Education Learning Fun

/The Connection Vienna/Oakton Connection Lousie Krafft ● Camps & Schools

Photo by www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Vienna/Oakton Connection ● September 2009 ● A+ Education, Learning, Fun ● CampsSeptember & Schools 2009 ● 1 ● ● Peter Piper Preschool Education Learning Fun Lewinsville and Scotts Run Road clowns ●Local School Tuition SOURCE: school Web sites and the Catholic Diocese of Arlington. cotton candy 55th NAME LOCATION TUITION (GRADES) Anniversary Celebration Alexandria Day School Alexandria $19,830 (K-3) $21,430 (4-8) (1954-2009) Bishop Ireton High School Alexandria $10,400 (parishioner) $11,800 (Catholic non-parishioner) Everyone is Invited $14,950 (non-Catholic) Open House-Fun Fair Bishop O’Connell High School Arlington $9,200 (parishioner) $10,630 (Catholic non-parishioner) $13,245 (non-Catholic) balloon drinks Browne Academy Alexandria $12,975 (preschool) es Moon Bounce $21,505 (K-8) sculptur facepainting Burgundy Farm Country Day Alexandria $20,575 (jr. K/K) magician $21,520 (1-5) Sunday, September 27, 2009 • 2 to 5PM $22,675 (6-8) Information call 703-356-5811 Commonwealth Academy Alexandria $28,336 The Congressional Schools of Falls Church $17,770 (K) to $20,500 (8) Episcopal High School Alexandria $40,875 (boarding) Oakton $21,370 (jr. K) $24,050 (K-4) $26,460 (5-8) $27,510 (9-12) MUSIC MASTERS Gesher Jewish Day School Fairfax $15,950 Green Hedges School Vienna $11,754 (pre-K) to $20,924 (8) Where You’ll Love To Play The Langley School McLean $12,600 (pre-K) $24,140 (K-5) $25,410 (6-8) Specializing in music instruction • Instrument Rentals The McLean $35,050 (day student) Monthly student performances • Popular and classical music $46,160 (boarding student) McLean $14,721 (6-8) Music supplies and more! • Special orders welcome $15,696 (9-12) Special teacher discounts • Instrument Repair Oakwood School Annandale $26,400 Paul VI High School Fairfax $9,270 (parishioner) INSTRUMENT RENTAL $12,140 (non-Catholic) The Potomac School McLean $24,340 (K-3) $25,930 (4-6) 8455-H Tyco Rd. • Vienna, VA 22812 $27,445 (7-12) St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School Alexandria $20,400 (jr.K) $22,840 (K-5) $24,710 (6-8) 703-848-9403 $26,925 (9-12) E-mail: [email protected] • Web Site: www.music-masters.org Westminster School Annandale $16,856

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2 ● A+ Education, Learning, Fun ● Camps & Schools ● September 2009 ● Vienna/Oakton Connection www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Education●Learning●Fun Athletes Hit the Books Coaches, administrators in Fairfax County stress the importance of academics to athletes.

By Rich Sanders we really back up. Most of our kids do a The Connection good job and they know they can get help if they need it.” tudent-athletes at the high school Sheaffer, a physical education instruc- level might be sick of hearing it, tor at Herndon, credits members of his but coaches and school adminis- coaching staff with also helping their trators, for the most part around players on the study front when they can. SNorthern Virginia, cannot stress enough One of his assistant coaches, former the importance of attaining high aca- Redskins player Todd Liebenstein, demic achievement and disciplined study teaches history at the school. Another, habits in the classroom. Larry Stroud, is an AP history instructor. “All of our coaches do a real good job Sheaffer stresses to his players that in of trying to develop the entire person,” order to go to college or to perhaps said Marty Riddle, the director of student continue their athletic careers in college activities (DSA) at Robinson High School. requires solid study habits. Many col- “If you’re a disciplined kid who focuses leges, according to Sheaffer, are setting on assignments in the classroom, that higher standards for admission. will carry over to the field or on the “You have to take harder classes [in court.” high school] and do well on SATs. You Riddle, who in the years prior to his have to be a good student or they won’t DSA duties at Robinson held head want you. Most of our [football players] football coaching stints at Mount Vernon, understand that.” Lake Braddock and Chantilly High Jim Patrick, McLean’s second year head Schools, said Robinson athletic coaches football coach and the assistant director are responsible for being aware of their Madison runner Katy Reines. of student activities at the school, said players’ classroom progress. student-athletes on his team who are “Each coach monitors the academic League (VHSL), the state’s governing gram last year and led it to the Liberty struggling with their grades attend a progress for the kids involved in their body of high school sports, student- District finals and an appearance in the study hall following afternoon practice program,” said Riddle. “High school athletes, in order to remain eligible to Northern Region playoffs. sessions, and players with poor grades coaches have to wear a lot of different compete in sports, must have passed at Vanni’s team is winning early on this must attend a mandatory Wednesday hats and are in tune to those things.” least five of their classes the previous year as well. The coach said players are morning study hall session, affectionately In recent years, 40 percent of student- semester. That is a minimal requirement. required to achieve no worse than ‘C’ known as “Highlander Time.” athletes in Fairfax County have achieved Schools can enforce more strict academic grades in all of their classes in order to “Academics at McLean are very impor- impressive grade point averages of 3.5 or guidelines for student-athletes. remain on the team. She said her players tant,” said Patrick, whose father, Bruce better, according to the Fairfax County Academics certainly come first for are high achievers in school. Patrick, is the Fairfax County Coordinator Public Schools system. In FCPS written members of the McLean High girls’ field “To be honest, I never have a problem,” of Student Activities and Athletic Pro- guidelines, it states, “[Students’] grades hockey team. said Vanni. “[Grades] are certainly grams. “We monitor grades [four times a are routinely monitored by the high “Academics are very [much] stressed - stressed by our coaches and our parents school year] at interim time. If they are school at midterm and at the end of each at home and [at practices],” said Summer are aware of it.” bad, they go to study hall after practice. marking period. Parents may request an Vanni, McLean’s second year head coach. Katy Reines, a senior member of the “But we have motivated kids,” said academic or athletic progress report at “They know their school work comes Madison High girls’ cross country team, Patrick, of his players. “Parent involve- any time.” first.” said Warhawks’ head coach Craig Chasse ment is there. … You want them to According to the Virginia High School Vanni took over the Highlander pro- regularly encourages his athletes to work perform at their highest level [at school], hard at their school work. and it will carry into athletics. More “It’s always academics first and athletics colleges will be open to them.” second,” said Reines, a fourth year member of the Madison cross country JOHN ELLENBERGER, the South Lakes program. “Our coach is always stressing High football coach, said his top priority that we need to keep up our grades. is to help prepare youngsters for college [Being a student-athlete] teaches you and beyond. And that means strong study how to manage your time real well.” skills are a necessity. Members of the South Lakes football program are re- AT , football quired to fulfill summer reading projects. coach Joe Sheaffer does not start his “We are just continually on them about football practices right after school. their academics,” said Ellenberger. “My Instead, following the final bell, he goal is to help the kids get into a [col- allows for an hour-plus window of time lege] and out of Reston to see what it is at the end of the school day so that his like out there. So then [one day] they can players can tend to their studies. That come back to the community and con- allows for them to visit a particular tribute. That’s what I’m here for – to help teacher or to get started on homework. kids get into school.” “I set my practices back to make sure Student-athletes do not automatically my kids get help whenever they need it,” understand the importance of strong said Sheaffer, who a year ago led the study habits in high school and the Hornets to the Div. 6 region playoffs for ramifications of not achieving academic the first time since 2003. success. Riddle said a love for an extra- Photos by Craig Sterbutzel/The Connection “They can get help academically every curricular activity at school, such as ‘Attitude and Effort,’ the words written across football coach Joe Sheaffer’s Herndon day if they need it,” said Sheaffer. “I think sports, can help things begin to kick in Hornets’ t-shirt, are meant to apply to both the gridiron and the classroom. the phrase ‘student athlete’ is something for a student-athlete. www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Vienna/Oakton Connection ● September 2009 ● A+ Education, Learning, Fun ● Camps & Schools ● 3 ● ● Education Learning Fun ●Private School Search Timeline SEPTEMBER ● Finalize schools that you plan to inquire about. If They Build It, Will You Come? ● Request admissions and financial aid preschool to eighth grade and costs both,” said Gnatt. material by phone or online. ● approximately $25,000, opened its first “I consider that the terrific legacy that Review admissions materials to determine which schools to visit. Private schools are making big investments in new facilities. ever arts center on its McLean campus last the Jesuits left us when they bought our ● Keep a calendar of pertinent deadlines year. property. It adds terrific financial security for admission and financial aid and By Julia O’Donoghue tus called “the big toy,” which is similar to have said they are not in an “arms “We actually did not have an arts center to the school,” said George. procedures, such as when schools start The Connection a traditional jungle gym. race” when it comes to building new before. We split our time between our taking reservations for individual tours Potomac’s youngest students can also facilities. athletic center and what used to be field FOR SCHOOL COMMUNITIES, their and interviews. ● he playground is the only play in a large sandbox that has a water “We are not going to engage in some house for our school assemblies and location and natural landscape are more Register for standardized tests—the aspect of The Potomac School’s feature and seating areas where they can sort of competition to build the performances,” said Langley’s spokesper- of a draw for families and add more value SSAT or ISEE (for middle school and high school). build mud pies. Children can also climb a biggest and the best but we are going son Sharon Ifft. than any new facility could. new lower school facility that ● Review the test Web sites to learn people need to hear about to spinning, cone-like structure covered with to put resources where they belong,” The new building has an auditorium Burgundy Farm Country Day School in procedures and see sample questions; Tunderstand how fabulous the latest loose netting. said Jean Erstling, director of commu- that includes professional lighting and the Mount Vernon area, which costs consider whether you want to buy a addition to the sprawling 90-acre educa- There is a playhouse surrounded by a nications at , which sound equipment as well as a stage that is between $20,000 and $22,000 per year to test-preparation book. tion campus in McLean is. community garden and a few tricycles costs $28,826 per year for the high slightly lower to the ground for Langley’s attend, employs a lot of experiential ● Call to schedule individual tours, Through a $50 million fund-raising with a cement-riding path. school program in Bethesda, Md. younger students. There is also a band learning and their students are outside, interviews, class visits, and “shadow campaign, the private school was able to But by far, the most popular part of the Many local private school administra- room designed to provide good acoustics rather than in a classroom, for much of days.” Ask elementary schools about their test schedules and how to make playground during the first week of tors insist the quality of teaching, for music. the day. upgrade its upper school in 2008 and to an appointment. build a new lower school that opened this school is the “cloud nine” swings. The curriculum and overall mentality of the “It really gives the students a more “We have a pond and a stream. The OCTOBER September. Tuition at the upper school large saucers suspended in the air can fit school are much more important to professional learning experience. They school is fairly rural setting in the middle ● Visit open houses. costs $28,925 annually; tuition at the four students in one at a time, said Donna perspective students and families than get to learn how to use the lighting of an urban area,” said Connie Rue, head ● Call to schedule tours, interviews, class lower school is $24,765. Lewis, head of Potomac’s lower school. the campus or physical plant. equipment and do backstage work. I think of the school’s lower school program. visits, and school-based tests if you Originally constructed in 1959, the “The children will stand in line for more “I don’t know if our facilities give us it is very sophisticated, especially for Rue added that she thinks the physical haven’t already. ● lower school building was outdated and than half of their recess just to use these an advantage over any other school school that only goes from pre-kindergar- setting, a converted dairy farm only a few Attend information sessions and take had high operating costs. The upper swings,” said Lewis. because it is usually a matter of which ten to eighth grade,” said Ifft. minutes away from the City of Alexandria, tours. ● Finalize school(s) to which you will Eventually, Potomac’s lower school school is the right fit for the student. is what attracts some families to Burgundy school facility, which houses students in make application. th ninth through 12 grades, was too small, playground will also include a climbing This area is fortunate to have some of ALL of these facilities are expensive and Farm. ● Take standardized test. said Dabney Schmitt, Potomac’s director wall, though Lewis said the school will the best independent and public most schools only have their immediate “Parents have said that what they were NOVEMBER of development. hold off on its installation since the schools in the country and it is about community of parents, grandparent and seeking for their children is a chance to ● Follow through on activities you may “We are so fortunate as an independent students are still trying to cope with the where you feel comfortable. There are alumni to draw from for financial support. enjoy the outdoors while they are at not have completed, such as scheduling school to have a community that under- all current options at recess. many schools with terrific facilities,” “Independent schools typically have to school, to enjoy the physical setting as tours, interviews, class visits, and stands that because we are an indepen- “The goal is to try and inspire kids with said Rev. William George, president of engage in a capital campaign to raise part of the classroom,” she said. standardized or school-based tests. ● dent school, we have to rely on ourselves different interests. The different areas will Georgetown Preparatory School, money for new facilities and typically the Burgundy Farm also owns a property in Continue to watch for open houses you may want to attend. appeal to different children and there is a which costs $25,650 to attend as day socio-economics of the student body that all students in grades for funding. Whatever we do here de- ● Start lining up teacher recommenda- pends on everyone working together,” wide range of ability level between the student and $44,000 to attend as a determine how much can be raised,” said first-through-eight use for a three-day tions. said Schmitt. ages of five and nine,” said Lewis, whose boarding student in North Bethesda, Judy Marks, director of the National overnight learning experience twice per ● Start working on applications, financial division of the school enrolled 214 Md. Clearinghouse of Educational Facilities. year. aid forms, student questionnaires, IN ADDITION TO a soccer field, sledding students this year. There area a few special cases where In some cases, students learning about essays, etc. hill, basketball court, and flagstone patio, STILL, Potomac did see a jump in the schools do not have to rely entirely on colonial America will go camping on the DECEMBER ● the new lower school’s new state-of-the- POTOMAC is only one of several local number of families seeking informa- fundraising efforts to raise money for West Virginia property, with only those Complete any remaining applications, art playground has an artificial turf pad private schools that are in the midst of tion about their academic program construction projects. resources early settlers would have questionnaires, etc. ● Most application materials are due in fundraising for or have recently com- once the new upper school was Jesuit priests bought Georgetown Prep’s available to them. Students also do an where students can build structures out January or early February. of oversized blocks and a wooden appara- pleted a major construction project, renovated, said spokesperson Jill campus in 1916 and the value of prep’s exercise where they pretend to be on the SOURCE: National Association of Independent though the private school officials Lucas. land skyrocketed in the late 20th century, Underground Railroad that transported Schools, www.nais.org/go/parents And many of the elite with a Metro station opening directly slaves from southern states to northern schools are competing for across the street from the school’s front states before the American Civil War, said the same group of students, entrance, and land values appreciating in Rue. children who are not only Photo by Louise Krafft/Connection the area in general. high-achievers but also have The bell rings at the end of the last class of the day at the Potomac School in McLean and Georgetown Prep approached families with the means to the students move into the bus lot for the ride home. Montgomery County about getting volunteer and financially one corner of their campus near contribute to the school above don’t think anyone can top what we Now, Landon is pursuing similar types the Metro rezoned for high-density and beyond tuition rates that have,” said Brian Gnatt, a Georgetown of projects, though on a more modest development, since it was near a frequently exceed $25,000 per Prep spokesperson. scale than Georgetown Prep. major transit hub. Once approved, year. This winter, Prep will also open a The school installed its own turf field in Prep then signed a 99-year lease Shortly after Georgetown Prep student center and new library facility that 2007 and opened a new $2.5 million with a local builder that is ex- opened its new athletic center cost approximately $30 million to build. strength and conditioning room at the pected to yield about $800 million in 2007, Landon launched a The facility includes study areas, a café beginning of last year. They are currently for the school over its lifetime. fundraising effort for major with a wood-burning oven that can cook raising money to undergo a much more Money earned from the lease renovations to their sports five pizzas at one time, a projection significant renovation of the first floor of covered about $37.5 million of complex. The two all-boys television, and a recording studio for their athletic facility that would include Georgetown Prep’s $70 million in schools with campuses only a student musicians. more meeting space for students and a recent capital projects, including few miles apart from each other “I want Prep to be a weekend destina- new concession stand, said Erstling. the entire cost of the new athletic and have a heated sports rivalry. tion for day students. They could come “We looked at the majority of student center. As a result, the school only Georgetown Prep’s $23 work out or play some music, eat a meal facilities on campus and what needed to had to raise money from donors to million athletic center includes and then watch the Redskins or Nationals be done to improve them,” she said. cover the costs of the student an 11-lane indoor pool, Mont- on the television,” said George, center. gomery County’s only regula- Georgetown Prep’s president. SOME SCHOOLS are also engaging in “There is no way we could have tion-size 200-meter indoor track The school also spent about $14 million building projects not just to renovate or built both buildings without the and a 950-seat basketball arena. installing artificial turf, redesigning their update facilities but to add completely apartment project. That just Photo by Louise Krafft/Connection “There are other schools that golf course and upgrading their road and new features to the school and curricu- brought in a tremendous source of Photo by Louise Krafft/Connection A pair of saucer swings hold four children each have nice, new facilities but, parking system on campus, for a total of a lum. revenue. We might have been able Photo by Louise Krafft/Connection Head of the Lower School, Donna Lewis. in the new Potomac School playground. when it comes to athletics, I $70 million capital campaign overall. The Langley School, which runs from to do one or the other but not Upper school students return from a field hockey practice. 4 ● A+ Education, Learning, Fun ● Camps & Schools ● September 2009 ● Vienna/Oakton Connection www.ConnectionNewspapers.com www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Vienna/Oakton Connection ● September 2009 ● A+ Education, Learning, Fun ● Camps & Schools ● 5 Education●Learning●Fun

Photo by Louise Krafft/Connection Upper school students return from a field hockey practice at the Potomac School in McLean. Fighting for Field Hockey Despite a lack of youth programs, field hockey continues to grow in Northern Virginia.

By Reed S. Albers school players are experienced McLean Youth Association The Connection veterans or have played on started its first youth field travel teams, many just picked hockey program in the 1980s, tarr Karl watched girls up their sticks a few years ago. but since then, the sport has from 11 area high “This is just my third year seen only minor expansion, Karl schools compete at the playing field hockey,” Westfield said. Bulldog Invitational High School junior Hannah “South County Youth Associa- FieldS Hockey Tournament at Winfrey said. “I went to a tion has a program, Loudoun Westfield High School last summer camp at Westfield in my County has a program and so month; she wondered if the freshman year, but there weren’t does Vienna Youth Association, sport could ever move from any youth programs to help me but it’s just not enough,” she niche to mainstream. learn the game.” said. “I started Southwestern “You think about how kids get Most Fairfax County high Youth Association Field Hockey burned out on soccer and then schools have junior varsity and and we ran a program on wonder why not try something varsity field hockey programs, Wednesday nights. Now it’s a like field hockey?” the South- but some of the youth associa- Monday program with games on western Youth Association (SYA) tions that feed the schools’ Tuesday.” and Rampage travel field hockey talent don’t offer the sport. While the Monday night clinics coach said. “It’s growing. It will Schools that do offer youth are helping to serve the field get more popular.” field hockey see positive results hockey community, Karl said it’s Field hockey is played interna- from players growing up on the not nearly as big as she’d like. tionally by men and women and same team, such as St. Stephens “It’s not a full league, just is even an Olympic sport. It’s and St. Agnes Private school. clinics to teach the game,” she slowly gaining a loyal following The St. Stephens and St. Agnes said. “We have a tournament at in Northern Virginia, despite a varsity field hockey team went the end of October, but it’s not lack of youth programs to 22-0-1 in its 2008 season, and as big as a league. We want to be support the sport. Head Coach Marsha Way credits there one day.” “There’s a lot of girls who the success to her player’s While the area does feature want to play, but we just don’t familiarity with one another. some programs, other large have the programs to help them “The girls can start [playing groups, such as Reston Youth learn the sport,” she said. field hockey] in seventh grade,” Association and Braddock Road “There’s travel teams, but those Way said. “Our teams [are Youth Club, do not offer field can only serve so many girls.” competitive] because our kids hockey. The Bulldog Invitational is an have been playing together for Keeping existing programs example of how the sport has so long.” alive also remains a challenge. attracted a devoted following, But for Fairfax County Public “Chantilly Youth Association had even without feeder youth Schools, the chance to grow a program, but nobody has programs. talent through a youth system is Although some of the high slim. See Sport Grows Slowly, Page 7 6 ● A+ Education, Learning, Fun ● Camps & Schools ● September 2009 ● Vienna/Oakton Connection www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Education●Learning●Fun

Reed S. Albers/The Connection Many girls, such as Westfield High School forward Hannah Winfrey (pictured, right), started their field hockey careers when they entered high school. “There weren’t any youth programs to help me learn the game,” she said. Sport Grows Slowly in Area From Page 6 with occasional games on who want to help to support the Tuesdays. The program serves demand,” she said. “There’s only taken it over,” Karl said. “There boys and girls of all skill levels a few people who are trying to were about 150 kids in it and from third to eighth grade. run programs, but no one else is now it’s defunct. The programs Coaches are former and stepping up. People say they can’t survive without leader- current field hockey players, as want to do it, but the help never ship.” well as high school coaches from comes.” Interest from parents isn’t the the surrounding area. Despite the lack of fields, lack only hurdle. BRYC President “It’s a grass-roots field hockey of coaches and lack of informa- Marcia Pape said she is reluctant program,” Karl said. “We rely on tion about field hockey, Karl is to start a program without field high school players and adults hopeful that the sport will break space. “It’s not just getting to help out.” into the mainstream one day. coaches. The real question is Karl said that the program has “It’s a great sport,” she said. where do you put them?” Pape been popular, but support from “If you’re a great athlete, then said. “I’d love to have a field coaches and parents is still you’re going to enjoy playing hockey program, but I can’t do lacking. field hockey. I wish it could be it without fields.” “There aren’t enough people exposed to [more] youth.” Area fields already are booked for football and soccer, she said. “Every few years people ask [about field hockey] but we just can’t support it. There aren’t enough fields with lights that can host the teams.” Pape also said that a lack of volunteers is sidelining any future plans to add field hockey to BRYC. “I would not be comfortable adding another sport without the field space or support,” she said. “We’re an all-volunteer program and we would need someone to lead it. Nobody has offered to do that.” Karl’s SYA program has had similar issues, but has managed to function in spite of them. Reed S. Albers/The Connection SYA’s program runs on Mon- Starr Karl watches girls from her travel field hockey compete at day nights at E.C. Lawrence the Bulldog Invitational. Karl runs one of the few youth field Field in September and October hockey programs in the area. www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Vienna/Oakton Connection ● September 2009 ● A+ Education, Learning, Fun ● Camps & Schools ● 7 Fairfax Symphony Orchestra 2009-2010 Season Christopher Zimmerman, Music Director

October 3, 2009 January 23, 2010 Jon Manasse, clarinet Augustin Hadelich, violin MENDELSSOHN: Overture to The Fair Melusine HAYDN: Symphony No. 92 MOZART: Clarinet Concerto BARBER: Violin Concerto BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 4 SIBELIUS: Symphony No. 1

November 21, 2009 March 13, 2010 Chu-Fang Huang, piano Alon Goldstein, piano FALLA: The Three-Cornered Hat, Suites 1 and 2 BORODIN: In the Steppes of Central Asia GERSHWIN: Rhapsody in Blue DORMAN: Piano Concerto (East Coast Premiere!) RAVEL: Piano Concerto in G SIBELIUS: The Lemminkäinen Legends GINASTERA: Estancia

May 1, 2010 Celebrating Women in the Arts Julie Albers, cello HIGDON: blue cathedral ELGAR: Cello Concerto MOZART: Symphony No. 38, Prague BARBER: Medea’s Meditation and Dance of Vengeance

All concerts at 8:00 p.m. at ’s Center for the Arts SUBSCRIBE NOW! Assure your seats for Maestro Zimmerman’s exciting first season. Visit www.fairfaxsymphony.org or call 703-563-1990 Media Partner

Single tickets will be available after August 1, 2009. Please note – programs and artists are subject to change.

8 ● A+ Education, Learning, Fun ● Camps & Schools ● September 2009 ● Vienna/Oakton Connection www.ConnectionNewspapers.com