This playground was installed for the 2007-2008 school year.  

Home of the Clifton Cardinals

Just a few reasons that Clifton Elementary should stay open to serve future generations of Clifton's children.

Anonymous, Virginia

My husband and I moved to Clifton over seven years ago, well before we started having children. We chose Clifton for one reason; we wanted our future children to attend Clifton Elementary. Its reputation and the fact that our children could attend a community school from K-6 was exactly what we were looking for. We now have a family and it would be devastating after all these years to lose the primary reason we moved here. If this happens, we will certainly move from the area. It is not my desire to have my young child(ren) bus for ridiculously long periods, nor is it my goal to have them be but a number among 900+ other children. We have paid Fairfax taxes for nearly twenty years, realizing that we would eventually benefit us when we had children. There are many others that moved to this area whom are in a similar situation. I have spoken to many mothers about this and we are all dismayed. This community pays more than its share to keep Fairfax schools up and running. I can't imagine Fairfax would so easily cast aside a tight knit community school that is doing such a good job with its students and with little to no regard to the impact it will have on the community it serves. 

Anonymous, Virginia

I live in Mason District- near the old Masonville Elementary school (Lacy Center). It was closed about 25 years ago. Guess what-there are now so many kids overcrowding the other elementary schools nearby, they are not only re-opening the school, they are rebuilding it completely. So closing Clifton Elementary may be a short term solution but it won't solve a long term problem. They may save a few dollars now, but in a few years, they will have to reopen it or build a new school to accommodate the ever growing population in Fairfax County. Keep it open, renovate it and keep this vital link to the community. Don't do to Clifton what was done to my neighborhood.

Diane Burgess, Virginia

I started my career as a Learning Disabilities Resource Teacher in 1973 at Clifton Elementary when it was under the leadership of the late Jean Leer, one of the most outstanding principals the county ever had. This gem of a school is a true community treasure that has shaped the lives of many outstanding leaders in today's society. Closing Clifton Elementary would be dismantling a bridge from a rich and fruitful past to a bright and promising future. 

Elizabeth Schultz, Virginia:

Our school makes our community - we do not have 'neighborhoods' like most other area schools, therefore the elementary school is the essential fabric to Clifton - the connectivity of our elementary aged children. Our homes are valued in relation to the school. It is integral - and 'rebuilding' elsewhere solves nothing - it further increases the tax burden on overtaxed county residents, it disburses our families' students, it over-complicates the zoning lines of which students should go to which schools and so on. If we wanted our students to go to school elsewhere, we would have moved elsewhere. Clifton ES is only perceived to be a 'problem' by those who aren't going or haven't gone there...those with students there now or who have had students in the past stand united in spirit and resolve to maintain our children's education and our community.

Christine Cavaleri, Virginia

I believe that our children received an excellent early education at Clifton Elementary School. We came to America from Bermuda and looked for a small town with a vibrant community. We found an environment where close personal ties were formed that have stayed with us over many years. Our children, likewise, still feel part of this community and this town is still "home" for them. The charm and closeness of the Clifton community would be be severely impacted if the school were to close. More importantly, it would definitely be a loss for the students themselves, to say nothing of the economic effect on the town.

Michael Brown, Virginia

All of my best friends come from this school. All of my best teachers come from here too. It would be a shame if it was gone.

Arell Gray, Arizona

My name is Arell Gray, I attended Clifton Elementary from when I was in kindergarten through sixth grade. Mrs. Moore was my first teacher there and she is still a family friend. That kindergarten year was the year we chose the Cardinals as our mascot. While I attended Clifton I was often Class Representative to the SCA and eventually the Treasurer, then President of the school. I am now an environmental geologist and I am completing a Master's Degree at Arizona State University. I know now, and always have, that Clifton Elementary is a special place. The relationships I have formed there are loving and lifelong, the kind where time and distance have no impact upon strength. Clifton is a unique place where learning and growth flourish. It provides a close knit, comfortable community that is uncommon among education facilities today. Today I can name nearly everyone, first and last names, from my first grade class because we became like family. I want to thank everyone who was a part of that community for making Clifton Elementary the magical place that it is.

Dana Camilleri, Virginia

Clifton Elementary is a wonderful school that maintains academic excellence and sense of a small community that has become increasingly rare in Fairfax county. Like the other alums who have commented, I am certain I would not be where I am today without the care and attention the Clifton teachers afforded me based on the small class size, and the experience of being part of a close community. There have to be other options for the county that do not involve shutting down one of its best schools and redistributing its students to a large new elementary school where it's likely they will receive less attention. Please don't close Clifton down!

Caitlin Schneiderman, Virginia

Clifton elementary made me who I am today. closing the doors to a school full of so many possibilities would be a total travesty. Clifton alumni- 1995.

Liza Diamond, Virginia

I went to Clifton Elementary and it is truly a great school! I hope that they do not choose to shut it down, we would be losing an important piece of Clifton's history and culture. Clifton Alumni- 1995

Michael Siemen, Virginia

Clifton alumni - Class of 1996

Leslie Porter, Virginia

Having been redistricted to a different high school in the last boundary change, I can attest to the fact that losing your school negatively impacts the community, the students, and their families. Please don't close Clifton Elementary.

Sam Blesi, Virginia

Closing a fine institution such as Clifton Elementary is is just wrong,and it will do nothing to solve the future overcrowding issues facing other areas of the school district. There are much better alternatives/choices available which will remedy the issues of concern that have been raised by the board. These alternatives are sound and should be adopted without hesitation. Closing the school is not justified under any circumstance.

Adam Christian, Virginia

Analyzing a set of facts and figures only covers the technical portion of closing a school. There are many other factors including cultural and organizational aspects which need to be taken into account when dealing with a sociotechnical system such as the policy of closing Clifton. Culturally, Clifton Elementary unites the town of Clifton. There is something fundamentally human about raising our children together. Organizationally, the town of Clifton distributes information through the school in order to provide more informed citizens. The political polls are a shining example of this. The FCPS School Board needs to understand the complexity when dealing with the sociotechnical system of closing Clifton Elementary.

Julio J. Pascual, Virginia

Clifton Elementary is the only institution that brings our children together in all the Clifton neighborhoods. There are multiple cultural, social and sports organizations in the area that do not do this vital part and bring everyone together. This school is the heartbeat and glue of this community.

Eric Desman, Virginia

I moved to Clifton this summer in August partly for the school pyramid, including Clifton Elementary. I was previously in the Centreville HS pyramid coming from Little Rocky Run. I was distraught to hear that one of the main lures into this community, Clifton Elementary, may not be available. While only two months into our first year at CES, it is clear that the caring and quality of education was just what my children needed above what was available at Union Mill. I will be devastated if this school closes, as will my children. They absolutely LOVE this school. Not only will this be a huge negative for my family, but the change in schools, along with a change in the pyramid, will severely impair home sales in the Clifton area and will depress home values even further. I implore you to work towards keeping Clifton Elementary open. I understand that there are over-crowding issues in other parts of the county that are forcing a look at other options. Why can't the County require some of the builders, who are growing the populations in these areas of overcrowding, to build schools locally. A development like Little Rocky Run has a school built in the middle of the community. Why can't they REQUIRE and plan the same for the developments that are being approved now? Thanks for your consideration Eric Desman

Pam Krahl, Maryland

I grew up in Clifton and attended Clifton Elementary School. I learned that the school might be closed at Clifton Day. My daughter is in Kindergarten, and if I lived in Clifton, I would ABSOLUTELY want her to go to Clifton Elementary School.

Denise Nagel, Virginia

Clifton Elementary is a great school nestled in the Clifton hills. I have attended many games for my nephews there. If we eliminate this terrific little school it will just pose additional over crowding at other local elementary's. We already have a disaster taking place with transportation - distant walkers and a kiss n' ride that has exploded with traffic at Union Mill Elementary. Let's not make MORE mistakes!!!

Joseph Ketchum, New York

Clifton Elementary is a great place. I went there in the days when there was no gym and had my sixth grade class outside in a trailer. Great teachers such as Nanzetta Merriman, Al Regalis, Rose Payne, and Derek McClintock have passed through there. The world is becoming extremely antiseptic today - everything looks the same -- the town of Clifton, and the school specifically, are exceptions to that. Please do not close the school.

Richard Pratt, Virginia

Why dismantle one of the top performing schools in the school district? Closing the school will make for very unhappy parents/voters, hurt the school district and its reputation and will negatively impact the Town, which in turn will hurt the County.A bad idea all around.

Jim Alter, Virginia

My 2 children, Liza and Tommy, both attended Clifton Elementary, and I believe they both received a great foundation for their future education at Robinson and George Mason. The school is part of the community they grew up in and it would be a shame if future students weren't able to attend a local school.

Ken Bredemeier, Virginia

My son Ryan spent six wonderful elementary years at Clifton Elementary, certainly getting a great foundation on his education, subsequent graduation from Robinson Secondary and then the University of Michigan. Now he's studying for the LSAT and headed to law school in a year. But none of that would have occurred without the caring teachers and experiences in the small, country-side setting that is Clifton Elementary. We don't live directly in Clifton, but its atmosphere and the sense of learning and instruction that occur there are a treasure to be kept, not discarded. I hope that the FCPS can see fit to figure out a way to keep the school open, make the necessary repairs to modernize it and keep Clifton relevant and an integral part of a Fairfax education. Thank you for listening. Ken Bredemeier

Ryan Bredemeier, Virginia

I started my education at Clifton Elementary in a comforting, supportive and encouraging environment that the tree lined property of the historic hilltop campus provided. The close knit relationship between students and teachers offered by Clifton's small size is irreplaceable, and will totally be lost in the ever more common supersized elementary schools, such as the one that is being proposed to replace Clifton Elementary. I honestly believe that had I gone to an school that lacked the close knit nature of Clifton Elementary I would not be where I am today. I graduated a few years ago from The University of Michigan and am currently applying to several top 25 Law Schools. None of this would be the case if it were not for the mindful teachers and staff at Clifton, who were able to recognized my difficulty with speech early on (in the first grade) because they were able to really get to know each and every student. They ensured that I got the specialized assistance I required, and helped me work through my difficulties, which set me up for lasting educational success. The environment of care and concern offered at Clifton Elementary ensured my educational success through the rest of my time at Clifton, six years at Robinson Secondary School, four years at the University of Michigan and in the future at the law school that I will ultimately attend. Please reconsider the drastic, and unnecessary action of closing Clifton Elementary simply to avoid repair costs. Clifton Elementary is more than just a school, it is the foundation of long lasting friendships for the community of Clifton and Fairfax Station. Most of my best friends in the world today, are the same people I played kickball with on the fields of Clifton elementary, participated in “Colonial Day” with in the fifth grade, and played in the woods of Clifton with after school and a snack from the Clifton General Store. A new mega elementary school near the sprawling Rocky Run neighborhood could never provide the unique experiences that Clifton did to me and thousands of other students. Don’t close a historic location, major part of the Clifton Community and excellent school when the devastating consequences to the Clifton community and future students are so great, and can so easily be avoided.

Judi Bredemeier, Virginia

For the six years that my son Ryan was there, Clifton Elementary was the focus of his world, and mine. The sense of community engendered at our just-right-sized school produced strong and lasting friendships and bonds among students and parents alike, and enabled Ryan to flourish at both Robinson Secondary and the University of Michigan. Clifton Elementary was and is the bedrock of a vibrant and supportive community that still wants, needs, and deserves its own school.

Lisa Kidd, Virginia

The school and town are closely linked. I'm concerned on the impact of the town if there is no Kids nearby. And I'm concerned about the building usage after the school is closed

Name not displayed, Virginia

Clifton ES is the heart of the community. It is where people meet others, where our children form friendships and not a long bus ride/drive/walk for most in the community. Two of my children have attended the school. I feel that splitting up the community would not be good for the students nor the community itself.

Matt Coleman, Virginia

I am now a freshmen at Fairfield University in Connecticut and still remember the good times I had at Clifton Elementary. This school is not only a place of education but is a shelter from the outside. Clifton is a community, a community that is unlike any of those that we call our neighbor. While at Clifton Elementary I met three of my best friends. To this day we are all still extremely close and talk about the good times that we had while at Clifton. I would still consider all three of them to be my closest friends. When entering Robinson and various other surrounding public schools Clifton provided a sense of community while there. I went to Robinson knowing that no matter what I still had my three closest friends to watch out for me and each other. Lets be honest, the outside world is a bit more rough then Clifton could ever be which is why I felt safe even during my years there. My little brother did not have the opportunity to go to Clifton Elementary and I always told him how sorry I was for him. Clifton provided me with a sense of community and life long friends. There is not one kid that passes through that school who doesn't have a strong moral code and good character. Do not take away this school, do not take away my child-hood memories and do not rob future generations of the chance to know what a true community feels like. Thank you, Matt Coleman

Donna McGrath, Virginia

This Elementary School beside being one of the best elementary school in the county also provides a sense of community for the children and citizens. The strength of a community is expanded by having a elementary school as part of the local fabric. Separating children from the local school fragments children and community

Name not displayed, Virginia

Clifton Elementary School is our area base school, and is where my daughter's girl scout troop has met for the past 7 years for just $5 for each year fee. We use the school for meeting facilities as well as for regular school activities. It's also part of the Robinson cluster, which was an important factor in our living here because my son is in the IB program at Robinson high school. Thank you for your efforts.

Terri Grabb, Virginia

Clifton Elementary is more than just a school. Having this school in our town has allowed for our community to knit together and serve one another in a manner that is unusual in large areas such as ours. It has taught my children more than education but also values and placed within them a desire to serve others. Please don't close Clifton Elementary!

Jerry Hopkins, Virginia

We moved to Clifton to give our children a great educational experience. The potential closing of this school would be detrimental to their current development not to mention the impact on real estate and the newly revitalized town. I hope the school board can get past their egos.

Emily Fisher, Virginia

You Cant close it. I love it and this is the school I went to for ever!

Debbie Mori, Virginia

Clifton Elementary school is like a small community. I have been a school bus driver at the school for 8 years now and know lots of the children and all the teachers in the school how many other schools could that be possible? Save Clifton Elementary!

Marsha Wolber, Virginia

My family moved back from California for the great educational opportunities at Clifton Elementary and Robinson Secondary. Both my children graduated from Clifton and Robinson. Clifton Elementary is a GREAT school .. perfect in size and condition. Clifton Elementary is the glue that binds our Clifton and Fairfax Station communities together. Please don't punish our communities children by closing it! Fairfax County should be proud to have such a great school.

Pamela Jones, Virginia

Clifton Elementary School, where my children attended, is a key reason we love this community. Without the close school, our property values will surely drop. Please save our school!

Anonymous, Virginia

I attended Clifton Elementary from 62-67 attending grades 1-6 there. I grew up in the town of Clifton and walked to school. The school was nestled on top of the hill and I remember sitting in class and watching the birds land on the window sills and I would see foxes and deer come out of the woods next to our 5th grade class room. Consider making it a learning school for nature and the environment. Not many schools in the county have the location that Clifton Elementary does for this sort of learning environment. I understand with budget cuts and trying to find money to keep things going is hard these days. So please rethink your decision for tearing this wonderful school down. Thank you. A former student.

Melissa Crick, South Carolina

Clifton Elementary is a gem and a treasure. Keep it alive!

Anonymous, Virginia

As a parent of former students, I couldn't have asked for a better elementary environment and education for my kids. As a substitute teacher and now Instructional Assistant, I believe Clifton should be renovated, and not closed. Clifton is a very special town, and the school is an important part of the atmosphere and support of the town.

Jayme Longerbeam, Virginia

This school has been around for many years! My entire family attended Clifton Elementary. I was looking forward to passing the family tradition down to my Daughter. I have many memories of Clifton. I am still very good friends with many people who went to Clifton Elementary. The school is in a great location and has so many things to offer right in the heart of Clifton. The town alone has so many things to offer to everyone. The school is safe & our community is clean. Please keep the school open!!

Michael Dash, Virginia

Mr. Tisdat, Any decision to close Clifton Elementary School must be viewed in light of the effect such a decision would have upon the greater Clifton community. I, like many others, moved to Clifton because we wanted a place for our families to grow in a small town environment. The presence and excellent reputation of Clifton school was and continues to be an essential factor in our eventual decision to move here. I urge you and your colleagues to find another answer to the challenges you face; closure would have a devastating effect upon many of the current and Clifton residents.

Mary Dash, Virginia

Clifton Elementary School is a wonderful place for the children of our community, but it is also an essential center of activity for everyone who lives here. Our small community depends on the school in so many ways that reach far beyond its value as an outstanding educational facility. Please don't take away this unifying resource that means so much to so many.

Amanda Dingman, Virginia

I was a teacher at Clifton for 8 years. The school will always have a place in my heart. Anyone who has ever stepped foot in the school knows how truly unique it is. Clifton Elementary is a wonderful school filled with outstanding teachers and students who come to school eager and excited to learn. The school is supported by an outstanding community of parents! To close Clifton would be nothing short of a tragedy. Save Clifton and enable the teachers, students, and community to work together to continue its long standing commitment to quality in education.

Geoffrey Imperatore, Virginia

Clifton Elementary is not only where my children attended school it is a central focus point for the socialization of our neighborhood children as well as our families. It is the hub of activity for our children within their residential area and it provides and builds a sense of community and belonging to our young people.

Emily Lucier, Virginia

I am absolutely astonished to hear this news. The idea that the county would try to close Clifton Elementary is terrible. I truly have some of the happiest memories of my childhood thanks to this school. It's small size, it's closeness to the historic town of Clifton (which I remember walking to down the hill from school) and the fact that it is there for the children who live in Clifton are all so very important to me. It seems the county has always considered Clifton children as an afterthought... for years, Clifton kids were shuttled to Robinson, then Lanier, then Fairfax.... it was as if no one wanted us. And even when Centreville High School opened, I remember my youngest brother was not welcome. No kids from Clifton were invited to attend school there. And now, they want to take Clifton Elementary from us. Please leave this school alone - and let it remain as the lovely first institution of higher learning that many will enjoy.

Joshua Balthrop, Ohio

My old man lives within a mile of the school, and his neighbors go there, everytime I drive by, I have to stop by and check it out, it brings back so many memories. I want to take my girlfriend and I would like my kids to attend the same school I went to.

Ginny Davis, Virginia

all of my childhood memories are from Clifton Elem. I moved out here in first grade & cant believe they want to close down its a historic part of Clifton & such a convenient placing for all of us that grew up out here

Nancy Davis, Virginia

If you are planning on closing this unique and small town school, only to build a more expensive one up the street near Liberty Middle School----spend our money with more restraint. If this lovely Clifton Elem. school needs repairs and the community and children want to keep this school, why are you pushing a new campus on them? Why are you spending our hard earned money on a new school, when the taxpayers are all tightening their belts and making due. The least you could do is be a good steward of our money. Act responsibly and listen to your community children and their parents. They want to stay where they are and repair their school. It is cheaper and what the community wants.

Murriel Price, Virginia

Having spent thirty two years as a chemistry teacher, high school principal and area superintendent in FCPS, I am very much aware of the disruption in the lives of children and their parents when closing schools and changing school boundaries. My son and daughter in-law bought their home in the Clifton school boundaries so my grandson would enjoy the same high educational experiences that his mother enjoyed as a student at Clifton Elementary. They have been active in the school and are pleased with their sons educational experiences. It seems that the school plant, with some minor improvements would last for many years. What a waste to close it now!

Dianne Whiteside, Virginia

Both of my children graduated from Clifton. I spent a huge amount of time there volunteering. The school was a central part of our lives. This small historic school helped give my son and daughter a wonderful education and a core group of friends that they still keep today. This is very unusual in this day and age. With all the money problems of this county and state, you should try and find the most cost effective ways to save money. Use what you have verses spending money we don't have to build something new. Use some common sense for a change!

Debbie Rice, Virginia

Clifton Elementary is a wonderful example of a community school that brings together everyone with the intention of providing an excellent educational experience for all our children. The administration, teachers and staff are dedicated and the school is warm, safe and family friendly. Please keep Clifton open!

Elaine Ansick, Virginia

I would feel really sorry for all the Clifton families with elementary aged children that wouldn't get to experience the small town, close knit, community based school that Clifton has to offer. As a former "room mom" I can tell you that Clifton ES has the best volunteers a school could ask for. I think part of the reason is that no one has more than a few miles to drive so it is never an inconvenience to just zip up the hill for a few hours and help out.

Fred Ansick, Virginia

Clifton Elementary is the center point of the community. The children that attend the school bring the parents together in this community of 5 acre lots and rural country settings. We moved here 12 years ago and knew no one in the community. It was the school and it's local setting that brought us into the community and a member of this small town.

Matthew Brooks, Virginia

The school is more than a building, it is the base of many services and brings jobs and economic stimulus to the town. It's loss would be devastating to town businesses and the community in general.

Nicole Renee Smith, Virginia

This will lower property values in Clifton and undermine Fairfax County's ability to maintain high quality education and SOL scores. The kids raised in this school pull up the scores at the High Schools they feed into and transfer over to the magnet schools to generate the SOL's that they generate and are less likely to end up on county services (assistance/jail) than kids coming from "factory like" schools. Most cities are breaking their necks to CREATE SCHOOLS with the participation and performance of Clifton Elementary. Clear cut attempt to cut off your nose despite your face?

NATALIE ENGLAND, Virginia

THE RENOVATION AND RESTORATION OF CLIFTON ES IS AS VITAL TO THE RICH HISTORY OF THE CHARMING TOWN OF CLIFTON AND ITS COMMUNITY MEMBERS AS IT IS TO PROVIDING THE HIGHEST QUALITY OF SAFE EDUCATION TO NUTURE THE SPIRIT AND DEVELOPMENT OF CLIFTON'S KIDS! SAVE THE SCHOOL!

Melanie Brownfield, Ohio

I am a class of 1983 Alumni of Clifton Elementary and would be DEVASTATED if the school was torn down. That school has been a trademark of the town of Clifton and a source of SO many memories for myself and my family.

Erin Tengesdal, Virginia

I moved to Clifton VA last year (2008) so my children could go to the same school I had left in 1988. Clifton Elementary has been around for so many generations and is a fixture in is community. Closing Clifton Elementary can not be option. It will forever change the dynamics of this tight community.

Brad Aldous, Utah

I don't live in Virginia anymore but I went to Clifton Elementary as a kid, where I developed friendships with people I still keep in contact with today. It would be a tragedy to shut a school down in the first place, but one that is rich with traditions and is the cornerstone of such a tight community is even worse. Please consider the negative impact it would have not only on the community, but on the children who currently attend Clifton Elementary, if it were shut down.

Robyn Turney, Virginia

my son and daughter in law bought the family home so that the four children could attend Clifton Elem. as they both did. my youngest granddaughter will be starting 1st grade in the fall. we are truly hope the four children can attend Clifton Elem. like there mom and dad.

Sandra Mitchell, Georgia

My grandchildren attend Clifton Elementary School, and their family loves the educational experience that they have received there. But equally important to the family is the community experience the children have had. Because of its size and its location near the center of the town, Clifton Elementary is an integral part of the Clifton community. Furthermore, the school not only brings together the residents of Clifton but also contributes to the building of a more vibrant economy. Both businesses and families reap the benefits of a viable community school, thereby creating a solid foundation for the successful town of Clifton. School is not just about classrooms, but is also about whole community learning and community well-being. School financial statements and facility reports cannot measure the true value of Clifton Elementary School to its children and families.

Wendy Breseman, Virginia

I worked at Clifton Elementary School for 16 years as an Instructional Assistant. During that time I experienced a small school atmosphere amidst a caring community. Parents and staff were on a first name basis and a spirit of cooperation abounded. So few small schools are left - all have gone to serving very large populations. It would be wonderful if Clifton could remain and retain its "small school in a small town aura."

Randy Thompson, Virginia

Clifton school is a vital part of our community. Dividing and separating our kids will not be good for them. We have something very special here that works. Please do not close our school.

Larry Lindsey, Virginia

Closing Clifton Elementary would not only be bad for Clifton, it would also worsen the overcrowding issues in the Southwestern part of the County and significantly lengthen the amount of time the buses are on the road throughout the area.

Mark Weiss, Virginia

In addition to supporting this petition, we need to let our elected officials know that they will be held accountable on election day if they fail to act as advocates for our community school.

Judy Zambrano, Virginia

The feasibility study is a joke. Talk about swaying the facts to suit the school board's own goals! There is nothing wrong with Clifton Elementary that cannot be fixed for far less than what the study proposes. Don't punish the students of Clifton because of problems with overcrowding elsewhere in the county!!!!

Richard Ramsdell, Virginia

I am an engineer who manages construction for the federal government. One thing that is clear in the feasibility study, is that this contractor has weighted the estimates to show that new construction was the solution. I believe another contractor could demonstrate that Clifton renovation was a more cost effective means to solve the Clifton problem, provided the right scope of work. In order to more effectively evaluate the current feasibility study the scope of work and relevant scoping meeting minutes with the contractor would have to be reviewed to assess what they were told to develop. A complete renovation replacing the copper piping with newer plastic lines would solve the pH and metals problem, and $2 million for running a county water main is not cost prohibitive. You have to consider every household along that run would tap into the line, including the businesses in Clifton, generating revenue and support for that construction. It seems especially confusing that Verizon and Cox can run copper and fiber throughout any neighborhood in the county, but the county is incapable of running water lines. I do not believe that households who get a new opportunity to tap into county water would really object as predicted. We moved to our neighborhood for Clifton Elementary and Robinson Secondary. I am a graduate of Robinson. The discussion of redistricting the junior high and high schools is suspiciously absent from the discussion but certainly relevant to the final decision. Thank you, Richard Ramsdell

Trisha Robertson, Virginia

As a parent, frequent volunteer and part-time teacher at Clifton Elementary, I am shocked that closing our community's school is even being considered by FCPS. Anyone visiting the school should be able to see what a beloved and enviable institution it is. Bigger is not better. State-of-the-art classrooms do not guarantee a better education. If budget constraints make renovation unfeasible at this time, it is understandable and acceptable to those of us served by the school. If there are real problems that must be addressed for legal or safety reasons, let us work to solve those, lunteer, a from the overcrowding issues facing other schools in the county. Clifton Elementary School is a vital part of our community that merits being saved for this and future generations.

Stacie Kelly, Virginia

Dear FX County School Board Members, Even though my child does not attend Clifton Elementary School we use it for Girl Scouts and support CES with their community service projects & events. I am a Girl Scout leader with 13/15 rising 4th grade girls that attend CES. You have a tremendous group of parents whom dedicate a lot of their personal time to making CES a great school for all the kids that attend there. This will be crime to close this school with so many young kids that really take to community service, have a strong bond with their community and love their school! I would like to see your board come up with a better plan to save this school, maybe enlist the CES parents to come up with a "cost saving solution" and the keep the pride and community service flourishing at Clifton Elementary. Use this opportunity to make the right decision, not a political decision. These kids are looking to you adults to make the right choice for them. By the way I am a resident of Clifton. Most sincerely, Stacie Kelly

Ann Donargo, Virginia

As a native of Fairfax County and graduate of FCPS schools, our family moved to our neighborhood specifically so that our children could attend both Clifton ES and Robinson SS. Many other parents at Clifton are here for the same reason, as many of them are graduates of the 2 schools themselves. As shown by Clifton's receipt of the Governor's Award For Excellence, Clifton ES consistently provides its students with a quality education. For such a small school, there are a variety of wonderful programs - the Innovation and Invention Fair, STAMP night (Science, Technology, and Math Program), the Learning Garden, and Operation Sandwich, to name just a few. But Clifton is more than just a quality education. It is a vital link to the community - anybody who has been to an October Clifton Day celebration can attest to that. Children, both current students and graduates, can't walk 20 feet through the event without seeing friends made at Clifton ES. Events at the school such as the Back-to-school picnic and the Thanksgiving Luncheon foster that community spirit. I realize that in the current economy, money could easily become the bottom line during this process. Yes, there are issues at the school, but as mentioned in a previous posting, the parents and community have not been complaining. More important to the community is the fact that the school is there on Cardinal Hill. As the feasibility study mentioned, the current school was built in 1952, but there has been a school at this site since 1912 and the town of Clifton has had a school within the town boundaries since 1869. To close Clifton ES and send students to a new school at the Liberty MS site, would have a great negative impact to the community. Current Clifton students would be separated among many different elementary schools and current secondary school students would be rezoned to a variety of different middle and high schools. Please consider other options, even those not suggested in the feasibility study, before making your decision.

Christopher Della Santina, Virginia

The prospect of Clifton Elementary School closing is truly disturbing to me for many reasons, the first of which is that one of the primary reasons we chose to move to Clifton is because of this excellent school. I'm sure we are not alone in this regard as this was one of the primary points the various realtors we met emphasized. Thus, I fear the closure of Clifton Elementary School will adversely affect our property value. My wife and I also do not relish the prospect of the inconvenience and increased commute time and distance between our home and any alternative elementary school for our rising kindergartener. Besides these practical and measurable metrics there are the intangibles. Clifton Elementary is a true neighborhood school with a rich history and tradition closely linked to that of the town itself which is entirely unique in Fairfax County. Parents, grandparents, extended family members, the students themselves, town residents and others with ties to Clifton are all bound together by our love and pride of the town and our school. The two are inextricably linked. And this community allegiance and commitment to the school is evident in the high level of volunteerism and engagement in school life throughout the school year. Our two older children have been direct beneficiaries of the close-knit relationship between staff and parent volunteers. In fact, a high level of family engagement in the school life is more the norm than the exception and it's one of the major ways the Clifton Elementary School Family thrives, and highlights the vibrancy of this community. While I understand the challenges inherent in renovating the school and as a home owner clearly have a stake in how county tax dollars are distributed and spent, I believe the investment in Clifton Elementary School is well worth it because like the town itself, it is one of the features of this county which makes it one of the best places to live in the country (for our money, the best place).

Dirk Smith, Virginia

Clifton Elementary has made a tremendous impact on my daughter's education and social development. The learning environment at Clifton Elementary has been key to her success. This environment was key to our decision to live in this area.

Hallie Smith, Virginia

Clifton Elementary has made a tremendous impact on my daughter's education and social development. The learning environment at Clifton Elementary has been key to her success. This environment was key to our decision to live in this area.

William Wiehe Jr., Virginia

Clifton Elementary is an integral part of the historical fabric of the Town of Clifton. This school should remain open as long as the Town of Clifton remains part of our County. Clifton Elementary Class of 1977 William Wiehe Jr.

Eric Hencken, Virginia

Clifton has one of the tightest feelings of community you will find in the entire Washington D.C. Area. For the school board to consider this, it is hurtful to not only the children, but the community at large.

Josette Jones, West Virginia

Research continues to show that a small learning community, like this neighborhood school, Clifton Elementary School, enhances education. Discipline is not as much as an issue because everyone knows everyone else, and parents support the school. More time is spent on learning Another issue is busing students to a school that is further away. Students end up spending more time being bused to the new school. States normally have guidelines and laws in place to monitor time spent on the bus. Parents need to find out Virginia regulations for "time spent on a bus" for elementary students. This is a big issue today. As an educator and reading specialist, I express concern over the possible closing of this unique neighborhood school. I have two grandchildren attending Clifton Elementary School. I have been there for several parent activities and programs in the last few years. I have read books to children in classrooms several times. I've even chaperoned a field trip, standing in for a parent. As a recently retired elementary school teacher and a reading specialist, I have observed and been pleased with the effective teacher/student interactions. I have been in situations where students have been moved into new school settings. Even though a school closing may work for some students, other students have great difficulty making an adjustment. It can impact educational progress in a negative way.

Lisa Wax RussekRobbins, Virginia

The educational environment inside our County's school buildings is far more important than the age of the walls that hold them. Clifton ES is unique. it serves as the heart of a small-town community. Many of us moved to Clifton because of the wonderful character of the elementary school. It is a place where all the administrators know each child by name, the teachers participate in the community, and the families have built a close-knit relationship with one another.

Karen Gentry, Virginia

Clifton Elementary has an excellent teaching staff and unprecedented community involvement that cannot be found anywhere else. FCPS Board would be doing a disservice if they closed this wonderful school.

Paul O'Leary, Virginia

Clifton Elementary is more than just a great school, it is the kind of school that all other schools aspire to be. Clifton consistently finds the special balance between promoting independence by students and maintaining a respectful environment, between pushing students to give more effort and supporting them when they need extra help. The teachers and staff at Clifton do more than teach the material, they pay attention to how they teach and are attentive to whether their methods are getting through to their students. Clifton teachers are also very effective at engaging parents to be a constructive part of their child's educational experience. These accomplishments are no easy feat. Our elder son moved to Willow Springs last year (2009) for the 3rd grade advanced academics (AA) program while our younger son remained at Clifton. As a result we had an opportunity to compare these two Fairfax County schools. While the curriculum at Willow Springs was fine, the school environment, teaching skills, and parent interaction paled in comparison to what we had experienced, and continued to experience, at Clifton. The educational environment was cold, the teachers were disengaged with the students, and the communication with parents was poor. The opposite has been consistently the case at Clifton. We were so disappointed with our experience at Willow Springs that we have returned our son to Clifton for 4th grade despite knowing that the AA curriculum fit his abilities better. It is more important that he continue to love learning, as he has at Clifton, and that he be in an environment like Clifton where independent thinking is encouraged and the teachers are engaged with their students and provide the support children need to be successful. While the wonderful educational environment at Clifton is due to the skill and dedication of the of the teachers and staff, it would be a mistake to assume that these individuals would be just as effective if moved to different schools. Clifton is great because the teachers, staff, students, and community have effectively developed a culture that makes the children love the school and love learning. Such a culture is difficult to attain and takes time to accomplish. Closing Clifton and allowing such an effective educational culture to die would be a terrible mistake. Schools all over the country are trying to develop the kind of educational community that we have at Clifton Elementary. To propose discarding such a valuable achievement is irresponsible. Rather than closing Clifton, it should be prized as the valuable and successful community institution it is. Clifton should be nurtured and used as a model for other schools to follow.

Winston Ravich, Virginia

Clifton Elementary is a very special school and I have loved every day there at school. It is small so I know all of the teachers and that helps to make it a great place to learn and go to school. It is also special because there are many activities that are organized through Clifton school. Clifton is special because it has a learning garden where the classes get to plant and take care of the things in the garden. We also have Operation Sandwich where the students make lunch once a week for a homeless shelter in Fairfax. Clifton also has a really cool Innovation Fair every year. I have 5 more years of elementary school and I want to finish them at Clifton because it is the best school in the world for me. Please look closely at why Clifton is a fantastic school and important for our community.

Linda Lavery, Virginia

Both of our children attended Clifton Elementary and the school is a big contributing factor in the feeling of community among the residents of Clifton. Wonderful bonds were made among the students that were a help as they move on to Robinson Secondary - an extraordinary large school, where both did well after their Clifton preparation. Years later, I still know and see other parents from those elementary school years.

Christine Gillespie, Virginia

I grew up in the Clifton area and have lived near there my whole life. I will never forget the wonderful experiences I gained by attending Clifton Elem. There were fantastic teachers that I still have fond memories of. In fact I still remember principal Clark (who has since sadly passed away) who gave me the most wonderful "birthday card" one year that was hand made by him. I remember being called to the principals office on my birthday thinking oh no what did I do wrong and it was so that he could give me that beautiful card. I still have it to this day and I'm 37 years old! I still drive up the long driveway sometimes to see what the school looks like and watch the school buses do the same. Please don't take down a landmark that has made myself as well as others what we are today! I will never forget that school and would love to be able to show my children where Mommy went!! Thank you for listening...

Wesley Ravich, Virginia

Clifton is a fantastic school! Since kindergarten I have had a great four years at Clifton. It has been a great place to learn and I have made a close network of friends. The teachers at Clifton are very good and the small size of the school is great. I really like going to school in my neighborhood. Clifton School has a long history and has been around for a long time. It is also a very special place in the community and I don't want to lose the school. Please carefully consider this important decision about Clifton's future because it impacts my family, all of my friends and our community.

Jennifer Jones Ravich, Virginia

Our family was surprised and very disappointment to learn that the Fairfax County School Board has made the decision to proceed with investigating the potential of closing Clifton Elementary School and consolidating its student population with another school. We currently have two students at Clifton and have been extremely pleased with their entire experience of attending Clifton, our neighborhood school. They love their school and go to school eager and ready to learn every day. We moved to this community because of this neighborhood school and the solid reputation it has maintained for decades. The school has also been fortunate to have tremendous parental involvement that enhances what the students experience at school on a daily basis. We ask that the School Board proceed with their analysis and evaluation with thoughtful consideration and extreme caution, ensuring that the decision making process evaluates the range of negative impacts the school closure will have on Clifton's student population, and carefully consider input from Clifton's residents and student population. We are gravely concerned about the range of negative near and long-term impacts Clifton's closure will have on the entire Clifton student population. Research has shown that it is very important for students to attend a neighborhood school and that moving kids mid-stream during their school experience negatively impacts their overall learning. Absorption into a new school causes unnecessary stress for school age children, interfering with their maximum learning potential which is crucial for the academic success of all students. In addition, relocation to a different school will dramatically expand the Clifton student's daily bus ride to and from school, also having a range of negative impacts on the Clifton students.

MOnica Byrne, Virginia

At ages one and three, my children have yet to start their journey at Clifton Elementary School. We moved into Clifton less than one year ago with the greatest single reason being the apparent sense of community and level of involvement by residents of this town. When we chose our home we were not just comfortable, but excited, to send our children to CE. The members of this community are the most active people I have ever witnessed and are equally proud and responsible for their town. This school is a core to our family-centered lifestyle. Please don't change that.

Arlene and Paul Posner Posner, Virginia

While new houses are being built, trees destroyed, and traffic an ever-present nightmare in Fairfax, let's balance all that with preserving a treasured structure where teachers teach, children learn, and residents join together to cast votes. It would be devastating to have Clifton Elementary School demolished, to no longer see it sitting proudly upon the hill. We respectfully request that this beloved school be allowed to continue enriching Clifton and Fairfax. Paul and Arlene Posner

Kelley Webb Roy, Washington

My sister and I went to Clifton Elementary. This school is at the heart of the Clifton community and should be saved. Clifton Elementary provided me with a strong foundation for my educational career, which includes a Bachelors in Geological Sciences and a Masters in Community and Regional Planning. At Clifton Elementary I found the support of teachers, other students and the larger community, which helped me to form a strong sense of self. There are many creative ways to keep important community institutions alive during difficult financial times, and I would be happy to be a part of a group that uncovers these opportunities, so that Clifton can stay open to future generations. Best Kelley Webb Roy Clifton Elementary 1977-1983 ?(K). Mrs. Schrey (1,2), Mrs. Mcfee (3), Mrs. Payne (4) Mr. Howard (5), Mrs. Hogan (6)

Melissa Brock, Virginia

Clifton Elementary school was a great school to attend. I like the small size and the closeness that you had with everyone. I still go up to the school and visit and bring my son with me now. I enjoy being able to show him where I went to elementary school. This school is very important and I want it to stay around so my son can maybe go there one day!

Anonymous, Virginia

Our community school needs to be left alone. It stands as an example of what we have lost in Fairfax County; sense of community. Clifton Elementary has and remains a vital part of Clifton and should not become a victim of politics as most things in the County do. We have sent a child through the school and have one more to send and when compared to the other most recent schools built, we would prefer Clifton Elementary. With budget problems looming why spend the time and money on an imaginary problem?

Dwayne Nitz, Virginia

Clifton Elementary is the most vital aspect of an active and cohesive community of several thousand county residents. The school has a history of providing a sound environment for a great educational start for our children. The voice of the CES community should be heard directly by the school board prior to advancing any proposals, and prior to engaging a larger, county-wide community engagement on the specific topic of CES.

Roselle Stark, Virginia

Clifton Elementary School and its excellent teachers is the finest elementary school in Fairfax County. It is close to my grandson's home and offers a safe, community environment for him. The education he is receiving there is definitely equivalent to one he might receive in a high quality, expensive private school where he would have to travel a great distance to attend. The entire community would suffer a great loss should this school close.

Dariece Rau, Virginia

Clifton ES is unique and is truly a part of our community. It is not a neighborhood school like you see in most places, it truly is a community school. It has allowed me to get to know many families in the Clifton area and I have even gotten further involved in the town of Clifton because of my relations developed at the school.

Kim Petrus, Virginia

Please carefully consider the impact that the closing of Clifton ES would have on the children. For many students, the idea of a transition at this time could be difficult, as relationships have been formed and are valued. If a change is warranted, parents should be given significant notice, along with multiple options, so that we can properly plan for the future educational programs for our children. Currently, I have two children that will be attending Clifton ES in the fall. One is a rising kindergarten student who has attended the orientation and is familiar with Clifton ES. At this time, if a decision were to be made to close Clifton in the future, I would expect options be made available early enough, so as parents, we can plan appropriately and in the best interest of our children. Thank you.

Amanda Clare Herring, Virginia

Please don't close Clifton. I went there for a few years in elementary school, my mom teaches there, and my brother and sister both went there. I made some of the best closest friends I have in the world there. Kids in Clifton can't just walk around the neighborhood and hang out with their friends. It's a very woodsy and secluded area, the only way to meet your neighbors and local kids is at school. Once all the kids are sent off to Robinson, it's nice to see kids who you've grown up with in a sea of thousands. It's comforting, and lets face it, well water isn't all bad. I live in Clifton and my house has spells of bad water because we're on the well system, but it's not really that big of an issue. The kids have had those deer park water coolers for several years now, so what? they have those in every office building too. The kids LOVE them!

Anna Shearer, Virginia

The Clifton Elementary School is an important part of Clifton's history and community. It has a unique character and should remain open.

Ariana M*****, Virginia

Think about it. Clifton Elementary has been there for decades, to get rid of it now is kind of stupid. I mean, does it cost more to...build a new school out of scratch and , have students take a longer bus ride to get to school(aka more gas), or to just have Clifton Elementary use bottled water to drink rather than tap water? Personally, I think it cost more to build a new school, plus what is the county going to do with the school after it is closed, because if there is bad tap water it doesn't seem like anything should be there(I am in no way suggesting that they tear down the school) but if the water has been "bad" for years, way didn't they(the school board) do anything about it years ago? I went to Clifton only two years ago and my younger sister is a rising 6th grader so the closing of Clifton will only affect us if they close it before school year 2009-2010, but I don't want my memories to be bulldozed and I'm sure other former Clifton students feel the same way. Besides, some people move to Clifton because they know how great the schools are. Benefits of keeping the school where it is are; -short bus rides(unlike my hour long bus ride to/from Robinson) -focus point of the Clifton Communality -great reputation -small in size and student population Clifton has an average of about 400 students a year attending it and about 60 graduating from 6th grade, where as other schools in the area have over a 100 6th graders graduate(their schools student population in probably 3 times the size of Clifton's). Because of Clifton Elementary's size students are able to make closer friends and get to know everyone in their graduating class better, and in some cases get more one on one time with their teachers. In the end it all comes down to this, if you close Clifton Elementary you are closing part of the town of Clifton's history and closing a great school. So I beg the school board as a former student and a member of the Clifton community not to close our beloved school.

Jackie Weiss, Virginia

I went to this school for three years. I loved the community spirit of the school. Please do NOT close Clifton Elementary.

Heather Williams, Virginia

Do not close Clifton Elementary, this school is an integral part of our community. The small town experience is something that is fading from existence within Fairfax. Clifton is one of the last areas that offer this charm and appeal while providing a first rate education system. The location of the school is great because we feel they are safer than most from intruders and other types of crime. Look beyond the feasibility study, renovation issues and the overcrowding of other schools.

Manny Mangahas, Virginia

We have two children at Clifton Elementary school currently and one who recently graduated from there. They've had a wonderful school and social experience at Clifton Elementary. This school is an integral part of our community. It was a major criterion in deciding to reside in Clifton thirteen years ago. Closing this school would be a major loss to the our Clifton community.

Patricia Guerra, California

My little cousin Nicholas goes to Clifton Elementary. His mother and father made a thoughtful decision to enroll him there because of its size, location and quality. Please do not close this school. Youngsters and their families have enough uncertainty in their lives without unnecessarily causing upheaval in their education.

Mariana Downing, Virginia

I am very upset that they are shutting down Clifton elementary school. My little sister Victoria Downing goes to this school,and now instead of victoria having fun at the pool my mom and her are going out to look for new schools to enroll her in. If you were shutting down Clifton ES you should have warned parents about this one year before it was actually going to close down so that parents would have more time to look for new schools for their children. I graduated from Clifton ES, and it is a wonderful school. The staff is great. The children are fun and sweet, and it is a very friendly community. We moved here about 5 years ago planning to enroll all my little sisters in Clifton ES. This school is near us and everyone in this community knows each other. Pease, it is a terrible idea to shut down Clifton elementary school. Keep this great community going by keeping Clifton elementary school open!

Anonymous, Florida

My great nephew attends this school and his parents feel it has been a most positive influence on his well being. I would ask that you not close a school which seems to be serving the community at such a high level as this school seems to be doing.

Ingrid Frazee, Virginia

Please do not close Clifton Elementary. The main reason we moved to Clifton was to have our children attend a true community school. The kids know and love the teachers and staff and parents are an integral part of the everyday workings which is a wonderful thing! We know all the kids and parents of not only the classes our children are in, but also other classes in their grades. The location of the school is great because we feel they are safer than most from intruders and other types of crime. And, because the school is part of our community, if one of our children needs to be picked up, we are literally there in 5 minutes. Please don't take away our school - we love it. Whatever happened to reduce, reuse and recycle?? I'm positive that if the water is the issue, parents will have no problem sending in money to help pay for bottled water. And we love our courtyard and gardens! They are great places for the children to safely learn about nature and native plants. Please keep Clifton open!!

Natacha Abreu, Virginia

I am very disappointed that our authorities who are also responsible for keeping our community save and together can not see the negative impact that closing Clifton Es will bring to this community. The children attending Clifton ES school love this school. My nice found her best friend Neeka there and I can not imagine those two going to different schools. This is a great community and I am so happy that my sister is lives there and that her children attend Clifton ES because it is a very safe school and great environment. The community is very tight and they all know who they are, it is great to see that there are still places and communities like Clifton in this country, one very rare have the opportunity to see this. Please think do not close the school, this school brings everybody together as community and it is exactly what our children need, to be belong, to be part of a community. It gives them confidence and leadership. Do not take these things away from one of the fewer real communities that still exist in this country. Please re-consider your deicing. Thanks

Vanessa Cushing, Virginia

I went to Clifton for 4 years and I thought it was a great school. It was really close to home so it was a shot bus ride. Now that I go to Robinson I have an hour bus ride and I don't want the kids from Clifton having to ride the bus for as long as I do. I just hope that it does not get shut down. If you read the risks on the fpcs webpage I think most people will change their minds. :)

Anna Howard, Virginia

I never went to Clifton Elementary, but the little boy I babysit does, and I know he loves it. It's obvious that he feels so comfortable and welcome at Clifton Elementary, and I know it would devastate him if the school were to shut down.

Anonymous, Virginia

I have visited this school so many times and it's rather unique, very conducive for learning - far from man made noise. My nephew graduated here and currently my other nephew and niece are going to this school. Please don't close it. I have seen other schools outside the country... compared to this school, the repair problem is minute.

Judy McNamara, Virginia

The loss of Clifton School will be devastating to the community. It will fragment this tight community socially, will financially hurt the business community, and will lower property values.

Kenneth Coon, Virginia

My wife and I have been looking to move from Loudoun County to Fairfax County for over six months and, having two small children, (ages 2 and 4) the school system was very important to us in this decision. My wife and I are both from small towns in upstate New York and Clifton Elementary school struck a chord with us. Northern Virginia offers many unique opportunities to its residents, but the small town experience is something that is fading from existence within Fairfax. Clifton is one of the last areas that offer this charm and appeal while providing a first rate education system. I have grave concerns with closing Clifton Elementary school and relocating the children to a new and larger school further from the community. Disrupting the established faculty and parent support system that is vital to any successful school seems like a mistake. Further, I moved to Clifton so that my children could go to school in an intimate setting that Clifton Elementary offers. The changes proposed by the school board would take this away. Given my perspective as a new home buyer in Clifton, I also have apprehensions about the impact closing Clifton Elementary would have on the already distressed housing market. I realize the school board will look at the situation strictly from a perspective of population distribution and cost, but for many people the situation they are examining goes far beyond the scope of their study. I hope we can find a way to influence the outcome and protect the community of Clifton.

Samantha O'Hara, Virginia

Clifton Elementary is an integral part of our community. To close it would be simply devastating. Your feasibility study did not take into account the affect closing our beloved school would have on the community. Please look beyond the study - take the time to listen to those who will be most affected and know that we do not want our school closed or relocated.

Sean Twitchell, Virginia

Clifton Elementary is a integral part of our local community and has a long record of quality educational results. Relocation would forever eliminate it's position in the community and diminish the quality of education that our family had carefully sought.

Pamela Hieronymi, California

I attended Clifton Elementary for grade school, and received an exceptionally solid, caring education from teachers and parents who were dedicated and talented, and who worked together. My nieces and nephews now attend, and, from what I can see, are getting the same exceptional treatment. It is hard to put together a working community. Do not take one apart.

Cathleen McCloy, Virginia

All three of my boys attended Clifton Elementary School. The smaller school size contributed to the "community" feel for the school. I found there was much involvement from the parents in both the time committed and financial assistance given to enhance the student's learning experience. I know my boys found the years spent at Clifton to be enjoyable. Additionally, the history behind the elementary school would make it very unfortunate to see it be closed. Please consider how important this school is to the Clifton community.

Lisa Bryant, Virginia

It would be a great loss to close Clifton Elementary. It is less like a school and more like a family to all residents of Clifton! My children have both attended since Kindergarten and we have all developed close relationships with teachers, staff and other parents which in turn provides an environment which makes education an enriching experience. Please do not close this valuable asset to our community!

Anonymous, Virginia

By closing Clifton Elementary, you will be closing part of the county's heritage as well as spending more tax dollars shipping students to a further location. Please don't let this wonderful historic town lose a school that offers such an exceptional and unprecedented learning environment!!

Cathleen Luce, Virginia

We chose to move to Clifton recently, attracted by the intimate feel of the community and Clifton Elementary. Our daughter has thrived at this school, no longer treated as a number but as an individual. The care and attention she has received at Clifton Elementary has been exemplary.

Dot Hieronymi, Virginia

Both of my children attended Clifton Elementary for their elementary years. They thrived there, the education was superb as was the mentoring and attention to the social and emotional well being of the child. I now have grandchildren attending, and see the same dedication to the whole child. The School was and is the hub of the community, bringing the surrounding area closer together, working towards common goals  €” benefiting not only the children but all residents. Closing the school will jeopardize this core value. I feel it would be counter productive to close a school that has proven itself many times over and brings such consequence to an entire area.

Sydney Sawyer, Virginia

My son has attended Clifton Elementary for 3 years and I have been very involved in the activities as well as currently serving as a PTA Board member. We moved to Clifton so that we could have all the benefits of a small town, including a small school. NO ONE is known by a "number", all parents are known by name and even neighborhood. The students all know each other and there are many learning experiences that are unique to this setting. Please consider the negative impact that closing this school will have on our children, our families, our town and our community. Thank you for your consideration.

Chris Palmer, Virginia

It would be a huge mistake to close this school. You need to look well beyond the feasibility study and first consider the uniqueness of Clifton, the only "small town" left in Fairfax County with a sense of community, the devastating effect on the children and families, the businesses, and the loss in real estate values and thus tax revenue. The first priority should be the children who attend the school. Children love that school. The feasibility study points out that a disadvantage of the school is the hill it sits on and the slopes surrounding the school. I feel that is an advantage that no other school has because that and the woods make it a very quiet location. One of the main reasons we moved to Clifton was for the school. Moving the school would reduce property values and in turn tax assessments and the loss in tax revenue would more than offset any perceived gain in cost by building a school at the other site. Clifton businesses would also suffer. The school is what ties our community together and makes Clifton what it is. In addition, the move would cost my family greatly monetarily in that we would have to make other, more expensive and less convenient, childcare arrangements since our facility busses our child to Clifton and would not to the other site. I urge you to make the right decision: do not close Clifton Elementary!

Greg Clifton, Virginia

Clifton Elementary consistently maintains some of the top test scores in the state and highest percentage of parent and community involvement, why would you want to close down such an exemplary school. Please do what is necessary in terms of renovations in order to keep Clifton open and thriving.

Joe Clifton, Virginia

Please don't close my school! I just moved to Clifton, but I love the school, please don't make me switch schools again. Plus, I want my brothers to go there, too!

Catherine Timm, Virginia

Clifton Elementary is a very special part of the tight knit Clifton community. It is an anchor and a place where we come together for our children. Through the school we meet our neighbors. I'm afraid that if we lose this anchor, we'll drift apart as a community. This is especially true for those of us who live outside the town boundaries, but support town activities. The unintended consequences could be many: property value decline, decline of businesses, decreased tax revenues, inability to maintain the historical nature of the town. Please do not close our school.

Anne Boley, Virginia

We moved from Herndon to our current neighborhood primarily so that our children would attend Clifton Elementary and Robinson. My kids love Clifton School! I urge the Fairfax Co. School Board to consider other factors than just a report of facts and figures, and let us all come up with a solution that helps keep Clifton School open as one of the best schools in VA.

Patricia Weldon, Virginia

Clifton Elementary School represents a wonderful group of children in our community surrounded by a talented group of educators. Our children have flourished academically and socially in this small tight knit community elementary school.

Aroosha Solomon, Virginia

I would love to attend Clifton elementary school for many years to come. I love to be with my friends and teachers Please don't close my school. best regard, aroosha first grader

Joonie Solomon, Virginia

I strongly oppose the Fairfax county decision on closing of the Clifton.

Anonymous, Virginia

Clifton elementary school is the heart of the Clifton town. We can't even imagine our town without the school. My son, 5th grader and my daughter, 3rd grader are already sad to think their school might be gone.

Anne Beaudreau, Virginia

Why would anyone consider destroying a school that accomplishes so many positive things! The children that come out of Clifton Elementary are very bright for a reason. It has great educators and caring and concerned parents who want the best for their children. It does not make sense to get rid of a school that has proven to be successful just because of water fountains vs. bottled water. We moved to Clifton way before we had a child because we knew that if we had a child, we would want them to go to Clifton. Now that we have a child in Clifton, who loves his school, it would be horrible to pull him away from such a great place to learn.

Nazila Ahmadinia, Virginia

We are so upset for Fairfax county decision on closing Clifton, we have bought our house with main purpose of sending our kids to Clifton, it is so unfair to all families and kids that Fairfax county closing the school for such a minor problem, I am sure if you ask the parents we all would love to help to do all improvements which might be needed. Please see what are you doing to us and our kids before you make any decision.

Shelly Werner, Virginia

Clifton is a truly unique and family-oriented school. I did not realize how "warm" of a place it was until my oldest son started going to Willow Springs. As example, I thought all schools did a welcome back Fall family picnic, but soon learned that was not the case. Also, the size of the student population at Clifton is comfortable and feels more like a close knit neighborhood than a metropolis. If you take away Clifton, you are taking away an important part of the Fairfax community; a part of it that provides an environment uncommon to large counties likes ours. It's a small town school in a big city. That's special!

Beth Groner, Virginia

One of the main reasons we moved to Clifton - close to town - was to have our children attend a small, community elementary school like Clifton Elementary. This school is so special in today's day and age. It reminds us of the small, neighborhood elementary schools that most of us attended. It reminds us of what life should be like in small towns like Clifton and insulates our children from the fast pace and fast growing up that is a part of this Washington Metro area. I believe that many who move to Clifton and consider real estate in Clifton - are especially attracted to the nurturing environment of this small, safe school and its convenient location near our homes. There is no other school in Fairfax County that would provide a 5 or 10 minute bus ride for our kids. Many young kindergarten and first grade kids would have to travel in excess of 30 minutes on the bus to attend the next closest elementary. Having said that - I also believe that closing Clifton Elementary and bussing our kids elsewhere to attend Kindergarten through sixth grade - would have a chilling effect on our real estate values here. One of the number one reasons that people choose a location is "schools" and removing this hometown elementary experience from our community would create an insurmountable loss to our home values. The elementary school is the one thing that binds our Clifton neighbors together and creates the unique sense of community that exists here. It would turn our town into just a bunch of random houses on five acre parcels with no connection to one another and would surely tear apart the fabric of the town itself. Without Clifton parents driving into town to pick up kids or attend school functions, our businesses would surely suffer even more. Without the school - what would bring traffic to Peterson's Ice Cream in the afternoons or the Clifton Park or the General Store Pub? The unintended consequences of this closure consideration is unique within the county as there is no other situation where the life of a small town is interdependent upon the local elementary. The county needs to consider not just the repair costs, but the loss of so much more if we were to lose this school.

Tabitha Meltzer, Virginia

I believe closing Clifton Elementary School would be a mistake. As it stands, it is all an elementary school should be. If there is overcrowding, consider reducing the parameter from where students are drawn  €“ absorbing those that are on the outskirts closer to the elementary schools near them. This would eliminate the need for sewer renovations. As for the children being able to walk to school, how would sending them further away change this? It wouldn't. None of these students would be able to walk to the new school either. As for it being 'the only one where they can't walk to school; exists on a hill; etc' look at Clifton Elementary School as 'a vital and unique fit into one of Virginia's last remaining vintage and tourist attracting communities.' The water need not be an issue either. Because if well water is unsafe to drink, then you'll have to ban all wells. All of the reasons sited can be addressed and solved by thinking "outside of the box." In conclusion, the reasons stated for closing Clifton Elementary School are not insurmountable and can be dealt with without harming one of Virginia's premier, iconic and vintage towns. A town without a school is half a town - this fact is elementary.

Edgar Caburian, Virginia

Our Son Charles studied at Clifton Elementary School from Kindergarten to 6th grade. My two Grandchildren at currently attending the school. It will be devastating for our granddaughter who attended the school from Kindergarten to 5th grade not to be able to attend and finish her last year in school. Our 3rd and 4th grandchildren are looking forward to starting their elementary education at Clifton. We can't close the school.

Brenda Sohan, Virginia

Keep the school open!!!!

Ester Pline, Virginia

Clifton Elementary School is a special place for my children to learn. It is part of our community and because of this, it has a high level of parental involvement. This sense of community and parental involvement is integral to my children's academic success and personal growth. If the school were moved or made larger, this critical element would be lost.

Hope Cygelman, Virginia

Please let our kids stay in our Clifton Elementary,do not disrupt our lives,we do not care about drinking from bottled water,we care about our quality of life.You are going to break our families.

Anonymous, Virginia

I moved to Clifton 5 years ago, so that my young children could attend Clifton elementary as it has been rated and regarded as a great elementary school. My first child is entering kindergarten at Clifton this fall, and at least one more brother and sister will also start at Clifton in the following years.

Tripp O'Hara, Virginia

Clifton Elementary is a great school with a great history. The location is convenient to the tax payers of Clifton, an ideal location for students to be developed into our future leaders. Sitting on top of a hill overlooking a historic town. The bus rides for our students are already very long based on the geographic layout, moving the school outside of its central location will add to the rides along with the emissions, extra cars, on are already congested roads. Clifton ES is a very successful institution if would be foolish to tear down and try to rebuild. We are not just talking about a building. The building are the four walls around the teachers, students, volunteers, history, that make it a great school. Clifton is a proud community with Clifton Elementary as the corner stone of that community.

Kim Skwierawski, Virginia

Save Clifton Elementary! My oldest daughter will be starting kindergarten at Clifton this fall. My husband and I bought our home in Clifton mainly because we love the wonderful, small elementary school for our children.

Lisa Cushing, Virginia

We moved to our house because of Clifton Elementary and Robinson. Clifton is a "one of a kind" school in Fairfax County. The school and community are very close. The business community in the town of Clifton is very supportive of Clifton Elementary School and the families of Clifton Elementary support the local businesses. Clifton has a great staff and many wonderful volunteers that enrich the lives of all Clifton students.

Cally O'Brien, Virginia

Forcing Clifton's kids to take long bus rides to a new school can't possibly be good for their academics. Adding another school to areas that already have several, while taking away from a town that only has one, makes no sense. There's also no sense in tearing down an entire school instead of simply making repairs.

Juan Ochoa, Virgin Islands

I have four children and two of them attend Clifton Elementary school, the other two will be going in about two more years. Clifton Elementary school is a great school and it is very well managed and maintained I don't see how and why they will close such a good school.

Karen Ross, Massachusetts

As the grandmother of two children attending Clifton elementary, I have been able to see first hand what an exceptional school it is. From Grandparent's breakfast during the holidays, to seasonal outdoor and indoor fairs, it is a vibrant and close knit community, the hallways filled with colorful displays of the children's projects and an obvious enthusiasm working in the classrooms. This school is a unique little jewel and should be kept open for the benefit of all concerned.

Kirsten Thompson, Virginia

I can't imagine Clifton without the school . Our boys had a great experience there in every way and so did I as a volunteer . So what if the building is a bit old ? So is everything else in town . That's why we live here . We are a town . A town needs a school . All the future ''Cliftonite's " deserve the same BLESSING , not BUSSING !!

Cindy Gugino, Virginia

Closing of Clifton Elementary will have a huge impact on the students and the community. It is what binds the Clifton community together. It's a one of a kind school, and although it may be older and not as modern as other schools, it shouldn't be closed. In fact, many of us like it just fine the way it is and can live without any renovations. Save the money, don't close our school!

Sam Mansouri, Virginia

I, being from another country can not drive by my old school and be proud. However I still sometimes drive by an Elementary school I attended when I arrived in sixth grade in Rockville, MD and have a little sense of pride. I HOPE MY KIDS WILL BE ABLE TO HAVE THE SAME FEELING ABOUT CLIFTON ONE DAY WHEN THEIR KIDS GO TO CLIFTON ELEMENTARY.

Stephen Anderson, Virginia

Our family has been a part of the Clifton ES family for 3 years and I see this school as the heart of the town of Clifton. The community is driven by the school and the importance of Clifton ES is reflected in the dedication and effort that the staff and teachers put into our children's' education. I have two daughters attending the school and am very much looking forward to our third attending as well to receive the excellent level of learning and to experience the sensation of being a part of a bigger family that cares about more than just learning in the classroom. Please let us help in keeping Clifton Elementary School open for our children and future families that come to Clifton.

Marjean Kaufman, Virginia

We have experienced school closings in our area..It is very disruptive,not only on families,especially the children, but on the community.. It has made a lasting but negative impact upon our community.Relocating children places an additional burden on families who are already under enough stress during these times..Keeping children in a smaller setting helps for them to learn more effectively..I am not an educator,although I am a mother and now a grandmother.I urge you to keep Clifton Elementary as it is,which is obviously a model in which children learn in a premier example of what a school should be,especially during the formative years of their education.Please keep Clifton Elementary School open.

David G Muller Jr, Virginia

Clifton Elementary is an outstanding neighborhood school and should be kept open. Many of us in the southwestern part of Fairfax County use well water at home -- it is no reason to incur the expense and disruption of closing Clifton School.

SUSANNAH OAKLEY, Virginia

In a nutshell, Clifton and Robinson are the reasons we chose to move to this area! We were in a different FFX Co. school prior to Clifton and we have seen an amazing transformation in our children since attending Clifton. The atmosphere is very unique and "old school" which is something you just cannot get just anywhere in this day and age. I love this area and I love Clifton Elementary, but more importantly so do my kids!!

Kelly Wolfe, Virginia

My 2 sons, who are rising 2nd and 4th graders, will start at Clifton Elementary in the fall. My older son has high-functioning autism, and I was told, during our search for homes last fall, that Clifton ES has an excellent special education department, which was one of the reasons we chose to buy a home in Clifton. I have visited the school several times with my sons, and they are both extremely excited to be starting school there in September. I also have a preschool-age daughter who will be attending Clifton ES in 2 years. We would be upset and saddened to see such a wonderful school close. I was one of the students who should have attended Ft Hunt High School, a truly outstanding Fairfax County school, but when it was closed due to "demographic reasons" and combined with Groveton HS to form West Potomac HS, I was forced to attend West Potomac, which was mediocre at best back in 1987-1991, when I attended, and is now one of the worst ranked high schools in Fairfax County. Closing Clifton ES for any reason would be a true crime. Sincerely, Kelly J. Wolfe, M.D.

Terri Price, Virginia

As a graduate of both Clifton Elementary and Robinson Secondary, my husband and I purchased our home 12 years ago specifically because it fell within the boundaries of both schools. Clifton had only 120 students back when I attended it, and is still a small school by today's standards. It's legacy is far greater and richer than that of some of the larger ES in the area, and it is a big part of our very small town. Does the 46 year old building need a renovation? Of course it does. Does it need a $17 million renovation? Probably not. There are obviously some basic services that need updating (yes, usable water is high on the list). However, I don't think that there are many people (if any) that are demanding an extensive renovation. Perhaps one thing that should be studied is what can be scaled back in that budget so the needs of the schools that are overcrowded can also be addressed without closing Clifton. It seems there must be some middle ground.

Kristy Wasserott, Virginia

Clifton Elementary is a wonderful learning environment - enriched by a world class teaching staff; a wonderful and dedicated administration and staff; and of course a terrific PTA dedicated to the students, teachers, parents, and community. It would be very sad to lose such an amazing school. I can honestly say that we would consider moving, if it weren't for Clifton Elementary. Please tell us what we can do to save the school.

Sara Jerez-Marlow, Maryland

I grew up in Clifton and attended the school from Kindergarten-6th grade. It was a unique, safe, enriching environment in which to grow up in. I met my closest and dearest friends there and can not imagine having grown up in a better place. It would be a true travesty to see it close! As I am no longer in that area, I long to find the same unique environment for my children to grow up in! It is truly the hallmark of what an elementary school should be!

Anonymous, Virginia

I've never seen such a proud and happy group as the one at Clifton Elementary. Here is a school that's got it right. How can a few dollars saved even begin to be of greater value than the benefits each and every student acquires through their experiences at Clifton Elementary? Let's show our kids how much we care and come up with a better solution!

Anonymous, Virginia

Clifton was a great place to learn with helping teachers to help us succeed. If you shut down Clifton you would have to waste thousands of dollars to build a new school. Clifton only needs minor repairs and a few renovations. Why build a new school just for a few repairs? Without the school in Clifton, things won't be the same.

Anonymous, Virginia

Clifton Elementary School provides its students with a way of life. Sitting high on a hill over-looking the historic town of Clifton; offer's the students a unique setting to learn and to grow. The students are proud of their school and eager to learn. The students consider Clifton Elementary their "home school". Clifton Elementary offer's it's students, as their first introduction to the educational system, an environment where they can relate. It is an exciting place for them to learn. To close Clifton Elementary School would be short sight on Fairfax County Public School System and to deprive the students of an exciting introduction to learning.

Tracy Ferry, Virginia

Clifton Elementary is one of the main reasons that we built a house in Clifton. It is the cornerstone of community for our neighborhood and with all of the wealth in this area, it boggles my mind that we can't find the funds to repair our beloved school. Please keep the school open, keep our children as the focus of our community and keep them off the school buses for 45 minutes.

Carol Weiss, Virginia

Clifton Elementary School was a major factor in deciding to move to Clifton.

Ellen Merriman, California

During the 20 years we lived in Clifton Virginia, all three of my children attended Clifton Elementary School. I was active in the PTA. My husband helped build the playground and his company gave a large donation towards it's construction. The parents and students at Clifton Elementary are and have always been a close knit community. I am surprised to hear that you want to close it down. While the building is old, there are things you can do to refurbish it in order to keep it up to standards. I feel that my children got a great education there and closing it down just prevents other children in the Clifton area from the wonderful educational experience that my family had.

Eric Wendell, California

I grew up in Clifton, living on School Street in town. That school is an important part of the town and should remain open. Fairfax County is one of the wealthiest, if not the wealthiest, counties in the country and should have no problem keeping the school in good repair. Please keep the school open!

Andrea Neyland, Virginia

Clifton Elementary is not only our children's place of education, it is their community.

Megan Merriman, California

I have so many fond memories of Clifton Elementary. It was a great elementary school and should remain open to benefit the lives of other children.

Charles SCOTT, Florida

Clifton School should definitely be kept in order to keep quality education in Fairfax schools. Our 3 children & 2 Grandchildren attended Clifton School & we have a granddaughter currently enrolled. The small school concept is crucial to properly prepare the young children to become good citizens in the larger high schools & later in their adult lives. There is no substitute for getting them off to a good start before being exposed to the negative pressures of the higher grades. Please keep Clifton School! It is worth far more in properly grounding students than any savings that could ever be realized by closing it.

Jeremy Lucas, Virginia

Please don't close down Clifton Elementary. As a student there, I am proud of my school and proud of our accomplishments as a school. We work hard to say we are one of the best schools in Fairfax County. When we received the Governor's Award for Excellence last year we were so proud of our achievements. All of the students at Clifton Elementary learn to excel in school, and our community through various functions like Operation Sandwich where we make sandwiches for local homeless shelters.  Please don't tear down our school, and in the process tear apart a community that is kept close because of our school.

Mary Zambrano, Virginia

I have lived in and around Clifton for 25 years. I enjoy going to the fun fairs held at the school and watching the kids enjoy the town after school for treats, play and general interaction. Clifton would not be a great small town if you take away our children's school.

Susan Lawrence, Virginia

Our daughter has recently finished kindergarten at Clifton El - it was a wonderful experience for her - both academically and socially. And, it has been a great experience for us as well - getting to know teachers and school staff, as well as other parents and their children. Without this school, we never would have met so many wonderful people, made new friends and felt part of the Clifton community in which we live. It has made a big difference in our lives and it would be a shame to lose the school - not just for its educational value, but for it's impact in the wider Clifton community.

Jayasaki Yee, Virginia

I have a special need child who attended the PM Kindergarten in Clifton and will attend 1st grade this fall. The small and quiet environment is the perfect setting for her and her friends to learn. All school staffs are extremely helpful to my child's needs for her to succeed. FFX County should consider Clifton School as a model of how school is build and operated.

Ryan O'Donnell, Virginia

As a 22 year old recent JMU Graduate, I can remember some of my best childhood memories at Clifton Elementary. I spent the better part of my elementary school education there and think it is horrible that closing this school is even a consideration. I hope that whoever came up with this plan realizes how many people grew up there and think of it as something more than just a school. It saddens me that education is not so much about learning anymore as it is who it's going to cost. You cannot put a price on education.

Janet O'Donnell, Virginia

Both my children attended Clifton Elementary and it was a wonderful experience. Since the children in the Clifton area do not have the typical "neighborhood" experience--the school becomes their neighborhood. The community has always been supportive of Clifton Elementary and it has always had a very active PTA. My daughter will be a junior at Robinson Secondary next year and still has strong ties to her Clifton friends. It will not only be a sad day for the students of Clifton Elementary if it were to be closed but it would be a great loss to the current and future members of the Clifton Community.

Sarah Kassan, Virginia

Please keep Clifton open. We moved here so our kids could go to a small school. If Clifton does close it can never be replaced. Kids in our area will moved to a number of different schools and the community will lose out. I also worry about our children on the school bus for forty five minutes in rush hour on are already crowded roads.

Kathryn Howell, Virginia

Clifton Elementary School needs to be a model of how a school operates. Not only with the excellence of education (Governor's Award Winning), but staff and teachers that care about their students. Where else can you go and have a assistant principal that knows the names of siblings that do not yet attend the school! The school is an important part of Clifton and surrounding areas. There has to be other options aside from closing this wonderful school!

Michael Kushin, Virginia

My daughters lover Clifton Elementary and it has been a great school for them since we moved. The surroundings and low key environment is great for learning; I would hate to see Clifton Elementary closed.

Margie Jarrendt, Virginia

I have two children who attended Clifton Elementary School (one still there) and have thrived! It's a wonderful learning environment with a fabulous old building. We don't mind bottled water or old classrooms, children still get a great education with the amazing staff. I just can't imagine Clifton without OUR school. . .please save the school!

Andrew Lawrence, Virginia

Clifton Elementary is one of those rare things -- a small school that binds a small town in a big urban environment. Closing it would just be another step in the big box movement in education that believes everything is better if it's cheaper by some measurement. But the Fairfax County School Board needs to take a measurement of the societal effect of ripping out the connective ties of the Clifton community. The School Board should look, instead, at Clifton Elementary as an example of a good thing in a small package.

Diane Cunningham, Virginia

Clifton School is not just a school, it is a family. This school is a part of Clifton's history. The children that attend Clifton ES are happy and well educated by teachers and staff that have that special way of making them feel like individuals and not just a group. Yes, the school is old and could use some updating, but closing it is not the answer. This school is not only important to our children, but to our town. Please do not close this school.

Kelly Waite, Virginia

Since we have moved to the Clifton Elementary school district my son has made a complete turn around with his academics and social skills. A school like CE is hard to find these days and it would be a shame to loose it.

Florence Liu, Virginia

PLEASE do NOT close the Clifton Elementary that its principal knows every kid’s name in his school and leads a group of hard working teachers and staff that makes every kid counts!!! It would be a GREAT lost to close such a well established elementary school in my community.

Bob Oakes, Virginia

Please keep Clifton Elementary open for the good of the community!

Marguerite Roland, Virginia

Clifton Elementary is a cornerstone of Clifton. It cannot be replaced. It needs to be left open !

Carrie Shokraei, Virginia

My husband and I made the decision to move to Clifton three years ago in part because of Clifton ES. It's a wonderful community school and I don't want to see it closed. We are like a big family.

Chris Zuffa, Virginia

Clifton Elementary School is the quintessential neighborhood school - small enough for the children and parents to grow close over the seven years from Kindergarten through sixth grade. The school's proximity to all the residents of Clifton makes it a central and integral part of the town. True, the building is old but filled with character that you rarely find in newer facilities.

Scott Martin, Virginia

This proposal is a shame, and only being proposed to save money. Many other ways to accomplish the same, and save Clifton, a historical site in the County!

Barbara Carpenter, Virginia

I know a number of children who attend Clifton Elementary School and I believe they are receiving an excellent education there. This school is part of the heart of the historic town of Clifton. The unique nature of the school and its proximity to the town make it an ideal secure setting for Balmoral children. Please keep the school running. Barbara Carpenter

Dan Denson, Virginia

I was a past Cardinal and this school gave so many good memories and learning experiences. The teachers and staff become very close to you and help you learn and grow. PLEASE DONT TEAR CLIFTON DOWN! It would destroy the only small school where everyone knows each other and how they act.

Layton Clay, Virginia

All four of my children have attended Clifton. From Mrs. Moore in Kindergarten, Mrs. Borer in Third Grade, Mrs. Zaman in a couple grades, the faculty and administration have always provided a caring and supportive learning environment. My children have benefited by being brought together in a local community school with other local children. This experience has reinforced life's lessons as they have encountered each other in other activities like sports, clubs, scouting, and community service. Clifton has been an indispensable hub of our children's development within the community. It's loss would be a terrible loss that would, in fact, rend the existing community apart.

Kristie Scott, Florida

My husband, both his brothers and more recently, my niece and nephew both attended this school. I know it has been an integral part of their early years and my husband is still in touch with many childhood friends due to the small nature of the school and community. What a shame it would be to lose that closeness by closing Clifton Elementary and opening yet another giant educational warehouse.

Amy Ramsdell, Virginia

Clifton Elementary is one of the main reasons we moved to our neighborhood. It provides an excellent education and the environment is a wonderful place to have a child go to school. It is a part of our community that we will not let go of easily.

Jessica Woodruff, Virginia

Clifton Elementary is a historic neighborhood school. The school is in need of renovations and updates but should not be closed entirely.

John Vidovich, Virginia

One of the primary reasons that we moved to Clifton, built a home and started our family here is because of the elementary school. With one son in 6th grade and another in 3rd, our decision regarding Clifton has been reinforced. It would be unfortunate to deprive other families and children of the wonderful education and experience that so many before them have received. Plus, with the amount of taxes that we pay to live in Clifton, we deserve our own elementary school.

Anonymous, Virginia

We sent both our children through this school. They both loved it. The Clifton school is an integral part of the community. Historic Clifton sets the tone for the small, intimate school to co-exist within the boundaries of the town. The community would lose a major contributor to the sense of community with a move or closure. Latest Update: http://www.fcps.edu/news/overcrowding.htm "The Fairfax County School Board will discuss two feasibility studies on renovating Clifton Elementary and overcrowding at southwestern elementary schools at its July 13 work session at Gatehouse Administration Center I, 8115 Gatehouse Road, Room 1600, Falls Church. The work session will begin at 11 a.m., and the Board is scheduled to discuss the feasibility studies at 3:30 p.m., according to the posted agenda. The public is invited to attend. The School Board has not discussed or made any decision regarding the issues raised in the feasibility studies. FCPS staff is recommending that a community engagement process should be held over the next several months prior to School Board consideration of the issues. The feasibility studies address water, transportation, site, and construction challenges at Clifton Elementary and current and future student capacity at neighboring schools in the southwest county area. Updates, including the feasibility studies, will be posted to this web site prior to the July 13 work session."

Thomas VanBlaricom, Virginia

Clifton Elementary School is a critical component of the social fabric that makes the Town of Clifton a special and unique place. This highly successful, historically significant institution is a valuable educational and cultural asset that cannot be replicated.

Anonymous, Virginia

Today's children need the innocence of a country setting such as Clifton.

Lisa Ide, Virginia

Clifton ES is a central and vital part of the Town of Clifton and surrounding community. It is essential to the well being of the community and its businesses that the school remain open.

Jeanine Wrightson, Virginia

Clifton Elementary does so much more for the Clifton community than just educate our students. It is a vital part of the Clifton community and provides a place for families in the area to come together for a variety of programs. It supports Girl and Boy Scout programs, youth and adult sports, special town events like Clifton Day, and even the collection for candy for the town's Halloween celebration. If the school closed, the Town of Clifton would loose a part of its identity. The school is a large part of what makes Clifton a community.

Richard Ross, Virginia

Clifton Elementary School sits on the hill overlooking the town of Clifton, a small, close-knit community of people who enjoy and have carefully chosen the opportunity to raise their families in a geographic village. In that safe, secure, highly-visible setting, the school enjoys a unique interaction of mutual support and participation with that close-knit community. The value and benefit of that relationship to both children and families cannot be overstated. To close Clifton Elementary School in the context of Fairfax County's current crisis of budget mismanagement would be to sacrifice the very best example of educational and community excellence at the very worst of times.

Eric Richmond, Virginia

It is my hope that our children will get to attend Clifton Elementary as it is because it is a great school. Fairfax County is the 13th largest School District in the United States so there are plenty of other buildings within the district that are the same age or older than Clifton Elementary and would therefore have the same building materials/pipes, etc. Further, there are plenty of houses surrounding Clifton Elementary and there water is fine, etc. This doesn't seem to really be about renovation at all.

Connie Milliken, Virginia

We moved to Clifton specifically so our children could go to Clifton Elementary. We did a lot of research and it was rated highly and we liked that it was a small school and community

involvement is high. "Relocation" is effectively a closure because it won't be near town (it would likely be in what is considered "unincorporated Centreville"), the boundaries will eventually be changed, class sizes will change, etc. Clifton Elementary won the Governor's Award and should be considered a model school. If the priority for the Board of Education is good education, than the need to leave it open and where it is at should be its highest goal.

Vera Martin, Virginia

Clifton is not just our personal history, it's Fairfax's history - and it should be preserved.

Paige Grofe, New York

Clifton elementary was like having the perfect dream of a childhood. I still long for those days, from the wonderful teachers to the school itself I can still walk through the halls in my mind. If I had stayed in Virginia it would not have been a second thought to send my child there. My parents still live in the area so when I come in town to visit I occasionally drive by with a lump in my throught. Please don't take away a place that means so much to so many people. We all have many wonderful memories attached to it, it's not just a building it's part of who I am.

Anonymous, Virginia

I grew up in Clifton and was a Clifton Cardinal. Clifton Elementary is a school rich in tradition and history. It was hard enough as a teenager being shipped across the county to Lanier and Robinson, that I can't imagine a child enduring the same to go to elementary school. Please rethink this idea and weigh all the pros and cons, not just the monetary reasons.

Chris Ramey, Virginia

Community involvement. Strong PTA small and hands on. Great parent participation. Quality education please don't close it.

Steve Alfieris, Virginia

Clifton ES holds a special place in our family's memories. My eldest son, who is a rising 9th grader at Robinson and my daughter Leigh who is a rising 6th grader, have very special memories of their time at Clifton ES. We moved into Clifton ES from a larger Fairfax County school and my children both benefited from the "small town" feel that Clifton and Clifton ES provide. The fact that Clifton ES is under consideration for closure is a sure sign of the lack of understanding by our elected and appointed officials on how best to "serve" the community by closing the treasure that Clifton ES represents. Families pay a premium to move too and live in places like Clifton because of Clifton ES, not the other way around. The sense of community that Clifton ES provides to past, present and future extended families is a diamond in the rough of the urban sprawl that Fairfax County represents. I am vigorously opposed to closing Clifton ES....

Anonymous, Virginia

The idea of closing a school with strong community support is a shame and sadly, a testament to the "disposable" society under which we all now live. Why throw away a good school and waste the money building a new one? It is deplorable, this "need" to destroy a proven successful school. A waste of energy and money.

Vicki Van Blaricom, Virginia

Clifton Elementary is a major part of our community and can never be torn down. The school is convenient and easy to get to, but more than that my child feels safe and in a protected environment. Clifton is a town where everyone knows everyone and we all look out for the children of Clifton Elementary. Please do not take a major part of our town away!

Anonymous, Virginia

My son is a rising 3rd grader at Clifton elementary school. I urge you to keep this small, successful school open and operating at its current location. The small size of the school lends itself to better overall instruction. Based on this website (http://www.greatschools.net/modperl/browse_school/va/468), as well as a number of the comments attached to this petition, it seems to be very highly rated. Please don't fix what isn't broken (educationally speaking, that is). Thanks.

Jacquelyn Bullis, Virginia

Clifton Elementary is wonderful place to learn and develop and an essential part of our community.

Jan Harold, Virginia

The reason we moved to our home was so that our children could attend Clifton Elementary. It would be a crying shame if it were to close for these reasons.

Anonymous, Virginia

Without a doubt, shutting down the Clifton Elementary school would greatly effect the economy of Clifton.

Anonymous, Michigan

Isn't it a shame that people have to fight so hard for their education and schools? As an educator, I support your cause and hope things work out for you all in the end!

Lisa Lucas, Virginia

My oldest son is thriving at the school, which we believe is a direct result of the outstanding staff as well as the outstanding support and involvement of the parents.   Do not close this school. It would be a terrible waste of a fantastic school.

Aileen Mitchell, Virginia

This school is the reason we live in Clifton. It may not be the newest or have the best facilities, but it is a diverse community that gives it's students a great education and also teaches them how to be a contributing member of the community. This would be lost in a larger school.

Julie Thompson, Virginia

Clifton Elementary is an essential part of our community. I have a son that would be a student at Clifton Elementary, as his 2 older brothers have attended and cousins are currently enrolled in as well. We are a close-knit community who enjoy knowing that our friends and neighbors are all together. The closing of this school would be a devastating disappointment and loss to children and families who attended the school in years past and those in the future. Please reconsider this truly unnecessary endeavor.

Mary Gogoel, Virginia

Clifton Elementary is an integral part of the town. It is like the town - a small, tightly knit community where the kids got to know each other well. My four children have wonderful memories of the school and it would be very sad to see it go.

Karyn Clifton, Virginia

One of the deciding factors in moving to Clifton was the elementary school, and it's unique role in the community. I will be furious if it is closed!

Dawna Thompson, Virginia

Clifton is the smallest school in FCPS. Its small size promotes both strong parental involvement and high achievement, and provides children with a uniquely nurturing learning environment. FCPS needs more schools like Clifton---small schools with strong, genuine ties to the surrounding community.

Michael Kidd, Virginia

Every individual and establishment in Clifton are part of a unique community. Inasmuch, Clifton Elementary School is not only a critical part of the community, but a central element that binds Clifton parents, children, and local establishments together. If the Fairfax Co. Public School System turns its back on the Clifton Community and closes Clifton's only educational establishment to avoid making a few easy building and infrastructure fixes, then Fairfax County may as well tell Clifton, and the rest of its school system, that bricks and mortar are more important than community. I'm urging you to think hard before taking a large aspect of the Clifton community away. Please, keep Clifton Elementary School open and in Clifton!

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