student | FFXnow

Published October 25, 2023 at 9:30AM

Justice High School students walked out on Monday in support of Palestinians (courtesy Justice High School Muslim Student Association)

Students at schools across Fairfax County have or are planning to walk out this week in a show of solidarity with Palestinians suffering in the latest war between Israel and Hamas, the militant group that governs the Gaza Strip.

Dubbed a “Humanitarian Walkout Week,” the demonstrations began last Friday (Oct. 20) at Annandale High School and continued on Monday (Oct. 23) at Justice High School in Lake Barcroft. Organizers at Oakton High School reported that at least 200 students participated in their walkout yesterday (Tuesday).

Countywide

Langley HS student and others lauded by county for working to improve environment

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 15, 2023 at 2:30PM

Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck (via Fairfax County)

A senior at Langley High School, a county planner who helped craft an environmental plan for Reston, and a local business dedicated to reducing waste are among the recipients of this year’s Fairfax County Environmental Excellence Awards.

Handed out annually since 2000, the awards recognize residents, county staff, businesses and other organizations “who demonstrate extraordinary leadership within the community and exceptional dedication to the preservation and enhancement of the county’s natural resources,” according to the Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination.

Countywide

Fairfax County Public Schools pilots program offering students flexible school hours

By Vivian Hoang

Published June 23, 2023 at 11:45AM

Herndon High School classroom (via Fairfax County Public Schools)

This past spring, Fairfax County Public Schools launched a new Twilight Program to assist students whose “life circumstances” beyond the classroom complicated their ability to attend classes.

The program operates outside of the traditional 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. high school day with the goal of helping students graduate on time, FCPS Special Projects Administrator for the Non-Traditional Schools and Programs Joe Thompson says.

Countywide

FCPS proposes to update dress code and more severely punish substance misuse

By Matt Blitz

Published May 16, 2023 at 11:45AM

Fairfax County Public Schools (file photo)

Fairfax County Public Schools is proposing some notable updates to its student policies.

At last week’s school board meeting, school officials laid out a number of proposed revisions to its Student Rights and Responsibilities handbook, including how cases of bullying are handled, what’s interpreted as appropriate clothing, and the potential for increased punishment for substance misuse.

News

Vertical farm built by Luther Jackson MS students grows crops to feed local families

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 29, 2023 at 11:45AM

Luther Jackson Middle School student Vivian Nguyen is among 15 students who designed and built a vertical farm for their engineering class (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

In its quest to minimize waste, the vertical farm housed in a shed behind Merrifield’s Luther Jackson Middle School will one day be sustained by fish feces.

Barely the length of a fingernail, the larval tilapia swimming around a small tank in the shed will soon grow large enough to be transferred into a bigger bucket with a filter that separates fish poop and other solids from water.

News

County unveils student art submitted for future Richmond Highway bus stations

By Melanie Pincus

Published March 27, 2023 at 3:45PM

This artwork proposed by students for the Woodlawn station uses nature scenes to evoke the Pope-Leighey House and Arcadia Farm (via FCDOT)

In the year 2030, travelers on The One — the dedicated bus service planned for the Richmond Highway (Route 1) corridor — will be able to wait for their next ride while taking in artwork designed by local students.

Proposed artwork for seven of the nine future Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit stations is now online, and county residents can share their preferences by filling out a survey that is open through April 3.

News

FCPS student lives out dream with Broadway debut in ‘Parade’ revival

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 17, 2023 at 10:30AM

Fairfax Academy and Madison High School student Sophia Manicone made her Broadway debut in a "Parade" revival, which started at New York City Center (courtesy FCPS)

Sophia Manicone has come a long way from her “Vienna Idol” days.

The 18-year-old Vienna resident recently realized the dream of every theater kid with her Broadway debut in the revival of “Parade,” which officially opened yesterday (Thursday) at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre in New York City.

News

TJ students win local Congressional contest by designing app to help kids with autism

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 1, 2023 at 11:45AM

Thomas Jefferson High School students Soham Jain, Rohan Kotla and Samvrit Rao (left to right) developed the app RoutineRemind to help kids with autism (courtesy Samvrit Rao)

An app created by a trio of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology students to help kids with autism may someday be deployed in Fairfax County’s special education classrooms.

Sophomores Soham Jain, Rohan Kotla and Samvrit Rao have already earned recognition from Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-10) for RoutineRemind, an app designed to help parents and kids keep track of their schedules.

News

McLean Community Center hopes to reach youths with new ambassador program

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 22, 2022 at 11:00AM

The McLean Community Center's Old Firehouse Center (file photo)

The McLean Community Center is on the lookout for local teens who are in tune with what kids these days enjoy.

The community center has launched a new MCC Youth Ambassador initiative that invites students from McLean and Langley high schools to provide input on and promote events at their schools and online.

News

Police: Two juveniles charged after student stabbed at Mount Vernon HS

By Angela Woolsey

Published November 3, 2022 at 11:45AM | Updated November 3, 2022 at 1:28PM

Mount Vernon High School (via Google Maps)

(Updated at 1:30 p.m.) Fairfax County police have charged two teens in connection to yesterday’s stabbing at Mount Vernon High School.

A male teen was stabbed in a bathroom “following an altercation with another student,” drawing a police response to the school on Old Mount Vernon Road at 1:17 p.m., the Fairfax County Police Department said in an email.