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

School news

Second-graders at Annandale Terrace Elementary School check a rain gauge and make notes about the weather as part of a unit on meteorology. [FCPS] An occasional series highlighting information about Fairfax County Public Schools and programs and activities at schools in the Annandale/Mason District area. The information here is from FCPS and individual schools. Bailey’s … Continued

Growth in public school enrollment slowing down

A modular unit is proposed to relieve overcrowding at Glasgow Middle School. The soaring enrollment growth in Fairfax County Public Schools in recent years is slowing down, reports the Capital Improvement Program for 2018-22 approved by the school board Jan. 26. Since the 2008-09 school year, FCPS has seen an average increase of 2,400 students … Continued

Girl Scouts put up Little Free Library at Belvedere Elementary School

There’s a new Little Free Library in front of Belvedere Elementary School, thanks to the efforts of Girl Scout Cadette Troop 5308. The Scouts will be dedicating the tiny library to the Belvedere community on Tuesday, Nov. 15, 4 p.m., at the school, at 6540 Columbia Pike. The public is invited. Little Free Libraries have … Continued

Supervisors approve flexible school designs for urban areas

A gym under construction at Bailey’s Upper Elementary School.  The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Nov. 1 unanimously approved an amendment to the county’s Comprehensive Plan to permit more flexible school designs in urban areas. The new policy allows vertical schools on smaller than the traditional five-acre lots; schools in repurposed office or commercial … Continued

Proposed county policy would allow urban schools in high-density areas

Bailey’s Upper Elementary School opened in a converted office building on Leesburg Pike two years ago. The Board of Supervisors will hold a hearing Nov. 1 on a new policy to allow the development of “urban” or “vertical” schools in high-density areas or on parcels of limited size. The policy change would also amend the … Continued

Meals tax debated at public forum

A forum on the meals tax featured (from the left) supporters Phil Niedzielski-Eichner and Pat Hynes and opponents Pat Herrity, and Jon Norton. At a forum on a Fairfax County meals tax, supporters of the referendum argued the extra revenue is needed to maintain a high-quality school system, while opponents said they preferred spending cuts.    The … Continued

An upgrade at the Phillips Programs

From the left: Del. Mark Keam, Mason Supervisor Penny Gross, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors ChairSharon Bulova, Phillips CEO and President Piper Phillips, Karen Garvin of AH&T Insurance, Phillips’ board chair Mike Policcicchio of Ernst & Young, and Tysons Chamber of Commerce Vice President Angela Inzerillo. The Phillips Programs for Children and Families, a school … Continued

FCPS superintendent resigns

Garza Fairfax County School Superintendent Karen Garza announced her resignation Sept. 19, to take effect Dec. 16. Garza is taking a job as president and CEO of Battelle for Kids, a nonprofit education organization based in Columbus, Ohio. “I am so grateful for the opportunity to have served this world-class school system since June 2013,” … Continued

Ready or not, school starts Sept. 6

And so it begins – the 2016-17 school year is now in session. It’s the last time Fairfax County Public Schools will start after Labor Day. Next year, school will start Aug. 28. Superintendent Karen Garza made an appearance at Holmes Middle School, one of four sites she visited on the first day of school. … Continued