School Updates - Communities In Schools of NOVA

Hyatt-Regency at Crystal City Explores Career Readiness, Hospitality

CIS of NOVA is partnering with Hyatt-Regency at Crystal City this spring to explore topics in career readiness, and careers in the hospitality field. During last year’s program, students created resumes, practiced interviewing skills, and visited the Hyatt-Regency in Crystal City to see what happens behind the scenes at one of the busiest places to work in Northern Virginia. During the February 11th session, freshmen students met with representatives from Hyatt to discuss personal branding, and the basics of networking. From identifying aspects of well-known brands such as Apple and Nike, to brainstorming ways that students can present their own “brand”, the [...]

Madelon Brennan2016-03-01T15:35:21+00:00March 1st, 2016|0 Comments

Diversity within Arlington Mill High School & the Arlington Career Center

By Cristian Pineda, Arlington Mill High School CIS Site Coordinator Before the first bell rings at 8am, the Arlington Career Center is filled with over 1,000 students coming from all over Arlington County. There are students who come from other high schools to take the career and technical classes, those who stay here full-time in the special programs of the school, and there even is Arlington Mill High School based inside the Career Center. It is a buzzing bee’s hive, and while all the students are worker bees in their own respective way, their differences are what unite them as future leaders [...]

Madelon Brennan2016-08-16T15:32:11+00:00February 26th, 2016|0 Comments

Combating Food Insecurity in the City of Alexandria

Francis C. Hammond Middle School is now one of the newest participants in the Blessings In a Backpack (BIB) program, thanks to the new partnership between Communities In School of NOVA, the United Way of the National Capital Area, ALIVE (ALexandrians InVolved Ecumenically), and the Alexandria Food Center. As the country honored the great Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on January 18th, we celebrated his legacy by launching BIB at Francis C. Hammond Middle School. Over 12 volunteers gathered at the Alexandria Food Center and worked diligently to pack 200 weekend backpacks for students at Hammond. These backpacks will be distributed to [...]

Madelon Brennan2016-08-16T15:26:26+00:00February 16th, 2016|0 Comments

African-American Read-In Coming To Gunston Middle School

The African-American Read-In will be held in the Gunston Middle School Library from February 17 through 19, 2016. The African-American Read-In is held during Black History Month, and there is a special focus on encouraging young people of color to read and enjoy literature. At Gunston, classes from all grades throughout the day will visit the library for a special reading by visitors, administrators, faculty, and staff. Readers can choose from a selection of books by African American authors, or choose their own book that is special to them. To make this great event even better, Gunston’s partnership with Reading Is Fundamental [...]

Madelon Brennan2016-08-16T15:26:15+00:00February 10th, 2016|0 Comments

Gunston’s National Geographic Bee Has A Winner

Gunston Middle School held its National Geographic Bee at the school-level the first week of February! Every grade at Gunston took an assessment during their respective social studies classes, and the top scorers from each grade were brought together on Wednesday morning for the second elimination round. Forty-five Gunston students competed at this level, and eleven made it to the final level of the competition, held on Thursday, February 4, 2016. The final competition was held in the traditional “bee” fashion, with students being asked oral questions, round by round. The final showdown was between four students, and it took a few [...]

Madelon Brennan2016-02-10T17:03:04+00:00February 7th, 2016|0 Comments

CIS of NOVA Accepting New & Gently Used Winter Clothing

As the weather is getting colder, many of our students are in need of extra articles of clothing to keep warm and arrive to school in proper attire. Communities In Schools of NOVA is in collaboration with their four partner schools to collect new and gently used clothing as a way to allow the community to give back and donate to students in need. CIS of NOVA Site Coordinators will be collecting the winter accessories, which will then be donated to our middle school, high school, and adult students for the cold weather. Examples of clothing that may benefit students are: Jackets Scarves Warm sweaters Gloves Ear [...]

Madelon Brennan2016-08-16T15:25:30+00:00January 18th, 2016|0 Comments

Science Fair Judges Needed for Gunston Middle School!

If you are passionate about helping students fulfill their potential and help them develop leadership skills, and you have time on January 12 and/or 13 from 2:30 to 4pm, the Gunston Middle School Science Fair needs your help! We need adults to judge the Science Fair - you will be evaluating four to six science fair projects by our 7th and 8th grade students in the course of one or two hours. You will be given a rubric on which to evaluate the students’ presentations. Gunston students started working on their projects in October, and finished recently by creating a presentation and [...]

Madelon Brennan2016-08-16T15:25:16+00:00January 6th, 2016|0 Comments

International Night 2015 at Gunston Middle School

Gunston Middle School held a magnificent International Night on Wednesday, December 16, 2015. From 6:30pm to 8pm, the Gunston community explored different countries and cultures through student projects, international dishes brought by families, and student-led performances. The outstanding performances included a Fashion Show planned by an enterprising group of 7th grade girls led by Gunston drama teacher, Caitlin Chapuis, which had 30 students model their cultural clothing. There was an amazing example of Bolivian Tinkus dancing from the famous Tinkus Cochabamba Bolivian Dance Troupe, where two students participated. A pair of Gunston 8th grade girls gave a sample of Irish dancing and [...]

Madelon Brennan2016-01-08T14:54:19+00:00December 18th, 2015|0 Comments

Gunston Middle School To Host International Night

Gunston Middle School is hosting the return of their International Night on Wednesday, December 16, from 6:30 to 8pm! International Night is an event that celebrates all countries and cultures represented in the Gunston school community, and the surrounding neighborhood community. Students will prepare projects, create a fashion show of traditional dress, and share dishes from their cultures with guests. There will also be performances by area dance troupes representing Southeast Asia and Central America, as well as a musical performance representing the Caribbean.

Madelon Brennan2015-12-08T04:07:57+00:00December 8th, 2015|0 Comments

Wakefield High School Brings Developmental Assets To Student Groups

Student group meetings focused on the 40 Development Assets have begun at Wakefield High School! October and November were focused on introductions, establishing group expectations, exposure to school clubs and time management skills. The students, mentors, Ms. Pauline Jo and Dan have been acquainting themselves with one another. Activities have included: ice breakers, time management activities, and completing self-addressed letter that students will reflect on a year from now. Ms. Pauline Jo has high hopes for the freshman students. She has plans to bring in guest speakers into the after-school tutoring sessions and give the students a chance to discussion that week’s [...]

Madelon Brennan2016-08-16T15:24:52+00:00November 30th, 2015|0 Comments