Mount Vernon’s Hometown Newspaper • A Connection Newspaper August 20, 2020 Page, 7 Reforming the Police Lawmakers consider sweeping set of proposals to change policing in Virginia.
By Michael Lee Pope enforcement agencies say they Gazette Packet should be able to receive some of the military surplus items available nly a few hours into through the program, including a special session of Photo by Michael Lee Pope/GAZETTE PACKET camouflage uniforms. the General Assem- “Sheriffs do use that for rescue Obly earlier this week, and protection,” said John Jones, members of a Senate panel passed executive director of the Virgin- a sweeping bill on policing reform ia Sheriffs’ Association. “As far as that does everything from banning we’re concerned, you fixed the no-knock warrants and limiting concerns we had about military chokeholds to creating use-of-force equipment.” standards and requiring de-escala- Senators also worked with law tion training. enforcement agencies to address The special session was called their concerns on data collection. partially in reaction to the killing of The compromise language requires an unarmed Black man by a white the collection of information about police officer in Minnesota, which the race and ethnicity of drivers set off protests across the country who are stopped and searched. against police brutality. Now law- But it also provides some flexibility makers in Richmond are poised to for departments to avoid detailing pass landmark legislation that has a list of everyone they questioned the support of associations repre- Police agencies in Virginia want to make it more difficult for bad cops to move from department to at a checkpoint. senting police chiefs and sheriff’s department without facing consequences for bad behavior. The bill that got out of the Sen- offices across Virginia. ate Judiciary Committee also in- “It raises the bar for profession- state as a sworn law-enforcement cludes a way for officers to shield alism in the state,” said Sen. Scott officer.” statements they make during some Surovell (D-36), who is leading internal investigations from prose- Virginia General Assembly came via email the criminal-justice reform effort THE POLICING REFORM BILL cutors. in the Senate. “And I think that’s now heads to the Senate Finance “We should always work well why they supported all this.” Committee, where lawmakers with our commonwealth’s attor- The way Virginia law currently will determine if they can find the neys in the best interest in criminal works, officers can resign in the money to pay for the new hearing justice,” said Ashland Police Chief middle of a decertification process officers that will be needed at the Douglas Goodman, who worked as a way to terminate the proceed- Virginia Department of Criminal with senators to craft the legisla- ing. Not only does that undermine Justice Services to handle the in- tion. “But we’re just concerned accountability for bad cops, it also crease in decertification proceed- about statements officers may pro- opens the door for them to get ings. vide that are compelled.” new jobs at other police depart- The Senate bill also requires the ments that don’t have access to department to create a new code QUALIFIED IMMUNITY may end disciplinary records outlining their of conduct for police, and the de- up being a sticking point between actions. Police agencies in Virgin- partment will need to dedicate the House and the Senate as the ia say launching a decertification staffers to develop the code over special session moves forward. process is difficult, and the rules the next two years. Sen. Scott Surovell (D-36) is overseeing the Senate’s package of House members say they want to for how they work allow bad cops “We understand it’s a lot, but criminal justice reform bills. move forward with finding a way to slip through the cracks. we also believe that this is what’s for police officers to be sued indi- “If they couldn’t perform up necessary in order to get the trans- nent parts that can be debated in- 45). “We’re going to have many of vidually, which is currently prohib- to standards in my agency, they formational change that we’ve all dividually rather than as part of an the same reforms, but we’re going ited under a legal doctrine that has shouldn’t be allowed to work at been seeking,” said Kofi Annan, omnibus package. One of the ad- to have it in 25 bills or maybe 30 its roots in English common law. another agen- former pres- vantages of the Senate’s approach bills.” Senators did not include the is- cy doing the ident of the is that the omnibus bill has the sup- sue of qualified immunity in their same job,” “It raises the bar Fairfax NAACP port of law enforcement agencies IN THE WEEKS leading up to the policing reform bill, and Gov. said Herndon and founder because it has several provisions special session, senators have been Ralph Northam did not include the Police Chief for professionalism of an advocacy that they’ve been asking for on de- working with law enforcement issue in his agenda for the special Maggie De- group known certification, among other things. agencies for peace in the valley. session. Board, a vice in the state.” as The Acti- But if the prohibition on no-knock Language banning chokeholds was “You’re less likely to misbehave president of — Sen. Scott Surovell (D-36) vated People. warrants is separated from the rest softened to allow them in certain if you know there’s going to be ad- the Virginia “People have of the bill, as the House plans to do life-threatening situations. Provi- verse consequences to you if you Chiefs of Po- been marching next week, it might be opposed by sions requiring judges to sign off misbehave,” said Victor Glasberg, lice Association who worked with through the streets for months lit- police agencies who feel no-knock on nighttime search warrants al- attorney in Alexandria. senators to craft the legislation. erally risking their lives, and they warrants are required in some cir- lows magistrates to approve them “If there’s all the reason in the “We would conduct the investi- didn’t do it in order to just get one cumstances. if judges aren’t available. And a world to believe that if somebody gation to sustain a finding, which piecemeal kind of bill.” “You don’t throw 100 bills into ban on military equipment was hauls you into court you’re going would then allow the state to de- House members are taking a dif- one omnibus bill. We’re not going softened to allow for police agen- to get off on qualified immunity, it certify that officer so that they ferent approach to policing reform, to do that. I think that’s ridicu- cies to receive some items through just makes it easier for you to mis- could not work anywhere in the splitting the issue into its compo- lous,” said Del. Mark Levine (D- the Pentagon’s 1033 Program. Law behave.” McEnearney Associates has always had one motto in mind... not to be the biggest, but the best. This year marks our 40th year in Alexandria, and we are celebrating our investment in helping to build our town into the thriving community it is today. To learn more about our Associates and our firm, visitwww.WeAreAlexandria.com . #WeAreAlexandria
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Serving the Washington, DC Metro Area since 1980. 703.549.9292 | 109 S. Pitt Street | Alexandria, VA 22314 | McEnearney.com 2 v Mount Vernon Gazette v August 20-26, 2020 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com News Trailer Park Residents Speak Out About Being Priced Out Hybla Valley residents oppose mixed use plans. By Mike Salmon Gazette Packet
o the county planners, the Engleside Trailer The residents of Engleside spoke out about the plan. Park is an opportunity Tfor redevelopment that the planners said. Engleside is In the end, the land use com- would bring a needed boost to being looked at along with Ray’s mittee thought it was necessary to this section of Richmond Highway Mobile Colony, which is next door. delay the process so the residents and be in harmony with Embark According to the proposal, the in Engleside and Ray’s trailer parks Richmond Highway project that is illustrative concept plan depicts can submit their comments to co- slowly coming to fruition. To the possible redevelopment options to incide with the county process. residents of Engleside Trailer Park, include mid-rise multifamily, retail This will require translations in it is home. Residents got a small and office uses along Richmond some cases. group together to discuss the plan, Highway, and stacked towns in the via Zoom, with county planners at southern portion of the site, with Other Planning Parcels a recent Site-Specific Plan Amend- green buffer/open space as a tran- Other areas that were looked at ment Process meeting. sition to the neighborhoods to the during the meeting included the “These are homes, not just trail- south. Beacon Hill Apartments off South ers,” said one Engleside resident. The plan anticipates completion Kings Highway. The height of the Photos contributed A handful gathered in a room of a full movement intersection proposed buildings was a point of and communicated with the plan- at Richmond Highway and Frye discussion for this 37-acre site. A ners via Zoom, and were repre- Road. It sounds more expensive potential Metro stop is part of this sented by Leah Tenorio, who trans- than living in a trailer park, and plan, though it’s a long way off in lated when necessary since many the attendees were worried about the future. were Spanish speaking residents. being priced out of this location. The staff did not recommend Tenorio is the social justice chair The Site-Specific Plan Amend- adding this to the plan amend- at Good Shepherd Catholic Church ment Process is an opportunity to ment work program at this time by and works with the Latino commu- This is PC19-MV-002. participate in Fairfax County’s land a vote of 11 to 8. nity on Route 1. use planning process by submitting Another parcel of land that was “These residents were not noti- Vernon) newsletters, social media, portunities for residents to be part proposals to amend the Area Plan examined at this meeting was a fied,” Tenorio said. Nextdoor and several newspaper of the discussion. volumes of the Comprehensive parcel in Lee District, near the Proposals like this go through articles, Storck’s office said. This is The plan, PC19-MV-002 in plan- Plan and/or the Comprehensive Springfield Interchange, that was the county process, and this pro- the consideration stage, and step ner lingo, was to replace the trailer Land Use Plan Map through the looked at for a storage facility. The posal has been announced in Su- two in about a nine-step process, park at a 1:1 ratio with other hous- Plan Amendment Work, county in- staff did not recommend moving pervisor Dan Storck’s (D-Mount so there will be several more op- ing, which could be apartments, formation stated. forward with this either. Groundbreaking Scheduled for Lorton Library Renovation Library will be co-located with the Lorton Community Action Center. By Mike Salmon The Connection
n Saturday, Aug. 22, offi- cials are breaking ground Oon the Lorton Library renovation project, modernizing a community facility and creating a catalyst for community improve- ment to this section of Fairfax County. The Lorton Library is located on Richmond Highway, and shares a space with the Lorton Commu- nity Action Center, so a new and improved library will also provide a well-needed county resource to this part of Lorton. The renovated branch will be 60 percent larger than its current In this artist rendering, the new facility will have more 10,000 square feet, and the layout windows for natural lighting. will be more efficient for customer Ground clearing for the new Photos by Mike Salmon use, the county said. The building The Connection See Groundbreaking, Page 10 facilities began in July. www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Mount Vernon Gazette v August 20-26, 2020 v 3 Opinion
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Legislating in the Time of COVID-19 An independent, locally owned weekly newspaper delivered By Delegate Paul Krizek to homes and businesses. Delegates is meeting on to criticize slave own- Equipment acquisition. Published by the basketball court of ership, punishable by Mandating transparency re- Local Media Connection LLC his week, I returned Virginia Commonwealth up to five years impris- quirements for congregate-care 1606 King Street with my colleagues to University’s Stuart C. onment. It is nice that facilities during a public health Alexandria, Virginia 22314 Richmond to revise Siegel Center with our this time we are moving emergency. the Commonwealth’s desks spread out six feet in a much different di- Free digital edition delivered to T your email box. Go to budget in light of the COVID-19 apart from one another rection. While the fact Criminal Justice connectionnewspapers.com/subscribe pandemic, pass pandemic-relat- and wearing our face remains that like that and Police Reform ed legislation, and to address the masks. While not physi- 1849 session, we will be Reforming Virginia’s laws relat- Paul Krizek NEWS DEPARTMENT: twin issues of racial inequity and cally open to the public legislating and updating ed to the expungement of police [email protected] police reform. For the past couple due to health concerns, our Commonwealth’s and court records. of months the House Democratic Jean Card the session is live-streamed on the budget in the time of a deadly Increasing good behavior sen- Production Editor Caucus has worked dutifully and Virginia General Assembly website pandemic, our other goals head- tence credits. [email protected] deliberately on an impactful pack- beginning on Tuesday, Aug. 18 at ing into this year’s unprecedented Eliminating qualified immunity age of laws that will change peo- Andrea Worker 1 p.m. The session will probably special session revolve around im- for law enforcement officers. Contributing Writer ple’s lives in an unprecedented and continue through the end of the proving racial equity and reform- Prohibiting no-knock warrants. [email protected] positive way. month and even into September as ing our criminal justice system. Banning the use of chokeholds Early Tuesday morning before Jeanne Theismann we embark on this extraordinary Last week, the House Democratic and other lethal restraints used by [email protected] the beginning of the session that undertaking during this critical pe- Caucus released our legislative law enforcement. @TheismannMedia gavelled in at 1 p.m., I attended riod in our Commonwealth. priorities going into this special Creating a statewide Marcus the joint money committees (Ap- This will prove to be an historic session. It’s a transformative pack- Alert system to ensure the presence ADVERTISING: propriations and Finance) meet- session for many reasons, but es- age of legislation to remove much of mental health professionals for For advertising information ing where we heard the official [email protected] pecially given that this is only the of the inequality in our criminal calls related to mental health cri- 703-778-9431 budget re-forecasting data. From third time in the Commonwealth’s justice system and provide tools ses and wellness checks. this meeting we received full de- history that the General Assem- to combat the health crisis. I’ve in- Strengthening laws related to Debbie Funk tails as to how the pandemic has Display Advertising/National Sales bly has not met in our traditional cluded most of it here: Citizen Review Panels. 703-778-9444 affected the Virginia economy and chambers. The first time was in Eliminating certain pretextual [email protected] how we will need to reshape the 1849 due to a cholera outbreak, COVID-19 Relief police stops. budget to compensate for those and then the second time was Requiring businesses to grant Demilitarizing police depart- Julie Ferrill Real Estate, 703-927-1364 adverse effects. As you know, any during this past April’s annual re- paid sick leave for Virginia work- ments by prohibiting the acquisi- [email protected] new spending allotted by the bud- convene session. In fact, this will ers. tion and use of certain weapons by get that the General Assembly be the first time in 171 years that Establishing a presumption law enforcement agencies. Helen Walutes Display Advertising, 703-778-9410 passed in March during the reg- the House of Delegates will not as to death or disability due to Banning sexual relations be- [email protected] ular session was frozen, or “unal- convene on the Capitol grounds, COVID-19 for workers’ compensa- tween officers and arrestees. lotted,” due to the pandemic. After as the Senate of Virginia chose to tion for first responders, teachers, Expanding the definition of hate David Griffin receiving the re-forecasting details Marketing Assistant meet a few miles away at the Sci- and other high-risk essential work- crimes to include false 911 calls 703-778-9431 and later going through the infor- ence Museum of Virginia in April, ers. made on the basis of race. [email protected] mation with a fine tooth comb, it while the House of Delegates met Providing immunity from civ- Standardizing and enhancing will be clear whether any of the Classified & Employment outside the Capitol in a tent. il claims related to COVID-19 for training for all police academies. Advertising funding can be re-allotted for its This special session will stand complying with health guidance. Mandating the duty of one offi- 703-778-9431 original intent, or whether further in stark contrast to the outcome Protecting Virginians from evic- cer to report and intervene during cuts will need to be made, which of that 1849 session, where a tion during a public health emer- the misconduct of another officer. Publisher is unknown to me at the time I am 17th-century ban on interracial gency. Requiring decertification of law Jerry Vernon writing this column. To maintain 703-549-0004 marriage was officially codified, Creating a Commonwealth Mar- enforcement officers who fail to [email protected] physical distancing, the House of and where it was made a felony ketplace for Personal Protective properly perform their duties. Editor & Publisher Mary Kimm Coping with relentless issues: pandemic, [email protected] @MaryKimm
In the Interim eviction crisis, unemployment crisis, Art/Design: Laurence Foong, John Heinly, Ali Khaligh boosting tourism and more. Production Manager: Geovani Flores By Sen. Adam Ebbin Breonna Taylor, and Ah- at risk of not being able solutions. During a Special Session maud Arbery reignited a to pay their rent. Al- that Governor Northam has called CIRCULATION ormally, the end of the call to action to reform though Governor Ralph to begin on Aug. 18, Del. Cia Price Circulation Manager: legislative session allows our nation’s policing Northam has imple- (D-Hampton) and I will be intro- Ann Oliver [email protected] Ntime for legislators, staff, practices, I listened to mented a statewide rent ducing legislation to require land- and advocates alike to regroup and stood with Black relief program, the ini- lords who plan on evicting tenants A Connection Newspaper and catch their breath. However, Lives Matter protestors, tiative is not yet scaled to first enter into a payment plan though the 2020 General Assem- and worked with Sen- up to prevent many Vir- for a missed rent payment, ensur- bly session officially adjourned ate colleagues to build Adam Ebbin ginians from losing their ing that one financial crisis will not on March 7th, things are still a comprehensive frame- housing during a public push tenants out of their housing busy. After adjournment, cases of work to end these tragedies and health crisis. I have been working and ensure landlords do not lose COVID-19 mounted rapidly, ac- the culture that has made them so closely with advocates and leg- income or go through the costly companied by tri-weekly calls with devastatingly commonplace. islators to address this. To that and unsettling process of evicting the Governor’s office, Health De- As so many are painfully aware, end, over the last three weeks, I a family. I am also working with partment briefings, and evenings an eviction crisis is looming in met with the Virginia Poverty Law advocates to extend the eviction working to stay informed of the Virginia. The statewide eviction Center, Tenants and Workers Unit- moratorium. constantly-evolving virus and to moratorium ended in July and the ed of Alexandria and faith leaders share information with constitu- weekly $600 federal stipend for from Virginians Organized for In- I serve on a number of interim ents. unemployment lapsed at the end terfaith Community Engagement Committees and Commissions be- After the deaths of George Floyd, of July, leaving many Virginians (VOICE) to hear issues and seek See In The Interim, Page 9 4 v Mount Vernon Gazette v August 20-26, 2020 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com News Rex Reiley RE/MAX Allegiance Fort Hunt Flag 703-768-7730 Football for [email protected] Alex/Mt. Vernon Grove $659,900 OPEN 4207 Robertson Blvd. High School Welcome to this large beautiful 2 story split situated SUNDAY 1-4 on an expansive, flat, .34 acre lot w/a fenced bkyd, & Players 1 car side entry garage. A major renovation in 2015 to include: new roof, kitchen opened up to living & dining rooms w/granite counters & center isle, SS appliances, cherry cabinets & oak floors he flag football program for to match the rest of the refinished hdwds, painted interior w/crown molding, 6 panel kids 13 years and younger doors throughout. A/C replaced in 2019. Large 19x12 deck off the dining area, also in- Tis now joined by a high stalled in 2015. 2 wood burning FPLS inspected & improved as necessary. All 3 baths school 7-vs-7 non-contact league remodeled as well. This is a tremendous buy & ideally situated in Mt.Vernon. 5 mins to Ft. Belvoir (S), 17-18 mins to S. Alexandria (N), 27 mins to National Airport (N) & for kids 14-to-18 years of age. 28-30 mins to the Pentagon (N). Nothing like it on the market!! Some local high school coaches suggest this will be advantageous Ft. Hunt/Hollin Hall $629,500 in helping keep the kids in shape 1905 Clayton Place and their football skills sharp. Beautiful contemporary home with open floor plan in sought after Hollin Hall community zoned Fort Hunt will also be offering UNDER CONTRACT for Waynewood Elementary. 1600 sq.ft. One level skills and drills camps on select living w/3 bedrooms, 2 baths. Renovated kitchen Saturdays and Sundays beginning and baths. Wall of windows in back overlooking in September, offering position private backyard. Sits on a quiet cul de sac with lovely landscaping. Blocks specific training for all positions to George Washington Parkway and Potomac River. Neighborhood shopping center. Fabulous location. on the football field led by current high school and college coaches. More info to come. Please check Alex/Olde Mill Condominiums $249,000 5704 Shadwell Court #95 the website frequently for camp Cozy 2 bedroom, 2 bath, Condo, 3 miles from days. Ft. Belvoir. 25 minutes to DC on GW Parkway. Fort Hunt Football is looking Top level unit with cathedral ceiling, wood for kids and coaches for both pro- burning fireplace, attic storage, and private walk-in closet. Both bathrooms have been grams. Please sign up as soon as recently updated. Separate laundry room off possible to facilitate ordering uni- kitchen! Enjoy walks through Jackson Abbot Wetland Refuge, with tennis forms and setting up the schedule. courts and playground. Minutes to Ft. Belvoir (S). Late fees apply after Aug. 31. Go to http://www.fhyaa.football.org. assn.la/Registration/Default.as- p?n=80346&org=Fhyaa.football. org Please spread the word! Call with any questions. Ricky Hairston, Commissioner Fort Hunt Football and Cheer 443-871-8656 March Saturday Northern Virginia Com- munity and Friends United march for justice, peace, equality and education and Black Lives Matter, Saturday, Aug. 22. Parts of Sherwood Hall Lane, Collingwood, Park- ers Lane, Holland Road and Fordson Road will be closed to vehicles on Saturday, Au- gust 22nd from 8 a.m. until noon for a peaceful march and rally. The staging location will be in Gum Springs at the Martin Luther King Jr. Com- munity Park and the march will end at the Mount Ver- non Police Station. Voter ed- ucation and registration ser- vices will be available prior to the rally. Anyone support- ing a marc h for justice, peace, equal- ity and education are wel- comed and encouraged to join the march and rally.
www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Mount Vernon Gazette v August 20-26, 2020 v 5 News Mount Vernonite Mary Thompson Wins Top Book Award
he Society for Historians of the Early American Republic is proud to an- Tnounce the following winners of the 2020 book, article, and dissertation prizes. The James Bradford Best Biography Prize, awarded annually to the author of an origi- nal biography, broadly defined, of a person active during the era of the early republic, goes to Mary V. Thompson, for “The Only Unavoidable Subject of Regret”: George Washington, Slavery, and the Enslaved Community at Mount Vernon (University of Virginia Press, 2019). The prize committee, composed of Professors Manisha Sinha, Jef- Mary V. Thompson frey L. Pasley, and Christopher Grasso, offer the following praise of this work: When Mary V. Thompson began working at the Mount Vernon historic site forty years ago, no one spoke of “slaves” — George Washington’s enslaved workers were called “servants.” The decades of pioneering work in the history of slavery that she had learned about in college and graduate school went unacknowledged. As she progressed from tour guide to curator to staff historian, Thompson and other scholars brought the burgeoning historiography of slavery and African American life to Mount Vernon in an effort to tell a truer story of the past to the millions who visited. Their painstaking archival and archeological research trans- formed the public presentation of Mount Vernon, which (as Thompson points out) provides many of its visitors with their only first-hand experience of a southern planta- tion. With this volume, Thompson records and demonstrates their signal contributions to the broader scholarship on slavery and free- dom in eighteenth-century Virginia. The Several chapters reconstruct life in the product of decades of work, The Only Un- slave quarters, from the details of their ma- avoidable Subject of Regret is more than a terial surroundings and diet to their social remarkable synthesis. While not a tradition- relationships and cultural practices. Other al biography of Washington, the book is an sections consider the process through which essential contribution to the study of his life, Washington’s concern for his and the coun- revealing his character through his practice try’s reputation eventually led him to recon- of slavery, the cultural and socio-economic sider slavery, despite his avid and successful foundation of his identity as an elite eigh- efforts to profit from it to his last breath. teenth-century Virginian. The book will be Along the way, the evidence is weighed a starting point for all future conventional and judicious answers are provided for ev- Washington biographies. The focus of Wash- ery major question and controversy regard- ington’s attention and passion throughout ing the Washington family and slavery. Tak- his life, the management of Mount Vernon en as a whole, the book provides a valuable and the other plantations tell us as much view from Mount Vernon the historical in- about him as his military and political ca- stitution that shows just how well academic reers, and reflect a harsher light back on studies, public history, and material culture those, too. Thompson does not let her ad- can mesh and enrich each other. miration for Washington in other contexts In short, Mary V. Thompson’s book make her flinch from portraying the every- amounts to new required reading on the day and perpetual cruelties of Washington’s first subject in American biography. Slav- slaveholding, which included whipping, ery at Mount Vernon was fundamental to shackles, tracing escapees with dogs, and George Washington’s character and life, and selling people away from their families. those in turn have the broadest implications Understanding Washington as a slave- for how we approach the Founders in gen- holder requires a comprehensive reconstruc- eral. General readers and scholars alike are tion of life at Mount Vernon, and this book Thompson’s debt, and her book richly de- provides it as only an author who has spent serves the 2020 SHEAR Bradford Prize. their career directly immersed in a subject For a question-and-answer session with can do. Thompson analyzes the work re- the author, see: gimes of the various hired, indentured, and https://www.mountvernon.org/library/ enslaved workers that kept the plantation author-interviews/the-only-unavoid- Another Community Partnership functioning. able-subject-of-regret/ Mount Vernon’s Hometown Newspaper • A Connection Newspaper March 24, 2016 6 v Mount Vernon Gazette v August 20-26, 2020 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Keeping children focused and away from distractions like video games can be challeng- ing for parents of those with ADHD.
Distance Learning for Children with ADHD
Decreasing stress and example, children might need to sit in a rocking chair or on an exercise ball while doing schoolwork. increasing success in a “Homeschooling kids with ADHD can actually have its benefits,” said Carol Barnaby, LCSW-C, a therapist virtual classroom. in Bethesda, Md. “ADHD kids often do better with be- ing able to have more freedom and flexibility in their By Marilyn Campbell schedules. They can have movement breaks when Gazette Packet they need them and can modify their environments.” Parents can make distance learning less stressful lost (adj): 1. unable to find oncia Hartley and her 10-year old son Kel- by creating a schedule and helping their child to fol- the way. 2. not appreciated vin are dreading the first day of school this low it each school day. Recreating classroom rituals or understood. 3. no longer year. Remote learning means that this Alex- like holding morning meetings with children to dis- owned or known VA RIETY Vandria mother of three will not only oversee cuss the day ahead can create the structure that those the education of her children, she will also have to with ADHD need. “Parents can help by putting out a STORE help Kelvin stay focused and organized. He has atten- consistent schedule for the kids to work around [and] tion-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). helping kids make a plan for their day to complete Adopt Est. 1958 “When we changed to online learning last spring, I work,” said Barnaby. “Finding a distraction free work- almost felt like I needed to duct tape him to the chair ing space; using a computer that doesn’t have distract- so that he could stay still long enough to complete his ing apps to lure kids away from work. If that isn’t Donate assignments,” said Hartley. “We possible using a website blocker both shed a lot of tears and did during school hours.” Volunteer a lot of screaming.” “Home schooling Breaking down that schedule While home-schooling or into manageable chunks and managing distance learning kids with ADHD can knowing how long a child can Volunteers needed for can be challenging for many work on a particular task before parents, for those with children actually have its ben- needing a break can decrease adoption events, who have ADHD, it poses more efits. They can have anxiety and create a supportive fostering, Experience complex demands. In addition environment. Once that is deter- transportation, the Nostalgia to attending virtual classes and movement breaks mined, Barnaby suggests “set- completing assignments, stu- ting a kitchen timer so kids are adoption center of an old-time dents with ADHD might need when they need them aware of when break time hap- caretaking and more. help locating lost pencils, note- pens. … This helps them to work Five & Dime Store books or other supplies, keep- on beating the buzzer. If your ing track of and completing and can modify their child becomes stressed then take homework or staying focused a break. They can come back to “If we don’t have it, and away from video games environments.” the work when they feel better.” you don’t need it.” during the school day. — Carol Barnaby, For students with ADHD, “ADHD is a brain disorder LCSW-C, therapist sitting at a desk for long peri- Hollin Hall that includes difficulty main- ods of time can be grueling, taining focus, hasty actions, and so Barnaby advises parents to Shopping Center excessive body movements that build physical activity into the interfere with daily functioning,” said Jerome Short, day and adjust their expectations about their child’s 7902 Fort Hunt Rd., Ph.D., Associate Professor of Psychology at George learning for the coming school year. Alexandria, VA 22308 Mason University. “It includes a pattern of inattention, “Mostly, remember that even if your child isn’t per- impulsivity, and hyperactivity [and] affects about five forming great during virtual schooling, things will be 703-765-4110 to seven percent of children.” okay,” she said. “Kids are resilient. Many kids have Students with ADHD often need latitude with re- missed school because of family crises in the past and lostdogandcatrescue.org [email protected] gard to the pace and method at which they learn. For have done fine catching up to their peers.” www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Mount Vernon Gazette v August 20-26, 2020 v 7 News For (Some) Women, Right to Vote Came 100 Years Ago City marks centennial of 19th amendment. By Jeanne Theismann Gazette Packet
arry Burn was a staunch anti-suffragist. But then the 24-year- Hold legislator unex- pectedly uttered “aye” to break a deadlocked vote at the Tennessee statehouse, leaving his colleagues in stunned silence. The date was Aug. 18, 1920, and with that single
syllable a half century of tireless National Women’s Party activist Dora Lewis (wrapped in blanket) Photo contributed and sometimes violent campaign- after her release from the Occoquan Workhouse in 1917. ing had ended. The 19th Amend- ment to the U.S. Constitution had recognized the efforts of Kate co-founder of the organization passed: Women were granted the Waller Barrett, an Alexandrian and that sponsored the event. “Going right to vote. leading social and voting rights ac- forward we will be looking at be- Alexandria marked the centen- tivist of her time. coming a resource for women’s nial anniversary of the historic “Alexandria Celebrates Women history while doing what we can to date with an outdoor gathering was founded to recognize the his- empower women.” Mayor Justin Wilson, left, prepares to read a proclamation rec- at the Kate Waller Barrett Library, toric achievements of women in Converse and co-founder Pat ognizing the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment Aug. 18 where Mayor Justin Wilson issued Alexandria while celebrating and Miller have coordinated a series at the Kate Waller Barrett Library. Council members Del Pep- a proclamation in recognition of empowering the modern Alexan- of events to mark the ratification per and Amy Jackson joined the ceremony that celebrated the the ratification. The location also dria woman,” said Gayle Converse, See Right to Vote, Page 9 amendment granting women the right to vote.