Prince William County Public Schools Archives - Page 14 of 42

I-66 Express Mobility Partners Donates $25k to Mobile STEM Lab

Published October 30, 2024 at 1:00PM

[Photo courtesy of the I-66 Express]

According to a press release from I-66 EMP — an alliance of infrastructure companies contracted to work in a public-private partnership with the Virginia Department of Transportation — the largest donation to date will be put toward a new mobile laboratory supporting science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education in the county. Last year, I-66 EMP donated $23,000 to support the installation of maker spaces at middle schools in PWCS.

“Over the years, [I-66 EMP have] proven to be an unwavering supporter of public education here in Prince William. We’re appreciative of this donation and we’re excited to see the benefits for all our students,” Dawn Davis, executive director of SPARK, said.

News

Several Prince William County Schools Honored as Virginia Purple Star Schools

By Aya Karouane

Published October 30, 2024 at 10:17AM

(Photo: Prince William County Public Schools)

Press Release from Prince William County Public Schools:

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) recognized 13 Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) as 2024 Virginia Purple Star schools, including eight first-time designees and five renewals. Schools earning this distinction must apply to renew their status every three years. These newly designated schools join 39 existing PWCS Purple Star schools, bringing the total to 47. This impressive achievement means that nearly half (49%) of all PWCS schools now hold the Purple Star Designation. The Virginia Purple Star Designation is awarded to military-friendly schools that have demonstrated a major commitment to students and families connected to our nation’s military. Schools that earn the award will receive a special Purple Star recognition to display onsite.

News

Freedom High School Awarded $25k for Outdoor Learning Space

By Caitlyn Meisner

Published October 29, 2024 at 11:00AM

The Virginia Outdoors Foundation has awarded Woodbridge’s Freedom High School $25,000 to build a dedicated outdoor learning space, which is expected to open in the spring.

As the home for the Center for Environmental and Natural Sciences (CENS) program, Freedom High School will now be able to provide students in this program with a necessary outdoor learning space, a press release stated. CENS allows students to engage in lab and field science, interactive research and hands-on projects.

News

Prince William Schools Celebrate Excellence: T. Clay Wood Receives Blue Ribbon, National Merit Scholars Recognized

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 22, 2024 at 10:34AM

Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) had much to celebrate at the October 16, 2024, school board meeting. The recognition of both T. Clay Wood Elementary School and six outstanding National Merit Scholarship semifinalists underscores the district’s dedication to academic achievement and closing performance gaps.

T. Clay Wood Elementary: National Blue Ribbon School

News

Prince William County Schools Grapple with Overcrowding: Covington-Harper Elementary Faces Redistricting Proposal

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 22, 2024 at 10:00AM

Prince William County School Board is addressing a growing concern about student overcrowding, particularly at Covington-Harper Elementary School near Dumfries, where eight trailers are being used to accommodate the rising number of students. During the October 16, 2024, school board meeting, board member Justin Wilk proposed beginning the redistricting process to manage the school’s overflow of students, but the motion failed to gain unanimous support.

Covington-Harper Elementary, located in the rapidly expanding Potomac Shores development, is already facing significant capacity challenges. The growth continues to grow, with an estimated 300 additional housing units expected to be completed within the next year, adding further pressure on the school’s resources.

News

Metal Detectors: Prince William County Schools See Dramatic Drop in Weapons on Campus

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 21, 2024 at 8:00AM

Prince William County Schools (PWCS) continues to focus on student and staff safety with a comprehensive security approach that blends advanced technology, leadership development, and a new Security Operations Center.

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News

New Occoquan Elementary Construction Breaks Ground for Fall 2026 Open

By Caitlyn Meisner

Published October 1, 2024 at 2:00PM

The Perkins Eastman design team joins the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Occoquan Elementary School. L–R: Huyen Nguyen, Lina Taheri, Jeannine Otieno, Ken Terzian, Ed Waters (PWCS on-site construction representative), Mike Massey (IMEG), Michael “Buddy” Lint (Occoquan Elementary School principal), Sean O’Donnell and Omar Calderón Santiago. [Photo: Courtesy of Perkins Eastman]

Occoquan Elementary is set to become the first net-zero school in Prince William County Schools and will be located in Woodbridge. The new 120,000-square-foot, three-level building will replace the oldest school in PWCS.

“The new Occoquan Elementary School will be a beacon of progress, embodying our dedication to providing an exceptional learning environment while respecting and preserving our planet,” Babur B. Lateef, chairman of the PWCS School Board, said at the ceremony. “This school will be a place where innovation thrives, where students are inspired to think critically and creatively and where they are equipped with the knowledge and skills to become the leaders of tomorrow. By harnessing the power of the sun and the earth, we are setting a precedent for future generations, teaching them the importance of sustainability and the impact of their choices on the world around them.”

Local Schools to Join Statewide Discussion on Cell Phone Use and Mental Health with First Lady Youngkin and Dr. Haidt

By Kelly Sienkowski

Published September 17, 2024 at 12:30PM

On September 19, First Lady of Virginia Suzanne S. Youngkin and social psychologist Dr. Jonathan Haidt will hold a fireside chat to discuss Haidt’s book The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness. The event will explore the impact of social media and cell phone use on childhood and mental health, focusing on how communities and schools can address these issues.

The event will be broadcast live to participating schools, which are encouraged to use it as an opportunity for discussions with parents, educators, students, and families about cell phone and social media use. Schools will receive a facilitator’s guide with materials and technical support for these conversations.

News

Prince William Schools Address Book Controversy with New Parental Control System After Parent Challenges Popular Novel

By Uriah Kiser

Published September 16, 2024 at 8:00AM | Updated September 19, 2024 at 12:29PM

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]

While acknowledging that the book is popular and contains a compelling story, Funderberg insisted that its adult content did not add value to the narrative and should not be accessible to young readers in middle school libraries. The Prince William County School Board reviewed the challenge, with both school-based and district-level committees voting to retain the book, limiting it to high school libraries. The superintendent upheld this decision, ensuring the book would remain available only to older students.

As the county continues to face challenges related to the availability of certain books deemed inappropriate by some parents, new initiatives are being rolled out to give parents greater oversight.

Features

Connecting You with Community Leaders: Meet the Principals and Local Candidates

By Uriah Kiser

Published September 5, 2024 at 9:59AM

I’m excited to share that we’ve just published our sixth “Meet the Principal” post, and even more profiles are coming!

Our Manassas Local Editor, Caitlyn Meisner, is working diligently to spotlight nearly two dozen new principals who have just started their roles in Prince William County this year.

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