Early Wednesday morning, Dr. Mel Riddile, the principal of T.C. Williams High School, notified his staff via email that he had resigned, effective June 30. Later that day, the school community learned that Athletic Director and former Alexandria mayor Kerry Donley had also resigned, effective the end of June as well.

He won the Virginia State AAA Boys’ Basketball title; was named Patriot District and Northern Region Coach of the Year; got all of his seniors into college; and saw his first book published…all in the space of a couple of months. By anyone’s standards, 2008 has been a very good year for T.C. Williams High School boys’ basketball coach Ivan Thomas.

Marcus Hall, a senior at T.C. Williams High School, has won a McDonald’s Educates 2008 Scholarship. He is one of 45 regional students who were selected for this honor.

Last Thursday, the citizen members of the Superintendent Advisory Committee and members of the Alexandria School Board got their first opportunity to meet with the new search firm that will hopefully find a new superintendent for the Alexandria City Public School system. The Board hired Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates, Ltd earlier this month after discontinuing their association with the previous search firm, Ray & Associates. This, after the Board decided not to hire any of the three finalists Ray brought them.

Stories and photos representing the struggles and experiences of teen parents in Alexandria are the focus of a new exhibit, “From Books to Bottles,” produced by the Alexandria Youth Council (AYC), in partnership with the City of Alexandria and the Alexandria City Public Schools.

Rep. Jim Moran, Virginia Democrat, supported a strong response to the housing crisis today, one designed to improve home values and assist Americans struggling to keep their primary residence. Entitled the “American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008” (H.R. 3221) and the “Neighborhood Stabilization Act of 2008” (H.R. 5818), these key pieces of legislation were approved by the House this afternoon.

Members of the Alexandria Police Department’s Special Operations Team (SOT) are participating in the Alexandria “Adopt-a-Park” program. The program, sponsored by the City’s Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities, allows volunteer groups to “adopt” a City park as a part of a statewide litter control program. Groups are responsible for picking up litter and debris from the park and their efforts receive monthly evaluations.