Prince William County Public Schools

School Board Meeting November 29, 2017

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.

Mr. Ryan Sawyers, Chairman, introduced Kate Arnold, a senior at Hylton High School, who was selected as the first student representative to the School Board. Magin Sanchez, a senior at Potomac High School, and Zaki Panjsheeri, a senior at Patriot High School, were selected as alternates to the School Board. Kate Arnold was invited to join the School Board on the dais.

The School Board Approved:

• The contract awarded to Edupoint Educational Systems, Inc., to provide and implement a student information system. The new system includes online registration, scheduling, parent/student portal, gradebook, speciation, RTI, mobile applications, and learning management modules, with additional modules available based upon the School Division's needs;
• The Practicum Participation Agreement with George Mason University to provide continuing clinical field experience for athletic training students and supplemental athletic training care for participating high school programs;
• The payrolls for October 2017; and
• The School Board meeting minutes for November 14.

Citizens' Comments:

Citizens addressed the School Board on the following topics:

• Incidents on school property when schools are closed;
• Bullying;
• Social media posts by public figures;
• CPI and Woodbridge High School;
• More athletic trainers at the schools; and
• The History and Social Science Textbook proposal.

Presentation:

Mrs. Rita Goss, associate superintendent for Student Learning and Accountability; Mr. Kenneth Bassett, director of Student Learning; and Mr. Jeff Girvan, supervisor of History and Social Science reported on the recommendations from the History and Social Science Textbook Adoption Committee.

Superintendent's Time:

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

• Forty-nine of our schools have received the School Board's highest honor, the title of School of Excellence. That's two more than last year. Please see the web announcement on pwcs.edu for the complete list. Schools will hold their individual celebrations in the coming weeks.
• Congratulations to Fred M. Lynn Middle School Principal Hamish Brewer. His success as an innovative educational leader was featured last week on NBC Nightly News.
• There is great news about the School Division's progress in working with students and their families who arrive here speaking little English. We are now having remarkable success, after once experiencing significant challenges. Several years ago, we signed an agreement with the Department of Justice to remedy complaints that the School Division wasn't doing enough for English Learner students and their families. Since then, they've monitored our efforts as we made steady and continual improvements.
  • Now, all schools Divisionwide offer a standardized menu of English Learner programs and services;
  • Reading, writing, speaking, and critical thinking are taught as part of English Learner programs in every core subject;
  • We have dramatically increased the number of teachers certified in both their subject areas and ESL, as well as classes co-taught by individuals fluent in a second language;
  • Every school has a multi-cultural section in its library;
  • We currently offer materials, information, and family outreach in six languages; and
  • We can offer translation and interpretation to assist speakers of more than 145 others.
  • The Department of Justice decided this month that we have more than satisfied our resolution agreement, and now we have English Learners on the path to success.
  • Congratulations to all the teachers, administrators, school, and Central Office staff across the Division. And special thanks to Director Janine Sadki and her Office of English Learner Programs and Services. Together, we've made tremendous progress for our English Learner students. We're committed to sustaining that progress and to making continuous improvements to ensure their future success.
• Many of our students have distinguished themselves in performing arts, music, and interscholastic activities. The Hylton High School cheerleading team won the 6-A state title, their first since 1998.
• Several schools brought home awards from the Virginia Theatre Association competition.
  • Gainesville Middle School earned a Gold recognition for their play; and Carsen Torfin earned a Best Performance award.
  • Reagan Middle School student Nya Tefferi earned an Outstanding Student Director Award;
  • Riley Heretick received an Outstanding Assistant Director Award;
  • Bella Lewis was honored for Outstanding Makeup and Costume Direction; and
  • Britta Taylor and Griffin Cox were honored with Outstanding Actress and Actor Awards.
  • At the same competition, Patriot High School theatre students auditioned for more than 30 colleges. All received multiple call-backs to highly competitive programs.
• This month the School Division was well represented at the Virginia Music Educators Association conference by students from Battlefield, Brentsville, Colgan, Hylton, Patriot, Forest Park, Stonewall Jackson, and Woodbridge High Schools, who were all selected for the honors choir.
• Parents of eighth-grade and high school students are invited to a High School Parent Summit on Saturday, January 6 at Hylton High School, beginning at 8 a.m. The summit will feature expert presentations on graduation requirements, scholarships, financial aid, college admission, and much more. Attendance is free, but space is limited. Go to our high school webpages or to the College and Career Planning website to register, starting December 1.

Volume 13, Number 7 - Publication Date: Thursday, November 30, 2017