Loudoun Now for March 3, 2022

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VOL. 7, NO. 15

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MARCH 3, 2022

Afghan ‘Safe Standing with Haven’ Set at The National Ukraine Days after Russian troops invaded Ukraine with the intent to topple its democratically elected government, Loudouners have joined in the worldwide displays of solidarity. On Tuesday night, the Town of Hillsboro projected the country’s flag on the Old Stone School as Mayor Roger Vance led a candlelight vigil. Meanwhile in the county boardroom, supervisors wore blue and yellow to show their support, and the Town of Leesburg lit the town parking garage in the colors of the Ukrainian flag.

The program is slated to begin at Heritage High School and Loudoun Valley High School. Staff members will go through extensive training in IB standards, and the IB organization will conduct site visits to the schools during the application process. Brian Giroux, founder of college admissions consulting group IvySummit in Ashburn, said the program can be a BACCALAUREATE PROGRAM continues on page 34

SAFE HAVEN continues on page 35

Beyond STEM: International Baccalaureate Coming to Loudoun hbour@loudounnow.com

In a school division where advanced academics are dominated by STEM curricula, students will soon will have access to more challenging liberal arts courses when the International Baccalaureate program is established, currently slated for launch in the 2023-2024 school year. IB is a global diploma program in which students take high-level courses across their transcript. Coursework in-

cludes exams and extracurriculars, and an expanded essay. The International Baccalaureate organization reports that there are more than 7,500 IB programs in schools throughout 159 countries. The School Board voted to include a half-million-dollar investment in next year’s budget, an amount expected to increase yearly as the division progresses through the two-year IB program application process, and expands to more high schools.

rgreene@loudounnow.com

The National Conference Center and federal government have signed a contract to bring Afghans fleeing Afghanistan to the Lansdowne hotel complex while they wait to find their permanent homes in the U.S. County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) said during a public briefing Feb. 24 that she had just learned the contract had been signed a little over a half hour before the 7 p.m. meeting. News that the Department of Homeland Security was considering the site first broke publicly on Feb. 17 from Sheriff Michael L. Chapman. Randall and Supervisor Michael Turner (D-Ashburn) found out that day; Chapman said he learned about the project Feb. 4, when federal authorities first came to see the site. The National Conference Center until September will be used exclusively as a “safe haven” site for the federal government’s Operation Allies Welcome, the effort to resettle Afghans who helped the U.S. during its 20-year war in Afghanistan, their families, and others who are particularly vulnerable—such as women who are teachers, women’s rights activists, judges and prosecutors, journalists and others who are targeted by the Taliban. About 1,000 people per month could go through the facility as they arrive in the

Renss Greene/Loudoun Now

BY HAYLEY MILON BOUR

BY RENSS GREENE

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