Schools | ARLnow.com

DEVELOPING: APS Exploring New School on Wilson Blvd Property

Published April 23, 2014 at 7:00PM | Updated April 24, 2014 at 12:01PM

Located at 1601 Wilson Blvd in Rosslyn, the Wilson School was built in 1910 and preservationists have been calling for it to be restored rather than torn down. Under a plan approved by the School Board last summer, it was to be demolished to make way for a private mixed-use development with affordable housing, a new fire station and a 1.5 acre park.

Now, according to a press release (after the jump), that plan has been scrapped in favor of retaining the property and perhaps building a new secondary school at the site, to address the school system’s capacity crunch.

Photos: Ashley Wagner Visits Arlington Science Focus ES

By Ethan Rothstein

Published April 21, 2014 at 4:45PM

U.S. Olympic figure skater Ashley Wagner paid a visit to the children and faculty of Arlington Science Focus Elementary School this afternoon to campaign against underage drinking.

Wagner, sporting the bronze medal she won this year as part of the U.S. figure skating team, told the hundreds who gathered in the school’s gymnasium that after she started training to become a figure skater when she was 5 years old, she vowed to do whatever it took to get to the Olympics.

Police Sponsoring HS, MS T-Shirt Design Contest

By Ethan Rothstein

Published March 28, 2014 at 10:15AM | Updated March 28, 2014 at 10:43AM

Students are asked to submit designs for the theme “Honoring the Fallen By Remembering Their Sacrifice,” by Friday, April 4 at 3:00 p.m. Designs are asked to be drawn in marker — with no more than four colors — on a sheet of letter paper. The winning designs will be printed for shirts during Police Week, May 11-17.

The grand prize for the contest is $100 gift card, a press release with the winner’s name and school in it and a free T-shirt with the winning design. Each school’s School Resource Officer will be collecting the submissions, which will be printed on the back of black and/or blue shirts.

SOL Grades at Drew School Falling Behind

By Ethan Rothstein

Published March 25, 2014 at 3:35PM | Updated March 25, 2014 at 5:00PM

Over the past 10 years, the graded program at Drew Model Elementary School has performed at an average of 23 percent below the county’s average in the 3rd-through-5th grade Standards of Learning exams, according to data from Arlington Public Schools’ Department of Planning and Education.

The numbers get worse the older the students get. Third-graders in the graded program — as opposed to Drew’s Montessori program, which takes children from around the county and performs on par with other elementary programs — pass the reading SOL 23.9 percent less frequently than APS average and the math 17.9 percent less frequently. For fifth-graders, that drops to 30.4 percent worse in reading and 23.2 percent worse in math.

APS Seeks Quite a Few Good Teachers

By ARLnow.com

Published March 24, 2014 at 1:30PM

Arlington Public School has created a video as part of its effort to recruit new teachers to the burgeoning school system.

Drew Elementary Principal Resigns After DUI Arrest

By ARLnow.com

Published March 19, 2014 at 2:30PM | Updated March 19, 2014 at 11:10PM

File photo

Smith, a 53-year-old Arlington resident, was arrested on the 1100 block of S. Rolfe Street, in the Arlington View neighborhood, around 3:30 a.m. on Friday, March 7. Smith was observed by an officer stopping at a green light, weaving in and out of lanes and almost striking a parked car, according to Arlington County Police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck.

The officer pulled Smith over and she subsequently failed a field sobriety test, Sternbeck said. Smith was arrested and taken to the Arlington County Detention Center. Four days after the arrest, Drew Elementary parents were notified that Smith was “retiring.”

Electrical Fire at Washington-Lee HS

By ARLnow.com

Published March 14, 2014 at 11:00AM

The fire broke out near the attendance office, according to Arlington Public Schools spokeswoman Linda Erdos. It was quickly extinguished, but not before the school’s sprinklers caused some flooding in the hallway.

Students and school personnel were evacuated for about 15-20 chilly minutes. They reentered the school when the fire department gave the all-clear.

APS Wants Nearly 100 Trees Removed For Ashlawn Addition

By Ethan Rothstein

Published March 12, 2014 at 1:30PM | Updated November 22, 2016 at 2:58PM

The initial use permit for the addition called for 54 trees to be removed to make room the expansion. After consulting a certified arborist, Arlington Public Schools staff is asking the County Board to approve the removal of 40 additional trees.

Once construction is complete, APS is suggesting planting 224 new trees, up from the 127 that was approved by the County Board last May. The increase is to comply with county policy on replacing trees that are removed for construction, Assistant Superintendent for Facilities and Operations John Chadwick told ARLnow.com.

Road Closed After School Bus Hits Utility Pole

By ARLnow.com

Published March 11, 2014 at 9:25AM | Updated July 11, 2017 at 4:35PM

Williamsburg Boulevard is closed between N. Somerset Street and N. Rochester Street due to a school bus that hit a utility pole.

It appears that the top of the bus clipped the pole, which is located directly adjacent to the street. The accident snapped the top of the pole. Dominion Power is responding to the scene to repair the pole and the power lines.

Arlington Public Schools Closed Tuesday

By ARLnow.com

Published March 3, 2014 at 8:00PM | Updated March 4, 2014 at 8:49AM

Frigid temperatures have officials worried about a potential refreeze and hazardous road conditions following today’s snow storm.

It’s at least the 6th day off for Arlington students this school year. All meetings, extracurricular activities, events and adult education classes are also canceled.

Wakefield Basketball Wins Regional Title

By Ethan Rothstein

Published March 3, 2014 at 11:00AM

Dominique Tham shoots over a Mt Vernon defender

The Warriors (24-4) kept their 14-game winning streak alive with the victory, and will move on to the state semifinal game on Saturday at noon at Robinson Secondary School (5035 Sideburn Road, Fairfax). They’ll play the loser between Maury and Henrico High Schools, and if they win, they’ll play Friday, March 14, at 2:00 p.m. at VCU for the state championship.

The Warriors were led by Capitol Conference Player of the Year Dominique Tham, who scored 18 points, and Jalen Walton chipped in 17 to lead a balanced attack against the Panthers (27-1). Marqua Walton also scored 18 and hit a key free throw at the end of the game to seal the victory.

Arlington Schools, Gov’t Closed Monday

By ARLnow.com

Published March 2, 2014 at 8:35PM | Updated March 2, 2014 at 9:40PM

It’s at least the fifth time Arlington Public Schools have closed due to snow this school year.

“Essential personnel are to report to work as scheduled,” said APS spokeswoman Jennifer Harris. “Extracurricular activities, interscholastic contests, team practices, field trips, adult and community education classes, and programs in schools and on school grounds are canceled.”