Smart Beginnings Greater Prince William (SBGPW), a school readiness initiative established to increase kindergarten readiness received a significant grant of $195,000 from the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation (VECF) on Wednesday, October 28, 2015.
VECF board member, Dr. William C. “Biff” Rees, a pediatrician with Burke Pediatrics presented the grant check to the Smart Beginnings Greater Prince William board of directors. This financial investment supports quality early childhood education and healthy initiatives for young children ages 0 – 5 in Prince William County, the cities of Manassas, and Manassas Park.
Prince William County Schools Education Foundation will serve as fiscal agent of the three-year grant.
Delegate Scott Lingamfelter attended the presentation and shared, “Early childhood reading skills are vital to a child’s success in elementary school where important foundations are laid for their lifelong learning. I applaud the efforts of Smart Beginnings and fully support their work.”
“We are honored to receive such a generous grant that will support our long-range goals to provide meaningful and enriching early learning opportunities for young children in our region, along with offering many helpful resources for parents and childcare providers,” said Larry Hughes, chair of SBGPW’s l.
Hughes is the former city manager of Manassas.
“Every business needs smart, skilled employees who are well-qualified for 21st century jobs,” said Dalena Kanouse,
president and CEO of Management and Training Consultants, Inc. (MTCI), chairwoman of the Prince William Chamber of Commerce, as well as a member of the SBGPW board of directors. “The workforce development pipeline begins with young children who have a strong foundation so they begin school healthy and ready to learn.”
Delegate Scott Lingamfelter attended the presentation and shared, “Early childhood reading skills are vital to a child’s success in elementary school where important foundations are laid for their lifelong learning. I applaud the efforts of Smart Beginnings and fully support their work.” “Because a child’s experiences in the early years can impact the trajectory of his or her entire life, it’s imperative that all young children have access to quality early learning opportunities so they can reach their full potential in school and in life,” said Dr. Rees. “By advancing school readiness, Smart Beginnings Greater Prince William and its community partners will create a stronger and more educated workforce that is capable of competing in the global economy.”
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Fredericksburg City Public Schools (FCPS) has announced that all schools will be closed on Monday, January 6, due to the impending winter storm expected to bring heavy snowfall and hazardous conditions to the area. The announcement was made on the school division’s official account on X, formerly Twitter.
“Fredericksburg City Public Schools will extend winter break by one day. This means all buildings will be closed on Monday, January 6. Tuesday, January 7, will be a staff workday. Students will report to school on Wednesday, January 8,” the statement read.
The University of Mary Washington (UMW) has announced that all campuses will be closed on Monday, January 6, 2025, due to the anticipated winter storm expected to impact the region. The announcement was shared on the university’s official X account, formerly known as Twitter, on Sunday, January 5.
The message stated:
“Due to the forecasted winter storm later today, Sunday, January 5, 2025, all UMW campuses (Fredericksburg, Stafford, Dahlgren) will be closed all day Monday, January 6.”
UMW is home to approximately 4,000 undergraduate students and 600 graduate students, with campuses located in Fredericksburg, Stafford, and Dahlgren. The university comprises three colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Education, and the College of Business. UMW is known for its strong emphasis on liberal arts and personalized learning experiences.
King George County Public Schools announced that all schools in the division will be closed on Monday, January 6, 2025, in anticipation of inclement weather. The announcement was made via X, formerly known as Twitter, citing concerns for the safety of students and staff.
The message stated:
“Due to the anticipated inclement weather forecast for tomorrow, January 6, King George County Schools will be closed. Code 1 for 12-month employees (do not report). Please stay safe and warm, and enjoy the extra time at home.”
King George County Public Schools serve approximately 4,400 students across five schools, including three elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. The school division employs over 300 teachers and staff, working together to support the academic and personal growth of students in the community.
Stafford County Public Schools (SCPS) has announced the closure of all schools and buildings for Monday, January 6, 2025, due to the forecast of snow and ice overnight. This decision also extends to canceling all activities and events scheduled for Monday.
SCPS, one of Virginia’s largest school divisions, serves approximately 31,000 students across 33 schools, including elementary, middle, and high schools. The division emphasized that safety remains the top priority, urging residents to stay off the roads if possible.
In a statement posted to Facebook, SCPS said, “With snow & ice expected tonight, all Stafford County schools and buildings will be closed Mon., Jan. 6. All activities and events are also canceled. Safety is our priority—stay off roads if possible. We’ll reassess conditions tomorrow and share updates about the rest of the week as soon as possible. Stay safe & warm!”
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