Stafford County Public Schools Archives - Page 19 of 39

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.

News

Police Report: 5th Mall Shooting Suspect Arrested | Carjacking | Child Skateboarder Charged

By Uriah Kiser

Published July 16, 2024 at 1:14PM

[Scott Rodgerson/Unsplash]

A fifth suspect is charged in a shooting that occurred outside Manassas Mall on Tuesday, July 9, 2024.

As we reported in the link above, one of the suspected shooters was out on bond in connection to a December 2023 incident where he was charged with Reckless with a Gun Causing Permanent Serious Bodily Injury, a class 6 felony. His charges were later escalated to the Prince William County Circuit Court, where he was indicted on multiple counts, including Reckless Handling of a Firearm, Use of a Firearm in Commission of a Felony, Possession of a Firearm Under 18 Years Old, and Malicious Wounding.

News

Dunk and Donations: Stafford Schools Hosts Supply Drive

By Kelly Sienkowski

Published July 12, 2024 at 4:00PM

Stafford County Schools are hosting a supply drive

Stafford County Public Schools (SCPS) is holding a supply drive on Aug. 3, and donors will get a chance to dunk an administrator.

The drive will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. at Target in Stafford Marketplace (Stafford Marketplace (1090 Stafford Market Place). SCPS Spokeswoman Sandra Osborn said the staff at Hartwood Elementary has signed up for the dunk tank.

News

Giant Food partners with Stafford Schools to fight food insecurity

By Kelly Sienkowski

Published June 27, 2024 at 10:30AM | Updated October 26, 2024 at 4:42PM

Stafford County Public Schools: Stafford County Public Schools is again partnering with Giant Food on a program to help support children facing food insecurity. From July 1 through August 1, 2024, Giant Food patrons may choose to “ROUND UP AT THE REGISTER” at the end of their grocery purchase.

Donations made during this period support school food programs. Patrons may also donate through Giant Delivers, Giant Pickup, and through FLEX points that are converted to grocery dollars.

News

Stafford Begins Search for New Schools Superintendent — Again

By Uriah Kiser

Published June 26, 2024 at 9:26AM

The Stafford County School Board unanimously approved JG Consulting to search for a new Superintendent of Stafford County schools during its meeting on June 25. The firm will begin the search process later this week, pending execution of the $40,000 contract.

The School Board and JG Consulting will schedule community meetings for the community to provide input regarding the qualities required of the next superintendent. Dates will be announced later this summer.

News

Stafford Schools appoints Acting Superintendent, revises budget

By Kelly Sienkowski

Published June 19, 2024 at 11:06AM

Chris R. Fulmer has been named Acting Superintendent for Stafford County Public Schools

Following the announcement of Superintendent Dr. Thomas W. Taylor’s departure from Stafford County Schools (SCPS), the School Board held a Special Called Meeting on June 18. After a closed session, the School Board voted unanimously to appoint Chris R. Fulmer as the Acting Superintendent.

On June 25, the board will meet to select a Superintendent search firm.