Arlington County

New policy introduced for transgender students in Arlington public schools

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Arlington Public Schools has developed a new policy for transgender and gender-nonconforming students for the upcoming academic year. The plan, known as a policy implementation procedure (PIP), comes in response to requests from students, parents and local advocates. The PIP was announced at a school board meeting on June 18 and has received a variety of reactions from Arlington residents. “The PIP affirming transgender and gender nonconforming students is essential for the safety and privacy of students,” said local parent and advocate Emily Vincent. “Their gender identity does not pose a risk or danger to other students.”

A year in the making, the PIP was introduced by Assistant Superintendent Dr. Tara Nattrass.

Arlington County
Arlington service dogs

New program integrates service dogs into therapy for Arlington inmates

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Highly trained, specialized service dogs have been used to improve the physical and emotional health of countless Americans. A new pilot program in Arlington County is integrating service dogs into therapy for inmates in correctional facilities. This program is being led by the Arlington County Sherriff Department and is partnered with People Animals Love (PAL), a D.C. based nonprofit. “Animals give us so much love and joy and expect absolutely nothing in return; that shows a lot of vulnerability and trust in others,” said mental health therapist for Arlington county detention facilities Sonia Shuhart. “The inmates brought this idea to the attention of mental health therapists Aubrey Graham and Sonia Shuhart during Moral Reconation Therapy group,” said Cpt.

Arlington County
Arlington County Jefferson Davis Highway

Arlington county approves renaming of Confederate highway

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Route One is the largest north-to-south road in the U.S. It spans over 2,000 miles and is a major highway in cities from Florida to Canada. The portion of the highway that cuts through Arlington County has been designated the Jefferson Davis Highway for the past 97 years. But now, that’s changing. Following the national trend of renaming Confederate monuments, the Commonwealth Transportation Board is moving forward with the renaming of the highway. Recently, an act of vandalism on a Confederate memorial in Nashville’s Centennial Park received national news coverage.