WEEK’S END The rains proved prolonged but not persistently heavy. Many drivers put their windshield wipers on intermittent. Many also failed to turn on their headlights. Regardless of the intensity of rain, it is prudent to drive with the lights. When the wipers are working, the law says the lights must be on. Weather such as this week’s tends to turn all vehicles into a hard-to-see gray. Friends, turn on the headlights. We want to run into you in the coffee shop—not in the turn lane.

After-school activities at Henrico and Chesterfield public schools are cancelled for this afternoon and evening because of the weather.

An Amelia County child has died of causes related to swine flu. Meanwhile, a private elementary school in Henrico County continues to remain closed today because of the spreading illness. Heaven Wilson had tested positive for the H1N1 virus, the state Department of Health said yesterday, and she had no known underlying high-risk medical conditions.

An Amelia County child has died of causes related to swine flu. Meanwhile, a private elementary school in Henrico County continues to remain closed today because of the spreading illness. The girl, who was not identified, had tested positive for the H1N1 virus, the state Department of Health said yesterday, and she had no known underlying high-risk medical conditions.

Several recent items provoke thought:

• A story appearing in the Sports section had implications for the Business pages or, for that matter, general state news. The Atlantic 10 Conference—known primarily as a pesky basketball league whose members include the University of Richmond—announced it was moving its headquarters from Philadelphia to Newport News. Although Philly lies far closer to the A-10’s heartland, and contains three of its teams, cost considerations contributed to the decision. The economic consequences do not rank with the new Rolls-Royce plant for Prince George, but the relocation reflects Virginia’s reputation for hospitality to business, and for agreeable quality of life.

If a teacher’s nose ring causes a substantial disruption to the learning environment, it won’t be allowed in Henrico County schools next year. Otherwise, it’s OK under the professional-attire expectations approved last night by the Henrico School Board. A draft of the employee dress code had banned “distracting” facial, lip and tongue jewelry. Looking for a better description of what’s not allowed, School Board members consulted with staff attorney Melissa K. Velazquez, who suggested “substantial disruption” as a phrase that’s been upheld in court cases.

WEEK’S END Over the next three weeks John W. Martin, president and CEO of the Southeastern Institute of Research in Richmond, and his family will be visiting China. They plan to visit Beijing, Xian, Chengdu, and Lhasa in Tibet. On July 22, they hope to catch a total eclipse of the sun from Mount Emei (elevation: 10,000 feet). A future Commentary section will offer a longer essay about their trip. For now, you can read briefer dispatches from their travels on the Barticles blog in the Opinion section of TimesDispatch.com.

Henrico County teachers may be able to wear jeans and sneakers next year after all. The Henrico School Board reviewed a proposed dress code for employees, including teachers, yesterday and directed staff to build in a little more leeway for elementary school teachers and casual or school spirit days. The original proposal had banned jeans and athletic shoes unless needed for job requirements.

The so-called smell test refers to ethics. Certain behavior is said to pass or to flunk the test. The mere raising of the test can inflict damage. And that is what has happened in Henrico. On Monday, David Ress reported that a vendor, which does business with the county, paid $9,000 to send Henrico school officials on a January trip to Las Vegas and Phoenix. The delegation included then-Superintendent Fred Morton and School Board Chairman John Montgomery.

The judge joked about being a Hermitage High School graduate, joshing Patrick Russo about the kinds of students he’ll now be responsible for as Henrico County’s new school superintendent. “You’re going to find, working with the county, we really are a family,“ Judge L.A. Harris Jr. told Russo after the new superintendent took his oath of office yesterday morning. The county’s three other Circuit Court judges looked on, smiling.

Bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Charleston (W.Va.), 1972
  Master of Arts in secondary education from Adelphi University (Long Island, N.Y.), 1975
  Professional diploma from Long Island University, 1978
  Doctorate of Education from Virginia Tech, 1980
  Master of Business Administration from Dowling College (Oakdale, N.Y.), 1990

Rather than bringing snacks and sodas to some parties, teens are bringing whatever prescription pills they can glean from around the house. They’ll mix them in a bowl and then grab a handful of this “trail mix” without knowing what they’re ingesting. Pharming parties, as they are known, are gaining popularity, said Denise Miller of the Henrico Too Smart 2 Start Coalition.

Henrico County’s laptop-computer initiative that provides a machine to each high school student will continue at least four more years. Last week, the School Board voted to award an $18.5 million contract to Dell Marketing L.P. for computers, software and services for high schoolers in the county. Known as the Teaching and Learning Initiative, the program provides a laptop to each secondary student in the county. High school students have been using Dell computers for the past four years.

Remember when laptops in Henrico’s schools generated controversy? Many had hoped that the 2007 elections for School Board would lead to a reassessment of the policy. We long have shared skeptics’ concerns, and continue to believe Henrico can spend its education dollars more wisely. Chesterfield does not issue laptops, for instance. Academic achievement there has not suffered. Stories regarding the county’s schools and the Adequate Yearly Progress benchmarks in the No Child Left Behind Act do not fret us (at least for the time being).

When Kipling wrote, “East is East and West is West, and never the twain shall meet,“ he was not referring to Henrico—believe it or not. The county’s eastern portion sometimes feels left out of the political equation, and sometimes it is. Anchored now in Short Pump, Western Henrico’s retail and commercial clout looms over not only the rest of the county but the region as a whole.