For Immediate ReleaseFor More Information, Contact
October 3, 2007
PIO# 247-07/ajb		Andrea Blackford, Communications Officer, at 703.519.3489


Free Tours, Student Performances Highlight T.C. Williams
Grand Opening Community Celebration on Oct. 14


City residents of all ages are invited to join the Grand Opening Community Celebration showcasing the new T.C. Williams High School, 3330 King St., from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 14. "This special day will give Alexandria City Public Schools the opportunity to thank the community for its generous support, which enabled us to realize our vision of a state-of-the-art high school for a world-class school system," said Superintendent Rebecca L. Perry. "I'm proud to invite everyone to join in this exciting celebration."

A variety of activities will highlight the grand opening event. From noon to 1:45 p.m., visitors can tour the light-filled, environmentally-friendly building, which recently received the Virginia Sustainable Building Network's Green Innovation Award for such features as a rooftop garden and a 450,000-gallon underground cistern for collecting rainwater.

Also from noon to 1:45 p.m., students from all Alexandria City Public Schools will give performances and demonstrations throughout the school. These activities will include ballroom dancing demonstrations, anti-bullying discussions in the guidance suite, and the hosting of a sample “Morning Show” program in the new T.C. Williams television studio.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at 2 p.m. in the auditorium, followed by the dedication of the Ferdinand T. Day Student Commons at 3:15 p.m. Mr. Day, a native Alexandrian and civil rights leader, was instrumental in the integration of Alexandria schools.

School organizations, such as the Parent Teacher Student Association and athletic booster clubs, will be on hand to answer questions and sell Titan merchandise. Visitors can purchase such items as T.C. Williams T-shirts, Titan gear, and We Are the Titans: A Profile of Diversity at One American High School,a student-created book featuring T.C. Williams student portraits (only cash and checks will be accepted, and an ATM will be accessible).

On-site parking will not be available, but free, continuous shuttle bus rides will be offered from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., from George Washington Middle School, 1005 Mount Vernon Ave.; Minnie Howard School, 3801 West Braddock Road; and the parking lot at 2000 North Beauregard St.

For more information or to arrange media coverage, please contact the Alexandria City Public Schools’ Department of Information and Outreach at 703-824-6635.


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