Facing a Tragedy at T.C. Williams\Una Tragedia Para T.C. Williams

Many of you may have heard of a recent tragic loss for the T.C. community when a 17-year-old girl was killed by an ex-boyfriend and her brother was seriously wounded.  A T.C. parent has set up a GoFundMe site to help the family deal with the medical and funeral costs they have incurred.  The PTSA Board wanted to share the site to help this T.C. family in its time of most devastating need. 

Nearly 1.5 million high school students nationwide experience physical abuse from a dating partner in a single year.  

If you would like to know more about:

• how to recognize the warning signs of teen dating violence, and 
• how to help someone in an unhealthy relationship,
• the Loveisrespect website is a great resource to read and share.

Muchos de ustedes habrán escuchado sobre una reciente y trágica pérdida para la comunidad de T.C., cuando una niña de 17 años fue asesinada por su ex novio y su hermano resultó gravemente herido.  Una familia de T.C.  ha creado una cuenta en GoFundMe para ayudar a la familia a lidiar con los gastos médicos y funerarios. El PTSA quiere compartir la cuenta para ayudar a esta familia de T.C. en un momento
de dolor y necesidad.

Cada año cerca de 1.5 millones de estudiantes de secundaria de todo el país experimentan abuso físico de una pareja. 

Si desea saber más sobre:

• cómo reconocer las señales de advertencia de violencia entre parejas adolescentes, y 
• cómo ayudar a alguien en una relación enfermiza, 
• el sitio web espanol.loveisrespect.org es un gran recurso para leer y compartir.

ALIVE! NEEDS Volunteers for Food Distribution on Saturday 6/24

Hunger does not take a vacation. We need volunteers for ALIVE's monthly food distribution on Saturday, June 24. Many of our regular volunteers are away during the summer. We need volunteers at Church of the Resurrection ( 2280 N. Beauregard ST) between 8:30 - 11:00am. Individuals, families, and groups are welcome. Children with parents are welcome. 

Please respond to volunteers@alive-inc.org, if you can participate. Thank you. 

Patricia 
Volunteer Coordinator 
ALIVE!

Space of Her Own Program Seeks Female Mentors

Designing, crafting building, innovating…at Space of Her Own (SOHO), preteen girls experiment with art and uncover unique talents with the encouragement of caring mentors. Girls are paired with professional adult female volunteers and engage in visual arts and life skills lessons to open their worlds to new possibilities. Pairs meet in a group setting one night a week for the initial program year, which ends in a team effort to give each girl's bedroom a makeover.

Information sessions for potential mentors will be held as follows:

• Saturday June 24, 10-11:30 a.m.
  Charles Houston Recreation Center (in the Senior Center)
  910 Wythe St. Alexandria, Virginia
• Thursday, July 6, 6-7:30 p.m.
  Dr. Oswald Durant Arts Center
  1605 Cameron St., Alexandria, Virginia
• Wednesday, July 19, 6:30-8 p.m.
  Arlington Career Center (in the Common Area)
  816 S. Walter Reed Drive, Arlington, Virginia

To register, visit www.spaceofherown.org. For more information, email Sarah Maroney at recruitment@spaceofherown.org.

SOHO programs are managed in partnership with the City of Alexandria’s Court Service Unit, Alexandria Public Schools and The Art League.

Alexandria Film Festival Seeks Volunteers

Do you have a teen who needs to fulfill volunteer hours or is interested in helping out the Alexandria Film Festival? The Alexandria Film Festival seeks volunteers to hand our flyers at free movie screenings in Alexandria, Arlington and National Harbor. The Festival will be November 9-12 this year. We also have other volunteer opportunities for people interested in film. 


Here is a sign up genius site for anyone interested in helping with outreach by handing out flyers: 


http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0848a8af2ba5fe3-flyerhttp://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0848a8af2ba5fe3-flyer 



You can also find more information at: http://alexfilmfest.com/ http://alexfilmfest.com/ 


Thank you for your interest! 

Volunteer Opportunity at Ivy Hill Cemetery

FROM NEIGHBORHOOD LISTSERV: 

My name is Matthew Schultz & I would like to invite you to participate in a service project which I will be leading at Ivy Hill Cemetery (2823 King Street, Alexandria) this Saturday May 20th. 

The project will consist of removing ivy from around 200 historic trees that are dying because of the ivy. Adults are welcome and students can receive service hours for their time. Come for only an hour or two or stay all day. I will be there from 9am on. 

Please wear pants and long sleeve shirts as there is a possibility of poison ivy on the trees. Bring work gloves and shears if you have them. Donuts, water, and lunch will be provided. This project will go on rain or shine so dress accordingly for the weather.
Hope to see you all there!
If you have any additional questions please contact: schultzmatthew51@gmail.com 
  

Community Electronics E-Cycling and Shred Event

Saturday, April 29, 10 a.m. to 1.pm.
St. Stephen's & St. Agnes Lower School Campus, Front Parking Lot
400 Fontaine Street, Alexandria, VA

This Saturday is the 5th Annual St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School Association of Parents and Teachers (APT) Community Electronics E-Cycling and Shred Event. Round up all those unused computers and any other electric appliances. Anything with a plug! Collect those boxes of personal information you've been meaning to destroy to avoid identity theft! Tell your friends and neighbors!
New this year is the Community Shred provided by "Shred-It,"a recognized national leader in document destruction. Please limit your shredding to 10 boxes per household, unless pre-arranged in advance. Documents shredded are 100% recycled.
Last year at our annual E-Cycling event, we recycled over 10,000 lbs. of miscellaneous electronic materials. Strong participation is important so that we can continue to offer this great service every year to our school community and to the greater Alexandria community. Our fantastic partner for this event continues to be Service Source, one of the largest employers of people with disabilities nationwide. Service Source has provided this list of things to consider when recycling your electronics:
* All flat screen monitors or projection type monitors are recycled for free.
* CRT (cathode ray; old box style) monitors will be charged to the owners at $15 (check or cash accepted).
* Projection Televisions will be charged a flat rate of $25.
* Everything else will be taken free of charge (basically anything with a plug).
* All donations are 100% tax deductible. Donation forms available upon request.
* Certificates of Destruction of Hard Drives and cell phone SIM cards available upon request.
* Only electronics, NO refrigeration units (including air conditioner window units).
* Click here for more information on acceptable items for this event.
The APT Sustainability Committee and the Upper School Sustainability Club will manage the electronics drop off and help collect the documents for shredding. We can always use extra hands, so if you would like to volunteer, please contact APT Sustainability Committee member Richard Bottonari at bottonari@gmail.com.

Drug Take Back Day Saturday, April 29

The 11th Annual MV Big Flea Is This Saturday April 29

The annual community flea market and fundraiser for Mount Vernon Community School. Every year the MVCS PTA collects donations of furniture, housewares, baby gear, toys, games, electronics, hardware, tools, small appliances, jewelry, and antiques and collectibles and sells them to raise money to support the students and the school. Proceeds are used for things such as field trips, enrichment activities, dance integration, special events, computers, musical instruments and art and classroom supplies. 

Here are the details:

Mount Vernon Recreation Center, 2701 Commonwealth Ave. Alexandria, VA 22305.

7-8 a.m.: Looking for something specific or particularly sought after? Get an early start with early bird admission ($10 entrance fee) at 7 a.m.

8 a.m. - 11:15: General admission (no entrance fee)

11:30: Re-entry (no fee) and all items are half price.

1pm: Pay $5 to re-enter, all items are free.

This year also look for the raffle of the mystery gift! At an early donation drop back in December, someone donated a (visibly dusty) gift wrapped package. Flea volunteers have no idea what it contains and decided that it would be fun to raffle off the opportunity to solve the mystery! Curious? Buy a raffle ticket and you might be the lucky winner!

Some top MV Big Flea tips:

*Getting there early pays off, particularly if you are looking for something specific or want something that you have seen featured on the Flea Facebook page.

* You can ask for help. Signage inside the gym indicates the location of the various sections, but there are also Flea volunteers in blue Flea shirts stationed around the floor to help direct you and answer questions.

* Bring bags. Flea volunteers will give you a shopping bag as you enter (until supplies run out), but the likelihood is high that you will need more than one. 

*Buying furniture? Flea volunteers (in blue Flea shirts) in the furniture section will help stick a "sold" label on your furniture for you and help move it out. And don't forget, the Flea delivers! For a $25 delivery fee, you can arrange delivery of your furniture finds.

* Checking out. Just before the exit, Flea volunteers will tally up your purchases and give you your total. They'll then direct you outside to "Fleadom Plaza" where cashiers will take your payment. Cash and credit cards are accepted. 

*Fleadom Plaza. In addition to the cashiers and the delivery coordination table, a host of other things will be happening on Fleadom plaza, including a student council book sale (cash only), MVCS swag sales, and the raffle of the mystery gift. It's a fun and festive atmosphere on the plaza, and it should be a beautiful day!

Remember, you are shopping with a purpose: it's for the kids!

Del Ray Mail Carrier Needs Community Support

Help Reggie with Funeral Costs

https://www.gofundme.com/help-reggie-wfuneral-costs

One of Del Ray's favorite and most loved friends  suffered the most unthinkable loss.  On March 9th, Reggie's daughter and 2 year old grandson died in a tragic automobile accident.  

As a community, we have grown to love Reggie as a member of our family.  While we are heartbroken for him, we want him to know that he is not alone in his grieving  and that we will be there for him during these extremely hard days ahead.  We hope you will consider joining the Del Ray community and his friends to help raise funds to cover funeral costs & upcoming expenses.

All ACPS schools closed for students this Wednesday, March 8

SPECIAL EDITION – Calendar Update

 

 

It has come to our attention that as of today, more than 300 staff members have requested leave this Wednesday, March 8. Given the unusually high number of requests, this may be attributed to the observance of International Women’s Day. This day has also been deemed A Day Without Women. Consequently, ACPS has decided to close schools for students for the day. This day will be a teacher work day for ACPS staff. This is in addition to the teacher work day that is on Friday, March 10.

This is not a decision that was made lightly. We have been closely monitoring requests for leave on March 8, including communicating with school leaders and our education association. The decision is based solely on our ability to provide sufficient staff to cover all our classrooms, and the impact of high staff absenteeism on student safety and delivery of instruction. It is not based on a political stance or position.

Students will not be required to make up this instructional day. As this winter has not seen the usual snow accumulation across the region, we have sufficient days in the calendar to close on Wednesday without adversely affecting the number of teaching days required by the State.

We understand that when schools close there is an impact on families, who may have to find unanticipated childcare. We apologize for this unforeseen burden on parents and thank you for your patience and understanding.

• All Campagna Center Early Childhood Programs (Head Start, Early Head Start) and Campagna Kids After School programs will operate on the normal schedule. Campagna Kids Before School Program will be closed (Samuel Tucker and Polk Elementary School sites).
• All Rec programs at schools will continue to operate as usual.
• All ACPS scheduled after-school activities for March 8 will continue as planned.

ACPS will provide breakfast at 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. and lunch at 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at:

• Patrick Henry Elementary School
• Jefferson-Houston School
• Cora Kelly School for Math, Science and Technology
• William Ramsay Elementary School
• Francis C. Hammond Middle School
• T.C. Williams High School

These programs are open to ALL students whether they attend that school or not. If you have questions regarding this decision please email the Office of Communications at news@acps.k12.va.us.

Thank you again for your patience and understanding while we work this through.

Yours sincerely,

Alvin L. Crawley, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

 

Congressman Don Beyer Tele-Townhall 3/1

I will not avoid you. 

Hearing your input is one of the most important things a Member of Congress can do. My staff and I are trying to host as many in-person town halls with as many people as we can. 

If you can't join our March 13 town hall "Know Your Rights" in person, we'll live stream it on Facebook and Twitter. 

Whether you can join or not, everyone is invited to join our telephone town hall "Your Voice" on March 1.

Community Lodgings Seeks Tutors for Middle School Students

Community Lodgings, a nonprofit in Arlandria, is looking for volunteers to help tutor some middle school students whom they serve. The students need tutoring in Math and Science to prepare for the upcoming SOLs. Tutoring will be on 4/22, 4/29, 5/6, and 5/13 but you don't have to volunteer for all four sessions. 


If you need more info, please email the outreach person, Sarah Foote at Sarah.A.Foote@gmail.com 



Hosted by: Community Lodgings, Inc. at 601 Four Mile Road, Alexandria, VA, 22305.



-We are striving for a 1:5 instructor-student ratio. We are trying to serve about 10 students per session. 



-The ages/grades of students served will be 11-14, or 6-8th grade. 



-Sessions will include practice tests on the computer or paper as needed, worksheets and other computer programs. Also some interactive games such as jeopardy, and review of basic skills with methods such as flash cards and review of test taking skills. All of this will complement work done in our free after-school tutoring program. 



The general agenda for each session will be: 



1. arrival and snack 

2. complete one practice test or test section for math 

3. complete worksheets based on the areas students need the most support on as identified during after school programming 

4. group-based interactive learning 



The dates will include four Saturdays: 4/22, 4/29, 5/6, and 5/13. Note: volunteers do not have to volunteer at EVERY Saturday Academy-- just as many sessions as they feel they can. 

Black History Month Community Concert 2/22

List of Restaurants CLOSED for A Day Without Immigrants

Restaurants closed Thursday, February 16, for A Day Without Immigrants 
updated 2/16 at 3:00pm 


Hanks Oyster Bar
Hanks Pasta Bar
Pizzeria Paradiso
San Antonio Bar & Grill 
Stomping Ground
Sweetgreen
Taqueria Poblano 


Make sure you support these establishments when they are open because they support our community! 

TC Williams Spring Sports Try Outs

Students should make every attempt to register for their respective tryout prior to the first day. Students can register during lunch and after school in the Athletic Office by dropping off Emergency Care and VHSL physical.  Physicals are available at the Teen Wellness Center.

	Practice Location	Inclement Weather Location
Baseball	Simpson Field, E. Monroe Ave.  4:00 - 7:00 p.m	Minnie Howard  4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Softball	Witter Park, 2700 Witter Street 4:00 - 6:30 p.m.	King Street Auxiliary Gym 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Girls Lacrosse	Minnie Howard 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.	Same
Boys Lacrosse	Hammond, 4646 Seminary Road 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.	King Street Main Gym 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Boys & Girls Soccer	King Street Campus 4:00 -7:00 p.m. Witter Park, 4:00 - 6:30 p.m	King Street Main Gym 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Tennis	King Street Campus 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.	King Street Main Gym 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Track & Field	King Street Campus 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.	King Street Auxiliary Gym 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Rugby	Chinquapin or GWMS, 1005 Mt. Vernon Ave 4:00 - 6:30 p.m.	King Street Wrestling Room / Weight Room 4:00 - 7:00 p.m
Crew	Boathouse 4:00 - 6:30 p.m.	Same

Cameron Run Park Public Meeting

TC Leadership Fundraiser at Fairlington Pizza 2/13

TC Williams Parent Night at Port City TONIGHT

WEDNESDAY

February 8, 6 - 9 p.m. Adults' Night at

Port City Brewing Co!

3950 Wheeler Avenue

Who says the kids get all the fun?  

 YOU'RE INVITED to an adults-only evening at Port City Brewing Co. supporting the T.C. Williams All Night Graduation Party

Swing by for a few minutes or come for the night.

Parents, alumni, staff & friends of T.C. Williams are all welcome.  

Rocklands food truck will be on site and 

themed baskets will be raffled for $5 tickets or 5 for $20

Come connect with old friends and meet new ones!!

Admission is free, Port City will share the evenings proceeds 

with the All Night Grad Party*

*Our annual alcohol-free senior celebration is a fun-filled night with great prizes (like cash, laptops, iPads) and activities including the Casino Room, the Velcro wall, mechanical bull and diving for dollars, just to name a few.  

For more information, check out the ANGP website

  www.titansallnightgradparty.org.

Alexandria Winter Restaurant Week - February 17-26

For 10 days and two weekends, 60 Alexandria restaurants offer a $35 three-course dinner for one OR a $35 dinner for two during Alexandria Winter Restaurant Week,February 17-26, 2017. More than 30 restaurants will also offer lunch deals at $10, $15 or $20 per person in addition to the dinner specials.
New to Alexandria Winter Restaurant Week are five new restaurants— Vola’s Dockside Grill, Hen Quarter, Live Oak, Northside 10 and BurgerFi—as well as first-time participants Dos Amigos and Hawwi Ethiopian Restaurant. Returning participants include Restaurant Eve, Bastille, Vermilion, Blackwall Hitch, Carluccio’s, Cheesetique, and Virtue Feed and Grain.
Alexandria Winter Restaurant Week showcases the inventiveness of local chefs in neighborhoods throughout the city, including Old Town, Del Ray, Carlyle and the West End. At a range of locales, from fine dining establishments to casual neighborhood favorites, guests will savor the flavors of Alexandria's distinctive collection of eateries.
Guests will find a flip-book of menus on www.AlexandriaRestaurantWeek.com. 
WHAT: Alexandria Winter Restaurant Week
WHEN: 10 Days – February 17-26, 2017 WHERE: Neighborhoods throughout Alexandria, including Old Town, Del Ray, Carlyle and the West End
HOW: $35 three-course dinner for one OR $35 dinner for two; select locations offering lunch from $10-20/person
INFO: www.AlexandriaRestaurantWeek.com; 703-746-3301

"Heart of Del Ray Award" Voting Now Open

The “Heart of Del Ray Award” is annually presented by the Del Ray Business Association during the Valentine’s Day holiday to the business that serves as the heart and soul of Del Ray. We want to thank everyone that nominated a business -- over 30 wonderful businesses were nominated making it very tough to narrow it down to just five.  Please see quotes at the end of this email that many of you included in your nominations. Many of you also expressed your continued strong support for past winners which is a tremendous compliment to them and reaffirms how lucky we are to have such great businesses in Del Ray.

We are excited that you, our neighbors, customers and friends will determine the winner of this prestigious award. Selection should be based on which business best demonstrates their warm and welcoming attitude to the community/customers, their commitment and generosity to the community, and to their overall contribution to what makes Del Ray the best place in the world to live, work and shop! In other words, what business warms your “heart” when you here its name?

We congratulate and are honored to list the following five businesses that have been nominated for the “2017 Heart of Del Ray Award”:

1)    Cheesetique  http://cheesetique.com/ 

2)    Del Ray Cafe http://www.delraycafe.com/

3)    HolyCow/PorkBarreBBQ    http://www.holycowdelray.com/ http://wwwbbqdelray.com/   

4)    Rock ofAgesMusic(ROAM) http://www.roamrockandroll.com

5)  Taqueria Poblano        http://www.taqueriapoblano.com/

On line voting is now open at www.visitdelray.com - each person is only allowed one vote.   You can vote anytime between now and 5:00 pm on Wednesday, February 8th.  Once votes are calculated and a winner is determined, a large heart shaped award will be displayed on the winning business on Friday, February 10th to greet them for the Valentine’s Day holiday. We will also notify the various list serves of the winner so you can stop by and congratulate the winner.

Last year over, 1,600 neighbors, friends and customers voted so we encourage you to tell your neighbors to be sure and support their favorite nominee. A business can only win once and we congratulate our past winners which include: A Show of Hands, Jen Walker McEnearney Associates, Bobi Bomar Homes of Alexandria, The Neighborhood Pharmacy of Del Ray, Greener Cleaner of Del Ray, Del Ray Pizzeria, Mind the Mat and Caboose Cafe.

Happy Valentine’s Day & be sure to shop for that special Valentine at one of Del Ray’s many businesses!!!

Quotes from those nominating these businesses: 

- Cheesetique: "Long time favorite for our family."  "You can always count on great food and great service as indicated by the many national awards they have won." "Thankful to Jill [Erber] for supporting so many important causes in the community."

- Del Ray Cafe: "Every time we go there, the waiters welcome us like we are old friends.  Friends from D.C. joined us there for dinner and said that they have never received that warm a welcome anywhere!" "The Del Ray Cafe not only treats its customers like family, it also gives back to the community.  They hosted a restaurant night for my daughter's school, and they were generous with their time and donation."

- Pork Barrel/Holy Cow/Sushi Bar: "Besides great food, they are one of the most community-minded businesses in the DC area." "Holy Cow donates a quarter per burger to ACT, they supported Rose's family, organized a fundraiser for Al's, one of their competitors and they donate the Del Ray's Christmas tree every year. They are what makes Del Ray so special."

- Rock Of Ages Music (ROAM): "What John Patrick and his team of talented instructors have done for musicians and children in the neighborhood is astounding and I know they do it with all of their Heart!  And they coordinate great community events like ROAMFEST and the Del Ray Music Festival."

- Taqueria Poblano: "A neighborhood favorite -- like Cheers, where you walk in and they know your name."  "We love the food and love to take friends from out of town because it always feels so welcoming."  "Appreciate Jeff [Wallingford] and Taqueria Poblano who are always willing to support community events."