Date:  July 1, 2003
Contact: Irene Cromer
703-791-8720

The Washington Post Company Educational Foundation has announced its Distinguished Educational Leadership Award program for the 2003-2004 school year.  An effective manager, a leader who is creative and innovative, an educator who is on top of developments in the field of education and continues to play an active role in the classroom, a communicator who maintains a dialogue with teachers, students and parents and encourages team spirit – if your principal meets these criteria and others required for selection as Prince William County’s Washington Post Distinguished Educational Leader, consider requesting a nomination packet from the school division’s Community Relations Office, 703-791-8788, or e-mail fahyb@pwcs.edu.  The deadline for nominations is Monday, September 29, 2003.  The award is given to outstanding principals in Prince William County and other areas served by the Washington Post.  Last year, Prince William County’s award recipient was Rae Darlington, Principal of Graham Park Middle School in Dumfries.

Each nominee must have completed a minimum of five years as a principal, three of which must be in the Prince William County Public Schools division.  Principals who are currently serving in their fifth school year in 2003-04 are not eligible for this award program.  The nominee’s school must have demonstrated continuous improvement as defined by the school’s academic targets/performance standards over the past three years.  Anyone who has won the award during the last five years is not eligible for nomination.  Principals may not nominate themselves.  However, principals previously nominated, but not selected, may be nominated again.  
Nominations may be submitted by teachers, parents, community members, former students and others, but must be approved by the principal’s area associate superintendent.  Nominators are required to complete the application on the official form or a photocopy of the form.  No supplemental materials, such as videos or samples of students’ work, will be accepted.  The form provides space for four supporting statements in addition to a statement of support from the principal’s area associate superintendent.  Please see the nomination packet for complete instructions. For more information, contact the Community Relations Office, 703-791-8788, or e-mail fahyb@pwcs.edu.