By Andrea Genovese Soares (September 5, 2003)

As the school system begins the wait for the November decision on the bond referendum for the new middle school, George Mason welcomed 620 students, including 40+ new students, 10 new professional and two new members of the support staff, for the first day of school Tuesday, Sept. 2.

To accommodate an increase in enrollment, the high school has installed six new trailers—bringing the total to 10--which greeted the students on their first day back. The hope is that the trailers will be removed in a few years if the Falls Church citizens approve the Nov. 4 bond referendum, allowing construction of a new middle school to begin sometime this school year on the part of the campus where the tennis courts are. If that happens, the eighth grade will become part of the high school, and the new middle school will house the fifth, sixth and seventh grades. The high school then would have more room to accommodate its burgeoning enrollment 

Tuesday morning, students and staff filled the auditorium to capacity for the annual back-to-school assembly. The assembly "went well. We were reflecting on what people had done and we are ready to move forward," said Mason principal Bob Snee, who encouraged all students "to jump right into GM." He welcomed both new and returning students, then a representative of each grade addressed his/her class. 

Kaitlin Bottock, student council president, said, "Just like it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a school community to raise its spirit." Senior Nate McFarland said he hopes this year for "growth of knowledge, relationship, and character." Junior Chad O’Hara predicted an end to his class "coming in dead last in spirit week." Sophomore speaker, Kaitlyn Hauter advised her class to get involved, and freshman Mary Kate Cummings welcomed her class and shared her hopes for her class showing the school what it is capable of. 

Finally, to start the year off, some musically talented teachers joined forces to provide rousing musical entertainment. Teachers Mr. Applegate, Ms. Hopkins, Ms. Snyder, Ms. Webster, Mr. Ballou, Mr. Marino, Mr. Dickson, and do-wop girls Ms. Sinha, Ms. Backofen, Ms. Chang and Ms. Becker joined in playing and singing the song "Mustang Sally" while Mustang Sally (Mrs. Gantz) and other teachers danced. According to Mr. Snee, "When teachers can perform in an unattached way showing their talent in the way they did, it shows good nature." 

In class conversations on Wednesday, students met with their class officers and planned activities for the year. Seniors focused on plans for the upcoming homecoming dance on October 25 and on possible community service activities. Snee challenged all classes to respect each other and the school and told sophomores and juniors that parking would be at a premium if construction begins on the middle school. Construction will take up a lot of space, so, the eager juniors have one more reason to wait for the bond decision very intently.