BRAMBLETON – Evergreen Mills Road between Creighton Road/Hartland Drive and Arcola Mills Drive will be closed to through traffic Monday according to the Virginia Department of Transportation Those needing to reach properties along Evergreen Mills Road will have access; however drivers will not be able to go beyond the point of pipe replacement (located between the Founders Drive/Hanson Park Drive and the Correspondent Drive/Hanson Park Drive traffic signals) in either direction Through traffic will be detoured via Creighton Road and Northstar Boulevard back to Evergreen Mills Road Drivers are asked to follow posted detour signs You can get traffic, work zone and incident information online at 511.vdot.virginia.gov, via the free mobile 511Virginia app or by calling 511 in Virginia anywhere anytime Follow VDOT Northern Virginia on Twitter: @vadotnova Please note that this file is not ADA compliant 2025 at 9:26 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}The Virginia Department of Transportation is closing Evergreen Mills Road in Brambleton during daytime pipe work VA — Commuters around Brambleton will notice a road closure on one of the major routes Evergreen Mills Road is closed during daytime work by the Virginia Department of Transportation April 17 between Creighton Road/Hartland Drive and Arcola Mills Drive VDOT says the closure is for a drainage pipe replacement Residents will have access to their properties along Evergreen Mills Road but drivers will not be able to go beyond the point of pipe replacement in both directions between the Founders Drive/Hanson Park Drive and the Correspondent Drive/Hanson Park Drive traffic signals A detour is in place via Creighton Road and Northstar Boulevard back to Evergreen Mills Road Residents can find real-time traffic and road work information at 511.vdot.virginia.gov or by calling 511 Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. 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Looking for a new home that balances modern convenience with family-friendly charm Your perfect home is closer than you think at the Brambleton Spring Weekend Tour Event These townhomes — ideally located within walking distance of the amenity-filled Brambleton Town Center — offer the best in modern Knutson at Downtown Brambleton features upscale townhomes with rooftop terraces and lofts included With nearly 3,000 square feet of stylish living space a two-car garage and a rooftop terrace — your Yard in the Sky — you can embrace the luxury lifestyle you’ve always wanted Knutson West Park at Brambleton blends classic elegance with modern family living These new townhomes offer room to grow with a flowing layout of 1,768 square feet a two-car garage and flexible home office space Each home includes a private backyard and an optional rear deck perfect for relaxing afternoons and vibrant nights Homes start from the mid $600s and reflect the quality and craftsmanship of a trusted you’re not just buying a home — you’re investing in a community Your family will enjoy a state-of-the-art library as well as access to Loudoun County schools and neighborhood daycares makes Brambleton a place where families flourish and neighbors become lifelong friends Come experience what makes Knutson at Downtown Brambleton and Knutson West Park at Brambleton so special on April 5 and 6 to tour these exceptional townhomes explore the neighborhood and envision your future in this gem of Northern Virginia living WAVY.com A local farm needs help picking their strawberries the city of Virginia Beach experienced a tragedy when police officers Cameron Girvin and Christopher Reese were shot and killed while conducting a traffic stop A dispatcher who was working that night spoke with 10 On Your Side about the moment the call came in A Chesapeake family is thanking the community after getting support following a house fire last month dispatchers received reports of a house on fire off of Country Mill Run Road at approximately 12:10 p.m Moyock Fire Department and Navy Regional also responded to help with water supply and fire extinguishment two recent child drownings in Chesapeake remind all of us that water safety should be top of mind A bill concerning Flock cameras and the data they hold was just signed into law by Virginia Gov The law is meant to regulate the data and add restrictions How loved ones spend their last days in Medicare and Medicaid supported facilities is top of mind for local members of Congress who represents voters in Virginia's first congressional district said he went through this with his parents Newport News police responded to a home on Cedar Avenue and found a toddler unconscious on a mattress with paramedics arriving soon after and pronouncing him dead before medical efforts could be made Zai-Twond Perry was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and felony child abuse the father's side of the family of 20-month-old Khaza Lindsay-Holliday has been in an uphill battle to get answers about what happened to him 2024 at 3:50 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Potting soil started a fire at a home in Brambleton on Saturday night according to Loudoun County Fire and Rescue VA — Potting soil was the origin point of a two-alarm house fire in Brambleton Saturday Firefighters responded to multiple 911 calls around 9:55 p.m Saturday in the 23400 block of Virginia Rose Place Units found a single-family home with significant fire showing from the back and the roof A second alarm was requested to bring additional firefighters to the scene It took numerous hand lines and master stream devices on multiple sides of the home to put out much of the fire in 20 minutes Firefighters worked for an hour to contain and put out the entire fire There were no reported injuries to residents or firefighters with damages from the fire estimated at $1,696,864 Homes on both sides had damage to the siding but remain habitable The fire marshal's office determined the fire's cause was combustion of potting soil stored under the deck fires originating in landscaping mulch and other organic planting materials can quickly spread to shrubs "Spontaneous combustion can happen when a decomposing generates enough heat to ignite without an outside source said Assistant Chief of Operations James Williams in a news release a large or compacted area of these materials can create sufficient heat to spontaneously combust It’s important to remember that in all cases these fires are more likely to occur when the weather is hot and it’s been dry for an extended period." Loudoun County Fire and Rescue recommended the following tips for fire safety with gardens and landscaping: Loudoun County Fire and Rescue units from Arcola as well as the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority The Knutson Companies invites you to tour two exciting new townhome models now open in Brambleton These models showcase the thoughtfully-designed modern living spaces the Knutson Companies is known for and provide a firsthand look at the lifestyle awaiting you in two sought-after Loudoun County communities — both ideally located within walking distance of Downtown Brambleton At Knutson West Park at Brambleton Its open-concept layout features three bedrooms optional rear decks and versatile home office space combining functionality and style for growing families the Camden sets a new standard for attainable At Knutson at Downtown Brambleton the new Rockland model allows you to explore this popular rooftop terrace townhome design within the latest section now selling at Downtown Brambleton These spacious townhomes offer up to five bedrooms two-car garages and include a loft and rooftop terrace — your Yard in the Sky With nearly 3,000 square feet of living space and prices starting in the upper $700s the Rockland is the foundation for an upscale Both communities are located within the vibrant Brambleton neighborhood where homeowners enjoy access to award-winning schools Nearby Brambleton Town Center offers convenient fitness centers and a state-of-the-art library Year-round community events and activities create a lively neighborhood atmosphere for all ages neighborhood and lifestyle your family has been waiting for Visit DowntownBrambleton.com or KnutsonatWestPark.com to schedule your tour and see how these exceptional new homes redefine living in Loudoun County VA — A boy was found fatally shot in a grocery store parking lot Saturday night in Broadlands in a vehicle at Harris Teeter in the 43300 block of Southern Walk Plaza adding the death appears to be an isolated incident and the shooting occurred in the 43000 block of Hillmont Terrace Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 703-777-1021 tipsters can call Loudoun County Crime Solvers at 703-777-1919 or submit a tip through the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office app 2024 at 9:24 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}EatLoco Farmers Market at Brambleton will move back to its former location near Brambleton Town Center VA — One of the two EatLoco Farmers Markets that was relocated in the spring will permanently move back to its old location EatLoco Farmers Markets founder and CEO Dan Hine said in a social media post to customers that the Brambleton location will move back to Olympia Drive near Brambleton Town Center as of Sunday The market will also be extended onto the grass leading to Brambleton Town Center to provide more space for vendors and space for customers to enjoy food and occasional live music The farmers market had moved from the town center on April 6 to Barn at Brambleton Hine cited parking challenges at the Barn at Brambleton as a key reason why the farmers market was moving back "We apologize for any inconvenience this caused over the past few months We underestimated the increase in traffic that the market would attract at the Barn," Hine shared with customers "Despite our efforts to explore various solutions to alleviate the parking situation none proved adequate to meet the needs of our customers." Moving back to Brambleton Town Center gives farmers market customers access to two parking garages and surrounding parking lots The location also allows for some customers to walk to the market which was not an option at the Barn at Brambleton "Our priority is to provide the best market experience for our customers and we believe that returning to Olympia Drive is the best way to do this," Hine wrote 2024 at 3:13 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Himalayan Wild Yak at Brambleton Town Center was named one of Washington Post food critic Tom Sietsema's favorite restaurants for his fall dining guide VA — A restaurant in the Brambleton community of Loudoun County has caught the eye of Washington Post food critic Tom Sietsema Nepalese restaurant Himalayan Wild Yak was on the new 40 best restaurants in and around D.C The food critic has been doing the fall dining guide for 25 years and includes new and continuing favorites the 40 restaurants represent a "range of tastes Brambleton Town Center's Himalayan Wild Yak serves Indian and Nepalese dishes, including ones with yak meat as the name suggests. Sietsema praised the restaurant's momos which are the Nepalese take on steamed dumplings "The steamed dumplings show up as eight supple wonders on the rim of a bowl of garlicky tomato sauce," Sietsema wrote you can see the outline of their juicy fillings; try the signature yak finely ground and deftly seasoned with coriander According to the restaurant's website Himalayan Wild Yak seeks to promote Nepalese food and culture The name is a nod to the yaks and Himalayan mountains that are top attractions in the country The restaurant says yak meat has nutrient-rich and heart-healthy benefits Himalayan Wild Yak was the only Loudoun County restaurant to make the list There were six others named from Northern Virginia — Mama Chang in Fairfax Feru Bar and Restaurant in Alexandria and Afghan Bistro in Springfield See the full list of Sietsema's 40 favorite restaurants for the fall season June 25 marked a day of thanks and gratitude to Loudoun County's First Responders for LCPS and beyond The First Responder Cookout appreciation event at Heritage High School pays tribute to first responders across the County who answer the call to protect and serve the community Hosted by Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) the Loudoun First Responder Foundation and the Loudoun Education Foundation the day serves as a reminder of the brave individuals who put their lives on the line to protect ours every single day. School Resource Officers and other representatives from Loudoun County Sheriff's Office and Loudoun County Fire and Rescue gathered in the Heritage lunchroom decorated in a red and blue theme including over 300 cupcakes displayed in the shape of an American flag Ross Armstrong; LCPS Computer Science Supervisor Nick Grzeda; Computer Science Facilitators and served more than 600 hot dogs and hamburgers for more than 160 officers "Strong community partnerships are essential to the success of a good school division especially with our first responders," said Superintendent Dr "The safety and well-being of our students is our top priority I am grateful to these dedicated individuals and organizations who support our school division and help uplift our community." The Loudoun heroes in attendance enjoyed side dishes donated by Monk's BBQ and thank-you gifts that included a coffee tumbler “Hydrating Heros” labeled water and personalized “First Responder” Coca-Colas collapsible watering dishes to help them stay hydrated while on the job. "This event is a small token of our appreciation for the real heroes who deserve our deepest respect and admiration Loudoun's first responders support our students and school communities in so many capacities Director of Family and Community Engagement "Hosting the First Responders event each year is a way to celebrate those who do not hesitate to respond in times of need The event also reminds us to say 'thank you for your service in keeping us all safe' to the Loudoun's first responder heroes we see while out and about." Dawson hosted the First Responders appreciation event in 2021 while serving as the Principal at Brambleton Middle School She partnered with the Loudoun First Responder Foundation and expanded the event's impact through the central office in 2022 Both the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office and Loudoun First Responder Foundation presented Renee Dawson with a Challenge Coin to honor her unyielding commitment to and support for First Responders Principal Robert Marple23070 Learning CirAshburn, VA 201487039574450 Administration and Office Contacts Report an Absence in ParentVue Please note: All student Early Dismissals must be completed by 3:00pm Office Phone: 703-957-4450Office Hours: 8:00am - 4:00pm Creating a safe and supportive learning environment to promote behavioral and academic success Find out about all the Student Activities taking place now Learn about student access to Technology tools resources and information to support their learning Information for the Brambleton Community on Enrollment Solutions Welcome to the new Loudoun County Public Schools website updated look full of features and solutions that will improve your user experience Explore the user-friendly menu buttons for quick access to commonly used sections the events calendar and the improved search function Visitors are encouraged to explore the new changes and updates with patience and understanding and we apologize if you encounter any instances of downtime or unexpected issues Service for our rapid notification system has been restored after a short vendor technology outage this morning Important Notice: Correction for A/B Day Schedule Please note that the website is currently displaying incorrect information for today's schedule We apologize for any confusion and are working to correct the error as soon as possible LCPS and Administrative Offices are closed Monday All activities on school campuses are canceled Monday Loudoun County Public Schools and Administrative Offices are closed on Tuesday All activities on school campuses are canceled on January 7 as well all schools serving as polling places will remain open unless otherwise announced by The Loudoun County Office of Elections The Annual School Board Organizational Meeting that is scheduled for Tuesday To the extent inclement weather makes it impracticable and unsafe for a quorum of the School Board to meet in person at the Administrative Building at that time the School Board will plan to hold such rescheduled meeting virtually to provide for the continuity of its operations additional information will be provided prior to that meeting Loudoun County Public Schools and Administrative Offices are closed Wednesday An announcement will be made by NOON on Wednesday if after school activities on campuses may take place Loudoun County Public Schools campuses will be allowed to reopen today Please check your school’s website for updates on canceled or confirmed activities Loudoun County Public Schools are on a 2-hour delay Thursday 9 with Administrative Offices opening on time Loudoun County Public Schools are on a 2-hour delay Friday January 10 with Administrative Offices opening on time Please check our website for specific program information to see how the delay could affect you After further assessment of neighborhood roads and sidewalks this evening after sunset we have determined that Loudoun County Public Schools will remain closed Thursday January 9 due to additional freezing and icy conditions Administrative offices will operate on a delayed schedule and will open at 10:00 a.m An announcement will be made by NOON on Thursday if after school activities on campuses may take place The Annual Loudoun County School Board Organizational Meeting Thank you for your understanding and stay safe Loudoun County Public Schools campuses will be closed today The Loudoun County School Board Organizational Meeting will continue as scheduled Loudoun County Public Schools campuses will be closed Saturday All activities on school campuses are canceled at this time Scheduled activities on school campuses may be allowed after 12:00 PM Please check our website for specific program information to see how the closure could affect you Loudoun County Public Schools campuses will remain closed today For the status of Loudoun County Parks and Recreation activities held in LCPS buildings, please visit: https://www.loudoun.gov/fieldstatus After the impacts of this past week’s inclement weather we wanted to let you know that LCPS will resume regular operations on Monday We appreciate everyone's flexibility and understanding during this time Please be assured that we checked road conditions with VDOT and other partners and our staff has worked diligently to ensure the safety and readiness of our facilities for students and staff All schools will operate on their regular schedules Buses will operate on their normal schedules Thank you for your patience and adaptability during the weather disruptions We look forward to welcoming our students and staff back to school Loudoun County Public Schools and Administrative Offices are closed Sunday All activities on school campuses are canceled Loudoun County Public Schools and Administrative Offices are scheduled to be closed Monday all activities on school campuses are canceled for Monday Loudoun County Public Schools are on a 2-hour delay on Thursday Please check your school’s website to see how the delay could affect you Loudoun County Public Schools campuses will be allowed to reopen today, January 21 beginning at 4:00 p.m. for scheduled activities. For the status of a particular event, please confirm the status with the event coordinator. For the status of Loudoun County Parks and Recreation activities held in LCPS buildings, please visit: https://www.loudoun.gov/fieldstatus Please be advised our team is currently surveying roads and a decision will be made later today regarding tomorrow Loudoun County Public Schools are on a 2-hour delay January 22 with Administrative Offices opening on time We will continue to monitor road conditions through the morning and will let families and staff know as soon as possible if anything changes please check your email or your school’s website at to see how the delay could affect you Due to the unpredictability of the current weather forecast and in an effort to give families ample time to plan Loudoun County Public Schools are on two-hour delay on Thursday with administrative offices opening on time all LCPS campuses will be closing at 9:00 p.m We appreciate your understanding and will continue to monitor conditions Loudoun County Public Schools will close three (3) hours early Tuesday due to the predicted afternoon snowfall for our area Schools will dismiss 3 hours early and all bus routes will operate three (3) hours earlier than their normal time All after-school activities are canceled for Tuesday Administrative Offices will also close 3 hours earlier than their scheduled time The School Board meeting scheduled for Tuesday will be rescheduled for Thursday February 13 with the work session starting at 4:30 p.m We will continue to monitor the weather and let you know if anything changes. As a reminder, optional snow day enrichment activities are available for your student at lcps.org/snowdayresources LCPS is aware that there is potential for precipitation in the form of snow and rain throughout the day Saturday We wanted to let you know we will remain open on Saturday especially as weather conditions can vary across the county and to check their school’s website for any updates to scheduled activities We will continue to closely monitor the weather and temperatures After surveying road conditions and deeming them suitable for travel We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work to ensure a smooth and safe return to school Please disregard the previous message you may have received about a Negative Balance on your student’s cafeteria meal account (LINQ Connect) It was sent out in error and we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience To verify the balance in your child's account please log into https://linqconnect.com/ and you will be able to view the current balance If there are any issues with the parent portal LINQ Connect may be experiencing higher traffic due to this error and we request you check back tomorrow morning Once again we apologize for the inconvenience LCPS is closely monitoring the weather forecast which predicts light snow starting tomorrow morning We are currently operating on a normal schedule Thursday we will be sure to update you as soon as possible Thank you for your understanding as we continue to monitor any potential impacts of weather and road conditions Final Reminder: LCPS Annual Staff Survey Closing Soon The deadline to complete the LCPS Annual Staff Survey is March 21 Your voice matters—help us improve LCPS by sharing your feedback School-based staff, check your email for the survey link and submit your responses today! Need support? Contact Research@lcps.org or visit the Stakeholder Surveys 2025 Information webpage "I discourage synchronous classes and office hours,” Brambleton said “Students shouldn’t expect us to offer them education simply because they’ve paid tuition." Editor’s note: This article is a humor column Recent leaked footage of a new secret faculty training at the University has caused controversy on Grounds The leaks reportedly came from a professor’s hacked OneDrive The professor was allegedly recording the training to show his wife another University professor who skipped the training for her millennial-mom-Thursday-bowling-nights. the videos from the OneDrive began with typical reminders for faculty such as “never deny a politics bro the right to their freedom of speech even when they interrupt their fellow classmates.” More general advice about classroom tools followed Faculty were advised to “never learn how to use basic technology and ask your TA to do it every time.” all of this information was fairly standard for a yearly training one video took an unexpected turn when it claimed that the University was going to adopt a new teaching approach one that would embrace the classical Greek and Roman educational principles — intimidation This would all be done while exalting the University’s name. she emphasized the importance of maintaining emotional distance and complete detachment from all students in order for the University to increase its ratings She laid out a few practical ways to accomplish this. “Punish those who ask questions by repeating it back to them seven times so that they never speak again much less into a cube microphone they couldn’t catch,” Brambleton said “Never put assignments and their due dates in the syllabus or on Canvas — keep ‘em on their toes Those whose fathers can afford private tutors and extra help may make it.” “Make those who have SDAC accommodations write a 15,000 word essay so they can explain how they found the audacity to ask for extra time,” Chamberlaine said Brambleton concluded the instructional segment of the video by reminding faculty that any in-person classes have the potential to overpower students I discourage synchronous classes and office hours,” Brambleton said “Students shouldn’t expect us to offer them opportunities to get education simply because they’ve paid egregious amounts in tuition." the videos were disseminated across Instagram Many students found this attitude to be cruel and unusual and warned that this approach could exacerbate student mental health issues They also claimed that plummeting grade averages would mean the University had fewer worthy souls to sacrifice to the capitalist machines than Virginia Tech after graduation. “How could we stoop that low?” fourth-year College student Fafa Sah said With these sentiments growing on social media and causing commotion within classrooms the University recruited professors to give testimonials about the direct benefits of being unapproachable and unhelpful to students. affirmed the University’s actions and wrote that she has stopped planning lessons and coming to the University in total “If the University doesn’t want me to cater to the needy Students can just read this $230 textbook someone else has written,” Cation said some professors expressed relief to be getting this laissez-faire training experience Professor Mystic Rabs articulated the stance of the department “This is capitalism at its finest,” Rabs said Nothing more in the spirit of America than this!” The only regret the administration expressed was that the situation has gotten so out of hand with recordings of the training being posted to new Instagram stories at a rapid rate As for the hacker who leaked the recording The anonymous computer science professor who’d taken the videos was outraged about the situation. “This hacking really soured my mood,” he said “Who would even have the motivation to hack my OneDrive like this It’s not like I’ve made any enemies or personally screwed anyone over or anything.” they certainly remain an anonymous whistleblowing hero for the students and a threat to the University Who knows what secrets they’ll reveal next? Indieheads is one of many Contracted Independent Organizations at the University dedicated to music though it stands out to students for many reasons Indieheads President Brian Tafazoli describes his experience and involvement in Indieheads over the years as well as the impact that the organization has had on his personal and musical development This content is made possible by our sponsors. Learn how to publish your content with us. For over 60 years, Miller & Smith has been at the forefront of innovative homebuilding crafting communities that feel like home from the moment you arrive and fresh home designs—giving buyers across Northern Virginia and Richmond the chance to live beautifully in a Miller & Smith home Last Call: The Final Courtyard Home at Birchwood at Brambleton For those seeking low-maintenance this is your last chance to own a coveted Courtyard Home at Birchwood at Brambleton making this a rare opportunity to embrace main-level living with thoughtfully designed spaces that blend indoor and outdoor comfort Only One Courtyard Home Left – Don’t Miss Out As the final chapter of this beloved home collection closes, don’t forget that our single-family homes at Birchwood are also nearly sold out! Just a handful remain—so now is the time to secure your dream home in this award-winning 55+ neighborhood before they’re gone Move-In Ready Brownstones & New Construction Under $700K Looking for a brand-new home in Ashburn with the perfect blend of modern design and convenience Our latest release of Move-In Ready Brownstones is here And for those looking for new construction at an incredible value we still have opportunities for new homes starting in the low $700s Expanding 55+ Living: New Townhomes in Woodbridge Miller & Smith isn’t just redefining 55+ living in Ashburn—we’re bringing it to Woodbridge with our all-new townhomes for 55+ These homes are designed for those who want an elegant low-maintenance lifestyle while staying close to everything Northern Virginia has to offer Highlights of Our Townhomes in Woodbridge: Whether you’re looking to right-size your home or find the perfect blend of comfort and convenience, these townhomes offer a fresh new take on 55+ living Coming Spring 2025: Beacon Park 4-Level Townhomes for All Ages Exciting things are happening at Beacon Park Our brand-new 4-level townhomes are set to debut this spring bringing contemporary elevated living to the heart of the community Whether you’re looking for extra space or a lock-and-leave lifestyle these homes provide a versatile and stylish way to live We’re expanding our award-winning home designs to Richmond bringing Miller & Smith’s signature craftsmanship to Short Pump For the Richmond buyer seeking modern comfort with a strong sense of community, Sadler Square is the perfect place to call home. Join the VIP Find Your Perfect Home with Miller & Smith Miller & Smith has been building more than homes—we’re creating places where people feel a true sense of belonging Whether it’s the final chance at Birchwood every home we build is designed to welcome you home About Us Contact Us Subscribe Advertise Write for Us 2024 at 12:30 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Three residential developments secured approval from the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors Tuesday (Loudoun County Board of Supervisors video )LOUDOUN COUNTY VA — The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors took action to approve three new residential developments Tuesday — Arcola Farms Supervisors voted 7-1-1 on the Arcola Farms single-family house development with Supervisor Kristen Umstattd (D-Leesburg) opposed and Supervisor Matt Letourneau (R-Dulles) not present Arcola Farms will be a development of 307 single-family detached homes on 80.28 acres south of Ryan Road and north of Evergreen Mills Road near Brambleton About 12.5 percent of the homes — 39 — would be for-rent affordable housing units with the affordable housing covenants lasting at least 75 years The density of the development would be about 3.82 dwelling units per acre "The surrounding properties to the east and north of the development display a similar density and site design it includes connectivity to the adjacent Brambeton community and the Brambleton Community Association has agreed to annex the property," said Supervisor Laura TeKrony (D-Little River) "There is significant infrastructure with two adjacent major collector roads and the applicant is proposing to widen Ryan Road to four lanes which will significantly enhance the flow and safety of traffic for Brambleton and the surrounding community." Ashburn District Supervisor Mike Turner noted county staff recommended denial because the county hasn't phased in a transition area between rural land and suburban developments and the proposal was like skipping phase one to start phase two Turner called the proposal "a really good application." noted the impact of development on the transition area and school costs "This is another application that I think eats away at the transition policy area I think we're just seeing application after application that is doing that," said Umstattd "We haven't really had a full discussion of whether that's what we really want to see is the end of the transition policy area and its conversion to higher-density housing." Tillett's View was approved by the board 5-4 with Umstattd The proposal east of Belmont Ridge Road at Waxpool Road in the Ashburn area called for 101 single-family detached and 199 single-family attached units with a density of 6.05 dwelling units per acre Supervisor Sylvia Glass (D-Broad Run) pointed to the housing crisis and improvements in the application through negotiations as reasons for supporting the development "This application started at 457 units with no transition between existing neighborhoods and at over 9 units per acre the density I believe was high," said Glass thanks to the input from the nearby communities the community has been reduced by 33 percent to 300 units which would be 6 units per acre Glass said the development provided a proper transition in the existing neighborhood with the single-family homes near existing single-family homes and the townhouses next to the road and a school She believes residents' transportation concerns can be mitigated by a new sidewalk on Waxpool Road traffic signal and traffic-calming studies she said while Briar Woods High School is experiencing overcrowding Stone Bridge and Broad Run High Schools are expected to be under capacity in coming years Umstattd said people in the neighborhood have been vocal about opposing the development "The neighbors have made very powerful arguments about the lack of infrastructure to handle the kind of traffic and school impacts that this development is going to impose upon them," said Umstattd pointed to declining enrollment at Loudoun County Public Schools and the trends in settled developments "There's a big wave when these developments are new and people move in and then those kids get through the system," said Letourneau "People aren't moving out fast enough and being replaced with kids with younger students to keep up that same heavy enrollment so there is a gradual decline in enrollment that occurs in settled communities." The Defender Drive proposal was approved by the board 8-1 with Umstattd opposed due to concerns on school costs from development The development on 13.8 acres off Defender Drive in South Riding will provide 161 single-family attached homes with 21 being affordable housing units The proposal has a proffer giving flexibility on funds for the Route 50 and South Riding Boulevard interchange should the county not pursue the project Letourneau noted not everyone in the community was supportive of the residential proposal as opposed to a by-right alternative he believes residents closest to the development will appreciate that it will be residential "This is the application that could be by-right data center I think the board has been motivated to go the residential route instead," said Letourneau "I worked quite a bit with the applicant for a long period on this we came to agreement on the overall density and on design which I think is appropriate for what's around it." Two other supervisors praised Letourneau for advancing the residential proposal that could have been a by-right data center "This may be only the second time since I've been on this board that we've had data center by-right land that went to residential so I'll commend the supervisor for working really hard on this," said Supervisor Juli Briskman (D-Algonkian) 2024 at 12:01 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Watson Mountain Middle School is one of two new schools opened on the first day of school at Loudoun County Public Schools VA — After peers in neighboring Fairfax and Prince William County started school earlier in the week Loudoun County students are headed back to class Thursday Loudoun County Public Schools now has 100 schools with the opening of Henrietta Lacks Elementary School and Watson Mountain Middle School LCPS held a welcome event for students at Watson Mountain Middle School Thursday morning told Patch Henrietta Lacks Elementary School is a sister school to Hovatter Elementary School in Aldie The new school serves around 800 students in kindergarten through second grade and is named for Virginia's Henrietta Lacks whose "HeLa" cells became a key part of medical research and a debate over the ethics of medical research Expanding capacity is one of the ongoing priorities in the growing Loudoun County which is experiencing housing and population growth LCPS is planning a new high school (HS-14) "We're not only continuing to grow in the moment but looking to the future and where we need to be based on the continued growth of Loudoun County," said Adams Adams said the new high school will follow a renovation of Park View High School in Sterling to update the older school and expand capacity While teacher vacancies have troubled regional school districts in recent years 98 percent of licensed staff positions are filled at LCPS The school district had 615 new licensed teachers in the 2024-2025 school year as of Aug Among the incentives LCPS offered were signing bonuses for new teachers and extra incentives for special education and Title I teachers "Around 250 of those are brand new out of college their first teaching experience so we're excited that they chose us to start with," said Adams "But that also means that over 350 of those teachers are experienced educators who came from other divisions which again shows how Loudoun County Public Schools is an employer of choice." "We understand there's a lot of those requirements coming from the state and we're dedicated to making sure our teachers are trained up and got all the skills and the tools they need," said Adams As students begin school, they will have to follow a new cell phone and personal device policy. Adams said the School Board-adopted policy sets standards by grade level Elementary schools cannot use personal electronic devices at all during the school day What we're finding is that most electronics with elementary kids are the smartwatches So our policy does incorporate the smartwatches and other such electronics," said Adams devices must be off and stored away during the school day Students may check their devices before and after school High schools are requiring devices to be off during instructional time but students can check devices in between classes and at lunch "We've already even heard from schools that did a pilot program that the students have even said we like not having the electronics on," said Adams They're having more interpersonal contact with their peers and their teachers One other new initiative this school year is the opening of a health and medical sciences community at Briar Woods High School and Tuscarora High School the inaugural class will include 150 rising freshmen "Everything from wanting to be doctors and nurses to being scientists these are the kids that are going to cure terrible diseases and make amazing medical breakthroughs in the future," said Adams "We're really excited about offering new pathways for students as they figure out what they want to do after their time with us."