school celebrate its 10th anniversary.

The events will be from 2 to 3:30 p.m., with a school-wide ceremony for students, school staff members and invited guests.

Activities will include student performances, a re-dedication of the school by current and past principals, the placement of items into a time capsule and the presentation of a plaque and tree by the Aldrin PTA.

Members of the Herndon High School senior class who attended Aldrin are planning a reunion at the school from 3 to 4 p.m.

Following the celebration, Aldrin and illustrator Wendell Minor will sign copies of their new children's book, "Reaching for the Moon."

The school is at 11375 Center Harbor Rd. For information, call 703-904-3865.