CITY OF FAIRFAX SCHOOL BOARD
Toby Sorsensen, Chair           Carolyn Pitches, Vice Chair
Jon Buttram      Mitch Sutterfield       Bob Reinsel
Peter Noonan, Superintendent

LETTER FROM CHAIRMAN TOBY SORENSEN
Dear City of Fairfax Community,

On behalf of the City of Fairfax School Board, I want to wish you all a safe and wonderful summer. This issue of CloseUp will be our last for the 2015-2016 school year and we celebrate some of our students' many achievements. Our schools will be busy throughout the summer - from Young Scholars to welcoming teacher delegations from China to working with the City of Fairfax Parks and Recreation to host summer camps - we will continue to be a central focus for our community.
 
I hope to see you on the 4th of July - the School Board will be in the annual parade and of course, watching the fireworks from Fairfax High School. Thank you again for your continued support of our schools.
 
Sincerely,
Toby Sorensen

 
CITY OF FAIRFAX SCHOOLS - PYRAMID SUCCESS
 
Sometimes all four schools and our City School Board get to share in success. Here are a few pyramid accomplishments and events from this year:
  • Fairfax Cares- The community joined together to pack 13,000 meals for students in need within our four schools. See the City's video summary here.
  • City of Fairfax students profiled for charity donations during the winter holidays.
    FHS Grads getting high fives from DRES students and teachers
  • FHS students reading to DRES students was profiled by FCPS in this Reading Buddies video.
  • Providence ES principal Jesse Kraft talked about the City of Fairfax's positive impact on his school. Watch the video here.
  • Fairfax High School graduates participated in our first Graduation Walk where they visited Providence ES, Daniels Run ES and Lanier Middle for high fives, well wishes from former teachers and provided some inspiration to our future high school grads .
  • Our City highlighted student art for Earth Day in City Hall.
     
PROVIDENCE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Providence Elementary School continues to lead the county with their award winning STEAM Lab. This year, Principal Kraft was recognized for his outstanding leadership. The continued development of programs such as the Reading NICU and Outdoor Classroom provides PES students with a solid foundation as they move on to middle school.
  • Principal Jesse Kraft was awarded the Educational Leadership award from Leadership Fairfax.
  • Providence STEAM Lab awarded the Program Excellence Award from the International Technology & Engineering Educator Association.
  • Amy Kleiman, Fifth Grade Teacher at Providence was recognized by the Fairfax Rotary as one of the 2016 Teachers of the Year.
  • Principal Kraft presented his State of the Schools report to the board in February. Read a summary here.
     
DANIELS RUN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Daniels Run ES continued to shine this year with their focus not only on academics, but enrichment as well. With the continuation of their Hour of Code week to their strong emphasis on environmental studies, music and the arts, DRES students are becoming outstanding community members.
  • DRES award winning environmental team profiled in the Washington Post.
    DRES students in the Washington Post
  • DRES singers earned a superior rating at the Kings Dominion Choral Festival.
  • Principal Adam Erbrecht presented his State of the Schools report to the Board.
  • DRES Girls on the Run thanked by Fairfax County Animal Shelter for dropping off donations and reading to the dogs. See pictures here. 
LANIER MIDDLE SCHOOL
LMS welcomed principal Erin Lenart this year with open arms. The school found national recognition in a variety of groups including the Lanier SPINNERS and the FCCLA club. We can't wait to see what LMS students have in store for next year!
  • Principal Erin Lenart was a finalist for the FCPS First Year Principal of the Year.
    Fairfax Rotary Teachers of the Year. Photo from the Fairfax Times.
  • Reading Specialist Tania Dedham recognized by Fairfax Rotary as one of the 2016 Teachers of the Year.
  • Lanier SPINNERS won the regional KidWind challenge and placed fifth in the National competition.
  • LMS students won the National School Board Association student challenge in Boston.
  • Lanier students dominated the Environmental Showcase at George Mason University
  • Three members of the LMS Family, Career and Community Leaders of America won the Virginia State competition and will travel to San Diego for the Nationals.
  • LMS students collected socks for the homeless and were profiled in the Fairfax Connection
  • Principal Lenart presented her first State of the School Report in March to the School Board.
     
FAIRFAX ACADEMY FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND THE ARTS
Our famous 'school within a school' continues to impress with their wide reach of academic enrichment. From foreign languages to musical theatre to television production to fashion to the new social media class, the Academy students are clearly preparing for big things in their future.
  • Produced the wonderful winter musical "Cabaret" 
  • Photography student Riley Mead won first place at the Virginia SkillsUSA Conference and will compete for the national prize this week in Louisville.
  • Fashion students produced their annual Fashion Show
    Chris Johnston
  • Academy Music and Computer Technology teacher Chris Johnston nominated for 2017 Grammy Music Editor Award

 
FAIRFAX HIGH SCHOOL
Fairfax High School continues to shine at the top of our pyramid. Here are just a few of the wonderful achievements by students and staff at FHS. To read a summary of the state of the school report by Principal Dave Goldfarb, please see the Fairfax Connection, "Fairfax High Principal Sees Glory Days".
  • FHS students were awarded Male and Female VHSL Athletes of the Year. Read about Mike and Tessa in the Washington Post.
  • Randy Wolfinger named one of the Fairfax Rotary Teachers of the Year.  
  • FX Players had 18 Cappies nominations and five wins.
  • FHS Dave Goldfarb was profiled in FCPS Meet the Principal series.
  • FHS Students held a stress management workshop for her fellow classmates.
  • FHS DECA students Davine DeJean, Sahzdae Frasier, Jordan Kehoe, Taylor Wilk, Maryhelen Storey placed first at the Virginia State DECA Conference.
  • FHS senior Samson Miller set a new school record and placed first at the Liberty Conference Dive Championship.
  • FHS student Rosy Molina earned a silver medal for art portfolio in the 2016 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards program.
  • FHS Science Olympiad team placed third in the Virginia Science Olympiad Tournament.
Thank you and have a safe and happy summer! See you September 6th!
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