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Westminster School, Serving Northern VirginiaWestminster School, located in Fairfax County, Virginia, provides a superior elementary and middle school education through a rich, accelerated curriculum, elevated standards in academics and comportment, emphasis on the arts and classic works of literature, and an atmosphere of respect, kindness, and a passion for learning. With its classical curriculum, challenging academics, and old-fashioned insistence on hard work and good manners, Westminster turns out graduates distinguished by their depth of knowledge, responsible study habits, good citizenship, and self-confidence. Ellis Glover |
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What's Happening at Westminster School |
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Westminster School welcomes you to its 50th Anniversary Year! This milestone will be marked in many ways throughout the year, culminating in a Golden Jubilee on May 19, 2012. Alumni and their parents, former staff members, and friends will be invited to join current families for the grand event. Look for special announcements throughout the year, leading up to the exciting finale at the Golden Jubilee. Since Mrs. Goll opened an all-day kindergarten class in fall 1962, Westminster has grown and improved steadily in both its program and physical plant. The founder’s dream of providing a classical education, one which both challenges and enriches children to their capacity, has become an extraordinary school—a beacon of educational excellence which has nurtured thousands of students toward accomplished and joyous lives. The school’s trustees, administration, faculty, and parent volunteers are determined to crown its 50 years of achievement with the erection of a state-of-the-art athletic field, a building addition to house the preschool and other growing programs, and an ever-expanding sense of what is possible for our school and community. We hope that you will join us in this great endeavor, and in the celebration of 50 years of classical excellence! Visit the Jubilee page to get more details on this special event
Spirits Soar with the Headmaster’s Talent Show
Click here to see video from the performances from The idea for the talent show was born in the 8th-grade enrichment class co-taught by Mr. Glover (Headmaster) and Ms. Glazier (Assistant Head of School). Encouraging the students to discover their dreams and turn them into reality is an important part of enrichment class (and the school’s mission). Some of the 8th grade students performed for the class, and they were so impressive that Mr. Glover invited them to share their talents with the entire school. Soon the ranks swelled with eager performers and the show was on. Mr. Glover turned his own talent and effort into producing and emceeing an unforgettable event. The end result: outstanding performances by one and all, a joyous experience for the students, staff, and parents in attendance, and a surge of confidence and courage for those students who took the chance—and made one little dream come true. Click here to see video from the performances from the Headmaster's Talent Show ~ February, 2012
Westminster School is pleased to announce that the Builders’ Club, the school’s student volunteer community service club, has been chosen for the prestigious Volunteer Fairfax Service Award, in the Youth category. This is the second time in the 20-year history of the award that Westminster’s Builders’ Club has won; the club was also honored in 1998. Members of the Builders’ Club, which operates under the aegis of the Kiwanis Club, have devoted countless hours of their personal time providing service to the community. Under the guidance of the club sponsor, Mr. Dennis Miller, and with the help of their parents, the students’ many activities include tutoring students at Timberlane Elementary School, picking up trash along Gallows Road, making sandwiches for the homeless, collecting books, diapers, clothing, and food for the needy, and many other projects that bring material benefit and kindness to those in need. On Friday, April 27, Mr. Miller and two club officers attended a ceremony where the award was conferred before the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and 800 local business leaders. The members of the Builders’ Club exemplify the Westminster spirit, and we congratulate them and Mr. Miller on their tireless efforts to better the lives of others.
On April 24 and May 1, the French classes prepared, served, and enjoyed a delicious French lunch in the multi-purpose room turned French café. The students were able to put their language skills to use when they served and enjoyed their lunch all en français. Several parents and guests were also invited and helped out in the kitchen to make the café a success. Merci to the wonderful parents who helped!
On Friday May 4, the fourth-graders donned their Greek garb and enjoyed Westminster’s annual Greek Day celebration. They began the day with their very own Olympic games. Two teams, the Mighty Minotaurs and the Greek Griffins, competed in a chariot race. In addition, each student competed individually in a discus toss and a javelin throw. After the Olympics, the students went to the Athenian Agora, where they sculpted metopes, painted vases, and made game pieces for the ancient game of knucklebones. In the afternoon, they ate a delicious and authentic Greek feast, complete with stuffed grape leaves and baklava. After lunch, the students answered trivia questions and were entered into a drawing for Greek prizes. The busy day finished up with a rousing and energetic lesson in Greek dancing. It was an exciting and memorable occasion in the spirit of the Ancient Greeks!
In one of Westminster’s most beloved traditions, on Friday, April 20, the entire upper school—7th and 8th grade students and faculty—gathered in the courtyard to commemorate the birthday of William Shakespeare (April 23, 1564). In honor of the day, the students wore their dress uniforms, along with rose boutonnieres provided by the Headmaster. It is one of the school’s gifts to its students to ensure that they have a broad knowledge of Shakespeare’s life, plays, and poetry, and that they have committed some of his verse to memory. After many of the students and several staff members recited a variety of sonnets and excerpts from plays, sparkling cider and festive cake-pops were served, and all lifted their glasses to toast the profound and lasting art of the Bard.
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Announcements and Upcoming Events Tuesday, May 15 Wednesday, May 16 Thursday, May 17 Friday, May 18 Click here to download the SUMMER CAMP Congratulations to the Builder's Club Come to the library for any forgotton purchases from the book fair. We will be selling required summer reading books until the end of the school year. New ~ 2012 Talent Show
Click here to view the Feb 2012 Click here to see Westminster School's Shakespeare Windows Westminster School Testimonials 2011 – 2012 Basic School Calendar New Photos added
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