Thank you for the guest commentary by Dorothy Teipel.

We received an outpouring of online orders, more than we could process efficiently. The Falls Church customers showed us that they cared enough about buying local produce to stand in line twice, once to get into market and again while I searched for their names on my preorder list. Each week, they reorder again.

Especially as we head into gorgeous spring weather, it’s unreasonable not to open tennis courts (and golf courses, and parks), which allow for full enjoyment while social-distancing.

Contrary to Mr. Reeves’ assertion, my criticism of Superintendent Noonan was never about his decision to close the Falls Church City school buildings and shift the students to home-based education. My criticism was with the superintendent’s decision to end the scheduled school year two weeks early — eliminating two full weeks of at-home lessons.

What students need right now is far less the “structure” that Ms. Gross believes teachers provide, and far more the understanding, pedagogical expertise, and love that we career professional educators put far above sitting student posteriors in specific chairs.

The addition of a second W&OD trail is sorely needed. Even before the Covid-19 shutdowns and resulting increase in trail traffic, the trail was busy.

“We have wonderful teachers in Falls Church, as demonstrated by their response to the request for high-quality, 20-day lesson plans. Whenever time with those teachers is reduced, it is a loss for the students.”

With the uncertainty of Covid-19 and the lead time necessary, now would seem to be the time to proactively return the start of school to after Labor Day.

I’ve seen coworkers and neighbors really looking out for each other. Let’s do the same on our roads and trails.

Because of its prime location, the project will serve as the city’s de facto architectural centerpiece for generations to come.