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May 19, 2022 - Vol. 4, No. 43

Aspiring educators in the Growing Our Own program celebrated for their hard work

For the approximately 100 PWCS seniors who completed the Growing Our Own program this school year, the Future Teachers Celebration was the opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments. Growing Our Own in PWCS is an innovative program that supports and mentors high school students who want to pursue a career in education. The program helps to identify, recruit, and mentor students who after college will return to PWCS as teachers and school leaders. 

This ad supports SPARK, the Education Foundation for PWCS.

Enroll your student now for academic and enrichment programs this summer! PWCS K-12 summer offerings help mitigate summer learning loss and prepare students for future learning experiences. All PWCS Summer School programs will be in-person. The Summer School Academy programs will offer a virtual option for Grades K-8.

Visit the Summer School webpage for more about offerings and to register.

Elementary students step into success at Fitzgerald Elementary School

Social and Emotional Learning Night at Belmont Elementary School

Belmont Elementary School families who participated in the school's first Social and Emotional Learning Night, learned ways to regulate feelings, how to create safe spaces for children to regain emotional and physical control, and the importance of incorporating exercise in your daily activities to help one relax. Read more.

Music and Mental Health at Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School

Sierra Diller, a Colgan High School student, kicked off a FinStage performance that brought mental health awareness to the forefront. The student performers showed how music can have a positive effect on everyone by elevating moods and reducing stress. Read more.

As we end week three of Mental Health Awareness Month, PWCS highlights three presentations from our Parent Learning Series which focus on caring for one's mental health:  Mental Health as it Relates to Substance Use and Abuse Understanding Anxiety How to Help Mindful Moments at Home.

Good News

Amazing ideas STEM from amazing students at the Governor's School @ Innovation Park research symposium

Students who attend The Governor’s School @ Innovation Park (GS@IP) had a chance to showcase their year-long projects at the 2022 Research Symposium. Students shared and explained their research and inventions to each other, faculty, and other guests. 

Jason Calhoun, Ph.D., the director of GS@IP said of the students, “It’s an impressive group of kids and we’re really happy with the work they’ve done this year.”  

PWCS students qualify for All-Virginia Band, Choir, and Orchestra 

Congratulations to those PWCS high school students selected by the Virginia Music Educators Association for the 2022 All-Virginia Band, Chorus, and Orchestra. Read more.

PWCS students make history with achievements at 2022 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair

PWCS recently sent a record six projects to the 2022 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). Four of those projects then placed or earned a special award. Read more.

Virtual hockey program teaches Bristow Run Elementary School students math and science 

Fifth grade students at Bristow Run Elementary School participated in an ice-breaking virtual science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) hockey event. Read more.

Fourth grade students at Ashland Elementary School whet their appetites for math at the Decimal Diner 

“May I take your order, please?” was heard throughout the classroom as fourth grade students at Ashland Elementary School took part in the Decimal Diner. Students were hungry for the opportunity to put their newly acquired math skills to use in a fun and engaging way. Read more.

Announcements

Online tutoring available to all PWCS students free of charge

PWCS has partnered with Paper to provide K-12 students  with unlimited tutoring, 7 days a week—at no cost to families.

Students can get help with their homework, receive feedback on their writing assignments, or ask questions about any academic subject. Experts are available to assist students with any subject or content area via a secure, chat-based platform.

Tutors are currently available to help students in English, Spanish, French, and Mandarin.

Attention juniors and seniors — consider Early Online College 

PWCS and Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) are partnering to offer the Early Online College opportunity for juniors and seniors. Students will be able to take up to two college courses online each semester. Tuition for these courses will be paid for by PWCS and NOVA.   

Information about Early Online College, including a recording of the information session from May 9, 2022, can be found on the Early Online College webpage. Applications for students interested in registering for these courses are due July 15.  

Meet Brian Slater — the new Principal of Dale City Elementary School 

Brian Slater took the reins as principal of Dale City Elementary School this month. Slater is a former elementary school and middle school teacher, and most recently served as a middle school assistant principal. His philosophy on education is simple — all kids can learn. Slater says, “The most valuable thing we can do in education is find a way to reach every child.”