School: Westfield High School (WHS) What’s in the Spotlight? The Guardian Accomplishment: Volume 11 of Westfield High School’s 400-page yearbook, The Guardian, was recently named a Scholastic Crown Award finalist by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA). The Guardian will go on to receive either a Gold or Silver Crown Award during the 88th Annual National CSPA Convention in March.  Key to Success: The Guardian is one of just 66 high school yearbooks nationwide to be recognized as a Scholastic Crown Award finalist, the highest honor a student publication may receive from the CSPA…

What’s in the Spotlight? PTA Reflections Program Accomplishment: Outstanding entries from local Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Reflections programs have been selected to advance to the county level. Winning entries, handpicked by members of each public school’s PTA, will be judged by the Fairfax County Council of PTAs in the coming weeks and may potentially move on to the district, state and national levels of the competition.  Key to Success: Reflections is a student achievement and recognition program sponsored annually by the National PTA. It invites all students in preschool through …

School: Union Mill Elementary School (UMES)  What’s in the Spotlight? UMES Bread Basket   Accomplishment: Each academic year, the Union Mill elementary school student body makes thousands of sandwiches that are donated to Food for Others, Northern Virginia’s largest distributor of free food directly to people in need.   Key to Success: While the holiday season is a popular time of year for schools, businesses and other organizations to donate food and supplies to charity, students at Union Mill are engaged in a community service project that allows them to give back year round.   The school’s…