A NEW HSSPTSA.org!

Please visit hssptsa.org for the relocated Hayfield Happenings online newsletter, and for all other information relating to Hayfield Secondary’s PTSA. Thanks for your loyal readership at this site for the 2007-2008 school year! This site will remain accessible until August 2008.

Be Sure To Complete Those VDOT Safe Driving Pledge Cards

The Virginia Department of Transportation’s (VDOT) Northern Virginia Regional Office and several area high schools are teaming up on a statewide safe driving campaign designed to promote safe driving amongst high school students. A safe driving pledge card was included in the April 30 edition of the Hawks’ news magazine, challenging Hayfield Secondary students to buckle up, drive the speed limit, avoid distractions and drive drug and alcohol free. Students are encouraged to sign the pledge card and drop it in the appropriately marked box in the school’s main office. Completed and turned-in cards will be used as entries in a raffle drawing for some great prizes, to be held toward the end of May just before prom and graduation. Stay tuned for more details, and visit VDOT’s Highway Safety Challenge web site for more details!

FAIRGRADE Advocates Grading Policy Revisions

FAIRGRADE is a parent-driven research/advocacy group that was created in January 2008. Its origins began with a December 2007 Washington Post article that highlighted the disparities between Fairfax and Montgomery County grading policies. After months of research, FAIRGRADE has determined that the differences in these grading policies put FCPS students at a disadvantage with respect to college admissions and impact our students’ opportunities for merit scholarships, honors programs, NCAA athletic eligibility, and car insurance “good-driver” discounts.

Compared to 45 nationally recognized school districts, Fairfax County arguably has punitive and unfair grading policies. In the last three years, 15 other school districts, which previously used a tougher grading scale, have determined that it hurt students and have switched to the standard 10-point grading scale. Adopting a 10-point grading scale and increasing the weight for honors and AP courses will benefit FCPS students. It encourages students to take more challenging courses, and allows students to receive the fair grades they deserve.

Please visit the FAIRGRADE web site for additional information on the group, details on upcoming public presentations as well as links to recent stories in the media concerning this issue.

Become a PTSA Board Member in 2008-09

The following Hayfield Secondary PTSA board positions are currently OPEN for the 2008-09 school year. If you interested in serving in any of these positions or work areas, please contact Karen Reed as soon as possible at grreed@cox.net.

President, Treasurer, Academic Boosters, Booster Club Liaison (Choral), Booster Club Liaison (Drama), Directory, Fundraising-Spirit Wear, Grad Night Party, Grant Applications, Health, Safety & Parenting (Visitors Table), Hospitality, Legislation, Membership, Reflections, Scholarships, Science Fair Coordinator, Teacher/Staff Recognition, MS Team Parent Coordinator, HS/MS Volunteer Coordinator, Elementary/Secondary School Liaison

ANGP Rapidly Approaching - Reserve NOW!

Senior Class of ‘08 Parents, there is now less than ONE month left to buy tickets to the All Night Grad Party (ANGP) at Adventure Park USA. Each year, for the past several years an All Night Grad Party has been held to allow students to celebrate their graduation in a fun filled, safe and alcohol-free environment. If your senior has not yet purchased their ticket, it is not too late. You can find the ANGP ticket order form HERE and the ANGP commitment form HERE. They can either be mailed to the address on the order form or delivered in person to Ms. Flynn at the school clinic. Act now before it’s too late!

American Field Services: A Successful Foreign Exchange Program at HSS

Did you know Hayfield Secondary School is currently hosting several foreign exchange students? This year AFS students include three girls from all around the world: India, Thailand, and Italy. There are other foreign exchange students at Hayfield also, including from Germany and other countries as well. Would your student like to be a foreign exchange student to another country when you are a little older and be a cultural ambassador? Have you considered the possibility of your family hosting an exchange student? Some additional information on the American Field Service (AFS) foreign exchange student program might help you in making either (or both) of those decisions:

What is AFS? AFS is a program where students from other countries come to live here in the United States with families in their homes. It’s an exchange program since teenagers from all around the U.S. go abroad to live with families all around the world. Why do this? The goal is better understanding between people by getting to know each other on a person-to-person level. AFS is a huge global network of thousands of volunteers — all working to promote intercultural exchange through individuals, families, schools, and communities. The age range of high school students is 15-18 years and the programs abroad are for the year, semester, and summer. Different programs may focus on language study, community service, sports, or even outdoor adventure and leadership. There are even teacher abroad programs.

Another PTSA Basket Bingo Fundraiser Scheduled for May 4

The Hayfield Secondary PTSA Basket Bingo is scheduled for Sunday, May 4. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased using THIS form. The PTSA needs your help!

First, each Middle School Team and each High School Grade has been assigned a theme (see below). Items will be collected until April 25, in drop-off boxes located in each MS Team Lead Teacher’s room and each HS Hall. We need each child to bring in a new item towards their theme. These items will be used to stuff the baskets so we need everyone to participate!

Second, we are asking families to sell as many tickets as they can to their family, friends and neighbors (again, you may find the Basket Bingo ticket flier HERE).

Third, we need volunteers to help with the following: check-in, selling raffles, specials, extra bingo cards, and clean-up.

Fourth, we are looking for items, services, business or monetary donations (Avon, Creative Memories, Southern Living, Mary Kay, Pampered Chef, etc). We are also looking for families interested in sponsoring a basket ($50-$100 donation) or families interested in filling a basket with items.

The money raised from this event will be used to support the High School Academic Letters, Middle School Academic Pins, Hayfield Happenings newsletter, Face to Face Program, Theatre IV Program, Odyssey of the Mind, Science Fair, Middle School Talent Show, Reflections and the Middle School Teams.

If you are interested in making a donation, helping with this event or have a question, please contact me via email at aawitt@cox.net or by phone at 703-971-0890.

Team/Grade - Theme - Ideas for Basket Contents

Gryffins (Ms. Karaffa) - Bath & Body - Bubble bath, sponges, shower gel, bath beads, soap, shampoo, rubber duckies, . . .

Pumas (Ms. Lawhon) - Gourmet Coffee/Tea - Teas, coffees, tea, mugs, cookies, coffee beans, coffee filters, pirouettes, gift certificates, . . .

Tasmanian Devils (Ms. Hammond) - Kitchen and Cooking - Kitchen tools and gadgets, cookbooks, placemats, tablecloths, measuring cups/spoons,

Phoenix (Ms. Schumacher) - Barbequing/Grilling - Gloves, tongs, recipes, sauces, hickory chips, apron, hat, paper plates, etc.

Gryffins (Ms. Karaffa) - Baking - Measuring cups/spoons, cake, cookie & muffin mixes, icing, muffin pans

Chili Peppers (Ms. Wilson) - Aromatherapy - Anything that smells good, such as candles, bath beads, perfume, shower gel

Phoenix (Ms. Schumacher) - Pasta - Spaghetti sauce, pasta, noodles, cookbooks, parmesan cheese…

Snap Dragons (Ms. Couture) - Chocolate Lover’s Dream - Anything from M&M’s to Godiva!!!

Venus Fly Traps (Ms. Sims Cornish) - Junkaholic - All kinds of junk food, such as chips, pretzels, fritos, soda, candy…

Freshman - Ice Cream Sundaes - Hot chocolate, cherries, toppings, chocolate syrup, ice cream coupons

Sophomores (Lafayette Hall) - Beach, Pool & Summer Fun - Beach towels, pool/beach toys, goggles, suntan lotion, beach blankets, etc…

Juniors - Garden - Flower and vegetable seeds, soil, pots, gardening tools, gift certificates

Seniors - Picnic - Plates, cups, napkins, knives, forks, spoons, tablecloths, recipes, apron, sauces, . . .

Gail Witt
PTSA Volunteer Coordinator

TJHSST Debate Camp Scheduled for June 23-27

Champion Debate Camp is an opportunity for middle school students to get a head start in speech and debate before joining a high school team. It is organized by the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology (TJHSST) Debate Team and its alumni for students interested in learning speech and debate. It’s a great way for interested students to show their potential and initiative! The debate camp is open to any rising 7th through 9th graders (not just future TJHSST students), and will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. from June 23-27. See more details HERE, and consider taking advantage of this unique learning opportunity!

Another ANGP Fundraiser: Shop for Silpada Jewelry on Apr. 19!

With just over two months to go until Graduation Day, several thousand dollars still needs to be raised for the Class of 2008 All Night Grad Party (ANGP). To that end, Erin Fitzsimmons, a local Silpada Jewelry representative, is hosting another Silpada Designs Jewelry Open House on Saturday, Apr. 19, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at her home (8315 Fitt Court, Lorton, VA 22079). She has graciously offered to donate her profit from the jewelry party to the 2008 ANGP fund. Please plan to stop by the open house for a drink and some appetizers and to pick up a beautiful piece of sterling silver jewelry for yourself, your mom (Mother’s Day is just around the corner), or your daughter (the prom and graduation are will be here before you know it). There are many beautiful new pieces and this is a great opportunity to spruce up your spring wardrobe! Please RSVP to Erin at dfitzsimmo@aol.com.

Please Support Pampered Chef Fundraiser for ANGP!

Michelle LeBlanc is hosting a Pampered Chef Fundraiser benefiting the Class of 2008 All Night Grad Party (ANGP). It will be held on Thursday, Apr. 10 at 6:30 p.m. (additional fundraiser details available HERE). Again, spread the word to your family and friends! Orders can also be made online (see ordering info HERE) if you can’t attend or you have out of town family or friends that would like to help out. Twenty-five percent of all sales will go toward the Hayfield Class of 2008 ANGP. If you plan to attend or if you have questions, please contact Michelle LeBlanc at 703-822-0702.

HSS’s “Broadway Night” Set for Apr. 5

Hayfield Secondary’s annual Broadway Night, an extended set of musical performances, singing, dancing, and skits, is scheduled for two performances on Saturday, Apr. 5 — the first show is a matinee performance at 2 p.m., where all tickets are $5 at the door. That’s followed by an evening performance with desserts and pre-show entertainment starting at 7 p.m. Advance tickets for the evening performance are $10 for general admission, and $7 for students & seniors. All non-advance tickets sold at the door are $12. To order advance tickets, send an email to hayfieldbroadwaynight@hotmail.com by 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 3. Additional details are found HERE.

Resource Fair Targets Those Who Won’t Be Attending a 4-Year College

The PTSAs of Lake Braddock Secondary, Robinson Secondary and West Springfield High Schools invite high school seniors and their parents to a special resource fair called “Pathways to Success: Alternatives to Four Year College,” to be held from 6-8 p.m. on May 8 at West Springfield HS’s cafeteria at 6100 Rolling Road in Springfield. Representatives from area apprenticeship programs, companies, two-year residential colleges, technical schools, organizations & associations will be present to provide information about endless post-secondary career opportunities for those graduates who do not plan to attend a four-year college. For additional information, download the event flier or contact Margaret Fisher by email at jrosenthal2@cox.net or by phone at 703-968-2971.

HSS SGA Sponsoring Blood Drive on Mar. 28

Hayfield Secondary SGA students are sponsoring a blood drive on Friday, March 28 from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the MS Lecture Hall. Volunteers are needed to assist the Red Cross in staging this blood drive. If you can help, please email either Debbie Davis at laxparents@verizon.net or John-Michael Davis at lacrosse2wrestling9d@yahoo.com if you can help. Your assistance in this worthy cause is appreciated!

Alliance for Virginia Students Vows To Keep Up The Fight

The 2008 Session of Virginia’s General Assembly has turned out to be a success for Virginia’s students, reports the Alliance for Virginia Students (AVS). Due to hundreds of emails and faxes sent and countless phone calls made about the importance of investing in Virginia’s students, the result is that in a tough economic climate, your voices were heard!

• Preschool: The Governor and the General Assembly agreed to invest $22 million to expand the Virginia Preschool Initiative, meaning thousands of additional at-risk four-year-olds will have the chance to attend a quality preschool in the coming years!
• Funding Public Education: The Governor and the General Assembly “re-benchmarked” the Standards of Quality. The House budget proposal would have been a major setback for Virginia’s students, and it was largely REJECTED!
• Preserving At-Risk Programs: Most programs for K-12 at-risk students were saved from the chopping block! The Governor and the General Assembly agreed that no matter how bad the times, the Commonwealth should never stop investing in its most vulnerable students.

AVS vows to keep up the fight. Virginia is the fifth wealthiest state in per capita income, yet ranks just 33rd in state support for education. We rank at the very bottom on some measures of equality of educational opportunity. We rank 31st in salaries paid to public school teachers. Though we made progress on preschool this year, too many of Virginia’s most vulnerable four-year-olds will lack access to a quality preschool.

The purpose of the Alliance for Virginia’s Students is to promote adequate public policy and funding support from the Commonwealth of Virginia for excellence in public education from pre-kindergarten through graduate studies, by engaging in informational and advocacy activities with the general public and state policy makers. Visit the AVS web site, sign up for additional news updates, and stay tuned for more opportunities to speak out for Virginia’s students!

Transportation Task Force Completes Work, Recommends Changed Bell Schedule

The Fairfax County School Board’s Transportation Task Force (TTF) presented its Final Report to the school board on Monday, March 10. The TTF was chartered by the school board to offer community perspectives and recommendations for re-engineering the FCPS transportation system and to find the best alternative bell schedule that would enable high schools to start later in the morning. The 68 TTF members represented a broad cross-section of the community and the school system, including parents, teachers, principals and a number of county-wide community organizations.

After careful consideration, the Transportation Task Force proposed the following:

• Any proposed bell schedule and recommended service parameters should be implemented together, and not viewed as separate recommendations or actions. These changes should improve service and are intended to be as cost-neutral as possible.
• The bell schedule recommended by the TTF is Option C (ES/HS/MS). Approximate Time Frames for Bulk of Each Tier (es=small number of ES):
  • Tier / Start Time / End Time
    Tier 1: 7:50-8:10 am (ES) / 2:30-2:50 pm
    Tier 2: 8:35-8:55 am (HS/ES) / 3:15-3:45 pm
    Tier 3: 9:20-9:40 am (es/MS) / 4:00-4:30 pm
• This bell schedule represents a compromise between a variety of interests and stakeholders. It maintains 3 delivery tiers and continues the use of a rolling bell schedule for maximum transportation efficiency and to deliver tier 2 and 3 schools as early within the timeframe as possible. It:
  • Starts as many elementary schools as possible in the first and second tiers while keeping the same overall start time window as current for elementary school openings. (About 80% would start between 7:50 and 8:55 am.)
  • Starts high schools in the 2nd tier (as early as possible in this tier so that high schools can end as close to 3:30 as possible).
  • Starts middle schools in the 3rd tier

To ease the transition, TTF has recommended reaching out to the community to inform them of bell schedule changes, giving everyone ample notice before bell schedules are changed, so that families and FCPS employees have time to make necessary adjustments to child care, work hours, etc.

The School Board will announce dates for meetings to provide wider community feedback and discussion later this year. The FCCPTA has supported the later high school start time effort for several years. FCCPTA President Michele Menapace, an appointed member of the TTF, signed in SUPPORT of the Majority report on behalf of FCCPTA. Please click HERE to see the TTF Report, HERE to see the TTF charter, and HERE for additional information and background on adjusting start times for Fairfax County schools.

HSS’s Spring College Planning Night on March 11

The Spring 2008 edition of College Planning Night is set to take place on the evening of Tuesday, March 11 in Hayfield Secondary’s auditorium. A mini college fair is planned for the 6:30-7:00 p.m. time slot, followed by a college information panel from 7:00-8:30 p.m. featuring representatives from Virginia Tech, Radford University, Hollins University, Northern Virginia Community College, and West Virginia University. Speakers will present information regarding the college application process, the college visitation process, writing college essays, and much more. Freshmen, sophomores, juniors and their parents are invited and encouraged to attend! For more information please contact, Iris Rivera, Career Center Specialist, at 703-924-7424, or at iris.rivera@fcps.edu or see the detailed event flier posted HERE.

A Budget Update from your School Board Member – Brad Center, Lee District

As your School Board member, I am writing to keep you informed as FCPS faces the most difficult budget situation we have seen in more than ten years. Budgets are something we all understand, and many of us struggle with, as we balance our own financial resources. With limited resources, come difficult choices – and the Board is faced with making tough decisions that will affect our students, schools, and communities. Currently, we face around a $100 million dollar deficit. Why? Home values have decreased! The school budget is primarily funded by real estate taxes – in fact almost three-quarters of our revenue come from those taxes. As home values decreased, assessed values decreased, and the result was lower real estate tax revenues.

Board members have heard from our constituents through e-mails and in personal testimony as more than 200 individuals spoke before the Board during two budget public hearings. We listened to your concerns and we appreciate the impact that our decisions will have. As much as we would like to maintain the current funding and to include money for growth, it is not fiscally responsible, nor is it legally possible (the Code of Virginia requires the Board to submit a balanced budget regardless of the financial constraints that are imposed).

During deliberations, the School Board decided to modify the Superintendent’s proposed budget which called for over $50 million in budget cuts but still required an additional $50 million from the Board of Supervisors The School Board amended this request and added back in approximately $11.8 million dollars in additional funding to restore the following programs:

• Transportation for students to gifted and talented (GT) centers and Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, and for administratively placed students
• The College Partnership program
• The Elementary School Focus program
• The Middle School and High School Enhancement program
• Proposed preschool special education cuts
• Modified calendar schedule for three existing schools
• Fifty-five of 111 general education Instructional Assistant positions
• Funding support for National Board Certified Teachers and Applied Behavior Analysis

The end result was a budget that made a good faith effort to be fiscally responsible – cutting $45.5 million from the proposed budget while addressing the most vital programs. The proposed cuts include reductions in central administration support and personnel.

We are now asking the Board of Supervisors to pick up at least the remaining $63.7 million which is 4.0 percent more than the current funding level. There is no guarantee they will agree. The ball is in their court now and they need to hear from you, just as we did. As taxpayers, you are encouraged to contact your Supervisor and to testify before the Board of Supervisors at their public hearings March 31-April 2 in support of re-instating programs that may be eliminated through budgetary cuts.

What happens if we don’t receive the requested funds from the County? The Board will be forced to make additional cuts in programs we have already identified and in new programs we have yet to address.

I wish it were a rosier economic outlook, but that’s not the reality. Be assured that I will work on your behalf to allocate our resources to our teachers, through a cost of living increase; to our students, through smaller class sizes and student/teacher ratios; and to programs that advance their academic progress.

Brad Center
Fairfax County School Board
Lee District

Hypnotist Ready to Wow Audience for ANGP

The Hayfield Secondary School PTSA is sponsoring a comedy hypnotist, James Munsey, on Friday, Feb. 29 at 7:30 in Hayfield Secondary’s auditorium to raise funds for the All-Night Graduation Party (ANGP) that it sponsors each year. Ticket prices are $15 for adults, $10 for students. Tickets may be purchased at the door or in advance from Ms. Rosa Guevera in the Hayfield Secondary School Attendance Office (just off the main lobby).

National Sleep Awareness Week in March

SLEEP is joining the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) in observing National Sleep Awareness Week from March 3-7. NSF’s mission is to educate the public, share information and raise awareness about sleep and its connection to overall good health.

NSF will be coordinating visits for volunteers to meet with representatives to advocate for sleep on Capitol Hill throughout National Sleep Awareness Week. These volunteers will speak with our representatives about the importance of sleep, the impact of sleep disorders, and the tragic consequences of sleep deprivation, such as workplace accidents and drowsy driving.

Information about National Sleep Awareness Week and more information about sleep and sleep disorders is available at www.sleepfoundation.org

For information about the importance of healthy school start times for our teens, visit www.SLEEPinFairfax.org. Join the almost 8,000 Fairfax County citizens who have signed our online petition!

Pre-AP U.S. History Available to Rising Juniors in 2008-09

Sophomore Parents:

There is an additional Social Studies option for next year’s juniors that does not appear on your student’s 2008-2009 Course Selection Sheet. Pre-AP U.S. History is now offered by some Fairfax County schools, and is listed on page 62 of the course catalog (which lists all courses offered in the county).

The word from Dr. Oehrlein is that our students can write in “Pre-AP U.S. History, course number 236038″ in the social studies section of the course selection sheet. At least 25 students must sign up for this course before Hayfield will offer it.

This class would occupy the middle ground between a regular U.S. History class and AP U.S. History. It is intended for students who want a more challenging class in preparation for AP Government in the senior year. AP Government has a workload similar to AP World History, the sophomore-level course. AP U.S. History has a heavier workload than either of the other classes. The pre-AP U.S. History class would not carry the .5 weighted credit that AP U.S. History carries.

Your student’s counselor should be able to discuss this with your child. If you have any questions about these offerings, please contact Karen Reed (grreed@cox.net), Mary Anne Mulligan (mamulligan@aol.com), or Gail Witt (aawitt@cox.net).

Good luck with course selection for next year!