Falls Church Schools’ #s Predictions ‘Spot On’

Although the numbers aren’t yet official (those as of Sept. 30 are what matters to the state), the opening day numbers for the Falls Church City Public Schools reported at Tuesday’s School Board meeting, a total of 2,716 students in the system from preschool through Grade 12, came within three of the total number projected by the system’s consultants at George Mason University and the Weldon Cooper group in Charlottesville.

The opening day number at Meridian High was 924 compared to a projected 913, and at Henderson Middle School was 641, exactly as projected, while the 588 number at Oak Street Elementary was 10 above the projection, the 491 number at Mt. Daniel was below the 520 projection, and the 72 at Thackrey Preschool was more than the 67 projected.

It was noted that when three major multifamily projects are completed in the City – the Broad at Washington, the Founders Row 2 and West End projects – and numbers from them stabilize, the ability to project will become even better.

60th Anniversary of No. Va. Transportation Group Feted

Last Thursday, the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC), of which the City of Falls Church is a founding member, celebrated its 60th anniversary. F.C. Council member David Snyder is the longest serving active commissioner with over 30 years. In attendance at the event were F.C.’s Snyder, Council member Justine Underhill, City Planning staffer Kerri Oddenino and Deputy City Manager Cindy Mester.

Also attending were Virginia’s U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, U.S. Rep Donald Beyer and State Senator Saddam Salim, who currently serves as the Virginia General Assembly member on the commission.

During the event a documentary film was unveiled telling the 60 year history of local bus systems, WMATA and VRE rail. In the documentary. numerous current and former local elected officials were interviewed including Snyder and former Falls Church Mayor, the late Carol DeLong. The documentary will be posted to the NVTC website early next week.

Creative Cauldron Gets New Grant from Fairfax

Falls Church’s premiere theater arts and educational organization, Creative Cauldron, announced this week that it is the recipient of a Fiscal Year 2025 Operating Support Grant of $41,056 from Arts Fairfax, which supports local arts organizations providing outstanding arts experiences for the Fairfax community and environs. Also, a second grant in the amount of $34,968 was received from the Virginia Commission for the Arts.

F.C. City Hall Announces New Tourism Website

The City of Falls Church this week announced the launch of a new tourism website, visitfallschurch.com, designed to provide an enhanced and comprehensive resource for visitors and residents alike. The new website serves as a dynamic platform to showcase the rich history, vibrant culture, and unique attractions that make the City of Falls Church a must-visit destination.

With the launch of the tourism website, the City now provides a central hub for all things related to tourism in the City of Falls Church. The goal is to enhance the visitor experience by offering a one-stop resource that highlights everything The Little City of Falls Church, VA, has to offer.

Key features of the new website include: Comprehensive Directories – Detailed information on local attractions, dining, shopping, and accommodations to help visitors plan their perfect trip; Easy-to-use Interactive Maps – These maps highlight key points of interest, including shopping, dining, parks and trails, arts and culture, and historic sites; Current Events Calendar – A regularly updated calendar featuring local community and special events, festivals, and activities to keep visitors informed about all the exciting things happening in the City of Falls Church; Itinerary Suggestions – Curated itineraries to help visitors plan a trip to The Little City and make the most of their stay, whether they’re here for a day, a weekend, or longer; Local Insights – Exciting developments, articles, and blogs providing insider tips, historical insights, and stories about the City’s unique character.

Whether website visitors are first-time visitors or long-time residents, this new website will serve as a key resource to plan a visit and leverage while exploring and enjoying the City of Falls Church to the fullest.

The website launch is part of the City’s broader efforts to promote tourism and support local businesses. Everyone is invited to explore website and discover why The Little City is a hidden gem in the heart of Northern Virginia.