Stafford County Public Schools will commence kindergarten registration for the 2024-2025 academic year on March 6. Parents and guardians of children who reach the age of five by September 30, 2024, are encouraged to complete the online registration process.
Several documents are requisite for enrollment, including a driver’s license or photo ID for the parent or guardian, the child’s official birth certificate, current physical and updated immunization records before the school’s opening, and proof of residence or domicile. The latter entails providing a deed, lease, or tax bill, along with two additional current documents, such as utility bills tied to the home, employment verification, tax documents, or other official correspondences.
To facilitate the registration process, the school system will collaborate with the Central Rappahannock Regional Library, hosting two events on March 6 at the Howell Branch from 9-11 a.m. and the Porter Branch from 5-7 p.m.
Families with younger children are encouraged to explore early childhood programs like Head Start, Early Head Start, and the Virginia Preschool Initiative. These programs cater to 3- and 4-year-olds, infants, toddlers, and pregnant women from low-income families residing in Stafford County, meeting federal or state income-eligibility guidelines.
The Central Rappahannock Regional Library (CRRL) is set to cease operations at the Barbara J. Fried Center Joint Use Branch on Friday, February 16, 2024. The decision, according to a library spokesman, stems from several factors.
Firstly, the library usage at the Barbara J. Fried Campus branch of Germanna Community College on Old Potomac Church Road, near Stafford Hospital, did not meet the anticipated levels. Additionally, the current Fried Center location is scheduled for closure in late 2024, with plans to relocate to a new site just off Route 610 in North Stafford. The library system already operates the Porter Branch Library, off Parkway Boulevard, near where the new campus will sit.
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In a move to streamline its social media presence, Central Rappahannock Regional Library (CRRL) announced the deactivation of its X (formerly Twitter) account. The decision was made in response to low user engagement on the platform. Sean Bonney, a spokesman for the library, provided insight into the decision, stating, “CRRL focuses on connecting with users in our service region, and unfortunately, the X account did not generate the desired level of engagement.”
According to Bonney, CRRL, which serves the City of Fredericksburg and the counties of Stafford, Spotsylvania, and Westmoreland, commits to reaching its community through various channels. While the X account has been deactivated, the library assured that its events, services, and news will continue to be actively promoted on CRRL’s other social media accounts. There are no plans to add or remove any additional accounts, including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Flickr.
Bonney emphasized the library’s dedication to providing diverse services to the community. He stated, “CRRL offers a wide range of resources in our eight facilities, through our mobile delivery services, and online at our award-winning website librarypoint.org. Our goal is to effectively engage with our patrons and keep them informed about the valuable services we offer.”
The decision to deactivate the account was made in September 2023.
According to a report from Similar Web, in September 2023, global web traffic to Twitter experienced a significant decline, with a -14% year-over-year decrease on twitter.com and a -16.5% drop on the ads.twitter.com portal for advertisers, according to Similarweb estimates. In the U.S., which contributes about a quarter of twitter.com’s traffic, September saw a steeper decline of -19%.
However, platform owner Elon Musk’s profile and posts on Twitter experienced a notable positive trend, with a 96% year-over-year increase in traffic in September. Despite the decline, Twitter’s competitors have not significantly lured away its user base. Musk’s ownership has been marked by controversy, particularly regarding his $44 million acquisition of the company in 2022 and his ongoing feud with the media, Similar Web reported.
Central Rappahannock Regional Library:Â “Central Rappahannock Regional Library’s Uniquely Stafford Art Show at Porter Branch has been rescheduled.”
“Show dates: January 17-March 15. Submissions accepted online: January 2-6. Opening reception: Thursday, January 18, 6:00-7:30 p.m.”
“Artists ages 18 and up are invited to apply. Artistic works must illustrate scenes which are unique to Stafford County. Categories: Natural Media (Painting, Drawing, Printmaking, Mixed) Digital/Photography (Photography, Computer Generated).”
“Awards generously donated by the Friends of the Library. Best in Show: $500. Prizes are awarded in each category.”
- First Place: $250
- Second Place: $125
- Third Place: $75
- Honorable Mention: $50.
More details can be found online.
The Central Rappahannock Regional Library will reduce hours at some of its library locations.
Several area jurisdictions, including Stafford and Spotsylvania counties and Fredericksburg, contract with CRRL to provide library services.
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Central Rappahannock Regional Library: “Bring your chairs or blankets to join us Monday nights at Fredericksburg Branch for Music on the Steps. This concert series, sponsored by the Friends of the Library, is in its 38th year and features a wide range of talent for relaxed summer evenings.”
Prince William County Public Libary: “Prince William Public Libraries’ 2023 Summer Reading program is centered around kindness, friendship, and unity with the theme, “All Together Now.” From June 20 – August 20, come into any of our 12 libraries to register for Summer Reading. You can also register online at pwcva.gov/library or through the Beanstack Tracker app on your smartphone.”
“This year’s Summer Reading program has something for all ages. Game cards are uniquely designed for Babies and Toddlers, Preschool – Grade 5, and Grades 6 – 12, with fun activities to complete that encourage participants to learn more about library services and programs and to read books to meet goals and win prizes. This year’s program also includes a challenge for adults by encouraging them to complete activities or read books all summer.”
Central Rappahannock Regional Library: “READ is the word for this summer, and the all-ages Summer Reading Challenge is now open. There are so many good books in the library! Check out the list of Staff Picks for May for recommended reading from your librarians.”
The Friends of the Central Rappahannock Regional Library is marking its 50th anniversary with a special membership drive.
The Friends is a volunteer-run non-profit organization established in 1973 to raise funds to enhance the services of Central Rappahannock Regional Library, focus public attention on the library, and support the library in developing library services and facilities for the region.
The Friends raise funds through the Friends of the Library Center & Bookshop and bookshops in all library branches except Towne Centre and through membership dues. Funds support professional development, enhancing the abilities of library staff to offer excellent services and programs for the public, including virtual author talks from New York Times-bestselling authors and thought leaders, the Music on the Steps summer concert series, the Claudia Emerson Teen Poetry Contest, and the Johnny P. Johnson Teen Art Show.
The Friends are offering membership rewards in April for current members who renew and new members who join. Memberships are available at multiple levels, each of which earn different rewards, including travel picnic blankets, lunch totes, sports bottles, and clings and decals. Friends of the Library are eligible to become members of the Virginia Credit Union and Topside Federal Credit Union.
The Central Rappahannock Regional Library satellite locations, which have been on hiatus since March 2020 due to COVID, will be reopening.
The Belmont Satellite Location will be reopening Monday, March 13 and is made possible by a partnership with Spotsylvania County, Belmont Ruritan Club, and the Belmont Club of Women. Every Monday, free wifi, computers, printing, and other library services are available at Belmont Community Center, 7124 Belmont Road, Mineral, VA.
Each Monday, from 4-7 p.m., the following services will be available:
- Computers, printing, and internet access
- Hold pick-ups
- Books, movies, and audiobooks for all ages
- Homework help and reading recommendations
The Partlow Satellite Location will be reopening in early April and is made possible by a partnership with the Partlow Ruritan Club. Every Tuesday, free wifi, computers, printing, and other library services are available at the Partlow Ruritan Center, 3229 Partlow Road, VA 22534.
- Each Tuesday, from 4-7 p.m., the following services will be available:
- Computers, printing, and internet access
- Holds pickup
- Books, movies, and audiobooks for all ages
- Homework help and reading recommendations
A library card is not required to take advantage of services at either location, but those interested can apply for one on-site. Customers can use library computers or take advantage of free wifi on their own devices. The library brings services to the community, including satellite locations, through CRRL’s Library on the Go initiative.
