By URIAH KISER
WOODBRIDGE, Va. — Potomac Middle School and its panthers has done something it has never done before: achieve a ranking of School of Excellence in Prince William County.
The six-year-old school is home to 1,100 students and sits on Panther Pride Drive in Woodbridge, where two other schools â Potomac High and Mary Williams Elementary schools â all share the panther mascot.
But it is the students and staff at Potomac Middle who are celebrating a scholastic achievement of excellence, one they want to share with parents and the community.
âI canât take credit because I wasnât here last year, but based on last yearâs data I truly attribute the success of past leadership of past teachers, students, and success of those who were here last year. My goal is to keep it going,â said school Principal Alfie Turner, who made the transition from elementary to middle school principal in June.
Every school in Prince William County is measured in the âSchool of Excellenceâ program sponsored by the county School Board. Criteria such as full school accreditation, parent and student satisfaction, and scholastic improvements are all measured on a scale of 100 points. Those who achieve 90 or above achieve School of Excellence.
This past year, students at Potomac Middle improved significantly in reading and language arts. Itâs an achievement that especially been celebrated by the men and women who came to open this school in Sept. 2006.
âThe emotion on the faces of the staff members, especially the inaugural staff â the group thatâs been here from the time the school opened â we had teachers stepping out and saying âpraise the lord,â and you can see that sense of pride wanting to continue,â said Turner.
Something else Turner hopes will continue: parents who want to remain involved in their childâs education. Coming from an elementary school where more parents âare a little more connectedâ to their parent-teacher associations, Turner said parents are always welcome to sit in classrooms here, and many have also taken an active roll in volunteering and recognizing the hard work of teachers each month.
A total of 40 elementary and middle schools in Prince William County achieved the School of Excellence rating for the 2012-13 school year. Individual celebrations to honor these achievements at each respective school began last month.
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Magill held a handwritten sign with the words: âTRUMP IS THE G.O.A.T.â â short for âgreatest of all time.â
âJust the way he handles things, heâs a businessman,â Magill said, about why he voted for Trump. âHe wants to get rid of the corrupt government. The economy is better off with him.âÂ
Get ready for some of the coldest weather this winter as Arctic air grips our area. Wind chills are expected to plunge to dangerous levels, prompting the region’s advisories.
What to Expect
Cold Weather Advisory:
In effect from 7 p.m. tonight to 10 a.m. Tuesday and 10 p.m. Tuesday to 10 a.m. Thursday.
Wind chills as low as -10°F could make outdoor exposure hazardous.
Hereâs the latest report from the Prince William County Police:
Fatal Crash Investigation
On January 17, a crash occurred on Centreville Road near Breeden Avenue in Manassas. A 2019 Jeep Cherokee and a 2024 Suzuki motorcycle collided when the Jeep turned across the northbound lanes. The rider of the motorcycle, Nicholas Blaze Damon, 25, of Fairfax, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Jeep, a 44-year-old woman from Woodbridge, was treated for minor injuries. Police are seeking witnesses.
Armed Robbery
On January 18, officers investigated a robbery reported on Whisperwood Court in Dumfries. A 16-year-old male was approached by two individuals, one driving a vehicle. Both suspects displayed firearms and demanded property. The victim was struck with a firearm, and his shoes were taken. The suspects fled in a white sedan. They are described as males, possibly juveniles, wearing dark clothing.
Local fire departments responded to multiple incidents this week, including a house fire Sunday night on Haversack Lane in Woodbridge, where a blaze from a chicken coop under a deck displaced five people. On Thursday, a truck fire on Lee Highway in Gainesville destroyed three tractor-trailers and damaged a trailer, with no injuries reported. Earlier that day, Stafford County crews extinguished a hotel room fire at Affordable Suites of America, saving a canine and relocating affected occupants. Sprinklers and alarms minimized damage. All incidents are under investigation, and no injuries were reported. Crewsâ quick actions prevented further harm in each case.
Experience the passion and drama of Pucciniâs âThe Girl from the Golden Westâ.
Featuring special guest musicians from The Chesapeake Youth Orchestra,
this performance brings Pucciniâs masterpiece to life with an extraordinary cast.
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