Dear PWCS Families, Employees, and Community,

With Spring Break behind us, I encourage our families to prepare for the future by exploring the many learning opportunities available to students through our Summer School Programs. PWCS offers both an academic recovery program (Launch) and an enrichment program (Discovery) for students in grades kindergarten through 12.

PWCS K-5 and 6-8 Launch Programs are academic recovery programs designed to be an extension of the school year for reinforcement and restoration for elementary and middle school students. Families can expect to be notified by April 28 if it is recommended their student(s) be enrolled in a Launch summer program. Elementary and middle school Launch programs run for three weeks, July 10-28.

High school students can also take advantage of our many summer opportunities, including a six-week Launch program for those needing to repeat a course for credit, and the Grad Academy for current seniors who need course requirements to graduate. High school students are encouraged to talk with their counselors now to see which summer option is right for them. Please review our summer programs website for details regarding each program, including registration deadlines.

Discovery Enrichment Programs are also offered for a variety of subjects, including STEM, language arts, fitness, music, and art. Registration is in high demand and selection is limited to one enrichment program per student.

Breakfast and lunch will be provided at no cost to students in summer school programs. Transportation will be available for students enrolled in Launch or Discovery programs. After registration closes, bus routes for summer school will be organized to ensure the efficiency and accuracy of routes, which may be different from bus stops during the regular school year. Summer school bus stop locations will be posted and communicated before the start of summer programs.

PWCS is also partnered with AlphaBEST Education as our summer School Age Child Care (SACC) provider. AlphaBEST provides two summer programs: Specialty Enrichment and Excursion. These opportunities are a great way for students to balance the relaxation of summer with the excitement of discovery. I encourage families to take advantage of this program as registration will open this Monday, April 17, at 9 a.m.

Additionally, Virtual Prince William (VPW) offers a summer session for students to take courses for initial credit. VPW offers students the opportunity to take courses online for the completion of graduation requirements, recover credits, and balance academic and extracurricular opportunities.

In closing, April includes several observances, and PWCS would like to recognize Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month. I appreciate the strides being made in our schools to provide support to our students with autism to ensure they thrive in our schools and in our community. I urge our staff, families, and community members to take responsibility for promoting autism awareness and acceptance for the thousands of extraordinary individuals facing an autism diagnosis every year.

As a reminder, next Friday, April 21, schools and offices are closed in observance of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the fasting that occurs during Ramadan.

Wishing everyone a safe and enjoyable weekend.

Sincerely,

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