Dear PWCS Families, Employees, and Community,

This past weekend at the Senior Division (grades 9-12) of the Prince William-Manassas Regional Science and Engineering Fair, students enjoyed competing and sharing their projects with family and community members. An incredible 85 students from across the Prince William County community competed in 14 categories, and their projects were evaluated by over 130 judges and 20 organizations. Regional first-place winners will advance to the Virginia State Fair in Charlottesville, VA. I encourage our community to attend the Junior Division (grades 6-8) Regional Science and Engineering Fair, which will be held at the Kelly Leadership Center on May 2, from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. A full list of winners is available on the PWCS website.

We are so proud of the five grand prize winners whose projects were selected among the first-place winners of the senior division to represent our regional fair at the International Science and Engineering Fair, where they will compete against high school students from around the world. Congratulations to our winners:

• Behavioral and Social Sciences: Atiksh Bhan, Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School
• Computational Biology and Bioinformatics: Belva Fianko, Bilal Khan, and Naman Patel, Osbourn Park High School and The Governor’s School @ Innovation Park
• Engineering: Mazen Ben Chouikha, Michael Obeng, and Devin Wanchoo, Osbourn Park High School and The Governor’s School @ Innovation Park
• Environmental Sciences: James Kim and Abid Safwan, Osbourn Park High School
• Material Sciences: Erin Jansen, Patriot High School

PWCS provides many opportunities for students to demonstrate their learning, conduct research, and follow their academic interests. There is a broad selection of advanced academic programs that help students pursue their passions, build on their strengths, and work toward future goals. These include Advanced Placement, Cambridge and International Baccalaureate Programmes, Dual Enrollment courses, and Career and Technical Education pathways leading to industry certifications. Families can now use an updated chart to compare these rigorous options and decide which fit best into their student’s high school plan.

Next week, the School Board is expected to consider a calendar adjustment to make Tuesday, April 21, a non-attendance day for students to accommodate the statewide election. Under the current 2025-26 school calendar, April 21 is listed as a regular school day. Therefore, Board action is needed to amend the calendar. This information is being shared for awareness so families and employees can plan as we await the Board’s decision. Further details will be shared following the vote, should the change be adopted.

As a reminder, on Friday, March 20, schools and offices are closed in observance of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of fasting during Ramadan.

Sincerely,

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