Tag: schools
Fairfax County deep into planning for East County building on Willston site
An illustration of the proposed East County Office Building at the Willston site produced by Fairfax County in August 2013. Despite efforts by local residents and school officials to use the Willston Center property for a public school, Fairfax County officials are deep into the planning process for a new East County Office Building on … Continued
FCPS apologizes for opening schools on time despite snowfall
A school bus stuck on Murray Lane on the way to Mason Crest Elementary School. Parents were asked to pick up their children. [Photo by Bob Kovacs] With major traffic jams, road closures, and accidents throughout the region, Fairfax County Public Schools seems to be regretting its decision not to close or even delay school … Continued
FCPS outlines solutions to school overcrowding
Portable classrooms handle the overflow at Glen Forest Elementary School. The proposed Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for fiscal years 2016-20, released by Fairfax County Public Schools earlier this month outlines expected enrollment growth in the schools and offers a long list of short and long-term solutions to increase capacity. The CIP calls for a total … Continued
Judge rejects motion to dismiss suit against Bailey’s principal
The lawsuit filed by former employees against Bailey’s Elementary School Principal Marie Lemmon and Fairfax County Public Schools is going forward after federal judge T.S. Ellis III rejected the defendants’ request to have the case dismissed. The case was filed in the U.S. District Court in Alexandria Sept. 25 by a former assistant principal, two … Continued
FCPS asks Fairfax County for Willston Center site for new school
The Willston Center. Fairfax County Public Schools has formally asked the Fairfax County leadership to turn over the Willston Center in Seven Corners to FCPS for use as a school to help relieve overcrowding at other schools in the area. In a Dec. 8 letter to County Executive Edward Long, FCPS Superintendent Karen Garza says … Continued
New research wing opens at Thomas Jefferson High School
The oceanography and geosystems lab. Fairfax County government leaders, school board members, state legislators, donors, and parents gathered at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) Nov. 14 to celebrate the opening of the school’s new research wing. The research wing is part of a $65 million renovation project funded by a school … Continued
Former employees support lawsuit against Bailey’s principal
Marie Lemmon (right) conducts a tour of the brand new Bailey’s Upper campus in a converted office building before the start of the school year. Five people who had worked for Fairfax County Public Schools have submitted affidavits this week in support of a lawsuit charging Marie Lemmon, the principal of Bailey’s Elementary School, with … Continued
Planning Commission endorses school for Bailey’s Crossroads
This building is on the site of a proposed apartment project on Columbia Pike. The Fairfax County Planning Commission approved a motion Nov. 5 calling for the Board of Supervisors to approve a county staff report recommending an amendment to the county’s Comprehensive Plan to allow a mixed-use development in Bailey’s Crossroads. There was no … Continued
Residents object to proposed funeral chapel on Braddock Road
A rendering of the proposed funeral chapel. Residents of Hillbrook-Tall Oaks and nearby Annandale neighborhoods urged the Mason District Land Use Committee Oct. 28 to oppose plans for a funeral chapel on Braddock Road near the Backlick Road intersection. Their concerns primarily have to do with traffic on Braddock Road, spillover parking on neighborhood streets, … Continued
School board approves later high school start time
Advocates for later school start times pack a school board meeting last month. [Photo from SLEEP.] The Fairfax County School Board by a vote of 11 to 1 Oct. 23 approved later start times for high schools, beginning in the 2015-16 school year. High school would start between 8 and 8:10 a.m. and end between … Continued
Annandale Atoms: ‘most unique’ high school mascot in the region
The Atoms of Annandale High School came in first in the “most unique mascot” poll sponsored by WUSA News Channel 9. The voting was a sweep for AHS, with 2,169 votes for the Atoms. The Maret Frogs came in second with just 285 votes. Other mascots in the running included the Richard Montgomery Rockets (12), … Continued
New details emerge on Southeast Quadrant project in Bailey’s Crossroads
A rendering of the proposed apartment building calls it “Columbia Crossroads.” Plans under discussion for the “Southeast Quadrant” of Columbia Pike include a five-story apartment building and a new urban-style elementary school. This 7.4-acre site lies between Moncure Avenue and Radley Acura. Part of that site, currently occupied by the Bailey’s International Center office building, … Continued
Bailey’s principal sued for discrimination and harassment
Principal Marie Lemmon greets students on the first day of school at the new Bailey’s Upper Elementary School. The complaints about Bailey’s Elementary School Principal Marie Lemmon outlined in a lawsuit charging her with discrimination and harassment are similar to the experiences of other current and former employees. “I can’t attest to the facts in … Continued
FCPS lauds Falls Church High School library
A discussion with authors fills the Falls Church High School library. [FCHS photo] Students at Falls Church High School, one of the smallest high schools in Fairfax County Public Schools, were some the top users of their school library during the 2013-14 school year, according to an FCPS press release. The school averaged 4.8 books … Continued
A historic first day of school at Bailey’s Upper Elementary School
The bus drop-off went smoothly. About 600 third, fourth, and fifth-graders streamed into the brand-new Bailey’s Upper Elementary School Sept. 2 on the first day of the 2014-15 school year. Housed in a former office building on Leesburg Pike in Seven Corners, Bailey’s Upper is the first vertical, urban-design public school in Fairfax County. Principal … Continued