Opinion: Commentary: A Teacher’s Take on the Reopening of Schools
I teach high school English in Fairfax County Public Schools. A number of teachers from across the county suggested I share the following concerns with the community about the plan for reopening schools next month.

Coalition Pleads for Removal of Fairfax County SROs
NOVA Equity Agenda Coalition proposes redirecting of funding to hire counselors.
"While schools' primary role is to serve as an institution for learning, it must also remain a suitable place for young people to mature and sometimes err, without being subjected to the unquestionably perilous path of the criminal justice system," wrote members of the NOVA Equity Agenda Coalition in a July 6 letter to Fairfax County Public Schools Board and Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.
Randolph-Macon Academy Fully Opening for Fall 2020 Semester
Randolph-Macon Academy in Front Royal, Virginia will open for on-campus operations for all students and staff for the Fall 2020 semester. All classes will be held in-person with full course schedules and teacher instruction.
A COVID-19 Summer Gives Time for Reading
From current events to mysteries, books can fill time and lead to lively family conversations.
During a recent 12-hour car ride to their summer home in Michigan, the Leland family finished two books, “Bridge To Terabithia” by Katherine Paterson and Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird.”
‘Workers Have Been Hit Hard Financially’ in Centreville
Centreville Labor Resource Center holds a food drive.
For people living from paycheck to paycheck, a global pandemic makes things infinitely worse.

New Ramp from I-66 East to Route 28 North
The first new exit ramp and bridge for the under-construction I-66/Route 28 Interchange is slated to open ahead of schedule – on or about this Wednesday, July 8.
Children, Bicycles and Patriotism Galore in Centreville
Small-town Americana: To help their residents celebrate the Fourth of July together, Centreville's Newgate community held a children’s bike parade through the neighborhood.

Q&A on Back to School for Fairfax County
Superintendent takes questions at Virtual Town Hall.
FCPS hosted a virtual Town Hall Meeting on July 6, to answer questions about its two Return to School Plans: Full-time Online Instruction or In-Person Instruction with Social Distancing.
Send Photos for the Pet Connection
The Pet Connection, a twice-yearly special edition, will publish the last week of July, and photos and stories of your pets with you and your family should be submitted by Thursday, July 23.

Data Proves Black People Treated Differently in Fairfax County
Arrests of Black people disproportional in every police district in the county.
Of all arrests made by police officers in the county, Black people are arrested 38.54 percent of the time. Black people are targets of police use of force 45.63 percent of the time in the county. Black people make up less than 10 percent of the population.
Opinion: Column: Questions and “Canswers”
"Very interesting," to quote Artie Johnson from "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In," that "crazy-kooky" comedy show from the 70s.

A Summer Oasis
Pool house evolved into a space that incorporates the beauty of the outdoors into the interior design.
Transforming the expansive backyard into a summer oasis by designing a pool and adjacent pool house.
Opinion: Commentary: Preventing the Callous in Young Black America
Growing up in Birmingham, AL, I recall playing in the basement of 16th Street Baptist Church. The same church that was bombed in 1963 by the KKK, killing four young Black girls and injuring dozens.
Opinion: Commentary: Virginia State Legislature Will Vote on Policing Reforms
The events of the last 60 days have been troubling for America and our community.
Opinion: Commentary: Moving Forward: The Anatomy of Racism in our Everyday Lives
In the past few weeks, many people, especially African Americans, have had to reconcile what they have seen in witnessing the murder of George Floyd and that of their own experience. I am no exception.
Opinion: Commentary: Public Demands Changes, Not Studies and Delays
Virginia Senate Democratic Caucus Police Reform and Criminal Justice Equity Plan
The deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor has awoken Americans and Virginians to long standing problems in policing in America.
‘The Pandemic Has Really Changed Everything’ in Sully District
Kathy Smith discusses the ‘State of Sully.’
What’s happening in the Sully District, land-use cases and COVID-19’s effects on Fairfax County’s budget were discussed during Supervisor Kathy Smith’s (D-Sully) “State of Sully” talk.
Westfield Grad Receives Sheriffs’ Institute Scholarship
Westfield High grad Michael Corwin has just received a Virginia Sheriffs’ Institute scholarship.

The Work of Bees, Birds and Butterflies Officially Recognized
National Pollinator Week notes the importance of pollination to the food chain.
Pollinator week