Delegate Ken Plum’s Virginia E-News – September 7, 2005

COMMENTARY

The public schools in Virginia have opened now that Labor Day is past. The law referred to as the King’s Dominion bill that prevents schools from opening until after Labor Day is one that I voted against when it originally passed, and I have voted to repeal it at every opportunity. Local school boards working with their local communities should determine the opening date for their schools.

For most children the first opportunity to attend public schools comes with kindergarten. For a few children in special needs categories programs such as Head Start begin a year earlier. These established patterns of opening school and the beginning age for school entry are receiving serious challenge and debate throughout the Commonwealth and the Nation.

Lieutenant Governor and Democratic nominee for Governor Tim Kaine has opened the debate in Virginia with his proposal for a public pre-school program beginning at age four. His plan is the most important and significant reform advocated in public education in the Commonwealth since kindergarten was made mandatory about 25 years ago. It offers the most promise for improved student performance of any other educational reform being discussed.

The hot topic at the annual meeting of the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL) I attended last month was voluntary pre-kindergarten programs. There is an extensive body of research that indicates such programs can save taxpayers money, boost state economies, and prepare students for future success.

The Perry Preschool Program study (www.highscope.org) is a longitudinal study over 40 years of the benefits of preschool programs. The study of adults at age 40 who participated in a preschool program found that these adults have higher earnings, are more likely to hold a job, have committed fewer crimes, use welfare less, and are more likely to have graduated from high school. The findings of a study released in November 2005 by the High/Scope Educational Foundation documented a return of more than $17 for every tax dollar invested in early care and education programs. For more study results and an excellent bibliography of research reports, read Early Education in the States: A Year in Review – 2004 from NCSL (www.ncsl.org). Also visit the website of the National Institute for Early Education Research at www.nieer.org for even more studies on this topic.

Lieutenant Governor Kaine’s plan is one that Virginia should put into action building on the limited public preschool programs now in Virginia. I look forward to providing leadership to make his proposal a reality.

We need to expand the discussion of school opening to consider the year-round model being successfully implemented at Dogwood Elementary in Reston. It offers numerous benefits to the instructional program and to student success. With preschool programs and year-round calendars, back to school will take on a whole new meaning.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the victims of Hurricane Katrina. One way to provide help is to go to www.redcross.org. The Virginia Department of Health and Human Services has established a website (https://volunteer.hhs.gov) and toll-free number (1-866-KAT-MEDI) to help identify private sector health care professionals and relief personnel to assist in Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

A “Guide to Constituent Services” brochure has been mailed to voters in the 36th House District by Delegte Ken Plum. The Guide lists legislative, constituent, and public services available from Delegate Plum’s legislative office. To receive a copy call 703.758.9733 weekday mornings or email kenplum@aol.com.

Mark your calendar for the Fifth Annual Reston Multicultural Festival on Saturday, September 17, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The festival will be held at the Lake Anne Village Center and features “Spotlight on Central America” highlighting entertainment, foods, and crafts from that region. Visit www.restoncommunitycenter.com/fallevents.html for more information.

Governor Mark R. Warner recently announced that the Science Museum of Virginia is now accepting nominations for: Virginia’s Outstanding Scientist 2006; Virginia’s Outstanding Industrialist 2006; and for Life Achievement in Science; and Life Achievement in Industry. For the past twenty-one years this program has honored men and women who have contributed to our great Commonwealth through their work in science and industry. They exemplify our commitment to welcome and encourage scientific research and high-technology business enterprises in Virginia. Please consider nominating members of your senior management, boards, research staff, and faculty for a 2006 award. A distinguished panel of judges will select the award recipients, and the awards will be presented at a black-tie dinner and awards ceremony at the Science Museum of Virginia in the spring of 2006. Visit www.smv.org, clicn on “About Us” and then go to Scientist and Industrialist Awards to download the forms. For questions please contact Karen Raham at 804.864.1499 or kraham@smv.org.

Parents & Associates of the Northern Virginia Training Center and the Fairfax Civitan Club are proud to announce the Fifth Annual Benefit Auction to support citizens with mental retardation complicated by other medical, physical, and behavioral disabilities. Show your support and participate in this fantastic auction on Saturday, September 17, at the Northern Virginia Training Center, 9901 Braddock Road, Fairfax, VA. Preview of auction items is at 8:00 a.m. with the Live Auction beginning at 10:00 a.m. and the Silent Auction period running from 8:00 a.m. to noon. 100% of the proceeds of this fantastic auction are used to benefit people with mental retardation. Visit www.parentsandassociatesnvtc.com for more information.

Connect with your community at Volunteeria. The Reston Community Center (RCC) and Reston Association invite you to their annual Volunteeria event on Thursday, September 22, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Hunters Woods facility at 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston. Volunteeria is a volunteer fair. At volunteeria you can recruit volunteers, network with your peers, and increase community awareness of your organization and its mission. Volunteeria is free, but registration is required. To participate, your organization must register no later than August 29. To register and get additional information, contact Anna Dowdell at 703.476.4500, ext. 6160, or email Anna.Dowdell@FairfaxCounty.gov.

Save the Date and Join the Buddy Walk on September 24! Don’t miss the fun! The Down Syndrome Association of Northern Virginia (DSANV) invites you to participate in its 2005 Inaugural Buddy Walk. The Buddy Walk was developed by the National Down Syndrome Society in 1995 to bring together a wide range of concerned individuals reaching out to friends, family, co-workers, teachers, professionals and leaders in the community to promote awareness and inclusion for people with Down syndrome and to raise funds for education, research, and advocacy programs. The Buddy Walk will take place on September 24 at the Fairfax County Government Center Ellipse from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. A large festival will follow the half-mile walk with nationially recognized musicians, clowns, cartoon characters, children’s activities, food vendors, an exhibitor pavilion, and much more. Visit www.dsanv.org for more information.

Join the MArcH for Virginians with Disabilities on October 1 in Richmond. The Arc of Virginia and its 22 affiliated chapters will March from Mayo Island in Richmond to the Bell Tower on the Capitol Grounds on October 1 to show our elected officials and communities that Virginians with disabilities desire what all Virginians want: A life like yours, a place to call home, access to health care, transportation, an education, a job, recreation, and a safe community. For more information call The Arc of Virginia at 888.604.2677 or visit www.ArcofVa.org.

The 54^th Virginia Transportation Conference will be held October 26-28 at the Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center, Roanoke, Virginia. The Virginia Department of Transportation, Virginia Department of Rail & Public Transportation, Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, Virginia Port Authority, Virginia Department of Aviation, and the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute will host the conference. This year’s them is “Virginia Transportation at the Crossroads – Investing in Mobility and Accessibility.”  The multi-modal theme will offer opportunities to explore a number of solutions to the difficult transportation issues we face in Virginia. Visit vatransconf.org for details about speakers, sessions, and registration information.

CALENDAR

Wednesday, September 7, at 10:30 p.m. – tune in to Delegate Ken Plum’s “Virginia Report” on Comcast Channel 28 – Kathy Lamkin and Shirley Askew of the National Council of Negro Women – “An Historic Celebration of Women.”

Saturday and Sunday, September 10-11 – Black Family Reunion on The Mall in Washington, D.C. For information call Shirley Askew at 703.450-2229.

Wednesday through Friday, September 13-15 – Virginia’s Sustainable Future Summit in Richmond. Visit www.vsf3.org for information about the Summit.

Tuesday, September 13 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, September 14 at 10:30 p.m. – tune in to Delegate Ken Plum’s “Virginia Report” on Comcast Channel 28 – Kerrie Wilson of Reston Interfaith and Bill Threlkeld of Project Hope and Harmony – “Insights Into the Day Laborer Issue.”

Saturday, September 17, 8:00 to Noon – Fifth Annual Benefit Auction for the Northern Virginia Training Center. See item above for details.

Saturday, September 17, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. – Fifth Annual Reston Multicultural Festival at Lake Anne Village Center. See item above for details.

Sunday, September 18, 2:00-4:00 p.m. – National Council of Negro Women Annual Meeting at Reston Regional Library. New members are invited. For more information, call Shirley Askew at 703.450-2229.

Tuesday, September 20, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. – Reception honoring Delegate Ken Plum with Governor Mark R. Warner as special guest at the home of Boofie and Joe O’Gorman, 11570 Greenwich Point Road, North Reston. For more information, call 703.391.2978 or email AllisonDickert@gmail.com.

Thursday, September 22, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. – Volunteeria at Reston Community Center, Hunters Woods. See item above for registration information.

September 22 through October 2 – Virginia State Fair at the Richmond Raceway Complex. Visit www.statefair.com for details.

October 26 through 28 – 54^th Virginia Transportation Conference at the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center, Roanoke, Virginia. Visit www.vatransconf.org or call 804.225.4698 for additional conference information.

*****************

Authorized and paid for by Kenneth R. Plum.

Unsubscribe to this newsletter by emailing kenplum@aol.com and indicating “unsubscribe” in the subject line.