SJ276: Commending Flint Hill Elementary School on the occasion of its 50th anniversary.


SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 276
Offered March 3, 2006
Commending Flint Hill Elementary School on the occasion of its 50th anniversary.
Patrons-- Devolites Davis; Delegate: Shannon

WHEREAS, in the fall of 1952, the Fairfax County Board of Education authorized the construction of Flint Hill Elementary School just outside the town limits of Vienna, and the school was officially opened in September 1955; and

WHEREAS, the brand new school cost $232,000 to build and consisted of seven classrooms, an auditorium-cafeteria, library, offices, and storerooms; Elizabeth Burke was the school’s first principal; and

WHEREAS, Maryann McCrohan was appointed principal for the 1963-1964 school year, and during her tenure, the school boundary lines were changed to accommodate children entering school from the new housing developments in the Vienna area; and

WHEREAS, by 1970, the school’s population had increased greatly, and an addition (including 10 classrooms, a gymnasium, a new library, storage rooms, administrative offices, and a music room) was completed; and

WHEREAS, when Linda N. Clark was appointed principal in 1975, Flint Hill's enrollment was over 900 children, and a new boundary was established in 1977 that included Clark's Landing, Stuart Mill, and Twin Mill neighborhoods in Oakton; and

WHEREAS, in 1986, Flint Hill established its annual Patriots’ Day, honoring all of our troops, heroes, and military veterans, with programs highlighting school spirit, patriotism, and patriotic music; and

WHEREAS, the school held its 19th annual Patriots’ Day with a theme of “Fifty Years of American Pride,” which was one of many festivities planned for the 50th anniversary celebration; and

WHEREAS, the 1989 bond referendum established funding for a complete renovation and renewal of Flint Hill Elementary School in 1992-1993, providing much needed classrooms and space for specialists and special education, fine and performing arts studios, a state-of-the-art library, and a computer laboratory with 30 Macintosh computers; and

WHEREAS, in 2000, Sal Rivera was appointed principal, and during his tenure the school underwent many changes, including the addition of four trailers, a fifth-of-a-mile track, an irrigated field, and a gym-climbing wall and the continual improvement and expansion of technology and computer labs; and

WHEREAS, Flint Hill has three business partners, Interstate Worldwide Relocation, Outback Steakhouse in Vienna, and Sunrise Assisted Living at Hunter Mill, and also partners with Johns Hopkins University in Up-to-PAR, a positive behavior model; and

WHEREAS, Flint Hill Elementary School celebrated the opening of its year-long 50th anniversary festivities with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on the first day of school; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly commend and congratulate Flint Hill Elementary School on the occasion of its 50th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Principal of Flint Hill Elementary School as an expression of the General Assembly’s best wishes for a joyful celebration and continued success in its academic mission in the future.