PWCS graduate working as an electrician apprentice

Dear PWCS Families, Employees, and Community,

We are so excited, as earlier this week, the Virginia Department of Education selected Belmont Elementary School for the National Elementary and Secondary Act Distinguished Schools Program. Belmont was chosen to represent Virginia in Category 2: Closing the achievement gap between student groups. Please read more about this prestigious recognition and the incredible work being done at Belmont Elementary School.

PWCS is committed to fostering opportunities that connect education with real-world experiences, equipping our students with the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in our competitive global workforce. This week, we celebrate National Apprenticeship Week—marking 10 years of recognizing the critical role apprenticeship programs play in preparing our students for successful careers. In honor of National Apprenticeship Week, I am excited to highlight a few of the exciting opportunities happening throughout the school division for students to explore future career pathways.

On November 7, the Aviation Career Fair welcomed over 300 middle and high school students to learn about careers in aviation and aerospace. On November 13, the Career Fair at Unity Reed High School brought together more than 200 students and families, highlighting pathways like apprenticeships and other work-based learning opportunities. On November 19, nearly 200 sports medicine students attended a divisionwide field trip to the Hylton Performing Arts Center, connecting students with industry professionals to explore careers in sports medicine, athletic training, and related fields.

Events like these demonstrate PWCS’s commitment to preparing students for success by providing clear connections to meaningful career pathways. It is inspiring to see how former PWCS students have leveraged these opportunities to build thriving careers, including local apprenticeships.

I would like to highlight one specific opportunity for high school seniors and recent graduates: Lockheed Martin’s Training Aspiring Locals to Engineer a New Tomorrow (T.A.L.E.N.T.) engineering apprenticeship, which offers on-the-job training, mentorship, and hands-on experience. Since 2017, over 100 apprentices have been hired at the Manassas site, with more than 50% from PWCS. Over 25% have advanced to full-time engineering roles, many completing their degrees. Apprentices enjoy benefits like tuition assistance and are encouraged to apply starting January 2025.

As we look forward to the career fairs and apprenticeship opportunities for students, it is also a time to reflect on the spirit of Thanksgiving and how we can support our community. Our schools collaborate with various nonprofit organizations and private entities to provide food, clothing, toys, books, and care each year for children and their families. To support their efforts, please consider donating to SPARK, our PWCS education foundation, which works directly with schools to provide necessary resources for students. Additionally, organizations such as Northern Virginia Family Service and Action in Community Through Service offer additional services beyond food assistance, including shelter, life skills training, and financial aid. I encourage you to reach out to your school’s parent liaison to learn how you can contribute your time, support, or resources.

As a reminder, in observance of Thanksgiving, Wednesday, November 27 through Friday, November 29 are non-attendance days for students. After the break, we look forward to welcoming our students back to class on Monday, December 2.

I am filled with deep gratitude to be a part of the PWCS community and wish you and your family an enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday.

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