Fairfax County Public Schools will be closed until April 10 as the state scrambles to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
The move was mandated by Gov. Ralph Northam for all state schools earlier this afternoon. Northam ordered all K-12 schools in Virginia to close for a minimum of two weeks in response to the spread to the respiratory disease.
A spokesperson for FCPS told Reston Now that more details on the closure are forthcoming.
Of the 30 cases in Virginia, 17 have been confirmed in Northern Virginia. Test results have been sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for confirmation.
Here’s more from Northam’s office:
“We are taking this action to keep Virginians as safe and healthy as possible, and to minimize exposure to COVID-19,” said Governor Northam. “I recognize this will pose a hardship on many families, but closing our schools for two weeks will not only give our staff time to clean and disinfect school facilities, it will help slow the spread of this virus. This is a fluid and fast-changing situation. We will do everything possible to ensure that students who rely on school nutrition programs continue to have access to meals, and that the disruption to academics is as minimal as possible.”Virginia Department of Education officials are working closely with school divisions and the Department of Social Services to ensure students who qualify for free or reduced lunch programs are able to access those programs while schools are closed. The Department of Education will issue guidance and memos to superintendents across the Commonwealth to provide specifics about the continuity of education, school nutrition, and updated public health guidelines.
Prior to Northam’s order, FCPS remained relatively silent on its future plans, only tentatively closing today and Monday to prepare for remote learning.
Alexandria, Falls Church City, and Arlington County announced places to remain closed beginning today (Friday) through spring break.
Fellowship Square, which operates affordable housing facilities for seniors at Lake Anne Fellowship House and Hunters Woods Fellowship House, has launched a new approach to respond to the outbreak of coronavirus. The living facilities are home to residents who are identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as “high risk” due to age.
“The health and safety of our residents and staff is always our primary concern. Fellowship Square is an independent living facility and therefore relies upon the cooperation of its residents in jointly combating this dissimilar virus pandemic,” said Shelley Ducker, a spokesperson for Fellowship Square.
The company is working with its property management company, S.L. Nusbaum, to implement new cleaning procedures. All non-essential activities and programs have been canceled until further notice and bus trips are limited for medical and food supply purposes online.
As part of its “aggressive and pro-active approach,” Ducker also noted that signage at all entrances requests high-risk visitors from entering the building, including those who recently traveled overseas, took a cruise, or show symptoms of illness. sanitizer and hand wipes are also available in high traffic areas. One sign reminds staff to avoid shaking hands with residents and guests to decrease the spread of germs.
“We remain on high alert and continue to monitor news and other viable sources of information,” Ducker said.
This week, Reston Hospital Center also instituted new visitation restrictions. All visitors and patients are being directed to use specific entrances for health screenings.
“Any potential symptomatic patient who arrives can be properly masked and immediately isolated to protect our colleagues and other patients,” according to Todd McGovern, the hospital’s spokesperson. “We continue to work in partnership with the local, county and state health department and the CDC and will provide updates to our hospital and medical staff as necessary.”
Photo via Fellowship House
If the coronavirus spreads in Fairfax County and Northern Virginia, homeless shelters and other services for low-to-moderate-income individuals and families could be hit hard, officials warn.
Cornerstones, a local nonprofit organization that aims to promote self-sufficiency, is preparing for the potential impact of the respiratory disease. So far, 17 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Virginia, a number that officials say is expected to grow.
Kerrie Wilson, the CEO of Cornerstones, says that nonprofit organizations are at risk. The cascading effect of today’s school closure is expected to produce additional strains on services. Wilson said the nonprofit organization will need to balancing competing needs.
“We’ve seen this with other crises such as hurricanes, pandemics, and the federal government shut down impacts a huge number of households in our region. The Coronavirus poses a real and prolonged threat that can undermine the safety net and our undo the upstream workaround opportunity.”
So far, the nonprofit organization is working to protect the health and safety of its employees, staff, and individuals who depend on Cornerstones’ support and services. All non-essential meetings and community events have been postponed and the center is working with local government and schools to develop plans to continue operations for emergency food and shelter, as well as child and family services.
“While we have been fortunate to have only four documented cases in Fairfax to date, we are preparing for when, not if.”
The nonprofit is looking for donations to help with meal delivery after it requested that volunteers refrain from visiting the Embry Rucker Community Shelter until March 27.
Individuals interested in providing raw food donations can email [email protected] and individuals providing bagged meals can contact [email protected] for further assistance.
Other items — which can be dropped off at a shelf outside the center — are also needed:
- Shampoo
- Body wash
- Men’s and women’s underwear
- Cleaning products (bleach, Lysol, paper towels, laundry pods, Windex, empty spray bottles)
- Gift cards for fast food, grocery stores, Target
- Tissues
- Hand sanitizer
The food pantry is also in need of the following, especially for seniors who may be shut off from family members and under-resourced families:
- Grocery store gift cards
- Gas gift cards
- Rice
- Beans
- Lentils
- Cooking Oil
- Oatmeal
- Eggs
- Milk
- Clorox Wipes
“We have to balance risk against decision to expand childcare hours to ensure kids and parents have options,” Wilson said. “For people experiencing homelessness and in need of emergency housing and other services, our doors need to remain open – but with options to protect medically fragile guests from those who might have been exposed to risk and to ensure the safety of staff.”
The organization will continue to monitor the situation, which is evolving rapidly, and make additional changes as needed.
“The Coronavirus poses a real and prolonged threat that can undermine the safety net and our undo the upstream workaround opportunity,” Wilson said.
Submission Call: Mary B. Howard Invitational — Greater Reston Arts Center and ‘sindikit invite artist to submit proposals for an upcoming exhibition. The submission should involve the creation of a new project that references an artwork the artist has made in the past. The deadline for proposals is March 15. [Greater Reston Arts Center]
Reminder: Look Out for Census 2020 Mail –Residents should check their mail to see if they’ve received a Census invitation, which could arrive anytime between today and April 1. [Fairfax County Government]
In Case You Missed It: Schools Close Today — Fairfax County Public Schools will close today (Friday). At a press conference yesterday evening, FCPS Superintendent Scott Brabrand initially said there was no plan to close schools due to the limited spread of coronavirus.
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
Developer Norton Scott is still evaluating its options after the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors rejected its plan to build a $50 million condominium at Library Square.
“At this time, we’re continuing to explore our options,” said Michael Scott, managing member of the company. The company did not share any further details about the future of the property with Reston Now.
Norton Scott was seeking to build a 13-story building with 58 for-sale units on the 0.8-acre site. The proposal came after the county rejected a plan by the company and MRP Realty to redevelop the site and surrounding properties due its high cost.
The plan was rejected primarily due to the lack of a connection with the future extension of Library Street. Norton Scott’s appeal, which brought forward a by-right plan for the property, was denied by the board in late October.
So far, there has been no movement on the plan or further appeals.
Handout via Fairfax County Government
The Fairfax County Health Department has identified two additional cases of coronavirus, according to a release.
Both cases are linked to individuals who had contact with someone who contracted the respiratory disease in North Carolina. The health department cautions that both cases are “considered presumptive, pending confirmation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”
The Fairfax County residents are in isolation at their homes. Here’s more from the county on the two cases:
The first case is the spouse of a presumptive positive case from North Carolina. The individual, a resident of Fairfax County in his 60s, became ill with respiratory symptoms on March 2, prior to the spouse being identified as a case on March 9. Specimens were collected and sent to the Virginia state laboratory for testing on March 10. The individual is isolated at home.
The second case is a close contact of the presumptive positive case from North Carolina. The individual, a resident of Fairfax County in his 20s, became ill with symptoms on March 6. Following identification of the North Carolina case, specimens were collected and tested by Virginia state laboratory on March 10. The individual is isolated at home.
Today’s diagnoses bring the total number of cases in the Fairfax Health District to four individuals. The other two cases were linked to Fairfax City residents who recently traveled internationally.
“We strongly recommend that all residents, workers, students, and visitors take the necessary precautions to protect themselves against novel coronavirus,” said Fairfax Health Director Dr. Gloria Addo-Ayensu. “Public health will continue working with local, state, federal, and community partners to reduce the risk of community spread.”
State Gov. Ralph Northam also declared a state of emergency beginning today (Thursday).
Photo via Unsplash
The community is welcomed to celebrate the official opening of “Buoyant Force,” a 50-foot steel sculpture in Reston Town Center.
The community celebration, which is hosted by the Greater Reston Arts Center, is set for May 2 at 3 p.m. at Reston Town Square Park. The sculpture was installed earlier this year.
Artist Sue Wrbican, an associate professor and director of photography at George Mason University is behind the work, which was inspired by the paintings of American surrealist Kay Sage.
Here’s more from GRACE about the sculpture:
Buoyant Force is a 50-foot steel sculpture by Sue Wrbican inspired by the paintings of American Surrealist Kay Sage (b. 1898, Albany, New York; d. 1963, Woodbury, Connecticut). Sage, who lived in the shadow of her husband, the surrealist Yves Tanguy, is now recognized for her paintings of scaffolded structures and furled fabric in desolate landscapes. GRACE organized the first comprehensive exhibition of Wrbican’s work, entitled Well Past the Echo, in Fall 2017. The exhibition featured photography, maquettes of Sage-inspired structures, and a site-specific installation. It was featured in The Washington Post and East City Art. Based on the success of the exhibition, GRACE has commissioned Wrbican to realize one of her structures at full-size in Reston Town Square Park.
More information about the sculpture is available online.
Photo via GRACE
Reston Association Steps Up Cleaning Efforts — “To deter the spread of the virus, our building management service has implemented new cleaning guidelines that include regularly wiping down high touchpoints such as door handles, water fountain buttons and elevator panels.” [Reston Association]
Deadline for Fairfax Parks Poetry Contest Extended — Students in elementary through middle school have until Tuesday, March 17 to submit entries for the contest. [Fairfax County Parks]
Herndon Police Department Cancels Fingerprinting Event — In an effort to protect volunteers, the department canceled Friday’s fingerprinting services until further notice. HPD wrote that the cancellation is “strictly a precautionary measure.” [Herndon Police Department]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
A new hair salon is coming soon to Reston Town Center.
Madison Reed, a professional hair salon, plans to open at 11874 Market Street. The salon offers hair color services through a “color bar,” according to its website.
The company, which sells hair care products, has color bar locations across the country, including in Bethesda, Md. A new location is expected to open in Rockville in March this year.
No word yet on when the Reston location is expected to open. So far, signage on the storefront just says “coming soon.”
Image via Google Maps
Over the weekend, parents, students and community members gathered to say goodbye to Herndon High School‘s gym with a silent disco and auction.
The gym is now closed off as the renovation project begins. The project — which will expand the gym by roughly one-third — will be completed over the summer. It will also include new boys and girls locker rooms, a new weight room, team rooms, training rooms, and storage areas.
The goodbye event included a moment of silence to “remember the good times” as the school celebrates the beginning of the construction project, according to the school. All proceeds from the event will be used to outfit the newly-renovated athletic facilities once they are completed. Around 250 people attended the event, according to the school’s assistant principal Jim Hannon.
The school has been an active construction area for more than a year. A new wing was added to the back and front of the building, including a new library, main office, and administrative and counseling offices.
Future phrases include a new wrestling and gymnastics room, renovated music rooms, an expanded auditorium, and new baseball and softball structures.
In the final phase of the project, the cafeteria will be modified into a food court design and the stadium press box and tennis courts will be renovated.
Photo via Jim Hannon
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted in favor of deferring a decision on a request to reduce parking at a major mixed-use project near the future Reston Town Center Metro Station.
Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn (D) motioned that the board postpone a decision on the proposal by Boston Properties to a later date.
“Considering the history of Boston Properties and parking in Reston, I deferred the decision on Reston Gateway in order to get more information on Boston Properties’ assumptions on parking needs at Reston Gateway,” Alcorn wrote in statement to Reston Now.
The developer is seeking to provide 1,663 fewer parking spaces than what was already approved for Reston Gateway, a mixed-use development currently under construction between Reston Town Center Metro Station and RTC.
Alcorn said that he wants to take a closer look at the assumptions Boston Properties used to guide its decision. For example, the company assumes that “residents and visitors to the development will require parking at rates no higher than similarly-located transit-oriented development in Arlington,” he said.
Overall, the proposal aims to reduce parking by 20 percent. Residential parking for the 2,010 units planned on the site would take the biggest hit, with an average reduction of 38 percent.
So far, county staff backed Boston Properties’ proposal, which it says is acceptable because of the site’s proximity to the Metro station and the need to reduce parking demand by encouraging other modes of transportation.
Reston Gateway includes nine buildings spread over 33 acres. The first phase of the project — which includes office space anchored by Fannie Mae — is currently under construction.
Handout via Fairfax County Government
Reminder: Voting Underway for Reston Association Election — Voting is open through April 3 for RA’s Board of Directors election. Votes will be accepted through 5 p.m. that day. [Reston Association]
FCPS Superintendent Provides Update — Monday will be a student holiday, but all after-school extracurricular activities will proceed as scheduled. [Fairfax County Public Schools]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
Reston Association is considering lighting improvements at Autumnwood, Hook Road and Lake Newport tennis courts.
The proposal includes replacing existing lights at the tennis courts in order to improve playing conditions during dusk and night hours, according to the proposal.
RA’s Design Review Board will consider the plan at a meeting today (Tuesday) at 6:30 p.m. at RA headquarters.
The proposal is based on recommendations from RA’s lighting workgroup. Lights will have “minimum light spillage, warm color temperatures, automated control, and energy-efficient LED technology,” according to the proposal.
If approved, the project would be completed by April 30. More information about the proposal is available online.
Photo via Reston Association
Fairfax County Public Schools will close on Monday, March 16 in order to plan for the possibility of future school closures due to the coronavirus outbreak.
In a tweet issued around 3 p.m. today (Tuesday), FCPS stated that the staff development day is intended to provide staff with time to plan for distance learning the event of a school closure.
More details on the plan are expected.
A man who visited Christ Church in Georgetown where a rector tested positive for coronavirus defied a two-week self-quarantine recommended by D.C. Mayor Bowser.
According to a FOX 5 DC report, the man, who is from Silver Spring, spent Monday “playing golf in Reston…. albeit at a distance from his friends.”
Roughly 550 parishioners were in self-quarantine through Monday (March 9) after the rector tested positive for the virus. A 39-year-old man who is also from the church also tested positive.
At a county meeting earlier today, the county’s health director urged residents to exercise caution when going outdoors.
Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Scott Braband also outlined two different scenarios for school closures in the event of the spread of the virus into local schools.
Closures could be targeted to specific schools or closed entirely if recommended by the state health commissioner due to high rates of absenteeism.
Photo via Unplash
