Letters to the Editor

Editor,

Last year, when the Mt. Daniel Elementary School expansion plans were first brought to the attention of the surrounding neighbors, one of the primary requirements of the plan was for the separation of buses and cars by providing an entrance off of Highland Avenue. Since that time the plan has evolved and changed. Currently, as you know, the access off of Highland Avenue is only for restricted use: emergency, ADA, and service vehicles. VDOT is also requiring improvements to Woodland Avenue to allow for emergency access on Woodland Drive as well. ,p>With all the evolutions of this plan the original concept and reasoning the City had for the entrance off of Highland has not been achieved yet the School Board is still going forward with a highly compromised plan off of Highland Avenue which gains the School very little if anything. The addition on the west end was required to move further off the Gallimore property line, again pushing the asphalt area deeper into the wooded area. Since the County and VDOT still require a turn around off of Highland the entire area will be covered in asphalt with the exception of two small areas that will be mulched. The intention of the mulched areas is for playground equipment but the codes for playground equipment are very restrictive and there is not enough clear space to be of any use and will not be able to support play equipment. The wooded area to the north will be cleared to make room for the asphalt and either a retaining wall will be needed or additional trees will have to be cleared to allow for proper grading.

What you end up with is a four room addition surrounded by asphalt and the school nestled in the woods has turned into an urban school surrounded by asphalt. Not only is the character of the neighborhood changed but the character of your school is also changed. It is not too late to step back, look again and rethink your objectives with a design that meets your needs without enormous expense and without adverse impact to our neighbors.

Carleen Wood-Thomas Falls Church

Editor,

I am responding to a letter sent the School Board by Carleen Wood-Thomas. I appreciate her interest in our Mt. Daniel project, but have a very different view.

Separating bus and car traffic was an initial goal. After working with neighbors and Fairfax County around issues of “neighborhood character,” we modified our plan to more restrictive access from Highland. We gain a lot through this access including a second entrance for emergency vehicles, an on-grade entrance for disabled children, and improved access for service vehicles.

The site plan approval process (not the 2232 application) is not completed; therefore VDOT has not established that changes to Woodland will be required. We hope not and so do our Woodland neighbors.

Yes, the end of our access way behind the addition will be asphalted-much like the current “upper playground.” This kind of play area is a useful and welcome component of our program.

Yes, the mulched areas will be small. If we do put play equipment there, it will be done within code. Our main area for equipment will be at the other end of the building.

Yes, the character of our school will change. It will no longer be a school where classes meet in small, substandard rooms not designed as classrooms. It will no longer be a school where therapists and others specialists must work with students in noisy hallways. It will no longer be a school where teachers work out of storage rooms. It will no longer be a school where teachers must park in the surrounding neighborhood rather than a provided lot. It will no longer be a school where storm water management is ignored. It will no longer be a school where the neighbors' short cut to Metro is closed during school hours. We look forward to these changes in our character.

Is this the right project for our Division? Yes. Our many votes on the design have all been unanimous. I am proud of my service to the City and the Mt. Daniel project.

Kathy Chandler, Member Falls Church School Board

Editor,

I was concerned that your article on school start times needed clarification on the amount of sleep needed by preadolescent children. There was some implication that eight hours is sufficient, but that is not correct.

The National Sleep Foundation Website has a chart that summarizes the recommended amount of sleep for children at various ages. It notes that for Preschoolers (3 - 5 yrs old & 6 year olds in Kindergarten) the recommendation is 11-13 hours and for School-aged (1st - 5th grade) the recommendation is 10-11 hours. The article, “New Poll Finds Children Have Poor Sleep Habits, Parents Paying a Price” at www. sleepfoundation.org. Therefore, one of the issues we face if the Elementary Schools are assigned the 7:30 start time and have kids on the bus stops as early as 6:50 a.m., is that parents would be trying to have their elementary-age children not only in bed, but asleep, by 7 - 8 p.m. Thank you for helping clarify this information about the sleep needs of children.

Laura Gogal Via the Internet

Editor,

I picked up a copy of the News-Press at McPherson Square, because a friend of mine had e-mailed me about the “Anything But Straight” column. I was also pleased to read Nicholas F. Benton’s column, “The Anti-Gay Blizzard.”

Most gays don’t grow up in Dupont Circle, the Castro or some other gay ghetto, but rather in straight families in suburbs like Falls Church. It is reassuring to see that a local paper is making sure to include positive gay articles to reassure gay readers, both young and old, that they are not separate from the Northern Virginia community, but rather an integral part of it.

This is particularly important in an era when religious conservatives are beating the drum loudly that gays are not part of the family: not their biological family; not their religious family; not worthy of forming their own family; and not part of the family of mankind. I wish my hometown paper had done that when I was growing up to assure me that I wasn't alone in the suburbs of NY. Keep up the good work.

Kevin B. Rost Washington, D.C.

Editor,

Regarding Nicholas F. Benton’s column, “The Anti-Gay Blizzard,” I say, “Hear, hear!” What a powerful and bold editorial. As a former newspaper editor and current church pastor, I am impressed by and grateful for the words.

The religious right has taken Christianity hostage, and those of us to the left of center haven’t raised our voices loud enough in protest. Thank you for putting into words—and more importantly, into print—the message that many of us have been trying to speak and spread for years...namely that it is hatred and bigotry that undermine God’s kingdom, and not oppressed groups seeking legal rights and public dignity.

Arlene Franks, Pastor National City Christian Church Washington, D.C.

Editor,

Three cheers for you! Nicholas Benton’s editorial is a masterful blend of correct facts, thoughtful interpretation and appropriate passion. I have written countless letters to all of my elected representatives making similar points. I, myself, am not gay or lesbian. I’m transgendered, an even tinier minority. The TG community has benefited greatly from the efforts of gays and lesbians. I thank them every chance I get and support them any way I can.

Please know you have encouraged me and many other entire ordinary human beings with your words.

Barbara Van Horn Springfield, VA