Treating All Students and Staff with Dignity and Respect
“The decision by the School Board to add “gender identity” to our nondiscrimination policy is to provide an environment which promotes equality where every student and employee is treated with dignity and respect. This tells our students and staff that school and the FCPS workplace are places where they can be safe from harassment and discrimination."
Column: Why Fi?
Commentary
“That’s the dream; to have Wi-Fi in the car.” So says one of the focus group participants (“real people, not actors”) in a recent television commercial from Chevrolet. The answer is to a question asked of five adults to identify which car brand: Mercedes, BMW, Chevrolet, Ford, or Toyota, includes “Built-in Wi-Fi” in their product line.
More Than 100 Join Great Falls Rugby
Great Falls rugby had more than 100 children playing over the course of the day on Saturday, May 2.
Encouraging, Inspiring and Rewarding Young Writers
The Great Falls Writer’s Group names winners of Its first Youth Writing Contest at the first Great Falls Book Fest.
At Saturday’s first Great Falls Book Festival, winners were named in the first-ever Youth Writing Contest at the Great Falls Library. First-place winners are Tyler Southworth and Caroline Wenks.
McLean Senior Calpin Launches Memorable Home Run
Highlander frosh Longo edges Madison’s Vannicola in pitcher’s duel.
The McLean softball team beat Madison 1-0 on Friday.
Camping Out at Wolf Trap
First-time campers from local 5th & 6th grade elementary schools enjoyed the camp out sponsored by Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts during the April 17-18 Fairfax County school holiday.
Artists' Atelier Opens at Village Centre
Ten Great Falls artists opened their new art studios, gallery and school on the Green at Great Falls Village Centre with a grand opening reception on May 8.
Girl Scouts Hold Diabetes Awareness Walk
Great Falls Girl Scout Troop 778 held a Diabetes Awareness Walk on April 11 as part of their Silver Award project.
Historic Display Over the Falls
Images from the World War II Flyover at Great Falls: In my Own Words
In addition to my photographic work of the Great Falls area, I also volunteer as a docent at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum both downtown and at the Udvar-Hazy Center at Dulles Airport. A few months ago when I learned that there was going to be a flyover of World War II aircraft to celebrate the 70th anniversary of VE Day,I immediately tried to think about where I might position myself to capture photographs of the event.
Fairfax County School Board Adds "Gender Identity" to Nondiscrimination Policy
Discrimination is bad, and everyone should have a safe environment in which to learn. These sentiments were common to the Fairfax County School Board members and the hundreds of parents who packed the auditorium and front lobby of Luther Jackson Middle School for the board’s May 7 meeting.
Fairfax County Hosting the 2015 World Police & Fire Games
A huge event on a scale Fairfax County has never before seen — that’s the 2015 World Police & Fire Games. It’ll run June 26-July 5 and promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for area residents. “We expect over 12,000 first responders from more than 70 countries,” said county police Maj. Rich Perez, who’s heading up security. “There’ll be 61 sporting events spanning 10 days, and with more athletes than the summer Olympic Games.”
Healthy Relationships for Life
Researchers say meaningful friendships help preserve health.
Bill and Betty Kenealy, of Springfield, make it a point to socialize regularly with their long-time friends, many of whom are other couples they met through work and through the activities of their five children. They’ve watched their children become adults, worked, retired and even survived cancer. Now they’re living together in a retirement community in Springfield. Bill is 85 and Betty is 81.
Column: “CT Looked Good”
Commentary
Cryptic? Hardly. Words I can live with the for the next three months until my next CT Scan? Absolutely.
Weekend Fun in Fairfax County - May 8-10, 2015
A roundup of entertaining things to do this weekend.
A roundup of fun things to do this weekend in Fairfax county.
Dr. Seuss-themed 23rd Fairfax County Volunteer Service Awards
Wesley Pan of Great Falls-based Boy Scouts of America Troop 55 was humble about receiving the Youth Volunteer Group award. “We’re just happy to help the community and make a difference,” he said.
Great Falls Student Greets Japanese Prime Minister at Andrews Air Force Base
Great Falls Elementary School second grader Glenn Koji vanValkenburgh greeted Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his wife, Mrs. Akie Abe, as they arrived at Andrews Air Force Base on April 27 for their U.S. visit. "It was a really exciting week," said Glenn.
Therapeutic Sessions to Resume at Lift Me Up After Week of Turmoil
To honor his grandson Patrick, Stan Corey donated the lift that the Great Falls therapeutic riding program, Lift Me Up, will use to lift wounded warriors and heavier riders with disabilities safely onto horses.
Budding Bards at Great Falls Elementary
Ladies’ club awards poetry winners, throws luncheon.
The Great Falls Friends and Neighbors (GFFN) threw its 33rd Annual Poetry Luncheon at the River Bend Golf and Country Club in Great Falls on Wednesday, April 29, culminating National Poetry Month.
Great Falls Woman Wins Governor’s Volunteerism Award
Jacqueline Cheshire helps people gain independence.
Jacqueline Cheshire and her new puppy, Agent, are almost never apart, until 18 months later when she gives the puppy up so it can receive further training as an assistance dog for Canine Companions for Independence (CCI).
Commentary: Law Enforcement, the Mentally Ill and the Pursuit of Justice
Across the nation, people are having serious discussions about how to alter the dynamic that too often exists between some law enforcement officers and individuals. Out of each case, we learn something that will help us go forward. So, as justice pursues its course in Fairfax County with regard to the tragic death of Natasha McKenna, let’s not lose sight of the real underlying problem: the systemic mishandling of mentally ill patients who have few or no resources, and law enforcement’s struggle to deal with untreated or undertreated individuals.