Stafford County Public Schools Archives - Page 12 of 36

Published November 14, 2024 at 4:22PM | Updated November 15, 2024 at 2:03PM

Karim Johnson [Photo: Stafford County Public Schools]

In an unexpected email to his team, Johnson explained that family obligations were leading him back to South Carolina. This Friday, November 15, 2024, will be his final day. He was hired August 28, 2023.

Stafford County Public Schools’ transportation woes have been the source of significant disruption, frustration, and, frankly, a lot of unanswered questions. The division notified parents of the transportation breakdown hours before school resumed, leaving families scrambling. Despite an August meeting in which the school board addressed these issues, parents are still waiting to see what corrective actions have been implemented.

News

Sheriff’s Report: Assault Over Cellphone; Fight Escalates at Middle School

By Jazbia Chaudhry

Published November 13, 2024 at 9:11PM

AG Wright Middle School, 100 Wood Drive, 11/12, 10:30 a.m. Deputy S.C. Hall was conducting her SRO duties when she was informed of an assault. Two students were exchanging words and about to fight when a third student attempted to separate them and de-escalate the situation. Instead of fighting each other, the first two students began assaulting the third student. Criminal complaints for assault and battery were filed on the first two students.

ABC, 9 Village Center Drive, 11/12, 2:42 p.m. Deputy J.A. Albirght responded to a larceny. Staff advised a male suspect stole a bottle of Anejo the day prior without staff knowing. After successfully committing shoplifting, the suspect returned on this day, this time to steal a bottle of Don Julio. The suspect was found and identified by Sergeant J.T. Forman after robbing several businesses in nearby jurisdictions. Two warrants for larceny were obtained and served on top of his other offenses.

Stafford

Stafford County Public Schools Unveils Business and IT Center, Expands Algebra Access for Middle Schoolers

By Potomac Local News

Published November 13, 2024 at 6:00PM | Updated November 14, 2024 at 3:48PM

Stafford schools suggests wellness fair participants bring a canned food donation to benefit those in need through S.E.R.V.E. [Photo: S.E.R.V.E.]

At its November 12 meeting, the Stafford County School Board approved the launch of a new Business and Information Technology Center at Colonial Forge High School, designed to prepare students for high-demand careers in fields like cybersecurity, business administration, and data analytics.

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Schools

Stafford County School Board Faces Tough Decisions on High School Redistricting

By Uriah Kiser

Published November 13, 2024 at 10:50AM | Updated November 13, 2024 at 12:20PM

Photo: Stafford County Public Schools

The Stafford County School Board is deciding on new high school boundaries as the district confronts rising enrollment numbers, resource imbalances, and transportation challenges.

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News

Stafford County School Board Advocates for Legislative Support on Key Education Issues

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 25, 2024 at 11:14AM | Updated October 26, 2024 at 4:40PM

Elected leaders meet at Brooke Point High School on October 17, 2024 to discuss the Stafford County Public Schools legislative agenda. [Photo: Stafford schools]

The School Board’s legislative agenda underscores several issues:

1. Cost-of-Competing Adjustment (COCA): Stafford County receives only 25% of the COCA funding that neighboring Northern Virginia districts enjoy, despite facing similar cost-of-living and market conditions. The Board urged lawmakers to support full COCA funding to help Stafford attract and retain educators, noting a $10,000 average salary gap between teachers in Stafford and nearby districts.

News

Note Containing Threat Passed Among Students at North Stafford High School, Investigation Ongoing

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 24, 2024 at 1:28PM

On Wednesday, October 23, a note containing a threat of bodily harm was found at North Stafford High School, located at 839 Garrisonville Road. The note was initially discovered by a student and circulated among other students before eventually being passed to an adult, who alerted authorities.

Deputy A.N. Taormina, the school resource officer, was informed of the situation at approximately 1:15 p.m. The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office, school administration, and school security quickly began investigating the potential threat.

Features

From Sawdust to Scare Tactics: Stafford High Students Build Thrills at Fredericksburg’s Haunted Attraction

By Kelly Sienkowski

Published October 24, 2024 at 9:00AM

From chisels to chills, Stafford High School’s (SHS) carpentry students have found a new way to haunt locals with their talent.

The Fredericksburg Fairgrounds’ upcoming Dead Whispers Haunted Attraction will feature a haunted maze, which is entirely the work of these budding carpenters. Led by carpentry teacher Dan Harding, the students have spent weeks constructing the maze, which adds a new element of scare and excitement to the Halloween event.

News

Advanced Placement and Dual Enrollment Gains in Stafford Schools

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 23, 2024 at 8:00AM | Updated October 26, 2024 at 4:40PM

Photo: Stafford County Public Schools

Stafford County Public Schools saw significant growth in both Advanced Placement (AP) and Dual Enrollment participation during the 2023–2024 academic year, continuing their efforts to offer more rigorous academic options and improve student outcomes. As discussed during the Stafford County School Board meeting on October 8, 2024, the district has focused on expanding access to AP and Dual Enrollment courses, resulting in increased participation and success rates.

The number of AP exams administered in Stafford schools has risen steadily over the past few years. During the 2023–2024 academic year, 3,452 AP exams were administered to 1,974 students, with 67% earning a score of three or higher. This score is critical as it is typically the threshold for earning college credit, reflecting the district’s progress in offering challenging coursework and preparing students for post-secondary education.

News

Three Stafford Schools Face Accreditation Challenges Amid Performance Issues: District Prepares for State’s New Accountability System

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 22, 2024 at 9:00AM | Updated October 26, 2024 at 4:40PM

Brooke Point High School [Photo: PTSO Facebook page]

Accreditation with Conditions Explained

During the October 8, 2024, Stafford School Board meeting, officials explained accreditation with conditions signals that while a school meets basic operational standards, it has significant shortcomings in academic performance that need to be addressed. These three schools earned a “Level 3” rating in at least one performance area, indicating performance “below standard.” According to Virginia’s accreditation system, schools at this level need targeted interventions.

News

Annual Band Together to Fight Hunger Returns Nov. 4, Featuring 397 Students and Five Marching Bands

By Kelly Sienkowski

Published October 15, 2024 at 8:00AM

Band Together's 2016 Joint Performance (Photo | Stafford Schools)

Stafford County Public Schools will host its 14th annual Band Together to Fight Hunger Program on November 4, 2024. The event will be held at Mountain View High School at 7 p.m.

In 2005, Mountain View High School welcomed its first Band Director, Doug Armstrong, a Virginia Tech graduate who helped establish Hokies for the Hungry, a fundraiser supporting the local food bank in Blacksburg, VA. Inspired by this, Armstrong created Band Together to Fight Hunger in Stafford County to help the community. The annual event gathers five high school marching bands—Mountain View, Colonial Forge, Stafford, Brooke Point, and North Stafford—to perform their shows.