Dear PWCS Families, Employees, and Community,

October is Energy Action Month, a time to recognize the importance of energy efficiency and sustainability in our schools and communities. I want to give a special shoutout to the PWCS Energy and Sustainability team for their ongoing efforts to reduce our environmental footprint and cultivate sustainability efforts across our schools.

We are currently building the first net-zero school in PWCS in Occoquan. I invite you to learn more about our commitment to innovative and sustainable practices for future generations.

On Monday evening, PWCS families received an email asking for input on the PWCS 2025-26 school calendar survey. The calendar survey is available for feedback until Tuesday, October 15. In November, the results will be presented to the School Board for final approval of the 2025-26 school calendar. Furthermore, I invite you to learn more about the school calendar options and process. Key dates include the first day of school, winter and spring breaks, and the last day of school. Please complete the survey at your earliest convenience.

While visiting our website, please check out the PWCS Family Engagement Series for upcoming webinars covering topics such as our Financial Aid Awareness webinar, held Tuesday, October 15 from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Or look over the Events Calendar for upcoming events, like the second College Fair, held at Osbourn Park High School on October 17 from 6 – 8 p.m. Our first college fair garnered over 1,200 participants and we know even more families will come out in the future as we continue to build excitement around college readiness.

Additionally, please note the applications for our 35 specialty programs opens on Friday, November 1. PWCS is also hosting three Family Engagement Series webinars for students and families to learn more about specialty programs in PWCS. Join us at one of three Family Engagement Series webinars in October to learn more about specialty programs for PWCS students.

October 17, 2024, 6:30 p.m. – Elementary School Specialty Programs
October 24, 2024, 6 p.m. – High School Specialty Programs
October 29, 2024, 6:30 p.m. – Middle School Specialty Programs

This week, we proudly celebrated Custodial Services Employee Appreciation Week, recognizing the dedication and hard work of our custodial staff. These often-unsung heroes ensure that our schools remain clean, safe, and welcoming for students, staff, and families alike. Their commitment to maintaining a healthy space is essential to the success of our learning environment. Thank you to all our custodial services staff for keeping our schools ready before, during, and after school.

As we conclude National Hispanic Heritage Month, we take this moment to celebrate the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities. We hope these reflections continue to inspire us to embrace diversity and foster inclusivity in our schools and communities year-round. I wish to share one more example of how our students honor this special month.

Have a restful weekend and remember Monday, October 14, is a divisionwide professional development day, which is a non-attendance day for all students.

Sincerely,

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