
Most
of
the
time,
when
you
pull
into
a
school
parking
lot,
you
normally
see
parked
cars
and
school
buses.
However,
at
two
recent
community
events
held
at
Rippon
and
Unity
Braxton
Middle
Schools,
the
parking
lot
was
filled
with
food
trucks,
parents,
students,
and
school
staff
enjoying
an
evening
of
community
engagement.
Prince
William
County
Public
Schools
(PWCS),
in
partnership
with
SPARK,
the
education
foundation
for
the
School
Division,
hosted
the
events.
Families
from
Rippon
and
Unity
Braxton
were
invited,
as
well
as
families
from
the
feeder
elementary
schools
for
each
middle
school.
Families
had
the
opportunity
to
meet
staff
and
families
from
the
various
schools
in
attendance
and
the
new
Superintendent
of
Schools,
Dr.
LaTanya
D.
McDade.
"I
am
excited
to
meet
so
many
families,
students,
and
staff,"
shared
Dr.
McDade.
"Listening
to
parents,
caregivers,
and
community
members
is
vital
as
we
chart
PWCS'
path
to
academic
achievement."
Attendees
enjoyed
food
from
various
food
trucks,
and
entertainment
provided
by
magician
Mike
Hummer,
also
a
substitute
teacher
for
PWCS,
balloon
artist,
Carol
Turman,
DJ,
and
photo
booth.
Families
also
received
free
grocery
kits
from
the
Combating
Hunger
on
Wheels
(C.H.O.W.)
Wagon
and
school
packs
donated
by
the
Staples
store
in
Manassas
totaling
$7,000.
Free
information
on
resources
were
available
from
INOVA
Partnership
for
Healthier
Communities,
as
well
as
PWCS
Department
Human
Resources.
Other
sponsors
included
Omega
Psi
Phi
Fraternity,
Inc.
-
Pi
Lambda
Lambda
Chapter,
Spell
It
Out
Prince
William,
and
Virginia
American
Water.