In this episode, I talk with Manassas City School Board member Sara Brescia about the evolving grading policies in the school district. Listeners will learn about the significant post-pandemic changes, including the controversial 50-100 grading scale and removing the 55 minimum grade provision. Sara Brescia provides a deep dive into the rationale behind these changes, the challenges faced, and the pushback from the community.
The conversation also touches on the broader implications of grading policies on student behavior and engagement, the importance of setting deadlines, and the balance between flexibility and accountability in education. Sara shares her vision for the future, emphasizing the need for productive dialogue and the importance of preparing students for the real world.
Additionally, the podcast explores the ongoing cell phone ban discussion, with Sara advocating for minimizing cell phone use in classrooms due to its negative impact on behavior and academics. The conversation highlights the complexities of implementing such policies and the support needed for teachers.
Finally, the episode covers the dynamics of school governance, teacher retention, and establishing a School of Excellence in Manassas. Sara’s candid reflections and future aspirations for the school district provide listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the current educational landscape in Manassas City.
Tune in to gain valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities within the Manassas City Public Schools and to hear firsthand from a school board member committed to enhancing student achievement.
The Manassas School Board will vote tonight on amending the 2024-2025 school year grading scale.
The meeting will occur at Jennie Dean Elementary at 6 p.m. Board members will choose between three proposed options, each featuring significant changes from the current policy. Board members will choose between three proposed options, each featuring significant changes from the current policy.
Key changes across all three options include new language on retakes, adjustments to the weighting formula for various assessments, and the removal of guaranteed minimum grades for effort. All options require students to complete remediation activities before retaking assignments or examinations. The options differ mainly in their deadlines for submitting late work:
- Option A: Full credit for assignments completed no later than one week before the end of the quarter.
- Option B: Full credit for assignments completed within two weeks after the initial due date and before the end of the quarter.
- Option C: Full credit for assignments completed before the end of the instruction unit in which they were assigned.
The ten-point grading scale (50 to 100) will remain unchanged.
“For my part, I am grateful to my colleagues for a serious and civil discussion on this issue, and I urge any feedback on this issue to also be cordial and productive,” said School Board member Sara Brescia, who has been pushing for changes to the grading scale.
Brescia has been advocating for a review of the current grading policy, responding to concerns that it does not adequately challenge students and allows those not academically proficient to progress toward graduation without meeting the necessary standards.
Opponents of the current scale argue that it is too lenient on students and does not prepare them for future workplace expectations, where deadlines are critical. “I think the issue with the current grading policy is it allows for students to really do absolutely nothing until the end of the quarter, which in my view, I don’t know how does a student truly learn that way. If they’re not learning throughout the quarter, then they’re not going to pass their assessments, and they’re not going to learn. I think intuitively, we all know that,” said School Board member Robyn Williams.
The discussion for the revised grading scale comes after the school division introduced a 10-point grading policy at the start of the 2021 school year, when some students were returning to the classroom after the forced government shutdowns related to the coronavirus.
The current system allows students to redo assignments to improve their grades, with provisions ensuring that students who attempt to retry assignments do not receive less than a 55% grade, while those who do not will not score less than 50%. This policy aims to give students multiple opportunities to succeed while maintaining a minimum standard.
You can attend the meeting in person or watch it live online. The meeting will also be on Comcast Channel 18 and Verizon FIOS 39.
The School Board of the City of Manassas will have a Regular Business Meeting on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at 6 p.m. Please note the location: Jennie Dean Elementary School, 9601 Prince William Street, Manassas, VA.
To view the meeting live, visit https://t.co/63WvYqSCps. pic.twitter.com/tRlTJHybd7— ManassasCitySchools (@mymcpsva) July 23, 2024
The Virginia Department of Education is hosting Commonwealth Conversations to gather input from parents, educators, and community members on achieving cell phone-free education in Virginia, addressing youth mental health, and education performance. Following Governor Youngkin’s Executive Order 33, which mandates cell phone-free education, school boards will implement related policies by the end of the year, with the changes taking effect in January 2025.
The Virginia Department of Education is hosting a series of Commonwealth Conversations to give parents, educators, and community members the opportunity to share their thoughts on the best ways to achieve cell phone-free education in Virginia and address the increasing evidence of the impact cell phone and social media usage has on youth mental health and education performance.
On July 9, Governor Glenn Youngkin issued Executive Order 33 to establish cell phone-free education to promote the health and safety of Virginia’s K-12 students. Executive Order 33 directs the VDOE to provide guidance to school boards on cell phone-free education policies and procedures. School boards will establish local cell phone-free education policies and procedures before the end of this year.
Parents, educators, and interested community members are invited to attend a Commonwealth Conversation and discuss their expectations for the upcoming policy changes that will take effect in January 2025. Below is a list of the upcoming conversations being held throughout the Commonwealth:
Manassas – July 18, 2 – 3:30 p.m.
Osbourn High SchoolFredericksburg – July 30, 9 – 10:30 a.m.
James Monroe High School-Virginia Department of Education
Principal Mike Pflugrath, who has led Osbourn High School for the past five years, announced his retirement. This marks the end of a distinguished career in education and leadership. Osbourn High School, the only high school in Manassas, has seen significant growth and success under Pflugrath's leadership.
Pflugrath's career began in the military, serving as an Army officer from 1992 to 1996. During his service, he held the position of Platoon Leader and was deployed to Cuba, Panama, and Somalia, earning awards for valor in combat. Following his military service, he transitioned into education, inspired by his high school coach and chemistry teacher, Tom Casey. Pflugrath started as a history teacher and boys’ basketball coach at Woodson High School in Fairfax County. His coaching prowess earned him district and region Coach of the Year honors, with his team winning the district championship in 2005.
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The School Board wants to keep it, but the City Council wants it gone.
On Monday, May 13, 2024, Manassas City Council voted unanimously to approve a new alternative condition to the special use permit application for the existing Jennie Dean Elementary School building, rendering the building ineffective and to be demolished following the new construction.
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School may not even be out for the summer, but some in the community are already planning what children will need when they return to class in August.
The Prince William County Community Foundation (PWCCF) is gearing up for its fourth annual Back-to-School Community Event, anticipated to attract as many as 8,000 attendees, a significant increase from last year’s 6,000. This year’s event, scheduled for August 3, 2024, at Unity Reed High School near Manassas, will feature a substantial giveaway of over 3,000 backpacks filled with school supplies, up from 2,500 last year.
In a continued partnership, Sentara Health, through its Sentara Cares initiative, is contributing $25,000, marking its second year as the signature sponsor. This sponsorship extends beyond the event itself, supporting ongoing vaccine clinics in Prince William County Schools, which will run throughout the summer to ensure that students receive the necessary immunizations before the new school year begins.
Dr. Vanessa Gattis, founder, president, and CEO of the PWCCF, and a retired Army civil affairs veteran, highlighted the growth in community engagement. “Each year, we see more businesses and organizations step forward to support our mission. This not only helps us reach more families but also enhances our service offerings like the vaccine clinics and our food security programs,” she said.
Last year, PWCCF’s Combating Hunger on Wheels program, also known as the “CHOW Wagon,” celebrated a milestone by distributing its 10 millionth meal in the county. The foundation, known for its broad support of local public schools, veterans, seniors, and the homeless, continues to expand its outreach and impact.
Dr. Gattis emphasized the event’s holistic approach to community support: “It’s about more than just backpacks. Our goal is to prepare children for a dynamic year ahead in school, equipped not only with the necessary supplies but also with good health ensured through our vaccination efforts.”
Community members wishing to contribute can donate supplies to help stuff the backpacks or volunteer at the event. Details on donation drop-off locations and volunteer opportunities are available on the PWCCF website.
This year’s Community Back to School Event will be held on Saturday, August 3, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Unity Reed High School near Manassas.
Manassas City Public Schools has released recommendations for the 2024-2025 academic calendar. These recommendations focus on optimizing professional development opportunities for teachers while maintaining instructional integrity for students.
Under the guidance of Katy Keegan, Director of Professional Learning, and Dr. Ed Stephenson, Director of Instruction, the division proposes a broad range of professional learning needs across grade levels. For grades K-6, the emphasis is on literacy, including the Science of Reading through Canvas courses, new intervention programs, and individualized reading plans for grades K-3.
Additionally, unpacking new English Language Arts (ELA) and math standards, differentiated instruction, cooperative learning structures, ST Math, behavioral supports, and new teacher workshops are prioritized.
According to school division documents, grades 7-8 and 9-12 share similar needs. They focus on maximizing instructional time, unpacking new standards, differentiated instruction, advanced academics, and collaborative teaching. Across all grade levels, there is a significant focus on professional development in literacy, math, and behavioral support, as well as practical instruction and assessment strategies.
The calendar recommendations for the upcoming academic year include labeling all student holidays, except parent-teacher conferences, as Professional Days. This aims to dedicate more time to addressing the identified professional learning needs. Additional changes include moving certain holidays to align better with professional development schedules, shifting early release days to Wednesdays, and adding four more early release days throughout the year.
Two options are proposed for the placement and structuring parent-teacher conferences and other holidays, each maintaining the required number of instructional and teacher days. Option A suggests keeping parent-teacher conferences on an early release day. At the same time, Option B proposes making parent-teacher conferences a full day off for students, adjusting the professional day schedule, and extending winter break to accommodate these changes.
Both options ensure that the allotted time for professional learning and collaborative planning remains consistent with current levels, ensuring teachers have adequate time for individual and collaborative professional development. The Professional Learning team is tasked with developing guidelines to allow schools and departments to build a year-long schedule that meets or exceeds the current calendar’s minimum hours for professional learning and collaboration.
The school board will hear the proposal at its next meeting, Tuesday, April 9, 2024, 6 p.m., at Jennie Dean Elementary School, 9601 Prince William Street in Manassas.
Kimberly Jones, a reading support teacher at Baldwin Intermediate School in Manassas, has been named the 2024 Mary V. Bicouvaris Teacher of the Year for the school division. Jones, who has been teaching for 12 years and is in her second year at Manassas City, expressed her gratitude for the recognition.
“Earning this recognition is an incredible honor,” Jones said. “It represents my dedication and hard work in education and validates my passion for teaching and fostering student success.”
When asked why she thought she was honored, Jones attributed it to her daily commitment to her students. “I struggle to express why I was selected because I come to school every day with one purpose: to work with children and help them grow,” she said. “Teaching isn’t about seeking recognition for me; it’s a calling that fills me with joy and a sense of purpose. Nevertheless, being honored in this way is touching and affirming.”
Reflecting on her journey to becoming a teacher, Jones shared that her own struggles in education inspired her career path. “I have had a passion for teaching since I was in kindergarten,” she said. “Even then, I used to pretend to be a teacher for my stuffed animals. However, my own struggles in education made me want to become a teacher. It all began with my third-grade teacher, who was relentless in ensuring that I received the support I needed to succeed.”
Jones, 35, offered advice to current teachers and those considering entering the profession. “I strongly recommend teachers form a positive network of fellow educators who can challenge, teach, and motivate them to be their best,” she said. “This allows them to continuously improve their teaching practices and ultimately provide the best possible education for their students. Teaching is challenging, and having a supportive network can make all the difference in navigating the ups and downs.”
The Mary V. Bicouvaris Teacher of the Year Award recognizes outstanding teachers in Virginia who demonstrate excellence in teaching and advocacy for the teaching profession. Named in honor of Mary V. Bicouvaris, the 1989 Virginia Teacher of the Year and 1989 National Teacher of the Year, the award celebrates educators who have made significant contributions to their students, schools, and communities.
Recipients of this award are chosen based on their ability to inspire students of all backgrounds and abilities, their respect and admiration from students, parents, and colleagues, their ability to play an active and useful role in the community as well as in the school, their professional development, and their leadership in improving student learning. The award is a prestigious honor in the Virginia educational community, highlighting the recipient’s commitment to excellence in education.
The Manassas City School Board and Council held a joint meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024, to discuss future plans for the new Jennie Dean Elementary School following the Board’s design approval on Feb. 13, 2024.
Council and board members met to move the process along and hopefully reach an agreement on a Special Use Permit (SUP) the School Board must obtain from the City Council before school construction may begin. Obtaining an SUP will move the decision to approve the designs and construction to the Planning Commission and then the City Council for a vote.
The meeting began with School Board Chair Suzanne Seaberg fielding questions from the Council about the approved design plan, E-2.5, including the size of the open field and the ability to use it for regulation games.
Councilmember Mark Wolfe said he did not like the school’s design.
“I don’t like it, but I’m willing to tolerate things or swallow, but I think the other issue becomes, obviously … what happens to the old facility,” Wolfe said. “I, for one — I’ll put it out there — I do not see a scenario where I’m willing to go forward with the school, and we retained old Dean.”
This comment sparked a debate between the Council and Board members, which lasted nearly the entire meeting; some members hesitated to move forward with a SUP without figuring out what would be done with the existing Jennie Dean building.
It’s unclear what will happen with the current Dean Elementary School, which dates back to the early 1960s. Councilmember Tom Osina said he wants to move forward with the process.
“I think the discussion about the old Dean and everything is an issue that is separate from the actual building of the school,” Osina said. “We can have future discussions on old Dean and share our thoughts. … I’d like to see us treat the two as separate for this meeting just so we can get this going into the SUP process.”
Officials said tearing down the existing Jennie Dean building would not be possible until the new one was built. Some council members requested language be included that the old building be torn down within 18 months of occupation of the new construction.
“My kids were in this school 30-plus years ago. It was a piece of crap then,” Wolfe, a member of Council since 2008, said. “Every time we talked about building a new Dean, the old Dean was going away because it was so bad.”
City Schools Superintendent Dr. Kevin Newman said he was baffled about what was being asked of him now. He expressed frustration with the city, citing the district’s compromises to accommodate requests but seemingly not pleasing the entire Council.
“Well, [design 2.5] was the compromise based on the direction that was given to staff to do,” Newman said. “So, whatever we’re doing going forward … just be clear on what you want your city manager and this superintendent to do so that we don’t have to come back in here and feel like we’re being chastised for doing what we were asked to do.”
Osina asked if the SUP could get started today and have further discussions in April when the SUP gets to Council. Councilmember Ralph Smith said tearing down old Dean is not a part of the discussion.
“All these arguments that we are hearing could perhaps — are good — arguments against tearing it down,” Smith said. “But, from what I’m understanding, that’s not the issue we’re posed at this moment of this joint [meeting].”
A new Jennie Dean Elementary School has been a sticking point between the School Board and City Council for about a decade. In years past, the City Council voted to raise taxes to fund the new school because the School Board does not have taxing authority; only the Dean replacement was put on the back burner to focus on other projects, like the purchase of 8700 Centreville Road, the city’s largest private office building, to house its administration.
Ultimately, the School Board opted not to purchase the building after a heated debate with the City Council. Some councilmembers questioned the school division’s motives for purchasing the building when it had previously inked a deal with the Council to occupy the city’s old police station on Fairview Avenue, which remains empty after opening a new public safety center in Fall 2023.
This year, the City Council transferred $200 million to the school division, equating to 47 cents on every dollar the city collected in taxes. The school transfer is the largest single allocation in the city budget.
