Parents are raising concerns about how Fredericksburg City Public Schools utilizes technology to support students, warning that new digital tools intended to help could also compromise children’s privacy and safety.

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Ingram was surprised with the honor during a recent celebration at Osbourn, attended by school administrators, Superintendent Dr. Kevin Newman, members of the School Board, and her family. Principal Dr. Jennifer Chapman praised Ingram as one of the school’s most dedicated and future-focused students.

The National Merit Scholarship Program is a prestigious academic competition that began in 1955. Students enter the program by taking the PSAT/NMSQT as juniors; over 1.3 million students from 20,000 U.S. high schools competed this year. Only about 16,000 earn Semifinalist status.


Elizabeth Rehm is returning to the Fredericksburg City Public Schools board after being unanimously appointed to fill the Ward 3 seat vacated by Jennifer Boyd. The appointment was made during the board’s meeting on October 6, and Rehm will serve through the end of 2025.

Rehm brings more than nine years of experience, having previously served on the board from 2012 to 2021. Her return offers stability and familiarity during a time of continued growth for the school division, officials said.


The Manassas City School Board will review its grading policy after parents and teachers voiced frustration that the division’s “50 floor” system allows students to coast instead of completing their work.

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STAFFORD, Va. — Stafford County Public Schools proudly congratulates Michael Sidebotham, principal of Grafton Elementary School, on his appointment by U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to the National Assessment Governing Board, the body that oversees the Nation’s Report Card.

The National Assessment Governing Board plays a critical role in shaping the assessment of student achievement nationwide, including determining which subjects and grades to assess and setting performance standards. This appointment recognizes Principal Sidebotham’s extensive expertise in educational assessment and his dedication to using data to support student growth.


Manassas City School Board member Sara Brescia says giving 50% for missing work is an “unacceptable tradeoff,” arguing the division should shift detailed grading rules out of School Board policy and into a superintendent-set regulation to de-politicize decisions and focus on student engagement, attendance, and behavior.

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This article is exclusively for our Locals Only members. Please Sign In or upgrade to become a Locals Only Member today! Your support helps us continue delivering more in-depth community news that matters to you. Thank you.

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The new elementary schools and Hartwood are part of Stafford’s broader strategy to relieve overcrowding and rebalance school boundaries. In a March 2025 article, Potomac Local noted that the division’s redistricting plan (Scenario Green) aimed to open ES-18 and ES-19 near 95 percent capacity initially, ensuring none exceed capacity in year one. (Potomac Local News)

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FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Hundreds of University of Mary Washington students connected with potential employers at Thursday’s fall Career and Internship Fair—and many arrived dressed for success thanks to a two-day professional pop-up boutique held earlier in the week.

The boutique, co-hosted by UMW’s Student Activities and Engagement office and the Gwen Hale Resource Center, drew 340 students on Monday and Tuesday. The event offered free professional attire, donated by UMW faculty, staff, and the campus resource center, giving students a chance to suit up ahead of the fair.


STAFFORD, Va. – Two Stafford County schools were locked down over the past week after false alarms triggered emergency systems.

At Mountain View High School and Margaret Brent Elementary on September 19, an alarm set off a precautionary lockdown before deputies confirmed there was no threat. Five days later, Stafford High School went into lockdown twice in one morning after faulty wiring caused its system to activate.


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