Schools - Page 41 of 215 - Potomac Local News

Back to School, Slow Down: Police Ramp Up Enforcement in School Zones

Published August 27, 2024 at 10:04AM

Officer Anthony Lynch explains what a driver has to do for the multiple violations she received as the nearly four-foot long paper ticket blows in the wind. (Photo by Alan Gloss)

Area police have a message for the public: Slow down in school zones because school is back in session. Prince William County Police officers were out in force this week to encourage motorists to slow down in the posted school zones.

Lt. Jonathan Perok said, “School zone safety is a serious concern that impacts students, school staff, parents, and the broader community. Enforcement in these areas is one-way police can assist in ensuring the speed through these zones during critical times is followed. Drivers and pedestrians alike are urged to follow posted signs, avoid distractions, and plan extra time in their commute, especially during this transitional back-to-school period.”

Prince William County Schools First Week Wrap-Up

By Caitlyn Meisner

Published August 27, 2024 at 9:00AM

Prince William County Schools Superintendent LaTanya McDade. [Courtesy of PWCS on X]

It feels so good to be back! pic.twitter.com/gpslX0cO9a

— PWCS (@PWCSNews) August 20, 2024

Meet the Principal: Q+A with Gainesville Middle’s New Principal, Edward Schultz

By Caitlyn Meisner

Published August 26, 2024 at 11:00AM | Updated September 4, 2024 at 4:15PM

Welcome to a new Potomac Local News series, “Meet the Principal.” With nearly two dozen new principals in Prince William County this school year, it’s important to get to know the folks in their new roles.

Potomac Local has asked each principal the same questions in bold, and their respective answers will be found below.

Commercial-Quality Sunshades Proposed for Stafford Elementary Schools

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 21, 2024 at 8:00AM

In a recent Stafford County School Board meeting on August 6, 2024, members discussed installing sunshades at elementary schools. The discussion highlighted the varying financial capabilities and safety concerns across different schools.

Electric School Bus Deliveries Delayed by Vendor to Manassas

By Caitlyn Meisner

Published August 19, 2024 at 2:15PM

Photo by PonerMass via Pexels

At a recent Manassas City School Board meeting, Craig Gfeller, deputy superintendent of MCPS, said the district will continue to use electric school buses, but is experiencing delays in receiving them from the manufacturer.

MCPS began using three electric school buses in the 2023-2024 school year, bringing the total to 67 buses in the fleet. Those buses drove a combined total of 23,555 miles in transporting students of all ages to and from school and field trips. Gfeller said the plan is to phase in another three buses this school year, then an additional six in the 2025-26 school year.

Manassas School Board Candidate Forum Tonight

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 19, 2024 at 8:53AM

The event will be held at 9118 Wharton Court and live-streamed. All Manassas School Board candidates, including Zella Jones, Suzanne Seaberg, Allie Forkell, Dayna Miles, Maidy Whitesell, Diana Brown, Javanese Hailey, and Christina Brooks, have been invited.

Democrats endorse Seaberg (incumbent), Jones, and Brown. Republicans endorse Forkell, Miles, Whitsell, and Hailey. Brooks (incumbent) is running as an independent.

UMW Prepares for Fall with Aug. 19 Test of Audible Alert System

By Kelly Sienkowski

Published August 19, 2024 at 8:45AM

University of Mary Washington's Pollard Hall (Photo | UMW )

The University of Mary Washington will conduct a test of its UMW Alert system on Monday, August 19 at 1 p.m., with sirens and test messages audible on and near the Fredericksburg campus.

Prince William Schools Reports Significant Increase in On-Time Graduation, Decline in Dropout rate

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 17, 2024 at 11:35AM

Photo: Prince William County Public Schools

Prince William County Public Schools: “The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) has shared the Prince William County Public Schools’ preliminary on-time graduation and dropout rates for the 2023-24 school year, citing remarkable progress throughout the division.

The preliminary on-time graduation rate for the 2023-24 school year is 94.3%, a 2.6% increase over the previous school year, and the English learners’ on-time graduation rate is 80.6%, a 9.6% increase over the year prior. The overall dropout rate decreased by 2.7% and the English learners’ dropout rate decreased by 9.6%.”

School Board Members Vote Down Monthly Attendance Reports

By Caitlyn Meisner

Published August 16, 2024 at 2:10PM | Updated August 19, 2024 at 8:50AM

Sara Brescia defending her position on monthly attendance reports to her fellow School Board members on Aug. 13, 2024.

Manassas City Public School Board members did not approve a resolution to require monthly attendance reports be made public in a 4-2 vote Tuesday.

The issue of attendance at MCPS was born from a meeting on Oct. 10, 2023, where Chevese Thomas, executive director of student services, gave a 36-slide presentation on attendance. Board Member Sara Brescia expressed concerns and presented this resolution to the Board in February, but the discussion was postponed to this meeting, the first of the 2024-2025 school year.

Manassas City Schools Launches New Website, App For 2024-25 School Year

By Caitlyn Meisner

Published August 15, 2024 at 2:45PM | Updated August 15, 2024 at 4:50PM

Manassas City Public Schools has launched a website and a mobile app for the start of the 2024-2025 school year.

The first day of the new year was Monday, and the launch was presented to the Manassas School Board on Tuesday at their first regular meeting of the school year. Almeta Radford, director of public communications for MCPS, showcased the new website and app to the board.