Schools | ARLnow.com

Demolition Rubble Makes Yorktown High Look Like a War Zone

Published September 1, 2010 at 3:54PM

Construction crews have been working feverishly over the summer to get the new Yorktown High School ready for students, while tearing down remnants of the old Yorktown High building. With one week left until students return and with a field full of rubble left to clear, it looks like the work may be coming down to the wire.

Check out the photos below, which show heavy equipment picking through huge piles of debris as well as a worker hosing down the rubble, apparently to keep dust down. Also below: a photo of the old high school, just before the demolition.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published August 24, 2010 at 5:56AM

Fire Works Pizza Opens in Courthouse — The much-anticipated Fire Works Pizza has finally opened its doors and its large outdoor patio. A “healthy” crowd showed up for the first night, writes TBD’s Rebecca Cooper.

New APS Teachers and Staff Getting Ready For New School Year — This week, all new Arlington Public Schools employees are undergoing a comprehensive training program to prepare them for the fast-approaching school year. School starts on Tuesday, Sept. 7.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published August 23, 2010 at 8:36AM

Three-Year-Old Boy Drowns Near Chain Bridge — The Arlington County Fire Department pulled the lifeless body of a 3-year-old boy from the Potomac River yesterday afternoon. He was pronounced dead at Virginia Hospital Center. The boy had been picnicking with his family near Chain Bridge when he somehow ended up in the water. More from TBD/ABC 7.

Alaska Plane Crash Survivor from Arlington Back in Va. — Friends and family were on hand at Dulles Airport to welcome Arlington resident Jim Morhard back to Virginia. The 54-year-old lobbyist is still recovering from injuries he sustained in the plane crash that killed former Alaska senator Ted Stevens. More from WUSA 9.

The Changing Demographics of Arlington’s Schools

By ARLnow.com

Published August 13, 2010 at 10:51AM

At a community chat hosted by the African American Leadership Council of Arlington Wednesday night, Arlington Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Pat Murphy was asked about the changing demographics of the school population.

According to Dr. Murphy, school administrators have observed the following trends:

Arlington Schools Fail to Reach Achievement Objectives

By ARLnow.com

Published August 12, 2010 at 3:34PM | Updated August 13, 2010 at 1:38AM

This year, 16 Arlington schools met federal AYP targets — down one from last year. The remaining 14 schools failed to meet AYP.

The neighboring Falls Church and Alexandria City school systems also failed to meet AYP. Fairfax County was the only school system in Northern Virginia to get a passing grade.

Superintendent to Hold Community Chat Tonight

By ARLnow.com

Published August 11, 2010 at 7:39AM

From 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., Dr. Murphy will talk about “a wide range of school-related topics,” and will answer questions from those in attendance.

The gathering, part of Dr. Murphy’s summer chat series, is being hosted by the African American Leadership Council of Arlington. Space is limited — call 703-228-2581 to RSVP.

Volunteer Opp: Back to School Donations

By ARLnow.com

Published July 30, 2010 at 10:46AM

Believe it or not, it’s almost back-to-school time. With August just around the corner, the Arlington-Alexandria Coalition for the Homeless is seeking volunteers to help the children of homeless families get some new gear.

Specifically, AACH wants individuals or groups to commit to buying a complete outfit — pants, shirt, underwear, socks, shoes — for an individual student. The organization is also accepting donations of gift cards.

Arlington Schools Among Region’s Top Spenders on Administration

By ARLnow.com

Published July 29, 2010 at 3:30PM

On a per student basis, Arlington is spending more on administrative functions and less on instruction than almost every other school district in Northern Virginia, reports Michael Lee Pope of the Arlington Connection.

Here’s an excerpt:

The $150,000 Soccer Ball

By ARLnow.com

Published July 14, 2010 at 1:09PM | Updated July 14, 2010 at 4:33PM

Q: What’s round, inflated and costing an insurance company $150,000?

A: The soccer ball that hit a sprinkler in a Washington-Lee High School hallway and ruined the brand new gym.

Planetarium Fundraising Event Planned

By ARLnow.com

Published July 13, 2010 at 2:09PM | Updated July 14, 2010 at 11:01AM

From 4:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 31, the Friends and the Northern Virginia Astronomy Club will be holding a marathon session of planetarium shows, to be followed by a chance to look at real stars through NOVAC’s telescopes.

The stargazing will take place outside the planetarium (1426 North Quincy Street). The County will shut off the lights at the nearby Washington-Lee High School track so the dark sky will be visible.

McGruff the Crime Dog Gets a Makeover

By ARLnow.com

Published July 1, 2010 at 9:29AM

Perhaps sensing that a mascot who talks to children while wearing a trench coat with nothing underneath is a bit suspect, the new McGruff now sports a shirt and tie, along with less frumpy-looking slacks and shoes.

In addition to a new look, McGruff has a new mission: to help prevent bullying. And who better to talk about bullying than someone who got punched in the face by a Metrobus driver?

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published June 25, 2010 at 5:58AM

Virginia Won’t Cut Off Money to Metro — Virginia Transportation Secretary Sean Connaughton says the $50 million per year the state pledges to Metro will not be cut off, after all. Connaughton had threatened to stop the annual payment unless the state were granted two seats on Metro’s Board of Directors. But after an outcry from local leaders, and a letter from Metro board members Chris Zimmerman (who’s also on the Arlington County board) and Catherine Hudgins, Connaughton and the McDonnell administration apparently had a change of heart. More from the Washington Post.

Career Center Wins State Accolade — The Arlington Career Center’s Automotive Technology Program has won the 2010 Virginia Governor’s Career and Technical Education Exemplary Standards Award. The program will receive $5,000 cash and a banner to display on the school.