Dear PWCS Families, Employees, and Community,

As we conclude the third quarter, let us celebrate our students' scientific achievements highlighted at the Prince William-Manassas Regional Science and Engineering Fair. Students enjoyed competing and sharing their projects with family and community members.

From the middle division (grades 6-8), 18 first-place winners have qualified to participate in the national Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge. From the senior division (grades 9-12), 23 first-place winners and 24 second-place winners will advance to the Virginia State Science and Engineering Fair. A full list of winners is available on our PWCS website.

We are so proud of the eight grand prize winners whose five projects were selected among the first-place winners of the senior division to represent our regional fair at the International Science and Engineer Fair, where they will compete against high school students from around the world. Congratulations to our winners:

• Animal Sciences: Aysha Jafar and Adriana Ponciano, Osbourn Park High School.
• Engineering: Hannah Jansen, The Governor's School @ Innovation Park and Patriot High School.
• Medicine and Health: Lana Wahden, Unity Reed High School.
• Physics: Devika Thampi, Patriot High School.
• Plant Sciences: Aerin Kim, The Governor’s School @ Innovation Park and Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School; and Kayla Minter and Willow Weeks, The Governor's School @ Innovation Park and Osbourn Park High School.

Our elementary students are also passionate about science and engaging in educational experiences that will prepare them to be competitive scholars in scientific research and engineering. One highlight includes fifth grade students at Marshall Elementary School. The school’s Eco Club is diving into the world of sustainable agriculture introducing students to hydroponics—a method of growing plants in a nutrient-rich water solution without soil. I invite you to watch how the hands-on program gives students real-world skills.

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and the barriers they still face in connecting to their community. This year’s theme, “We’re Here All Year,” emphasizes that community, accessibility, and opportunities for people with developmental disabilities should be recognized and championed every day. I invite you to learn more on our PWCS website about how PWCS provides educational opportunities for all students to succeed.

As a reminder, schools and offices are closed in observance of Eid al-Fitr on Monday, March 31.

Sincerely,

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