<sh>FCPS Early Closing Nov. 23
<bt>All Fairfax County public schools will close two hours early on Wednesday, Nov. 23, in an effort to help school buses avoid the increased traffic related to the Thanksgiving holidays. This policy has been in effect for the past few years. Superintendent Jack D. Dale has issued the following guidelines regarding the early closing:
Half-day morning kindergarten will return home on a Monday early-closing schedule. Afternoon kindergarten students will be picked up at their Monday times and taken home with other students, two hours earlier than the Tuesday through Friday release time.
Schedules for Head Start, preschool, alternative learning centers (ALC), and intervention support programs (ISP) will be modified individually and coordinated between transportation and program staff members.
All other classes will be dismissed two hours earlier than the regular Tuesday through Friday closing schedule.
Limited preapproved school activities are allowed, but regular late buses are canceled.
The Office of Transportation Services will contact each school to schedule exact pickup times for students.
Afternoon professional technical studies and academy courses will be canceled for all students who are transported to high school academies, specialized programs or nonschool-based locations.
Recreation programs will proceed as scheduled.
School-Age Child Care (SACC) programs will be available for students until 6:15 p.m. or until the last child is picked up.
For more information, contact the FCPS Office of Community Relations at 703-246-2991.
RELEASE DATE: November 9, 2005
A 32-year-old bicyclist was struck by a motorist who then fled the scene. On Friday, October 28 around 12:50 a.m., a Falls Church-area man was ridingwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/library. e Road approaching Lee Highway in the Merrifield area. An unknown vehicle struck the victim from behind and then fled on Lee Highway. The victim was transported to Inova Fairfax Hospital with non life-threatening injuries.
The victim was unable to give a description of the vehicle however police believe it has front-end damage.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS/8477 or Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131.
<sh>Library offers kit to book groups
<bt> The Fairfax County Public Library offers 40 book discussion kits that book clubs can check out for six weeks. The plastic containers include 10 copies of the book, as well as support information such as book discussion questions and author information. For more information on the titles and library sponsored book discussion groups, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library.
<sh>Briarwood Park opens on Saturday
<bt> Briarwood Park, 2837 Zimple Dr., Vienna, will open to the public on Saturday, Nov. 19 with a ribbon cutting ceremony starting at 2:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served after the ceremony. The park features preserved woodlands, a playground, basketball court, picnic pavilion and series of trails, including hard surface trails. An accessible barbeque grill is available for use. The new park was developed for the county as part of a proffered rezoning agreement. Call the Public Information Office at 703-324-8662.
<sh>Kilmer Middle School students aid in Katrina Relief
<bt> Twenty five students from the Kilmer Care Club at Kilmer Middle School held a giving campaign among their classmates. For two weeks, club members actively collected money in their lunchroom to aid in Hurricane Katrina relief. The planning, designing of posters, announcements, writing of articles for Kilmer newsletter and counting and rolling of money was done entirely by students. With the help of club sponsor Barbara Appling, the students collected over $1,000 and presented the check to Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia. The money collected will help rebuild homes in Biloxi, Miss.
<sh>Real Estate Tax deadline
<bt>The second installment of 2005 Town of Vienna real estate tax bills is due on Monday, Dec. 5. Mailed payments must be postmarked on or before that date to avoid penalties. To pay by credit card online, visit www.ci.vienna.va.us and click "online payments." To pay by phone with a credit card, call 1-888-272-9829 and use the Jurisdiction code 1094 for real estate. Record the confirmation number given at the end, as this is proof of payment. Call 703-255-6325 with any questions.