INSIDE TRACK
FALLS CHURCH CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Three Important Words
Lois Berlin, Superintendent
It’s hard to believe that a
“All we have month has passed since
I welcomed you back for
to decide is what a new school year at the
Welcome Back BBQ and
to do with the time Convocation. Since that
hot day in the stadium, the
that is given to us.” weather has noticeably
improved, and you have all
~ J. R. R. Tolkien been busy doing what you
do best – teaching and supporting our
students. My favorite part of this job is
when I am in the schools, seeing you inter-
acting with students. This year after each
visit, three words come to mind:
IN THIS ISSUE excitement, frustration, determination.
The excitement stems from your embrace work each and every day.
2 of new approaches and opportunities. It is
Summer Adventures exciting for me to see your ongoing
dedication to providing the best possible
Kudos teaching and learning opportunities for all
Baby News of our students.
The frustration comes from two places.
3 Many are disappointed at the results of
Wedding Bells last year’s SOL testing - a single measure
of our students’ success. So many of us
4 worked hard last year to make AYP, and
are feeling very frustrated at the results. It
Morning
Announcements is also frustrating to think about doing more
with less funding. The reality of our budget
BBQ Feedback situation for FY2011 and beyond is that we
really do have to do more with less.
Financial Check-Up
The determination is what makes FCCPS
5 a premier school division. I’m so impressed
with your determination to make sure that
Run for the Schools all of our students succeed. It is clear in the
Retirement Check-Up way you are engaging students and each
Grocery Programs other in discussions on how we deliver in-
struction and gauge student achievement.
Science Speaker
I am optimistic and confident that, despite
fewer resources, we can meet the
6 challenge of teaching every student
Things to Know successfully. I am also prepared to support
you in whatever way I can in that endeavor.
Community Calendar
I have often said that if any place can meet
that challenge, it’s Falls Church.
OCTOBER 2010
In the weeks and months to come, we will
have discussions on an issue that is
important to all of us – student growth.
There are a number of questions that must
be answered in order to clearly understand
what we really mean when we refer to
student growth. What are the components
of student growth? How does our practice
relate to student growth? How can we use
Access to paint a clear picture of student
growth? I hope to engage the school board,
staff and community in discussions that will
help frame what we mean when we refer to
student growth.
In the meantime, I am thankful for your
dedication, your commitment and your hard
FCCPS Tops the Charts
There are many measures by which
FCCPS shows stellar success. These
numbers and recognitions are worth
repeating because they clearly show what
a good job we are doing as educators.
• TJ Elementary’s SOL scores were so
impressive that the school received an
award for excellence.
• The Class of 2010 had the highest-
ever SAT scores, and more students
took the test. In a year when state and
national averages remained stagnant,
the GMHS combined scores rose 83
points over the previous year - to a
school record of 1795.
• Class of 2010 ACT composite scores
were also well above state and
national averages.
• The GMHS Summer PyGames team
(part of the Robotics team) won a
competition to design an educational
computer game. Judges cited the
team’s “great game play, graphics,
scoring, and well-written essays.”
• Seven GMHS students were named
National Merit Semifinalists.
• Our On-Time Graduation Rate remains
one of the highest in the state.
Summer Adventures
TJ teachers Heidi Lang, Lisa Allan,
Cindie Carlson and FCCPS retiree Renie
O’Neill at the Temple of Zeus in Greece.
If it’s summer, it must be time for
another far-flung trip for the TJ trav-
elers. This summer globe-trekking
teachers, Lisa Allan, Heidi Lang,
Cindie Carlson, and longtime
school psychologist, Renie O’Neill,
journeyed to Turkey and Greece.
Two of their favorite places were
Athens and Ephesus in Kusadasi,
Turkey.
Baby News
Aliyah Noelle
Nelson thinks
Grama Alice
Nelson is funny.
Mt. Daniel teacher Alice Nelson
became a grandmother on June
14th. Being with her granddaugh-
ter, Aliyah Noelle Nelson, made it a
wonderful summer.
Lyla McConnell
INSIDE TRACK
The Steubing family has many connec-
tions to GMHS: Larry Stuebing, Class
of 67; Roni Stuebing Reynolds, Class of
68; Superintendent Lois Berlin; Mustang
Mom, Jean Frankfourth; Vanessa Stuebing
Engle, Class of 74; Lisa Stuebing, Class
of 81.
Superintendent Lois Berlin es-
caped the August heat with a
family reunion trip to Idaho. The
Steubing family, which includes
four GMHS alumni, enjoyed time
together in Priest Lake, Idaho.
Cora Bragg
TJ teacher Cindy Bragg and her
husband, Meredith, awaited the
start of summer because they
knew that a birthday was not far
behind. Baby Cora arrived on
June 24th, and weighed 7 pounds,
13 ounces.
GMHS teacher Jill McConnell and
her husband, Tommy, welcomed a
baby girl on July 9th. Lyla Michelle
McConnell weighed in at 9 pounds,
11 ounces. Her big sister, Maria,
thinks she is pretty cute!
Kudos to:
• Five new Curriculum and
Instruction Resource Teach-
ers (CIRTs) who are serving
FCCPS. Brett Sparrgrove,
K-12 Career and Tech Ed;
Kate Brodeur, 5-7 English;
Elizabeth Rizzi, 8-12 English;
Kristin White, 5-7 Math; Kim
Cherry, K-4 Special Education.
• GMHS teacher Suzanne
Planas who was honored by
Cornell University as part of the
Special Teachers are Recog-
nized (STAR) program. She
was selected by 2006 GMHS
graduate Eric Brooks, a Cor-
nell graduate because of her
influence in is life. A one-time
$4,000 STAR scholarship has
been established in her name,
and will be awarded to a Cor-
nell student from Falls Church.
Adele “Bubbe” Eskin greets baby
Esther in Paris.
MEHMS librarian Adele Es-
kin spent three weeks in Paris,
France, visiting her daughter and
son-in-law, awaiting the arrival of
her second grandchild. The baby
took her time arriving, and Adele
had to extend her stay in Paris so
that she could meet her grand-
daughter, Esther Rose Van Orman.
Her birthday was August 25th, and
she weighed 9 pounds.
PAGE 2
Wedding Bells
Brian and Maureen Taylor take a celebra-
tory carousel ride.
MEH teacher Maureen Warfield
married ENS Brian Taylor on June
19th. The wedding took place in the
gardens of Windmill Island in Hol-
land, Michigan. The couple honey-
mooned in the Dominican Republic
where the new Señora Taylor could
practice her Spanish.
Stefanie Williams McMaugh surrounded
by family and friends at her July 10th
wedding to Chris McMaugh. In front is
her daughter, Brooklyn, and far right is
her sister, Scarlett Williams, a Mt. Daniel
paraprofessional.
On July 10th, daycare assistant
director Stefanie Williams
married Chris McMaugh at The
Waterford in Fair Oaks, Virginia.
The mother of the bride is Robin
Williams, TJ daycare supervisor
and outdoor classroom coordinator.
Both Stefanie and Chris are gradu-
ates of GMHS, and are settling in
with Stefanie’s daughter, Brooklyn,
in Falls Church.
PAGE 3
Courtney and Mark Sokolowski walk
down the aisle after their wedding cer-
emony.
GMHS teacher Mark Sokolowski
married Courtney Jo Andes on Au-
gust 7th at the University of Virgin-
ia. Mark and Courtney met at UVA,
where they were working on their
Master’s Degrees in Education.
After a honeymoon to St. Lucia,
Mark is back in the GMHS science
wing, and Courtney is a third-grade
teacher in Fairfax County.
Breanne Rodino and her new husband,
Damian.
On August 22nd GMHS teacher
Breanne Smith married Damian
Rodino at Lansdowne Resort in
Leesburg, VA.
They honeymooned on Grand
Cayman Island before returning to
Virginia.
Doug and Liz Germer
Liz Mackie, special education and
student services director, married
Doug Germer on August 21st at
Rust Manor House in Leesburg.
Liz’s daughters, Kaitlin and Brian-
na, were her bridesmaids. Liz and
Doug are planning a honeymoon to
Jamaica in November.
Jill Prince and her new husband, Todd.
The Chesapeake Bay Beach Club
was the setting for the July 31st
wedding of TJ teacher Jill Hocutt
and Todd Prince.
In August they traveled to Hawaii,
where they visited Maui and Kauai.
INSIDE TRACK
Do You Take Your Morning Announcements with Coffee?
Have you had your daily download
of Morning Announcements today?
Seems like everywhere you go,
people are talking about the photo
of the day or “Caught on the Web.”
It’s become a very effective com-
munications tool that reaches
many FCCPS audiences - staff,
Little City News
To receive news about Falls
Church City beyond the schools,
sign up for Falls Church eFocus -
the bi-weekly city newsletter. Click
here to sign up.
Anyone can become a fan of Falls
Church City
on Face-
book. Click
here to sign
up.
Sign up for daily updates, analysis
and unlimited comments from the
Falls Church Times, a local non-
profit online newspaper, published
by Falls Church citizens.
Pick up your weekly free copy of
The Falls Church News-Press, or
see it online at www.fcnp.com.
INSIDE TRACK
parents, community leaders and 4. Put a note in your class newslet-
more. Here’s how you can get your ter to make sure that all parents
info into Morning Announcements. are receiving Morning Announce-
1. Make sure that the information ments. Interested people can eas-
on the FCCPS Google Calendar ily subscribe.
is correct for your events. Check 5. Keep reading
date, time and location. it, sending com-
2. Alert FCCPS Communications ments and cor-
staff if there is an event coming up recting errors.
that needs publicity.
3. Share photos of classroom
events, school assemblies, visitors
and any other special events with
FCCPS Communications Staff.
Welcome Back BBQ Feedback
Although it seems like ages ago,
the Welcome Back BBQ and
Convocation was just last month,
and the post-event survey yielded
some great suggestions.
As always, everyone’s favorite
things about the event are con-
necting with colleagues and
enjoying a meal. The quality and
variety of food provided by FCCPS
food services received high marks. Kim Cherry and Denise O’Neil enjoy
Many were delighted to have veg- watermelon.
etarian options and cold watermel- Thanks to the sponsors, no
school money was spent, and
many people have made an ef-
fort to thank the sponsors for
their support.The sponsors were
Apple Federal Credit Union, BJ’s,
Elementary PTA, FCCPS Band
Boosters, GMHS Athletic Boost-
ers, GMHS PTSA, John Kwacala,
Capital Asset Management Group
(ING 403b), MEHMS PTA, Sysco
Food Services, VALIC.
The view from above as the picnic begins.
on.Most respondents appreciated
the change of venue, and were
pleased that it was held at lunch-
time. Most were uncomfortable in
that hot sun, and a handful of folks
did not come because of the sun,
although a few said they loved the
heat! Suggestions for next year in-
clude having the assembly portion
inside, and the meal outside. All enjoyed a picnic lunch, courtesy of
FCCPS Food Services.
PAGE 4
FCEDF Run for the Schools Raises Funds for FCCPS
More than 400 runners regis-
tered for the Falls Church Edu-
cation Foundation Run for the
Schools on September 15th.
GMHS Wrestling Team had the
fastest team finishing time, and
GMHS Teachers on the Run
fielded the largest team. Also
seen on the course were teams
from MEHMS, TJ and the Cen-
tral Office Coconuts.
Click here for the race results.

Runners hit the street for the annual Run for the Schools race in downtown Falls
Church on September 12th.
Retirement Check-Up with VALIC
Did you know that 46% of work-
ers surveyed are not confident
that they will have enough mon-
ey to live comfortably throughout
their retirement years?* Your
VALIC financial advisor can help
you feel more confident about a
secure retirement.
National Save for Retirement
Week is October 17-23. What
better time to meet with a finan-
cial planner?
FCCPS employees who are
using VALIC for their 403B
retirement plan can set up a free
meeting with Mario Orozco, your
VALIC financial advisor.
He’ll help you take full advan-
tage of the time you have before
retirement. To contact Mario
Orozco click here or call 571-
451-4405.
*Source: Employee Benefit Research
Institute 2010 Retirement Confidence
Survey
GMHS to Host
Scientist
George Mason High School
is actively participating in the
USA Science and Engineer-
ing Festival by hosting a
“Nifty Fifty” speaker. On Octo-
ber 14th, astrophysicist Mat-
thew Bobrowsky, University of
Maryland, College Park, will
be speaking about taking the
cosmos into the classroom;
what it means to be a scientist
and what challenges he had to
overcome. It’s all part of a na-
tional effort to get students of
all ages to love and embrace
science and engineering. For
information about the festival,
click here or contact GMHS
science teacher Bryan Harris.

Giant, Safeway and Harris Teeter programs

It’s time to designate FCCPS schools on your grocery cards. Giant, Safeway and Harris Teeter have
programs that send a portion of their sales to schools designated by the customer. Even if you have
done this in the past, every program requires that you re-register every year! It is easy and won't
cost you a penny. You'll need your grocery discount cards at hand.

Giant A+ Bonus Bucks Harris Teeter Safeway Escrip

www.giantfood.com/ Together in Education www.escrip.com
aplus www.harristeeter.com/com- Use these
Use these munity school codes.
school codes. Use these school codes.
GM 1925 GM 5693 GM 6654115
MEH 2930 MEH 5100 MEH 500016504
MD 1935 MD 5097 MD 6540686
TJ 1938 TJ 5098 TJ 6577369
PAGE 5 INSIDE TRACK
Free for Staff
Here’s a little-known FCCPS
benefit. All FCCPS employees
and their families get free admis-
sion to all theatrical performanc-
es and sporting events at GMHS
& MEHMS.
Just show your
employee ID at
the gate and you’ll
get in for free. One
thing to note: the staff member
has to be present to take advan-
tage of this benefit, which means
teenagers can’t take a parent’s
ID and request free admission.
Follow the links to the Fall sports
schedules. Varsity Football, JV
Football, Girls Cross Country,
Boys Cross Country, Varsity
Volleyball, JV Volleyball, Golf.
Community Calendar
Newseum Teacher Open
House Washington, DC,
October 2, 9:00 a.m. -
5:00 p.m. Open House for all
teachers includes free admission
with a valid ID and $10 admis-
sion for up to five guests.
Click here for details.
Farm Day October 9th Cher-
ry Hill Park 10:00 a.m. -
3:00 p.m. Enjoy life on the farm
with kid-friendly activities for
the entire family to enjoy. Corn
grinding in the barn, tours of
the house, hay rides, and more.
Click here for more info or call
703-248-5081.
Falls Church Farmers Mar-
ket Recogntion as Best
Mid-Size Farmers Market in
America 300 Park Avenue,
October 9th 10:00 a.m. With
its 45 vendors, the Falls Church
City market beat out hundreds
Got news for Inside Track?
Send it to Marybeth Connelly or call 703-248-5691.
Reading a printed version of Inside Track? To use the links, visit
http://www.fccps.org/news/it/oct10.htm, or call 703-248-5691.
PAGE 6
School Supplies
Many generous community and
staff donors supported the Fam-
ily Assistance Fund’s school
supplies drive. FCCPS social
worker Susan Sinclair reported
that, “we
provided
backpacks,
school sup-
plies and
Staples gift
cards to 40 students this school
year. This has been our largest
back to school drive ever!”
Employee Handbook
The Falls Church City Public
Schools Employee Handbook
has been updated! It can be
found on the FCCPS website.
Click here. Hard copies are in
school offices and libraries.
of similarly-sized markets
throughout the country. Falls
Church also finished first in vot-
ing among all Virginia farmers
markets regardless of market
size.
MEHMS Night at the Mus-
tangs October 15th Moore
Cadillac Field at GMHS
7:00 p.m. MEHMS students
get in for $1 with a paying adult.
Music students will play with
the GMHS pep band and the
mascots will race. Free popcorn
for MEHMS students.
BJ’s Grand Opening
October 16th BJ’s is adopt-
ing TJ for its inaugural year.
Grand Opening will feature a
visit from the TJ Tiger and other
TJ VIPs.
EZ Parking at CO
If you have had trouble finding a
parking space at the Central Of-
fice, here is some good news.
The parking lot at 706 West
Broad Street (next to the Burger
King) is available for use by
800 W. Broad St. tenants and
guests.
The auto en-
trance to the
lot is from W.
Broad St., how-
ever, there is a short pathway
between the parking lot and N.
Oak St.
Although the existing signange
says that the lot is for 450 W.
Broad, it will be altered in the
near future to reflect that tenants
of the Flower Building can park
there. Start using it today!
USA Science and Engineer-
ing Festival October 23rd
and 24th, Washington, DC.
Click here for information about
this free, two-day Expo on the
National Mall and surrounding
areas that will feature over 1500
fun, hands-on science activities
and over 50 stage shows and
performances on four stages.
What Do You
Think?
What’s your favorite thing
about Fall?
A. Back-to-School
B. Apple cider
C. Cooler temps
D. Football season
E. Turning leaves
F. Other
Click on your answer, and tell
us why or call 703-248-5691
to reply.
INSIDE TRACK