December 10 – 16, 2020
FA LLS CHUR C H, V I R G I NI A • WW W. FC NP. C OM • FR EE
FOU N D E D 1991 • V OL. X XX NO. 43
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F.C. School Board Unanimously Passes Name Changes to Mason, TJ Both Name Change Items Received 7-0 Votes From Board, Advisory Committee Being Set Up For New Names BY NICHOLAS F. BENTON
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS
After six months of a lengthy and often contentious debate involving the entire City of Falls Church community, the Falls Church School Board voted unanimously Tuesday night to change the names of two of its five schools, ones named for
U.S. founding fathers who famously owned slaves, George Mason and Thomas Jefferson. George Mason High School, more than 60 years in existence and on the verge of moving into a new $120 million campus, will have its name changed to a new name yet to be determined. The same goes for the Thomas Jefferson Elementary
F.C. Superintendent Releases Statement On Name Changes Following Tuesday night’s unanimous vote by the City of Falls Church School Board to change the names of two of its schools — those named for Founding Fathers who owned slaves — Falls Church City Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Peter Noonan issued the following communique Wednesday to “FCCPS Families and the Community,” which we reprint here in full: Noonan Statement on School Name Changes Dear FCCPS Families and Community, Last night the School Board voted 7-0 to rename both TJ and GMHS. The action was not taken lightly. The decision reflects the Board’s overall belief that we must respect and uphold the dignity of every student, staff member, and community member in FCCPS so they too can achieve in a system
unbridled from the legacy of slavery, discrimination, and systemic oppression. When I arrived in FCCPS nearly four years ago, I shared with the staff, students, families, and community what my four pillars, or core values, were and continue to be. They are: Be innovative, Be collaborative, Be ethical, Ensure equity and excellence for all students. Being an ethical leader charged with ensuring equity and excellence for all students means that I must work to ensure that all students feel valued, are seen and treated as equals, regardless of their race, ethnicity, ability, gender, gender identity, social class, or creed. In collaboration with so many, including fellow educators, community leaders, and students,
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School. Board members spoke to the strongly-felt sentiments of students, teachers and citizens alike, even though an informal survey conducted by a consulting firm in October showed over two to one preferred keeping the current names. Most said they found the decision difficult and changed their
minds over the recent months. Board chair Greg Anderson said, “It is possible to have two opposing things be true at the same time,” citing the seminal contributions of both to the founding of the republic contributing to the ability to have the kind of heated discussions associated with this issue, and the fact that they owned over 900 slaves. “I
find changing the names both in the best interest of the community and necessary.” The board took two votes, one for each school and both were unanimous. The renaming process will follow the guidelines outlined in the Falls Church City Public Schools’
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AN UNDATED AERIAL PHOTO depicts the original George Mason High School campus, with Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School in the rear. The Falls Church School Board voted to change the name of Mason High this week, along with Thomas Jefferson Elementary, and the City of Falls Church’s West End Project will completely remake this area in the coming years. This picture is quickly becoming a scene from the past. (P����: C������� C��� W���������/D������ D����� I������ S�������)
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For as dark of a year as its been, it couldn’t have turned out any brighter for Brown’s Hardware in Falls Church. A lackluster winter season for 2019-20 had the shop hurting for business. The cabin fever of the cornonavirus pandemic provided just that. See Story, page 9
C��������, H������� E����� T��� M������� F���� T��� Y��� Christmas parishioners and Hanukkah congregants aren’t as willing to let these events be all virtual as they were in the spring for Holy Week, even if it’s still a hefty chunk of how they are “gathering” to end the year during their religious celebrations. See Story, page 16
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Many won’t be leaving town for this nontraditional Thanksgiving, but for those staying at home and missing the good fare and family time, there’s no need to give up the one day when we can gorge ourselves and express thanks for the bounty we have. See Story, page 16
INDEX
Editorial............................................... 6 Letters.......................................... 6, 22 Comment ................................ 7,14,15 News & Notes............................. 10,11 Crime Report .................................... 14 Calendar ........................................... 18 Business News ................................. 19 Classified Ads ................................... 20 Comics, Sudoku & Crossword ......... 21 Critter Corner.................................... 22