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Chantilly Connection ❖ December 25-31, 2014 ❖ 1www.ConnectionNewspapers.comDecember 25-31, 2014 online at www.connectionnewspapers.com
Calendar, Page 12
❖
C
lassifieds, Page 11
Chantilly
Fair Oaks ❖ Fair Lakes
Chantilly
Fair Oaks ❖ Fair Lakes
Natasha Hashemi(left) and Monica
Davis gave outwrapping paper to
the volunteersdelivering Christmas
gifts from the com-munity and Our
Neighbors Child.More photos, page 2.
Pho
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by Bo
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obbs/T
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onnectio
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DeliveringJoy
News, Page 2
DeliveringJoy
News, Page 2
Maddra NamedCenter’s DirectorNews, Page 3
How Does GarzaManage Change?News, Page 6
Maddra NamedCenter’s DirectorNews, Page 3
How Does GarzaManage Change?News, Page 6
2 ❖ Chantilly Connection ❖ December 25-31, 2014 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
News
ONC Delivers Joy to Local FamiliesOn Sunday, Dec. 14, Community volunteers helped Our Neighbor’s Child deliver Christmas presents,
wrapping paper and homemade cookies to nearly 800 families.
Westfield High lacrosse team membersJack Dunigan (left) and Dylon Quickgather up a bag of gifts and a tricycle for afamily.
Megan Barefoot (left) and Olivia Jenkinscollect family numbers to keep track ofwhich families’ gifts have been taken byvolunteers for delivery.
Nicole Rogers (left) handsout wrapping paper toMeredith Smith.
Kim Shelton (left) and Pam DeBell give out family ad-dresses and directions to a gift-delivering volunteer.
From left: Westfield lacrosse playersDuncan Roberts, Patrick Walker and JackTyskowski prepare to load bags into a carfor delivery.
Westfield Spanish Honor Society members(from left) Ishu Sivakumar, Meghna Prasadand Joanne Tang pass out homemadecookies for delivery to each recipientfamily.
From left: Lauren Hunt, Amy Balint and Suzy Hunt(Lauren’s mom) carry cookies and wrapping paper totheir cars.
Arranging bags of presents in his car’s trunk beforedelivering them is Ron Simco of Virginia Run.
Loading bicycles and toys in a vehicle’s trunk is WestfieldHigh senior and lacrosse team member Tyler Jepson.
Ready to deliver holiday presents are Virginia Run’sNitsa Woodward (left) and Amy Jeffries.
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Chantilly Connection ❖ December 25-31, 2014 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Accidental Chantilly House FireFairfax County Fire and Rescue Department units responded
to a house fire Saturday, Dec. 13, at approximately 7:10 a.m., inthe Chantilly area of Fairfax County. The single-family house islocated at 13500 Virginia Willow Drive.
Firefighters encountered heavy smoke and fire coming fromthe exterior of the first and second floors of the two-story homeupon arrival. Firefighters brought the fire under control in ap-proximately 15 minutes. The occupants escaped prior tofirefighters arriving on scene. Smoke alarms activated; however,the occupants initially noticed smoke coming from the fireplaceand quickly self-evacuated. Four adults and two children havebeen displaced. Red Cross support was offered but declined bythe occupants. There were no injuries. Damage is estimated at$120,000.
According fire investigators, the fire was accidental. A nest ontop of a zero clearance chimney caught fire, causing the fire.
Food Donations for WFCMWestern Fairfax Christian Ministries’ food pantry urgently needs
donations of canned vegetables (except for green beans), cannedpasta and pasta sauces, canned tomatoes, canned fruit, peanutbutter, canned and dry beans, and granola bars. Also needed aretoiletries, which WFCM clients cannot purchase with food stamps.Especially needed are shampoo, diapers sizes 4 and 5, deodor-ant, toothpaste and toilet paper.
Bring all items to WFCM’S food pantry, weekdays, 9 a.m.-1:30p.m., at 13888 Metrotech Drive, near Papa John’s Pizza andKumon Learning Center, in Chantilly’s Sully Place Shopping Cen-ter. A volunteer stocker/bagger is needed Wednesdays, 4-6 p.m.Contact Annette Bosley at 703-988-9656, ext. 110, [email protected].
How to Hire CLRC WorkersThe Centreville Labor Resource Center (CLRC) serves busi-
nesses and homeowners needing help with just about any homeremodeling or maintenance project. And local residents who’dlike to hire a worker from the CLRC may do so easily. Either call703-543-6272 or go to www.centrevilleLRC.org and click on the“How to Hire” link. Tell what kind of work is required, how manyworkers are needed and when.
The CLRC will match the needs to its registered workers’ skillsand set up the job. The price for work will be negotiated. Afterthe job is completed, employers are encouraged to provide theCLRC with feedback to ensure that the work was done well andto their satisfaction and to make sure the workers are fairly paid.
Meals on Wheels VolunteersFairfax County needs Meals on Wheels drivers in Chantilly and
group Meals on Wheels coordinators in both Chantilly and Fairfax.Contact Volunteer Solutions at 703-324-5406, TTY 711,[email protected] or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/dfs/olderadultservices/volunteer-solutions.htm.
Long-Term Care AdvocatesThe Northern Virginia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
needs volunteer advocates for residents in assisted living andnursing facilities. Training is provided in March. Call 703-324-5861, TTY 711 or email [email protected].
Give Caregivers a BreakFairfax County needs Respite Care volunteers throughout the
county to give family caregivers of a frail older adult a well-deserved break.
Volunteers visit and oversee the safety of the older adult for afew hours each month. Volunteers are matched with families inor near their own neighborhoods. Support and training is pro-vided. Contact Kristin Martin at 703-324-7577, TTY 711, [email protected].
RoundupsNews
Bonnie Hobbs
The Connection
There’s a new director atthe Centreville Labor Re-source Center (CLRC),
but the face is familiar. MollyMaddra, the center’s coordinatorand organizer, is now at the helm.
She replaces Roberto Fernández,who’s moving out of state to pur-sue other opportunities. He led thecenter for the past two years.
“Roberto joined the CLRC staffin December 2012 and has beeninstrumental in encouragingworker ownership and leadershipin both operations and programs,”said Centreville Immigration Fo-rum (CIF) President Alice Foltz.“During his time as director, thecenter established new staff andvolunteer systems, and it beganoperating as an independent non-profit.”
The CIF runs the daily opera-tions of the center, which servesCentreville’s immigrant popula-tion. It’s gotten the vast majorityof the day laborers off the streetsand given them a safe place tomeet employers who hire them forwork.
It also ensures that the workers— several of whom have wivesand children to support — receivea fair wage for their labor. And it’s provided themwith English lessons, budgeting information and skillstraining to perform a variety of jobs.
Fernández announced his departure to the CIFboard of directors in late October. And during its Dec.2 meeting, the board approved Maddra’s appoint-ment as the new center director. She’s already well-acquainted with its operation and has a strong rap-port with both the board members and the workers.
She joined the CIF in November 2011, before thecenter opened, first as part-time and then as full-time coordinator and organizer. She’s developed mostof its current programming, including ESOL classes,health-education programs and skills training.
“Molly has conducted regular outreach to workersin the community and onthe corner to encourageparticipation in hiring,training opportunities andvolunteering,” said Foltz.“She has also been a pri-mary spokesperson in pre-sentations to communitygroups.” As director, Maddra will have responsibil-ity for the center’s daily operations, plus oversightof all its programs.
“There’s been a huge expansion in the scope ofour work since 2011,” said Maddra. “We’re a com-munity center, as well as a work center. The commu-nity trusts us; and even those who don’t use our ser-vices regularly, appreciate what we’re doing.”
She said socialization of the workers is also animportant part of her job. “My vision, the real endgoal, is to integrate new immigrants in the commu-nity, and this really means building a healthy com-
munity in every way,” she said.“Immigrants need to connect allaspects of their lives and break outof the isolation that is part of theirexperience here.”
Meanwhile, Fernández has leftthe center in good shape and saidhis work was supported by theCentreville community. “My expe-rience in other places led me toexpect conflict and hostility, butmy compliments go to theCentreville community,” he said.
“We have an impressive numberof volunteers who come in weekly;and other organizations, includinglocal churches, welcome us to usetheir space,” he said. Fernándezalso noted that some volunteershave made major contributions;for example, high-school studentshave developed websites and oth-ers teach English and Korean andhelp with outreach.
Fernández, however, is proudestof his efforts to involve the work-ers in center leadership. “Leader-ship development takes time,” hesaid. “But now we have manyworkers who step up to lead inday-to-day operations, as well asspecial events.”
Fernández said funding keepsthe center going, but “We are onlyhere because of the workers. TheCIF needs to continue to support
the underserved and marginalized community,people who are trying hard to improve their lives.”
He recalled workers who’ve come to the center andbecame community leaders and successful workers.One such person came to the U.S. from Sierra Leoneand was homeless. A pastor brought him to the cen-ter and asked, “What can you do for him?” Today,he’s on track to obtain his visa, has a regular em-ployer who values him highly and is able to help hisfamily in Sierra Leone. Said Fernández: “He’s one ofmany members who is a leader, and he thanks CLRCfor giving him a start.”
“Another young Central American immigrant ar-rived thin and scared, and seemed to have no futurehere,” added Foltz. “Now he has learned English,
completed classes at thecenter and in a localchurch and is a valuedpainter.”
Fernández, himself,came to the U.S. from ElSalvador with his familyand said he feels blessed to
have had the opportunities that have come his way.Before joining the center, he served in the Peace Corpsfor three years in the Dominican Republic. He nowplans to get involved in new, nonprofit opportuni-ties with national or international reach, while draw-ing on his experience with the CIF/CLRC and thePeace Corps.
“His ultimate goal is to find a way to serve youthin El Salvador, where violence and lack of opportu-nity destroy the lives of youth,” said Foltz. “The boardis grateful for his many contributions and wishes himwell in his new ventures.”
Maddra To Lead CLRCReplaces outgoing director Roberto Fernández.
Molly Maddra is the newdirector of the CentrevilleLabor Resource Center.
Former center directorRoberto Fernández wasthere for two years.
Pho
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ourtesy o
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“We’re a community center,as well as a work center.”
— Molly Maddra
4 ❖ Chantilly Connection ❖ December 25-31, 2014 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Opinion
Merry Christmas. It’s a magicaltime of year, and perhaps Con-nection Newspapers has overindulged in displaying the
many rituals of Christmas on our pages in thepast few weeks. In events around the area, asense of community has infused holiday pa-rades, Christmas tree lightings, menorahlightings, choral performances, singing of car-ols and other traditional events with warmthand joy.
We have covered performances of“The Nutcracker” and “A ChristmasCarol;” covered acts of compassion andgiving in almost every corner of ourcommunities; photographed Santa in so manyplaces arriving in so many ways — by boat atLake Anne in Reston, by firetruck in Viennaand McLean and other places, by motorcyclearound Fairfax County; religious celebrationsof many kinds; gift indulgences of many kinds.
But Christmas is about the birth of JesusChrist. Whether you believe the Christmas storyliterally or in spirit, you know it is the story ofjoy, hope and love, the promise of redemption.So here, let us share the verse from the Bible,Luke 2: 4-19:
“So Joseph also went up from the town ofNazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem thetown of David, because he belonged to the
house and line of David. He went there to reg-ister with Mary, who was pledged to be mar-ried to him and was expecting a child. Whilethey were there, the time came for the baby tobe born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, ason. She wrapped him in cloths and placed himin a manger, because there was no room forthem in the inn.
“And there were shepherds living out in thefields nearby, keeping watch over their flocksat night. An angel of the Lord appeared to
them, and the glory of the Lord shonearound them, and they were terrified.But the angel said to them, ‘Do not beafraid. I bring you good news of great
joy that will be for all the people. Today in thetown of David a Savior has been born to you;he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign toyou: You will find a baby wrapped in clothsand lying in a manger.’ Suddenly a great com-pany of the heavenly host appeared with theangel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to Godin the highest, and on earth peace to men onwhom his favor rests.’
“When the angels had left them and goneinto heaven, the shepherds said to one another,‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing thathas happened, which the Lord has told usabout.’ So they hurried off and found Mary andJoseph, and the baby, who was lying in the
manger. When they had seen him, they spreadthe word concerning what had been told themabout this child, and all who heard it wereamazed at what the shepherds said to them.But Mary treasured up all these things andpondered them in her heart.”
Happy HanukkahHappy Hanukkah, which lasts for eight days
and this year began Tuesday evening. WhileHanukkah is not one of the most importantJewish religious observances, it is a celebra-tion that gets added attention from timing. Ha-nukkah celebrates the miracle of a one daysupply of oil for the temple lasting eight days.
Editor’s Note about the Rest of 2014This is our last regular edition of 2014. Next
week, after Christmas, we will publish thechildren’s edition, devoted entirely to the art-work and writing of local students. Our nextregular editions will publish Jan. 7-8, 2015, withdeadline for content and advertising of Jan. 2.In the meantime you can reach the editors [email protected] and sales/marketing at [email protected].
— Mary Kimm
A message ofpeace and joy.Merry Christmas
Editorial
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Chantilly
See When Police, Page 5
By Jeff Stewart
I would like to begin by saying that I havealways and still do support the police as awhole. I appreciate the job that they do
and the risks they take on a daily basis in aneffort to keep the public safe. The ongoingpolicy in Fairfax County of police self-investi-gation, when officers are involved in possiblecrimes, has to change.
I am willing to bet that all of youhave heard of Michael Brown andFerguson Missouri? How many of youhave heard of John Geer? Probably not nearas many. I would like to share a story aboutanother life taken by police. It happened righthere in Fairfax County over 15 months ago.
On Aug. 29, 2013 I witnessed the homicideof my best friend of over 25 years by a stillunidentified Fairfax County police officer. Latethat morning John had found out that his part-ner of 24 years and mother of his two childrenwas moving out. John became distraught andbegan to throw some of her property in thefront yard. One of John’s daughters called theirmom and she immediately came home fromwork. After a heated discussion the police werecalled. John kissed his daughters and sent themto a neighbor’s house. Nobody was in the homewith John when police arrived. I arrived shortlyafter the police to find several officers on thescene. Two officers were holding John at gun-point as he stood in the doorway of his hometalking calmly with his empty hands restingon top of the storm door. John, feeling he hadcommitted no crime, refused the officers’ or-ders to come outside. The police were told thatJohn owned firearms and reportedly he hadexpressed a willingness to use those firearmsif the police tried to enter his home without awarrant. After around 40 minutes of what ap-peared to be calm conversation, John beganto lower his hands almost deliberately slow,
with his clearly empty palms pressed againstthe screen. I thought for a second that this con-frontation was ending and John was comingout of the home. When John’s empty hands
were about even with his face, hewas shot once in the chest from lessthan 20 feet. John had made noquick or aggressive moves of any
kind and appeared to be no threat to police, toothers or to himself. John quickly hunchedover, grabbed his wound and retreated into thehouse. He pushed the door shut as he retreatedand immediately collapsed on the floor lessthan 5 feet from the door.
This tragedy only gets worse. John lay justinside the door reportedly yelling for help.Despite his pleas for help, the officers on scenestood outside and did nothing while waitingfor SWAT to arrive. The SWAT team enteredan hour later to find that John had bled todeath. It should be noted that the patrol offic-ers on the scene had an entry shield and couldhave entered the house to rescue John withminimal risk yet chose to do nothing.
After 15 months, no officer has been identi-fied, no charges have been filed, no grand juryhas been convened and no reason has beengiven to the family or the public. In fact theFairfax County Police Department, up until arecent legal action filed by the Federal JusticeDepartment, had refused to provide requestedinformation to anyone including the VirginiaState Attorney. The attorneys for the Geer fam-ily have filed 127 requests for documents andin response, 122 objections have been filed bythe county. Despite the incredible lack of co-operation from the Police Department, local
Do Fairfax County Police Act with Impunity?
Commentary
475days since a still-unnamed FairfaxCounty police officer shot unarmedJohn Geer standing in the doorwayof Geer’s home in Springfield, thenlet him bleed to death on Aug. 29,2013. No information has been re-leased about the incident, officersinvolved not named, no explana-tion, no grand jury, no charges. (asof Dec. 10, 2014)
Chantilly Connection ❖ December 25-31, 2014 ❖ 5www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
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Opinion
By Tyler Larkworthy
Langley High School
Helen, the chick has to come out of its shellsometime … you come out too!” ForHelen Keller, life was a black void of ig-
norance. Almost sealed off from the outside world,pampered by her parents, she understood only de-sire and reward. And then one day, she encountereda new woman — a stubborn woman with dark glasses— a woman who, once blind herself, nevertheless
had the vision to know exactly whatHelen needed: language. Annie Sullivanwould change Helen Keller’s life forever.Paul VI Catholic High School told her in-credible story in “The Miracle Worker”
on Nov. 22.Written by William Gibson, “The Miracle Worker”
premiered on Broadway in 1959 and enjoyed a re-vival in 2010, receiving critical praise. It was alsoadapted into a 1962 film. The play follows the early
life of Helen Keller, who has been deaf and blindsince infancy, and as a result is completely nonver-bal. Helen’s parents, the traditional patriarch Cap-tain and his softer wife Kate, have spoiled Helen,allowing her to take over the household with hertantrums. After years of chaos, Captain and Katecontact the Perkins School for the Blind to find agoverness and teacher for Helen. Annie Sullivan ar-rives by train a few days later. Shocked by Helen’slack of manners, Annie resolves to teach her to obey— and to understand language. Despite incrediblestruggle, after two weeks alone with Annie, Helenexperiences a breakthrough when she comes to rec-ognize that the word “water” she can spell with herhand corresponds to the actual water she touches.
Even with no spoken lines, Isabella Whitfieldbrought incredible depth to Helen Keller. Immersiveand realistic, her frightening tantrums and suddentransformation revealed solid commitment. Oppo-site her, Abigail Rozmajzl embodied the stubborn
‘The Miracle Worker’ at Paul VI
When Police Oversight is Needed
“
Cappies
Review
From Page 4
county officials, the State Attorney General and theGovernor have remained silent. It took over one yearfor Fairfax County supervisors to write a gentlyworded letter requesting that the case be resolved.
The case was turned over to federal prosecutorslast January. The FBI conducted interviews in March.Still, no information has been released to the publicand no resolution has been achieved. It has takenrecent involvement from U.S. Sen. Grassley of theSenate Judicial Committee and legal action by Fed-eral prosecutors to get the Fairfax County Police De-partment to only recently provide the requested in-formation, information that should have been madepublic a year ago. It would appear that this policedepartment does not feel compelled to answer to anyVirginia or federal official. This has to change. Thefamily, friends and the public have yet to be told any-thing about John’s death.
When possible crimes have been committed bypolice officers such as police shootings, nobody in-
vestigates the case but the police. There are no inde-pendent oversight procedures of any kind. FairfaxCounty supervisors endorse this policy and along withthe Police Department, have rejected every attemptto create any kind of independent oversight proce-dures. It should be noted that the Fairfax Countysupervisors hire the police chief. They also controlthe money dedicated to the department. This policyof self-investigation, no oversight and the inevitableobstruction that occurs as a result will continue un-til the public demands better from its elected offi-cials.
To date, no officer in the 75-year history of theFairfax County Police Department has ever beencharged in a wrongful shooting. These include thedeaths of John Geer and at least two other unarmedcitizens since 2006, all shot by police under ques-tionable circumstances.
Jeff Stewart, a Chantilly resident, witnessed the shooting ofhis friend John Geer on Aug. 29, 2013.
See At Paul VI, Page 9
6 ❖ Chantilly Connection ❖ December 25-31, 2014 Chantilly Connection ❖ December 25-31, 2014 ❖ 7www.ConnectionNewspapers.com www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
432
1
8
96
10
75
11
Sources: Fairfax County Public Schools,Washington Area Boards of Education, Texas Tribune
1 1986-1991: Elementary School Teacher,Yoakum, Texas (1,539 students, 38% white and50% Latino and spends about $8,000 per pupil).
2 July 1991-1994: Education Specialist, RegionIII Education Service Center, Victoria, Texas.Victoria ISD has 13,680 students and spendsabout $7,500 per pupil annually.
3 July 1994-July 1996: Principal, East SideElementary School grades 5-6, PalaciosIndependent School District (ISD), Palacios,Texas (1,508 students, $10,269 per student, 68%economically disadvantaged).
4 July 1996-July 1997: Curriculum SupervisorK-12, El Campo ISD, El Campo, Texas (3,465students, $9,735 per student, 67% economicallydisadvantaged).
5 July 1997-July 1999: Associate ExecutiveDirector for Governmental Relations, TexasAssociation of SchoolAdministrators.
6 July 1999-October 2002:Executive Directorfor Curriculum, StaffDevelopment, andAccountability, Katy ISD,Katy, Texas (58,444students, $7,740 per student,29% disadvantaged).
7 October 2002-August 2004: AssociateExecutive Director for Governmental Relations,Texas Association of School Administrators.
8 August 2004-June 2005: DeputySuperintendent, Corpus Christi ISD, CorpusChristi, Texas (38,041 students, spends $8,240,68% disadvantaged).
9 June 2005-July 2009: Chief AcademicOfficer, Houston ISD, Houston, Texas. (200,944students, $9,231 per student, 80%disadvantaged).
10 July 2009-June 2013: Superintendent ofSchools, Lubbock ISD, Lubbock, Texas (28,476students, $8,163 per student, 62%disadvantaged).
The Road to Fairfax CountyA timeline of Superintendent Karen Garza’s career in education.
11 July 2013-present: FairfaxCounty Public SchoolsSuperintendent. Fairfax CountyPublic Schools (186,785 students,$16,880 per student, 26.4% free/reduced price meal eligible).
View from TexasIn Houston
“When I hired Karen in 2005,” former Superin-tendent of Houston Independent School District(HISD) Dr. Abelardo Saavedra said, “the position ofchief academic officer had been open severalmonths. I went looking for her. I’d never met her butI’d heard about her. There is a big difference be-tween a mid-sized district and a larger one; thedynamics are completely different. I was taking arisk because she came from a mid-sized one of about40,000 in Corpus Christi, and ours was much big-ger. She adjusted very quickly.”
As Chief Academic Officer, Garza was responsiblefor the educational programming and the academicperformance of 200,000 students and the adminis-tration of 300 schools. Saavedra said one of theirmost lasting accomplishments at HISD was the Per-
formance Pay initiative. “I had decided we’d do this,but honestly, I had no idea how to do it. OrdinarilyI’d put it under HR but they weren’t moving fastenough. Karen quickly took ownership. Of course Ididn’t have to ask Karen to take ownership,” he saidlaughing. “This thing wasn’t moving and shestepped up to the plate. It was tied to academics,so she figured she could do it as well as the HR folkscould, and she did. That program continues todayand is why Houston did so well. “
Saavedra was referring to the district’s educa-tional improvement and performance managementmodel, called ASPIRE (Accelerating StudentProgress. Increasing Results and Expectations). TheASPIRE program paid over 18,000 teachers andinstructional staff more than $70 million in perfor-mance bonuses over three years based on theacademic improvement of children.
After Garza’s first year, the average reading scoresof HISD students on the SAT test increased fivepoints while the Texas and national averages fell.
Saavedra noted that one of the most unusualthings about Garza was her relationship with theHouston Chief Financial Officer Melinda Garrett.”Usually in those jobs,” Saavedra said, “there aresilos formed between the financial folks and the aca-demic folks. Not between Garza and Garrett. Theybecame good friends and worked together to makepositive changes happen.”
Garrett confirmed Garza’s achievements: “People inTexas miss her but realize Texas’ loss is Virginia’s gain.They were all happy she got this majorsuperintendent’s job. It is something she really wantedand deserved. She will be great for Fairfax. She is notafraid to make decisions. She always has her hand onthe pulse of the people she is working with.”
Garrett noted that she and Garza shared the samebackground as school teachers; that love of work-ing with children is something they both brought totheir work in funding schools and making sound de-cisions for school districts.
In LubbockAs Lubbock’s Independent School District’s super-
intendent, a job Garza held for four years beforecoming to Fairfax, her accomplishments includeimplementing a standardized curriculum for the29,000-student district, focus on student achievement,and financial stability. She left LISD with the largestfund balance they had ever had and worked throughsome hard times with state funding, getting gains forteachers, students, and taxpayers. Garza helped leadthe effort to win voter approval of a $198 million bondin 2010, the largest bond in the district’s history. As
Lubbock superintendent, Garza narrowed the achieve-ment gap, increased the graduation rate and helpedreduce the number of students who drop out.
Linda DeLeon, a Fairfax County resident who hadserved as a school board member in Lubbock, wasdelighted to see Garza come to Fairfax.
She was asked by someone to attend one ofGarza’s early public hearings in Fairfax. When hername was announced to the group, Garza lifted herhead and gave DeLeon a big smile: “Well, here isLinda, someone I knew from Lubbock.” DeLeon hadbeen a school board member for 18 years in Lub-bock under five different superintendents (but notduring Garza’s tenure) and had kept track of thethings Garza did while there.
She was impressed: “Karen Garza was up to thechallenge. What made her positive was she waswilling to sit with groups of people and have discus-
sions. Decisions were made that were very tough,but she never wavered from being able to sit downwith a group even if they were against the decisionsshe was looking to move forward with.”
DeLeon said Garza made positive changes in Lub-bock. One was to consolidate schools. “Closing theschools was the hardest issue for her. So many par-ents came to these hearings, and complained thatclosing schools was not right, that the school wasthe nucleus of the neighborhood. But Garza workedwith them until you could see a transformation fromthose parents. It’s true that now the kids have to goa little further, but what they did made it possiblefor 2-3 teachers to teach a 3rd grade class. Theycoordinated, they worked together, and they did amuch better job serving the needs of the kids. Youcould also actually see the gap close between mi-nority and ‘anglo’ kids.”
BioKAREN GARZACurrent Position:
Fairfax CountyPublic SchoolsSuperintendent
Salary: $265,000Age: 51Hometown: Canyon,
TexasSpouse: Louis GarzaChildren: Four, grownEducation: Ph.D., University of Texas-Austin, May
2002; M.Ed., University of Houston-Victoria, May1994; B.S., University of Houston-Victoria, 1986.
Facts about FCPS❖ 196 schools❖ Employs 23,447 people❖ Teaches 183, 895 students❖ Receives 52.4% of the county budget ($1,768.5 million)❖ Spends $13,472 dollars per student❖ Educates more students in trailers than total enrollment
of Alexandria City Public Schools
To Learn More❖ www.fccpta.org❖ www.fcps.edu❖ www.fcft.org❖ www.boarddocs.com/vsba/
Fairfax/Board.nsf/Public❖ www.greatschools.org
Superintendent Karen Garza begins and endsher Listening Tour meetings with a plea to thosein the room — parents, teachers, employees,unions — to help her achieve what needs to bedone for their school system.
“I am going to need your help,” she says toaudiences who voice concerns about class size,resources for special education, and teacher sala-ries.
Garza says she hopes to have a lot morepeople engaged during the budget process thisspring. “Come and testify. Talk with your Boardof Supervisors at those meetings. It’s usuallyfilled with folks. But we need a lot more parentsand advocates for our public schools to be in thatroom.”
Garza explains: “We grow by 17-20 studentsevery single day. We have grown by 20,000 stu-dents in six years. This is a huge strain on ourbudget. We spend $25 million a year to supportnew students. We aren’t happy with teacher sala-ries. We need to help people in our areaunderstand our budget. Help us as we enter thisnext budget year.”
“Read our ‘Citizens Guide’,” says Garza.“There’s lots of good information in there to helppeople understand how the system works andhow they can help. This year it includes a sec-tion on why your year-end balance ends up
being what it is. The more we can get people toread that document, the more people will followhow the system works and make solid inputs. “
“We need to get more business and commu-nity leaders to understand: Poverty is growing,our county is definitely changing. We startedsome outreach this year with our superintendentround-tables.”
The president of the Fairfax County Councilof PTAs, Debbie Kilpatrick, underlined the needfor more community involvement: “Karen Garzacannot do this on her own. Parents need to getmore involved so they know what they can doto support Garza and their schools. They shouldlook at the websites, come to PTA meetings,know what the issues are and vote on them. Canshe get smaller classrooms achieved? If she saysit, she will do it. But she will need help.”
Steven Greenburg, president of FairfaxCounty Federation of Teachers, echoed Garza’splea. “Do we know as a group of people, as av-erage citizens living in Fairfax County, how totake action? If this community sees value ineducation then voters have to make their viewsknown. Karen Garza won’t get what she wantswithout more involvement by the community,”Greenburg said. “People will have to reach outto public officials and let them know where thevoters stand.”
Schools Need Community’s Help
Graphics by
Laurence Foong/
The Connection
By Tim Peterson
& Eden Brown
The Connection
Karen Garza is a good listener. Andonce she’s listened, she is, admit-tedly, not very patient.
“If there’s a real issue, I don’tthink it has to be debated for 10 or 15 years,”Garza said in an interview. “Either we’regoing to do something about it or not.”
In May and June 2014, less than 12months after taking the helm as superinten-dent of Fairfax County Public Schools, Garzaand her staff hosted eight community meet-ings on the topic of later start times for highschools. According to FCPS, 1,000 peopleparticipated in person, another 2,000weighed in online.
By October, the School Board voted in fa-vor of changing the start times, somethingit had been considering for years but neverpushed forward. For the 2015-2016 schoolyear, all county high schools will start classesbetween 8 a.m. and 8:10 a.m.
Another entrenched issue: moving fromhalf-day Mondays at elementary schools tofull-days. The half-day weekly teacher workperiod dated back to the 1970s.
“Once we identified we really have an is-sue here, we don’t have enough time builtinto our elementary schedules, I met withthe team and I said, ‘Can we get this done?’”said Garza. “These are the reasons why weneed to change it, our timeline is aggres-sive, but can we get it done? And they said,‘Yes we can.’”
The School Board broke with 40 years ofhalf-day Mondays with a vote in June 2014.The change went into effect at the begin-ning of September.
“She looked at these with a new eye andwas very eager to move on them,” said RyanMcElveen, an at-large School Board mem-ber who was part of the group that hiredGarza, “so we could get on with dealing withother issues.”
McElveen said Garza’s face-time at addi-tional “listening tours,” meetings she’s beenhosting around the county since she cameto Fairfax from Lubbock, Texas in July 2013,have helped re-establish critical communityties.
“Under the previous superintendent,”McElveen said, “there were perceptions theboard and the central office had precipi-
tously been removed from the viewpoint andperspective of the community. That was keyin our hiring of Karen. We were looking forsomeone who could bring the communityback into the fold.”
FORMER FCPS Superintendent DanielDomenech still lives in Fairfax County, andhis perspective differs somewhat fromMcElveen. “It didn’t seem to me there was adistance with [Garza’s predecessor] JackDale,” he said. “I always felt that Fairfax asa school system was very responsive to thecommunity, very much in tune with what’sgoing on.”
The two menagree that com-munity involve-ment is crucial tomoving the schoolsystem forward.In a county of180,000 studentsthat’s growing by17 a day (accord-ing to Garza), that’s a lot of parents with alot of voices to listen to.
Debbie Kilpatrick, vice president of mem-bership with Virginia PTA, is impressed sofar with Garza being “inclusive” and having“contagious high energy.”
“She has a schedule not many peoplecould keep up with and she really doesn’tsay no to anyone who wants her time,” saidKilpatrick. “On the contrary, she says, ‘No, Iwant to listen.’”
Tina Hone, a School Board member from2007 to 2011 and founder of the advocacygroup Coalition of the Silence, disagreedwith Garza over her first budget proposalfor the county.
“We had a little crossing of swords,” saidHone. “What I really respect about Karen: Ipublicly made a statement, then she calledme. I looked at the phone, pulled it awayfrom my head and looked at it again. I wasblown away by that.”
Hone sees Garza in stark contrast to pre-vious FCPS leadership that exhibited “very
much an effort tocontrol ratherthan respond.”She cited the con-troversial closingof Clifton Elemen-tary School inJune 2011, whenshe said the boarddid little to consult
with the public first.“There was this sense there were mem-
bers of the School Board who said they don’twant to meet with people who disagreedwith them,” she said.
“It takes courage to be a problem-solver,”
Karen Garza’s vision: the irresistible force movingthe immovable object of Fairfax County Public Schools?
Profile
How Does She Do It?schools.
“It’s my view that to better align a largesystem, you have to narrow the number ofpeople at the highest levels making the de-cisions,” Garza said. “I can create stronger,better alignment with five people than I canwith eight people.”
One of Garza’s hires was Marty Smith aschief of staff, to whom she delegated the leadrole on full-day Mondays. Smith was previ-ously the superintendent of Cluster 1.
“He understands and knows the system,”said Garza. “He knows the players, the rightpeople to bring to the table to get it done.And he’s a good listener, which I appreci-ate.”
“The biggest thing with Dr Garza is trust,”said Smith. “She places a lot in the individu-als who work for her. While I carried outher vision, she was able to really build con-sensus with the board in terms of an indi-vidual approach. She didmuch of the same with teacherand principal associations.”
Even with a streamlined andrealigned support team, “Ob-viously Dr. Garza is the CEOfor them to execute the vi-sion,” said Moon. To be a pas-sionate captain of the ship,Garza is motivated by her lifelong love ofschools and learning. She started her careeras an elementary school teacher, aspiring tobe like her father, a college English profes-sor.
“I love being in classrooms, and I’mamazed at how gifted our students are,” saidGarza. “I’m very mindful of the fact that wehave such an opportunity for a positive im-pact on students’ lives. I try to never losesight of the fact not only are you setting stu-dents up for success at that next level, butin many cases making a memory. Make it apositive one.”
Hone said the teacher in Garza is appar-ent and one key to her current success. “Ev-erything she does, it’s how a teacher ap-proaches things,” Hone said. “It’s clear, ex-plained, pulling people in instead of tellingthem what to do. That dictatorship thingdoesn’t work. There’s always someone run-
Hone continued, “to try to turn the shipagainst the tide, with courage and grace toget this stuff done.”
That courage, grace and increased inputfrom the community are helping Garza gettraction on the issues she prioritizes with theSchool Board, still in its honeymoon phasewith Garza.
“We are all happy with her, the boardmembers,” said at-large member IlryongMoon. “I can say that with confidence. Wemade a right decision bringing her to Fairfax.She’s been helping the members to look atissues in a certain perspective that we oth-erwise wouldn’t have an opportunity to takeadvantage of.”
BUT GARZA is not a one-woman show, andshe attributes her accomplishments in partto the cabinet and administrative structureshe realigned within her first year. Unlikemost new superintendents, Garza broughtzero staff with her from the Lone Star State.Instead, she spent her first fall and winterassessing the team she inherited, before re-organizing in the spring.
Garza nixed the old eight-cluster admin-istration group in favor of five regions andsplit the department of Professional Learn-ing and Accountability roles among otherdepartments. This eliminated five staff po-sitions and saved $637,000, according toJohn Torre, public information officer for the
ning a rebellion.”Garza will be tested when she and the
board tackle the $63.9 million deficit sheprojected for FY2016 — and it gets worsein FY2017.
“She is such a good diplomat and every-one likes her,” said Fairfax County Federa-
tion of Teachers PresidentSteven Greenburg. “But thereis an expectation on the partof some stakeholders that shewill generate revenue andhold county or state officialsaccountable for the decisionsthey take. The only thing thatwould limit what she wants to
accomplish is lack of funds.”If she can manage the funds, Garza has a
Texas-sized list of goals for the county.
New Fairfax County Public SchoolsSuperintendent Karen Garza speaksto parents and teachers at SunriseValley Elementary School Monday,Oct. 28, 2013.
Dr. Karen Garza, incoming FCPSSuperintendent and Dr. DanielDomenech, former FCPS Superin-tendent, both in robes at BryantAlternative School graduation, June13, 2013, where Domenech was thegraduation speaker.
Senior Robyn Smith explains Active Minds while Lindsay Laiks, RachelChalkley, Karen Garza and Kim Dockery listen at a March 2014 assemblyat Woodson High School. More than 1,100 people gathered for comfortand advice in the aftermath of two student deaths.
Superintendent KarenGarza shares a momentwith Debbie Kilpatrick,president of FairfaxCounty Council of PTAsat the Listening Tour onDec. 6.
Photo by
Eden Brown/
The Connection
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Among them are making the compensationfor teachers more competitive with nearbyjurisdictions, developing a strategic plan forredesigning the curriculum to be moreproject- and problem solving-based, reduc-ing class size, bringing technology to morestudents and doubling the availability of Pre-Kindergarten to qualifying students.
To address the funding, another priorityis mobilizing support from businesses in theschool system’s communities. Garza said theFCPS Foundation, under a new yet-to-be-named executive director, will drive supportfrom that relatively untapped resource.
“I’m hoping we’re able to garner a lotmore support from our business commu-nity,” she said, “at least in those areas thatcan help us be more innovative with tech-nology education.”
8 ❖ Chantilly Connection ❖ December 25-31, 2014 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
News
By Steve Hibbard
The Connection
With the Ebola crisis still sending tremors of fear acrossthe world, there’s a charitybased in Chantilly that is
sending aid directly to western Africa. Be-gun in 2005, Helping Children Worldwideis a nonprofit Christian organization thatworks with 14 United Methodist churcheslocally, including Floris UMC in Herndon,St. Stephen’s UMC in Burke, and OaktonUMC in Oakton, by giving money, suppliesand support to a hospital in Sierra Leone.
Ginny Wagner, 37, executive director ofthe charity, said personal protective equip-ment like gloves, goggles, facemasks andboots are ordered here and shipped by airfreight to the U.S. Embassy in Sierra Leoneto help with the Ebola crisis. They are thenpicked up by a Mercy Hospital employee,and usually arrive in seven to 10 days. Thecharity has received $84,000 in donationsfrom people in Northern Virginia since Au-gust.
“It looks like this outbreak is not going tobe contained as quickly as we had hoped,”said Wagner, who lives in Haymarket, andhas traveled to Sierra Leone five times. “Sowe are sending shipments of protectiveequipment every six to eight weeks.”
The charity supports Mercy Hospital, a25-bed primary care facility that opened in2007, and the Child Rescue Centre, whichopened in the year 2000 and offers a feed-ing program for 400 children. General do-
nations provide food, clothing, shelter, andeducation for children, as well as criticalprimary health care to impoverished fami-lies in Sierra Leone. Last year, nearly 10,000people received education and health carethrough both programs.
Wagner, who is blessed to be doing her“dream job,” said Mercy Hospital has beena leader in providing education and aware-ness training on Ebola to the community.And because Sierra Leone is highly patriar-chal, the education is focused primarily onwomen, who care for the home, and are ata greater risk for the disease.
“We have been partnering with the Min-istry of Health to identify people who mayhave Ebola, and are bringing them into test-ing to make sure they are transported to acenter,” she said.
Because of the Ebola crisis, Wagner saidthat many hospitals are not able to keep up
and they are simply closing their doors. Inthe case of private hospitals, she said al-most all of them are closed. This is in a coun-try of six million people that is served byonly 200 doctors.
Besides Ebola, Wagner said there are justas many people dying from pneumonia, ty-phoid, and malaria because the facilities arenot opened. Right now, she said it’s verydifficult to keep the hospitals equipped withthe proper gloves, face masks, goggles andother protective equipment — so the staffdoesn’t feel safe delivering care, she said.
In addition to helping with Ebola, MercyHospital also has outreach programs intothe local villages outside the city to provideprenatal care to expectant women, nutri-tional support to severely malnourishedchildren, malaria testing and treatment, andHIV/AIDS testing and counseling, saidWagner.
She said Mercy Hospital treats patientsregardless of their ability to pay, and workswith pregnant women, infants and youngchildren, so that the poorest of the poor canreceive treatment. The hospital has a phar-macy and laboratory on site, so if someonecomes in with malaria, they can be testedat the lab and given medicine quickly, shesaid. “We are truly transforming lives of chil-dren in Sierra Leone. I have seen how thatis happening first hand,” said Wagner. “It isrewarding to see lives saved through basichealth care and lives forever changedthrough access to education.”
She added: “It’s really powerful to see theimpact that education and healthcare canhave on an individual life and on childrenas they grow.”
With a four-star rating from Charity Navi-gator, Helping Children Worldwide donates83 cents of every dollar to programs, with17 cents going to the administrative costsand fundraising. The Chantilly office, whichhas a staff of three full-time employees, doesfundraising, development and operationalsupport. There are three medical doctorson its board of directors who provide ad-vice to doctors at Mercy Hospital. Localvolunteers from the community provideexpertise; and educators, human resourceand finance professionals volunteer theirtime and support for the programs.
To donate, call 703-793-9521, [email protected] orvisit www.HelpingChildrenWorldwide.org.The charity is located at 14101 Parke LongCourt, Suite T, Chantilly, VA 20151.
Chantilly Charity Helps with Ebola CrisisHelping Children Worldwide sends aid and supplies to Sierra Leone, Africa.
The charity called Helping Children Worldwide in Chantilly givesfunding to Mercy Hospital in Sierra Leone, Africa.
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By Bonnie Hobbs
The Connection
Each month, the Sully District PoliceStation’s Citizens Advisory Commit-tee (CAC) honors someone as that
station’s Officer of the Month. And for No-vember, it’s PFC Robert W. Bowen.
He’s been with the Fairfax County PoliceDepartment for eight years — all of it servedat the Sully District Station. So it was fit-ting that he was honored there during theCAC’s Nov. 12 meeting.
In his nomination letter, his supervisor,Sgt. Patrick O’Hara, described Bowen as“truly an outstanding officer who takesgreat pride in his work and holds himselfto the highest standards and work ethic.”
He said Bowen retired from the PrinceWilliam County Police Department after 29years of service and “still maintains themotivation and enthusiasm of a young of-ficer willing to do what it takes to get thejob done. He makes the best of each and
every day.”According to O’Hara, Bowen is a top pro-
ducer among his peers when it comes tothe education and enforcement of the traf-fic laws. Not surprisingly, added O’Hara,“Bowen is a leader in the issuance of trafficcitations.”
In 2013 and 2014, the Sully District Sta-tion implemented a program called “Inter-section of the Month,” which was a directresult of Bowen’s identification of a trafficconcern. The program identified high crashareas throughout the Sully District and re-sulted in an increased officer presence andpartnership with the Traffic Division to helpreduce the amount of automobile crashes.
“In addition to Bowen’s proactive ap-proach to traffic safety, he has an incred-ible ability to interact with the public andfollow through with complainants on a va-riety of cases,” wrote O’Hara. “He utilizeshis training and experience to its fullestextent with his daily duties as a patrol of-ficer. He does not hesitate to follow up andworks tirelessly to conclude his cases to asuccessful closure.”
O’Hara also noted that Bowen cares forthe citizens of Fairfax County and, specifi-
wrote O’Hara, “He also performs any dutyassigned to him and volunteers for extraassignments without hesitation or com-plaint. I have come to know him to be thetype of officer who will do what it takes toget the job done.”
O’Hara stressed that “this sort of de-meanor and work ethic is commendable, asit alleviates the sometimes daunting task ofsupervisors having to select someone for anundesirable assignment. Bowen’s positiveattitude and willingness to help has resultedin his peers eagerly accepting additionalassignments, and it has greatly aided in theentire squad having a positive attitude to-ward their duties.”
All in all, wrote O’Hara, “PFC Bowen isan exceptional employee and a strongworker. He is extremely dependable andhighly respected by his peers — not only atthe Sully District Station, but throughoutthe Department and throughout the North-ern Virginia law-enforcement community.He has proven to be an invaluable asset tothe Sully District Station and, even more,to the men and women of the Fairfax CountyPolice Department, and is most deservingof this recognition.”
Police, Community Honor PFC Robert BowenChosen November’sOfficer of the Month.
PFC Robert Bowen (on left) re-ceives his award from Capt. BobBlakley.
cally, the Sully District. “When many offic-ers would conclude their investigations withthe arrest, PFC Bowen goes beyond the ar-rest and follows up with victims to look to-ward a long-term solution,” wrote O’Hara.“His passion is second to none in this area,and I again commend him for his overallcompassion and diligence to duty.”
Besides Bowen being an “extremely con-fident and well-rounded police officer,”
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Chantilly Connection ❖ December 25-31, 2014 ❖ 9www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
SPECIAL CONNECTIONS CALENDARAdvertising Deadlines are the previous Thursday unless noted.
JANUARY1/7/2015............................Wellbeing, Renewal, Resolutions1/14/2015........................................................HomeLifeStyleMartin Luther King Jr. Day is Jan. 191/21/2015.............................................A+ Camps & Schools1/28/2015..........................................Neighborhood Outlook1/28/2015...........Winter Fun, Food, Arts & Entertainment;
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News
Wrapping Up aBright HolidayDuring Our Neighbor’sChild’s gift set-up day,students fromCentreville Dance Cen-ter help match scarvesand mittens with coatdonations. Now in its23rd year, ONC providedtoys and clothing toalmost 1,800 childrenin Centreville, Chantillyand the area west ofFair Oaks Mall.
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From Page 5
Annie Sullivan. From her first encounter with Helen,Rozmajzl established the monumental difficulty ofher task and her inner conflict over her dead brotherJimmie. Whitfield and Rozmjzal cleanly executednumerous difficult fight scenes, further enhancingtheir engaging performances.
As Captain Keller, Nathaniel Smith boasted an im-posing stage presence and stoic expression. His fiercedemeanor contrasted perfectly with the more gentlenature of Kate (Madelene Whitfield). Meanwhile,Joey Arzeno created a volatile relationship withinthe family as James. Arzeno captured the pained ob-stinacy of his character, adding both valuable comicquips and explosive moments of frustration.
While some scenes could have been more poignant
At Paul VI, ‘The Miracle Worker’in a darker setting, overall lighting clarified scenetransitions and greatly strengthened the show’s emo-tional atmosphere. Make-up, which included life-likemustache and goatee pieces, tooth blackening anddiseased eye shadow for the decrepit crones, andsubtle age lines for several characters, allowed ac-tors to come to life on stage. An ensemble of cos-tumed servants served as the show’s tech crew, cre-ating nuanced characters, including a memorablesenile old man (Tommy Kelleher), while moving setpieces safely and quickly.
“When we do the best that we can, we never knowwhat miracle is wrought in our life, or in the life ofanother.” Paul VI Catholic High School certainly ful-filled Helen Keller’s words in their near miraculousproduction, bringing many in the audience to tears.
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10 ❖ Chantilly Connection ❖ December 25-31, 2014 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
News
World MarketAs part of Colin Powell Elementary School’s “World Market,” first grade students travelled Dec. 17 with their passport to each classroom tolearn about different countries. Students had an opportunity to purchase, with tickets provided by the teachers, items created by students —games, crafts, etc. — from the country of origin in each classroom. Students were allowed to dress in their native country’s attire, countries ofchoice or the colors that represented the country of choice.
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This statue was created byPiper Coughlin. It repre-sents the Wooly Rhino Godfrom the student-created-culture the “Rohinians.”
DIG Simulation at Bull Run ElementaryFifth grade Advanced Academic classes at Bull Run El-ementary in Centreville completed The Dig, an archaeo-logical problem-based simulation. Using the scientifictechnique employed by archaeologists, students exam-ined the artifacts to make inferences about the culture’sbackground and themes.
Email announcements [email protected] are welcome.
JMU students Erin Mordhorst andWhitney Roberts participated in theannual study abroad program called theUrbino Project in Urbino, Italy, and thesurrounding Marche Region. Mordhorstis a senior media arts and design major.Roberts is a junior media arts and de-sign major.
Mary Masterson, of Centreville, isa member of the University of Iowa’sclass of 2018.
Fifty-nine Fairfax County PublicSchools teachers have been recognizedwith the Gold Star Award from Workingin Support of Education (WISE) for theirstudents’ performance on the 2013-14WISE Financial Literacy CertificationTest. The test—a national, standardizedtest—measures students’ knowledge ofpersonal finance and pronounces themfinancially capable when they graduatefrom high school. The Gold Star Awarddesignates that the teacher achieved a90 percent pass rate in at least one of hisor her classes on the 2013-14 WISE Fi-nancial Literacy Certification Test. FCPSGold Star Award winning teachers are:
School Notes
InclusiveSchools Week
Bull Run Elementary School cel-ebrated Inclusive Schools WeekDec. 1-5. Throughout the week,students engaged in experiencesthat focused on recognizing theuniqueness in each person. Theycelebrated the diversity of theschool community’s varied tapes-try of cultures, languages, andabilities.
Bull Run students wore “crazy socks” to recognizethat each person is unique and special. Here is theBull Run News Team, celebrating the one-of-a-kindcontributions of each member of the team.
On “Wear Your Bright Smile Day,” everyone woreyellow to remember to share the “bright light” offriendship. Principal Patti Brown celebrates InclusiveSchools Week with Bull Run students.
Photos
Contributed
Photos
Contributed
Catherine Casares, JaniceFindley, Melissa Guerro, JanetJohnston, Scott Loube andMarcella Setness of Chantilly High;and Cathy Cespedes, SonjaClelland, Rhonda Dumont, CherylEdwards and Anthony Whitten ofWestfield High.
Addyson Santese, of Centreville,received the New Mexico ReciprocalScholarship for the fall 2014 semester atFort Lewis College in Durango, Co.Santese’s major is English - general option.
Centreville’s Bull Run ElementarySchool is one of five Virginia schoolsamong the nation’s 255 state finalists forthe Samsung Solve for Tomorrow con-test. Solve for Tomorrow encouragesteachers and students to solve real-world issues in their community usingclassroom skills in science, technology,engineering and math. The state final-ists will receive technology as well as aprofessional development class fromPBS TeacherLine for the teacher whoentered the competition. Next, the fivefinalists will submit a lesson plan outlin-ing how they will address the challengewith their students while working withtheir communities to address issues likewater pollution and street safety.
Chantilly Connection ❖ December 25-31, 2014 ❖ 11www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
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Educational InternshipsUnusual opportunity to learn many aspects ofthe newspaper business. Internships availablein reporting, photography, research, graphics.Opportunities for students, and for adultsconsidering change of career. Unpaid. [email protected]
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HOW TO SUBMIT ADS TO
Loosey goosey, I suppose. As much as onemight prefer some predictability in their life(certainly a cancer patient would – I know Iwould), I may be entering a cycle of perma-nent unpredictability. Whereas my previousschedule was chemotherapy every threeweeks, a CT Scan every three months, fol-lowed up by a face-to-face appointment/examination/assessment with my oncologistsometime during the next week (in effect,every three months as well), my most recentabnormal lab results may very well be upset-ting my apple cart. However, rather thanchange my infusion schedule to every fourweeks due to recurring high creatinine levelsshowing up in my current every-three-week,pre-chemotherapy lab work, my oncologistwants to keep me on the same track. Histhinking is, since my most recent CT Scanshowed “shrinkage,” he wants to continuetreating my cancer as aggressively as possible,since we’re having some success – so long asmy body tolerates the drug, that is. My worryis that, from what little I understand, these lasttwo lab results are indications that my body(kidneys) may in fact no longer be toleratingthe treatment and that my future treatment issubject to change, shall we say.
For the moment however, the change willnot be in the drug I’m infusing but with thefrequency. I will still be scheduled for my che-motherapy every three weeks, with my usualpre-chemotherapy lab work the Wednesdaybefore the Friday. If my creatinine level is toohigh on that first test, we will delay the infu-sion by one week and I will return to the labthe following Wednesday and hope for animproved result. What this means to me is, Ican’t ever know, given the variability in mylast two lab results, whether I can plan onchemotherapy every three weeks, every fourweeks or some reasonable facsimile thereof.What little control I thought I had over mylife: the predictability/regularity of my infu-sions, apparently is over. Now, so long as mycreatinine goes down on the subsequentretests, I will live with the consequences –happily. Still, I have lost something veryimportant in my life, something with which Ihave become quite accustomed these last fewyears: knowing who, what, when and where.Why this is happening, and whether or not aslope has become slippery all of a sudden(“all of a sudden” – after six years, nothing isall of a sudden) is the big question, a ques-tion/scenario that my oncologist will likelyblame the cancer for causing (simple, isn’t it?).Because, that’s sort of what cancer does, he’llprobably say.
Part of me understands that “If It Ain’tBroke” there’s no need to fix it; we just needto work in some flexibility. And if the flexibil-ity keeps me alive, I’m all for it. Nevertheless,this change will affect my life, my future. I cannever know – for sure, and anticipate accord-ingly – what my lab results will be (as I havebeen able to these last few years) andplan/schedule/arrange my non-cancer activi-ties. I will once again become a victim of myown circumstances. I will never know untilI’m told (e-mailed actually; I’ll know by theresults whether that next chemotherapyappointment will be put off) whether I’m busytwo days hence or not. Moreover, I’ll likelyrepeat the cycle the following week andbeyond. Maybe the regularity of the irregular-ity will become my new routine? Maybebreaking up the every-three-week schedule –sometimes – will give me and my body somemuch needed/appreciated rest. I can onlyhope so. I don’t want to think that it’s not so.I’ve gotten used to my life. And though this isdefinitely a blip, I’m thankful to still be show-ing up on the radar.
Kenny Lourie is an Advertising Representative forThe Potomac Almanac & The Connection Newspapers.
By KENNETH B. LOURIE
The NewNormal
12 ❖ Chantilly Connection ❖ December 25-31, 2014 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com
Email announcements to [email protected]. Include date,time, location, description and contact forevent: phone, email and/or website. Pho-tos and artwork welcome. Deadline isThursday at noon, at least two weeks be-fore event.
ONGOINGPolar Bear Reading Club. Dec. 6-
Jan. 31. Centreville Regional Library,14200 St. Germain Drive, Centreville.Read any five books between Dec. 6-Jan. 31 and get a prize. Up to Grade6. www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/ce/ or 703-830-2223.
Fairfax County Public LibrariesClose at 1 p.m. Fairfax CountyPublic Libraries close at 1 p.m. forthe Christmasholiday.www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/
Lights Festival. Through Sunday, Jan.4 at 7700 Bull Run Drive, Centreville.Almost two and a half miles of lightdisplays and a Holiday Village tocelebrate the season. Visitwww.bullrunfestivaloflights.com.
Workbook on Display. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, 5040Walney Road, Chantilly. The exhibitis open through January 2015, in thepark’s visitor center and admission isfree. The highlight of the exhibit is anoriginal workbook created by Lewis
H. Machen who purchased Walney in1843 and lived there until his deathin 1863. This is the first time theworkbook has been shared publicly.Contact 703-631-0013 or visitwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/eclawrence for more.
The Airbus IMAX Theater atNational Air and SpaceMuseum Udvar-Hazy Center,14390 Air & Space Museum Parkway,is showing movies including“Interstellar”, “D-Day: Normandy1944”, “Hubble,” “Fighter Pilot” and“Hidden Universe”. Visitairandspace.si.edu/udvarhazy or call703-572-4118 for the movie scheduleor to schedule an IMAX On Demandshow for groups of 50 or more.
Exhibit of Colorful Nutcrackers atHistoric Sully. Through Jan. 31.Sully Historic Site, 3650 HistoricSully Way, Chantilly. See an array ofnutcrackers, both old and new, in acolorful case exhibit. This holidayexhibit is included in a guided tour ofthe 1794 house. Sully, the home ofRichard Bland Lee, northernVirginia’s first congressman, will bedecorated for the holiday seasonfrom Dec. 3-22. 703-437-1794 orvisit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/sully
Singing. 7:30 p.m. at Lord of LifeLutheran Church, 13421 Twin LakesDrive, Clifton. The Fairfax Jubil-Airesrehearse every Wednesday which
includes training by an award-winning director. Visitwww.fairfaxjubilaires.org for more.
PET ADOPTIONSAdopt a Dog. Fridays, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
and Saturdays, 1-4 p.m. at PetSmart,12971 Fair Lakes Center, Fairfax.Adopt a puppy or dog. Visitwww.lostdogrescue.org for more.
Adopt a Dog. Saturdays, 12-3 p.m. atPetco, 13053 Lee Jackson Highway.Visit hart90.org for more.
Adopt a Dog. Sundays, 1-4 p.m. atPetco, 13053 Lee Jackson MemorialHwy. Adopt a puppy or dog.Visitaforeverhome.org for more.
MONDAY/DEC. 22ESL Book Club. 7 p.m. Centreville
Regional Library, 14200 St. GermainDrive, Centreville. Adults learningEnglish meet to discuss a bookchosen by the group.www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/ce/ or 703-830-2223.
Bouncin’ Babies. 10:30 a.m. ChantillyRegional Library, 4000 StringfellowRoad, Chantilly. Rhymes, songs,stories and activities. Build an earlyliteracy foundation for the childwhile enjoying time together. Birth-11 months with caregiver.www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/ch/ or 703-502-3883.
Small Wonders. 11:30 a.m. ChantillyRegional Library, 4000 StringfellowRoad, Chantilly. Rhymes, songs,stories and activities. Build an earlyliteracy foundation for the childwhile enjoying time together.www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/ch/ or 703-502-3883.
TUESDAY/DEC. 23Lego Block Party. 3 p.m. Chantilly
Regional Library, 4000 StringfellowRoad, Chantilly. Come show off Legobuilding skills. Grades 3-6.www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/ch/ or 703-502-3883.
SATURDAY/DEC. 27Peaceful Paws. 10:30 a.m. Chantilly
Regional Library, 4000 StringfellowRoad, Chantilly. Children on theautism spectrum or with otherdevelopmental challenges meet andread to a trained therapy dog.www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/ch/ or 703-502-3883.
All About Hedgehogs. 2 p.m.Centreville Regional Library, 14200St. Germain Drive, Centreville. Learnabout hedgehogs. Age 5-10.www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/ce/ or 703-830-2223.
Local Musician. 7 p.m. at ElectricMaid Community Exchange, 268Carroll St. NW, Washington, D.C.
Nick Cabrejos, of Centreville, aims toinspire others through his music.Visit www.reverbnation.com/nickcabrejos or electricmaid.org formore.
MONDAY/DEC. 29Thriving Three to Fives. 11 a.m.
Centreville Regional Library, 14200St. Germain Drive, Centreville.Stories and activities. Ages 3-5 withadult. www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/ce/ or 703-830-2223.
Clay Sculptures and Creatures. 2p.m. Centreville Regional Library,14200 St. Germain Drive, Centreville.Teens will make clay creatures andcreatures using a variety oftechniques from Japanese kawaii tomixed media armatures and wraps inthis 90-minute workshop. Age 12-18.www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/ce/ or 703-830-2223.
Bouncin’ Babies. 10:30 a.m. ChantillyRegional Library, 4000 StringfellowRoad, Chantilly. Rhymes, songs,stories and activities. Build an earlyliteracy foundation for the childwhile enjoying time together. Birth-11 months with caregiver.www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/ch/ or 703-502-3883.
Small Wonders. 10:30 a.m. ChantillyRegional Library, 4000 StringfellowRoad, Chantilly. Rhymes, songs,stories and activities. Build an earlyliteracy foundation for the childwhile enjoying time together. 12-23months with caregiver.www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/ch/ or 703-502-3883.
Holiday Concert. 1 and 2 p.m. atSully Historic Site, 3650 HistoricSully Way, Chantilly. In their annualholiday visit to Sully, IONA treats itsaudiences to traditional Celtic music,blending songs, dance turns and airsin a lively and entertainingpresentation. $12, includes tour ofhouse. Refreshments are served inthe 18th century kitchen. Limitedseating. Register atwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes. Call 703-437-1794.
ESL Book Club. 7 p.m. CentrevilleRegional Library, 14200 St. GermainDrive, Centreville. Adults learningEnglish meet to discuss a bookchosen by the group.www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/ce/ or 703-830-2223.
TUESDAY/DEC. 30English Conversation Group. 10:30
a.m. Chantilly Regional Library, 4000Stringfellow Road, Chantilly. PracticeEnglish with other students. Adults.www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/ch/ or 703-502-3883.
Toddlin’ Twos. 10:30 a.m. ChantillyRegional Library, 4000 StringfellowRoad, Chantilly. Early literacystorytime with stories, songs andactivities. Age 2 with caregiver.www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/ch/ or 703-502-3883.
Lego Block Party. 11:30 p.m.Chantilly Regional Library, 4000Stringfellow Road, Chantilly. Comeshow off Lego building skills. Grades3-6. www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/ch/ or 703-502-3883.
WEDNESDAY/DEC. 31Fairfax County Public Libraries
Close at 5 p.m.
THURSDAY/JAN. 1Fairfax County Public Libraries
Closed
FRIDAY/JAN. 2Fairfax County Public Libraries
Closed
Entertainment
C E N T R E V I L L EThe Anglican Church of the Ascension
TraditionalAnglican Services
1928 Book ofCommon Prayer
1940 Hymnal
13941 Braddock Road, (north off Rte. 29) Centreville, VA703-830-3176 • www.ascension-acc.org
Holy Communion 10 A.M. Sundays(with Church School and Nursery)
Communitiesof Worship
To highlight your faith community,call Karen at 703-917-6468
Fairfax Christian Fellowship Churchmeeting in Lees Corner
Elementary School
Multi-cultural, Bible-believing congregationsharing the love of God
through the love of people.11am Sundays703-796-1056
www.fairfaxfellowship.org
