Fairfax County School Board Celebrates Class of 2020
Superintendent Scott Brabrand releases Board decisions.
Superintendent Scott Brabrand dashed any remaining hopes of summer in-person commencement ceremonies for the Class of 2020. After receiving results from high school students and parents on his Survey on Graduation Preferences, Brabrand said the School Board agreed on his recommended approach. They committed to celebrating the seniors "in the safest and most personalized manner possible."
Fairfax Week in Coronavirus
Fairfax County cases increase more than 1,600 in last week, and Virginia rises more than 6,000 cases as most of the state eases restrictions.
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Parental Burnout on Distance Learning During COVID-19
How to survive until the end of the school year.
Whether deciphering algebraic equations and trying to teach them to a disinterested child or helping with a science experiment during a Zoom conference call, for parents who are trying to homeschool their children during the current COVID-19 pandemic, the struggle is real. Last fall, some parents developed a plan to deal with the academic burnout that occurs as the school year neared an end. Little did they know that the plan they created would be themselves.
Stay-at-Home Order Allows More Time for Road Construction in Virginia
When traffic is down, the crews extend time with lane closures, resulting in project progress.
The quarantine that seems to have no end is having some positive impacts. With most businesses closed and most people staying home most of the time, rush hours have been minimal, gas use is down, local streets are becoming the roads less traveled. For road crews, this is time to pick up the pace.
Fairfax County School Board Considers Fall 2020 Options
Three back-to-school scenarios presented.
What might school look like to children in Fairfax County Public Schools this fall — remote learning or social distance learning with masks and temperature checks? Which students would schools bring back first — the older ones or most vulnerable? And what might students face when they get there — a climb back to grade level or multi-age classes?
Fairfax County Supervisors Approve Budget Plan, Fairfax RISE
Highlights of May 12 Board of Supervisors meeting.
Some of the first words Chairman Jeffrey C. McKay Fairfax County Board of Supervisors said at the May 12 Board of Supervisors meeting were for county families; in particular, those who lost loved ones or had family members hospitalized with the coronavirus. "If we could keep them and their entire families in our thoughts and prayers," McKay said. "As a reminder, our County flag continues to fly at half-staff, throughout the County at our facilities, in honor of the residents who sadly died as a result of COVID-19 and in recognition of our many essential workers who are responding to the pandemic," he said.
Opinion: Commentary: The Story of 22305 Is Not Unique to Alexandria
As the coronavirus spreads and more testing is performed, anxious residents are demanding more information regarding the rate of infection in their communities.
First Physical Gathering Since COVID for Mount Vernon Church
Washington Community Church holds two services on Mother’s Day.
The Washington Community Church in Mount Vernon held back to back Mother's Day drive in worship services on Sunday. Live music, gift bags for mothers, and a sermon from Pastors Steve and Zury Bradcovich atop a makeshift stage on a rented flatbed truck.
Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Wrong Approach for Stream Restoration
The biggest problem with the so-called natural channel design approach to stream "restoration" for us in the greater Washington, D.C. region is that it is planned and implemented in completely the wrong places: small order, interior forested, upper headwater streams and wetlands.
Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Dismayed
I was dismayed to read the very one-sided and mostly inaccurate version of an event taking place in my neighborhood.
Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Role of Local Newspapers?
Local newspapers play an important role in our community life because they identify local issues that are often overlooked by national news but which nonetheless impact our day-to-day lives. We look to local newspapers to provide a balanced presentation of these local issues.
Opinion: Letter to the Editor: Plan Many Years in the Works and Supported by Majority of the Community
[My Gazette was delivered late this issue; but I write anyway, to object to the "reporting" cited below.] The value of a community newspaper lies in its ability to treat local issues in some depth and with fairness and accuracy.
Opinion: Commentary: Battling the Coronavirus – Efforts Must Be Expanded
It has been four months since the Centers for Disease Control confirmed the first case of coronavirus disease, called COVID-19, in the United States. As of May 11, over 800 Virginians have died, 3,200 hospitalized and over 25,000 Virginians have tested positive for this virus. Only about 1.7% of Virginians or 147,000 have been tested. Our hospitalization rate has continued to climb with over 1,500 people currently in the hospital. The rate of infection has slowed, but this virus has hit our community very unevenly.
Opinion: Commentary: FY 2021 – The COVID-19 Budget
This is not the budget any of us were hoping to approve this year.
Tuesday, the Board adopted the County Executive's amended FY 2021 Budget proposal. While this is not the budget any of us were hoping to approve this year, it is necessary as we pivot to address the needs created by COVID-19.
Opinion: Letter to the Editor: ‘Dubious Agreement’
Today's article [5/7/20 Mount Vernon Gazette, page 4] by Mike Salmon about the Hollin Hills Project is very well written, explaining carefully the issue.
Opinion: Commentary: Have You Filled Out Your Census?
I am sure, and certainly hope, that you have heard a lot about the decennial census in the last few months, not only from my office but from many sources. I have some good news if you have not yet completed your census: the original July 31, 2020 deadline has been extended three months to give you even more time to fill it out and get counted!
This Week in Coronavirus in Fairfax County
Virginia surpasses 25,000 cases; Phase I being discussed while numbers of cases and deaths continue to rise.
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