Students were able to experience firsthand what it was like to live during the 1920's while participating in “Gatsby Day”.  Officer W. Quesenberry of Manassas Park Police and owners Toney and Nancy George arranged to bring a 1927 Model A Ford to New Directions.  Students listened to time period music such as the song “Ain’t We Got Fun” and danced the Charleston. The English classes browsed through old photos, wartime postcards, house hold items, and other 1920’s memorabilia.  In addition, several students dressed up in “flapper” style clothing which was popular during the time period!

Spanish II and AP Spanish V classes brought their studies to life with a trip to La Tasca restaurant in Arlington.  While there, they enjoyed a flamenco show accompanied by live Spanish guitar music.  The artists shared cultural history and the origins of the flamenco dance.  Students also learned about Spanish tapas (small plates of food shared among family and friends).  They were able to try some of Spain's most famous dishes:  patatas bravas, tortilla española, and paella.  The students practiced their skills in a real world setting by asking questions, holding conversations, and engaging in dialogue with native speakers.  Olé!

The New Directions Cheer Club practiced their cheers at Anytime Fitness in Manassas.  They are preparing to cheer students on during Robotics Nationals, SOL week, and the Senior Picnic.  The girls and their coaches, Ms. Billick and Ms. Williams, were impressed by the facilities and the manager, Eric Beamer.  Mr. Beamer was generous with his donation of the space and time for our team to practice!

Pictured from left to right:  Ms. Billick, Jhoana Umana, Ana Cardona, Jasmine Smith, Nancy Campos, Anakarla Guzman, and Sandra Lozano

Students participated in a 90 minute 'hot yoga' session hosted by Bikram Yoga in Fairfax.  The owner Siri Om Khalsa, provided the session free of charge for the New Directions Yoga Club.  Bikram Yoga's Adrian Hummell set the program which included students learning a series of 26 postures and multiple breathing exercises.  New Directions students were able to take their Yoga Club experience to the next level!

The New Directions Social Studies Department of Spring Byard, Adam Pawlowski and Chairperson Jaime Lechner, had a combined SOL department pass rate of 93% for first semester testing.  Students regularly exceed 90% pass rates across all social studies courses each year.  What is most impressive is the teachers are innovative, crafts lessons that are high interest, and create learning environments that are tailored for our students.  They promote critical thinking, debate, and an understanding of how history impacts present day society.  Most importantly, they expect our students to be successful and partner with them to teach and learn.  High standards lead to student achievement!

The New Directions Family Literacy Club meets monthly during the evening and includes students, staff and their families.  All aspects of literacy are covered to include essay writing, poetry, and public speaking.  Current research based practices are prepared and presented by participants.  The club promotes literacy based skills with an emphasis on relationship building, advocacy skills, and effective communication.  Typically, twenty or more participants attend each month to expand their language competencies.  At New Directions, learning is not only about mastery of material but how to use and share it with others in our community!

New Directions students continue to perform at high levels at the mid-year mark!  41 students earned honor roll for second quarter and 17 earned semester honor roll.  A luncheon was held in their honor with a presentation of certificates and honor roll t-shirts.  Semester award winners earned a 50 dollar gift card to Wal-Mart!  The luncheon and awards are funded by a generous grant from the National Education Foundation.  We are very proud of all our academic award winners!

The New Directions Outdoor Club along with Biology and Earth Science students visited the Baltimore Aquarium.  Students witnessed firsthand the animals they are studying and learned about the various ecosystems that support fish, reptiles and mammals.  While the shark tank is always a favorite destination at the aquarium, students had the opportunity to see the dolphin show and witnessed firsthand the power, grace and intelligence of dolphins.  Students noted the many similarities animals share with humans and developed a greater appreciation for the wonders of nature!

Counselors Karre Jones, Ruth Garza, and Lynn Morrow presented the New Directions Mentor and Leadership Program to over 30 conference attendees at the National Alternative Education Association (NAEA) Conference in Atlanta, Georgia.  The National ASCA Model, Prince William County's 40 Developmental Assets Initiative and Franklin Covey The Leader in Me programs are interwoven into the Mentor and Student Leadership Program curriculum.  The team was recognized by the NAEA for their professional school counseling leadership and student advocacy.  Ms. Jones, Garza, and Morrow are incredible and world class!

63 students achieved academic honor roll status for the 1st quarter!  Students earned honor roll T-Shirts and celebrated with an awards luncheon where they were presented with certificates.  Honor roll status is very difficult to attain at New Directions due to our block and digital course schedule and the academic rigor required by our teachers in each course of study.  Students must earn a minimum of a 3.0 GPA to qualify.  This is a well earned and deserved honor!

 Our underwater robotics team, coached by Mr. Grimsley and Mr. Goultrey, successfully defended their bid to return to the national finals with a second place finish out of 168 teams!  The Robotic Sea Monkeys team of Nick Darden, Nancy Guevara, and Julio Mira placed second and will represent PWCS.  The Sea Wolves team of Sean Bean, Francisco Flores Jr., and Mbaimba Kamara placed 3rd overall to include medaling in one of the individual events.  Edwin Mendoza and Ricky Cruz of Team Dos Amigos rounded out the stellar performance of our entire team.  The national finals will be held on Indianapolis, Indiana in May 2013.  Go New Directions Robotics Team as you represent PWCS in Indiana!

Students on the New Directions Mentor and Leadership teams participated in hands-on experiential learning, teambuilding, and organizational development training at the EDGE at George Mason University.  Students developed an increased awareness of how to motivate themselves and others when confronted with challenges.  It was a day filled with emotion, reflection, and success as each student walked away with a better sense of self and how to use their strengths to help others.  Our students took it to the EDGE in a positive way!

New Directions student LEAD Team members Abdu Thomas, Matt Whetzel, Ana Cardona, and Nancy Campos participated in the PWCS Student LEAD Team retreat held at Hampton University.  Our team, along with student leaders from all PWCS high schools, attended leadership workshops, visited Colonial Williamsburg, and toured the College of William and Mary.  The retreat closed with a tour of Christopher Newport University.  Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Steven L. Walts, showed his support for all our student leaders at the retreat.

New Directions Earth Science and Outdoor Club students enjoyed a 35 minute presentation on how astronauts live in space and previewed the Hylton Halloween Laser Show.  The Skydome Planetarium uses special effect projectors to create solar and lunar eclipses, aurora displays, and meteor showers. This is one of many excursions science students participate in throughout the year to include stream studies, nature conservancy projects, and animal husbandry.

Students and teachers presented a session to over 100 family members on The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.  New Directions students and staff are currently engaged in a 3-year leadership training program provided by Franklin Covey, a global leader in effectiveness training.  Following the presentations, families participated in traditional classroom visits.  As always, New Directions provided dinner by California Tortilla to our school community.  It was a wonderful evening filled with smiles, good cheer, and effective learning.   

The school counseling team of Lynn Morrow, Karre Jones, and Ruth Garza was commended for outstanding performance by PWCS with Certificates of Achievement.  Our team truly defines World-Class. As a result of their efforts, New Directions Alternative Education Center earned the Recognized ASCA Model Program designation from the American School Counselor Association.  Only two alternative schools in the nation have earned the designation.  Congratulations!

New Directions is now offering Advanced Placement (AP) courses in English, Government, and Spanish.  With their students, Dr. Johri (English), Ms. Lechner (Government), and Ms. Billick (Spanish) have created a new standard at our school for students interested in pursuing college level coursework.  Students and staff continue to raise the academic bar at our school!