Stafford County Public Schools is moving forward with the planned rebuild of Drew Middle School, incorporating extensive community feedback into the design process. At a school board work session on December 10, 2024, representatives from Spaces Design Studio of Fredericksburg and Los Angeles-based Samaha Associates presented the results of the community engagement efforts, which began in October.
The input gathered through surveys, teacher meetings, and a public community forum has helped shape the vision for the new school.
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Stafford County Public Schools Superintendent Daniel W. Smith has announced plans to host a series of meet-and-greet sessions across the county, allowing families to connect with him and share their educational perspectives. Smith, appointed last month, shared the news in a video posted to YouTube.
Smith
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The Stafford County School Board is evaluating five scenarios for redistricting its high schools, aiming to address overcrowding, transportation inefficiencies, and community concerns. The school board held a public hearing on high school redistricting at its Tuesday, December 10 meeting. The discussions, which have drawn public input, focus on balancing capacity projections with operational feasibility and maintaining community stability.
Stafford County Public Schools (Stafford Schools) is pleased to announce the 14th annual Band Together to Fight Hunger, organized by Stafford County’s five high school marching bands, raised $27,593 and collected 3,778 pounds of food this year, equating to 58,333 meals for the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank. The culminating event featured individual performances by each marching band from Brooke Point, Colonial Forge, Mountain View, North Stafford, and Stafford High Schools. Nearly 400 student musicians performed in a combined finale, led by North Stafford High School Assistant Principal Brandon Neal, showcasing unity and talent while supporting local families in need.
Contributions at a Glance:
Total Funds Raised: $27,593 (equivalent to 55,185 meals)
Food Collected: 3,778 pounds (equivalent to 3,148 meals)
Total Impact: 58,333 meals
Significant donations were made by businesses and community organizations, including Chick-fil-A, Manhattan Pizza, Outback Steakhouse, and the Student Organization for Change at the University of Mary Washington. Volunteers from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Boy Scout Troop #2220, Girl Scout Troop #15, and other groups played a critical role in the event’s success.
Community Support Drives Success
This year’s contributions reflect the ongoing community need, as many families continue to face food insecurity due to rising costs and economic challenges. The Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank will distribute the donations to local pantries and feeding programs. Since its inception, Band Together to Fight Hunger has generated over 400,000 meals for local families.
For more information about Band Together to Fight Hunger or to support the effort, contact Debbie Pickeral at [email protected]. For more information about Stafford County Public Schools visit www.staffordschools.net.
The planned rebuild of Drew Middle School in Stafford County is moving forward amid discussions about a $16 million increase in costs. The updated total is now $113 million, up from the originally approved $96.5 million in the county’s Capital Improvement Plan.
The additional costs are attributed to land acquisition, off-site infrastructure improvements, and increased contingency funding.
North Stafford High School's Choir has reached the final round of the WashFM Christmas Choir Competition! Let’s bring the title of DMV Best Choir to Stafford—your vote makes all the difference! Cast your vote now and support our talented performers. #StaffordSchoolsArts
#WASH-FM's 2024 Christmas Choir Competition | Win DMV Best Choir!!
Delegate Paul Milde (R-64, Stafford County) has introduced legislation aimed at closing a loophole created last year by HB 790, which inadvertently allowed underage students to possess tobacco and vaping devices on school grounds without facing legal consequences.
The proposed legislation comes in response to growing concerns from law enforcement and community leaders who have noted the impact of the loophole on schools and extracurricular activities. While Stafford County schools reported a 21% decrease in vaping incidents over the past year, with 23 incidents in 2024 compared to 29 in 2023, officials remain vigilant about preventing access to these products by minors.
From North Stafford High School's Facebook page:
