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Following in Prince William County’s and Manassas City’s footsteps, Fredericksburg City Public Schools (FCPS) will be completely virtual in the fall.

During its June 23 meeting, the Fredericksburg City School Board unanimously approved a plan to begin the school year with 100% virtual instruction for at least the first nine weeks of the year, beginning August 17 and ending October 16. All students will be participating in this plan, even those who are English-language learners and participate in alternative education programs.

The plan comes after the city’s school board changed course, having initially proposed a hybrid model in which students would attend school both in-person and online various days during the week.

“Staff considered all the uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic and examined healthy facility and transportation preparedness and sustainability. Based on that review, they recommended delaying face to face learning until such time building and transport will be in optimal conditions for students and staff,” said Dr. Marcie Catlett, Superintendant of Fredericksburg City Public Schools.

“We want our children in the building, we want to teach them, but we also have to balance a myriad of things, and I think this is the way to go. We love your children here in Fredericksburg, we want to serve them, and we think this is the best way to serve our student population,” said At-Large school board Jarvis Bailey.

While it is unknown if the school division will transition back to in-person learning, students will still receive the same amount of teacher-directed instruction, videos, independent practice, performance tasks, special-area classes, and enrichment opportunities virtually, according to the school division’s return to learning plan.

“Through our instructional plan, I am confident that our teachers… are going to do a fantastic job educating our students however they reach them,” said Ward 2 school board member Katie Pomeroy.

Students will participate in virtual education through the learning management system Canvas which allows teachers to create/grade assignments, conduct tests, and create lessons.

In addition to learning through Canvas, the grading system will be “redesigned in order to be equitable to all students regardless of their access to technology or other non-academic factors,” according to the school division’s return to learning plan.

For students who have unreliable or no access to the internet and/or a device, FCPS will be providing internet access to air-conditioned school buses, and students can request to utilize their school’s computer lab.

“The same wonderful staff that has put together this plan is still working to make sure that all of our students are reached, and that all of our students have what they need to succeed,” said At-Large school board member Jannan Holmes.

To ensure that all students understand how to use the platform and conduct their online learning, FCPS students will be required to attend “distance-learning training” with a parent/guardian during the week of August 17-28. The training will be socially distanced, and all those attending the training sessions will require a health screening and a face mask.

“Training sessions will cover basic use of Canvas, teacher contact information, and distribution of any resources that may be needed during distance-learning days,” stated the school division’s return to learning plan.

More information on the new learning plan can be found here.

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Raymonde Yvette Holcomb

Raymonde Yvette Holcomb, 93 years of age, passed away on Wednesday, July 15, 2020 at Harbor Chase in Woodbridge, Virginia following a long illness.

Rae was born on May 15, 1927 in Fez, Morocco to the late Fernand and Marie Josephe Marlaud. She was an only child and a citizen of France.

She met her beloved husband Charles Edward Holcomb, Major USMC RET in Rabat, Morocco and they subsequently married on August 12, 1955. Ray enjoyed flower arranging, knitting, nature and traveling throughout the US. Her favorite occupation, however, was spending time with her family. She was charming, full of energy and loved to laugh, especially when teased.

Rae leaves to cherish her memory three daughters Mary Board, Jackie Jerome and Terrie Kreiner and their husbands Terry, Steve and Mike. She leaves behind 6 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

A private family service will be held on Monday, July 27, 2020. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Wounded Warriors Project.

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The Stafford Regional Airport plans to begin construction on a 1,000-foot extension to its already existing 5,000-foot by 100-foot paved runway in early or mid-September.

This project has been in the works since 2007, and the Stafford Regional Airport Authority (SRAA) opened bids for a contract on June 9. The winning bidder was Fredericksburg based Henderson Construction Company, which made a bid of just over $3.4 million for the project.

After the bid was accepted, the airport filed an application for a grant with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) with a deadline for submission of June 15. That airport met the deadline and the authority was informed by the FAA that they would receive a grant budget of $5.7 million.

The airport obtained permits from both the FAA and the Virginia Department of Aviation that cost $1.3 million and $112,000, respectively for this extension. The SRAA spent $28,000 on the design of the extension.

The airport also had to get mitigation credits due to nearby wetlands and streams that could be affected by the construction. Two credits were purchased from local wetland and stream mitigation banks for $221,100, valued at $110,000 per credit.

The airport also spent $369,000 on mitigation for stream impacts that will be purchased through the Nature Conservancy Trust Fund.

SRAA member Hank Scharpenberg has been on the board since 2007 and was a huge force in pushing for this runway extension.

“By having this extension we can attract different planes to the airport, specifically more business flights that could base their planes here in Stafford which means more revenue for the airport in terms of hanger fees and fuel sales. This would also mean more tax revenue for Stafford County and the possibility to attract more businesses to the area,” Sharpenberg said.

“The reason why we can’t bring them here without the extension is insurance concerns from those who own the planes. The insurance write-ups have language dictates how much fuel those planes can have in their tanks based on the length of the runway. The longer the runway the more likely those planes can fly out of here with full tanks to fly cross-country or across the Atlantic.

This could potentially lead to more services down the road such as commuter flights and having our own onsite emergency fire squad.”

 

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Are you in the mood to celebrate the end of the week with some tequila? Come down to Sedona Taphouse today!

Sedona Taphouse posted on its Twitter about trying the Prickly Pear Margarita to celebrate National Tequila Day in style. The taphouse recommends trying its handcrafted guacamole on the side for a perfect pairing.

The Prickly Pear Margarita is made with pears, Jose Cuervo, and fresh juices.

Sedona Taphouse locations in Virginia include Colonial Heights, Fredericksburg, Glen Allen, Midlothian, and soon Chantilly will be added to the list.

Potomac Local has created a mission to help out businesses during the pandemic. If you are a business owner and would like us to consider posting about your establishment, please tweet us @PotomacLocal.

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Charlie Davis III, 28, of Dumfries was stabbed to death outside of a Woodbridge night club early this morning.

Police were called to the Babylon Cafe at 3081 Golanski Boulevard at 2:13 a.m. for a report of a stabbing. They found the victim suffering stab wounds and then called for an ambulance to take him to a local hospital where he later died, police said.

Davis III was stabbed during a fight that broke out in the parking lot after the club had closed. Those involved in the fight fled the scene after Davis III was stabbed, police said.

No arrests have been made.

Anyone with information regarding this homicide is asked to contact the Prince William County Police Department tipline at 703-792-7000 or submit a webtip to: pwcgov.org/policetip

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Three students from Woodbridge High School helped their classmates throughout the year and to repay them, Walden University gave them surprise gifts to help shape their future.

A video produced by the for-profit university catering to working adults features the story of three seniors who were recognized by Walden University for their work to support Washington, D.C.- Area Students Graduating During the pandemic.

Donovyn James was looking forward to performing in his last musical and concerts before the pandemic hit and shortened the school year. James showed in the video sent to us that he only had an iPad and headphones to create the music he has a passion for.

“You got to work well with what you have,” James stated in the video.

James’ mother stated how she had struggled for a long time to get pregnant with James and now that many years later, he has missed out on his last prom that she wished she could see him have.

“To not be able to see him enjoy his last prom or graduation, it was very disheartening.”

When all seemed lost, James received a letter from Walden University thanking him for his impact on the community and how they would like to repay him with a gift that would help his future. Walden University gifted James a new laptop to produce and perform music along with a new microphone, headphones, and a gift card for other musical equipment.

“It’s not everyday where something really spectacular happens to me and ends up making me feel special. So yeah, I feel pretty honored,” James said.

Ava Pumpelly was another student who had a big passion for creating in high school. Pumpelly was the one who was behind the scenes of other student’s lives by taking pictures and making videos on her phone.

With Pumpelly’s family, her parents discussed the struggles they have gone through together that have affected Pumpelly’s way of obtaining appropriate equipment for her video creating passion.

“We have had money, we lost money, there have been surgeries, and unexpected health issues,” her father stated.

Pumpelly received a letter from Walden University, thanking her for all her positive impact on the students around her during her high school career. To repay her efforts, Walden University gifted her with a new camera along with a subscription to a high-quality image and video editing software.

When hearing this news, Pumpelly tearfully hugged her mom in happiness.

Jessica Benitez was another student with big plans after High School. Benitez planned to go to Marymount University to study Human Rights and Sociology on a Pre-Law track.

Benitez’s mom discussed in the video their wishes for Benitez and her future.

“My greatest dream is that my children become professionals and that they have a better future than what we as parents had.”

Benitez received a letter from Walden University explaining that students from her school had nominated her to receive recognition from the University. To repay her impact on her fellow student’s lives, Walden University gifted her with gift cards to her college bookstores as well as gift cards to IKEA to help her pay for dorm room furniture and supplies.

Benitez tearfully read the news aloud and her mom hugged her in response to the news.

Along with awarding these seniors with gifts, Walden University also donated $7,500 to the Black Lives Matter charity that Woodbridge High School Student Senior Board chose as their most important charity.

 

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