Showing posts with label Fairfax County Public Schools. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fairfax County Public Schools. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Gloucester County, Va. vs. the ACLU

The ACLU is trying to tell Gloucester County that its public school students must be allowed to share restrooms without considering biological make up. When the School Board recently enacted fair and reasonable restroom use policies the ACLU filed complaints with federal agencies with an argument designed to jeopardize federal education money entitlements.
Their complaint refers to news reports as supporting evidence. Many news reports on such stories are typically one sided, lack evidence and are sensationalized just like most of the reports surrounding this issue. This tactic is used to inflame their arguments. The ACLU’s complaint is full of inaccuracies and speculative assertions. Their complaint contains descriptions of words and comments inconsistent with the context intended by the People who spoke the comments.
Why didn’t the ACLU include the videos of School Board meetings in their complaint? If they referred to the videos they would not be able to put their desired spin on their argument. They would not be able to twist the facts like they have. The word “freak”, spoken publicly by one of the People, is mentioned in negative context multiple times in the complaint. When the speaker used the word he was interrupted by the School Board Chairperson before he could complete what he was saying. Had the Chairperson truly been listening to what the person was saying and allowed him to complete his words instead of being more concerned about how much time the speaker had remaining, he would have realized the speaker was not personally attacking anyone. Maybe the Chairperson and the ACLU should learn the definition of the word “freak” (a sudden and odd or seemingly pointless idea or turn of the mind; the product of freakish thought or action; an irregular or abnormal product of some process, or, specifically, of the laws of nature.) and watch the School Board meeting videos.
The complaint suggests students did not express concerns to school personnel during the month the school Principle allowed the transgender student to use opposite sex restrooms. During the last School Board meeting several male students spoke against and expressed their discomfort with the idea of sharing their restroom with a biological female. One student specifically mentioned a fear of reprisals from the school system for addressing his discomfort at the public hearing and another even apologized for expressing his feelings and opinion. How many other students are in such fear of dealing with the “government” of their school system as to be afraid to express themselves freely in public? When students have a problem with certain issues about school they generally talk with their parents about it. It is the parents’ role to represent them to the government like many parents did. The ACLU asserts that adults are the ones most vocal against such restroom sharing. This is a fact and rightfully so. We as adults are the legal decision makers for all children under the age of 18. We are the children’s parents, mentors, teachers, neighbors and more. The ACLU has no standing in our places as adult People, Citizens and taxpayers of Gloucester County. They are not stakeholders by any means. The use of education money as leverage in situations such as this amounts to nothing short of blackmailing the People with their own money and at the expense of public education. The People and Citizens of Gloucester, through our elected School Board, have enacted well balanced rules on restroom use in our public schools without the assistance of the ACLU and the federal government. Their involvement is not necessary or desired. Gloucester’s newly established rules should be the model for all public schools as they offer every student a place to use the restroom while maintaining the moral biological separation desired by the overwhelming majority of adults and youth in the community.

Kenneth E. Hogge, Sr.
Gloucester Point

(Our Notes:  We have filed multiple counter claims to the ACLU's complaints with the federal civil liberties court.  You can too.  A link below to the story where we did this has a form you can copy and make slight modifications to and then send to the address on the form.)

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Governor McAuliffe Announces Administration Appointments

Terry McAuliffe, former chairman of the Democr...
  (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
RICHMOND – Governor Terry McAuliffe announced additional appointments to his administration. The appointees will join McAuliffe’s administration focused on finding common ground with members of both parties on issues that will grow Virginia’s economy and create more jobs across the Commonwealth.


Office of the Governor

Carrie Henderson Caumont, Director of Scheduling
Carrie served as the Executive Scheduler to the President of University of Richmond for the past six years. Previously, Carrie served in the scheduling office for Governors Mark Warner and Tim Kaine. Carrie earned her B.A. from James Madison University.  She is a native of Richmond and resides in Glen Allen with her family. 


Secretariat of Education

SOL Innovation Committee

·        Grace Chung Becker of Fairfax, Parent, Fairfax County Public Schools
·        Susanna Burgos of Newport News, Teacher, Newport News Public Schools
·       Kim Paddison Dockery, EdD of Fairfax, Assistant Superintendent for Special Services, Fairfax County Public Schools

Secretariat of the Commonwealth
Board Appointments

Advisory Board on Genetic Counseling

·       Heather A. Creswick, MS, CGC of Richmond, Genetic Counselor, Clinical Faculty, Genetic Counseling Training Program, Virginia Commonwealth University
·       Marilyn Jerome Foust, MD of McLean, Foxhall OB/GYN Associates, P.C., Washington, DC
·       John M. Quillin, PhD, MPH, MS of Mechanicsville, Genetic Counselor, Assistant Professor, Human and Molecular Genetics, Family Medicine and Population Health,  Virginia Commonwealth University             
·       Lori Swain of Alexandria, Executive Director, National Cancer Registrars Association
·       Matthew J. Thomas, ScM, CGC of Charlottesville, Genetic Counselor, Division of Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, University of Virginia School of Medicine
Advisory Board on Respiratory Care

·       Sherry Compton of Mechanicsville, Distance Education Coordinator, J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College
·       Lois A. Rowland, MSc, RRT-NPS of Midlothian,  Director of Respiratory Care and Pulmonary Lab Services, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center
·       Daniel Rowley* MSc, RRT-ACCS, NPS, RPFT, FAARC of Charlottesville, Therapy Services Coordinator, Pulmonary Diagnostics & Respiratory Therapy Services, University of Virginia Health System
·       Bruce K. Rubin, MD, MBA, FRCPC of Henrico, Jessie Ball duPont Distinguished Professor and Chair, Dept. of Pediatrics, Professor of Biomedical Engineering Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine Physician in Chief, Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU
Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers and Landscape Architects

·       Chris Stone of Virginia Beach, President, Clark Nexsen
Board of Medicine

·       The Honorable Jasmine Gore of Hopewell, Vice-Mayor, City of Hopewell
Board of Physical Therapy

·       Sarah C. Schmidt of Palmyra, Physical Therapy Assistant, Physical Therapy @ACAC, Charlottesville
Commonwealth Neurotrauma Initiative Advisory Board

·       Scott Dickens of Richmond, President & CEO, Rocket Pop Media
Council on Aging
·       Valerie L’Herrou, JD of Richmond, Director of Public Sector Career Development, University of Richmond School of Law
·       Shewling Moy of Virginia Beach, Commissioner, Development Authority; Realtor; Former Registered Nurse
·       Roberto Quinones* of McLean, Executive Director, UNITY – Journalists for Diversity; former Senior Development Officer, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute
·       Veronica E. Williams, JD of Hampton, Owner, Virginia LifeCare Planning, The Center for Elder Law & Estate Planning
·       Dr. Sandra Williamson-Ashe of Chesapeake, Assistant Professor, The Ethelyn R. Strong School of Social Work, Norfolk State University
Criminal Justice Services Board

·       John Anthony Manuel Boneta of Vienna, Managing and Founding Partner, Law Offices of John A. Boneta & Associates, PLLC
·       Jeffrey S. Brown* of Disputanta, Director of Public Safety, Chief of Police, Hampden-Sydney College
·       The Honorable Vanessa Reese Crawford of Petersburg, Sheriff, City of Petersburg
·       The Honorable Michelle R. Mosby of RichmondMember, Richmond City Council, 9thDistrict
·       Kevin Pittman of Manassas, Deputy Sheriff, Fairfax County
·       Bobby Russell* of Roanoke, Superintendent, Western Regional Jail
·       The Honorable Kelvin L. Wright of Chesapeake, Chief of Police
·       Stephanie M. Wright, MSW of Alexandria, Co-Founder of Together We Bake, a nonprofit designed to serve women in need who are transitioning from the corrections system
Governor’s Advisory Council on Revenue Estimates

·       Nancy Howell Agee of Salem, President and CEO, Carilion Clinic
·       Scott Blackley of Leesburg, Executive Vice President – Controller and Principal Accounting Officer, Capital One
·       William G. Crutchfield of Charlottesville, Founder & CEO, Crutchfield Corporation
·       Albert J. Dwoskin of McLean, President and CEO, A.J. Dwoskin & Associates, Inc.
·       Thomas Farrell* of Richmond, Chairman, President & CEO, Dominion Resources, Inc.
·       B. Keith (BK) Fulton* of Richmond, Vice President, Mid-Atlantic Region, Verizon Communications
·       William M. Grace* of Yorktown, President and CEO, Grace Industries, Inc.
·       Robert D. Hardie* of Charlottesville, Managing Director, Level One Partners, LLC
·       James A. Hixon* of Norfolk, Executive Vice President, Law and Corporate Relations, Norfolk Southern Corporation
·       C. Burke King* of Richmond, President, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
·       Jeffrey M. Lacker* of Richmond, President, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
·       Robin S. Lineberger of McLean, Principal, Deloitte Aerospace & Defense
·       Stephen C. Movius of Falls Church, Corporate Vice President and Treasurer, Northrop Grumman Corporation
·       Jonas E. Neihardt* of Alexandria, Senior Vice President, Government Affairs, Hilton Worldwide
·       Mike Petters* of Newport News, President & CEO, Huntington Ingalls Industries
·       C. Larry Pope of Williamsburg, President and CEO, Smithfield Foods, Inc.
·       Mitchell N. Schear of Arlington, President, Vornado/Charles E. Smith
·       The Honorable Jody Wagner of Virginia Beach, President, Jody’s Inc.
Governor’s Task Force for Local Government Mandates

·       The Honorable Mimi Milner Elrod, PhD of Lexington, Mayor, City of Lexington
·       Gary Larrowe of Woodlawn, County Administrator, Carroll County
·       Marcus J. Newsome, EdD of Chesterfield, Superintendent, Chesterfield County Public Schools
·       Wyatt Shields of Falls Church, City Manager, City of Falls Church
·       The Honorable George E. Wallace of Hampton, Mayor, City of Hampton
University of Mary Washington Board of Visitors

·       Carlos Del Toro of Stafford, President and CEO of SBG Technology Solutions, Inc.
Virginia Cave Board

·       Michele Baird* of Virginia Beach, Astronomy Teacher, Granby High School
·       David Ek of Catlett, Environmental Planner, Fauquier County
·       Steve Lindeman* of Saltville, Land Protection Program Manager, The Nature Conservancy of Virginia
Virginia Port Authority

·       Deborah C. Waters of Suffolk, Attorney at Law and Proctor in Admiralty
Virginia Public School Authority Board of Commissioners

·       Walt Mika of Fairfax, Retired Teacher
*Denotes reappointment

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Governor McAuliffe and Capital One Announce Official Opening of New Data Center in Chesterfield County

Map of Virginia highlighting Chesterfield County
Map of Virginia highlighting Chesterfield County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
RICHMOND – Governor Terry McAuliffe today joined Virginia-based Capital One Financial Corporation (NYSE: COF) to celebrate the official grand opening of its new data center in Chesterfield County. This Virginia data center is part of Capital One’s core IT infrastructure that incorporates new technologies to better meet customer needs now and in the future. Capital One expects to create more than 100 new technology and IT support roles in 2014 in Central Virginia.
Speaking at today’s event, Governor McAuliffe said, “Virginia has been home to Capital One for more than two decades, and the company continues to illustrate its commitment to the Commonwealth through major investments in our communities. The creation of 100 new technology jobs is a testament to Virginia’s strong workforce and is in line with my top priority of growing and diversifying our economy and making Virginia a leader in 21st Century industries. ”
Founded and headquartered in McLean, Virginia, Capital One is the country's 7th largest bank based on deposits, and is now the largest direct bank in the country. The company employs more than 15,000 associates in Virginia and more than 43,000 globally. Capital One Bank has approximately 900 retail branches, including 85 in the Commonwealth. 
            “We recognize the need to continually adapt and innovate to enrich the quality of our customer experience,” said Rob Alexander, Chief Information Officer of Capital One. “This new data center is a bold example of the value we place on having the best technology to deliver on our customer mission, and we are proud to continue our strong relationship with Virginia and expand our workforce here.”
Built in just 14 months, Capital One employed innovative technology and green practices throughout its 242,000 square foot facility.  Designed to be scalable to match future growth, the data center is built to stringent standards, including redundant power supply and significant backup systems to ensure uninterrupted critical services.  Additionally, the design and construction of the facility incorporated environmentally sensitive elements to minimize environmental impact and increase efficiency. Its ongoing operations also employ many green practices to meet or exceed stringent environmental standards. As a result of these efforts, the site has achieved LEED Gold certification through the U.S. Green Building Council.   LEED is the most widely recognized and used green building certification program, with 56,000 LEED projects worldwide, representing nearly 9 billion square feet of building space.
InformationWeek named Capital One as one the top innovators in the U.S for 2013, recognizing the company as a leader in leveraging technology to drive innovation and digital banking capabilities to enable a digital-first customer experience.  Capital One was recently recognized byFORTUNE Magazine as one the 100 Best Companies to Work For, and named one of the “Top 50 Organizations for Diversity” by Diversity Business magazine. Fortune names Capital One as a “Best Company for Leaders,” and Working Mother calls Capital One, one of the “100 Best Companies for Working Mothers” as well as “Best Companies for Hourly Workers.”
Capital One is committed to advancing economic development, affordable housing, financial literacy and education to help individuals, families, and small business owners achieve their financial goals. In partnership with Junior Achievement of the Greater Washington and Fairfax County Public Schools, Capital One maintains a state-of-the-art financial literacy center on the campus of Frost Middle School in Fairfax that provides more than 14,000 middle school students a year with hands-on experience in budgeting, saving and smart spending.  
Enhanced by Zemanta

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Governor McDonnell Congratulates 2014 Virginia Teacher of the Year

English: Governor of Virginia at CPAC in .
 Governor of Virginia (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
RICHMOND – Governor Bob McDonnell today congratulated Fairfax County teacher Melissa A. Porfirio for her selection as Virginia’s 2014 Virginia Teacher of the Year. Porfirio teaches first grade at Crestwood Elementary School in Springfield. Her selection was announced Fridayevening in Richmond.

“Melissa Porfirio epitomizes the tens of thousands of truly outstanding teachers in Virginia’s public schools who are dedicated to the success of their students,” Governor McDonnell said. “She is a leader whose positive influence extends well beyond the walls of Crestwood Elementary.”

Fellow Crestwood teachers and her principal describe Porfirio as the heart of the Crestwood community. She serves as a mentor to new teachers and has been featured in Fairfax County Public Schools’ training videos.

Porfirio was selected from the eight Virginia 2014 Regional Teachers of the Year announced in September. Porfirio and the other regional nominees were seated together at the annual Virginia Teacher of the Year banquet Friday evening when her selection was announced by Superintendent of Public Instruction Patricia I. Wright.

“This is a group of dynamic and outstanding teachers,” Porfirio said. “I was so surprised when my name was called. It is such an honor to represent Virginia’s teachers.”

Porfirio will be the Commonwealth's nominee in the Council of Chief State School Officers' National Teacher of the Year program.

“Melissa will be a great ambassador for Virginia’s public schools and for the teaching profession,” Wright said.

A Fairfax County teacher for eight years, Porfirio earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from Catholic University and a master’s degree in education, curriculum and instruction from George Mason University. Prior to becoming a teacher, Porfirio was a social worker in North Carolina and Washington, D.C. and taught English in Seoul, South Korea.

Porfirio, 39, was selected as 2014 Virginia Teacher of the Year after being interviewed by a committee that included representatives of professional and educational associations, the Virginia business community and 2013 Virginia Teacher of the Year Kathryn B. Galford of Chesapeake.

The 2014 National Teacher of the Year will be announced next spring at a White House ceremony. Two previous Virginia teachers of the year – Mary V. Bicouvaris in 1989 and B. Philip Bigler in 1998 - have gone on to become National Teachers of the Year.

As the 2014 Virginia Teacher of the Year, Porfirio received a $5,000 award and a commemorative ring from the Apple Federal Credit Union Education Foundation, a $2,500 award from Richmond law firm Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen; a classroom technology package from Smart Technologies ULC; a travel package from EF Education First; educational opportunities from several public and private colleges and universities, flowers from Strange's Florist and Garden Centers; an engraved plaque from Bunkie Trinite Trophies, Inc., a gift certificate from Crowne Plaza Hotel Richmond Downtown, a gift basket from C.F. Sauer Company, a gift from Blue Bell Creameries, and an engraved crystal apple.
Enhanced by Zemanta