Burkeconnection on Twitter: Follow Scribes Their Relationship As Mutual, “Which Is Why We Are So Close,” She Said
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Inside Pet Connection Kay Schlachter smiles and hugs her dog, Tal- ly. Schlachter and Tally understand each other. “When I am sad she com- forts me,” Schlachter said. “And when she is scared I comfort her.” She de- Follow on Twitter: @BurkeConnection on Twitter: Follow scribes their relationship as mutual, “which is why we are so close,” she said. Classifieds, Page 10 Classifieds, v Entertainment, Page 8 v Burke Stories Of People and Pets Pet Connection, Page 6 Kofi Annan Resigns As Phillips Is New County NAACP President Rams Principal News, Page 3 News, Page 2 Photo contributedPhoto Opinion, Page 4 August 1-7, 2019 online at www.connectionnewspapers.com News Phillips Is New Rams Principal A Robinson Secondary grad herself, Tracey Phillips is a home-town, home-grown leader. Photos by Steve Hibbard/The Connection By Steve Hibbard The Connection ith 22 years in education, Tracey Phillips, 43, of Fairfax was named the Wnew principal of Robinson Second ary School on July 26, 2019, replac- ing Matt Eline who took a job in Prince William County. She will be overseeing 3,800 students and a staff of 300. Phillips also graduated from Robinson Secondary and Oak View Elementary and grew up in the same Rams’ neighborhood. Her parents, Wes and Felecia Blaine, and sister Leslie Malkowski live right down the road. What she loves about her job is the people, she said. “I’m home grown; I graduated from here; I grew up in this neighborhood. ... It’s a unique environ- ment, a welcoming place. The culture here draws Shown with a statue of the Ram, you in and it’s hard to not love it.” Tracey Phillips is the new principal of According to 2018-2019 stats, Robinson is com- Robinson Secondary. posed of 59 percent white students; 14.6 percent Hispanic; 5.8 percent Black; 13 percent Asian; and have the socioeconomic status of our students chang- 6.7 percent other. Students in the General Educa- ing as well. Our students are all achieving and meet- tion division number 92 percent; and the Special ing benchmarks and doing excellent things in the Education is 14 percent. classroom and extra-curricular activities. Students “We’re a high-achieving school with a population Shown in her office, Tracey Phillips is the new principal which is increasing in diversity,” said Phillips. “We See New Principal, Page 10 of Robinson Secondary. 2 ❖ Burke Connection ❖ August 1-7, 2019 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Connection Editor Kemal Kurspahic News 703-778-9414 or [email protected] Kofi Annan Resigns As County NAACP President Fairfax NAACP issues statement; Sean Perryman assumes presidency. resident Kofi Annan tendered his education and affordable housing, to com- resignation as President of the munity policing. The Fairfax NAACP chap- PFairfax County NAACP and it is ter just completed a community service with profound regret that the project benefiting the Capital Area Food Executive Committee has accepted the res- Bank earlier this month. In partnership with ignation of Kofi Annan as of Sunday, July the Fairfax County Police, we’re preparing 28. Annan resigned for personal reasons, for the Cops and Kids Basketball game next but his resignation did follow a story in the month. It’s unfortunate that in the midst of Washington Post about a dispute with a busy summer, we have to be distracted by Kofi Annan former branch president Shirley Ginwright. what amounts to an interpersonal matter Despite the private nature of the dispute in between two individuals who have known had our share of disagree- the context of a personal text message con- each other for years. ments, Chairman Bulova versation with Ms. Ginwright, the Execu- On behalf of the Executive Committee, has been a friend and an ally tive Committee denounces Mr. Annan’s use we apologize to Ms. Ginwright for the dis- of the NAACP. She was es- of derogatory language towards Ms. respectful comments made by our former pecially critical in establish- Ginwright, as well as his negative comments president. They do not reflect the attitude ing more civilian oversight Photo by Andrea Worker/The Connection about Fairfax County officials - NAACP said or values of this Board. Ms. Ginwright is of the Fairfax County Police Sean Perryman in a statement. always welcome to attend our events and Department through the Ad Our primary focus as an organization is share her perspective. Hoc Police Practices Review Committee and country. I hope to lead in a way that honors to address the myriad of issues Fairfax The Executive committee apologizes to the Police Civilian Review Panel. As Chair- their service and dedication. I also hope to County residents face on a daily basis, from Chairman Sharon Bulova. Though we’ve man Bulova is stepping down after this lead in a way that does justice to the work term, we plan to continue this excellent re- already started by Kofi Annan. lationship with the Board of Supervisors, I remember when I attended my first and the new Chairman. meeting not sure what to expect. Kofi The Executive Committee would also like brought me into the fold. He gave me real to apologize to FCPD Chief Edwin Roessler. responsibility. He let me ascend to leader- We appreciate Chief Roessler and the ship quickly and listened to the advice I FCPD’s commitment to serving all the resi- gave. I’m incredibly proud of the work I dents of Fairfax County, and intend to con- accomplished with him and I’ll never for- tinue working with them to strengthen our get the opportunity he gave me. community. The outpouring of love for Kofi Annan Though the Fairfax Branch is one of the following the announcement of his resig- oldest chapters of the NAACP, the branch nation is a testament to the impact of his has truly flourished in recent years under work and the lives he’s touched. I’m wise Mr. Annan’s leadership. His tireless advo- enough to understand that you don’t replace cacy and tenacious pursuit of justice drove someone like Kofi but can only try to fur- everyone in this branch to the next level, ther the work with the amazing team they culminating in winning the NAACP’s pres- left you. I hope he continues to stay involved tigious Thalheimer Award in 2018. and we can partner in whatever he does We invite the community to join us at our next. next General Membership Meeting on Aug. I cannot and will not seek to be like pre- 10 at the A.M.E. Baptist Church in Alexan- vious leaders for I fear I could only be a dria. Membership in the Fairfax NAACP is bad imitation. I will instead try to carve out open to all Fairfax County residents, regard- my own brand of leadership focused on less of gender, race, creed, religion, or na- equity, policy, and elevating the status of tional origin. this branch. I will not try to recreate myself but continue to lead with honesty, humor, Photo contributed STATEMENT FROM SEAN PERRYMAN, occasional snark, and a lot of passion. The Dr. David Anmuth of Pediatric Lung and Allergy Center answers on assuming presidency of Fairfax County branch will shift somewhat but our resolve questions from the community during an open forum Q&A session NAACP: and mission will remain the same. on July 18 in Fairfax. “As many of you may have heard by now, My motivation—my daughter Ava and I’m assuming the Presidency of the Fairfax every child like her—remain the same. Be- County NAACP. I’m both excited and cause as a nation, we must realize that no Discussing Food Allergies humbled by the opportunity to represent one is coming to save us. We must create On July 18, the pediatric allergists of between. They covered a myriad of an organization with a legacy as rich and the communities we seek until eventually Pediatric Lung and Allergy Center topics including food allergy testing, important as the NAACP. the world becomes something we are proud (PLAC) teamed up with the Northern how cooking can trigger specific In an organization founded by legendary to hand our children and children’s chil- VA Food Allergy Group to host an open allergic responses, reading food labels, intellectuals and titans of civil and human dren. forum question and answer session for ancillary support services, various rights like Ida B. Wells and W.E.B. Du Bois, As I look forward to the future, I am ea- the community. The session was geared treatment options, and more. it’s daunting to compare yourself to lead- ger to continue my work with leaders toward parents of children who For more information, follow the ers of past. The work remains though, and throughout Fairfax County and hope to manage food allergies of all kinds. The groups on facebook: must continue. I realize, however, that ev- meet with leaders from the Virginia state physicians, Dr. David Anmuth and Dr. @pediatriclungandallergycenter, ery branch is only as good as the people delegation, county board, and school board Anne Miranowski, talked with parents www.fnapc.com | @novafoodallergy, who volunteer. Thankfully, in Fairfax, we soon. of infants, teenagers, and all ages in www.novafoodallergy.org. have some of the most talented and pas- I appreciate all of you as I prepare for this sionate individuals in any branch in the task of leading this amazing organization. www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Burke Connection ❖ August 1-7, 2019 ❖ 3 Opinion Burke Back-to-School Rituals Cause Stress www.ConnectionNewspapers.com @BurkeConnection By Joe Fay than $24,000. An independent, locally owned weekly Executive Director FACETS At Robinson Square, Ragan Oaks, Barros newspaper delivered to Circle and Wedgewood, staff and volunteers homes and businesses.