FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE       N.R. #31, 9/12/00 

Date:  September 12, 2000
Contact: Irene Cromer
(703) 791-8720

Prince William County Public Schools is seeking nominations for the 2000-2001 Distinguished Educational Leadership Award.  Sponsored by the Washington Post Educational Foundation, this annual program recognizes one outstanding principal from Prince William County and each of the other participating area school districts.  Nomination packets are available from the Community Relations Office, Prince William County Public Schools, 703-791-8788 or e-mail fahyb@pwcs.edu.  The deadline for nominations is Monday, October 2, 2000.

Nominees must be principals of elementary, middle, high or special education schools and must have a minimum of five years experience as a principal, three of which must be in   Prince William County Public Schools.  Anyone who has won the award during the last five years is not eligible for nomination.

Teachers, students, former students, parents, other administrators or the general public may submit nomination materials.  Principals may not nominate themselves.  Nominees must be principals who manage and administrate effectively, demonstrate and encourage creativity and innovation, foster cooperation between the school and community, maintain a continuing dialogue with students and parents as well as faculty and staff, keep abreast of developments in the field of education, encourage team spirit, demonstrate leadership and exemplify commitment, and continue to play an active role in the classroom.

The nomination must be submitted on the official nomination form or a photocopy of the form.  Contributions in each of the nomination criteria are described in the space provided on the form.  The descriptions may be a collaborative effort of colleagues, administrators, parents and students.  The selection committee will consider only information included on the nomination form.  Supplemental materials, such as videos and samples of students’ work, will not be considered.  Complete instructions are included in the nomination packet.

Distinguished Educational Leadership Award recipients are honored each year at a reception sponsored by The Washington Post.  Past Prince William County's Distinguished Educational Leaders are:  1986-87, Tom Gaul, Woodbridge High School; 1987-88, Ron Keeler, Rippon Middle School; 1988-89, Richard Keeler, West Gate Elementary School; 1989-90, William Stephens, Fred Lynn Middle School; 1990-91, Rick Fitzgerald, Saunders Middle School; 1991-92, Otelia Frazier, Yorkshire Elementary School; 1992-93, Robin Sweeney, McAuliffe Elementary School; 1993-94, Michael Campbell, Potomac High School; 1994-95, Nancy Earl, West Gate Elementary School; 1996-97, Lillie Jessie, Elizabeth Vaughan Elementary School; 1997-98, Pamela White Brown, Woodbridge High School; 1998-99, Alison Nourse-Miller, Old Bridge Elementary School; and 1999-00, Darci Whitehead-Scanlon, Montclair Elementary School.  No competition was held during the 1995-96 school year when the Post celebrated the tenth year of the program. 

For more information, or to obtain a nomination packet, call the Prince William County Public Schools Community Relations Office at (703) 791-8788.