Full Day Monday Challenges Discussed
The implementation of “full day Mondays” has been anything but easy for area elementary schools. The challenges that Fairfax County Public Schools faced to bring more hours to elementary students’ school year was addressed by Superintendent Karen Garza and several board members during a school board meeting on Sept. 4 at Jackson Middle School.
Portrait of a Graduate Discussed
The heart of the school system’s new strategic plan is closer to being approved. The Fairfax County School Board discussed the five component Portrait of a Graduate - with some asking for a component emphasizing a caring quality - at Monday’s work session.
Classified Advertising September 10, 2014
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Lake Braddock XC Delivers Strong Showing at Monroe Parker Invite
Motivated boys’ team seeks state title after finishing 2nd in 2013.
Lake Braddock boys' XC placed first at the M
Board of Supervisors Approves 2014 Budget Carryover Package
FCPS full-day Mondays at discussion forefront.
When students at the 142 public elementary schools around Fairfax County stayed there the full day on Monday -- the first time in about four decades -- they likely weren’t worried about the cost. That’s between the school board and board of supervisors. Grown-up stuff.
‘Recession Ripple Persists’ at Realtors’ Summit
Private sector job growth key to strengthening regional economy, housing demand.
“There’s no question the primary economic driver of this region has always been Uncle Sam,” said David Versal, senior research associate at the George Mason University Center for Regional Analysis. “That said, we’re not Detroit.”
New Principal Starts at West Springfield
Michael Mukai brings “champion” philosophy from Robinson.
Earlier this summer, West Springfield High School needed a principal... and a head custodian. Michael Mukai, who started on the first day of school as permanent relief for interim Principal Becky Brandt, said the two positions are more similar than different.
Heat and Storms Reduce Turnout at Burke Centre Festival
Signature event celebrates 37th year.
Organizers of the Burke Centre Festival canceled the Wine Garden at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 6, when thunderstorms rolled in. “We got the announcement from OEM and we lasted till about 7:30,” said Jeannie Winslow, Burke Centre Festival Coordinator. The Wine Garden event was supposed to go until 10 p.m.
Editorial: Change Is Coming, Right?
Legislators on changing the culture of cash and gifts in Virginia: Crickets.
With former Gov. Bob McDonnell and his wife Maureen facing what could be decades in prison after their convictions for corruption, a reasonable person might reasonably expect that members of the General Assembly would be gearing up to make some big changes.
Time Sensitive
As much as I don’t want to be cognizant of date, time and place, relative to February 27, 2009 when Team Lourie first received the stage IV, non-small cell lung cancer diagnosis on yours truly, I am (a terminal diagnosis will do that to you). Moreover, as often as I write about the need to live forward, rather than die backward (if you know what I mean), I still struggle with the application.
Extreme Politics
Foust, Comstock stake out opposing positions during first debate in hyper-partisan 10th district Congressional race.
Forget first-debate politeness. Republican Barbara Comstock and Democrat John Foust — the candidates vying to replace longtime U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf in Virginia’s 10th Congressional district — sustained the hyper-partisan tenor of their campaigns during a debate-style forum hosted by the Fairfax Chamber of Commerce in Herndon last week.
The Broad-winged Hawks Are Coming
Every Autumn, in addition to literally billions of songbirds, a million or more avian raptors (hawks, eagles, and falcons) migrate from their nesting and breeding areas all over North America to their winter homes, mostly in Central and South America. Raptor enthusiasts and hawk counters often head for mountain ridges and other concentration points in hopes of seeing some of the birds fly by.
Classified Advertising September 3, 2014
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Taking On the ‘Silver Tsunami’
Herrity to present 50+ Plan to Board of Supervisors next week.
“It’s here,” said Supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Springfield). “We’re already living in it.” Between 2005 and 2030, the number of individuals 50 and older is projected to grow by 40 percent in Fairfax County and the number 70 and older is projected to grow by 80 percent. Herrity attributes the changes to both the aging of Baby Boomers, and the general increase in life expectancy.
Senior Centers in Fairfax County
A list of senior centers in Fairfax County.
Quilting Studio Adds to Dream Home
At 72, Wanda Rogers engages in an early American craft she first learned from her grandmother.
Quilting takes patience; ditto the steps entailed in setting up a quilting studio all of one's own. Such are the reflections of Wanda Rogers, 72, who is now tapering off a 51-year professional career, and increasing precious hours spent in the pursuit of a mountain-state handicraft she learned from her mother and grandmother.
Newcomers Guide: Year-round Festivals 2014-2015
A list of annual community events in the area.
A list of annual community events in the area.
Cook Kicks off Anti-Speeding Campaign
Police demonstration introduces “Slow Down: You live here. We live here.”
The speed limit sign in your neighborhood may be smarter than you think. To kick off Supervisor John C Cook’s anti-speeding campaign on Thursday, Aug. 28, Fairfax County police officers flexed the muscles of eight new radar signs they’ve purchased for the county.
School Sights
First day at Lake Braddock Secondary School.
“I’m excited to see friends. And to have Mr. Waiss as a teacher. He’s supposed to be like me, so I’m excited to meet him. We’re waiting for friends, and tired.”
Face Paint, Pony Show at Burke Centre Festival This Weekend
Festival enters its 37th year.
Burke Centre Festival coordinator Jeannie Winslow is downright calm when estimating attendance this year. “Police guestimate we had 10,000 over the whole weekend last year,” she said. “Maybe we’ll get a few thousand more.”