T. Benton Gayle Middle School in Stafford County qualified for the 2023 National Convention in all areas at the Virginia Regional Leadership Summit.
Twenty-three of GMS’s Junior Beta Club members attended the leadership summit, the first in which the school has participated. The school also received an Outstanding Leadership School award.
Germanna announced the lawmaker’s visit in a press release after the event had concluded.
This follows a development from October in which Germanna announced a $15 million Stafford County public-private expansion deal that will triple its training space there, meaning many more critically needed cybersecurity professionals will be graduating.
Updated 5:45 p.m. — Manassas police said city officials did a good job communicating with the public during a lockdown at several schools last week.
Just before 1 p.m. On Thursday, January 26, 2022, administrators placed Osbourn High School and two other schools, Baldwin Intermediate and Elementary schools and Metz Middle School, into “secure the building” mode, where no one could enter or exit the building while instructors continued teaching.
On Tuesday, January 24, Taylor presented a budget about 12% higher than the school board approved in 2022. Taylor says that using the money to pay teachers a higher salary will help retain more qualified educators and benefit students.
The fast-growing school division with about 30,000 students is asking the county government to find more than $340 million in funding for a wishlist of new projects, including three new elementary schools, replacing Drew Middle School, and adding a new wing on North Stafford High School. The increase would double the average homeowner’s property tax bill if approved all at once.
Stafford County Public Schools congratulated Dr. George Hummer for his selection as the new Superintendent of Frederick County Public Schools, a role he will begin on January 30, 2023. During a Frederick County School Board meeting this week, Hummer was appointed to the position.
“Dr. Hummer has demonstrated a passion for serving students and standardizing practices for students with disabilities,” said Stafford Schools Superintendent Dr. Thomas W. Taylor. “Frederick County is gaining a student-focused leader that will affect incredible change in his new role. We wish him well in this well-deserved new position.”
Updated 5:30 p.m. — Prince William police found no bomb at Unity Reed High School after someone threatened to bring an explosive to the school at 8820 Rixlew Lane, near Manassas Mall, just before 1 p.m. today.
The school division placed Unity Reed (formerly Stonewall Jackson Senior High School) into secure the building mode, meaning no one enters or exits. After police called all-clear, officers assisted in dismissing students.
Stafford High School Assistant Principal Benjamin Diggs has been named the 2023 Outstanding Secondary School Assistant Principal of Virginia by a panel of school leaders representing the Principal Awards Committee of the Virginia Association of Secondary School Principals (VASSP).
“Mr. Diggs embodies the spirit of our learning community,” said Stafford Schools Superintendent Dr. Thomas W. Taylor. “He is an exceptional leader, strong administrator, and sincere role model for students and staff. In addition to supporting others, he continually seeks personal growth opportunities in our school system. We are proud of him, and congratulate him on this truly worthy designation.”
Prince William County Public Schools student talent was displayed at the annual Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Youth Oratorical Competition, and Program held virtually on January 16, 2023.
The event is held each year on the MLK holiday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Sponsored by the Prince William County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (PWCAC-DST), the student speeches are one component of the celebration, now in its 38th year. The MLK Community Choir, made up of students in grades K-12, added thematic musical selections for the program.
On Thursday, January 19, 2023, Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D) toured Germanna Community College’s Virtual Hospital at its Locust Grove Campus in Orange County.
In December, she secured $251,000 to purchase equipment for the Robert C. O’Neill Wellness Clinic. The clinic will be part of a new Frank and Nancy Turnage Health Sciences Building at the Locust Grove Campus.
