These five weren’t all published in 2014, but they are ones that I most enjoyed reading during the past year. Here they are, in alphabetical order: All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr (fiction) Named to the New York Times Book Review’s 10 Best Books of 2014, this novel weaves together the stories of Werner, a young German orphan whose knack for putting radios together attracts Nazi recruiters, […]
By my rough calculation, my daughters, who are currently juniors at T.C., will have taken around 45 high-stakes exams—Standards of Learning (SOLs), Advanced Placement (AP) exams, SAT and ACT college entrance exams, and SAT II subject tests—by the time they leave Alexandria City Public Schools. Throw in a couple of PSATs and an SAT/ACT practice combo test and the total is nearly 50. (By contrast, when I was their age, […]
By Lisa Jacobs, guest blogger ACPS created an Honors Review Committee which met several times during the fall to discuss honors courses in the middle and high schools. The committee recommended several changes to the middle school honors class expectations and descriptions in the 2014-2015 Program of Studies, which were incorporated into the proposed 2015-2016 Program of Studies. View the agenda (see #17). Several other proposals–including the creation of honors […]
Helpful Dates for Parents of T.C. Williams Juniors Here are the 2015 SAT and ACT test dates and registration deadlines. All registrations are online, and all of these tests will be administered at T.C. Williams. Fee waivers are available for students who are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch; bring your eligibility letter to the college and career center to receive a waiver code. SAT (www.collegeboard.org; $52.50) Jan. 24 […]
by Amanda Wilcox and Kelly Townsend, guest bloggers As high school students in 2014, we can’t escape the impact that numbers have on our own and others’ perceptions of our success. We repeatedly refresh PowerSchool [the online gradebook] to check our grade averages, we strive for that perfect 2400 on the SAT, and we cross our fingers for a 5 on every AP exam and a Pass Advanced on every […]
To no one’s surprise, the ACPS enrollment data show that significantly more children are enrolled in our schools this year compared with last year. The 4.4% increase over 2013-2014 is slightly above the average increase over the past eight years. Total enrollment at the end of October was 14,157 students, an increase of 594. ACPS has 34% (3,600) more students now than when the Class of 2015 finished elementary school. […]
In no other country is driving and owning a car as quintessential to the culture and lifestyle as it is in the U.S. “Two cars in every garage,” promised the Republican campaign slogan in 1928. Willie Nelson “just can’t wait to get on the road again.” For some of us, our love affair with the automobile began with our first wheels—a red Corvette Matchbox car, perhaps, or a pink Barbie […]
More than a year ago, Port City Notebook reported that there was a good chance, weather-permitting, that the new T.C. Williams High School tennis courts would be finished in time for the end of the spring 2014 season. But now it’s looking very doubtful that they will be ready for spring 2015. Why the delay? No official explanations have been offered, and given that ground has still not been broken, […]
Provide Input: Chinquapin Park Recreation Center & Aquatics Facility Expansion There’s still time this week to share your thoughts about the best design for a new 50-meter indoor pool at the Chinquapin Park Recreation Center and Aquatics Facility. AlexEngage—a new online forum and a tool of the What’s Next Alexandria civic engagement initiative—allows you to express your opinion to decision-makers, and also to view what other residents are saying. Comments will be […]
The Port City Notebook took an unexpected hiatus this summer, but will be back publishing on a regular basis very soon. Thank you for your continued interest! Meanwhile, I’ve collected a few items to highlight as the end of summer draws near and the start of the new school year approaches: Teens and Money My good friend Janet Bodnar, editor of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine and a leading authority on […]
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