Prince William County Public Schools

Select this link to view the agenda on the Electronic School Board webpage.

Select this link to view the School Board meeting on PWCS-TV.

The School Board Approved:

• December 7‒13 as Computer Science Education Week;
• December 7‒11 as National Inclusive Schools Week;
• School Board meeting minutes for November 4;
• The appointment of Ms. Cynthia Buckley to the Special Education Advisory Committee; and
• The appointment of Ms. Wendy Dempsey to the Safe Schools Advisory Council.

Citizens' Comments:
Citizens addressed the School Board on the following topics:
Funding problems with the Virginia's Federal Preschool Development Grant;
National Education Week; and
Project Lead the Way program at Gar-Field High School.

Presentations:
Mr. Shawn Brann, Chairman of the Safe Schools Advisory Council, gave a presentation on the council's areas of focus for 2015‒16 school year. The council was created to support the safety and security of students, staff, and schools.

Superintendent's Time:
Dr. Steven L. Walts, Superintendent of Schools, made the following announcements:

• Congratulations to Ms. Liz Vohar, a professional school counselor at Yorkshire Elementary School, who has been named the winner of the Humanitarian and Caring Person Award presented annually by the Virginia Counselors Association.
• Good luck to the Gar-Field High School design team, when these International Baccalaureate Programme students compete in the XQ Institute Super School design contest.
• Occoquan Elementary Principal Hamish Brewer was recently named Fox 5 Hero of the Week. A brief profile was broadcast on TV Channel 5 on the evening news last Friday. Mr. Brewer was nominated by a school parent.
• All middle and high school parents, who may have concerns about the emotional challenges facing their students are invited to attend an information night on Thursday, November 19 at the Kelly Leadership Center from 7‒8:30 p.m. This event takes on special significance in light of the recent tragic loss of four of our students. Our caring professionals will focus on supporting students through their many challenges and provide tips to connect families to safety and support opportunities. Please see the PWCS home page for the announcement and how to reserve space for yourself at this important program.
• Dr. Walts attended Cedar Point Elementary School's Salute to Our Veterans tribute. This was a phenomenal event. The musicians did an outstanding job - by the time they had finished, there wasn't a dry eye in the house.
• Dr. Walts spoke at a recent meeting of The Lions Club of Woodbridge. He thanked the members of the Lions Club for conducting the vision and hearing screenings they provide for PWCS students. From September 21 through November 4 of this year, 3,076 students had their sight checked and 2,657 students went through hearing screenings.
• He also wished everyone a happy and safe Thanksgiving.

VSBA Academy Awards:
Mr. Johns, Chairman At-Large, presented Virginia School Boards Association Academy Award certificates and pins to the School Board members, Superintendent, and Clerk of the Board.
Dr. Steven L. Walts, Superintendent of Schools, presented a certificate and pin to Chairman Johns.

Volume 11, Number 6 - Publication date: November 18, 2015

Information and Public meetings of the School Board are broadcast on
pwcstv.com
(Select "Video on Demand"), Comcast Channel 18, and Verizon Channel 36.

School Board Meeting Information
School Board meetings are held in the School Board Meeting Room at 14715 Bristow Road, Manassas. Citizens who wish to address the School Board under Citizens' Comment Time may notify the Board Clerk in writing, by phone, or by electronic mail prior to noon on the day of the meeting. Citizens may also sign up to speak prior to 6:55 p.m. on the day of the meeting.

Closed Sessions start at 6 p.m. and are followed by public sessions, which start at 7 p.m.