More than 300 teachers, counselors, administrators and PWCS staff showed up at Forest Park High School on Friday, August 21st, 2015 for “Educational Intelligence: Think, Act and Spread Kindness to Achieve Success for All Student.”
This school safety symposium was a collaborative effort between the PWCS Office of Student Services and the Virginia Center for School and Campus Safety run by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS). The symposium featured two motivational speakers: Gary Xavier, a former Marine Sniper and Marc Brackett, Ph.D., Director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. The Office of Student services included the Forest Park High School students to help run the symposium. Erik Del Cid, a junior at FPHS served as the MC while the FPHS JROTC presented the colors.
“I’ve seen a lot of color guards at events such as this, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen one quite as sharp as Forest Park’s JROTC,” commented Teresa Gooch, Division Director, Law Enforcement and Security Service at DCJS.
DJCS, working through the Virginia Center for School and Campus Safety hosts school safety symposiums around the Commonwealth. PWCS was honored to have this event here in Prince William County. The event was well-attended by the senior administration, representatives from DCJS and neighboring school divisions. Also in attendance were Potomac District School Board Representative Betty Covington and Chairman of the Prince William Safe Schools Advisory Council, Tim Singstock.
“The Safe Schools Symposium held at Forest Park High School today was a big success. I commend our Student Services Department for sponsoring this wonderful event,” said Betty Covington about the event.
Speaking about the event, Tim Singstock noted that he is “happy to see the collaboration between PWCS and the Commonwealth of Virginia on school safety. This is definitely a community priority.”
Carolyn Custard, Director of the Office of Student Services closed the event with an overview of Student Services, awards and a student spotlight. Look for more collaboration between the Virginia Center for School and Campus Safety and PWCS on school safety in the coming school year.
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Prince William County’s plans for an indoor sports complex in Woodbridge face a significant shift following this week’s decision by the Board of County Supervisors to allocate $250,000 for a consultant to determine the best use for the site. The 21.85-acre property near I-95 and the state’s most enormous commuter lot, the Horner Road lot, had been the centerpiece of a proposal to build a large indoor recreation facility to attract travel teams and host major events like graduations.
The property, once proposed as the location for a large indoor sports and recreation facility, is now part of a broader development plan. County officials aim to aggregate the land with four adjacent parcels, totaling nearly 50 acres of county- and state-owned land, including existing commuter parking lots. The mission is to transform the area into a community hub that harmonizes living, working, and leisure spaces while generating jobs and tax revenue.
Known colloquially as Prince William Landing, the area was previously considered as a potential site for a new Washington Commanders football stadium alongside another location near Potomac Mills mall. Both sites were discussed as part of efforts to keep the team in Northern Virginia after its lease on FedEx Field expires in 2027. However, those plans did not materialize.
According to county documents, the Department of Economic Development and Tourism, along with the Finance Department and Office of Procurement Services, is leading the effort to attract a strategic real estate partner. The process will follow the Public-Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act of 2002 (PPEA) to identify a development partner capable of delivering a project that strengthens the county’s sense of place and meets diverse community needs.
Photo: Mike Mullin By Sarah Roderick Fitch (The Center Square) – Three amendments are one step closer to being enshrined in the Virginia Constitution after passing the Senate on Tuesday….
Germanna Community College (GCC) hosted a ribbon cutting at its new Stafford expansion today, January 23, 2025. The event marked the opening of two buildings in Stafford: the Barbara J. Fried Building at 10 Center Street and the Kevin L. Dillard Health Sciences Building at 25 Center Street.
GCC was established in 1970 as part of Virginia’s Community College System and has locations in Culpeper, Locust Grove, Fredericksburg, and Stafford. The school’s website says over 13,000 students are enrolled.
The new expansion added 74,000 square feet to the campus with a $20 million investment. GCC plans to double enrollment in allied health services, like nursing. They will also expand their cybersecurity, IT, general education, and dual enrollment programs.
The preliminary hearing for Tryevon Davis, one of three men charged in connection with the fatal shooting of 43-year-old Jason Thomas Blake in Dumfries, has been delayed due to the pending completion of the Medical Examiner’s report. This critical evidence is being handled by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) Northern District office.
Davis, along with Jerrome Thomas Barnes, 40, and Jackson Arthur Crisler, 30, face charges stemming from a fatal shooting on October 25, 2024. Police said Blake had gone to a residence on Cherry Hill Road in Dumfries to sell a firearm and purchase narcotics. An altercation ensued, leading to Blake being handcuffed, abducted, and taken to a secluded area along Triangle Street, where he was fatally shot. His body was discovered two days later in the backseat of his car.
The Prince William County Police Department charged Davis, 31, of Dumfries, with accessory before the fact in the commission of a felony, conspiracy to commit a felony, two counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and abduction. Barnes and Crisler face additional charges, including murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. All three suspects remain in custody without bond.
Travel to French soil and join us for a night filled with two of the most beloved French traditions—no plane ticket required! ?
On January 25th, we invite you to experience the magic of Galette des Rois, a 700-year-old tradition celebrated across France throughout the entire month of January (and even beyond!). This sweet, almond-filled puff pastry topped with a golden crown isn’t just a treat—it’s a celebration! The lucky person who finds the fève (a porcelain charm hidden in one of the slices) becomes the King or Queen for the Day, and don’t worry—there will be plenty of royalty to go around! ??
But that’s not all! In France, Les Voeux (New Year’s wishes) continue throughout January, often accompanied by Champagne and good cheer. We’re bringing that festive spirit to you, with a lively evening packed with French food, wine, and music.
What’s in store:
Experience the passion and drama of Puccini’s “The Girl from the Golden West”.
Featuring special guest musicians from The Chesapeake Youth Orchestra,
this performance brings Puccini’s masterpiece to life with an extraordinary cast.
