Covering Annandale, Bailey's Crossroads, Lincolnia, and Seven Corners in Fairfax County, Virginia

Youngkin attacks public schools

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin and other Republican state leaders came down hard against public education at a back-to-school rally for GOP congressional candidates Aug. 31 at Mason District Park in Annandale. The key message at the event is that parents, not school administrators, teacher unions, or “radical politicians,” should have control over their children’s education. … Continued

Schools are over 99 percent fully staffed

When public school starts on Monday, Aug. 22, there will be “a certificated adult in every classroom,” said Superintendent Michelle Reid. Fairfax County Public Schools are “over 99 percent fully staffed,” Reid said during a virtual community meeting Aug. 17. FCPS is still hiring, though. The school system has been struggling with a teacher shortage, … Continued

New Virginia laws take effect

Here are a few of the newly enacted Virginia laws that took effect July 1: Public education Senate Bill 656 – The Department of Education is directed to develop model policies on sexually explicit content in instructional material by July 30. School boards must adopt policies by Jan. 1, 2023, for ensuring parental notification of … Continued

Outstanding Annandale educators honored

Two educators from the Mason District were among the 12 employees honored with Outstanding Employee Awards by Fairfax County Public Schools. Essel Linton, the music teacher at Annandale Terrace Elementary School, is the winner in the Outstanding Elementary Teacher category. “Essel’s music class is always filled with students singing, dancing, playing instruments, and, most importantly, … Continued

Weyanoke ES girls do STEM projects at TJ

Every Friday afternoon, members of the WISE Club (Women Interested in Science and Engineering) at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology host a group of girls from Weyanoke Elementary School for fun science projects. The program was highlighted in a feature story by the Fairfax County Public Schools Office of Communications and Community … Continued

Historic marker project engages students

The Historical Marker Project, launched by the Fairfax County School Board and Board of Supervisors earlier this month, is aimed at encouraging students to bring attention to the accomplishments of lesser-known people and communities. The project will initially focus on the county’s Black/African American communities and will expand to other underrepresented stories in the coming … Continued

Youngkin pursues right-wing agenda

Virginia Gov. Glenn Younkin’s legislative priorities call for diverting funds from public schools to charter schools, banning critical race theory, restricting voting, and promoting massive tax cuts. The following bills and budget amendments introduced in the General Assembly are part of Youngkin’s “Day One Agenda.” Education The Board of Education or a local school board … Continued

Youngkin selects former school board member Elizabeth Schultz for state office

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin has selected former Fairfax County School Board member Elizabeth Schultz as assistant superintendent of public instruction. As a school board member, Schultz opposed including gender identity and sexual orientation in non-discrimination policies and was an outspoken advocate against efforts to support transgender students. Her Twitter account ThinkSchultz – which has been … Continued

Schedule set for Hidden Oaks camps

Registration is now open for summer camps at Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Annandale. The camp schedule wasn’t included in the printed version of the spring Parktakes due to the expansion and renovation underway at the nature center. Hidden Oaks camps will be conducted outdoors, except during bad weather. Maximum attendance has been reduced to … Continued