The Alliance for a Healthier Generation, a leading children’s health organization, named six Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) as 2022 America’s Healthiest Schools awardees. These schools are among 406 nationwide to receive this year’s recognition: Buckland Mills, Kilby, Piney Branch, and Victory Elementary Schools, Parkside Middle School, and Porter Traditional School.

This prestigious, annual distinction is awarded for demonstrating remarkable efforts to prioritize the essential health needs of the school community. These schools meet or exceed best practice standards in one or more topic areas related to the physical, mental, and social-emotional health of students, teachers, and staff.

PWCS awardees were recognized in five categories.

• Buckland Mills Elementary: Strengthening Social-Emotional Health and Learning
• Kilby Elementary: Strengthening Social-Emotional Health and Learning, Increasing Family and Community Engagement
• Parkside Middle: Cultivating Staff Well-Being
• Piney Branch Elementary: Strengthening Social-Emotional Health and Learning, Tobacco-Free Schools, School Health Services
• Porter Traditional: Strengthening Social-Emotional Health and Learning, Increasing Family and Community Engagement
• Victory Elementary: Cultivating Staff Well-Being

This recognition speaks to the work of the social emotional learning coaches, funded through the PWCS Heals initiative, throughout the school division.

“We understand wellness supersedes our teacher’s ability to teach and our students’ ability to learn,” said Steve Thorne, principal of Piney Branch. “The Heals support led us to succeed in recognition as a healthy school because we took care of our teacher’s essential needs and invested in opportunities that benefitted both the adults and students.”

Heather Wines, supervisor of social emotional learning in PWCS, views this as a great step toward reaching the divisionwide commitment to building a positive climate and culture for students and staff.

“Our team in the College, Career, and Student Support Department is very proud,” said Wines. “[We’re] hopeful that we will be able to continue to build on this momentum and are grateful for the amazing work of our educators.”