Tech Search

The School Board is scheduled to adopt next year's calendar at its Oct. 12 meeting, the site said. According to the school system, Superintendent Edgar B. Hatrick III told the School Board that he intends to open before Labor Day for the 2011-12 and 2012-13 academic years if the early opening date is adopted for 2011-12.

The earlier starting time would allow schools to close June 8, 2012, eight days earlier than this school year, the site said.

The last time Loudoun schools opened before Labor Day was for the 2005-06 school year.

To provide input on the earlier opening, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Broadlands kindergartner wins national writing contest

A kindergarten student from Broadlands was recently named one of 12 winners of the national PBS Kids Go! Writers Contest.

Brooks Daniel, who attends Mill Run Elementary School in Ashburn, was one of more than 25,000 children who entered the contest, judged by a panel of children's authors, illustrators and content experts. They included Ann M. Martin, author of the "Baby-sitters Club" series; R.L. Stine, author of the "Goosebumps" series; Marc Brown, creator of Arthur; Tony DiTerlizzi, creator of "The Spiderwick Chronicles"; and Lisa Henson, chief executive of the Jim Henson Co., PBS said in a statement.

The winners will be honored at an event at the Library of Congress at 10 a.m. Tuesday, PBS said.

Electronics recycling scheduled for Saturday

The next Loudoun County computer and electronics recycling event is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Telos Corp., 19886 Ashburn Rd., Ashburn.

The items accepted include desktop computers, laptops, televisions, VCRs, CD players, cassette-tape players, receivers, cable boxes, DVD players, stereos, radios, video games and consoles, digital cameras, camcorders, cellphones, telephones, microwave ovens, electronic typewriters, printers (toner cartridge removed) and small household appliances.

Items that will not be accepted include large household appliances, stereo speakers, print and toner cartridges, non-rechargeable batteries, lightbulbs, smoke alarms, thermostats, thermometers, boat switches, items containing mercury, items containing or emitting radioactivity, product packaging, cardboard boxes, Styrofoam packaging and user manuals.

Electronics are recycled free, except for computer monitors ($3) and televisions ($12), the county said.

For information, go to http:/ / www.loudoun.gov/ electronics or call 703-777-0187.

Discovery breaks ground in Sterling facility

Discovery Communications broke ground Wednesday on a new teleport facility in Sterling.

The facility will allow Discovery to send programs, ads and promos directly to satellites instead of through third parties, the company said. Network content will be transmitted directly from the Sterling facility throughout North America, Discovery said.

-- Compiled by Caitlin Gibson