Superintendent celebrates College Decision Day and Teacher Appreciation Week

Dear PWCS Families, Employees, and Community,

Congratulations to our seniors who signed their college commitments today on National College Decision Day and to those graduates who are planning to sign on Career and Technical Education Signing Day, Tuesday, May 12. Whether our graduates are continuing their education, entering the workforce, beginning an apprenticeship, or serving in the military, we are proud to celebrate the many pathways they are choosing toward bright and promising futures.

We want to celebrate our amazing educators throughout Teacher Appreciation Week, May 4-8. I express my sincere gratitude to our teachers for their transformative work in creating a positive, rigorous, and safe learning environment. I invite you to watch this inspiring video where students share the incredible impact of their teachers. Also, I encourage you to make it a point to show your appreciation to your child’s teachers on Teacher Appreciation Day, Tuesday, May 5, and throughout Teacher Appreciation Week.

Today is also School Lunch Hero Day, and I want to thank our dedicated Food and Nutrition employees for the care they provide to students every day. Their work ensures students are nourished, welcomed, and ready to learn, which is essential to creating the positive school experience every child deserves.

In PWCS, we know conversations around mental health can be difficult. Which is why I invite all PWCS families of middle and high school students from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 7, for a live Zoom webinar hosted by the Family Engagement Series, “Ending the Silence for Families and Caregivers.” This presentation will cover warning signs, facts and statistics, strategies for talking with your child, and ways to work with school staff to get support for yourself or your student.

The Family Engagement Series is also hosting a live webinar focused on preventing alcohol and other drug use among youth and young adults and understanding its impact on mental health. I invite you to join us for “Connected for Prevention-Youth Substance Use and Mental Health Trends and Resources,” from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19, to learn how to start meaningful conversations with your child and gain the practical tools, real-world insights, and strategies needed to better support them. I hope you will join us for these and other upcoming events throughout May.

Have an enjoyable weekend.

Sincerely,

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