In the waning hours of daylight parents strolled hand-in-hand with their children through the front doors of Fox Mill Elementary School June 9. Hundreds of people, including former students and staff, packed into the lobby and cafeteria in recognition of a 25-year relationship with an integral community institution.
In the context of Northern Virginia's commuter culture, those associated with Fox Mill Elementary School see it as something of an anomaly. At its opening in 1980, the school only needed one bus to transport students too far away to walk. Today, that number has increased to three.
"It really is a special place," said Cheryl Warga, teacher with the school since 1981. "It's like an old fashioned school. Most of the kids walk to class."
While the location of the school, tucked away in the quiet Fox Mill Estates, plays into the close-knit feeling, it extends to something more special.
Lisa Browning, emcee of the event and former PTA president, recalled the first day she dropped her child off at the bus stop eight years ago.
When the bus arrived, the door folded open and out stepped the assistant principal at the time, Janet Foster. Foster, who later became principal, introduced herself to the children and encouraged them to step onto the bus and ride with her to the school.
Today Foster maintains that the school "is the community."
"We have a very stable staff and community," she said. "Kids come here in kindergarten and usually don't leave until after sixth grade. It is one of the few remaining community schools left."
Adding to this sense of stability, Warga noted that it is not uncommon for graduates to move back with their children and enroll them in Fox Mill.
"The staff is incredible and the PTA is really involved," said Bill Vigen, current PTA treasurer. Vigen noted staff members will "go out and find the right people for the right PTA positions."
DURING THE RECOGNITION the impression of the school's closeness and community was shared as attendees watched student performances.
The cafeteria walls were decorated with posters and exhibits of vintage yearbooks were displayed, allowing returning graduates a chance to seek out old pictures. As a special bonus, a DVD of photographs compiled by Scott Mead played all evening, re-kindling memories of the school over the years.
Kelly Brown, who attended Fox Mill through fourth grade and later returned as a teacher, stood in front of the television with students and parents and laughed as her fourth grade photo appeared on the screen.
"The first day I taught here, I was paired with Mrs. Schaeffer," said Brown. "She looked familiar but it wasn't until I found an old multiplication table later that I realized she was my old math teacher."
Recalling changes in the school from her years as a student, Brown gave an answer similar to her colleagues, that it still "looks and feels the same."
While it may be the same in many aspects, Fox Mill is preparing for a major change. Six faculty members are preparing for retirement in the summer including Cheryl Cosner, Shelly Hunsberger, Janet Foster, Nobuku Kochuba, B.J. Haney and Debby Morris.
Veteran music teacher Morris first came to the school when it was only three years old.
"I love these children and faculty don't usually leave here," she said of her long tenure at the school.
With the showing of friends and family at the celebration, it is evident that while the departing faculty will be missed, the future of the school is bright.
"We all go through our personal ups and downs," said Morris. "But at Fox Mill, we have a professional family."