Schools

Prince William School Board Add Extra Day Off for Eid al-Adha

By Caitlyn Meisner
[Graphic courtesy of Prince William County Schools]

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Germanna Expands in Stafford: Ribbon Cutting Marks Opening of New $20M Campus Buildings

By Kelly Sienkowski
Germanna Community College Barbara J. Fried Center in Stafford County.

Germanna Community College (GCC) hosted a ribbon cutting at its new Stafford expansion today, January 23, 2025. The event marked the opening of two buildings in Stafford: the Barbara J. Fried Building at 10 Center Street and the Kevin L. Dillard Health Sciences Building at 25 Center Street.

GCC was established in 1970 as part of Virginia’s Community College System and has locations in Culpeper, Locust Grove, Fredericksburg, and Stafford. The school’s website says over 13,000 students are enrolled.

The new expansion added 74,000 square feet to the campus with a $20 million investment. GCC plans to double enrollment in allied health services, like nursing. They will also expand their cybersecurity, IT, general education, and dual enrollment programs.

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PowerSchool Cybersecurity Breach Impacts Local Schools

By Uriah Kiser

A recent cybersecurity incident affecting PowerSchool, a global provider of education administration software, has raised concerns for school systems across the country, including Fredericksburg City and Manassas City Public Schools. PowerSchool confirmed that its internal systems were breached in late December, resulting in unauthorized access to data involving students and educators from hundreds of school divisions.

PowerSchool, widely used by schools worldwide, supports over 18,000 institutions, serving more than 60 million students. The platform handles essential administrative functions such as attendance tracking, grade reporting, and student data management. While PowerSchool has restored its systems’ security, the breach underscores the vulnerability of sensitive educational information.

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14 Prince William Schools May Receive $81 Million for HVAC Improvements

By Caitlyn Meisner
Dale City Elementary School is one of the schools to receive HVAC replacements within the next five years. [Photo courtesy of Dale City Elementary via Facebook]

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Lawmakers Target Misuse of ‘Homeless’ Designation in High School Sports Recruitment

By Uriah Kiser

The legislation narrowly advanced to the full House on an 11-10 party-line vote in the House Education Committee. No lawmakers spoke on the bill ahead of the vote.

The bill comes in the wake of multiple controversies involving high school sports programs. In November, the Virginia High School League (VHSL) found Hayfield Secondary School in Alexandria violated its eligibility rules for transferring by allowing multiple students to play on its football team.”

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Extreme Cold Prompts School Delays in Stafford and King George Counties

By Uriah Kiser

Students in Stafford and King George counties will start school later than usual today due to extreme cold weather conditions.

In Stafford County, all schools will open on a two-hour delay to ensure the safety of students and staff during the frigid morning temperatures.

Similarly, King George County Schools announced a two-hour delay due to cold and inclement weather.

Families are encouraged to monitor updates from their respective school systems for any further changes. Stay warm and safe.

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Boosting Breakfast Access: Spotsylvania Schools Benefit from No Kid Hungry Grant

By Uriah Kiser
Photo: No Kid Hungry

Spotsylvania County Public Schools has been awarded an $8,578 grant from No Kid Hungry Virginia to support and expand its non-congregate breakfast programs. This funding is part of a $201,000 initiative benefiting 10 school districts across the state, aimed at ensuring students have access to healthy morning meals to start their day prepared for success.

The grant will enable Spotsylvania County schools to implement innovative Breakfast After the Bell initiatives, including grab-and-go meals, breakfast in the classroom, and second-chance breakfast models. These flexible options are designed to meet students where they are, addressing barriers like early bus schedules and busy mornings that often prevent participation in traditional breakfast programs.

“School breakfast helps students reach their full potential,” said Sarah Steely, Director of No Kid Hungry Virginia. “These grants will help school nutrition teams make breakfast accessible to every child, no matter their circumstances. Together, we’re working to ensure every child has the nutrition they need to thrive.”

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Goolrick Pool Reopens After Extensive Renovation at UMW

By Uriah Kiser

The University of Mary Washington (UMW) has reopened Goolrick Pool for the spring 2025 semester following a six-month, $1.5 million renovation. The upgraded facility, which first opened in 1969, now boasts modern features designed to enhance functionality and extend the life of the historic pool.

The reopening came just in time for the Eagles’ first home varsity swim meet of the season on Saturday, Jan. 18, which was also Senior Day.

“The primary focus has been on improving and extending the life of our historic facility,” said UMW Aquatics Coordinator and Pool Operator Kyle Diederich, a senior on the men’s swim and dive team. “It has long been a place of opportunity, potential and excitement for those who use it. With this renovation, Goolrick Pool has been transformed into a modernized and improved aquatic facility, continuing to serve its purpose for current and future generations of UMW students and the local community.”

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