Poplar Tree Elementary School

Poplar Tree Elementary School
What we believe, is what we achieve.... so soar!
Address
13440 Melville Lane
Chantilly, Virginia, Fairfax County, 20151
United States
Information
Type public
Established 1990
School district Fairfax County Public Schools
Principal Sharon S. Williams
Grades K-6
Information (703) 633-7400
Website

Poplar Tree Elementary School (PTES) is an elementary school in the Chantilly section of unincorporated Fairfax County, Virginia, United States. As of 2011, the school has 635 students.[1]

History

The school was opened in 1990. During its construction, parts of the school building were struck by boulders ejected from blasting works 70 feet away. The boulders damaged part of the building's air conditioning system and a wall of the school's boiler room. The cost of the damage was $200,000.[2][3][4]

When it was first built, the school did not have a playground. The school's Parent-Teacher Association set up a playground fund and fund-raising events included a fashion show.[5] They eventually raised $40,000, and the playground was built in 1993. However, it was destroyed in a fire on the morning of 27 February 1996.[1]

In 1993, the school was also the location of a controversy when a prayer box was placed in its teachers' lounge by members of a group affiliated to Moms in Touch International. Teachers were invited to place anonymous prayer requests into the box. According to Sandra Culmer, the school's principal at the time, no teachers or parents objected to the box, but several "concerned citizens" questioned its presence. The prayer group did not wish anyone to be offended by the box and they removed it upon these complaints.[6]

Mass murderer Seung-Hui Cho, who executed the Virginia Tech massacre, studied in the school from 1995 to 1997. He was one of only three Korean students enrolled at the time, and was good in English and mathematics.[7]

References

  1. ^ a b "Playground fire may have been set". The Washington Times. 27 February 1996. p. 2, C6. 
  2. ^ Patricia Davis (10 July 1990). "Construction Blasting Damages Fairfax School; Incident May Delay September Opening". The Washington Post. p. b04. 
  3. ^ "Blasting damages new school (UPI)". Richmond Times-Dispatch. 10 July 1990. p. b-8. 
  4. ^ "Blast mishap may delay opening of school". The Washington Times. 10 July 1990. p. 2, B2. 
  5. ^ Maria DiGiulian (13 November 1990). "Today". The Washington Times. p. 2, F2. 
  6. ^ Tamara Jones (9 December 1993). "Prayer Group Removes Box From School". The Washington Post. p. v04. 
  7. ^ Lee Hyeon-gu (20 April 2007). "Childhood friend recalls a different side of Cho". Joong Ang Ilbo. 

External links