Talk About Student Sleep — FCPS is continuing to gather community feedback on changing high school start times with a public meeting Tuesday at 7 p.m. at South Lakes High School. [Reston Now]

FCPS Adds Administrators — Schools superintendent Karen Garza announces new hires in administration leadership. [Washington Post]

Think About The Future — Reston 2020 has some advice for residents who want to get involved in the Reston Master Plan Special Study Phase II planning. [Reston 2020]

Silver Line Delays Have Impact — Tysons Corner community event goes on, but without the Metro riders organizers expected to be able to ride the train by now. On May 16, Reston “Bike to Work Day” pit stop at the Wiehle-Reston East station also took place even though riders can’t ride trains yet. [Fairfax Times]

Photo: Fun at opening weekend at Reston Association pools/Credit: Mark Majoros via RA

It may be a holiday weekend, but there are lots of homes to see if you are house hunting. Check out these open houses in Reston.

12160 Chancery Station Circle
3 BR, 3.5 BA TH
$849,900
Open Saturday and Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.

2627 Steeplechase Drive
5 BR, 3 BA SFH
$672,500
Open Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.

2010 Colts Neck Road
2 BR, 1 BA Condo
$225,000
Open Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.

11670 Mediterranean Court
4 BR, 3.5 BA SFH
$550,000
Open Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.

11702 Briary Branch Court
3 BR, 3.5 BA TH
$434,000
Open Sunday, 12 to 3 p.m.

2357 Glade Bank Way
3 BR, 2.5 BA TH
$550,000
Open Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.

1603 Park Overlook Drive
4 BR, 2.5 BA TH
$465,000
Open Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.

2214 Springwood Drive
2 BR, 2 BA Condo
$274,900
Open Monday, 1 to 5 p.m.

1924 Lakeport Way
3 BR, 3.5 BA TH
$725,000
Open Sunday, 1 to 4 p..m.

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

Photos: MRIS

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority’s (MWAA) Board of Directors this week finalized the bond sale that will complete the financing of the Silver Line.

The $422 million in Dulles Toll Revenue bonds, which were priced on May 14, will close on May 22, MWAA’s Board of Directors announced at its monthly meeting on Wednesday.

From MWAA:

High investor interest helped drive down interest rates for the bonds, which were rated Baa1 by Moody’s and Baa1 by Standard & Poor’s. Drivers on the Dulles Toll Road will ultimately benefit from the low interest rates achieved on these bonds.

 With the completion of the bond sale and the May 1 announcement of federal approval of the application for a low-interest loan through the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) program, major financing for the Airports Authority’s portion of the Silver Line project will soon be complete.

“Our pledge from the beginning of our stewardship of the Silver Line and the Dulles Toll Road has been to limit the impact on drivers,” said Airports Authority Chairman Frank M. Conner III.

“This final bond sale in a low interest-rate environment, as well as other efforts such as the recently approved low-interest federal loan and the $300 million committed by the Commonwealth of Virginia for the project, allow us to fulfill that pledge. And we will continue working to find cost savings that can be passed along to Toll Road users.”

The board has said that when the financing is in place, toll road users can count on toll rates to remain frozen until 2018. Some had predicted that rates would rise as high as $18 in the next several years without additional sources of financing. Read More

South Lakes High School seniors will matriculate at more than 100 different colleges and universities next fall.

While more than 300 students in the Class of 2014 are headed to colleges and universities in Virginia, the list contains a widespread group of higher education institutions from Shanghai to Miami.

Overall, close to 75 percent of the class of 2014 is heading to post secondary education.

SLHS seniors will graduate on June 18 at George Mason University’s Patriot Center.

Click through to see the entire list of schools.

Read More

Christie Attanasio, a first-grade teacher at Reston’s Dogwood Elementary School, has been named Fairfax County Public Schools’ (FCPS) 2014 Outstanding First-Year Teacher.

“The Dogwood administration, my co-workers, mentors, and everyone at Dogwood has truly become part of my family and has made this year so wonderful,” said Attanasio. “There hasn’t been a day that I have been in school where I haven’t felt encouraged and supported. I am so grateful and am looking forward to everything that is to come.”

Dogwood administrators say Attanasio comes to school knowing who each child is – individually, culturally, and developmentally.

Dogwood principal Terry Dade says Attanasio begins the day with a morning meeting that allows students to connect with each other and lets Attanasio determine if the students have any problems or issues that need to be addressed.  Student transitions from one lesson to another are seamless, says Dade.

“One of my favorite observations … was the ‘silent dance party’ that she has students perform before they transition to their next center or activity, ” says Dade.

Dade said that Attanasio is able to help her students meet challenges. More than 75 percent of her students receive free or reduced lunch, an indicator of poverty.

“Dogwood students come to school every day with baggage that many other students across the county do not carry,” Dade said. “For the vast majority, poverty is a way of life, English is a second language, and post-secondary education is a mystery.”

One of the strategies Attanasio uses is quality communications with parents, meeting with 100 percent of parents during parent-teacher conferences twice a year and sending home notes to the parents of each student, highlighting something they did well that month.

After earning a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s in curriculum and instruction from the University of Connecticut, Attanasio came to Dogwood in September 2013. She said she had a “metaphorical backpack” that she felt was full of everything she needed.

But after meeting her class of 16 students and feeling the responsibility of having to meet their social, emotional, and academic needs, Attanasio said that suddenly her backpack felt empty.

“It became clear to me that I would need a much bigger backpack to hold all of the things I wanted to teach my students this year,” she says. “I discovered that I didn’t have to fill my backpack alone. Administrators, colleagues, mentors, parents, and even my students helped me figure out what I needed to get the job done.

“My typical day is filled with small moments of joy and unexpected surprises: a kind note from a parent, two thumbs up from a colleague, or a student who was once reluctant but is now proud to share his writing with his classmates. These are the things that I celebrate and remember — the reasons I can hardly wait to come to school each morning.”

Photo: Courtesy of Christie Attanasio

McElveen Won’t Be Mystery Date — Rock star FCPS school board member Ryan McElveen won’t accompany a James Madison High School student to the prom after all. The girl asked McElveen, 28, via Twitter, and the at-large rep said yes. But after determining his appearance would be a distraction, McElveen changed his mind. He says he still will briefly show up at the dance May 30 at the Hyatt Regency Reston. [Washington Post]

Be Prepared — May 25 to 31 is Virginia Hurricane Preparedness Week. You can shop for products as batteries, food storage containers, generators, first-aid kits, bottled water, radios and more tax free. [Fairfax County]

Honoring The Fallen — Monday is Memorial Day. If you want to honor those who have served our country, there are many commemorations in Northern Virginia [Virginia Tourism]

Sleep In Or Start As Usual? — The community forums on changing Fairfax County Public School start times have begun, and it seems parents are not in agreement on the four options. [Fairfax Times]

Local officials and Virginia’s governor gathered in Vienna Wednesday to kick off the countdown to the 2015 World Police and Fire Games.

The games, which will bring more than 12,000 athletes/public safety officers to Fairfax County beginning June 26 of next year, are expected to be an economic boom for the county as well.

While events will take place all over the county, Reston will play a key role in the games. The Hyatt Regency Reston will serve as the Athletes’ Village for the competition for the 10-day event, says Fairfax 2015 CEO Bill Knight.

Fairfax 2015, the organizing committee for the biennial games, announced at a news conference Wednesday the establishment of an Honorary Board, as well as new funding commitments of $5 million from public and private sources.

Gov. Terry McAuliffe will chair the Honorary Board. Other leaders on the board: Former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell;  Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine; Congressmen Gerry Connolly, James Moran and Frank Wolf; Virginia Secretary of Public Safety Brian Moran; George Mason University President Angel Cabrera; President & CEO, Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce Jim Corcoran; and baseball great Cal Ripken, among others. (See full list on Fairfax 2015 website)

Fairfax County tourism officials project that games’ visitors and activities will bring $60 to $80 million into the county.

It will cost $20 million to put on the event, Fairfax 2015 says. The group has received corporate sponsorship commitments, and McAuliffe said he has requested funding in this fiscal year budget. Corporate sponsors who have committed over $2 million so far: Keolis, Pierce, SAIC, Scott Safety, Cardinal Bank, Cordia Partners, and Venable law firm.

“I am excited to serve as Chairman of these Fairfax 2015 Olympic-style games and to help support and honor the first responders and public safety heroes who have given of their service and sometimes their lives to protect us,” McAuliffe said at the news conference at Fairfax County Fire Station 42 near Wolf Trap National Park, where the closing ceremonies will take place next July.

Opening ceremonies will take place at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. and sporting events will happen at 53 locations in the county. Exact venues will be announced soon, officials said.

Earlier this year, Knight said Reston may be home to weightlifting and Honor Guard competitions, as well as a dodgeball competition, a cycling event and the open water swim.

Knight has executive experience with the Summer Olympics in Atlanta, World Cup USA and other major events. He said on Wednesday that the group is “making great progress in the planning and coordination of the Games which are 400 days from today.”

“The days will fly-by, so it is critical that individual citizens and business leaders step-up today, embrace the World Police and Fire Games and help accelerate the momentum we are currently enjoying,” Knight said.

Photo: Gov.Terry McAuliffe. Credit: Craig Luecke

The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Northern Virginia this afternoon and evening through 10 p.m.

A severe thunderstorm watch means conditions are favorable for severe storms.

From NWS:

DAMAGING THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. RESIDENTS IN NORTHERN AND CENTRAL VIRGINIA…NORTHERN AND CENTRAL MARYLAND…AND THE EASTERN WEST VIRGINIA PANHANDLE SHOULD MONITOR THIS SITUATION VERY CLOSELY AND ENSURE YOUR NOAA WEATHER RADIOS ARE SET TO ALERT MODE. SEVERE WEATHER WARNINGS MAY BECOME NECESSARY.

HERE ARE SOME SAFETY RULES TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN SEVERE WEATHER IS EXPECTED OR IS OCCURRING.

IF A WARNING IS ISSUED…SEEK SHELTER INDOORS IMMEDIATELY. A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM IS DEFINED AS PRODUCING QUARTER SIZE OR GREATER HAIL AND WIND GUSTS OF 58 MPH OR MORE.

TORNADOES OFTEN FORM VERY RAPIDLY FROM SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS. IF YOU ARE IN A TORNADO WATCH…AND A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING IS ISSUED FOR YOUR AREA…MONITOR LOCAL CONDITIONS CLOSELY AND BE READY TO TAKE QUICK ACTION TO SAVE YOUR LIFE.

STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO…COMMERCIAL RADIO OR TELEVISION FOR THE LATEST ON THIS POTENTIAL SEVERE WEATHER EVENT. ADDITIONAL WEATHER INFORMATION…CAN BE FOUND AT WEATHER.GOV/WASHINGTON OR WEATHER.GOV/BALTIMORE.

Friends of Reston, the nonprofit that supports Reston Association, is trying to determine which bird best represents Reston. The organization is asking citizens for vote for a bird.

The finalists were chosen by Friends of Reston based on their year-round presence here and ease of recognition, says Katie Shaw, executive director of Friends of Reston.

“In recognition of Reston’s 50^th anniversary this year, it seems like a good time to honor one of the wonderful wild neighbors in our diverse community,” says Shaw.

 The five nominees: Read More

Jasmine Cafe, the longtime Lake Anne Plaza restaurant, has been closed for a month ever since the landlord locked out the owner for rent that was in arrears.

It does not appear the restaurant will reopen.

Lake Anne Plaza is home to several other restaurants, including Cafe Montmartre, Kalypso’s, Singh Thai and Lake Anne Coffee House.

Jasmine Cafe had been located at Lake Anne for more than 20 years. The restaurant has a local following for owner/chef Eduardo Faubert and his seasonal menu, as well as outdoor seating on the plaza.

What do you think should open in this spot? Tell us in the comments.

The boats are ready to go for summer. Thursday, May 22 is the first day of boat rental season at Lake Anne Plaza.

Reston Association provides boat rentals by the hour Thursday to Sunday until Labor Day weekend.

Rental tickets can be purchased at Reston’s Used Book Shop, 1623 Washington Plaza (near the fountain). Contact the book shop by calling 703-435-9772.

Hours:

Thursdays, 4 – 8 p.m.
Fridays, 4 – 8 p.m.
Saturdays, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sundays, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Cost:

$6 per boat for 1-hour rental

Things to Know:

There are canoes, rowboats and pedal boats available. Boat operators must be 16 or older and a parent or legal guardian (18 years of age or older) must sign a waiver/agreement and accompany passengers under the age of 16.

Swimming is not permitted. Pets are not allowed in boats.

There will also be paddleboard lessons at Lake Anne this summer. Surf Reston Stand Up Paddleboarding will begin in early June, says owner Steve Gurney.

Metro Changes — If you are planning to take Metro over the holiday weekend, be aware of holiday schedule changes. [Metro]

Swim Safely — It is Recreational Water Illness and Safety Week. Fairfax County has some reminders on safe swimming. [Fairfax County]

New Digs For Animals — Fairfax County recently held a grand opening for its renovated and expanded Animal Shelter at 4500 West Ox Road in Fairfax. The renovations includes new rooms, a new play yard and a room for small animals such as hamsters. [YouTube]

Driving the Bus — Fairfax County is taking applications for drivers to join its fleet of bus drivers. It’s a job that includes flexible hours and benefits. [FCPS]

Phasing Out Paper Fare Cards — Metro announced on Wednesday it will phase out the paper fare cards by modifying the vending machines over the next 18 months, meaning everyone will eventually use a reloadable plastic SmartTrip card. [Washingtonian]

D.C.-area home buyers need about $78,503 to purchase a home around here, according one survey.

The price of real estate may come as no surprise, but the numbers are more than $15,000 higher than they were by the same company’s estimate in February.

HSH.com, a publisher of mortgage and consumer loan information, says it took the National Association of Realtors’ first-quarter data for median home prices and HSH.com’s first-quarter average interest rate for 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages to determine how much of your salary it would take to afford the base cost of owning a home — the principal, interest, taxes and insurance — in 27 metro areas.

“We used standard 28 percent ‘front-end’ debt ratios, and a 20 percent down payment subtracted from the NAR’s median-home-price data to arrive at our figures,” says HSH.

HSH says “things were more affordable in D.C. during the first three months of the year. Like Denver, Washington, D.C.,’s housing market has had a reputation of stable, consistent growth. But since the second quarter of 2013, prices have been falling, taking the required salary down with it.”

The Washington area comes in sixth place, behind San Francisco (where one needs an income of $137,129), San Diego, New York City, Los Angeles and Boston.

HSH says that the median price of a home in the metro area is $358,900.

In Reston, here is what about $358,900 will get you:

A 2 BR, 2.5 Ba townhouse on Whisperwood Glen ($350,000)

A 3 BR, 3.5 BA townhouse on Twisted Oak Drive ($369,900)

A 2 BR, 1 BA condo overlooking Lake Anne ($349,900)

A 2 BR, 2 BA condo at Stratford House ($349,00)