Vienna

NewsSchool Board Approves Later Start TimesFrom Page 4ders, leading to higher rates of problem behavior inschool, loss in structural time and academic failure,”she said. “Although the cost for the first year was originallyprojected at $30 million, board members creditedAssistant Superintendent of Facilities and TransportationJeffrey Platenberg for helping reduce the costto $4.9 million.Springfield District board member ElizabethSchultz said the cost per student per day is 15 cents.“If we can’t invest 15 cents per student per day injust one year, and that’s not the advertised cost, toimproving the social, emotional, health, physicalacademic, athletic and extracurricular activities,nevermind the sacrosanct time that children need tospend with their family, then we do not have ourpriorities straight,” she said.Schultz also thanked who she called the naysayers- the people who came before the board disapprovingof the measure. Because of those who questionedeach step along the way, she said, a proposal thatmet many of those concerns could be formed. Whileshe said this is not a perfect solution, it is the bestsolution for now.“This is just a starting point,” she said.DR. GARZA noted that there are some things towork on to make later start times run smoothly nextyear, but said there was nearly a calendar year tomake sure those items can be resolved. While sheknew there are many teachers working outside theVisit These Houses of WorshipTo Highlight Your Faith Community,call Karen at 703-917-6468county who will have to wake up just as early asbefore to fight traffic coming to school and stay laterrather than being with their families, she said manyof those teachers still supported the change becauseit was the best decision for the students.“I know that FCPS employees and teachers care sodeeply about our children and what’s best for ourchildren,” she said.At large board member Ryan McElveen said he oncefought against later high school start times while hewas in high school because it gave students moretime in the evenings for homework and extracurricularactivities.“As we know, history moves in arcs and we are atanother arc,” he said.Although Student Representative Harris LaTeef willnot be able to benefit from the change, he was excitedfor the classes below him. In past meetings, hesaid this proposal would be the most important oneduring his tenure as student representative.“As I said before, we can provide students with atop notch, rigorously designed education, but if wedon’t have our physical and mental health in check,the education the county provides us really has littlemeaning,” he said.After the proposal passed, supporters jumped outof their chairs, cheering and hugging one another.The next five to 10 minutes of the meeting was animpromptu break for board members and the publicalike.“It’s probably going to take me a little while toprocess it,” said Payne. “I was definitely in tears forthe first few minutes. It’s a little overwhelming.”School NotesSend school notes to vienna@connectionnewspapers.com by Friday.Each year, the Northwest FederalCredit Union Foundation (NWFCUFoundation) awards a total of$100,000 in college scholarships –$5,000 each – to 20 students whohave demonstrated qualities of leadership,dedication and commitmentin school, at home and in the community.“These students have displayedthe qualities that will make themfuture leaders in our community,”said Chris McDonald, Chairman ofthe NWFCU Foundation and President/CEOof Northwest FederalCredit Union. “We are pleased tomake an investment in their future –and our community’s future – byhelping them pay for college.”Winners of the 2014 Ben DeFeliceScholarships from our area include:❖ Alexandra Cramer, graduate ofLangley High School. She will attendthe College of William & Mary.❖ Jamie Joeyen-Waldorf, graduateof Langley High School. She willattend Northwestern University.❖ Jennifer Prosser, graduate ofOakton High School. She will attendthe University of Notre Dame.❖ Sydney Sampson, graduate ofJames Madison High School. She willattend the University of Virginia.Twenty-five students fromFairfax County Public Schools(FCPS) have been named 2015 NationalAchievement Scholarshipprogram semifinalists in an academiccompetition for Black American highschool students conducted by theNational Merit Scholarship Corporation(NMSC). The students represent12 high schools in FCPS.The semifinalists are:❖ Annandale High School:Yonatan Ayele.❖ Edison High School: MaxineMorgan and Shalom Yiblet.❖ Fairfax High School: WilliamSampong.❖ Hayfield Secondary School:Camryn Bishop, Reese Cloud, andDominique Edwards.❖ Lake Braddock SecondarySchool: Leul Berhane-Meskel andKinaya Hassane.❖ Langley High School: LeahYirga.❖ Madison High School: RachelBostick, Jesse Ernest, and BenjaminJackson.❖ Marshall High School:Natascha Whyte.❖ South County High School:Maya Armstrong and Olivia Jones.❖ Thomas Jefferson High Schoolfor Science and Technology(TJHSST): Azeez Abdikarim, ArielleAmpeh, Rebecca Clark-Callender,Theodore Richardson, Hannah Wied,and Rollin Woodford.❖ West Potomac High School:Zoe Smith.❖ Woodson High School: RobertCuyjet and Daniel Pryce.The semifinalists will compete formore than 800 Achievement Scholarshipawards, worth $2.5 million, tobe awarded next spring. The awardswill be supported by corporations,professional organizations, foundations,and funds from the NMSC. Tobe considered for a scholarship,semifinalists must advance to the finalistlevel by fulfilling additionalrequirements.Welcoming, Diverse, ProgressiveST. ANNE’SEPISCOPALCHURCH • Reston8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite I10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II5:00 p.m. Come Just as You Are Contemporary ServiceNursery care provided at 10:00 a.m. serviceThe Rev. James Papile, RectorThe Rev. Laura Cochran, Assoc. Rector703-437-6530www.stannes-reston.org1700 Wainwright Dr., RestonFIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF VIENNA450 ORCHARD STREET, NWVIENNA, VA 22180703-938-8525fbcvoffice@verizon.netwww.fbcv.orgSUNDAY WORSHIP, 7:45 AM & 11:00 AMCHURCH SCHOOL 9:30AM-10:30AMMIDWEEK SERVICES, WED. 7:00 PMwww.ConnectionNewspapers.comVienna/Oakton Connection ❖ October 29 - November 4, 2014 ❖ 13