| "Stranger Danger" -- A Message from Island Creek Elementary School |
Posted on Jan 20th, 2012 Comments (0)
This is being reprinted in its entirey due to the seriousness of the issue.
Good Evening Island Creek Families,
In an effort to raise awareness of concerning events in a school community not far from ours and heighten our vigilance to ensure Island Creek ES students know best how to handle themselves in situations that involve "Stranger Danger," I wanted to get the following information to you.
A “Community Safety Meeting” took place yesterday evening at Clermont ES (5720 Clermont Dr.) at 7:30 pm, Thursday, January 19 in the cafeteria. Officer Reid of the Franconia Police Department and several of his colleagues presented important safety information to the community. The information presented was about “Stranger Danger” and how to help our children be and feel safe in the neighborhood.
This community meeting was held due to several suspicious events that were reported to the police over the past month in the area of Clermont Elementary School. The first two occurred near the school on December 19 and 20, 2011 while students were walking to school. The third on December 21, 2011 while a student was walking home after school. A fourth incident reported occurred on Thursday, January 12 after school. The last reported incident took place on Tuesday, January 17 at 7:30 p.m. In each case a man in a red pickup truck was seen staring, waving or calling-out to the elementary school students. No child was touched or injured in any event.
The officers at the Franconia Station have taken these apparently linked cases very seriously. Detectives and officers have been in the area in order to identify the individual and his vehicle. He is described as possibly Hispanic, 30-35 years old, with short black hair and a goatee. In the December events he was wearing a white jacket, blue jeans and brown work boots. He also wore a red Nationals baseball cap and several gold chains. The pickup truck was described as red with scratches, dents and rust.
Clermont residents were encouraged not to approach the vehicle if they saw the truck, but to write down the license plate and call the police.
Detectives are continuing their investigation. Police ask that parents remain vigilant and call if they see any suspicious activity. Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Solvers by phone at 1-866-411-TIPS/8477, e-mail at www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org or text “TIP187” plus your message to CRIMES/274637 or call Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131.
Additional information was shared on WAMU (88.5) this morning. The print version of this information can be found at:
Thank you in advance for being such a caring school community that always keeps in the forefront the safety and well-being of our students.
Respectfully,
Michael Macrina
Principal
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| Marquee Requests 2012 |
Posted on Jan 2nd, 2012 Comments (0)
Wow. 2012 is really here! Please take time, now, to send along your Marquee (message board) requests for this year. We will be happy to add them to the master calendar up to one year in advance. Birthdays and anniversaries are the same date every year -- so please do not wait until a day or two ahead of time and then hope the date will still be available. See the request for the "hold the date" and a basic message now -- and tweak the message closer to the time.
In general, messages will be posted on one marquee only -- two if nothing else is also needed for a particular day. Please remember -- these are high usage community elements so please don't wait to send your request.
We are also looking into the possibility (and affordability) of adding electronic message boards to Landsdowne. Stay tuned.
Thanks.
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| Missing Beagle Sighting |
Posted on Dec 31st, 2011 Comments (1)
 Are you .. or do you know of anyone missing a beagle or possible beagle-mix? We have received several reports of an adult tri-color beagle running free for at least the last 3 days in the area of Morning Ride Circle .. and most recently in the area of Island Creek Elementary School (near the access road left side) abutting the Island Creek Community Single Family Homes.
The poor pup is very skiddish -- looks disoriented -- and we are sure would like to find it's owner. We are sure it is searching desperately for its family. The dog retreats when approached so if you see the dog, please approach slowly and probably with food and water in hand. We suspect it has not eaten for several days. Most likely, the dog got out over the holidays while in the care of friends and the owners may very well not know the dog is missing.
If you are missing the beagle -- or know of someone who is -- please send us additional details ( communications@landsdowne.org ). We would love to assist in getting this pup back home for New Years.
Thanks!
Many Concerned Pet Owners
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| Calling all Photographers and Writers |
Posted on Dec 29th, 2011 Comments (0)
2012 will see an update to our website. We would like to change the moving banner photos on the bottom of our home page. What would you like to see? How would you like us to present Landsdowne to the world? Please send suggestions and photos to communications@landsdowne.org (.jpg format please).
Are you an aspiring writer? How about joining our communication team and writing a regular column here on the website about gardening? Pet issues? Kids Issues? Just send us your interest and we will get you started.
Thanks everyone for making Landsdowne the place we all love to call home.
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| Trash Away Holiday Tree Removal Schedule |
Posted on Dec 29th, 2011 Comments (0)
We hope everyone enjoyed a wonderful Christmas. Please note, Christmas tree removal will take place on Monday, January 2nd and Monday, January 9th ONLY. Trees must be free of all decorations, tree stands, garlands, tinsel, lights, etc. to be taken.
Any tree taller than 6 feet must also be cut in half.
Thank You.
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| Food Drive and Tree Lighting a Huge Success |
Posted on Dec 6th, 2011 Comments (0)
Thanks to everyone who participated in our 2011 Landsdowne Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration and Fill The Wagon Food Drive. We did ourselves very proud!
Our goal was to collect 1 item for each of our 619 homes or 2,500 residents. We did it -- and then some. You donated over 3,000 cans and boxes of non-perishable food -- equal to over 1 ton in actual weight. A lot of people will benefit because of your compassion and giving spirit.
We know some were unable to attend because of prior commitments. If you wish to make a donation directly, the following are three area food pantries located within 3 miles of us:
Captain Area Food Bank
6833 Hill Park Road
Lorton, VA 22079
703-541-3063
ECHO, Inc.
7205 Old Keene Mill Road
Springfield, VA 22150
703-569-9160
Koinonia Foundation, Inc.
6637 Franconia Road
Alexandria, VA 22310
703-971-1991
The food shortage is a year round concern. Please give what you can -- when you can. Non-perishable food items are glad accepted as well as gift cards (such as Target Walmat, Giant, Safeway, etc.) and cash.
Thank You.
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| On Line Surveys |
Posted on Dec 5th, 2011 Comments (0)
Please take a moment to complete our various on-line surveys. They are quick to do -- as we really like to know your thoughts. It makes for better planning next time. Once you finish one survey, click to the next -- it's that simple.
You may always send your thoughts and comments directly to any Board or committee member dirextly through our Contact Us link.
Thanks.
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| Have Recipes? Are You Willing to Share? |
Posted on Nov 22nd, 2011 Comments (0)
The holidays are almost here. There are some terrific (and delicious) cookie recipes found on our recipes link. We would love more.
If you are willing to share that "secret family recipe" please take a moment and add your creations to our our website. We love to cook -- and are always looking for new ideas.
Thanks.
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| Making Use of the Website |
Posted on Nov 22nd, 2011 Comments (0)
Do you own a small business -- maybe Pampered Chef, Tastefully Simple, Stella and Dot, 31 Gifts, something else? If so, and if you can do direct sales, why not list your business (free of charge) right here on our website? We would love to know who you are and to send some business your way.
How about using our Classified to sell some unwanted items? Everything from Christmas ornaments to tires to furniture has been listed and sold right here in Landsdowne.
The services are free -- they work.
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| New Surveys Added |
Posted on Nov 20th, 2011 Comments (0)
When you have a minute or two, we would appreciate your completing our new surveys. Your input helps greatly with our future planning.
Thanks.
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