“📸🎓 More grad walk photos for your Sunday morning viewing pleasure,” Prince William County Public Schools announced.
The Class of 2026 recently wrapped up high school graduations across the district’s 13 high schools, with many seniors also taking part in heartfelt “grad walks” through their former elementary and middle schools.
“If I fall, I fall. If I die, I die. I’ve got to suck it up. Can’t live forever,” D.J. Palmer replied, Fredericksburg Free Press reported. “I should be fully back walking in six months, everything like nerves, and all that will be back. I’ll be chasing the kids around and doing what I normally do.”
“This is going to be something special,” Palmer added.
“We look forward to honoring the accomplishments, memories, and bright futures of our students as they take this exciting next step,” Stafford County Public Schools announced. “Congratulations to the Class of 2026!”
North Stafford and Stafford High School graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2026 begin at 8:30 a.m. today. The events can be watched live at www.staffordschools.net/graduation. Satellite parking is available for North Stafford at The Mount Church and Park Ridge ES, and for Stafford High at Conway ES and Stafford Crossing Community Church. Tickets and clear bags are required for all attendees.
George Mason University has selected Marion Underwood as its next provost and executive vice president, effective July 27. Underwood comes to Mason from Colorado State University, where she most recently served as provost and executive vice president. She brings 35 years of academic leadership, research and student success experience.
President Gregory Washington said Underwood’s background at institutions similar to George Mason makes her a strong fit. At Colorado State, she created the Strategic Roadmap 2025, advanced student mental health initiatives, helped refine the budget model and hired multiple academic leaders. She previously served as dean at Purdue University and the University of Texas at Dallas.
“All PWCS schools and offices will be closed on Wednesday, May 27 in observance of Eid al-Adha,” PWCSNews announced.
The current school year for Prince William County Public Schools ends Friday, June 12 with early dismissal for students.
Stafford County Public Schools and Stafford County Fire and Rescue partner on the High School Fire Academy, a hands-on program that gives local high school students real-world training in firefighting and emergency medical response. The program allows students to earn high school credit while learning skills that can lead to careers in public safety.
Class sizes appear to vary. Recent sessions have included around 20-25 students. The latest, High School Fire Academy 7, graduated in spring 2026. The program has grown since its start, with earlier classes having smaller groups.
“We understand that incidents like this can cause concern and anxiety for students, parents, guardians, faculty and staff,” the sheriff’s office said. “After carefully reviewing all available evidence and information, the Sheriff’s Office has found no evidence indicating these threats pose a credible risk to the school community at this time.”
“The language used in the graffiti does not reflect the values of our school community,” Stafford High Principal Chelsea Tryon wrote in a letter to families.
Stafford County Public Schools honored more than 700 employees for five to 60 years of service at its annual Years of Service ceremony held at Mountain View High School.
The event recognized teachers, support staff, administrators and workers from every department who help prepare students to excel. Mr. Jimmy Andrews of Stafford High School stood out as the most tenured, marking 60 years since joining the district in 1966.
Stafford County Public Schools recognized dozens of outstanding employees at its annual Gold Star Gala, while a major new partnership announced this week will bring $560,000 to support classroom innovation and family food access across the division.
The investment, a collaboration between the Stafford Education Foundation, Amazon, Stafford Schools, and the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank, includes $360,000 over three years for Sustainable Innovative Teaching Grants and $200,000 to add two new 24/7 automated community food kiosks. More than 200 classroom projects are expected to receive funding, giving teachers resources for hands-on STEM, career readiness, and student-centered learning. The kiosks will build on the success of the first one installed at Rising Star Early Childhood Education Center in 2023.
