October 21, 2021 - Vol. 4, No. 18
 Lights, camera, energy action— Fifth-grade students at Dale City Elementary School perform energy audits during Energy Action Month
From measuring wattage to determining the temperature of a room, fifth-grade students at Dale City Elementary School performed various tasks as part of an energy audit. Using three primary tools, a temperature probe, light meter, and watt meter, students moved throughout the school building to determine where and how energy is used.
This hands-on lesson coincides with Energy Action Month in October, which focuses on educating students and staff about energy conservation both within the School Division and at home.
This ad supports SPARK, the Education Foundation for PWCS.
Five students from Patriot High School's youngest inaugural class return as high school freshmen
Five students who were members of Patriot High School’s first preschool class in 2011 are now back as high school freshmen. Read more.
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Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School student's published research focuses on the impact of a growth mindset in girls
Congratulations to Rania Lateef, freshman at Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School, and Debra Peterman, science teacher at Benton Middle School, for having their study published in The Journal of Emerging Investigators. The study focuses on whether mindset could affect a student’s future career choices and whether this effect differed based on gender. Read more.
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Four houses, one family— Enterprise Elementary School kicks off their house system for the school year
Many elementary schools in PWCS participate in a house or tribe system where students and staff are divided into groups. Individuals remain in these groups for as long as they are at the school, which in turn, builds a sense of pride and community.
The house system is an integral part of Enterprise Elementary School. Students are assigned to one of four houses — Delphinus, Pegasus, Phoenix, and Ursa — and have the opportunity to earn points by demonstrating different character traits. At the end of each quarter, a house celebration is held to recognize the achievements of the students.
Recently, Enterprise Elementary held a kick-off party for their house system, which included its kindergarteners finding out their assigned house.
Poetry board, reading personality quiz increase student interest in the library at Benton Middle School
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Before, during, and after the school day, the Benton Middle School library has a steady stream of visitors. This is due in part to the innovative activities that library media specialists, Amanda Babcock and Diane Stinson, coordinate to make the learning space more engaging for students. Read More. |
Gar-Field High School inducts six new members to its Athletics and Activities Hall of Fame
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Gar-Field High School recently added six new members to its roster of former student-athletes, coaches, and others who have made an impact on the school and community. The induction ceremony honored five exceptional athletes and a former principal of the school. Read More. |
 Join PWCS in observing Red Ribbon Week by wearing red on Wednesday, October 27
Red Ribbon Week is the oldest and largest drug prevention campaign in the United States and is intended to demonstrate a unified and visible commitment to maintaining a drug-free school and community.
Whether attending school virtually or in-person, join us in observing Red Ribbon Week by participating in Get RED of Drugs Day on Wednesday, October 27. Students, staff, and community members are encouraged to wear red in support of substance abuse prevention in Prince William County. Share your photos on social media using #BeDrugFreePWCS.
Visit the PWCS Red Ribbon Week webpage.
 To help promote environmental education and awareness, three biology classes at Freedom High School participated in a fish larvae sorting lesson with Rachel Kelmartin, a lab technician from George Mason University (GMU). Provided by GMU, the larvae were locally sourced from Neabsco Creek.
“George Mason and Freedom have been working together to try and reduce the behavior of students using plastic water bottles,” said Dr. Jessica Doiron, a biology teacher at Freedom High. “In order to have that change, students need to see firsthand the health of local aquatic systems."
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