Important
Parents/guardians need to complete the Back to School Packet before accessing student information in ParentVUE. The Back to School Packet will open on Tuesday, August 8, 2023.
Welcome to the 2023-24 school year!
- ✔The first day of school is August 21, 2023.
- ✔All students will be provided an iPad or laptop.
- ✔All parents/guardians must complete the Back to School Packet by September 15, 2023.
- ✔Schools must receive proof of required immunizations by August 17, 2023, for students to start the new school year.
Want to know more?
Annual Calendar
Holidays and other days off
Attendance Matters
Every student, every day
New for the 2023-24 School Year
- Students in preschool through grade 2 will be provided iPads, instead of laptops
- All students in 44 schools will receive free meals
- Elementary school bell schedules have changed to improve on-time bus service – there is no change to bell times for middle and high schools
- Safety screening technology is being implemented at all high, middle, traditional, and nontraditional schools beginning the third week of school
Parents/Guardians: Prepare for New School Year
Check-off those back-to-school tasks now!
The annual Back to School Packet, where parents/guardians can review emergency cards, update contact information, and complete annual policy reviews and acknowledgments, will be available in ParentVUE beginning Tuesday, August 8, 2023. All families should complete the Back to School Packet by Friday, September 15, 2023. The information you provide will allow school staff to ensure your student's safety this school year.
- Log in to the ParentVUE app or the ParentVUE website using your ParentVUE user name and password.
- Once logged in to ParentVUE, click the Online Records button at the top of the screen.
Please contact your child's school if you need assistance or do not have an active ParentVUE account.
Technology
- PWCS is a one-to-one school division, and all students will be provided an iPad (preschool-grade 2 or laptop (grades 3-12). Please review the Parent/Student Device Handbook.
- PWCS partnered with Securranty to offer optional, discounted device insurance for school-issued iPads and laptops. Parents/guardians must have their serial number device when signing up.
- Canvas continues to be the learning management system for all students.
- ParentVUE and StudentVUE remains the platform for tracking grades and other student information.
- Learn how you may qualify for free home internet access.
Bus Information
Preliminary bus schedules will be available to view in ParentVUE and StudentVUE by Friday, August 11, 2023. Schedules for special education and Independence Nontraditional School students will be released the week of August 14.
Bus route information can change at the beginning of the school year due to student enrollment, and ParentVUE/StudentVUE offers parents and students the ability to receive the most up-to-date bus information. Parents/guardians are encouraged to check for changes.
Bus schedules will not be emailed to parents/guardians and, due to security concerns, we will not publish bus routes on our website.
The Here Comes the Bus app and Bus Delays webpage provide timely updates on bus transportation.
Questions or Concerns About Your Bus Route?
View transportation contact list by school
Attention Kindergarten Parents and Guardians
Kindergarten students must be accompanied to and from bus stops by a parent, guardian, or other authorized individual. All kindergarten parents/guardians must complete a Kindergarten Authorization Form, and return the completed form to your child's school. Your child will only be released to the authorized person(s) who are:
- Listed on the kindergarten authorization form; and
- Have a valid government/state ID to present to the bus driver each day.
Your child will be returned to the school if there is no authorized person at the bus stop or the designee does not have a valid government/state ID.
Bell Schedule
School Meals
Free Meals at 44 Schools
All students at 44 schools will receive free breakfast and lunch during the 2023-24 school year as part of the Community Eligibility Program. Seven schools have joined the program this year.
School Meal Costs for Remaining Schools
Students
- Breakfast - $1.60
- Elementary school lunch - $2.60
- Middle school lunch - $2.75
- High school lunch - $2.85
- Milk - $1.00
Adults
- Breakfast - $2.75
- Lunch - $4.50
Applying for Free and Reduced Price Meals
Applications for free and reduced-price meals, which impact other services families may need, can be accessed using the links below.
- Free and Reduced Price Meals Online Application
- Solicitud en Línea para Comidas Gratuitas y a Precio Reducido
Menus
PWCS offers breakfast and lunch. View breakfast and lunch menus. You can subscribe to get menus emailed monthly. Meal prices and nutritional/allergy information are available through the Food and Nutrition website.
How to Pay for Meals
Funding student meal accounts can be done in several ways. You can send a check in to the school, fund your child's account online via MySchoolBucks, or your child can pay cash. Read about how to add funds to a student's meal account.
Student Health Information
The Student Health Services website has important resources and information related to:
- Immunization requirements
- Medications at school
- Required health forms
- Regulations and fact sheets
- When students should stay home due to illness
Class Schedules
- Elementary schedules will be available in ParentVUE/StudentVUE on Friday, August 11, 2023
- Secondary schedules, including K-8 and traditional schools, will be available in ParentVUE/StudentVUE on Wednesday, August 16, 2023
ParentVUE
- What is ParentVUE?
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ParentVUE is a tool that allows parents and guardians access to their students' grades, attendance information, and more. Parents and guardians can submit updates to contact information, check attendance, and submit course requests during scheduling windows in ParentVUE
- How do I get a ParentVUE account?
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Parents must apply for a ParentVUE account using an Activation Code that is sent via email to their email account on record with the school. When creating the account, parents will choose their own username and password and can manage this password using the More Options/Forgot Password from the ParentVUE login page.
- How do I access ParentVUE?
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ParentVUE can be accessed via a web browser or via an app for your phone or tablet available in the App Store and Google Play Store.
Note that functionality is limited in the app version, so it is suggested to use the web version when possible.
- Who can I contact for help or support?
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- If you are trying to create your account and cannot locate your activation code and need assistance with obtaining a new one, please contact your school.
- If you have an account already but have forgotten your password, you can create a new one by clicking on More Options/Forgot Password from the ParentVUE login page.
Canvas
- What is Canvas?
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Canvas is the learning management system for all students.
- How Can I Obtain a Canvas Observer Account?
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Parents and guardians will have a Canvas account linked to their student, or multiple students, giving them access to course data, student grades, assignments, events and course interactions. To create a parent/guardian account (referred to as an Observer account), you need a pairing code for your student.
Information on obtaining pairing codes and creating a Canvas Observer role account can be found on the PWCS Canvas & Zoom webpage.
Once your account is created, additional pairing codes for other children can be added to your account so you may access the Canvas classrooms for all of your students from a single Canvas Observer account.
Note: Parents will not be provided with PWCS Zoom accounts.
- How Do I Get Technical Support for Canvas?
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If parents or students are having issues with Canvas, please contact your school or teachers for support and troubleshooting.
Staying Connected
Parents and guardians of students and employees of Prince William County Public Schools are automatically enrolled in the PWCS Notification service for phone, text, and email messages. PWCS central office and schools use this system to communicate delayed opening and school-closing information, emergency messages, and to send attendance, meal account balance, and school-based outreach messages. Please don't unsubscribe or block us to ensure you receive timely information from your child's school.
If you are not receiving emails from your school or PWCS, please contact your child's school to check if you unintentionally blocked us or unsubscribed.
Follow us on Social Media
Facebook @PWCSnews
Instagram @PWCSnews
TikTok @PWCSnews
Twitter @PWCSnews
YouTube
Visit the Staying Connected webpage for additional information about PWCS communication.
Important Policies, Notices, and Documents
Required Notifications and Opt-Out Forms
Attendance Policy
Virginia law requires that all children of compulsory school attendance age attend school each day that school is in session unless otherwise provided for by School Board policy or Virginia law. It is the responsibility of parents to ensure that their children attend school regularly. Parents should be aware that attendance officers are authorized to enforce attendance requirements, and to refer students and/or their parents to the courts for legal action, if necessary.
Attendance, Absences, Excuses, and Tardies (Regulation 724-1)
You will be asked to acknowledge you have read the PWCS attendance policy when completing the Back to School Packet.
Code of Behavior
Code of Behavior
The Code of Behavior includes important information to guide students and adults toward success in our School Division. It is vital for parents and guardians to understand the policies, responsibilities, expectations, and rules summarized and to emphasize their importance to students. With your help, we can ensure a positive and safe learning environment in all our schools.
A parent or guardian for every student must acknowledge his/her awareness of Code of Behavior content as required by law (Virginia Code §22 1-279.3). You will be asked to acknowledge you have read the PWCS Code of Behavior when completing the Back to School Packet in ParentVUE.
Use these "rules of the road" to navigate opportunities and challenges in PWCS, while protecting the health, safety, and rights of PWCS students and staff, and the quality of our learning environment.
Other Forms and Documents
Once you have completed the Back to School Packet, you will want to review the other forms and documents you may need to complete and submit to your student's school.
Health and Medical Forms
Required Health Information And Forms For Parents
You will find all necessary forms and guidance needed to update your student's medical information on our Student Health webpage. Medication cannot be administered to any student without appropriate authorization forms completed and on file. Medication must be provided in a new, sealed container with a completed authorization form. Students may not transport medication to and from school. Any medication not meeting the PWCS regulations will not be administered to your student.