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OpinionMcLeanLeague of Women Voters to Hold Candidate ForumsBoard of Supervisors, School Board candidatesto participate in forums throughout the county.he League of Women Voters of theFairfax Area (LWVFA) will hold candidate forums in each of FairfaxCounty’s nine magisterial districtsfor Board of Supervisors and School Boardcandidates in September and October in therun up to the Nov. 5, 2019 General Election.All certified candidates competing for seats onthe two Boards to represent their respectivedistricts have been invited. Several of the forums will also include Virginia State Senateand House of Delegates candidates.In addition, the League will hold countywideTa candidate forum for the three at large SchoolBoard seats and Chair of the Board of Supervisors.The League organizes candidate forums priorto elections to give voters opportunities to learnmore about the candidates and to dive intocomplex issues like redistricting and votingrights for fact-based discussions and be betterinformed citizens in our democracy. The Candidate Forums are non-partisan, and theLeague never supports nor opposes any candidate. A moderator will ask the candidates questions generated by the audience. Following theformal session, an informal meet and greetsession will allow direct audience interactionwith the candidates. The forums are free andopen to the public.Additional information about the candidateforums, the 2019 General Election, Leaguepublications and other events can be found at:www.lwv-fairfax.orgQuestions for the candidates can be submitted by accessing: www.surveymonkey.com/r/LWVFA2019Go to www.vote411.org for an online votersguide to compare candidates’ positions sideby-side.The League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area isa non-partisan political organization that encouragesinformed and active participation in government,works to increase understanding of major public policyissues.Fairfax County 2019 Candidate ForumsWed, Sept. 4 —7 p.m.Mt. Vernon District Sherwood Regional Library2501 Sherwood HallLn, AlexandriaMon, Sept. 23 —7 p.m.Countywide—At Large School Board&Chair of the Board of SupervisorsFairfax County Government Center12000 Government Center Pkwy,FairfaxWed, Sept. 25 —7 p.m.Sully District—Supervisor & SchoolBoardSully District Govt. Center4900Stonecroft Blvd, ChantillyThurs, Oct. 3 —7 p.m.Springfield DistrictPohick Regional Library6450 Sydenstricker Rd, BurkeSat, Oct. 5 — 3:30 p.m.Braddock DistrictKings Park LibraryCommunity Room 9000 Burke Lake Rd,BurkeSun, Oc.t 13 —3 pmHunterMill DistrictHunters Woods VillageCenterReston Community Center2310Colts Neck Rd, RestonWed, Oct. 16 —7 p.m.Lee DistrictHayfield SecondarySchool7630 Telegraph Rd, AlexandriaWed, Oct. 16 —7 p.m.Providence District Providence Community Center 3001 Vaden Dr, FairfaxThurs, Oct. 17 7 p.m.Dranesville District McLean CommunityCenter1234 Ingleside Ave, McLeanThurs, Oct. 17 —7 p.m. —Mason DistrictWoodrow Wilson LibraryCommunity Rm 6101 Knollwood Dr,Falls ChurchWed, Oct. 23 —7:30p.m.Sully District—Senatorsand DelegatesSully District Govt.Center4900 Stonecroft Blvd,ChantillyVolunteers, including students,are welcome.For more information, visitwww.lwv-fairfax.org/candidateforumWhere Are You From, Originallydence in 1947. America has amulti-faceted relationship withPakistan in areas ranging fromanti-terrorism to energy to tradeand investment. The only thingPakistan hasn’t given me is thefreedom to express my religion. InPakistan I am not allowed to callmyself a Muslim because I amfrom asect that believes Hazrat MirzaGhulam Ahmad, the 19th-centuryfounder of the Ahmadiyya MuslimCommunity, is the long awaitedMessiah and that he has come torevive the religion and bring usback to the path ofrighteousness when the religionneeded it the most. The secondamendment states that Ahmadisare a non-Muslim group. Since1974 members of my communityare being persecuted and accusedof violating the country’scontroversial blasphemy laws.This is also why I am so thankful to call America my home — acountry that allows me to thrivehowever I want. With a hijab onmy head and with strength in myblood, I am able to live my dreamof going to medical school andbecoming a physician so that I cangive back to thecountry and to humanity.So now whenever I’m asked“where are you originally from?”I ask the same question. Theamount of melanin in your skin orthe kind of clothes you chose towear don’t make you any more orless American. Your countryis, in the end, the people thatlive in it. Sure, you might have anassociation with the geographicallocation but it’s the people as awhole that give you an identity. Ilove my Pakistani roots and I lovemy American identity. Both partshave shaped me into the headstrong and ambitious woman thatI am today. God bless America andPakistanZindabad.Aneela WadanFairfaxThe writer is a second year medicalstudent.Share Tips about Communitye need help from ourreaders for content ofour annual Newcomers and Community Guide .We’re hoping to share specialplaces, activities, events, organizations and volunteer opportunities.What should someone new to yourneighborhood know about? Whatis it that you love most aboutwhere you live?We will publish a selection oflocal viewpoints along with infor-Wmation useful to newcomers andlong-time residents alike, including information on how to voteand more. See last year’s community guides by going towww.connectionnewspapers.com/PDFs/ and scrolling down to Newcomers. Email tips and photos toeditors@connectionnewspapers.comor send as a letter to the editor /contact/letter/ by Aug. 23.4 McLean Connection August 21-27, 2019An independent, locally owned weeklynewspaper deliveredto homes and businesses.Published byLocal Media Connection LLC1606 King StreetAlexandria, Virginia 22314Free digital edition delivered toyour email box. Go toconnectionnewspapers.com/subscribeNEWS DEPARTMENT:mclean@connectionnewspapers.comKemal KurspahicEditor 703-778-9414kemal@connectionnewspapers.comAndrea WorkerContributing Writeraworker@connectionnewspapers.comJean CardProduction r advertising 431Trisha HamiltonDisplay .comDebbie FunkNational etter to the EditorTo the Editor:“Where are you from?” Thatquestion has always confused me.When I answer Northern Virginia,I am rebutted with: “No, where areyou originally from – like whereis your family from?” I bleed red,white and blue and green? Yes,that’s right. I’m a proud PakistaniAmericanAhmadi Muslim. Pakistan hasgiven me a lot. It has provided mewith culture and a means to standout. I take great pride in being trilingual. These unique qualitieshelp me stand out from a billionother individuals.The United States establisheddiplomatic relations with Pakistanfollowing the country’s indepen-www.ConnectionNewspapers.comWriteThe Connection welcomes views on any public issue.The deadline for all material is noon Friday. Letters must be signed.Include home address and home and business numbers. Letters areroutinely edited for libel, grammar, good taste and factual errors. Send to:David GriffinMarketing .comClassified & EmploymentAdvertising703-778-9431Editor & PublisherMary ve Vice PresidentJerry Editor in ChiefSteven MaurenManaging EditorKemal KurspahicArt/Design:Laurence Foong, John Heinly,Ali KhalighProduction Manager:Geovani comLetters to the EditorThe Connection1606 King St.Alexandria VA 22314Call: 703-917-6444.By e-mail: pers.com

NewsService Dog Program LaunchedFrom Page 3with what we are doing here inFairfax and beyond, please go tofrk9.org and reach out,” saidGeise.More from FCPDJill Molley, Clinical PsychologistFCPD: “When Holmes is with me,detectives pause what they aredoing and spend a few minuteswith him.They instantly smile and gatheraround him. Holmes ‘changesthe subject’ when he shows up,which is a nice break from theirstressful work.”Colonel Edwin C. Roessler Jr.Chief of Police: “As a chief of police I value innovative methodologies to provide all first responderswith the knowledge, skills, andabilities to end the mental healthPhotos by Mercia Hobson/The ConnectionSecond Lieutenant ChristopherSharp, Media Relations Bureau:“From the moment Jack and Istarted this journey; it was evidenthow happy people were to bearound him, even if it was just forfive minutes. That brief encounter, the moment when everythingelse is set aside, and it’s just themand Jack, provides a glimpse of theimmeasurable impact he has.”Children say hello to First Responder K9 Service Dog inTraining Indy and her handler Fairfax County Chief ofPolice Colonel Edwin C. Roessler Jr. during thedepartment’s Meet & Greet the Service Dogs.epidemic in our professions. AsI watched officers respond happilyto the puppies deployed in ouragency over the first seven monthsin their positive wellness habits, itbecame an easy decision to become part of the program to assistBefore Fairfax County Chief of PoliceColonel Edwin C. Roessler Jr. launches thedepartment’s new Service Dog Program onTuesday, Aug. 13, he tells his young FirstResponder K9 Service Dog in Training,“Sit, Indy.”www.ConnectionNewspapers.comme in my day-to-day struggles soI partnered with Indy Indy isteaching me more than I am training her on all aspects of wellnessas we continue forward for her toone day serve another first responder.”Fairfax County Chief of Police ColonelEdwin C. Roessler Jr. launches thedepartment’s new Service Dog Program onTuesday, Aug. 13.McLean Connection August 21-27, 2019 5

Photo by Marilyn CampbellJaclyn Wheeler is helping her children transitions from a care free summer to structured school year.Back-to-School AnxietyEasing in to the new year.By Marilyn Campbellfter summer camps and a vacation abroad,Jaclyn Wheeler is easing her children intothe new routine that they will face laterthis month when they return to school.She’s purchased school supplies and created andlaminated a schedule of activities for before and after school. “They’ve been staying up until the weehours of the morning, but I’ve been getting them tobed early and waking them up early,” she said. “I’vebought organizational supplies from the ContainerStore to help organize their desks at home so theyhave a clear workspace for doing homework.”When months of swimsuits, summer camp and lazydays turn into early rising, classroom desks andschool bells, many families will feel the shock of asudden shift in schedule. Faced with the reality ofnightly homework, the need to perform well academically and the peer pressure that often comeswith returning to school, many parents and childrencan feel anxious about starting a new school year.“Children often worry if they will be able to copewith the demands of their new grade, said therapistCarol Barnaby, LCSW-C. “Will they be smart enough?Will they disappoint their parents? Will their teacherlike them? Will they fit in with their peers? Will theybe bullied? Will they be good enough to make thesports team? The worries can go on and on.”The increased pressures of perfectionism in bothacademic and extracurricular endeavors can feeldaunting, especially after an easy-going summer.“The social stressors of fitting in, being included[and] being accepted combine to create stress thatis only increased by social media,” Vicki Kirsch, Ph.D.,LCSW Associate Professor of Social Work at GeorgeMason University. ”It’s not only the difficulties of finding a group to sit with in the cafeteria, but also nowcriticism and bullying through social media.”As children approach adolescence, peer pressurecan intensify such stress, suggests Linda McKennaGulyn, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology at MarymountUniversity.“In fact, new school year stress for school-agedchildren is usually more tied in with pressure to makefriends, fit in, wear the right clothes, shoes and backpacks and who will be in their class,” she said. “Forparents, stress relates more to their expectations ofA6 McLean Connection August 21-27, 2019school performance and other school or extracurricular activities.”Parents can comfort and support their children byacknowledging and validating a child’s angst, saysGuluyn. “Listen to their concerns and anxieties aboutsocial relationships. Help them ease into the transitions,” she said. “[Their anxiety] will probably berelieved after a day or two. For younger students itmight help to check in with the classroom teacherabout these concerns, then drop him or her an email.”As Wheeler did with her children, Barnaby encourages parents and children to develop and discuss thenew daily routine to create a concrete awareness ofthe shifts that are about to occur. “Gradually easinginto the schedule can help kids cope with stress andencourage a return to routines, she said. “That includes eight to ten hours of sleep each night, turning off and putting away electronic devices 60 minutes before bed, eating healthy meals and spendingtime together talking about plans to manage thedemands of the new school year.”Managing such stress should include more than academics, like unstructured free time suggests Barnaby.“Try not over schedule children with too many activities,” she said. “Create calming spaces in the home tounwind. Sit quietly with your child to just be together.Try a guided meditation. Make time to talk about howthings are going, what things are going well and whatthings they are finding challenging.”Learning and practicing self-care at an early age isa useful way to manage stress, advises Kirsch. “[It’s]perhaps the best way,” she said. These tools are always with us and the only requirement is to practiceself-care skills to increase their effectiveness. Deep,focused breathing, meditation, and mindfulness areall ways to manage stress. People often confuse thesethree techniques with each other, but they are individual skills that can overlap but can also be practiced separately.”“For example, one can do a regular activity suchas washing one’s hands or walking to the bus stop ina mindful way by focusing in the present and examining experiences utilizing the five senses. “What amI seeing, smelling, touching, hearing, and tasting?”continued Kirsch.Gulyn encourages students to focus on the joy theywill feel when they are reunited with their friends.“Keep in mind that most other kids are a little stressedand scared about back-to-school stuff, too,” she said.“But now you are a grade higher and definitely readyfor the next year.”www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Back to SchoolTwo ScienceRooms BecomingChemistry Labswww.ConnectionNewspapers.comhe McLean CommunityCenterGoverningBoard invites residentsof Small District 1A-Dranesvilleto attend two meetings and tosubmit comments and/or suggestions on the Center’s fiscalyear 2021 budget.The first meeting, the FinanceCommittee Meeting of theWhole, will be held at 7:30 p.m.on Tuesday, Sept. 10. A secondmeeting, the Public Hearing onthe FY 2021 Budget, will beheld at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 25.The center is located at 1234Ingleside Ave. All meetings ofthe Governing Board are opento the public.The FY 2021 budget year begins July 1, 2020 and ends June30, 2021. Finance CommitteeChair Raj Mehra will chair theFinance Committee Meeting ofthe Whole on Sept. 10, whenthe full board will work on theFY 2021 budget. The departmental and consolidated budgetproposals will include a reviewof FY 2019 year-end actuals, thecurrent year’s budget (FY 2020)and new proposals for FY 2021.The preliminary consolidatedTEllenReillyEllen Reilly, Principal, McLeanHigh School:NEW IN A NEW SCHOOL YEAR: All students will have laptopsas part of FCPSOn; We will be adding AmericanSign Language and CombatingIntolerance to our new courses; Two of our science rooms arebeing converted to Chemistry labs; We removed lockers from theBlue Hallway due to the numberof students.SCHOOL’S PRIORITIES/FOCUS: We will continue to supportFCPS Theory of Action – maintaining a caring culture, workingcollaboratively, and implementinghigh quality instruction.BACK TO SCHOOL ACTIVITIES,EVENTS: Sept. 4, Back to School NightMCC Board SeeksCommunity Input on BudgetKathleen Otal was named FCPS High School Counselor ofthe Year.budget will be posted on theCenter’swebsite,www.mcleancenter.org, andavailable at the Center’s reception desk a week prior to thepublic hearing.The FY 2021 Budget PublicHearing on Sept. 25 will giveresidents a second opportunityto review and comment on thebudget proposal. Residents ofSmall District 1A-Dranesvillewho wish to speak at the public hearing are asked to call 703790-0123, TTY: 711, to havetheir names placed on a speakers list.Written comments can besent to the Governing Board bymail (address to McLean Community Center, 1234 InglesideAve., McLean VA 22101), fax(703-653-9435) or email toMCC Executive Director nts may continue tosubmit written comments afterthe public hearing throughMonday, Oct. 21.For more information, call theCenter at 703-790-0123, TTY:711, or visit the Center’swebsite, https://bit.ly/2ZdjZht.New teachers at the McLean High.McLean Connection August 21-27, 2019 7

CalendarPhoto courtesy of the Bentwood RockersSubmit entertainment announcements atwww.connectionnewspapers.com/Calendar/. Thedeadline is noon on Friday. Photos/artwork encouraged.ONGOINGThe Bentwood Rockers (from left: Dave Goldman, Alan Cohen, KenTackett, Pat Markham, and Stafford Markham).Live Music: Bentwood RockersFRIDAY/AUG. 23Summer on the Green: Wayne TympanickTrio (jazz). 6:30 p.m. on Vienna’s TownGreen. Friday nights through Aug. 23. Bringchairs and/or blankets. No alcoholic beveragesare permitted. Consider leaving pets at home. Inthe event of rain, check the weather line at 703255-7842. Learn more at /SEPT. 7Virginia Native American Festival. 10 a.m.-4p.m. at Riverbend Park, 8700 Potomac Hills St.,Great Falls. Learn about the culture of Virginia’sfirst residents when the Virginia NativeAmerican Festival returns to Riverbend Park.The festival includes eight American Indiantribes from Virginia including the Rappahannockdancers and drummers. Enjoy hands onactivities and live demonstrations includingAmerican Indian storytelling, shooting bow andarrows, throwing spears and making stone tools.Also, assist in building a dugout canoe and visitour marketplace of American Indian crafts,pottery and jewelry. 8 in advance; 10 at thegate. Visit can-festival/090719.SEPT. 7-OCT. 12The picture is one of the HO gauge steam engines stopping at theSalisbury station. This is an award winning model of the real station inSalisbury, NC.Open HouseNorthern Virginia Model Railroaders hold an open house at the Vienna Depot each month and onVienna celebration days, including Viva! Vienna and the Vienna Holiday Stroll. Free admission. Saturday, Sept. 14, 1-5 p.m. at the Vienna Depot, 231 Dominion Road NE. Call 703-938-5157 or visitwww.nvmr.org.advance. Call 703-281-4679 or visitwww.jamminjava.com.SUNDAY/AUG. 25Album Release Party. 7-9 p.m. at Jammin’ Java,227 Maple Ave. E., Vienna. Ricky Parrell is goingto release his debut album “Keys To My Life”featuring Randy Brecker of The Brecker Bro. andJustin Stanton of Snarky Puppy. 10. Call 703501-2657 or visit rickyparrell.com.MONDAY/AUG. 26Back to School. Fairfax County Public Schoolsfirst day of the 2019-2020 school year. -year-calendar.SATURDAY/AUG. 31-SUNDAY/SEPT. 1Middle Eastern Food Festival. Saturday, 11a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday, noon-6 p.m. at HolyTransfiguration Church, 8501 Lewinsville Road,McLean. The Festival features authentic MiddleEastern food (including many choices forvegetarians), pastries, music and dan

I zWZLIJTM UWV\PTa XIaUMV\[8TMI[M KITT W]Z W {KM \W [M\ ]X aW]Z Complimentary Consultation 703.281.4868 BracesVIP@gmail.com www.BracesVIP.com H igh School marching band season has begun and the GC Marshall Marching Statesmen are working extra hard this season. They have been selected to represent the Commonwealth of Virginia in the