Fairfax Education Foundation Announces Major New Initiative--The
Global Classroom
Working with leaders in Fairfax County Public Schools the Education Foundation has launched a major new initiative that addresses the most critical issues facing the future of K12. These include: preparing students for 21st Century skills; expanding distance learning opportunities; improving technology skills, improving analytical ability; and, promoting broader and deeper cross cultural understanding. These goals are aligned with the courageous and perceptive leadership of the Fairfax School Board.

Through the Global Classroom initiative, fifth grade students will be able to join with their counterparts in classrooms around the world to study topics of mutual interest. While learning from each other they will also sharpen their skills in technology that will help sustain a commitment to math and science beyond the fifth grade. This project will be funded through funds raised from corporations, foundations, and the federal government (applied for). For more information contact: Jim Rosebush at 202.835.1695.

Celebrating the Global Classroom: Honoring Governor Tim Kaine in his last year
as Governor:
The Foundation announces its annual State of Education Luncheon honoring the governor will be held at the McLean Hilton on Monday, October, 26, 2009 from noon until 2PM. As usual this will be a fun affair focused on children and will be an opportunity for the leadership of Northern Virginia to gather and share their ideas on the future of education in the region. To become an underwriter and sponsor or to reserve a table please all Jim Rosebush at 202 835 1695. See you there!

21st Century Careers Project to Benefit Fairfax Middle Schoolers
The Fairfax Education Foundation today announced the launch of a model technology innovation program, in partnership with the Commonwealth of Virginia, to benefit middle schoolers in Fairfax County. The three-year program titled Technology and 21st Century Careers: Preparing Students for the Future will premier this winter at Glasgow Middle School. Read Press Release [PDF]

K12nects concludes its six-year run
It's hard to imagine it but after six years the innovative K12nects program has concluded. After millions of dollars from companies, the US Congress and FCPS, what did we accomplish? When we started schools did not have technology plans, building did not have technology audits and the foundation was looked at sideways for requiring K12nects schools to have both. Teachers were reticent to engage in the training offered by the foundation and technology applications were in their infancy. Now we can say that by keeping our focus on the question, "How does technology affect learning?" we have helped shape the use and effectiveness of technology development and helped to hold it accountable to improving SOL scores and other measures of success. For a complete repot on this project and its findings, please call Jim Rosebush at 202 835 1695.

Friends: The Virginia General Assembly has enacted legislation to allow for taxpayers in VA 2002-2007 to elect to allocate their refund to Public School Education Foundations! Ours is one of the 50 Foundations in 130 school districts throughout VA selected. All you need to do is to use our code: 059001 and indicate on your return that you would like your refund or any portion of it to go to your Foundation. The Foundation, along with the Parks and Library Foundations, also receives donations from Fairfax County taxpayers.