Fairfax County Public Schools have an ally in the quest to change high school start times — the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The AAP issued a new position statement on Monday that says high schools should begin after 8:30 a.m. The lead author of the study is Dr. Judith Owens, the same sleep researcher that led FCPS’ proposal for time changes.

If middle and high schools start class to 8:30 a.m. or later, it will align school schedules to the biological sleep rhythms of adolescents, whose sleep-wake cycles begin to shift up to two hours later at the start of puberty, the academy’s new statement, titled “Let Them Sleep,” says.

“Chronic sleep loss in children and adolescents is one of the most common — and easily fixable — public health issues in the U.S. today,” said Owens, a pediatrician.

“The research is clear that adolescents who get enough sleep have a reduced risk of being overweight or suffering depression, are less likely to be involved in automobile accidents, and have better grades, higher standardized test scores and an overall better quality of life,” Dr. Owens said. “Studies have shown that delaying early school start times is one key factor that can help adolescents get the sleep they need to grow and learn.”

The AAP urges middle and high schools to aim for start times that allow students to receive 8.5 to 9.5 hours of sleep a night. In most cases, this will mean a school start time of 8:30 a.m. or later, though schools should also consider average commuting times and other local factors.

“The AAP is making a definitive and powerful statement about the importance of sleep to the health, safety, performance and well-being of our nation’s youth,” Dr. Owens said. “By advocating for later school start times for middle and high school students, the AAP is both promoting the compelling scientific evidence that supports school start time delay as an important public health measure, and providing support and encouragement to those school districts around the country contemplating that change.”

That is essentially the same information Owen has presented to FCPS, which is seeking change from the current 7:20 a.m. start time.

The FCPS school board voted in 2012 to commit to starting high school later. The board hired Children’s National Medical Center experts to prepare a report and then make recommendations on changing start times.

Last spring, the CNMC group recommended four options for change, which were presented to community members in a series of town hall meetings.

In July, the medical experts told the Fairfax County School Board this week that Option 1 or Option 3, with modifications, would be the best of four options for changing high school start times.

Option 1 starts high school at 8:30 a.m. and middle school at 9:30 a.m. Option 3 essentially flips high school (7:20 a.m.)and middle school (8 a.m.) start times. Both leave elementary bells essentially the same. Read More

An Oak Hill man was killed when he was hit by a tractor-trailer on Fairfax County Parkway Monday morning.

Fairfax County Police said Clayton F. Young, 54, parked his Cadillac Escalade on Fairfax County Parkway near the Pinecrest Road overpass and Fox Mill Road about 6:30 a.m.

The driver of a Freightliner tractor-trailer was driving southbound when the victim stepped in front of the SUV and into the path of the oncoming truck, police said.

The driver of the truck unsuccessfully attempted to avoid the pedestrian. The truck hit the pedestrian and then stopped. The pedestrian hit the roadway and sustained life-threatening injuries, police said.

Young, who lives on Oakton Chase Court , was transported to Reston Hospital Center and was pronounced dead a short time later.

The driver of the tractor-trailer was not injured and neither speed nor alcohol were factors in the crash.

More than $11,000 has been raised to help injured Reston go-kart driver Ayrton Climo, but the teen’s parents are having trouble obtaining insurance authorization to transport their son back to the United States, The Washington Post reports.

Climo, 18, graduated from South Lakes High School in June. An experienced go-kart racer, he was on a practice run Aug. 1 in Quebec prior to the Le Monaco de Trois-Rivieres, Canada’s biggest karting event,  when he crashed on a 90-degree turn. After hitting hay bales, he hit other cars.

Climo suffered a serious head injury. He had brain surgery and was placed in a medically induced coma. He is now showing small signs of improvement and his parents, Lisa and Ed Climo, want to return him to Virginia. The Climos have insurance through Fairfax County Public Schools, where Lisa Climo is a teacher.

The transport is expected to cost more than $20,000. Ayrton Climo, who was supposed to attend James Madison University this fall, is facing more than a year of rehabilitation.

Reports Tom Jackman on the State of Nova Blog:

But the Climos said CareFirst and Fairfax County, which as the self-insurer has ultimate say on the policy, have denied coverage for the transport home. Ayrton can rehabilitate in Quebec, the Climos were told. The policy with CareFirst does not cover international transport home, they said. Insurance experts said this is not surprising — some policies cover such a situation, some do not, said Clare Krusing of America’s Health Insurance Plans, the trade association of health insurers.

Lisa Climo, stunned, has been pushing Fairfax County schools to step in, to make an exception as the self-insurer. Fairfax schools officials said Friday they could not discuss the case without a waiver from the Climos, but that the insurance companies typically handle all the decisions on coverage, and that customers can appeal decisions.

The Climos have amassed additional expenses as they have been living in Quebec as their son recovers. Members of the racing community have set up the #KEEPFIGHTINGAYRTON fundraising page on GoFundMe.com.

Photo: Ayrton Climo/Credit: Go Fund Me

The current Ebola outbreak in Africa has returned Reston to the literary map.

Richard Preston’s 1994 book The Hot Zone is No. 8 this week on the The New York Times’ nonfiction list of combined print and e-book best sellers.

The Hot Zone chronicles the strain of Ebola that was found in a Reston laboratory nearly 25 years ago.

Reston was the site of the only Ebola outbreak on U.S. soil. In 1989,  test monkeys from the Philippines housed at the former Hazelton Laboratories at Isaac Newton Square were discovered to have the virus after dozens of animal at the lab began dropping dead.

The United States Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) was called in to investigate, and Ebola Reston, as it came to be called, was found to be a strain of the virus that is spread through the air but did not affect humans.

Hundreds of monkeys were euthanized and the lab was eventually torn down. Kindercare now sits in its place.

Stephen King, the master of the horror novel, has called The Hot Zone “one of the most horrifying things” that he had ever read.

The World Heath Organization reports more than 1,300 people have died from the latest outbreak, which has been reported in Nigeria, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia

Image: Anchor Books

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Finding Food With Reston Company Tkout — The founders of this Reston startup want to help you with your to-go order. [Fairfax Times]

Statewide Effort to Stop On Campus Assaults — Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe and Attorney General Mark Herring announced a comprehensive effort to address sexual assault and violence on college campuses. A series of immediate and long-term actions will examine the ways Virginia colleges and universities work to prevent and respond to sexual violence. McAuliffe, Herring, the presidents of every public four-year college or university, and the Chancellor of the Virginia Community College System have signed a joint declaration pledging to aggressively combat campus sexual violence. [Virginia Attorney General Office]

Online Source For Fall Fun — The Fall edition of Reston Magazine, the program guide from Reston Association, is now available online. Check it out to find aquatic, tennis, senior and other programming for Reston Association members. [Reston Association]

Looking for a new home in Reston? Start with these open houses.

11562 Links Drive
4BR, 2FB, 2HB TH
$499,900
Open Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.

1860 Stratford Park Place
2BR, 2.5BA Condo
$549,900
Open Sunday, 12 to 3 p.m.

11739 D Summerchase Circle
1BR, 1BA Condo
$194,000
Open Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.

11990 Market Street
2BR, 3BA Condo
$1,325,000
Open Sunday, 1 to 3 p.m.

12121 Stirrup Road
4BR, 3.5BA SFH
$650,000
Open Sunday, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

1533 Northgate Square
3BR, 2 BA Condo
$259,900
Open Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.

11173 Lake Chapel Lane
3BR, 3.5 BA TH
$799,900
Open Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.

1456 Park Garden Lane
3 BR 3.5 BA TH
$570,000
Open Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.

For complete real estate information, including more open houses, visit Reston Now’s Real Estate section.

The annual Plane Pull for charity returns to the Dulles Day Family Festival Sept. 20, so now is the time to gather your friends and co-workers to see if you can move the 164,000-lb. Airbus.

The annual event, which will benefit Special Olympics, pits teams of 25 against the plane. Teams must raise a minimum of $1,500 to participate.

Here is what you need to know:

Prizes will also be awarded to the teams who raise the most money, teams who show the most enthusiasm, the lightest and the heaviest teams, and even the slowest team.

Kids  can get involved and play for bragging rights. The Kids Truck Pull will provide a fun challenge for teams of eight, who will try and pull a 123JUNK truck 12 feet. To participate, you must raise or donate a minimum of $10/person.

All participants will receive a Plane Pull T-shirt

Prior to the Plane Pull, runners, walkers and stroller pushers can participate in the 5K/10K on the Runway. The Dulles Airport Runway will be closed off to airport traffic so participants can run past planes and along the actual landing strip. This popular event is limited to 2,500 runners. The cost for the 5K is $35 until Sept. 17, space permitting.

The Dulles Day Family Festival, sponsored by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority and Software AG, willalso feature live music, a car show, military and civilian aircraft displays, police K-9 demonstrations, business exhibits, and a Kids Zone. There is no charge to enter the festival, although donations are appreciated.

For more information, visit wwwplanepull.com.

Photo: Dulles Day Plane Pull/Courtesy of Plane Pull and Special Olympics

Reston Community Center will conduct its annual Preference Poll this fall. Four candidates are running for three, three-year terms on the Board of Governors. Reston Now will present information from the candidates’ statements today and tomorrow.

There will be a candidates forum at RCC Hunters Woods on Sept. 8 at 7 p.m. Voting begins on Sept. 12. Each property in Small Tax District 5 will receive a ballot in the mail. Mail-in ballots must be received by the counting agent (a pre-addressed envelope is provided with the ballot; postage is required) no later than 5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 2. Walk-in and online ballots must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 3.

Today’s profiles are of Vicky Wingert, a current RCC Board of Governors member and former Reston Association CEO, and Linda Singer, who has been involved in many community organizations as a longtime Reston resident.

Linda A. Singer, Statement of Candidacy

What previous experience or participation in civic activities would you bring to the RCCBoard?

1975-Present (Partial list)

EDUCATION

• Terraset – First PTO President
• Langston Hughes – PTA President
• South Lakes – PTA Board
• Area III Superintendent’s Council
• FCPS Boundary Committee

COMMUNITY

• Town Center Organization Committee – Community member. Decided on how Town Center would look and function.
• RA (RHOA) – Lakes Committee Chair
• Bylaws Revision Committee
• RCA – Transportation Committee Chair. Held first community meeting on rail to Reston and did follow-up.
• Reston Museum – Member of Reston 20 and 50/100 Committees.

COUNTY

• Library Board – Chair
• Community Action Board – Chair
• Human Services Council
• Fairfax Water Board – Treasurer, Vice Chair
• Redistricting Committee

COMMONWEALTH

• Social Services Board

How would your leadership enhance RCC’s vision to bring the community together by providing opportunities for enriching leisure experiences and connections that reach out to all and foster inclusiveness and a sense of belonging?

My participation and leadership with many boards and organizations gives me a great sense of our community’s need for enriching leisure experiences. My family is a good example of RCC participants. In one week at RCC, I played bridge, participated in a Current Issues Discussion Group, saw my granddaughter in an RCC-produced play and signed up for a Supreme Court class and RCC Senior Trip. My granddaughter has taken swimming, crocheting, and drama classes. She will be taking a sewing class in the fall.

I will be an active Board Member, presenting innovative ideas and collaborating with all Board members, other organizations and individual citizens. RCC will need to expand as our community grows. I want to have input on how RCC will meet the demands of growth.

We moved to Reston because of its inclusiveness in 1975. I will help RCC continue to meet all of our citizens’ needs.

Vicky Wingert Statement of Candidacy

What previous experience or participation in civic activities would you bring to the RCC Board?

I have had the opportunity to live, work and play in Reston since 1973 and have been active in a variety of community organizations. In my younger years, I coached girls’ softball, soccer and basketball teams. For many years, I worked for the Reston Association as Day Camp Director, Open Space Director and as CEO.

I have served as President of the Reston Historic Trust, a founding member of the Friends of Reston Board, and on the Reston Association Board of Directors. Currently, I am completing my first term on the Reston Community Center Board of Governors.

How would your leadership enhance RCC’s vision to bring the community together by providing opportunities for enriching leisure experiences and connections that reach out to all and foster inclusiveness and a sense of belonging?

As Reston celebrates its 50th anniversary, we are reminded of the values that shaped this community; a welcoming place for all, a place where beauty is celebrated and cultural and recreational opportunities are accessible to everyone. The mission of the Reston Community Center is closely aligned with these values. I have spent a lifetime in recreation planning and bring that experience to RCC. RCC’s programming must focus on meeting the needs of an increasingly diverse population and continue to strengthen its partnerships with other Reston organizations.

Responsible stewardship of tax dollars is the primary role of the Board of Governors. Prudent use of funds today must be coupled with a commitment to meet the demands of tomorrow. RCC has an important role to play in seeing that the next 50 years of growth and development in Reston continue to uphold the values that have made this community worth celebrating.

Reston Dogs Inc., the volunteer group that helps maintain the county-run off-leash dog area at Baron Cameron Park, is in the midst of a fundraising effort to help pay for legal expenses related to saving their dog park.

In March, a group of homeowners in the Longwood Grove subdivision filed suit against the Fairfax County Park Authority and Reston Dogs. The injunction calls for the park to be shut down because of excessive noise.

The dog park, which is open during daylight hours, is the only off-leash dog run in Reston. The neighbors that filed the suit in Fairfax County Circuit Court call it a “private nuisance.”

“The dog park noise, mainly from unruly dogs barking and fighting, has grown to intolerable levels over the last two years and is likely to become even more severe in the spring and summer months,” reads the court document.

Reston Dogs Inc. administrators are trying to raise $3,500 to pay for attorney’s fees. The group has retained Reston lawyer Michael Horwatt.

As of Friday morning, the group’s Go Fund Me page has $1,880 in donations.

“If we fail to defend ourselves the case will be won by the plaintiff by default and the dog park will be closed and removed from BC Park,” administrators said in an email to dog park regulars. “Since we certainly do not want this to occur, we have no choice but to defend ourselves. We, the litigation committee for Reston Dogs, have retained an experienced lawyer to represent us, one who actually attends the dog park. …”

“Since the case is about to enter a more intense period of discussion during the next month as we try to find a mutually agreeable solution, this will probably be the most critical month of the lawsuit. What this means is we are in desperate need of an injection of funds totaling about $3,500 during the next month to retain our attorney.” Read More

Farewell, Summer — Reston Association will help kids say “so long, summer” with a community campfire on Aug. 29. Fee is $6 for members; $8, non members. Registration required. [Reston Association]

New Start For Former GRACE Executive Director — Damian Sinclair, former executive director of Greater Reston Arts Center and former arts and events director at Reston Community Center, has founded his own arts fundraising, marketing and business services firm [AccelART]

Let’s Talk Election — Fairfax County will host an online chat on Election 2014: Learn about New Voting Machines and Photo ID Requirements on Aug. 28 from 2 to 3 p.m. Fairfax County General Registrar Cameron Quinn will take questions on the county’s new voting machines, which will be used in the upcoming November election, and the state’s new photo ID requirements, as well as any more general election questions voters may have. You may submit questions in advance. [Fairfax County]

Reston Community Center will conduct its annual Preference Poll this fall. Four candidates are running for three, three-year terms on the Board of Governors. Reston Now will present information from the candidates’ statements today and tomorrow.

There will be a candidates forum at RCC Hunters Woods on Sept. 8 at 7 p.m. Voting begins on Sept. 12. Each property in Small Tax District 5 will receive a ballot in the mail. Mail-in ballots must be received by the counting agent (a pre-addressed envelope is provided with the ballot; postage is required) no later than 5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 2. Walk-in and online ballots must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 3.

Today’s profiles are from William Keefe, a land use lawyer who formerly served on the board, and William Penniman, and energy use lawyer and current board member.

William Keefe Statement of Candidacy

What previous experience or participation in civic activities would you bring to the RCC Board?

• RCC Board of Governors: 2008-2013
• Reston Special Study Master Plan Task Force Member
• Reston Association Board Member 2005-2008
• Reston Planning & Zoning (P&Z) Committee: Member 1997-2002
• Reston Youth Basketball: Commissioner, Coach, Referee
• Reston Youth Baseball: Coach
• Reston 2000 Task Force: Member

I have been an active member of the Reston community for many years with interests in such activities as planning for the future based on the advent of rail, planning for the youth recreation priorities for Reston Association, participating in Reston Runners, and participating in and supporting Reston Triathlons.

How would your leadership enhance RCC’s vision to bring the community together by providing opportunities for enriching leisure experiences and connections that reach out to all and foster inclusiveness and a sense of belonging?

An important Fairfax County agency with a clear charter, RCC’s mission is to improve the quality of life for residents of Small Tax District 5 by providing a wide variety of cultural, artistic, social, and fitness offerings. I would like to promote and expand RCC programming for Restonians, especially for youth and seniors.

Based on Reston’s changing demographics, and the financial limitations placed on County services, RCC should continue to fund and implement diverse programming that responds to the wide variety of needs of the community. Multi-lingual and multicultural programming is a necessity in meeting RCC’s mission. Cooperation and good communications with the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Reston Association, Reston’s community organizations, and business community are also critical in implementing the RCC vision.

I look forward to bringing my years of leadership and experience to RCC’s efforts to reach out to and involve all of Reston.

William Penniman Statement of Candidacy

What previous experience or participation in civic activities would you bring to the RCCBoard?

I have served on the RCC Board of Governors for eight years, acting, at various times, as the Secretary, Treasurer, Chair of the Finance Committee and a member of the Board’s other committees. For four years, I served as RCC’s representative or alternate representative on the Reston Master Plan Special Study Task Force, where I co-chaired the Wiehle Station Subcommittee and served on other task force committees.

In recent years, I have also served on Supervisor Hudgins’ Hunter Mill Budget Advisory Committee. I have done volunteer work for non-profit organizations, including, most recently, the Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club.

How would your leadership enhance RCC’s vision to bring the community together by providing opportunities for enriching leisure experiences and connections that reach out to all and foster inclusiveness and a sense of belonging?

Reston is fortunate to have a community center as vibrant as RCC. No other community center in Fairfax rivals RCC for its rich program offerings or its overall contributions to the community. RCC excels in its classes, facilities, arts, summer camps and close engagement with schools and other community organizations.

My goal is to help RCC maintain the adequacy of these programs and continue its community-building activities for the benefit of all income levels, while keeping a close eye on the budget. Metro will bring substantial commercial and residential growth to Reston. I believe that RCC can meet the community’s evolving demands and needs within its existing funding structure and will work to help it to do so.

My experience on the RCC board and in the community can help RCC continue to fulfill its mission of community service in the face of challenges ahead.

It’s Aug. 21, and students across the river in Maryland and across the country have either started the new school year or will return on Monday.

Not in Virginia, where the new school year always begins after Labor Day.

That is because of the “Kings Dominion” law, a 1986 Virginia statute that mandates school start in September. When the law was passed, it was helped along by the tourism industry, which said it needed students as staffers (and families to keep on vacationing) through Labor Day. Thus, the amusement park moniker.

In almost every Virginia General Assembly session, bills are introduced asking for local school districts to be allowed exemptions from the rule to make their own calendar.  In the 2014 session, a Virginia Senate committee passed over a bill that would have allowed local school boards to open for classes before Labor Day. The bill, sponsored by Del. Tag Greason (R-Loudoun), passed easily in the House.

Meanwhile, Fairfax County Public Schools has made drastic changes to the school calendar, beginning in 2014-15. FCPS has eliminated elementary school “mini Mondays” and added in more snow days. But still, school begins — by law — on Sept. 2.

What’s your opinion? Should school start in August or September? Should local school boards be allowed to at least make their own decisions? Take our poll and elaborate in the comments.

The Navy Federal Credit Union ATM at 1821 Fountain Dr. in Reston was among three banks recently discovered as a target for ATM skimmers, Fairfax County Police said.

Police have a released a video of the skimming device being installed and removed at that location on July 9 and 11. Other recent devices have been found at Navy Federal Credit Union branches at 11180 Lee Hwy. in Fairfax (July 1 and July 6) and 7678-D Richmond Hwy. in Alexandria (June 28 and July 6).

Skimming is the practice of affixing a device  mouth of an ATM. When users put their card in, it secretly swipes credit and debit card information.

Earlier this summer, Fairfax County Police asked for help in finding suspects in four area skimming situations. None of those incidents were near Reston.

At that time, police said that banks had identified affected customers in those incidents. However, the public should still check their bank statements closely for any discrepancies. Police also urge the public to closely look at ATMs when they are making financial transactions.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Solvers by phone at 1-866-411-TIPS/8477, e-mail at www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org or text “TIP187” plus your message to CRIMES/274637 or call Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131.

Reston artists: Gather your best mural ideas and head to Reston Town Center Sept. 5 and 6.

The Initiative for Public Art Reston (IPAR) is sponsoring the first ChalkFest at RTC. A similar event took place and was well received earlier this year at Lake Anne Plaza.

The event is open to amateurs of all ages, as well as to professional artists.

Here is what you need to know:

• Visit IPAR’s website to register. You must register in advance.
• Space reservations are $15 ($20 for professionals)
• Professionals and teams of more than three can begin their work Friday, Sept. 5 at 11 a.m. Other artists will work from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.on Saturday, Sept. 6.
• Cash prizes will be awarded for each category: professionals, amateurs, audience choice and families and kids.
• IPAR will provide the chalk.
• For more information, read these rules and tips from IPAR.

Graphic: IPAR