Dear PWCS Families, Employees, and Community,

As the first semester closes, I want to thank our educators and staff for their commitment, dedication, and hard work ensuring our students receive high-quality instruction from an engaging curriculum in a welcoming learning environment. I am also grateful for our amazing students, who strive to be critical thinkers, responsible digital citizens, innovators and visionaries, resilient individuals, and global collaborators.

Speaking of amazing students, congratulations to our 13 exceptional choir students on their selection to the Virginia Music Education Association’s Senior Honors Choir. To be selected to perform in this choir, students go through a rigorous audition and compete against the top high school vocal talent in Virginia. The power of music education is engaging in critical and creative thinking, collaborating with peers, communicating on various levels, and practicing inclusive citizenship. I invite you to read more about our students’ achievement.

I also wish to congratulate Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School Assistant Principal Karyn Riddle. The Virginia Association of Secondary School Principals has named Mrs. Riddle the 2024 Outstanding Secondary School Assistant Principal of Virginia. Mrs. Riddle is a PWCS graduate from Osbourn Park High School with 24 years of launching thriving futures and has been pivotal in raising SOL math scores for all her students. Mrs. Riddle is one of the many exceptional assistant principals working across the division for our PWCS students. More information on our outstanding assistant principal can be found on our website.

As a reminder, February 1 is the deadline for applications to PWCS specialty programs , except for the Center for Fine and Performing Arts which closed in December. PWCS provides excellent opportunities for our diverse and talented students in elementary, middle, and high school to explore a wide array of specialty programs in our schools. These programs focus on career exploration, subject area concentration, and college/university preparation. To assist with the process, we offer two final online specialty program application help sessions at 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Thursday, February 1. Please visit the specialty program website for details.

Monday, January 29, is a day off for students and a teacher workday for our educators. Enjoy your weekend.

Sincerely,

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