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Over 3,000 students in Manassas Park had their first day of school today.
Going back much earlier than surrounding localities, the Manassas Park Public School system is implementing a ‘balanced calendar’ with a school year that runs from August 17 to June 20.
“Today was our first day, and we had a great opening – just a very, very smooth opening. And we’re really excited to be back in school,” said Manassas Park Public Schools Superintendent Dr. C. Brude McDade.
A law on the books in Virginia known as the “King’s Dominion Law” does not allow schools without a waiver to go back in session until after Labor Day. Prince William County and Manassas City Public Schools did receive a waiver because of missed days due to inclement weather, and will go back on August 31.
Manassas Park also received a waiver, but it was part of the approval for the school system’s new calendar, stated McDade.
According to McDade, the feedback about starting earlier so far has been positive.
“We sensed from [an open house] last week that students and parents were really excited, and were looking forward to coming back,” McDade said.
In addition to starting earlier, students in Manassas Park will have a week long break at the end of October and March, and the standard 10-days off in December.
Along with these, McDade stated that the schools will offer ‘intersessions’ which twice during the year, which will give students time to catch up if they’re falling behind, or a chance to have internships and field trip experiences. None of these activities will come at an additional cost for the students, according to McDade.
“The agrarian-based school calendar just isn’t cutting it anymore,” said McDade.
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To celebrate Air Quality Awareness Week (May 6-10, 2024), Clean Air Partners is working with A Few Cool Hardware Stores to exchange DC, Maryland and Virginia residents’ gas-powered lawnmowers, trimmers, and leaf blowers at select Ace Hardware locations in the region. DMV residents who turn in their gas-powered lawn tools will receive a FREE Ego Power+ replacement including batteries and chargers, while supplies last.
Compared to gas, electric lawn equipment can reduce emissions, noise pollution, health risks and maintenance costs and time. The program aims to remove about a hundred gas-powered polluting tools from yards in the greater Baltimore-Washington region.
The exchanges will take place the weekends of May 17-19, 2024, and May 31-June 2, 2024, at A Few Cool Hardware Stores network of employee-owned Ace Hardware stores in the DC and Baltimore metro areas. To participate and get your free Ego Power+ lawn tool, sign up at https://qrco.de/CAPExchange to reserve your tool and select your trade-in date and location.
Are you feeling overwhelmed by life’s challenges? Do stress and anxiety seem to dominate your thoughts? At Peaceful Mind Solutions, we understand that navigating mental health can be daunting, but you don’t have to do it alone.
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Free Irish Music Concert
Welcoming Spring with music from the Emerald Isle, the New Dominion Choraliers offer a FREE concert on Saturday, April 27 at 7:30 p.m. at the First United Presbyterian Church of Dale City.
Joined by Legacy Brass and members of Old
Spring Ceili: An Irish Music Festival
The New Dominion Choraliers of Prince William County and McGrath Morgan Academy of Irish Dance invite you to join them at our Ceili, a grand celebration of Irish music and dance.
A gathering of performance groups throughout Prince William County
