Superintendent Comes to West Springfield
Karen Garza continues listening tour.
Superintendent Karen Garza continued her listening tour of Fairfax County Public Schools this week with a stop at West Springfield High School on Feb. 4. Garza was joined by Springfield District School Board member Elizabeth Schultz.
‘Gazpacho for Nacho’
Key Middle School Spanish teacher publishes bilingual children’s book.
Colleagues and friends of Key Middle School Spanish teacher Tracey Kyle describe her as a creative and engaging teacher who is always thinking of new ways to teach. Now, Kyle has taken her creativity one step further by writing "Gazpacho for Nacho." The book was published by Two Lions, a division of Amazon Publishing, in January.
County Teachers Federation Honors Supervisor Herrity
Supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Springfield) was honored Jan. 11 by the Fairfax County Federation of Teachers (FCFT). He received the organization’s 2013 President's Award for "consistent advocacy, proactive communications and support of (FCPS teachers) over the past year."
Nine Candidates Vying for Attention in 8th Congressional District Democratic Primary
Race to replace Jim Moran is expected to be competitive and expensive.
It's been three weeks since longtime U.S. Rep. Jim Moran (D-8) announced that he would not be seeking a 13th term in Congress, opening up an epic primary fight that is now starting to take shape.
Helping Area Residents Sign Up for Health Insurance
More than 50 volunteers who are helping local residents sign up for health care insurance were recognized by state and local leadership last Saturday. To date, these Certified Application Counselors (CACs) have helped more than 500 individuals with the new Marketplace system, overcoming barriers of language, technology and understanding the new health care law. The volunteers were thanked for the commitment and service:
How to Fix I-66?
More lanes, bus rapid transit, rail, spot improvements proposed.
It’s said that nothing’s certain but death and taxes – but most of the time, traffic congestion on I-66 can be added to that list. So VDOT’s seeking input from the public on how best to alleviate it.
West Springfield Renovations Still Years Off
Citizens question Capital Improvement Program funding.
West Springfield High School freshman Rylie Smedley said her school’s need for renovation doesn’t impact her everyday life at school too much, but that repair is obviously needed. “A lot of the bathrooms don’t work,” said Smedley. It was this state of disrepair that led Eric Hawkins, a resident of West Springfield since 2001, to join other parents and community advocates in 2008 to create SOAR, a group dedicated to ensuring West Springfield High School renovations by 2016.
Winter Fun with Local History
Take a break from the cold to learn about the Franconia Museum and Laurel Grove School.
If tired of spending another cold winter day at the movie theatre or bowling alley, try something educational for a change. Take a step back in time this winter by visiting the Franconia Museum, located at the Franconia Government Center on Franconia Road. This museum, founded in 2006, offers information about the Franconia area that dates back to the Civil War. Pictures, artifacts and stories are abundant in the museum, bringing visitors back in time to an era when life was simpler. The Franconia Museum has a simple mission: to promote the heritage of the Franconia area. The museum is heavy in Civil War memorabilia.
Debate Over School Budget Continues
Later start times, class size among topics at School Board public hearing.
Later start times, class size, and cuts to needs-based staffing were major themes of the testimony given at the Jan. 27 public hearing on Superintendent Karen Garza’s proposed budget.
Board Cites Lack of Funds for School Renovations
Aging schools collide with increasing student enrollments.
While the 2015 to 2019 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) passed at the Fairfax County Public School Board meeting on Thursday, Jan. 3, many board members expressed concerns with the program.
Jim Moran: The $15 Million Congressman
During his years in Congress, Moran raised and spent about $1 million each campaign cycle.
One of the first things that happened after U.S. Rep. Jim Moran (D-8) announced he would not be running for reelection this year was that he cancelled a fundraising event.
Into the Budget Fray
Bulova highlights accomplishments, challenges in annual address.
Despite the lingering impact of an anemic economy, and the regional ripple effects of federal sequestration, Fairfax County residents will see some concrete signs of progress this year.
Imagining a Transformed Springfield
Executive Director of Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce shares her thoughts on 2014.
Last year may have been a big year for Springfield, but according to Nancy-jo Manney, the executive director of the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce, 2014 will be even better.
Program Works to Restore Greenery
Trees still available for planting in communities along the Interstate 95 Corridor.
In an effort to restore greenery to areas that lost trees during construction of the 95 Express Lanes project, Transurban and Fluor, private partners of the project, launched "1,000 Trees in 1,000 Days" to encourage community members to plant trees in areas along the 95 corridor.
Fairfax County Launches Sex Trafficking Prevention Campaign
Sex trafficking education materials also added to school curriculum.
In order to raise awareness to the fact that sex trafficking can happen anywhere, even in Fairfax County, a new prevention campaign and website raising awareness of this issue launched on Jan. 13.