Family visting a table at the PWCS Community Event

Dear PWCS Families, Employees, and Community,

Welcome to the 2025-26 school year!

We began this new year with joy, energy, and collaboration at our annual back-to-school community event. Thank you to all who attended and made the event such a success. It was inspiring to see families, staff, and students come together to celebrate the year ahead and gather the tools and resources needed for a strong start. I invite you to watch all the excitement we could capture, because events like this remind us of the power of partnership and our shared commitment to launching thriving futures.

As we count down to the first day of school on Monday, August 18, I want to share 10 Things to Know and a few important reminders to ensure a smooth start to the new school year. First, please take a moment to complete the Annual Back to School Packet available in ParentVUE. This includes reviewing emergency cards, updating contact information, and acknowledging annual policies. Timely completion helps us maintain accurate records and ensures that your child is set up for a safe and successful year.

If your student needs immunizations, please contact your health care provider or visit one of the local health clinics listed on the PWCS Health Services webpage. The Code of Virginia (§ 22.1-271.2) requires that students be up to date on their vaccinations to attend school. Please visit the PWCS website for more information on student immunization requirements. Acting now will help avoid any delays in starting the year on time.

Our transportation team has been working diligently to prepare for the new year. In the spring, we notified all families that PWCS was transitioning to a new transportation management platform for our bus routing system. This change in software was based on consistent feedback from families concerned about the reliability and efficiency of the Here Comes The Bus application. Over the summer, we have been fine-tuning the EZ A2B app, which has replaced Here Comes The Bus, to deliver on our commitment to safe and reliable transportation for our students and families.

We thank you in advance for your patience, as the beginning of the school year always requires some time for our bus drivers, students, and families to get acclimated to new transportation routines. Stabilization in pick-up and drop-off times can take up to two weeks, and we are working for that to occur even sooner.

Bus schedules for most students will be available in ParentVUE on Monday evening, August 11. For special education transportation and students attending Independence Nontraditional School, bus schedules will be available on August 14. Families are encouraged to download the EZ A2B app before the start of school and track their child’s bus in real-time.

On Monday, August 11, we welcome back our outstanding teachers. Their dedication and preparation are the heart of our system. I look forward to visiting schools next week as teachers reconnect, plan, and prepare learning environments that will inspire our students from day one.

As we kick off the 2025-26 school year, we remain focused on academic excellence, student well-being, and leadership at every level. Thank you for the role you play in making PWCS a strong, vibrant learning community committed to excellence in education.

I look forward to the year ahead—and to all we will accomplish together.

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