In this email...

• From Your Academy Admin 
• Attendance Links
• Program Highlight: Social Media Marketing
• Program Highlight: Chinese
• Staff Highlight: Gordie Ruohoniemi, Social Media Marketing
• Staff Highlight: Wan Zhang, Chinese
• Upcoming Events

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From Your Academy Admin

Fairfax Academy Community,

We hope you all had a chance to attend MCTFest on Saturday evening. If you did not, be sure to check out our social media page for a snapshot of the evening. Up this weekend is our annual Fashion in Motion show returning to an in-person format. We are excited to see the looks that our students have been working on this semester with a focus on sustainability. It’s sure to be a night to remember!

Be on the lookout for invitations to our annual Academy Awards in the next few weeks!

Warmly,
Mrs. Cook

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Attendance Reminder

A reminder that Academy attendance is separate from base school attendance - parents/guardians need to report absences to Fairfax Academy to maintain accurate attendance records. This is especially important with SOL and AP testing, exams, and other modified schedules through the end of the year. Here are three ways to communicate upcoming absences with us. 

• Report absences using Fairfax Academy's online attendance form
• Call our attendance line at 703-219-4060
• Use Fairfax Academy's pre-arranged absence form 

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Program Highlight: Social Media Marketing

Social Media Marketing at the Academy is one of the only programs of its kind offered in Fairfax County, and in Virginia. Students learn about the exciting and fast-paced world of social media marketing, digital analytics, campaign building, search engine optimization and more!

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Program Highlight: Chinese

The Chinese program provides an exciting journey through the world of Chinese language and culture. The students will be focusing on building strong communicative skills. Imagine themselves as confident travelers in China, ordering their favorite dumplings in a local restaurant, or engaging in lively conversations with their classmates about their hobbies. The students will also explore the beautiful ancient or modern literature to gain insights into Chinese culture and society.

Lights, camera, action! Get ready to enjoy Chinese films in the National Chinese Honor Society after school activities. The students will have a blast discussing the plots, characters, and cultural elements portrayed in these movies. And let’s not forget about Chinese traditional art! The students will have the opportunity to appreciate the elegant art of sculptures, crafts, dances, and music.

So join us in Fairfax Academy, and get ready for an unforgettable learning experience that will open doors to a whole new world of Chinese language and culture!

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Staff Highlight: Gordie Ruohoniemi (Social Media Marketing)

Mr. Ruohoniemi is thrilled to be back for the 2023-2024 school year here at the Fairfax Academy for Communications & The Arts!

A graduate of Virginia Tech, Mr. Ruohoniemi received his Bachelor of Science in Marketing Management from Virginia Tech, and his Master of Science in Career & Technical Education from Virginia Tech as well. He currently serves as the CTE Department Chair at Fairfax High School, as well as the CTE Representative for the Principal’s Instructional Council (IC.) He has loved serving as a DECA Advisor and instructor of Social Media Marketing during his 7 years here at Fairfax High School & Fairfax Academy.

When he’s not working, he enjoys hiking & trying new restaurants in the DMV area.  Come by & say hi in Room J102 or virtually at GRRuohoniemi@fcps.edu!

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Staff Highlight: Wan Zhang (Chinese)

“Da Jia Hao!” Wan Zhang is a former accountant turned world traveler and language enthusiast!

Originally hailing from the crossroads of modern and ancient culture, she grew up in Beijing, China, where she found her passion for numbers and language. After graduating from Beijing City University, she joined the prestigious Sinocrew Maritime Services, but life had different plans in store. Thanks to a scholarship and supportive parents, she traveled to George Mason University, where she immersed herself in American culture and developed an interest in teaching world languages.

For a decade, she had the privilege of taking students on unforgettable trips to her homeland, China. From the Great Wall to the Terracotta Armies of Qin Shi Huang, they explored it all! Witnessing her students spread their wings across major cities in China like Hong Kong, Shen Zhen, and ShangHai, and thrive in their studies and work abroad, brings her immeasurable joy. 

She believes that seeing the world is a profound experience that opens our eyes to different perspectives and opportunities. Her mission is to equip her students not only with language skills but also cultural awareness, so that they can fearlessly explore the world and make their mark.

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Fashion in Motion

Fairfax Academy’s Fashion Careers students are creating completely original looks, starting from concept/design, to patternmaking, sourcing materials, and advanced sewing/construction techniques. Fashion Careers I students will be creating one-of-a-kind upcycled looks thanks to a special partnership with Goodwill of Greater Washington. Saturday, April 29, 5 p.m. at the Sherwood Center.  

For more information, contact Kendall Barry, Fashion Careers Instructor (kbarry1@fcps.edu)

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Art in Motion: A Dance Concert

Art in Motion, A dance concert presented by The Fairfax Academy dance program. The end-of-the-year performance will consist of dances inspired by famous works of art; such as Starry Night and the Mona Lisa. Fairfax Academy dance students studied the common elements between visual art and dance and used these common concepts to create movement. The dance, once performed, is gone and can never be recreated and seen in its true form. There is a surprise for the audience and the dancers at the end of the performance when 12 dancers perform on a large canvas, using their bodies as paint brushes, and creating a one-of-a-kind art piece from motion. The performances are on May 5th at 7 pm and May 6th at 1 pm in the Fairfax High School auditorium. Please contact The Fairfax Academy website for ticket information.

For more information, contact Dance Instructor, Meredith Barnes (mbarnes@fcps.edu)

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Musical Theatre & Actor's Studio Signature Showcase

 This year's artistic partnership between Signature Theatre and Fairfax Academy's Musical Theatre & Actor's Studio comes to an exciting conclusion with the Signature Showcase.

The evening will feature the songs, selections, and monologues from twenty-one seniors who are beginning their careers in the performing arts, as well as some familiar industry professionals. Join us for this celebratory culmination of hard work and give these students a theatrical send-off as they continue on to the nation's top performing arts colleges and conservatories! 

For more information, visit mtasacademy.weebly.com or contact Erich DiCenzo (erdicenzo@fcps.edu)

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Upcoming Events

• April 29 | Academy Fashion Show
• May 5, 6 | Dance Showcase
• May 12 | MTAS Showcase at Fairfax High School
• May 15 | MTAS Signature Showcase at Signature Theatre
• May 23 | Academy Awards

Check out our events page for more information.

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FCPS Cares

Do you want to celebrate a Fairfax employee who does ordinary things in an extraordinary way, or goes beyond what is expected? If so, then click here to share with everyone.