Stafford County Public Schools Archives - Page 15 of 36

Bright Chalk, Bright Futures: Via Colori to Support Stafford Schools

Published August 16, 2024 at 11:30AM | Updated October 26, 2024 at 4:42PM

Via Colori Stafford (Photos | Scott Mayausky)

Stafford County’s fourth annual Via Colori will return the weekend of Sept. 28-29, 2024. The annual street painting festival is a free family-friendly event where artists create large-scale chalk drawings, attracting thousands of spectators each year. while food, vendors, and live music add more activity.

Discover Stafford, formerly known as the Stafford County Museum & Cultural Center, established Via Colori Stafford, an annual signature fundraising event. Funds raised through sponsorships of Via Colori Stafford go back to the county through the Museum and local efforts of the Rotary Club of North Stafford and the Rotary Club of Stafford.

News

First Week Fiasco: Stafford Schools’ Transportation Problems Continue, System Fails Thousands of Students

By Kelly Sienkowski

Published August 14, 2024 at 6:30AM | Updated September 6, 2024 at 11:37AM

Photo: Stafford County Public Schools

Stafford County Schools is still working to resolve a transportation crisis.

On Monday, the first school day for kindergarten, 6th, and 9th-grade students, parents learned that some 3,000 children would not have bus transportation to school. All Stafford County students were scheduled to return to classes the following day, and the problems continued, with about 1,000 students still without a bus to carry them to school.

News

Costs Balloon for Drew Middle School Replacement

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 13, 2024 at 12:23PM

The Stafford County School Board met on Tuesday, August 6, to discuss several significant capital improvement projects, focusing on school replacements, renovations, and new facilities. Acting Stafford County Public Schools Superintendent Chris Fulmer led the discussion, emphasizing the early stages of these projects and the need for careful planning.

One of the main topics was the replacement of Drew Middle School. The projected costs for this project have increased from the previously approved $96 million to an estimated $115 to $120 million. Fulmer noted that the increase is due to the higher square footage required, land costs, and off-site improvements requested by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). “We’re anticipating having an architect on board in November,” Fulmer said, adding that the planning and design schedules are compressed due to the immediate needs of the school division.

Schools

Stafford County Parents Push for Responsive, Long-Term Superintendent

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 12, 2024 at 11:45AM | Updated August 13, 2024 at 6:37PM

Stafford County School Board Chair Maureen Siegmund

The Stafford County School Board has provided a detailed timeline for its search for a new school division superintendent. During a recent board meeting, the consulting firm JG Consulting, hired to assist with the search, presented the timeline and key milestones.

The search is currently in the community engagement phase. JG Consulting has conducted meetings with various groups within Stafford County, both internally and externally, to gather input on the leadership qualities desired in the next superintendent.

Breaking News

Last-Minute Bus Route Delays Leave Stafford Parents Scrambling as School Year Begins

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 11, 2024 at 9:45PM | Updated September 6, 2024 at 11:37AM

With some students returning to class tomorrow, parents in Stafford County are expressing frustration and concern as some students have yet to be assigned bus routes for the upcoming school year. In a letter sent to families, Karim Johnson, the Executive Director of Transportation Services, acknowledged the delay and apologized for the oversight, assuring parents that his team was working diligently to resolve the issue.

The first day of school for kindergarten, 6th, and 9th grade students is tomorrow, Monday, August 12, 2024. All other students will return to school on Tuesday, August 13, 2024. Johnson emphasized that the transportation team works around the clock to ensure all students receive their bus assignments by Monday evening.

Prince William

Volunteers Provide Backpacks to Students in Stafford and Prince William Counties

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 5, 2024 at 2:00PM | Updated August 13, 2024 at 6:22PM

A back-to-school festival held at Unity Reed High School near Manassas. [Photo: Prince William County Community Foundation]

Stafford County teachers returned to school today, August 5, 2024, to prepare for the new school year. The morning began with volunteers from Mount Church providing backpacks to students. They donated over 300 backpacks filled with supplies and sorted through all donations from the recent Collect for Kids event.

A representative from Stafford Public Schools expressed appreciation for the volunteers’ efforts, saying, “Thank you to the Mount Church Volunteers for starting the morning with a heart of service for our students coming BackToExcellence. None of this is possible without the continued support of the Stafford community.” Stafford Public Schools students will return to class on Tuesday, August 13.

News

Stafford County Seeks Community Input in Search for New Schools Superintendent

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 1, 2024 at 8:00AM | Updated August 4, 2024 at 8:48AM

Stafford County Public Schools Alvin York Bandy Complex, the headquarters of the school division.

Stafford County School Board Chairman Maureen Siegmund has announced the search for a new school superintendent following the departure of Dr. Thomas Taylor. Taylor recently became the chief of Montgomery County, Md. public schools. He held the position in Stafford for two and a half years.

The School Board has unanimously approved JG Consulting to lead a nationwide search for a new superintendent and seeks community feedback on the school division’s strengths, challenges the new superintendent may face, and essential qualities and experiences for the role. Feedback can be provided through a survey by August 30 or directly to JG Consulting via email or phone.

News

Falmouth Elementary Principal Resigns

By Kelly Sienkowski

Published July 29, 2024 at 9:00AM | Updated August 4, 2024 at 8:51AM

Dr. Sallie Burch

Falmouth Elementary School’s parents received an email on July 10 from Dr. Sallie Burch advising that she would resign as Principal effective July 31. Dr. Burch said after 12 years in Stafford County Public Schools, stating briefly that she would be leaving to pursue a new opportunity.

Burch served as Assistant Principal at Falmouth from 2012 to 2015 before becoming Principal in 2015. Burch thanked the community for their support through the years, saying, “The school will continue to thrive and achieve great things with the continued dedication of this wonderful community.” According to her LinkedIn profile, Burch also serves as a part-time Longwood University Supervisor for student teachers.

News

Stafford County Public Schools Revamps Bus System, Bans Cell Phones for 2024-2025 School Year

By Uriah Kiser

Published July 25, 2024 at 10:00AM | Updated July 27, 2024 at 11:44AM

Stafford County Public Schools is set to implement significant operational changes for the upcoming school year, which begins on August 13, 2024. The school division has introduced a new system for identifying school buses and a district-wide ban on cell phones in the classroom.

Starting this school year, buses will no longer be identified by fleet numbers but will use route numbers instead. This change is designed to streamline the process of locating and tracking buses, especially when substitute buses are deployed. Sandra Osborn, the spokeswoman for Stafford County Public Schools, explained the decision, stating, “Identifying buses by route number simplifies the sub-bus process as any bus may be identified quickly with the route number. We no longer need to issue updates to which bus number a family needs to look for – they will simply look for the route number on any of our buses.”

News

Stafford Education Foundation to Host Tenth Annual Golf Tournament

By Kelly Sienkowski

Published July 19, 2024 at 10:45AM | Updated October 26, 2024 at 4:42PM

As the Stafford Education Foundation (SEF) approaches the tenth anniversary of its annual fundraising golf tournament, the organization continues to enhance educational opportunities for students and educators in Stafford County Public Schools. The foundation, dedicated to providing scholarships, grants, and innovative programs, remains committed to addressing the evolving needs of the community. This year, sponsors are able to donate directly to the scholarship, grant, or program they would like to encourage.

Executive Director Stephanie Johnson explained SEF’s latest initiative, the Community Health and Mental Professionals (CHAMP) Center program, exemplifies their approach to education. This healthcare career pathway program for high school students was launched in collaboration with Mary Washington Healthcare and the Claude Moore Foundation. Designed to address critical gaps in mental health, biomedical science, and nursing career pathways, the CHAMP program is a direct response to a community health assessment that highlights these needs. The program will welcome its first cohort of students this fall.