Schools - Page 5 of 204 - Potomac Local News

PWCS Students Head Back to School Tomorrow—Here’s What to Know

Published August 17, 2025 at 3:25PM

[Photo: Prince William County Public Schools]

A major update this year: all schools are going cell phone-free. Elementary and K-8 students must keep phones off and put away all day, including field trips. Middle and high schoolers must store devices from bell to bell—even during instructional periods. Parents who need to reach their child can still call the school office.

PWCS buses will be rolling bright and early, covering up to 11 million miles this year. Families are encouraged to check ParentVUE or the new EZ A2B app tonight to confirm updated bus stops and times.

Prince William School Board Splits as Wall, Tredinnick Oppose Majority in Defiance of Federal Order

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 16, 2025 at 8:00AM | Updated August 16, 2025 at 3:54PM

The Prince William County School Board 2024 to 2027. Top left to right: Erica Tredinnick, Justin Wilk, Dr. Babur Lateef, Lisa Zarapur, Tracy Blake. Bottom row: Jennifer Wall, Richard Jessie, Loree Williams. [Photo: Prince William County Public Schools]

Reactions from Prince William’s eight-member school board show a deep divide—not just over federal law, but over whose rights the policy protects and how the board should have responded.

Two members—Jennifer Wall of the Gainesville District and Erica Tredinnick of the Brentsville District, both Republican-endorsed—spoke out against the board’s overall position to defy the U.S. Department of Education. While the majority of the board supported rejecting the federal resolution, Wall and Tredinnick each argued the board should have taken a different course.

PWCS Rolls Out New Bus Routing, Tracking System for 2025–26 School Year

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 15, 2025 at 3:00PM | Updated August 15, 2025 at 3:40PM

Prince William County Public Schools will begin the new academic year Monday, August 18, 2025, with a redesigned bus routing system and a new tracking app, promising families more reliability, efficiency, and real-time information about their child’s ride to and from school.

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Prince William Schools Defy Feds in Bathroom Policy Fight

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 15, 2025 at 2:00PM | Updated August 15, 2025 at 3:40PM

Photo by Sung Jin Cho on Unsplash

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. — Prince William William County Public Schools joins other public school divisions in Northern Virginia, and is rejecting the U.S. Department of Education’s directive to reverse policies that allow transgender students to use restrooms and locker rooms matching their chosen gender identity.

On Friday, August 15, 2025, Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) formally rejected the federal agency’s proposed Voluntary Resolution Agreement (VRA), calling it legally flawed and out of step with binding case law in Virginia.

Stafford Schools Partner with George Mason’s Direct Admissions Program

By Caitlyn Meisner

Published August 15, 2025 at 8:00AM | Updated August 15, 2025 at 3:40PM

George Mason University has partnered with local school divisions for its Direct Admissions program. [Photo/Courtesy of Visit Prince William]

Eligible Stafford County Public Schools (SCPS) high schoolers will now receive admission offers directly from George Mason University (GMU).

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Public Rallies Behind Removed Osbourn Football Coach

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 13, 2025 at 5:20PM

Osbourn High School. [Courtesy of Homes.com]

MANASSAS, Va. — Community members packed the Aug. 12 Manassas City School Board meeting to demand the reinstatement of longtime Osbourn High School football coach Mike Johnson, whose employment with the division ended Aug. 8.

The school division confirmed this week that Johnson worked for Manassas City Public Schools from 2007 to 2022, and again from 2023 until last week. His roles included assistant indoor track coach, assistant football coach, and head football coach. He has been replaced by Mel Morgan.

Stafford Schools Report Smooth First Day for Buses

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 13, 2025 at 3:48PM

STAFFORD COUNTY, Va. – Stafford County Public Schools says its bus system ran smoothly on the first regular day of the 2025–26 school year, Tuesday, August 12, 2025, with only minor delays typical of the first week back.

“Overall things are going very well — we are hearing from our principals and our community that they are happy with transportation this year,” said school spokeswoman Sandra Osborn.

Youngkin Orders State Police to Investigate Fairfax Schools Over Abortion Allegations

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 13, 2025 at 1:28PM | Updated August 13, 2025 at 4:17PM

Gov. Glenn Youngkin talks with voters at National Night Out in Spotsylvania County.

Updated 4:15 p.m. – Governor Glenn Youngkin (R) has called for a full criminal investigation into allegations that Fairfax County Public Schools helped minors get abortions without their parents’ knowledge—and may have used public funds to do it.

The governor’s office announced today that the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation is now involved. The move follows media reports that school staff may have arranged and paid for multiple student abortions, potentially using state, federal, or local funds.

Manassas School Year Kicks Off with New Programs, Safety Focus, and Community Spirit

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 13, 2025 at 10:00AM | Updated August 15, 2025 at 3:41PM

[Photo: Manassas City Public Schools]

MANASSAS, Va. – The 2025–26 school year in Manassas opened Tuesday with excitement, new initiatives, and a shared focus on student safety and family engagement.

Several School Board members greeted students at bus stops and school entrances, marking the first day with messages of teamwork and optimism. “Today was more than just the start of a new school calendar, it’s the start of new possibilities,” said Board Chair Suzanne Seaberg. “Let’s make this year one of great learning, great connections, and great memories.”

Stafford, Manassas Students Return for the Earliest First Day of School in the Region

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 12, 2025 at 9:23AM | Updated August 12, 2025 at 9:42AM

Kindergarten students get off the bus at Park Ridge Elementary School on "transition day," Monday, August 11, 2025. [Photo: Stafford County Public Schools]

Classrooms across Stafford County Public Schools (SCPS) filled this morning as more than 31,500 students returned for the 2025–2026 school year. SCPS operates 34 schools and maintains an average student–teacher ratio of 13:1. Superintendent Dr. Daniel W. Smith leads the division, headquartered at 31 Stafford Avenue.

The county kicked off the year with its Transition Day on Monday, August 11, 2025. Designed for incoming kindergarten, 6th grade, and 9th grade students, Transition Day provides a softer start—allowing these students to tour their schools, meet teachers, and get familiar with their surroundings before the whole student body arrives. School officials say the program reduces first-day anxiety and helps build connections that last throughout the year.