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

Educator charged with assaulting a student

An educator assaulted a special-needs student at Glen Forest Elementary School in Bailey’ Crossroads, the Fairfax County Police Department reports. Another employee observed instructional assistant Meredith Capets, 36, of Alexandria, assaulting the student on Dec. 8. The employee immediately reported the assault to school administrators, who notified the police that evening. After conducting numerous interviews, … Continued

School news roundup

The following news briefs cover schools in the Annandale/Mason District area. Collective bargaining – The Fairfax County School Board will hold a public hearing on a resolution to allow collective bargaining on Dec. 15, 6-7 p.m., at Jackson Middle School. Registration for 25 speakers will open at 6 a.m. on Dec. 1. Legislation approved by … Continued

Two schools have new principals

Two schools in the Annandale/Mason District area have new principals. Raven Jones is the new principal at Luther Jackson Middle School, and Taiia Clarke will start work as principal of Beech Tree Elementary School on Nov. 14. Jones was formerly the administrator of Fairfax County Public Schools’ Montrose Alternative Learning Center in Alexandria. Before that, … Continued

School news roundup

The following news briefs and photos are from Fairfax County Public Schools. Where’s the equity? – The Fairfax County School Board passed a watered-down resolution Oct. 20 supporting educators “as they deliver FCPS-approved curriculum and classroom resources that are inclusive and meet the high aspirations of our students, families, and the Fairfax County community.” The … Continued

Board of Supervisors approves restrooms for high school stadiums

A carryover budget package for fiscal year 2022 approved by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Oct. 11 includes several items relevant to the Annandale/Mason District area. The BoS approved $7.5 million in carryover funds to provide permanent restrooms at the outdoor stadiums at 15 high schools, including Annandale, Justice, and Woodson. Currently, those … Continued

FCPS to improve employee oversight

A review of Fairfax County Public Schools’ employee hiring and monitoring processes found significant systemic problems. FCPS Superintendent Michelle Reid directed an independent third party to conduct the study after she learned that a convicted sex offender, Darren Thornton, had been working as a counselor at Glasgow Middle School. [There was a related incident at … Continued

Students walk out to protest governor’s anti-trans policies

Students across Virginia walked out of class Sept. 27 to protest Gov. Glenn Younkin’s new model policies on transgender students. The walkouts were organized by the Pride Liberation Project, a student-led coalition of LGBTQIA+ students working to create safe, inclusive, and equitable schools. Students at 22 Fairfax County schools participated, including Annandale, Falls Church, Justice, … Continued

More students can get free bus passes

Free student bus passes are now available at four more schools: Annandale, Falls Church, and Marshall high schools and the Davis Career Center. A pilot program offering free specially designated SmarTrip cards started in 2018 at Justice High School. The bus passes can be used on Fairfax Connector buses, CUE buses operated by the City … Continued

LGBTQ advocates blast Youngkin’s policy to roll back protections for trans students

LGBTQ advocates are up in arms over Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s policy to roll back the rights of transgender and nonbinary students. They say the policy, which Youngkin touts as pro-parent, denigrates these students, will disrupt families, and will lead to more mental health problems among this population. Students outed without consent The “model policies,” … Continued

Reid vows to address fights at Jackson MS

Several parents raised concerns about fighting at Luther Jackson Middle School during a “community conversation” for the Falls Church pyramid with Superintendent Michelle Reid Sept. 13. “Jackson has a bad reputation for drugs, alcohol, and fighting,” said the parent of a Westlawn Elementary School student. There are fights in the cafeteria, which students record on … Continued

Annandale Terrace has a new principal

Ingrid Badia has been named principal of Annandale Terrace Elementary School, effective Sept. 19. Badia started her career with Fairfax County Public Schools as a Spanish immersion and language arts teacher at Bailey’s Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences. She was an assistant principal at Annandale Terrace and, for the past couple of months, … Continued

Community invited to Truck & Toss event

Grace Christian Academy invites the community to the sixth annual Truck and Toss Sept. 10, a festival featuring food trucks a cornhole tournament, and craft brew tastings. The event, 4-8 p.m., is on the grounds of Grace Lutheran Church at 3233 Annandale Road, Falls Church. It’s a fundraiser for the academy. Food trucks include DC … Continued

Chesterfield police chief addresses Glasgow counselor fail

Chesterfield County Police Chief Col. Jeffrey Katz clarified some of the issues surrounding the counselor who got a job at Glasgow Middle School despite being previously convicted of a sex offense. Fairfax County Schools Superintendent Michelle Reid told the Glasgow community Aug. 25 that an in-depth investigation will be conducted. The report, due Sept. 9, … Continued

Free meals at 13 Annandale/Mason schools

Fairfax County Public Schools will continue to provide free breakfasts and lunches during the 2022-23 school year at 34 schools, including these schools in the Annandale/Mason District area. Annandale High School Annandale Terrace Elementary School Bailey’s Elementary Bailey’s Upper Elementary Beech Tree Elementary Braddock Elementary Glasgow Middle School Glen Forest Elementary Justice High School Parklawn … Continued