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Week in Great Falls

Sept. 11 ceremony at the Freedom Memorial.

On Wednesday, Sept. 11, at 7 p.m., the Great Falls Freedom Memorial Committee will hold its annual 9/11 Ceremony at the site of the Freedom Memorial (behind the Great Falls Library at 9830 Georgetown Pike). This ceremony especially remembers the six citizens of the Great Falls community who died when Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001.

Back to School in Great Falls

Cooper encourages critical thinking; Langley revamps Saxon Time; Highlander Kickoff on Aug. 27.

“This year, Fairfax County Public Schools are upping the rigor; this doesn’t necessarily mean more work, but it will be more challenging. We’ll be asking students to think critically, look for creative solutions, and work in collaboration with one another. We’re working within the curriculum to find extensions that will bring about these skills. Of course, Cooper will also be welcoming new seventh-graders, and I advise them to come in with an open mind and take advantage of the opportunities to make new friends, because five elementary schools come together here. We will also have new Spanish, French, mathematics and band teachers. We’re looking forward to a great year.”

A New School Year in Great Falls

Cooper encourages critical thinking; Langley revamps Saxon Time; Highlander Kickoff on Aug. 27.

“This year, Fairfax County Public Schools are upping the rigor; this doesn’t necessarily mean more work, but it will be more challenging. We’ll be asking students to think critically, look for creative solutions, and work in collaboration with one another. We’re working within the curriculum to find extensions that will bring about these skills. Of course, Cooper will also be welcoming new seventh-graders, and I advise them to come in with an open mind and take advantage of the opportunities to make new friends, because five elementary schools come together here. We will also have new Spanish, French, mathematics and band teachers. We’re looking forward to a great year.”

Great Falls Studios Online Gallery Presents ‘Simply Summer’

The Great Falls Studios (GFS) artists have put to paper, molded in clay and caught on camera warm sunny days, summer vacations, beaches and boats, butterflies, flowers and abundant greenery.

Obituary: Rebecca Fones

Rebecca Lee Knight Fones, 74, of Covington, died on Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2013.

Fairfax Republicans Nominate Bryan ‘BA’ Wolfe for Sheriff

Wolfe faces Democratic nominee Stacey Kincaid in Nov. 5 special election.

When retired Fairfax police officer Bryan “BA” Wolfe was selected as the Republican nominee for Fairfax County Sheriff last week, he vowed to “restore the public trust” by making the 500-member department more “accountable and transparent.”

Shedding Sunshine on the Secret World of Regulation in Virginia

Advisory panel rejects effort to open records of the State Corporation Commission.

Ever wonder what happens during deliberations that regulate payday lending? How about the effort to oversee your health insurance?

Tougher Tests Cause Alexandria Scores to Plunge

School officials say more rigorous standards are to blame.

Test scores are down across Alexandria. But school officials say that doesn't necessarily mean students are doing worse. It means that the tests have gotten harder.

School Board Chairwoman Confronts Governor During Alexandria Education Summit

City leaders hope to change school takeover rather than filing lawsuit.

Sitting face to face with Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell at T.C. Williams, Alexandria School Board Chairwoman Karen Graf challenged the sweeping education reform that threatens to remove Jefferson-Houston School from the city's public school system.

Week in Reston

This week in Reston...

Correction

The story “Public Libraries Version 2.0?” (Reston Connection, August 14-20, 2013) incorrectly attributed a quote to Jennifer McCullough.

Week in Herndon

This week in Herndon is filled with many new, exciting events!

Trinity Presbyterian Church Hosts Concert Series

The Loudoun Jazz Ensemble performed at the fellowship hall of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Herndon on the afternoon of Sunday, Aug. 18.

Leidos Locates in Reston

SAIC to split into two parts, second part will move to Reston Town Center.

SAIC, one of the largest employers in Northern Virginia, has announced that they will locate the headquarters for Leidos in Reston Town Center. Leidos is the to-be-formed new company that handles national security, health and engineering solutions.

Arlington County Schools Increasingly Crowded as Enrollment Spikes

Two new elementary school planned; more changes on the horizon.

School leaders in Arlington are struggling to accommodate about 1,000 new students in the coming school year, a crunch that's sending school officials scrambling for teachers, assistants, administrators, equipment and relocatable classrooms.

The Connection