Hill Day for Teachers
<bt>Hundreds of National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) met with members of Congress in late July to discuss how national board certification is improving teaching and learning in schools across the country.
Among those in attendance were Doug Graney and Rebecca Small, national board certified Herndon High School teachers. The two participated in the event as Hill Day State Team Leaders for Virginia.
Involving nearly 700 outstanding educators, NBCT Hill Day 2005 was a pre-conference event to the 2005 National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) national conference.
Topics NBCTs discussed with policy makers and staff members included: documented research showing national board certification raises student achievement; the impact national board certification has on teacher performance; the important role of NBCTs as mentors; the national board certification process and why it is unique; and, why it is important for school districts, local, state and federal governments, and the business community to invest in national board certification programs.
At the conclusion of Hill Day, the Friend of the NBPTS Awards were presented to policy makers who have promoted high standards for teaching and learning and demonstrated a steadfast commitment to the growth of national board certification. Honorees included U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) and Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), and U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) and Rep. Ralph Regula (R-Ohio).
National board certification is the highest credential in the teaching profession. A voluntary process established by NBPTS, certification is achieved through a rigorous performance-based assessment that takes between one and three years to complete and measures what accomplished teachers should know and be able to do. Currently, there are more than 40,000 NBCTs in classrooms throughout the United States.
For more information visit http://www.nbpts.org.
Town Council Day Labor Hearing
Town Council is scheduled to hear public testimony on the proposed day labor site starting Aug. 16 and continuing through the week. Council will determine how many additional hearings will be held at what time they will begin at the conclusion of each meeting, until a decision is made.
Individuals may enter the Council Chambers through the Herndon Municipal Center Lobby, 777 Lynn Street. Individuals wishing to speak will be registered on a speakers' list. The order of the speakers' list and access to the municipal facilities will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. Individuals will not be allowed to pre-register. Signs will not be permitted inside any municipal facilities.
Individuals may continue to submit written comments to the Mayor and council through the Town Clerk's office by email: town.clerk@herndon-va.gov or U.S. mail: Viki L. Wellershaus, Town Clerk, PO Box 427, Herndon, Virginia 20172.
Additional details about the council's public hearing process will be posted on the Town's Web site, http://herndon-va.gov, under "What's New."
Yard of Month
A single-family home and a townhouse were winners of this month's Yard of the Month award.
Robert and Judy Searle located at 486 Woodshire Lane are the single family Yard of the Month winner. The Searle's yard is an outstanding example of shade gardening, with many different varieties of hosta located throughout. There are also beds of begonias with marigolds, rhododendron, and more than two dozen azaleas. Robert Searle says the garden is his passion and he does all of the work himself.
The yard of Kah and Sek Wan located at 1111 Freshrain Court was selected as the townhouse winner. The Wan's have created a beautiful yard in a small space. Decorative rock is surrounded by brick-lined beds with flowers that bloom for every season. There are roses, hydrangeas, and rhododendron and whimsical garden ornaments, including two white geese that greet visitors.
The winners of Yard of the Month each receive a $100 gift certificate from Meadows Farms and a green thumb sign to display in their yard.
Residents are encouraged to drive by these yards to see the efforts of the owners to create and maintain outstanding yards and make our community a beautiful place. Nominations for the final round of competition will be accepted until Sept. 15, with the yards being judged in late September. Yards that were previously nominated but were not selected as the Yard of the Month can be nominated again. For more information go to www.herndon-va.gov and click on "What's New" or call Robin Runser at 703-435-6800 ext. 2010.
Police Get New Address
Effective Thursday, Aug. 18, the Herndon Police Department will have a new address of 397 Herndon Parkway. Any business to be conducted with the police department will be at the new address. The Herndon Police can still be contacted at 911 for emergency calls and 703-435-6846 for non-emergency calls.
Gas Line Relocation Expands
Gas line relocation in advance of an upcoming Town project will require full closure of Monroe Street, from Park Avenue to Pine Street, beginning Aug. 8, for approximately 14 days between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., daily Monday through Friday. Local traffic to disrupted businesses and residences can access Monroe Street via Jefferson or Madison Streets. Detours will be designated, and motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes to avoid delays. For more information, contact Public Works at 703-435-6856 or 703-435-6860.
Special Planning Commission Meetings
The Planning Commission will hold two special work sessions to discuss the rewrite of the town's zoning ordinance, Aug. 22 and Sept. 26. Commissioners will also host a community meeting Thursday, Sept. 15 to explain the draft ordinance that is taking shape and to hear from citizens about proposed zoning provisions. A map showing new names for many districts will also be presented.
This ordinance provides regulations for new development, redevelopment, infill development, home occupations, placement of decks and accessory structures, and many other things. As town staff and commissioners review the zoning ordinance, they welcome comments and opinions. You may express your views in public meetings, or by submitting written comments to the Herndon Department of Community Development, P. O. Box 427, Herndon, Virginia, 20172-0427, or by calling the Herndon Department of Community Development at 703-787-7380.
All meetings are scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Council Chambers at 765 Lynn Street. Public comment is not heard at work sessions, but the Sept. 15 meeting will be open for comment.
Tennis Tournament
Cascades Technologies, inc. is sponsoring this year's third annual CTi Tennis Classic, scheduled for Aug. 20 and 21 at the Sports and Health Clubs at Worldgate.
The tournament will run from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 20 and from 8 a.m. to noon on Sunday, Aug. 21, at the Worldgate Sport & Health Club, 13037 Worldgate Drive in Herndon.
All proceeds from the tournament will be donated to Vecinos Unidos/Neighbors United, Inc., an organization dedicated to helping Herndon's youth by assisting and supporting children who are targeted for failure in society. The approach taken by the organization to accomplish this was to provide a safe and non-intimidating community outreach. Students needing a place to go after school to do their homework while being supervised, can attend Vecinos Unidos' after school homework assistance program at the Neighborhood Resource Center. Other programs offered to area youth through Vecinos Unidos include a Quantum Opportunities and Safe Haven Program — funded by the Eisenhower Foundation, pre-school support programs, youth soccer and summer activities, among other things.
For businesses wishing to help sponsor this year's tennis tournament, contact Alfredo Casta at 703-471-6425.
Entry deadline for the tournament is Friday, Aug. 12. For entry information call Cascades Technologies at 703-471-6425.
Tax-deductible monetary donations will also be accepted to help Vecinos Unidos purchase new computers and new software to help students achieve more. Checks can be mailed to Vecinos Unidos/Neighbors United, Inc. 1033 Sterling Road, suite 203, Herndon VA 20170.
Citizen Police Academy
The 11th session of the Citizen Police Academy will begin Aug. 31. Classes will be held every Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. until Nov. 16. The academy is held at the Herndon Police Station.
Participants will be given instruction in: Community Policing, Investigations, Traffic Enforcement, Police K-9, Forensics and Evidence Collection and other topics. There will also be tours of the Adult Detention Center, a trip to the firing range, and ride-along opportunities. The class is limited to the first 20 students. Participants must be 18 years of age or older and need not live in the Town of Herndon, however Town residents receive first consideration to attend. For more information contact Senior Police Officer Dexter Morgan at 703-435-6881, ext. 294, or dexter.morgan@herndon-va.gov.
Town Calendar
Thursday, Aug. 18
Farmer's Market.
Summer concert, town green, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 19
Friday Night Live, Town Green, 6:30 to 10:30 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 20
Herndon Centennial Club Championship, 8 a.m.
CTi Tennis Tournament, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 21
Herndon Centennial Club Championship, 8 a.m.
CTi Tennis Tournament, 8 a.m. to noon