There are only about four more weeks of school, three of which are filled with standardized testing. Virginia SOL’s take up two of those weeks, from May 20 to May 31. The regular bell schedule will go on as scheduled for all days except the first Friday, May 24, which has a schedule change: block three, then block one, block seven, and block five.

This year’s Spring JV Show is upon us. The first show starts tonight, May 16, at 7:30 p.m.  There will also be a show tomorrow, May 17, at 7:30 p.m. The JV Show is a tradition at George Mason where students can display their talents by singing, juggling, or dancing their way onto the stage.

For weeks now, a petition had been available to be signed at the front desk at Pearson Square.  The Pearson Square apartment building, on S. Maple Avenue, had been collecting signatures from residents in favor of changing the direction of the pool and courtyard of the proposed building, The Reserve at Tinner Hill, so that they face S. Maple Avenue.  Lincoln Properties, the construction company, has so far planned for the amenities of the upcoming building to be built facing S. Washington Street.

The petition at Pearson Square was to show interest, there was no agreement that if there were enough signatures, the orientation of the building would change.  The petition generated almost 200 resident signatures.

According to the Falls Church website, the proposed building will include a neighborhood grocery, retail and restaurant space, commercial lease space, 224 apartments and a plaza. The construction company is scheduled to break ground in either the fourth quarter of 2013, or the first quarter of 2014.

Due to the new construction, there will be some changes going on across the street from Pearson Square.  Though the Washington Market (Elevation Burger, Rex Day Spa, etc.) and Falls Church’s Historic Tinner Hill site will not be disturbed, two car dealerships nearby will be closed to make space for the Reserve at Tinner Hill.

Some of Pearson’s reasons for demanding a change in orientation of the building’s pool and courtyard have to do with noise issues as well as aesthetics. According to Tammy Dunlap, a concierge at Pearson Square, there is more traffic on S. Washington Street than on S. Maple Avenue, making Maple Ave. a more ideal street to place the pool and courtyard.  For Pearson Square, if the orientation is not changed, that would mean Pearson Square residents would face the rear of the Lincoln property, which is not an aesthetically pleasing, family-friendly view.

Lisa Gaus, a resident at Pearson Square, says, “Personally… I like a pool view.  I’d rather look at the front of a beautiful building.”

Residents at Pearson Square should get ready, because sooner or later, construction on The Reserve at Tinner Hill will begin.  Whether the courtyard and pool will face S. Washington or S. Maple Avenue is still up for discussion.

George Mason baseball said goodbye to nine seniors this week who are wrapping up their Mustang baseball careers. District playoffs start this week. Congratulations to seniorsVijay Menon, Alex McMillen, Ethan Anderson, Joe Rund, Scott Connuck, Ryan Short, Nick Borbeau, Bradley Wood and Lucas Cherry!

As of Tuesday, May 7, Mr. Matthew Hills was approved by the Falls Church City School Board and will be joining us starting this summer as Mason’s newest assistant principal. Hills replaces Mr. Ken Siekman who will retire at the close of the school year. Says Principal Byrd about Hills, “[he] brings a wealth of professional experience and enthusiasm to our community and I look forward to working with him.” The Lasso will interview Hills later this week. So stay tuned.

This week at Mason, many students have been missing from classes due to the IB testing.

It’s that time of the year again, yes ‘tis the season for standardized testing. Some of the tests occurring include: IB testing, AP testing, and SOL's, or Virginia Standards of Learning. Before we know it, it will be time to take final exams.

Don't forget to study if you have tests coming up. Some good test preparation tips include getting a lot of sleep at least two days prior to the test, eating a big breakfast with a lot of protein, and bringing a water bottle to your testing location if you are allowed to do so. Water not only keeps you hydrated, but it also provides oxygen to the brain and that helps you think.