![Standing center stage, senior Ananya Akula conducts the Phoenix Chorale. “[Conducting and teaching] is really fun,” Akula said. “Music education is what I want to do.” On the day of the choir assessment, Akula found out that she received the President’s Music Scholarship – a full ride to the University of Miami Frost School of Music.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ananya-1200x800.jpg)
![With the energy and effort the Bolts were bringing to the game, the Phoenix had to step up and match them to make it through their first game of the season. Many of the girls on the team, including freshman Nazly Rostom, have been playing soccer since their childhood and have grown a love for the sport as a result. “It was fun to see how we actually played in a [real] game,” Rostom said. “Even though the outcome was not what we were hoping for, I’m still happy we got to play together.”](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/DSC_0154-1200x800.jpg)
![Held up by a group of cheerleaders, flyer sophomore Leyu Yonas poses as part of a stunt, also supported by flyer junior Shayne Mitchell behind her. (Left) Prior to the pink out football game on Oct. 13, the athletes practiced in the aux gym from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. (Right) On Oct. 19, the cheerleaders competed in their District Championships at Woodgrove High School. “We definitely put all our effort on the mat [at Districts], and it showed,” Mitchell said. Left: Photo by Nadia Shirr. Right: Photo by Steve Prakope via Victor O’Neill Studios.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/feature-image-1200x823.png)
![Sophomore Xavier Smith (6), the Phoenix quarterback, runs the ball as his teammates help hold up the defense. “My [offensive] line collapses, so I just [have to run], and its a good way to get first downs because [Tuscarora’s] defense was really good,” Smith said.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_5383-1200x897.jpg)
![As the referee throws the ball up for the tip-off, freshman Simone Diby leaps towards the ball to get it in Phoenix possession. Diby is a new member of the Phoenix girls basketball team, and despite it being a change, she finds it enjoyable. “It’s definitely a different experience if you’ve never played on a team, [but] I think it’s still fun.”](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/DSC_0057-1200x662.jpg)
School Board Discusses Elementary Literacy, Medication, Recent Sexual Assault Allegations
At their second Tuesday of the month meeting on Nov. 30, the school board addressed current efforts to improve elementary literacy, medication guidelines, and listened to concerns from parents regarding recent sexual assault allegations.
At their Nov. 30 meeting, the school board made improvements to elementary literacy and to medication guidelines.
February 4, 2022
At their Nov. 30 meeting, the Loudoun County School Board met to discuss the elementary literacy curriculum and policies about student medications, and heard community concerns about recent sexual assault allegations.
The major focus of the meeting was kindergarten through third grade literacy. Casey Valenty, the director of academics for The New Teacher Project, discussed current issues with K-3 literacy and how they should be addressed. According to Valenty, the main problems with the elementary English curriculum are that it does not give teachers and students the necessary resources for writing practice to master grade level standards, guarantee educational equity for all students, or encourage students’ advancement in reading skills. “A student could be reading a ‘just right’ text for 12 years, and that might be on a second grade level. [The concern is] when are they going to read a book that is for their grade?” Valenty said. A ‘just right’ book is a book that is not too hard for you nor too easy for you to read.
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Valenty provided recommendations for teachers to improve their students’ outcomes like focusing on “engaging in a process to pilot new, high-quality instructional materials that are fully aligned to English language arts standards and the science of reading.” Valenty also offered a proposal on how to improve literacy in grades K-3 — conduct a curriculum adoption process as defined in Policy 5130, which would encourage teachers to adapt to each student’s reading level through one-on-one individualized instruction. The policy is set to be implemented in fall of 2023 after trials are conducted.
Another point of discussion was the amendment to Policy 8420, which now allows the administration of oil-based products in medication to students. Suggested by Broad Run District school board member Andrew Hoyler, the amendment now allows for school staff to “administer CBD oil, THC-A oil, or oil based products” to students who have been issued a valid written certification. “Virginia code considers oil-based products under the same term as CBD oil and THC-A oil,” Hoyler said. “So, I think including ‘oil-based products’ in the actual policy will help avoid any confusion from parents who may have other oil-based products, such as capsules, that are allowed per Virginia code.” School board at-large member Denise Corbo seconded the motion and the motion was passed.
The main focus of the public comment revolved around the the recent sexual assault accusations at Stone Bridge High School and Broad Run High School.
At SBHS, a 14 year-old male student sexually assualted a girl on May 28, 2021. The male student was then transferred to BRHS, where he was accused of sexually assualting another girl in Oct. 2021. This sparked a walkout on Oct. 26 in many LCPS schools in solidarity for the victims.
Despite the concerns expressed during the public comment session, the school board did not address the sexual assault in this meeting.
![Standing center stage, senior Ananya Akula conducts the Phoenix Chorale. “[Conducting and teaching] is really fun,” Akula said. “Music education is what I want to do.” On the day of the choir assessment, Akula found out that she received the President’s Music Scholarship – a full ride to the University of Miami Frost School of Music.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ananya-600x400.jpg)
![Senior Fatima Qaderi grew into the person she wanted to become when she was younger and continues to work towards growing more confident in using her voice when it matters. “I didnt get treated the way I wanted to be treated, and I realized that it wasnt just them treating me the wrong way, it was me treating me the wrong way,” Qaderi said. “I forced them to like to look at me in a way where Im someone who needs to be respected; they cant just disregard me, they cant just look over me because I have a different opinion, because Im a woman, because Im Afghan, because Im Muslim, or whatever. It just took going through different experiences to figure out how [I wanted to] be heard.” Photo courtesy of Fatima Qaderi.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_3870-600x471.jpeg)
