Schools

Innovation Elementary earns VSBA Platinum Design Award

By Mauriah Church-Barbour
[Submitted Photo].

The Platinum Design Award recognizes excellence in educational facility design, highlighting schools that support innovative instruction and adaptable learning spaces. Innovation Elementary was honored among projects showcased statewide during the annual VSBA Exhibition of School Architecture.

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Virginia first state to opt into Education Freedom Tax Credit program

By Potomac Local News
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) held a bill signing ceremony at Beanstalk, an indoor vertical farming company near Manassas. [Photo: Alan Gloss]

The Education Freedom Tax Credit, also called the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit (FSTC), allows individuals and businesses to receive a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit—up to $1,700—when donating to approved Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs). These funds will provide scholarships to help families pay for private school tuition, tutoring, educational therapies, and other services beginning in 2027.

In his announcement, Youngkin emphasized the program’s potential to help students with the greatest needs and praised former President Trump and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent for their support of education choice. Eight SGOs, including two Virginia-based organizations—Step Up, Virginia! and the Torah Education Scholarship Fund—have been approved to serve local students.

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Civics Bee to engage Fredericksburg region middle schoolers in democracy

By Potomac Local News

Middle school students across the Fredericksburg area will soon have a new way to explore civic engagement through the launch of the Fredericksburg Regional Civics Bee.

Hosted by the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce in partnership with WorkForce NOW and the Oberle Academy, the event brings the national U.S. Chamber of Commerce competition to Planning District 16 — including Stafford, Spotsylvania, King George, Caroline, and the City of Fredericksburg.

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Germanna’s Chief of Police Craig Branch Appointed to Governor Spanberger’s Public Safety & Homeland Security Policy Committe.

By Mauriah Church-Barbour
Germanna’s Chief of Police, Craig Branch [Submitted Photo]

“Congratulations to Germanna’s Chief of Police, Craig Branch, on his appointment to Governor Spanberger’s Public Safety & Homeland Security Policy Committee,” Germanna Community College announced. “Your leadership, integrity, and dedication to keeping our community safe make this honor well deserved.”

“Thank you for continuing to lead with purpose and heart,” the college added in its congratulatory message.

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JLARC says Virginia’s new school accountability system is an improvement but needs refinement

By Potomac Local News
VA Association of Counties State Capitol

“Growth completely masked achievement realities,” Virginia Scope reported, quoting Virginia Superintendent of Public Education Emily Anne Gullickson during a Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission meeting. “That’s limited our ability to really deliver the right support to meet individual students’ needs.”

“We want to make sure that students are making annual progress, that they are moving and that students are getting towards grade level or exceeding the grade level,” Gullickson said. “But growth cannot be more important than ensuring that students are truly prepared on the grade level content and are able to succeed and prosper upon graduation.”

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Manassas City Public Schools opens nominations for Virginia Teacher of the Year

By Potomac Local News

“Do you know an MCPS educator who goes above and beyond every single day?” Manassas City Public Schools posted. “Now’s your chance to recognize them! Nominations are open for the Mary V. Bicouvaris Virginia Teacher of the Year.”

“Whether they inspire students, lead with innovation, or build meaningful connections in and beyond the classroom — let’s give them the spotlight they deserve,” the school division stated.

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Area school divisions announce two-hour delays Monday amid icy roads and extreme cold

By Potomac Local News

Stafford County Public Schools to open two hours late Monday due to road conditions

“Due to current road conditions in some areas of the county, Stafford Schools will operate on a 2-hour delay schedule on Monday, December 15, 2025,” Stafford County Public Schools announced. “This delay allows for safer travel conditions in the morning while preserving instructional time for our students.”

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MCPS seeks public feedback on new K–12 math textbooks and resources

By Potomac Local News
[Photo: Manassas City Public Schools]

“Families and community members are invited to review the proposed materials online or attend one of our in-person review sessions,” the school division stated. “Your feedback helps us select high-quality math resources for all learners.”

Manassas City Public Schools is evaluating new instructional materials for kindergarten through 12th-grade math courses. Community members can review the materials online or sign up for in-person review sessions before the public comment period closes on January 23.

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Prince William School Board votes 4-3 to add 30 minutes to teachers’ workday starting 2026

By Potomac Local News
Photo: Prince William County Public Schools

The Prince William County School Board voted 4-3 on Dec. 3 to extend the teacher contract day by 30 minutes, a move that drew heated opposition from educators who packed the boardroom in red and warned the change would add “nearly one hundred hours of unpaid labor each year.”

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Germanna Community College Celebrates Fall 2025 Graduates at Commencement Ceremony

By Potomac Local News
Dr. Van Wilson, interim president, with Ann Marie Anderson, chair of the Local College Board. (Photo by Suzanne Rossi)

“I returned to school after nearly two decades away. My first research assignment was a D — I almost quit,” Germanna Community College reported. “But a professor reminded me, ‘You’ve been out of school for years. Don’t give up.’ And I didn’t. My joy for learning was reignited. I finally allowed myself to be the person I always wanted to be.”

The college awarded 1,042 degrees, certificates, and credentials to more than 900 graduates during Thursday evening’s ceremony at the University of Mary Washington’s Anderson Center. Student speaker LaRai Diamond-Fortune, who earned an Associate of Applied Science in criminal justice, shared her journey of returning to college after nearly two decades and encouraged fellow graduates to embrace lifelong learning and personal growth.

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