INSIDE: Library system details top books of 2018 • Page 9 OAKCREST SCHOOL 6 Opinion ADMISSIONS INFORMATION SESSIONS 8 Public Safety Wednesday, January 9 at 8:15 am 12 Real Estate 4 17 Middle School & Upper School STRAUSS HOLIDAY 19 Classified 7:00 pm Middle School Focus LOOKS BACK HOOPS We salute local ON SCHOOL TOURNEY businesses All-Girls ¥ Grades 6-12 ¥ Vienna, VA BOARD CAREER ROUNDUP on Pages 10-11 OAKCREST.ORG Sun Gazette GREAT FALLS McLEAN OAKTON TYSONS VIENNA VOLUME 40 NO. 14 JANUARY 3-9, 2019 ONE LAST LOOK AT CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS WMATA Chief Is Looking to Push Forward BRIAN TROMPETER Staff Writer The Washington Metro- politan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) must continue to se- lect high-impact capital projects, improve the safety and reliabili- ty of its services, and modernize the agency’s culture, its leader says. “We can continue the way we are or we can start to aim for higher things,” WMATA Gener- al Manager Paul Wiedefeld said Shepherds, angels and wise men were among those portrayed by more than 50 St. Francis Episcopal Church Preschool students during the school’s during a Dec. 5 interview with Star of the East Pageant during the Christmas season. The youngsters paraded into the St. Francis sanctuary and sang a variety of carols, ending Washington Post correspondent with a rousing rendition of “Jingle Bells.” Every year’s pageant “is unique in its own right,” said creche director Jane Keihn. Robert McCartney. The forum, titled “Tackling Metro’s Challenges,” was spon- sored by the Northern Virginia 2018 Home-Sales Data Is on Horizon Transportation Alliance and It’s not technically impossible that the Estate Business Intelligence, based on data to make up the gap. held at the WGL building in Northern Virginia real estate market will from Bright MLS, compiled by the Sun Ga- That’s a figure more often seen in mid- Tysons. Several times during the finish with more home sales in 2018 than a zette. summer than early winter, although, given interview, a Metro Silver Line year before, but with the final data just a few (Figures represent sales in Arlington and what is already becoming a mini-boomlet of train could be seen passing 12 weeks away, it looks decidedly improbable. Fairfax counties and the cities of Alexan- buying in areas close by the planned future floors below. For the first 11 months of the year, home dria, Fairfax and Falls Church.) Amazon campus in Crystal City, it is not an Officials from Virginia, the sales across the region totaled 19,895, down Add that 587-home deficit to the 1,437 impossibility. District of Columbia and Mary- 2.9 percent from the 20,482 homes that went homes that were sold in December 2017, and For the first 11 months of the year, year-- land this year pledged to dedi- to closing during the same period in 2017, the local market would have to report more according to preliminary figures from Real- than 2,000 sales for this December in order Continued on Page 22 Continued on Page 22 ONLINE www.sungazette.news l On Facebook: sungazettenews l On Twitter: @sungazettenews @sungazettespts Local Postal Customer Postal Local Michael Appleton Plumbing Service Manager (4th Generation) appletoncampbell.com 703.754.3301 PERMIT NO. 605 605 NO. PERMIT Frederick, MD Frederick, PAID U.S. POSTAGE U.S. ECRWSS PRSRT STD PRSRT AC GreatFalls_StripAd.indd 1 12/7/18 2:00 PM FCPS Officials Memorialize Impact of Superintendent BRIAN TROMPETER community beginning to happen and he Staff Writer wanted to be a part of that moment,” she said. Fairfax County Public Schools of- Burkholder borrowed $700 from his ficials fondly are recalling the service of in-laws, bought a $15,000 house in Brad- % former Superintendent William “Jack” dock District and eventually moved to the Burkholder, who died Dec. 1 at age 89. Ravenswood Farm community, where he In a Dec. 3 message to FCPS employ- and his family lived until 1985, she said. APY* ees, Superintendent Scott Brabrand said Burkholder first did one-year teaching Burkholder was “universally regarded as stints at Bush Hill and Rose Hill elemen- someone you [could] disagree with and tary schools, then became an assistant 2.50 still come away smiling.” principal at Mount Vernon High School. Burkholder had been his mentor and He then worked in the school system’s friend, he said. central office, first as a deputy superin- BIG NUMBER. “He believed deeply in the FCPS fami- tendent and then as superintendent from ly and never stopped caring about the suc- 1982 to 1985. cess of Fairfax County Public Schools,” “His appointment as superintendent Brabrand wrote. “At my invitation, Jack followed a tumultuous period between the BIG SAVINGS. visited me in my office shortly after I was School Board and the superintendent’s of- named superintendent in 2017. We had fice,” Strauss said. “Board members at the a very engaging conversation comparing time described him as ‘one who can bring the similarities and differences of running us calmly through troubled waters.’” this great school system then and now.” Strauss quoted the then-president of According to the obituary on Legacy. the Fairfax Education Association said com, William Jackson Burkholder was Burkholder had “a way of taking the hu- born in Thaxton, Va., to William and manistic approach in addressing issues Ruby Burkholder and served in the U.S. and concerns of teachers.” SPECIAL OFFER Marine Corps from 1946 to 1948. In a 2005 interview, Burkholder said After earning college degrees, Burk- he most had enjoyed visiting schools and ON A NEW ADJUSTABLE holder began his career as a school-bus even had liked working with the School driver and worked as a principal in Bed- Board, Strauss said. MONEY MARKET ACCOUNT ford County. He moved to Fairfax Coun- Following his retirement from FCPS, ty in 1956 and started what would become Burkholder served as deputy state super- a 29-year career with the county’s school intendent for the Virginia Department Now for a limited time, we’re offering 2.50% APY* system. of Education and as a regional officer when you open a new adjustable money market School Board member Jane Strauss for the U.S. State Department’s Overseas (Dranesville District), who read a trib- Schools. account with a new deposit of $250,000 or more.** ute to the former superintendent at the • • • board’s Dec. 6 meeting, noted the school In lieu of flowers, donations may be system had only about 30,000 students made to the Scholarship Fund of the • Access to your money at any time (less than one-sixth of the current total) Northern Virginia Athletic Directors, • Unlimited deposits and ATM withdrawals when Burkholder joined it. Administrators and Coaches Association, “Jack could see the growth in our P.O. Box 305, Burke, Va. 22015. • Up to 6 additional transactions per statement cycle Women’s Giving Circle Funds Local • Earn a higher interest rate than most STEM-Education Programs for Girls money market accounts The Community Foundation for outlet for our youth residents to explore • Rate accurate as of 12/27/18 and subject to change Northern Virginia’s Business Women’s STEM learning and gain the technical Giving Circle will provide $52,500 in skills needed for the 21st-century work- grant funding to four non-profit organi- force in a new, fun and engaging way,” Learn more at sonabank.com zations that provide STEM [science, tech- said Darryl Leedom, director of resident nology, engineering and math] programs services for Wesley Housing. or call us at 888.464.BANK (2265) to girls and young women across North- The new grants bring the total award- ern Virginia. ed by the Business Women’s Giving Circle “These programs provide innova- to $230,500. tive and essential opportunities to spark “With women still underrepresented in STEM interest and expand the STEM most STEM professions, our focus is to skills of girls and young women in our give more girls opportunities to grow their region, and we are delighted to invest in confidence in these subjects.” said Tanya their work,” said Amy Kay, co-chair of La Force, who chairs the circle. the grants committee. Currently with 58 members, the Busi- Grant recipients include RESET, ness Women’s Giving Circle brings to- Space of Her Own, TrailsforYouth and gether engaged women who want to sup- BIG BELIEVERS IN YOU Wesley Housing Development Corp. port positive change for girls and young Funds will support “an innovative women in our community. *New accounts only. APY = Annual Percentage Yield. The advertised APY is effective 12/27/18 and subject to change thereafter. Earn 2.50% APY on balances of $250,000 and above. Transfers from existing accounts do not The Sun Gazette knows some of our readers qualify. The minimum to open the Money Market is $50,000. Fees may reduce earnings. Offer is subject to change without notice and may be withdrawn at any time. **For accounts over $5,000,000 please are big fans of crosswords, so we offer a fresh contact your local Sonabank branch. one each and every week. And we provide the solution on the very same page! 2 January 3, 2019 www.sungazette.news FCPS Officials Memorialize Legendary Developer Presses for New Infrastructure BRIAN TROMPETER ing progress is made.” Fairfax Coun- new Potomac River bridge, which the area Impact of Superintendent Staff Writer Chamber leaders at the event presented ty was decidedly now desperately needs, he said. Hazel with a Lifetime Business Achieve- rural when the “The theory of the board was, if you BRIAN TROMPETER community beginning to happen and he John “Til” Hazel spent decades at the ment Award.