Student Arrested with BB Gun at SL
On Wednesday, Dec. 14, a 15-year-old student at South Lakes High School was arrested on weapons charges. He was charged with three counts of having a concealed weapon on school property. “One count was for a BB gun, and then there was one count for each knife,” said Officer Bud Walker, a Fairfax County Police spokesman. No one was injured before or after the arrest.
Fairfax Police were called to the school around 9:15 a.m. after the staff received information that a student had a gun. “A student tipped off a staff member at the school, so we were called by the school,” said Walker. According to the police report, police officers acted quickly and were able to isolate the student and take him into custody without incident.
Plum and Howell Host Town Meeting
Before the 2006 General Assembly session gets underway, Del. Ken Plum (D-36) and state Sen. Janet Howell (D-32) are having a Town Meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 3 at 7:30 p.m., at the Reston Community Center at Lake Anne Village. The Town Meeting provides an opportunity for Plum and Howell to hear from constituents about the issues and concerns they think the legislature should be addressing. Pre-registration is not required. Written statements are appreciated but not required.
RA December Meeting Canceled
Due to inclement weather on Thursday, Dec. 15, the Reston Association's regular monthly board meeting was canceled. Rather than reschedule the meeting, the board will add the agenda items to the next regular board meeting, which is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 26. RA members who plan to attend may want to plan for a long evening. The meeting in January is also scheduled to include a board vote on the final version of the governing documents and referendum questions.
Literacy Program Expands, to Reston
The Fairfax County Public Library Foundation, Inc. will celebrate the expansion of its Motheread/Fatheread Literacy Outreach Program Thursday, Dec. 22, at 9 a.m., at the Laurel Learning Center. U.S. Rep. Jim Moran (D-8) will be recognized for securing $100,000 in funding for the program through the federal omnibus appropriations bill, which provided resources for the expansion into the Reston area.
Supervisor Catherine Hudgins (D-Hunter Mill) will also be honored as the catalyst for bringing this successful literacy initiative to constituents in her district. The Motheread/Fatheread program was launched in 2002 to help children from low-income families, and those with limited English, develop reading skills. Parents and caregivers are taught to improve family communication through reading books to their children and discussing concepts introduced by the stories. Last year, almost 5,000 children and more than 3,800 adults attended 314 Motheread/Fatheread program sessions, where more than 7,000 books were distributed.
The Brain Bowl
In the spirit of the Baron Cameron Bowl, South Lakes and Herndon high schools are starting a new rival competition, called the Brain Bowl. The first competition will be Wednesday, Jan. 18, at 7 p.m., in the South Lakes Auditorium. Organizers are hoping the event will become an annual tradition. A trophy for the winner is being designed and made for this event. Organizers hope that the two principals will make friendly wager in support of the competition.
YMCA, Target Partner for 'Ready, Set, Read'
The YMCA Fairfax County Reston formed a partnership last week with Target for sponsorship of its preschool
program, "Ready, Set, Read." The program provides very young children a head start with the skills needed to be successful in their upcoming school career. The YMCA, a charitable organization, is able to award financial assistance and scholarships to individuals, youth and families in need through its annual sustaining campaign, Building Bridges. These programs and others are often strengthened with partnerships, like the one formed with Target.
Gift Wrapping for a Cause
Kids R First board members and many volunteers in the community are beginning the organization’s Holiday Gift Wrap. The fund-raising event helps support Kids R First in its effort to provide school supplies and mini-scholarships to area students. The wrapping stations offer several choices of wrapping paper, ribbon and bows. This year, Kids R First has been invited by The Equity Office at the Reston Town Center, Myers Public Relations, Inc., and Office Depot to do the Holiday Gift Wrap at two locations:
* Reston Town Center in the Learning Tree Lobby, Monday through Thursday, Dec. 19-20, 5-8 p.m.; Thursday, Dec. 22, 5-8 p.m.; and Saturday, Dec. 24,10 a.m.-2 p.m.
* The Office Depot at the Spectrum Center Wednesday, Dec. 21, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; Thursday, Dec. 22, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 23, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
For more information, contact Michelle De Cou-Landberg by e-mailing aillon@aol.com.
Correction
A person in the photo accompanying the story "Building Governing Documents Support" [Reston Connection, Dec. 14-20, 2005] was incorrectly identified. The person in the photo was Gerald “Jerry” Volloy, former executive vice president of the Reston Association.
Calendar
Tuesday, Jan. 3, 7:30 p.m., a Town Meeting hosted by Del. Ken Plum and state Senator Janet Howell at the Reston Community Center at Lake Anne.
Monday, Jan. 9, 8 p.m., the Reston Community Center Board of Governors monthly meeting at the Reston Community Center at Hunters Woods.
Thursday, Jan. 12, 7 p.m., Reston Association North Point District Meeting at Browns Chapel, conducted by Director Doug Bushée.
Tuesday, Jan. 17, 7 p.m., Reston Association Lake Anne/Tall Oaks District Meeting at Forest Edge Elementary School, conducted by Director Robin Smyers.