The annual Viva! Vienna! festival won’t take place during Memorial Day weekend.
“While our event will not take place, our contests are still open!,” according to the event’s website. “Students, please continue to submit your entries here on our website.”
People can expect the festival to return in 2021.
Viva! Vienna! is now part of a growing list of canceled events, including Taste of Vienna, Falls Church’s Memorial Day Festival and Parade and McLean Day.
Photo via Facebook
This op-ed was submitted by Fairfax GOP Chairman Steve Knotts, on April 13. It does not reflect the opinions of Tysons Reporter. We publish op-eds and letters to the editor of specific interest to the Tysons community. Contributions may be edited for length or content.
On March 13, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) closed in response to the COVID-19 outbreak; and Gov. Ralph Northam’s March 30 stay-at-home order has closed all schools in Virginia for the remainder of the academic year. While we have all exhausted the adjectives necessary to describe the coronavirus crisis in our nation, extended and unexpected school closures should be nothing new for FCPS.
One month into the coronavirus outbreak, FCPS has left parents wondering why one of the “top school districts in the country” is failing to lead the way in distance learning.
Snowmaggedon: History Repeats
In 2010, the blizzard dubbed Snowmaggedon crippled Northern Virginia and resulted in FCPS losing 10 days of school. That extended closure led many to call for plans for distance learning if such a catastrophic event were to ever happen again. But what planning has taken place over those ten years?
When formulating its plan for learning during this pandemic, the school board assumed that many homes only have one computer available, necessitating the alternating of instructional sessions by division (elementary, middle, and high school). However, limiting virtual class hours to 9:15-11:15 a.m. and 12:15-2:15 p.m. creates artificial bottlenecks for instruction.
Why not try to create “shifts” where elementary students would be online in the morning; middle schoolers learn during the midday hours; and high schoolers participate in their classes in the late afternoon or evening hours? Or failing that, why not make lessons available for streaming on demand –thus allowing families to determine a schedule that works best for them? Why do teachers need all of Monday, March 16, for planning? Why did FCPS still observe spring break?
Difficult times call for creative solutions, not rote adherence to practices that don’t apply to the new paradigm.
One Fairfax: A Failed Policy
On November 20, 2017, the school board adopted “a joint social and racial equity policy” called One Fairfax. This policy requires the Board to consider “equity” in the decision-making for all policies, programs, and services.
As the school board struggles to provide identical access for all students, they are delaying educational instruction to all students. The distance learning plan called for instruction to resume on April 14.
Parents disappointed with the lack of academic content will search out any means available to foster their student’s education. Families that can afford private online programs and tuition-based homeschool curricula will pursue those options, and their children will continue to advance academically. Families who are not financially able to purchase the education their children need will fall behind.
Distance Learning
Fairfax County ranks as the 10th largest public school system in the U.S., with over 188,000 students currently enrolled. Our student population presents a tremendous challenge, but FCPS has had ample time to train teachers and staff in the implementation of virtual meeting technologies, which are very easy to use.
All FCPS high school students were issued laptops at the beginning of the 2019-20 school year as part of the FCPSOn initiative. That portion of the student population should have been immediately ready for distance learning. The primary challenge to distance learning is home internet access.
Every school year, parents are required to fill out FCPS’s emergency care form, which includes a question about the type of internet access in the home and whether or not the family has “a device for this student that meets their educational needs.” On the first day of the coronavirus crisis, FCPS should have known exactly how many students lacked access to the internet and distance learning technologies.
FCPSOn: Wasted Dollars
A central requirement of the FCPSOn initiative is that all high school students have a laptop issued by Fairfax County. The money saved by allowing students to provide their own laptops would have allowed FCPS to purchase and distribute the crucial wireless routers for internet access that are currently the main issue stalling the distance learning plan.
The Result
This is unquestionably the most difficult challenge our county schools have ever faced. However, smarter planning by the school board and staff, wiser allocation of funds and better utilization of technology should allow us to manage the delivery of education more successfully.
The One Fairfax quest for “equity” is resulting in mediocrity.
Photo via Steve Knotts for FCRC Chairman/Facebook
Fairfax County has seen a recent jump in COVID-19 deaths as the number of cases continues to rise in the county and statewide.
As of today (Friday), Fairfax County had 85 deaths due to the respiratory illness, according to the Virginia Department of Health. The cities of Fairfax and Falls Church have both reported two deaths.
In total, there are 89 deaths in the Fairfax Health District, which includes the county and its towns and cities, — up from 80 deaths reported yesterday (Thursday).
Yesterday, Fairfax County reported the first coronavirus case claiming the life of someone under the age of 50. Most of the people who died from the illness in the Fairfax Health District were above the age of 65.
More data on the Fairfax Health District:
- 2,584 cases
- 460 hospitalizations
- 10,887 tests
- 26 outbreaks: 24 at long term care facilities and one each at a correctional facility and healthcare setting
Statewide, there are 11,594 confirmed cases and 410 deaths, according to the Virginia Department of Health. The state has had 176 outbreaks with half at long term care facilities.
Data via Virginia Department of Health
Two Tysons Corner Center restaurants are among the several businesses in the Tysons-area reporting layoffs due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The businesses recently filed notices under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act with the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC). The WARN Act requires businesses with 100 or more employees to provide at least 60 calendar days advance notice of a facility closing or layoffs affecting 50 or more employees, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
Tysons Reporter looked at the 40 WARN notices filed in late March through today (April 23) in Northern Virginia.
Of those, eight involve businesses in located in Tysons, Vienna, Falls Church or McLean, totaling 1,084 layoffs:
- OneWeb (1785 Greensboro Station Place, Tower 3): 301 layoffs (due to COVID)
- Westwood Country Club (800 Maple Ave E.): 90 layoffs (COVID)
- Crescent Hotels & Resorts (8661 Leesburg Pike): 171 layoffs (COVID)
- Coastal Flats Tysons (7860-L Tysons Corner Center): 135 layoffs (COVID)
- Suit Supply Inc. (453 Brooms Street): 19 layoffs in McLean
- Earls Restaurant (Tysons Corner Center): 119 layoffs
- Case Architects and Remodelers (701 Park Avenue): 24 layoffs
- Fred’s Food Group (8051 Leesburg Pike): 225 layoffs
The businesses listed above claimed COVID-19 challenges caused the layoffs.
Inside NoVa published a list of the Northern Virginia businesses that filed WARN notices in March and April 2020.
Photo courtesy David Endres
Local Twins Share Sadness Over Spring Sports — “For the Bean seniors of Langley High School, the emotions regarding the cancellation of the spring high-school sports season was double the disappointment… Both were expected to be big contributors on their high-school programs this season.” [Inside NoVa]
Watch Out for COVID-19 Scams — Fairfax County wants residents to stay alert to shopping, mortgage relief and personal loan scams connected to the coronavirus pandemic. [Fairfax County]
FCPS IT Head Steps Down — “The head of Fairfax County Public Schools’ IT department has stepped down amid fallout over numerous technical problems that have disrupted distance learning for students during the coronavirus pandemic, the school system says. Assistant Superintendent for the Department of Information and Technology Maribeth Luftglass has been under increased scrutiny for the technical difficulties.” [NBC4]
Great American Community Kitchen — “For each meal you purchase two meals will be distributed to local hospital workers and first responders on the front line, as well as those who are food insecure at this time.” [Great American Restaurants]
Thanks American Prime Restaurant, Tyson’s, who provided lunch for Station 29, Tyson’s Corner, C-Shift. Restaurants throughout Fairfax County have made similar donations to #FCFRD crews. If able, please support local businesses/restaurants during these trying times. #FFXstrong pic.twitter.com/Av8nZZTrnd
— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) April 22, 2020
The Town of Vienna has a new survey to help town officials better understand how the coronavirus pandemic has affected local businesses.
The survey was created by the town’s economic development office with the input of the Town Business Liaison Committee and Vienna Business Association, according to a press release.
The survey includes questions about revenue losses, staffing capacities, preventative measures taken and any changes made since the pandemic started.
“Survey responses will be shared with town staff and councilmembers and will help inform strategies that may lead to relief programs for businesses in Vienna,” the press release said, adding that individual responses will not be published.
Business owners have until May 15 to complete the short survey.
Image via Survey Monkey
Local Student Making Masks For Medical Professionals — “Marshall High junior Juliette has made 150 masks to help medical professionals in the fight against COVID-19… Juliette is working with the Million Mask group.” [Fairfax County Public Schools]
Little City Officials Mulling Micro Loans for Businesses —“[The] F.C. City Council will begin to move on a revised budget going forward at its meeting next Monday, and at its work session Monday night learned of aggressive efforts locally to help the most vulnerable citizens and smallest businesses for which even a $2,000 micro grant can make a huge difference for keeping their doors open.” [Falls Church News-Press]
Jammin Java Lobbing Feds for Coronavirus Relief — “More than 450 venues across the U.S. are banding together under the new group called the National Independent Venue Association to present one voice to lawmakers… Jammin Java in Vienna and the Birchmere in Alexandria are also members [of NIVA].” [Washington Business Journal]
Local Schools Make “2020 Best High Schools” List — “Seven Fairfax County schools were in the top 500 nationally [in the U.S. News and World Report’s list], including Langley, McLean, Marshall, Madison, W.T. Woodson, West Springfield, and Chantilly high schools.” [Inside NoVa]
Are you a hedgehog pet parent and live in Fairfax County? Or know someone who is? 🦔 🦔
I’d love to talk to you for a story! You can reach me at news[at]https://t.co/oOjQvVsLAQ pic.twitter.com/R8vhwpXeP8
— Catherine Douglas Moran (@c_douglasmoran) April 21, 2020
One person in the City of Falls Church has died due to COVID-19, according to recently released state health data.
Two dozen coronavirus cases, including two hospitalizations due to the respiratory illness, have been reported in the city, according to the Virginia Department of Health.
The number of coronavirus cases is likely higher, Falls Church officials say.
“VDH’s data reflects what has been reported by healthcare providers and laboratories,” according to the city’s latest update. “This does not include people who were not tested, and since testing is still limited, there are likely many more cases in the city.”
Three senior homes in the Falls Church area — Chesterbrook Residences, The Kensington and Sunrise of Falls Church — have been battling coronavirus outbreaks, Falls Church News-Press reported.
The City of Falls Church is a part of the Fairfax Health District, which includes Fairfax County and towns and cities in the county.
As of this morning (Tuesday), Fairfax County has 2,077 cases, 379 hospitalizations and 64 deaths. More than 9,300 people have been tested in the Fairfax Health District, according to the state data.
Out of the 148 outbreaks in Virginia, 26 have happened in the Fairfax Health District with 26 at long term care facilities and one each at a correction facility and healthcare setting.
Statewide, there are 9,630 cases of the virus and 324 reported deaths with 80 of the deaths occurring in long term care facilities.
Gov. Northam Makes Testing Work Group — “The group will “make sure all of Virginia’s public and private testing efforts are coordinated and pulling in the same direction,” Northam said during a Monday press conference.” [Inside NoVa]
Local Student Looks to Celebrate the Class of 2020 — “After Loudoun County seniors Arianna Wright and Aiden Bullis came up with the idea to sell class of 2020 signs and distributed 1,000, Abby Diamond wanted the same concept in Fairfax County. The Madison High School senior has started to sell signs reading ‘Class of 2020 senior #allinthistogether’ in support of the 2020 graduates. So far, she’s sold about 100 and has reached various high schools.” [Patch]
ICYMI: Foust’s Budget Meeting is Tonight — “Foust is set to talk to Fairfax County Chief Financial Officer Joe Mondoro about the budget, and answer people’s questions, according to his recent newsletter to constituents. The town hall is set to start at 7 p.m. [on Tuesday.]” [Tysons Reporter]
Distance Learning Challenges Plague FCPS — “School officials say that updates made by Blackboard over the weekend have not corrected delays with the system… The Fairfax County School Board is expected to receive an update on the rollout of distance learning on Thursday (April 23).” [Reston Now]
APRIL 20: COVID-19 Update for Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Personnel. #FCFRD continues to fully staff all stations and apparatus. More: https://t.co/1FyydVv0Po #FFXCOVID #FairfaxCounty pic.twitter.com/2KUCjRmAgD
— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) April 20, 2020
The number of COVID-19 cases in Fairfax County is reaching the 2,000 mark.
According to state health data released this morning, there are now 1,925 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in Fairfax County. The county hit a little over 1,000 cases just eight days ago.
For the last three days, the growth rate of cases has hovered between 6%-10%.
The number of cases between Sunday and today (Monday) jumped by roughly 6%, adding a total of 116 new cases. Between Saturday and Sunday, that jump was about 11%.
In recent days, the state has released more data on hospitalizations, deaths and outbreaks. So far, there at 8,990 cases of COVID-19 statewide and 300 people have died, including at least 30 Fairfax County residents.
The deadliest of statewide outbreaks have occurred at long term care facilities. According to state data, 915 cases have been linked to outbreaks in these facilities, leading to 77 deaths.
So far, the week of April 5 resulted in the most number of new cases (2,268). The cumulative count of cases continues to increase daily at generally faster rates than the last month.
Data via Virginia Department of Health
