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Delegate Ken Plum's
Virginia e-News
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Commentary
Reform the Reforms
Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum
Anyone with a sibling or with two or more children knows how different children are. Within the same family there are differences in interests, aptitude, personality and temperament. These differences are among the things that make young children unique and special. That is until they get into the public education stream. Standards set by local, state and now federal officials create a mold each child is expected to fit into. Not unlike a raw material fed into one end of the school factory, the children are expected to come out the other end as a defined product. Teachers are the assembly-line workers with strict product specifications their students are expected to meet with the teacher's rate of pay increasingly dependent upon the students' performance. Quality control is the high-stakes, standardized testing that has increasingly been encroaching on instructional time. Too often lost in the process are the special qualities of children that allow then to sing and dance with great success; to use their hands and minds to create, repair and assemble; or to ponder, write and imagine. These skills simply do not fit onto a fill-in-the-bubbles answer sheet.
Schools virtually close down instruction this time of year for the annual standardized tests. Anxiety rises for children who can no doubt sense it from their parents and the school staff. The race is on to prove the impossible of having everyone be above average. No space is left for the individual child for under the current system every child as an individual is left behind.
I am not alone in my beliefs. Diane Ravitch, a former assistant secretary of education who helped put together the No Child Left Behind program has written a book entitled, The Death and Life of the Great American School System: How Testing and Choice Are Undermining Education. Richard Rothstein's new book, Grading Education: Getting Accountability Right, argues that the current focus on basic skills is narrowing the curriculum allowing schools to get higher test scores without supplying better education. Linda Darling-Hammond, in her book The Flat World and Education: How America's Commitment to Equity Will Determine Our Future, reviews what the top-performing school systems around the world do to get results. She concludes it is building a strong, experienced staff with an emphasis on a rich, well-balanced curriculum in the arts and sciences. Finland, the highest performing nation, does not rely on testing.
Increasingly testing has been a relatively cheap and quick way for politicians to say they are working for better schools, but the system they have built is faulty and does not encourage future learning or creativity. Reforming many of the past reforms would not lower our expectations; it would re-direct them to ensuring that every child was a successful learner who would be able to succeed in a changing world.
For a first-person account of the negative impact of standardized testing, read this article from The Washington Post: Award-winning Virginia teacher: 'I can no longer cooperate' with testing regime
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Virginia Report on Comcast Channel 28
 Tune in to Ken's weekly television program, Virginia Report, on Reston Comcast Channel 28 for public service programming. Ken interviews state and local leaders who are making news by making a difference. Watch these upcoming programs:
TONIGHT - Wednesday, May 29 at 10:30 p.m. - Joanna Simon, Alliance to End Gun Violence - Reston/Herndon
Tuesday, June 4 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, June 5 at 10:30 p.m. - Dr. Robin Baker and Danielle Bischoff, The March of Dimes, "Stronger, Healthier Babies"
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Virginia Primary June 11: Absentee voting is underway for the June 11 Virginia primary. Voting for the primary is open to all registered voters. The ballot includes Democratic candidates for lieutenant governor and attorney general. (Republican candidates were chosen through a earlier convention.)The Virginia general election is Nov. 5 and will include elections for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and the House of Delegates. Qualified residents may vote in-person at the Fairfax County Government Center until June 8: --Weekdays: 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. --Extended Thursday hours until 7:00 p.m. --Saturdays, June 1 and 8: 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Qualified residents can apply to vote absentee by mail until June 4:
--To request an absentee ballot application be mailed to you, call 703-222-0776, or go online to download a ballot at absentee ballot. --Absentee ballot applications can be returned by mail to the Office of Elections, P.O. Box 10161, Fairfax, VA 22038 or email to absentee ballot@fairfaxcounty.gov. For more information about absentee voting or qualifications, call the Office of Elections at 703-222-0776 or visit primary election information.
***************************** Fairfax County Seeks Election Officers: The Fairfax County Office of Elections is recruiting election officers for the June 11 Primary Election and/or the November 5 General Election. Qualified residents with bilingual language and technology skills are especially needed. Election officers are paid $100 for working all of Election Day (approximately 15 hours); $50 for a half day (approximately 8 hours). Each election officer is required to attend a one-time training class. There are two ways to apply to become an election officer:
--Email elect@fairfaxcounty.gov. Include full name, current address, daytime telephone number, and your date of birth. This information is necessary in order to verify your voter registration. --Call 703-324-4735, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
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Bulletin Board
Community Cookouts: Take the night off from cooking and join Reston Community Center & Reston Association at the pool for Community Cookouts. Bring a towel and an appetite for food, entertainment and fun. Free, all ages. For more information contact Kevin Danaher at kevin.danaher@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 703-390-6166.
--Wednesday, May 29, North Hills Pool, 1325 North Village Road, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
--Wednesday July 24, Hunters Woods Pool, 2501 Reston Parkway, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
--Tuesday, August 6, Lake Newport Pool, 11601 Lake Newport Road, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
The Virginia529 College Savings PlanSM (Virginia529SM) is sponsoring a giveaway of two $5,000 contributions, one to a new Virginia529 account and one to an existing Virginia529 account. A Section 529 college savings account is an individual savings account intended specifically for the payment of qualified higher education expenses for a designated beneficiary. The Contest ends on May 31, 2013 at 5:00 p.m. (EST). For details on the contest, visit 529 Day Account Giveaway. To learn more about the Virginia529 College Savings Plan, go to www.virginia529.com.
Nimrod Hall Arts Program in Western Virginia, an art colony with teachers onsite to help the artists in their efforts during the week, but with no formal classes, runs for five weeks beginning in early June and running through mid-July. Tuition includes accommodations and all meals, and the atmosphere is informal. Slots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. The cost to attend is $725 per artist per week. There is also a program for writers. For more information, visit Nimrod Hall Arts Program. To download an application, go to application form.
2013 Reston-Herndon Farmers Markets:
--Herndon: Thursdays through October 31, 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Old Town Herndon, 700 Block of Lynn Street, by the Red Caboose.
--Frying Pan Farm: Thursdays through October 31, 3:30-7:00 p.m., Frying Pan Farm Park, 2709 West Ox Road, in front of Frying Pan Country Store (SNAP accepted, bonus dollar program).
--Reston: Saturdays through November 2, 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., (Market closed for Multicultural Festival September 21), Lake Anne Village Center, 11401 North Shore Drive.
For more information and directions, call 703-642-0128 or go to www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/farmersmarkets.
Smart Markets, Inc., is another source of fresh produce. They are at the following locations through November:
--Reston, Wednesdays, 3:00-7:00 p.m., 12001 Sunrise Valley Drive
--Oakton, Saturdays, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., Unity of Fairfax, 2854 Hunter Mill Road.
Red Cross Offers Tornado App for Smartphones: While getting your home ready for spring storms, consider downloading the official Tornado App from the American Red Cross. It allows users to receive audible siren alerts during tornado warnings, even if the app is closed. They also can receive notifications when warnings have expired--important information for families waiting inside a safe location. For more information or to download the app, visit redcross.org/mobile-apps/tornado-app.
Fairfax 50+ Action Plan: The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, together with the Fairfax Area Commission on Aging, is working on a plan to create a more livable community for older residents. This summer they are hosting community forums throughout the county to hear what residents have to say. Focus areas include: housing and transportation; easy access to services; healthy lifestyles and community engagement. This is your chance to share your ideas on what we need to do together to ensure the county continues the progress of the 2007 50+ Action Plan for a more livable, lifelong community for its growing older population.
--Monday, June 3, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Chantilly Regional Library, 4000 Stringfellow Road, Chantilly
--Wednesday, June 26, 4:00-6:00 p.m., McLean Community Center, 1234 Ingelside Avenue, McLean
--Wednesday, July 10, 4:00-6:00 p.m., Herndon Senior Center, 873 Grace Street, Herndon.
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Calendar of Events
Tonight: Wednesday, May 29, Community Cookout at North Hills Pool, 1325 North Village Road, 5:00-7:00 p.m. For more information contact Kevin Danaher at 703-390-6166 or kevin.danaher@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Tonight: Wednesday, May 29, 6:00 p.m. Public Hearing on Transportation Issues. The Commonwealth Transportation Board will host a public hearing to provide Northern Virginia citizens and elected officials an opportunity to review and provide comments on projects and programs to be included in the Fiscal Year 2014-2019 Six-Year Improvement Program (FY2014-2019 SYIP), including highway, rail, and pubic transportation initiatives. At the Virginia Department of Transportation District Office, 4975 Alliance Drive, Fairfax. If you cannot attend the hearing, you may send your comments to Programming Director, 1401 E. Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23219 or email them to Six-YearProgram@vdot.virginia.gov. Written comments will also be welcome at the hearing.
Friday, May 31, 7:00-9:00 p.m., a 90-minute documentary investigates "clean coal." Dirty Business reveals the true social and environmental costs of coal power and explores the murky realities of "clean coal" technology. The film highlights the work of energy innovators and the viable, renewable alternatives they offer in an age of rapid climate change. Walker Nature Center, 11450 Glade Drive, Reston. Free ($5 suggested donation). For reservations, call 703 476-9689 or e-mail naturecenter@reston.org.
The Herndon Festival, Friday, May 31 through Sunday, June 2.
This free outdoor festival attracts as many as 80,000 visitors over the four-day festival in downtown Herndon. For more information, visit www.herndonfestival.net.
First Northern Virginia Health Summit on Friday, May 31, 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Waterford at Springfield, 6715 Commerce Street, Springfield. Sponsored by the Northern Virginia Health Foundation. To register, visit register now.
The 7th Annual Reston Sprint Triathlon will be held on Sunday, June 2. Benefiting Reston Interfaith, the event begins at 7:00 a.m. at Lake Newport Pool. More than 500 participants will swim in the pool, bike on Reston Parkway, Wiehle Avenue and Baron Cameron Avenue, and then finish with a 5K run on Reston Association pathways north of the pool and through North Hills Park. This sold-out event is supported by over 100 community volunteers. For many participants, this will be their first triathlon. Contact Larry Butler at lbutler@reston.org if you have questions about this event.
Join the Reston Chorale's Gloria Spring Singalong on Tuesday, June 4, 7:30 p.m. The event will feature two great works: the Rutter Gloria and Vivaldi's Gloria, as well as Guest Artist Roger Isaacs, one of the Washington area's premiere countertenors. Whether you plan to sing or simply listen, the evening will offer a rich musical experience. Takes place at St. Mark Catholic Church's Activity Center, 9970 Vale Road, Vienna. For more information on admission and music rental, visit www.restonchorale.org.
Wednesday, June 5, 6:00-8:00 p.m., Reception honoring Northern Virginia Members of the General Assembly who supported the Transportation Legislation (HB2313) which provides $300 million for the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project. Hosted by Comstock Partners, 1886 Metro Center Drive, Reston. For sponsorships and additional information or to RSVP, call 571-296-1552 or email dcra@dullescorridorrail.com. Thursday, June 6, 7:00-9:00 p.m., Home Food Preservation class: covers food preservation methods, including canning, fermentation, drying/dehydration and freezing. Learn about food preservation, kitchen safety, and food/recipe selection. Walker Nature Center, 11450 Glade Drive, Reston. $5 for Reston Association members, $8 for non members. Register by June 3 by calling 703-476-9689 (press 5) or email naturecenter@reston.org.
Bread for the World's 2013 National Gathering: A Place at the Table will take place June 8-11 in Washington, D.C. More information is at National Gathering. "A Place at the Table" is the name of both a major new documentary and the 2013 Offering of Letters campaign. For more information go to www.bread.org/go/1000days.
Celebrate Fairfax!, Northern Virginia's annual community-wide celebration, will be held June 7-9 at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax. Hours are: Friday--6:00 p.m.-midnight; Saturday--10:00 a.m.- midnight; Sunday--11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. Presented by Celebrate Fairfax, Inc., the festival hosts tens of thousands of visitors during the 3-day run and features 25 acres of concerts, family programs, green living demonstrations, carnival rides, and nightly fireworks. For more information, visit www.celebratefairfax.com or call 703-324-3247.
Love Your Body - Northern Virginia Yoga and Wellness Day on Sunday, June 9 from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. at Reston Town Center, 11900 Market Street, Reston, VA 20190. Yoga studios and wellness centers of Northern Virginia will offer classes, provide services, and share information at the free, fifth annual Love Your Body Day. Presented by Beloved Yoga, the event features activities for the whole family, including live music on stage, complimentary massages, energy healing demonstrations, healthy food samples, plus opportunities to learn about alternative healing therapies such as Reiki, chiropractic, massage, and yoga. Information at www.BelovedYoga.com or call 703-860-9642.
Video Screening of The History of Transportation in Fairfax County, Wednesday, June 12, 7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m., at the Angelika Film Center & Cafe in Merrifield, 2911 District Ave. @ Lee Highway & Gallows Road, Fairfax. A distinguished panel will discuss the past, present, and future of transportation in Fairfax County. Free admission. Free parking. Open to all. For more information, visit Evolution of Transportation. Click here to register: Register now!
Electric Sunday TV and Computer Recycling, Sunday, June 23, 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., I-66 Transfer Station, 4618 West Ox Road, Fairfax. For updates, cancellations, and notifications of events, call 703-324-5052.
Reston's First Community Energy Fair will be on Sunday, July 14, 1:00-4:00 p.m. at the Walker Nature Center. Fair is free, but there will be a small materials fee for some activities. Will include a Green Living workshop on "How to Build a Solar Generator" (requires preregistration and fee). To volunteer or participate, email klpelliott@verizon.net.
Wednesday, July 24, 5:00-7:00 p.m., Community Cookout at Hunters Woods Pool, 2501 Reston Parkway. For more information contact Kevin Danaher at kevin.danaher@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 703-390-6166.
Tuesday, August 6, 5:00-7:00 p.m., Community Cookout at Lake Newport Pool, 11601 Lake Newport Road. For more information contact Kevin Danaher at kevin.danaher@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 703-390-6166.
On August 11 at 8:00 a.m. the YMCA Fairfax County Reston and Reston Association will be holding the third annual Reston Kid's Triathlon. The event is intended to be a fun opportunity for youngsters to stay active through the summer and learn about the fast growing sport of triathlon. In keeping with the missions of the sponsoring organizations, a number of the participants will be from families who might not be able to afford the entry fee and equipment for the event. Through individual and corporate sponsors their costs will be covered. All net proceeds from this event will be used for the Y and RA youth scholarship programs. For more information, visit www.restonkidstri.org.
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