School Buildings Closed — All Fairfax County Public School buildings are closed until further notice. Beginning today (Monday), grab-and-go food distribution sites will be set up at 18 locations. Breakfast is served from 8-10:30 a.m. and lunch from 10:30 a.m.t o 2 p.m.[Fairfax County Public Schools]
Local Parks, Libraries Closed — The Fairfax County Public Library System and local parks will be closed for due weeks to the novel coronavirus threat. [Patch]
Telecom Entrepreneur Dies — John McDonnell Jr., who started Recon-Based Transaction Network Services, died in March at a hospital in Florida. He was 82. [The Washington Post]
Boston Properties Sell Properties — The company has sold its New Dominion Park property, including 499 Grove St., in Herndon to an affiliate of USAA Real Estate. [Washington Business Journal]
Photo by Cbreezy
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.
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
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
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
Reston Association Offers First Aid Certification Classes — The organization is offering certification courses for First Aid, CPR and AED. Registration is $105 for RA members and $120 for all others. [Reston Association]
Schools Superintendent Offers Coronavirus Update — In a letter to the community yesterday (Monday), Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Scott Brabrand says the school system is implementing a travel history questionnaire and presented two scenarios in case schools are closed. [Fairfax County Public Schools]
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Meets Today — The board will receive an update on the coronavirus. In the Hunter Mill District, the board will consider a 20 percent drop in parking at Reston Gateway. [Fairfax County Government]
Photo by Mike Reyes
County Schools to Remain Open — So far, all Fairfax County Public Schools are open and will remain on a normal schedule following the outbreak of the coronavirus. A second case of the virus in Virginia was confirmed yesterday. [Fairfax County Public Schools]
Barricade Resolved at Cameron Glen Drive — A barricade situation was resolved earlier this morning on the 1800 block of Cameron Glen Drive. A man barricaded himself in a van. [Fairfax County Police Department]
Herndon Town Council Meets Tonight — The town council meets tonight in the Herndon Council Chambers Building at 7 p.m. to discuss a number of matters, including power utility easements for and the town’s good neighbor awards. [Town of Herndon]
Photo by Michael Reyes Photography
More Time for Metro Budget Comments — Metro has extended the public comment period for the next fiscal year’s budget by one week. Feedback will be accepted online or by mail through 9 a.m. on Monday, March 9. [Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority]
Search for Lifeguards Underway — Reston Association is actively recruiting lifeguards for the summer. Information on the position and the application is available online. [Reston Association]
Local Students Compete in International Conference — A total of 226 students from 14 Fairfax County Public Schools were selected as finalists for the DECA International Career Development Conference in Nashville. [FCPS]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
Like other entities in the country and around the world, Fairfax County Public Schools are preparing for a potential outbreak of the coronavirus.
In an email sent to parents and staff Wednesday evening, FCPS Superintendent Scott Brabrand said the school system is reviewing its existing flu response plan and making necessary revisions to respond to the coronavirus. Currently, there are no confirmed cases in the county or the D.C. region.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention directed school officials, childcare centers, and workplaces to prepare for a possible outbreak.
Here’s more from Brabrand’s letter:
The plan is dynamic and sections will be revised and updated as new information becomes available. FCPS’s response plan addresses the specific activities necessary to keep schools open and operating while providing a clean and safe environment during an outbreak and the essential functions that must be performed by FCPS, if schools are closed. Other variations of these scenarios could also be considered. While the full impact of an outbreak cannot be predicted, planning for operations under such conditions can mitigate the impact of the event on our staff, facilities and mission.
We recognize the growing concern about the possible spread of coronavirus to our region. To date, we have cancelled international field trips and short-term visitations to and from some countries, based on CDC guidelines. We have also updated our web page and will continue to work closely with health officials and monitor this evolving situation. Additional information is available at this link: https://www.fcps.edu/news/coronavirus-update. This link will be updated as we receive new information.
As a reminder, common cold and flu viruses are not unusual during the winter season. Precautions are recommended. We ask that everyone do their part to stay healthy. Wash hands frequently, monitor your health, and stay home when ill.
FCPS recently suspended international field trips and short-term visits to and from countries flagged by the CDC. The temporary suspension is valid through June 30.
Governments around the world are ramping up measures to battle what could be a looming global pandemic. So far, the virus has infected more than 80,000 people and killed nearly 2,800 individuals.
For the first time, the number of infections outside China — which was the source of the outbreak — exceeded the number found within the country.
Photo courtesy Fairfax County Public Schools
Burglary Reported on Friday — A burglar broke into a home on the 1500 block of Cameron Crescent Drive on Friday and stole personal property. Information about the incident was released yesterday. [Fairfax County Police Department]
High Honors for School Psychology Services — “Fairfax County Public Schools School Psychology Services has been recognized in the Excellence in School Psychological Services Recognition Program with an Exemplary rating from the National Association of School Psychologists. FCPS was the only school district in the U.S. to receive an Exemplary rating, the highest rating available.” [Fairfax County Public Schools]
County Board to Dive into Budget — The county executive will present his budget proposal to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors at a meeting today (Tuesday). The meeting will be televised on Channel 16 and streamed live online. [Fairfax County Government]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
More Delays for Phase Two of the Silver Line — Yes, you read that right. Originally expected to open in 2016, the extension of Metro’s Silver Line likely won’t open until the spring of 2021, according to general manager Paul Wiedefeld. [WJLA]
Reston Association Phone Service Down Later Today — If you’re trying to reach RA offices later today, you might want to try again. Phone service will be down between 5:30-6:30 p.m. today (Friday) and on Tuesday (Feb. 25) from 5:30-8:30 p.m. The organization is moving to Verizon. [Reston Association]
County Schools to Host Free Sessions on Digital Learning — “Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) students, families, and community members are invited to attend any of five upcoming digital learning and digital citizenship events. All sessions are being held free of charge.” [Fairfax County Public Schools]
Staff photo by Jay Westcott
New Tip Line Number for County Schools — Fairfax County Public Schools officially have a new text number: 888-777. All information is treated as anonymous and confidential. [Fairfax County Public Schools]
Reston Association Board Meets Tonight — The Board of Directors will meet tonight at 6:30 p.m. in RA headquarters. The meeting will be live-streamed online. [Reston Association]
Outdoor Lighting Standards Changed — “Fairfax County is updating our outdoor lighting standards to reduce glare and excessive illumination and match the expanded use of LED lights, which can improve the quality of life for county residents.” [Fairfax County Government]
Herndon Mayor Endorses Pete Buttigieg for President — Mayor Lisa Merkel announced her endorsement of the presidential candidate ahead of his town hall on Sunday, Feb. 23. In a press release, she says he’s committed to “bringing the local executive leadership to Washington and making Washington look more like best-run cities and towns.”
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
Lake Braddock Secondary Schools to Work with ARTSFAIRFAX — “Students at two Fairfax County public schools will explore a deeper engagement with the arts as part of the ARTSFAIRFAX Artist Residency Program. Rocky Run Middle School and Lake Braddock Secondary School art students will work with artists who connect 3D art exploration through mosaics and dance to history, language arts, and creative writing for engaging, unique, and innovative learning experiences.” [Fairfax County Public Schools]
Potomac River Cafe Honored — The cafe was among nine winners in the county’s Carrot Gold Food Safety Excellence Award. Winners were chosen from more than 3,800 permitted establishments inspected annually. [Fairfax County Government]
New State Laws on the Horizon — “In the 35 days since the 2020 legislative session began, Democratic lawmakers in Virginia advanced laws to restrict access to guns, raise the minimum wage, decriminalize marijuana and ease restrictions on abortion. They sprinted to pass hundreds of bills before a deadline: February 11th, ‘crossover day,’ when all bills must be passed by at least one chamber or be scrapped.” [WAMU]
Staff photo by Jay Westcott
State House Votes to Abolish Lee Jackson Day — Virginia moved one step closer to abolishing the holiday that honors two Confederate generals. The bill would remove Lee Jackson Day as a state holiday and Make Election Day, the Tuesday after the first Monday in November, a state holiday instead. [WAMU]
County Seeks 911 Call Takers — The county is seeking call takers for the emergency line. Applications are due by Feb. 14. [Fairfax County Government]
School Board Approves Capital Improvement Program — “The FY 2021-25 CIP addresses uneven growth throughout the division because of changes in population, new development, and net migration. It continues to include potential capacity and capital solutions to schools which are currently or projected to be over capacity.” [Fairfax County Public Schools]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
