
Debate Over School Budget Continues
Later start times, class size among topics at School Board public hearing.
Later start times, class size, and cuts to needs-based staffing were major themes of the testimony given at the Jan. 27 public hearing on Superintendent Karen Garza’s proposed budget.

Board Cites Lack of Funds for School Renovations
Aging schools collide with increasing student enrollments.
While the 2015 to 2019 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) passed at the Fairfax County Public School Board meeting on Thursday, Jan. 3, many board members expressed concerns with the program.

Chantilly Speech Team Takes District Title
The Chantilly High Speech Team won the district title for the second year in a row, on Wednesday, Jan. 15, at Westfield High.
Investigating Crime Scenes
Police detective discusses the job of the Crash Reconstruction Unit.
Fairfax County Police Det. Josh David minored in physics at GMU, and it’s come in handy in his job. A 13-year member of the Police Department, he’s been with the Crash Reconstruction Unit for five years now. And, he said, “I realized how much math, physics and science is involved in what I do.”

Speech Team Takes District Title
The Chantilly High Speech Team won the district title for the second year in a row, on Wednesday, Jan. 15, at Westfield High.

CYA Collects Presents for Pediatric Party
CYA and DC Candlelighters united to make the holidays brighter for pediatric oncology patients at Inova Fairfax Hospital. CYA collected more than 300 presents for the DC Candlelighter families whose children are fighting cancer.

Chantilly Robotics Student Testifies Before Congress
Explains why it’s a valuable STEM program.
Chantilly High senior Brian Morris, CEO of Chantilly Robotics Team 612, testified in Washington, D.C., last Thursday, Jan. 9. He spoke before the Committee on Science, Space and Technology, Subcommittee on Research and Technology, of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.
The Chantilly Pyramid Minority Student Achievement Committee (CPMSAC) held its 20th annual Martin Luther King Festival, Jan. 12, at Westfield High.

Cookies, Cookies Everywhere
Centreville High SGA members brought in and packaged 6,240 cookies on Dec. 12 to donate to Our Neighbor’s Child for local families in need.

Actively Caring Comes to CVHS
Part of Bullying Awareness Week, AC4P recognizes acts of kindness.
Not bullying means more than just not taunting or hitting someone; it also means being kind and considerate. So it was fitting that members of Virginia Tech’s program, Actively Caring for People (AC4P), shared their message Monday, Nov. 18, during the first day of Cluster VII’s Bullying Awareness Week.

Church, School Provide Food for Students
Not everyone in Fairfax County has enough food to eat. And many students receiving free and reduced-price lunches in school go hungry over the weekend.

Scouts, Volunteers Make Food Drive Successful
The Boy Scouts’ annual Scouting for Food drive was Saturday, Nov. 9.

Schools Take Action Against Bullying
Chantilly, Centreville, Fairfax pyramids join forces in initiative.
Children of all ages get bullied and bully others, themselves. It’s not true of all children, but it’s true of enough of them that Fairfax County Public Schools wants to do something about it.

Chantilly’s Gabe Luebbe Receives National Honor
Senior named to Army All-American Marching Band.
Not only is Gabe Luebbe a talented and accomplished musician, but he’s now been named a member of the U.S. Army All-American Marching Band.
Commentary: Dollars and Sense—Stewardship of FCPS
As many have become aware, the Fairfax County School Board’s budget discussions for the 2015 fiscal year have begun early. It is unfortunate that it has taken a combination of a $140 million deficit and demonstrable efforts by FCPS’ new Superintendent Karen Garza to bring full attention of the stakeholders, including the School Board, to education policy and funding.