‘gazpacho - the connection...

Springfield Connection ❖ February 6-12, 2014 ❖ 1www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

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Franconia ❖ Kingstowne ❖ NewingtonFranconia ❖ Kingstowne ❖ Newington

SpringfieldSpringfield

Elected OfficialsHold Town Halls

News, Page 2

‘Gazpachofor Nacho’

News, Page 3

‘Gazpachofor Nacho’

News, Page 3

Tracy Kyle, a Spanish teacher atKey Middle School in Franconia,wrote ‘Gazpacho for Nacho’because she wanted to encouragechildren to try new foods andlearn about another culture.

Tracy Kyle, a Spanish teacher atKey Middle School in Franconia,wrote ‘Gazpacho for Nacho’because she wanted to encouragechildren to try new foods andlearn about another culture.

WellbeingPage 8

WellbeingWellbeingPage 8

SuperintendentComes to

West SpringfieldNews, Page 7

SuperintendentComes to

West SpringfieldNews, Page 7

2 ❖ Springfield Connection ❖ February 6-12, 2014 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

“We have warm heartsfor cold noses”

Comfortable Boarding & Professional Grooming Services Available!

Are you looking for Dr. Kathleen Phillips? You have found her – she is at Pet Medical Center ofSpringfield located on Rolling Road in the Saratoga Center. She is excited to continue seeing herestablished patients as well as meeting new ones. Our receptionists will help guide you in makingthe necessary arrangements to transfer your pet’s medical history for a smooth and stress free tran-sition into our practice. We look forward to welcoming you and your four legged friends.

During the month of February, in addition to celebrating Dr. Phillips joining our practice, we are alsocelebrating National Pet Dental Health Month by offering $50.00 off of any dental procedure. We’dbe happy to see your pet for a complimentary evaluation of their dental health and to provide a com-prehensive estimate for any recommended dental services. To take advantage of the special offer,please call 703-455-1188.

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8054 Rolling Road, Springfield, VA 22153 • M-F 7am-7pm, Sat 7am-1pm

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Established1982

By Janelle Germanos

The Connection

Mental health reform,women’s health,health care and trans-

portation were major topics at theSouthern Fairfax Town Hall Meet-ing held in Kingstowne on Feb. 1.State senators George Barker (D-39), Toddy Puller (D-36) andAdam Ebbin (D-30) joined Del.Mark Sickles (D-43) and Supervi-sor Jeffrey McKay (D-Lee) at thetown hall. Sickles announced onJan. 27 that he would be running

for Congress in the 8th District forCongressman Jim Moran’s seat.

On Jan. 30, Ebbin officially an-nounced he would run for the seatas well.

The officials addressed ques-tions relating to mental health re-form and transportation, includingwhere exactly funding will be al-located in Fairfax County from lastyear’s General Assembly Bill.

Barker is the sponsor of a billthat passed the Virginia SenateFriday that establishes minimumand maximum holding periods forindividuals under psychiatric

evaluation. The bill (SB 115)passed unanimously.

Down the road in the MountVernon District, Board of Super-visors Chairman Sharon Bulovaaddressed attendees of the 27th an-nual Mount Vernon Town Hall.

Bulova recapped her JanuaryState of the County address, andspoke about the upcoming adver-tised budget which will be re-leased at the end of February.

“The budget is a moral docu-ment,” Bulova said.

Bulova also spoke about theLorton Workhouse Arts Center

situation. The Board of Supervi-sors voted in January to provide$30 million to Wells Fargo Bankto cancel the Lorton ArtsFoundation’s debt, and the countywill now appoint a new board tooversee the center.

According to Bulova, restrictingthe Lorton Workhouse Arts Cen-ter was the best decision, and theWorkhouse will continue to pro-vide revitalization for the area.

“It’s a wonderful facility,” Bulovasaid.

County executive Ed Long alsospoke at the Mount Vernon Town

Hall about the economic chal-lenges facing the county.

Long said that there is a lot ofrevitalization going on in FairfaxCounty, and he is cautiously opti-mistic that investment will be re-flected in FY 17.

According to Long, county andschool facilities cannot be ignored,and future funding for schools willbe considered.“What we put into the budget issustainable,” Long said.

On April 8, Fairfax County willhost a public hearing on the ad-vertised budget.

Supervisor Jeffrey McKay (D-Lee), Del. Mark Sickles (D-43), State senators Toddy Puller(D-36), Adam Ebbin (D-30) and George Barker (D-39) answer questions at a town hallin Kingstowne on Feb. 1.

Fairfax Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulovaaddresses attendees of the 27th Annual Mount VernonTown Hall on Feb. 1. Bulova addressed the economy andthe upcoming budget process.

Elected Officials Hold Town Halls State senators, delegates and local supervi-sors address concerns at local meetings.

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News

See Drive, Page 14

By Victoria Ross

The Connection

Erin and Ethan Lauer ofBurke vividly rememberthe history-makingsnowstorm that buried

the region with more than threefeet of hard, wet snow exactly fouryears ago this week.

Dubbed “Snowmageddon” bylocal and national media, the bliz-zard shut down most businesses,schools, and the federal govern-ment for weeks. Snowmageddon,meteorologists said, rivaled thesnowfall production of any othermajor snowstorm in recorded his-tory.

The ferocious storm came in tworounds. When the second wavehit, temperatures plummeted intothe high teens and winds gustedover 40 mph. The Lauers held littlehope that friends and neighborswould dig out of the ice and snowto attend a Valentine’s Day blood-drive for their infant daughter,Sadie, who had been diagnosedwith a life-threatening cancercalled Neuroblastoma when shewas just 3-months-old.

The family was in for a surprise.

WHEN FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS LEARNEDSadie was critically ill, they quickly rallied aroundthe family. They formed a Friends of Sadie PlanningCommittee and organized a Valentine’s Day BloodDrive at a nearby community center for Sadie andother children battling cancer.

In addition to chemotherapy, the protocol for Neu-roblastoma called for surgery to remove the cancer-ous tumor from Sadie’s neck, and numerous bloodtransfusions. To reduce the risk of complications fromthe blood transfusions, O negative/CMV negativeblood is preferred, according to pediatric oncologists.But only 7 percent of the population is O negative,

and an even smaller percentage of donors are CMVnegative.

“Before Sadie got sick, I was not aware of the im-portance of blood donation, especially donationsfrom a person like me who has CMV negative bloodand is O negative,” said Mary Mulvenon, Friends ofSadie Planning Committee. “For 25 years, I couldhave been donating and I wasn’t doing it because Ijust didn’t know.”

“We planned a family-friendly event, something foreveryone,” said Amy Dozier, a founding member ofthe Friends of Sadie. “We planned for

Inspired by one child’s struggle with cancer, Burkecommunity prepares for fifth annual “family-friendly”blood drive to give other children hope.

Sadie’s Gift

The Friends of Sadie –(from left) top row: LaurieFlorence, Carole Letzkus,Amy Dozier; bottom row:Erin Morrissey-Lauer,Sadie’s mom; HeatherWickham, Mary Mulvenonand Erin Lee.

Photo Contributed

When and WhereThe 5th Annual Valentine Blood Drive will be held Sunday, Feb. 9, from 9:30

a.m.–5 p.m. at the Woods Community Center, 10100 Wards Grove Circle in Burke.Bring the whole family! Benefit bake sale to raise funds for children fighting can-cer through The Truth 365. Free childcare and fun Valentine’s Day activities. Moredetails and volunteer opportunities available at http://www.friendsofsadie.org/.Visitinova.org/donateblood to schedule an appointment online or call Inova BloodDonor Services (1-866-256-6372), sponsor code 7637.

Photos Contributed

On her 3-month birthday, Sadie was diagnosed withNeuroblastoma, a potentially deadly form of childhoodcancer. At 4 1/2, Sadie is still monitored for signs of thedisease, but she is a healthy, thriving little girl with apromising future.

Springfield Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic

703-778-9414 or [email protected]

By Janelle Germanos

The Connection

Colleagues and friendsof Key Middle SchoolSpanish teacher

Tracey Kyle describe her as acreative and engaging teacherwho is always thinking of newways to teach.

Now, Kyle has taken her cre-ativity one step further by writ-ing “Gazpacho for Nacho.” Thebook was published by Two Li-ons, a division of Amazon Pub-lishing, in January.

“Gazpacho for Nacho” is a bi-lingual children’s book in-tended to teach children aboutdifferent foods and introducethem to multicultural themes.

“I’m kind of obsessed withgazpacho,” said Kyle, who de-veloped her love for the Span-ish soup while living in Madrid.

The book follows Nacho, alittle boy who only wants to eatgazpacho, and his mother’s at-tempts to introduce new food.It incorporates rhyming withSpanish words, and includes arecipe for gazpacho and a glos-sary.

Kyle, who loves to write in herfree time, has been working onthe book since 2008, and isthrilled to see it finally pub-lished.

“It’s been a dream of hers towrite a book,” said Amy BethMarta, Kyle’s supervisor andfriend of 20 years.

Kyle said it was during acouple of snow days in 2010when her husband told her sheshould start writing again.

“I had gotten so many rejec-tion letters, that when I finallygot a letter asking to see a revi-sion of my story, I didn’t openit for a couple of days,” Kylesaid. The book is intended toencourage children to try new

foods while learning about dif-ferent cultures, Kyle said.

“When I was a kid, I was ter-ribly picky,” Kyle said. “I hopethis book encourages childrento try new foods and gets themto learn a new language.”

Kyle incorporates food andculture lessons while teachingSpanish to eighth-graders, us-ing her creativity and energy toencourage learning.

“She is the most creativeteacher I’ve ever known,” Martasaid. “She has a lot of energyand students enjoy coming toclass.”

Sarah Looney, Kyle’s co-worker who also teaches Span-ish, agrees that Kyle is creative,and is always thinking of waysto teach Spanish using artprojects and games.

“She is fantastic. She alwayscomes up with creative ideas,”Looney said. “I hit the jackpotworking with her.”

Kyle loves art, and cried thefirst time she saw Argentineanillustrator Carolina Farías’s il-lustrations for “Gazpacho forNacho.”

“I cried because it was just sobeautiful,” Kyle said.

Kyle said it is important forchildren to begin learning a for-eign language at a young age,which is one reason why shewrote the book.

After six years of writing andresearch, Kyle is happy to seethe book published and hasgotten several positive reviews.

“I felt really proud to have itpublished,” she said.

Kyle is working on anotherNacho story and a book incor-porating Colombian artistFernando Botero, but above all,she is focusing on teaching.

“Teaching absolutely comesfirst,” Kyle said. “But summeris a great time to write.”

Tracey Kyle, a Spanish teacher at Key Middle Schoolin Franconia, holds her recently published book.Kyle has been working on “Gazpacho for Nacho”since 2008.

‘Gazpacho for Nacho’

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News

Supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Springfield)was honored Jan. 11 by the FairfaxCounty Federation of Teachers

(FCFT). He received the organization’s 2013President’s Award for “consistent advocacy,proactive communications and support of(FCPS teachers) over the past year.”

Pleased by the recognition, Herrity said,

“Teachers are the lifeblood of our schools.Since I took office, I have worked to focusour resources into the classrooms to helpour teachers and our kids and to get theregulatory burden off of teachers so theycan teach.

I am honored to receive this award forsupporting our teachers.”

Pat Herrity (on left) receives the award from the FCFT’s StevenGreenburg.

County Teachers FederationHonors Supervisor Herrity

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Freeze-o-ree Tradition Continues

Boy Scouts of America (BSA)Troop 1849 from Springfieldrecently enjoyed its annual

Freeze-o-ree campout at CatoctinMountain Park, Md. With tempera-tures in the low 20s during the dayand nighttime low of 5 degrees anda wind-chill of minus 15, fourteenstalwart Scouts - some as young as11 years of age - and 12 adults em-braced the challenge. Troop 1849 hasbeen doing this mid-winter campoutat Catoctin Mountain Park nearlyevery winter for over 30 years. TheTroop enjoys the beauty and uniquechallenges of this mountain location(no water on site) as well as the el-evation resulting in temperatures atleast 10-15 degrees colder than theSpringfield area. Attesting to the se-verity of this challenge, Troop 1849rarely encounters other BSA Troopsduring these winter outings. Scoutslearned woodcraft, navigation, andcooking skills, but the big hit was thehomemade donuts provided underthe guidance of Assistant Scoutmas-ter Bill Florence. All participants re-ceived a special Polar Bear Freeze-o-ree winter camping patch. Troop1849 is sponsored by Saint AndrewsEpiscopal Church, 6509Sydenstricker Rd, Burke and SteveKmiecik is the Scoutmaster.

Scouts preparing to hit the trail to thecampsite.

On the trek out after camping the night.

Photos by

Nathan Hermsmeyer and Bill Florence

Area Roundups

Del. Filler-Corn Holds Office HoursDel. Eileen Filler-Corn (41st District - Burke, Fairfax,

Fairfax Station, Springfield) will hold office hours foranyone interested in discussing the 2014 Virginia Gen-eral Assembly session at Caribou Coffee (8948 BurkeLake Rd, Springfield) from 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. on Sun-day, Feb. 9 and at Einstein Bros Bagel Saturday, Feb. 15at (9490, Main St, Fairfax) from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Noappointment necessary.

Thank you to all who joined Delegate Filler-Corn lastweek at her office hours.

Del. Eileen Filler-Corn


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See Valentine's, Page 11

News

By Amna Rehmatulla

The Connection

Start planning your romanticValentine’s Day from now with yourloved one by heading off to one of theseevents…

❖ Friday/Feb. 14 Valentine’s Day Chocolate Buf-

fet. 6-10 p.m. The Ritz-Carlton, 1700Tysons Boulevard, McLean. Entyse,Wine Bar & Lounge will offer an impres-sive chocolate buffet with sevendifferent dessert options crafted by theirpastry kitchen. Satisfy your loved one’ssweet tooth with their dessert creations.$25 per person, seating on first come,first serve basis

Valentine’s Day Latin Style. LaSandia Mexican Kitchen, 7852L TysonsCorner Center, McLean. Show someLatin Love this Valentine’s Day with a 3-Course dinner and signature beverageor cocktail for $29 per person. A taste ofwhat’s on the menu: Shrimp and CrabEmpenadas, Chile Relleno, Pasilla LavaCake, and more. Call for reservations703-893-2222.

Chaise Lounge. 8 p.m. Wolf Trap,

1635 Trap Road, Vienna. Love andKisses, Swings and Misses A Valentine’sDay Celebration Smooth ’60s-inspiredbig-band jazz featuring a sultry femalevocalist and a sophisticated “sound that

is musically tight and always swinging”(Fanfare Magazine). Tickets: $25. http://www.wolftrap.org

Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides.

What to Do this Valentine’s DayRomantic eventshappening in theFairfax Countyarea.

Spend your Saturday listening to romantic tunes byPianist Peter Nero at George Mason University’sCenter for the Arts.

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The Pet Connection, a bi-annual themededition, will publish Feb. 26.

We invite you to send us storiesabout your pets, photos of you and/or yourfamily with your cats, dogs, hamsters, snakes,lizards, frogs, rabbits, or whatever other crea-tures share your home or yard with you.

Tell us the story of a special bond between achild and a dog, the story of how you came toadopt your pet, or examples of amazing featsof your creatures. Can your dog catch a Frisbee10 feet in the air, or devour an entire pizzawhen you turn your back for less than aminute?

Do you volunteer at an animal shelter ortherapeutic riding center or take your pet to

Send Photos for Pet Connectionvisit people in a nursing home? Tell us aboutyour experience.

Have you helped to train an assistance dog?Do you or someone in your family depend onan assistance dog?

Or take this opportunity to memorialize abeloved pet you have lost.

Send photos and identify everyone in thephoto including the pets and tell us what ishappening in the photo, and include your ad-dress (we will only print the town name).

Submissions should arrive by Feb. 19.Email [email protected],

or submit photos and stories directly on ourwebsite at www.connectionnewspapers.com/pets/.

Opinion

It’s possible that this is not the right billexactly, and in general, we favor localcontrol. But it is wrongheaded of publicschools to force families into a take-it-

or-leave-it position.Families that homeschool their children are

likely saving localities more than$10,000 a year in operating costs andtake some pressure off overcrowdedschools. It makes sense that these stu-dents should not only have access to sports, ifthey can meet the requirements, but theyshould also have access to other extracurricu-lar activities and even some classes.

Public schools need to provide for the bestfor all students in their jurisdiction.

This is HB63.

Are We Barbarians?Testimony stated that on occasion the cloth-

ing of the person in the electric chair wouldburst into flames and the man throwing theswitch for an execution feared the person be-ing executed might burst into flames as well.

There have been problems acquiring thedrugs needed for lethal injection for execution,so the Virginia House of Delegates passed thefollowing: HB1052 Method of execution. Pro-vides that if the Director of the Department of

Corrections certifies thatlethal injection is notavailable as a method ofexecution, electrocutionshall be used instead.House: VOTE: PASSAGE

(64-Y 32-N)How local Northern Virginia delegates voted:YEAS: Albo, Comstock, Hugo, LeMunyon and

Rust.NAYS: Brink, Bulova, Filler-Corn, Herring,

Hope, Keam, Kory, Krupicka, Lopez,Plum, Sickles, Simon, Surovell andWatts.

Please No Huntingon Sundays

For those who enjoy a hike or a ride throughthe Virginia countryside, it’s good to know thaton Sundays during hunting season, one canstill enjoy the outdoors without worrying aboutbeing mistaken for a deer. On Saturdays, vigi-lance, bright colors, loud talking and some-times even jingle bells hung on clothing orsaddles helps provide a sense of safety. Thisbill already passed the House of Delegates, andwill likely proceed in the Senate.

Few Thoughts on General Assembly ActionYes, allow homeschoolers accessto programs in public school.

Editorials

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NEWS DEPARTMENT:To discuss ideas and concerns,

Call: 703-778-9410e-mail:

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Amna RehmatullaEditorial Assistant

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ADVERTISING:For advertising information

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Editor in ChiefSteven Mauren

Managing EditorKemal KurspahicPhotography:

Deb Cobb, Louise Krafft,Craig SterbutzelArt/Design:

Laurence Foong, John HeinlyProduction Manager:

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CIRCULATION: 703-778-9426Circulation Manager:

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Springfield

School Budget:How to Pay?To the Editor:

Every year this paper publishesliberals’ letters about the FairfaxCounty school budget, which in-creases yearly without exception.One year it is teacher pay, the nextyear class enrollment, this yearrenovation costs.

The implication is that if theschools don’t get what their ad-ministrators demand, FairfaxCounty will collapse. This despitea continuous decline in studentperformance. Furthermore, thereis no quid pro quo; it is my way orthe highway by those who claimsanctimonious justification.

However, like the Federal gov-ernment, no consideration is evermade for how to pay for this; un-like the Federal government,Fairfax County cannot printmoney. So what will it be? Raisetaxes, the favored Fairfax Countyschool administrator way? Borrowmoney, another favored FC schooladministrator way? Or what willyou cut from your budget to payfor these needed renovations, notthe Fairfax County school admin-istration way? Something has togive. Fairfax County is run by

Democrat politicians for favoredDemocrat constituencies.

One point all should recognize:there is a reason for the increas-ing student enrollment, one I havediscussed with my delegate andfor which the state legislature hasstatistics to confirm. There are onaverage 6,000 illegal alien chil-dren in the Fairfax County PublicSchools. Now these children mustbe educated, will be educated andthat is not in dispute by any saneperson. However, that is wherethe growth is and in fact withoutthese children, the school enroll-ment would decrease such thatcertain schools in places likeBailey’s Crossroads, the Route Onecorridor in Mount Vernon,Herndon and elsewhere wouldactually be seriously viewed forclosing.

Fairfax County should requirethat every child being enrolled inthe public schools have one par-ent prove their legal residency, notjust in the county but the country.The purpose of such is not to denyschooling to these children. Ratherit is for Fairfax County schools tobe able to calculate and present abill to the Federal government de-manding reimbursement for eachchild’s education whose parent(s)are not in the county or country

legally.Finally, who believes that edu-

cation bureaucrats are good stew-ards of the tax-payers’ moneyother than the usual suspects?Clearly, they did not go into theteaching profession with much

Letters to the Editor

respect or understanding for thecapitalist economic system thathas brought this nation the great-est prosperity on the globe.

Christopher ThompsonWest Springfield

Cub Scouts Learn AboutLorton’s Landfill

Cub Scouts from Pack 2000, based out of Halley Elementary School inLorton, were hosted by the Fairfax County Solid Waste Management teamat the Lorton landfill on Jan. 25. Chris Meoli, head of Engineering andEnvironmental Compliance, and Mike Malfitano, Environmental TechnicalSpecialist, both Fairfax County employees, explained the operations of thefacility to seven 4th grade Webelos boys and their parents from the localarea.

The boys learned about how solid waste is processed in Fairfax County,and how the landfill in Lorton is maintained and kept safe. The boys wereshown the landfill gas collectors up close, which collect methane releasedunderground and use that gas to power eight generators which provideenough electricity to power approximately 5,000 homes.

Cub Scouts from Pack 2000.


News

By Janelle Germanos

The Connection

Superintendent KarenGarza continued her lis-tening tour of Fairfax

County Public Schools thisweek with a stop at WestSpringfield High School on Feb.4.

Garza was joined by Springfield DistrictSchool Board member Elizabeth Schultz.

The listening tour provided opportunitiesfor community members, including teach-ers, parents and students, to voice theirconcerns about the school system.

Garza said that of the 196 schools in thesystem, she has visited 62 since becomingsuperintendent.

“My goal is to get to at least 100 this year,”Garza said. “That is a daunting challenge,given all that is going on.”

In her opening remarks, Garza addressedseveral issues affecting Fairfax County Pub-lic Schools, including closing the achieve-ment gap. According to Garza, the schoolsystem will not truly be the best it can beuntil this gap is closed.

Garza also reminded audience membersthat the budget process is ongoing and asadvertised, contains some difficult cuts.

“This is a rapidly public school system,”Garza said. “By 2020, we’ll be over 200,000students.”

According to Garza, the goal of the lis-tening tour is to hear what communitymembers have to say about the school sys-tem.

Those who decided to speak at the WestSpringfield stop of Garza’s listening touraddressed several topics, including the bud-get, teacher pay, and changing the policyfor inclement weather days.

Jessica Hernandez, a school based tech-nology specialist at West Springfield HighSchool, spoke about the challenges to ad-

ministration and technology support.Abigail Quinn, a teacher at Hunt Gardens

Elementary School, used this stop of the lis-tening tour to voice her concerns aboutworking as a teacher in Fairfax County.

“Is this a job I can do for another 40 years?I wonder some days,” Quinn said.

Quinn and some other speakers at theforum also addressed aspects of the school’scapital improvement program. Quinn saidshe is currently teaching in a portable class-room.

Following these remarks, Schultz stressedher ongoing commitment to the capital im-provement program.

“I am so committed to our capital andinfrastructure needs,” Schultz said.

After a student remarked on the severalsnow days that have already occurred thisyear, Garza commented that decisions toclose the school system are made with thesafety of employees and students in mind.

“You can never win with your decisionsregarding snow days,” Garza said. “It’s re-ally a judgment call.”

Madeleine Deliee, a teacher at WestSpringfield High School, was one of theseveral speakers at the listening tour whoaddressed teacher pay.

“The salary is very much an issue, espe-cially for starting teachers,” Deliee said.

Garza’s next stop on the listening tour willbe Feb. 17 at 6:30 at Mark Twain MiddleSchool in Franconia. Lee District SchoolBoard member Tamara Derenak Kaufax willjoin Garza for this stop of the tour.

Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Karen Garza continuedher listening tour at West Springfield High School with School Boardmember Elizabeth Schultz on Feb. 4.

Superintendent Comesto West SpringfieldKaren Garzacontinueslistening tour.

Garza speaks to community members at WestSpringfield High School as part of her Winter2014 listening tour.

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8 ❖ Springfield Connection ❖ February 6-12, 2014 Springfield Connection ❖ February 6-12, 2014 ❖ 9www.ConnectionNewspapers.com www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

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Wellbeing

By Marilyn Campbell

The Connection

When the clockstrikes 9 on anygiven evening,13-year-old twins

Timothy and Danny Gulyn andtheir 11-year-old twin brothers,Christopher and Jonathan, knowthat it’s time for bed. Whether theyare on vacation during the summeror at their Arlington home on aschool night, the siblings follow aconsistent routine that has themtucked-in at the same time everyday.

“I am a big believer in structureand routine,” said the boys’ mother,Linda M. Gulyn, Ph.D., a professor

of psychology at Marymount Uni-versity in Arlington. “Bedtimeshould be absolutely rigid, thestricter the better. We all needstructure, but children need it es-pecially.”

Researchers say going to bed at

a regular time can have a positiveimpact on a child’s behavior andoverall health. In fact, a recentstudy of 10,000 children by Uni-versity College London found thata child’s behavior improved whena consistent bedtime was estab-

lished. Local childcare expertsagree, saying a regular bedtimeroutine, such as a bath followed byreading, is an important factor inestablishing a consistent lights-outtime.

Kathryn Cogan, Ph.D., aBethesda-based psychotherapist,says that a lack of adequate sleepcan affect a child’s physical health.“If they don’t get enough sleep, itaffects their immune system andtheir ability to pay attention,” shesaid.

Child psychiatrist Dr. Bruce P.Pfeffer, of Pfeffer Psychiatric Asso-ciates in Potomac, Md., said a struc-tured bedtime is part of what hecalls “good sleep hygiene,” whichcan impact a child’s overallwellbeing. “Often in my practice Isee children with attention prob-lems, behavior problems, irritabil-ity, who aren’t getting enoughsleep,” he said. “I’ve had childrenfall asleep in class because of sleepdeprivation.”

Experts say that while older chil-dren also need a good night’s sleep,the demands of school and extra-curricular activities can make get-ting needed rest more challenging.

“Failing to get adequate rest can bean extreme stress on one’s bodyand mind, resulting in a frantic at-tempt to complete academic tasksin an active rather than contempla-tive manner,” said Michael S.Moynihan, head of the UpperSchool, The Heights School inPotomac, Md.

Cogan stressedthat teenagers ac-tually need asimilar amount ofsleep as new-borns, “generally12-14 hours ofsleep at night be-cause they aregrowing so fast,and their brainsare growing sofast. Your brain works better andfunctions better when you have aregular sleep schedule.”

For long-term success, expertslike Pfeffer and Moynihan under-score the importance of a regularbedtime routine. It should “followa short time of quiet reading, alongwith exercise,” said Moynihan.

ESTABLISHING A REGULAR

BEDTIME can be challenging, butnot impossible. Child developmentexperts say that a structured bed-time routine should include a fewkey components. “Build it into theirdaily routine and give them a lotof advanced warning,” said Gulyn.“If I you just pluck up a kid from

the middle of an activity and justsay ‘Go to bed,’ that is upsetting toa child and it is not fair. They needan opportunity to make the transi-tion psychologically. If they’re play-ing a game and they get a bedtimewarning, they can say ‘Ok, I needto finish this game before bed.’”

When it comes to bedtime, it isimportant that children know whatto expect, she said. “You have to

make it consistent every night,even on Christmas. Give them achance to decide how they want tospend their last half hour so theycan prepare psychologically.”

Pfeffer said, “It is important toestablish a comfortable environ-ment for very young children. If

they start as tod-dlers with an estab-lished routine, theyare comforted asthey get older byreading a book andplaying soft music ina room that is notfilled with light.Bedtime should bevery soothing. Theytake a bath, brushtheir teeth and put

on their pajamas. A high-energychild will need more lead time toslow their motor down. ”

Len Annetta, Ph.D., a professorin the College of Education andHuman Development at GeorgeMason University, said, “High en-ergy kids need to blow off steamand tire their muscles. Routine andconsistency are critical. It’s noteasy, but you have to shut them

Consistent Bedtimes Linked to Improved Wellbeing in ChildrenLocal expertsoffer suggestionsfor helpingyoungsters get agood night’ssleep.

From left: Twins Christopher and Jonathan, 11, and their13-year-old twin brothers, Timothy and Danny, picturedwith parents Linda and Peter Gulyn have a consistentbedtime and structured bedtime routine. Experts say aregular bedtime can have a positive impact on a child’sbehavior and overall health.

Pho

to

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f Lin

da G

ulyn

down at the same time every nightand wake them at the same timeevery morning. It’s not a debate.The parent is in charge and has tostand firm on the rules. Reward-ing the child for getting to bed andstaying in bed … helps the childknow you appreciate their effortand are proud of their accomplish-ment.”

Kensington-based psychothera-pist Karen Prince cautions, “Screentime makes it harder to fall asleep.Start the bedtime routine a mini-mum of an hour before the actualbedtime. It shouldn’t include tele-vision, video games or screen timeof any sort.”

While a regimented bedtime maysound draconian, it can actually becomforting. “Children thrive onstructure and expectation,” saidGulyn.

“For many young children, thiscan be a time of uncertainty, inse-curity and separation anxiety. Es-tablishing a structured bedtimeroutine brings comfort to the child.If you have a structured routineand strict bedtimes, it makes iteasier for a child to get to sleep andrest better throughout the night.”

“Bedtime should be very soothing.They take a bath, brush their teeth andput on their pajamas. A high-energychild will need more lead time to slowtheir motor down.”

— Dr. Bruce P. Pfeffer, child psychiatrist


Calendar

From Page 5

Valentine’s Day5:30-9:30 p.m. Reston Town Center, MarketStreet, Reston. Spend Valentine’s Day the old-fashioned way this year by taking a stroll in ahorse-drawn carriage through the streets ofReston Town Center. Pick up location by Tal-bots on Market Street. All proceeds benefitVolunteer Fairfax. Tickets: $5/person. Childrenunder 5 ride free.

❖ Saturday/Feb. 15Valentine’s Wine Dinner. 8 p.m. Para-

dise Springs Winery, 13219 Yates Ford Road,Clifton. Enjoy a 4-course meal paired with yourfavorite Paradise Springs wines. $119/person;$109 for wine club members; $149 VIP seatingin Barrel Room. 703-830-9463.

“Music of the Heart.” 8 p.m. GeorgeMason University Center for the Arts, 4400University Drive, Fairfax. Take part in anevening of romantic music that blends popularand classical styles with pianist Peter Nero.Tickets are $30-$60. Tickets are half price foryouth through grade 12. Visit the box office(open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6p.m.) or charge by phone at 888-945-2468 orvisit cfa.gmu.edu.

Partner Yoga. 2-3 p.m. Workhouse ArtsCenter, 9601 Ox Road, Lorton. Partner posesare a great way to learn more about how tocommunicate more effectively with your part-ner and have fun while improving your bodyhealth. $20 per couple, no experience is neces-sary—both beginners and master yogis areinvited to join. Register online: http://www.workhousearts.org/

A Valentine’s Sweetheart. 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Workhouse Arts Center, 9601 Ox Road, Lorton.The Workhouse is offering a Seasonal Camp forkids, ages 6-10. A Valentine’s Sweetheart willgive kids the opportunity to learn how to bakesweet treats, draw and paint portraits, and par-ticipate in other Valentine’s Day activities.Tuition is $65 per child and includes the ma-terials fee. Register online: http://www.workhousearts.org/

Date Night: Chef’s Table. 7-9 p.m.Workhouse Arts Center, 9601 Ox Road, Lorton.A casual cooking class with a professional chef,where participants will be working in pairs tocreate menu items.

At the end of the class, the participants willbe served a tasting portion. Tuition is $85 perperson, which also includes a glass of wine andall materials fees. Please register online at least2 days prior to event date. http://www.workhousearts.org/

Ballroom Social Dance. 7:30 p.m. Work-house Arts Center, 9601 Ox Road, Lorton. Geton the dance floor with your Valentine at themonthly Ballroom Social Dance. Each monthfeatures a short mini-lesson covering a specificstyle of dance at 7:30 p.m. (February will beSwing) and then the dance floor is open from8-10:30 p.m. $5 for the mini less, $10 admis-sion to the dance.

Valentine’s Day Chocolate Buffet. 7-10p.m. The Ritz-Carlton, 1700 Tysons Boulevard,McLean.

Entyse, Wine Bar & Lounge will offer animpressive chocolate buffet with seven differ-ent dessert options crafted by their pastrykitchen. Satisfy your loved one’s sweet toothwith their dessert creations. $25 per person,seating on first come, first serve basis

Send notes to the Connection [email protected] or call 703-778-9416. The deadline is the Friday prior to the nextpaper’s publication. Dated announcements should besubmitted at least two weeks prior to the event.

THURSDAY/FEB. 6 – FRIDAY/FEB. 7All that Jazz! 7 p.m. West Springfield High

School, 6100 Rolling Rd, Springfield. A musicalCabaret presented by the students of the WestSpringfield High School choral department andwill also feature special performances by WestSpringfield’s own Personality Show Choir.Tickets: $7. www.spartanchoir.com

FRIDAY/ FEB. 7Basic Gardening: Gardening with Roses.

1:30-2:30 p.m. Green Spring Gardens, 4603Green Spring Road, Alexandria. Mastergardeners show you common-sense approachesand precautions to help ensure successfulgrowing. $10/person. Register on-line atwww.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring.

Friday Night Film Series Presents: TheHouse I Live In. 7 p.m. Accotink UnitarianUniversalist Church, 10215 Lakehaven Court,Burke. The House I Live In captures heart-wrenching stories of those on the front lines —from the dealer to the grieving mother, thenarcotics officer to the senator, the inmate tothe federal judge — and offers a penetratinglook at the profound human rights implicationsof America’s longest war. www.accotinkuuc.org ,[email protected]

SATURDAY/FEB. 8, 15, 22Laurel Grove “Colored” School Open

House. 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. 6840 Beulah Street,Alexandria. Laurel Grove School is a one roomschool that served African American students inthe Franconia Community of Fairfax Countyfrom 1882 to 1932. Visit the school to learnabout families coming together to build a schooland the importance of educating their children.

SATURDAY/FEB. 8Virginia Grand Military Band. 7:30 p.m.

Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall, NVCCCampus, 3001 N. Beauregard St., Alexandria.Performing works by Rodgers and Hammerstein,von Suppe and Sousa. Adults $15. Banddirectors, students and children admitted free.Free parking. 703 426-4777. [email protected]

Second Saturday Art Walk. 6-9 p.m.Workhouse Arts Center, 9601 Ox Rd, Lorton.Tour the studios, meet the artists, enjoyrefreshments and purchase original works of artfrom nearly 100 Artists at the Workhouse.

9th Annual Comedy Night. 8:30 p.m. JCCNV,8900 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax. Comedynight features Emmy award-winning comedy

writer and comedian Monica Piper. Tickets: $34,$26 JCCNV members. http://jccnvcomedynite2014.brownpapertickets.com.

“Off the Wall” Benefit. 6-9 p.m. George MasonUniversity, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax.Guests have the opportunity to tour studios,classrooms and the Fine Art Gallery in the Artand Design Building, and interact with facultyand students in various disciplines: graphicdesign, photography, printmaking, sculpture,painting, drawing, new media and game design.Faculty and students will provide creative andinteractive demonstrations, workshops andpresentations in which guests can participate.Tickets: soa.gmu.edu

TUESDAY/FEB. 11“Song & Character Study:” An Audition

Workshop for High School & AdultStudents. 6-8 p.m. Truro Anglican Church,10520 Main Street, Fairfax. High School andAdult actors and singers are invited to join CFTCfor a four week class on song and characterstudy. Each week will feature a master classsetting where students will bring a song toworkshop with the class. Instructors will assistthe student with delivering text as a song, withemphasis on combining of acting and singingskills in a well-rounded performance. Cost: $40per student. $65 for two people in the samefamily, $90 for three or more people in the samefamily. www.fairfaxcitytheatre.org

SATURDAY/FEB. 15Couple’s Yoga. 2-3 p.m. Workhouse Arts Center,

9601 Ox Rd, Lorton. $20 per couple, noexperience is necessary—both beginners andmaster yogis are invited to join. Register online:www.workhousearts.org/

A Valentine’s Sweetheart. 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.Workhouse Arts Center, 9601 Ox Rd, Lorton.Give kids the opportunity to learn how to bakesweet treats, draw and paint portraits, andparticipate in other Valentine’s Day activities.$65 per child and includes the materials fee.Register online: www.workhousearts.org/

Movie & Pizza Night. 6 p.m. Hidden Pond Park,8511 Greeley Boulevard, Springfield. Friends ofHidden Pond are having a movie and pizza nightin the Hidden Pond nature center. Pizza anddrinks will be for sale followed by a showing ofOver the Hedge (PG)on the big screen. RSVP [email protected].

SUNDAY/FEB. 16The Northern Virginia NTRAK members will

have a display and N gauge trains. 1-4p.m. Fairfax Station Railroad Museum, 11200Fairfax Station Road, Fairfax Station. Museummembers, free; adults 16 and over, $4; children5-15, $2; under 4, free. Information on themuseum and shows is at www.fairfax-station.orgphone 703-425-9225.

Laugh until you cry at the 9th Annual Comedy Night at the JewishCommunity Center of Northern Virginia in Fairfax on Saturday, Feb. 8at 8:30 p.m.


Sports

Fairfax’s Barborek WinsConference 6 Gymnastics Title

Fairfax junior RachelBarborek won the Confer-ence 6 all-around gymnas-tics championship on Feb.3, producing a score of37.1 during the conferencemeet at McLean HighSchool.

With the victory,Barborek secured a berthin the 6A North regionmeet, which will be heldFeb. 12 at Lake BraddockSecondary School.Barborek finished first onbars (9.475), tied for sec-ond on vault (9.4), placedthird on beam (9.275) andtied for eighth on floor(8.95).

Barborek competed forFairfax as a freshman. Lastseason, she reached level10 as a club gymnast forCapital Gymnastics and, by rule, was unable to compete for herhigh school team.

Barborek eventually quit club gymnastics and rejoined theRebels.

“I’d like to go,” Barborek said, “all the way to states.”Barborek helped Fairfax finish fifth as a team with a score of

117.775. McLean won the conference title with a score of 144.475,followed by Washington-Lee (140.925), Yorktown (137.25) andSouth Lakes (121.425).

— Jon Roetman

South County FroshBurgess Finishes Conference 7Runner-Up

South County freshmanCollea Burgess finishedrunner-up in the all-aroundcompetition on Jan. 31during the Conference 7gymnastics championshipmeet at Lake BraddockSecondary School.

Burgess posted a score of36.025. T.C. Williams se-nior Holland Cathey wonthe title with a score of37.55.

Burgess’ performanceearned her a spot on theall-around competition atthe 6A North region meeton Feb. 12 at LakeBraddock. She placed firston bars (9.45), fourth onvault (9.2), tied for fifth onfloor (9) and finished ninthon beam (8.375).

“I think I did good,” Burgess said, “but I could have done bet-ter.” South County finished third with a score of 131.55. T.C.Williams won the conference championship with a score of 143.45and Woodson earned the other regional berth with total of 132.9.

— Jon Roetman

Fairfax junior RachelBarborek won the Confer-ence 6 all-around gymnas-tics championship on Feb. 3at McLean High School.

South County freshmanCollea Burgess finishedrunner-up in the all-aroundcompetition during theConference 7 gymnasticschampionship meet on Jan.31 at Lake Braddock.

Sports Roundups

Pho

to

s by C

raig Sterbutzel/T

he C

on

nectio

n

By Jon Roetman

The Connection

As gymnasts sat anx-iously awaiting theopportunity to grab agift bag and hear the

results of the Conference 7 cham-pionship meet at Lake BraddockSecondary School, Director of Stu-dent Activities Mark Martinograbbed the microphone and ac-knowledged Woodson coach MikeCooper, who after more than threedecades is wrapping up his finalseason coaching high school gym-nastics.

When Martino finished, gym-nasts chanted “Coo-per, Coo-per”to honor the well-liked Cavalierscoach. Some of the athletes stoodup and hugged him. Minutes later,it was announced Cooper’s time asWoodson head coach would con-tinue for at least two more weeks.

The Woodson gymnastics teamplaced second at the Conference7 meet on Jan. 31, earning a tripto the 6A North region meet onFeb. 12 at Lake Braddock. With thetop two teams receiving regionalberths, the Cavaliers punched theirticket with a score of 132.9, edg-ing third-place South County(131.55). T.C. Williams won theconference title with a score of143.45.

“I’m excited because since wemoved in this conference we’vealways been either first or second,”Cooper said, “so it’s nice to go out,making it to the regional tourna-ment.”

Woodson joined the Patriot Dis-trict during the 2009-10 season.The Cavaliers won the district in2010 and 2013. The VHSL under-went a six-class realignment priorto the 2013-14 school year, andseven of the eight schools from thePatriot District formed Conference7 in the 6A North region (Leemoved to 5A).

Woodson senior Rachael Talentoplayed a major role in the Cava-liers advancing to regionals.Talento placed third in the all-around with a score of 35.95, fin-ishing second on floor (9.275),third on bars (8.925), fourth onbeam (8.9) and eighth on vault(8.85).

“She did her best that she’s everdone,” Cooper said. “She quit cluband she’s trying to maintain every-thing. The three events — the bars,the beam and the floor — she didfantastic. Unfortunately, her vaultis not the strongest, but we’re go-ing to be working on that for thenext week, trying to get a hardervault.”

Talento reached level 9 withCardinal Gymnastics before quit-ting last summer. Talento said she“just kind of burned out” andwanted more time for herself.

“I quit club about six monthsago, so I hadn’t been in the gymmuch until the season started,”Talento said. “For this season, I justwanted to come out and have fun,so being able to make it toregionals is really great and … I’mreally excited to go out and makemy last meet something.”

Talento credited Cooper forhelping her get back into gymnas-tics after a six-month layoff.

“It was hard,” she said. “I hadn’t’really done anything in a while. Ilost a lot of my muscle and a lot ofmy skills. Then Cooper whippedme back into shape. … I’m sohappy I was able to do this withhim for this last year. He’s honestlythe best and it’s been a great sea-son.”

Woodson freshman Charlie Klika

placed third on floor with a scoreof 9.15. Cavalier freshman Marga-ret Bushman finished seventh(8.925).

While Cooper helped Woodsonfinish conference runner-up thisyear, much of his success as a highschool gymnastics coach came atLake Braddock. Cooper led theBruins to five consecutive statechampionships from 1995 through1999. Cooper also coached boys’gymnastics, along with swimmingand diving at different schoolsaround Northern Virginia.

“He’s the best coach you canhonestly have,” Talento said. “He’svery patient and he’ll help youwith anything.”

Cooper said he intends to spendtime traveling with his wife,though he will continue coachingat the club level.

“I want my fingers in it,” he said,“I just don’t want my whole bodyin it.”

Now, thanks to the performanceof the Cavaliers at the conferencemeet, Cooper will have at least onemore chance to coach at the highschool level.

“I do it because I love the sport,”he said. “Out of the decades fromthe ’80s to 2014, I still stay in con-tact with the girls and boys andthat to me is showing that I’vedone something with my career.”

Cavaliers Praise ‘the Best Coach’Woodsongymnasticscoach MikeCooper wrappingup final season.

After morethan threedecades,Woodsoncoach MikeCooper is inhis final sea-son coachinghigh schoolgymnastics.

Woodsonsenior Rachael

Talento fin-ished third in

the all-aroundand helped theCavaliers finish

second as ateam during

the Conference7 gymnastics

championshipmeet on Jan.

31 at LakeBraddock.

Photos by

Craig Sterbutzel/

The Connection

Springfield Connection Sports Editor Jon Roetman

703-224-3015 or [email protected]


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From Page 3

News

everything...except the snow.”“We were blown away by the community

support that year. Believe it or not, peoplecame out in cross-country skis to get hereto donate,” Dozier said. At the end of theday, nearly 150 people were screened todonate, and 113 pints of blood was col-lected.

Unlike many “tribute” blood drives thatlose momentum after the first year, theFriends of Sadie Blood Drive has increasedboth the number of donors and the pints ofblood collected. According to the AmericanRed Cross, just one donation can help saveup to three lives.

Burke resident Jim Weatherbee has do-nated every year with his family in tow. “Wewould not miss this. Just knowing Sadie andher parents would bring us out,”Weatherbee said last year. “The Friends ofSadie make this as easy and fun as possible”

“When we first got the news about Sadie,we were just devastated,” said Erin Lauer.“Just like that, our whole world was turnedupside down.”

After the success of that first blood drive,Lauer said they were overwhelmed by theoutpouring of love.

“We felt that the whole community cameout on the heels of the second big snowfallofºthe season because they wanted to do

something in support of one of theirs,” shesaid.

“The first blood drive was unbelievable. Ican’t say enough about the ferocity and se-riousness of purpose with which the orga-nizers approached it,” said Ethan Lauer.

THE 5TH ANNUAL VALENTINEBLOOD DRIVEM will be held Sunday, Feb.9, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the WoodsCommunity Center, 10100 Wards GroveCircle in Burke. The family-friendly eventincludes a benefit bake sale to raise fundsfor children fighting cancer through TheTruth 365. Free childcare is provided on site,and a variety of fun Valentine’s Day activi-ties are planned.

And Sadie, now a joyful, rambunctious 41/2 year old, will be there to greet donors,play with her friends, and snatch a home-made cupcake or two for her and her bigsister, Anna.

“Our kids have learned that cancer isn’tjust for old people, friends rally around eachother in good times and bad, they have avoice and can contribute in their own wayand so much more,” said Laurie Florence,Friends of Sadie Planning Committee.

“For all of the brave little heroes that wehave met along Sadie’s journey, we willwork to raise awareness and money so thata cure for childhood cancer will somedaybe found,” said Erin Lauer.

Drive for Hope

Helping Those in NeedOn Jan. 30, the Rotary Club of Springfield (RCS) gave a check toFAITH for $1,050. FAITH is the Foundation for Appropriate andImmediate Temporary Help, located in Herndon. Pictured from leftare: Mohammad Adenwalla, past president of RCS, whose fundchallenge made this donation possible; Saman Quraeshi, publicrelations coordinator for FAITH; Joan Ledebur, current President ofRCS; and Somayyah Ghariaini, fundraising coordinator for FAITH.Adenwalla’s challenge will also provide a check of the same amountto ECHO (Ecumenical Community Helping Others) which is locatedin Springfield.

Co

urtesy o

f G

ary Black, III, Im

mediate Past Presiden

t o

f th

e R

CS

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