Called a “ground-breaking episode, a first for a scripted series on mainstream television,” on ABC Family’s website, the all-signed episode of Switched At Birth aired on March 4.

Switched explores issues of deaf discrimination, coming of age and identity with an innovative new show. “It’s an exciting, visual, empowering story of kids, who are different, fighting back, and it allows our audience to experience the world as our deaf characters do,” show producer Lizzy Weiss said to ABC.

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One of the most stressful times for juniors and seniors at Marshall is just around the corner: prom.

The night is known for dancing and extravagant dresses spent with friends or that special someone, but if you don’t already have a boyfriend or a girlfriend, the hunt to find that partner can be frustrating.

Even if you already are in a long lasting relationship, there’s still the need to ask your partner-in-crime to the most important event of the year.
A solution to this dilemma is creating Prom Asking Week.

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Now is the time. Find a summer job! Many students in Northern Virginia are lucky enough to consider many options for their summer breaks: vacation, charity, travel, work. There is true value in an honest summer job for everybody, though, even those who don’t need the money.

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The zero-tolerance drug possession policy is once again up for revision this June when the new Student Rights and Responsibilities (SR&R) contract for the 2013-2014 school year is drafted up. Will the school board actually respond to popular demand this year by relaxing its rules regarding drug possession? It remains to be decided.

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The band’s annual spring Pyramid Concert will be taking place on Tuesday, April 30, at 6:00 p.m. in the auditorium. The event is free to attend.

Jazz band will perform four numbers, along with Kilmer Middle School’s symphonic band, and Marshall-Madison elementary school-area bands, according to music teacher and band director Paul Vesilind.

These schools form the Marshall Pyramid in Fairfax County.

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Nutrition advocacy group Real Food for Kids struck another victory for healthy food with a $25,000 grant from the Pittsburgh-based Sampson Foundation. The grant, awarded on April 9, will allow the group to expand upon their other projects, and continue to work for a healthier Fairfax County.

In the past, Real Food for Kids has lobbied for better meals and cooking facilities in public schools, influencing the School Board to allocate funds to renovate Marshall’s kitchen and push for salad bars in public schools.

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This year’s junior class has undoubtedly noticed the changes that have taken place regarding the Standards of Learning examinations. The state-required tests have become increasingly more difficult and rely heavily on the use of technology.

Last year the Algebra II SOL test increased its rigor and incorporated “technology-enhanced questions.” In March, the English writing SOL test underwent the same changes, as will the reading portion in May.

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The FCPS School Board has announced that Dr. Karen Garza is their preferred candidate for the soon-to-be-vacant Superintendent position, with plans to finalize the nomination later this month. This decision was announced on April 10, after a unanimous vote by the Board. She will be the first woman superintendent in FCPS history if she is accepted.

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The Student Government Association-organized Film Festival, a competition featuring student-made films, will occur on Friday.

Open to all grade levels, submissions were due on April 10. Students entering video submissions did not have to be taking a film class. The content of submissions was essentially unrestricted, and there were no requirements or quotas to fill for potential directors. However, in order to qualify for the festival, all submissions had to follow IB and FCPS guidelines and the code of conduct.

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To help relieve the pressure of upcoming examinations, the administration has extended the tradition of last year’s Stress-Free Day by creating a Wellness Week.

The event, which is organized by Student Services, consists of stress-free activities that all students can participate in during Learn and all three lunches.

“There are a lot of things that can stress out a student. We want them to know that we’re here to support them,” school counselor Gina Fajardo said.

Wellness Week began on Monday and will continue through Friday.

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