Dear PWCS Families, Employees, and Community,

The last day of the first marking period is November 3. Middle and high school report cards will be mailed on November 15, and elementary school report cards will be posted to ParentVUE around the same time. The end of each grading period is an important time to check in with your student’s progress and attendance. I encourage families to check in on your student’s real-time grades through ParentVUE and to discuss their performance.

Historically, PWCS experiences declines in attendance and increases in chronic absenteeism at the end of each marking period. The beginning of each quarter is crucial to establishing and reestablishing expectations, norms, and scheduling for the next nine weeks of school. Regular attendance plays a critical role in enhancing student performance and contributes positively to their academic excellence and overall learning experience.

Speaking of academic excellence, current PWCS students will be applying to many of our 37 specialty programs offered in elementary, middle, and high school that focus on career exploration, subject area concentration, and college/university preparation. Held through November, specialty program information sessions, found below in the corresponding links, offer an overview of each program and the application process. Applications open November 1 and close February 1, except the Center for Fine and Performing Arts, which closes December 14.

I invite you to click on the corresponding link for more information on your child’s future program, application process, and information session:

High School Specialty Programs

Middle School Specialty Programs

Elementary School Specialty Programs

PWCS continues to find ways to invest in our students’ thriving futures. The Department of Defense Education Activity’s Military Connected Academic Support Program awarded PWCS with a $1 million grant. This substantial grant, known as Operation Strong Hearts and Minds, is dedicated to aiding approximately 8,000 students in schools with a significant military-connected student population. These schools include Ashland, Covington-Harper, Henderson, Kyle Wilson, Leesylvania, Marshall, Mary Williams, Old Bridge, Springwoods, and Westridge Elementary Schools. I invite you to read more about this amazing grant and more stories from around the county in our weekly publication, The Scoop!

As a reminder, the Federal Impact Aid Annual Survey is now available in ParentVUE. Through participation, the Impact Aid program financially assists PWCS by providing additional revenue to support the unique needs of our military-connected families. All parents and guardians who are military-connected or work on federal property are encouraged to read the instructions and complete the survey in ParentVUE for each PWCS student in your household by November 30.

Also, the PWCS 2024-25 school calendar survey closes tonight. The results will be presented in mid-November to the School Board, who will make a final decision in December. Key dates include the first day of school, winter and spring breaks, and the last day of school. Please be sure to complete the survey before the deadline tonight.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Sincerely,

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