Dear PWCS Families, Employees, and Community,

The close of the second quarter is next week and is a significant milestone in the school year, marking the completion of the first semester. I encourage families to check in on your student’s real-time grades and attendance through ParentVUE and discuss their academic progress and personal wellness. We want every student to attend and achieve every day.

January is also the time our school division finalizes facility and budget planning for next school year. Recently, I spoke about the Capital Improvements Program (CIP), a management tool for planning facility projects, and how the CIP continues to support the Vision 2025 Launching Thriving Futures Strategic Plan. PWCS is constantly investing in our facilities as we project a 2.7% enrollment increase over the next three years.

I want to take the opportunity to highlight the incredible work completed, or to be completed in the summer of 2023, by our Facilities Department.

• “Rosemount Lewis” Elementary School (the official name will come later this spring) is set for opening in 2023, and the addition of 11 new classrooms at Gainesville Middle School, and six new classrooms at Ronald Wilson Reagan Middle School have been completed.
• Renovations are complete at Bennett Elementary School and renovations should be completed this summer at C.D. Hylton High School, Parkside Middle School, and Signal Hill and Bristow Run Elementary Schools.
• Roof replacements are complete at Neabsco Elementary School and Battlefield and Freedom High Schools, with completion for Forest Park and Osbourn Park High Schools scheduled this summer.
• HVAC projects have been completed for Battlefield and Potomac High Schools, and Pattie, West Gate, and Ellis Elementary Schools. HVAC projects at Brentsville District High School and Graham Park and Unity Braxton Middle Schools are in the final progress stages.

On Wednesday, January 18, the School Board held a public hearing on the proposed boundary plans for “Rosemount Lewis” Elementary School. After a Board vote on the proposed boundary plans, the procedure for the official school naming will begin with the establishment of The Naming Committee. The Naming Committee will consider geography, history, and significant contributions by individuals. Upon submission of name recommendations, PWCS will make announcements for public comment before further deliberations are made.

Next week, January 23-27, Prince William County Public Schools will recognize and honor school leaders through Virginia School Principals Appreciation Week. Our extraordinary principals and assistant principals are dedicated to fulfilling our collective vision to see every student graduate on time with the knowledge, skills, and habits of mind necessary to create a thriving future for themselves and their community. We are grateful for our principals and assistant principals, and I encourage everyone to send a message of gratitude to their student’s administrator.

Thank you for your support and collaboration as we work together to ensure every student is successful.

Sincerely,

LaTanya D. McDade, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Prince William County Public Schools