Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) students and families will receive 200 free tickets to a Mother's Day performance at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. This special performance is happening thanks to a collaboration of the Women's Committee of the National Symphony Orchestra, the Kennedy Center's Office of Education and Alexandria Performing Arts Association (APAA).

Sherry Brown, Vice Chair of the Alexandria Performing Arts Association, shows off a special button designed by the Alexandria Performing Arts Association for the event. It says "I Love the Arts in Alexandria."

"What an exciting opportunity for our students and families to experience the arts," said ACPS Superintendent Morton Sherman. "During tough economic times and ever-increasing No Child Left Behind benchmarks for subjects such as reading and math, it's more important now than ever to make opportunities such as this available. The city's public school system, ACPS has made a strong commitment to the arts, as evidenced in our Strategic Plan. We are grateful for the generosity of these sponsors and look forward to an ongoing partnership."

On Sunday, May 9, the Family Concert at the Kennedy Center will warm up at 2 p.m. with a Musical Instrument "Petting Zoo." The main event at 3 p.m. will feature a performance of "The Composer Is Dead," written by Lemony Snicket and composed by Nathaniel Stookey. It will end with a post-concert discussion between students and the conductor and several musicians at 4 p.m.

Over the next few weeks, ACPS will determine the best possible way to distribute the tickets. Bus transportation will be provided.

For more information, contact Gary Thomas, ACPS Curriculum Specialist for Art and Music, at 703-824-6680 or .

• About ACPS
• Calendars
• Curriculum
• Departments
• Employment/Jobs
• Forms and Publications
• News and Media
• Registration
• School Board
• Special Education
• Student Services
• Superintendent
• Technology
• Testing