Monday, May 20, 2013
Manassas eighth grader Christopher Shoemaker will compete in the famed Scripps Spelling Bee in Washington DC this month.
Manassas middle school student Christopher Shoemaker will be among the spelling elite when he travels up the road to Washington D.C. for the Scripps Spelling Bee next week. Christopher, an eighth grader at Grace E. Metz Middle School, competed in the Prince William Spelling Bee on March 8 and defeated 23 other top spellers for first place. He spelled the word "Arcane" correctly for the win, landing him a spot at Scripps. City officials said Christopher lasted through 24 rounds of spelling over a two-hour period. He was recognized by Manassas City Council and the Manassas City Public School Board for his accomplishments. "It is an individual accomplishment, as well as the accomplishment of our school system," Manassas Mayor Hal J. …
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
City council adopted the budget in a 4-2 vote on Monday.
Real Estate taxes in Manassas will be a little higher when July rolls around, with city council set to finalize the adoption of its Fiscal Year 2014 budget. Manassas City Council voted 4-2 on Monday to adopt the $328,392,966 budget. A second reading of that adoption is on Wednesday. Councilmen Marc Avent and Ian Lovejoy both voted against the budget and tax increases, the Washington Post reported. The budget calls for a total real estate tax rate of $1.393 per hundred dollars of a property's accessed value—2.7 cents more than the current rate of $1.366. The general property tax rate, which is part of the total real estate tax rate, did not increase, but will remain at $1.192. Part of the 2.7 cent tax increase will go toward funding the …
Friday, May 10, 2013
The elementary school day will last 30 minutes longer and the middle school day will increase by 15 minutes, division administrators said.
Elementary and middle school children in Manassas will receive more learning time next school year, thanks to adjustments in the Manassas City Public Schools division calendar. The school board approved new start and dismissal times for all of the division's schools, effective in September and lasting the entire 2013-2014 school year. Administrators said the new schedule saves money and increases student achievement, especially for the younger ones because more time is spent learning. The schedule changes were prompted by decreased funding from the state. Less money meant school administrations had to execute a cost reduction in the division's transportation, prompting a change in school and bus schedules. New school bus schedules will be…
Sunday, May 5, 2013
The last chance to take a survey on the draft is Friday.
Friday is the last day for the to public weigh in via an online survey on the 2013-2019 strategic plan for Manassas City Public Schools. The Manassas City School Board is seeking public input regarding the draft of its 2013-2019 Strategic Plan. The draft document reflects the collaborative work of 84 people in five committees that included MCPS staff members, students, parents and the community at large. Parents, staff and community members are invited to provide feedback concerning the beliefs, goals and objectives that have been outlined in the plan. Once responses have been collected, targeted work by the committees will begin. The plan will be presented to the school board at its May 28th regular meeting for further review. The …
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Manassas City Public School students and staff will be honored on May 11.
Teachers, staff and students of Manassas schools as well as business community partners are set to be honored on May 11. The Night of Excellence is from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Candy Factory Center for the arts at 9419 Battle St. in Old Town Manassas. There Manassas City Public Schools staff will present achievement awards to their colleagues. Manassas City Public Schools Education Foundation will present scholarships to Osbourn High seniors and thank business community partners for their support. The free event is open to everyone. The Night of Excellence is sponsored by Micron Technology, Inc. For more information, visit the Manassas City Public Schools Education Foundation website at mcpsedfoundation.org. Are you planning to attend this …
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
One of Manassas City Public School's administrators will exit this summer.
Michaelene Meyer, the deputy superintendent for curriculum and instruction, will be exiting the Manassas City Public School system this summer. Meyer has been selected to lead Tazewell County Public Schools. She is expected to begin her new role in July. A note on the Tazewell County schools website welcomes Meyer. "Dr. Meyer has been recognized as an outstanding educator by both state and national organizations," the note reads. Meyer spoke with the Bluefield Daily Telegraph about the appointment. “I am thrilled to be named the new superintendent of Tazewell County Schools and look forward to working with the school board in continuing the work of improving the educational program for the students of our schools,” Meyer told the paper. …
Sunday, April 21, 2013
The program at Weems Elementary in Manassas is based on the children's book series, "Surprises According to Humphrey."
Story submitted by Amanda Wagner, a reading specalist at Weems Elementary School. On April 15 Weems Elementary School in Manassas began another, One School One Book journey with more than 175 in attendance. This exciting and rewarding journey continues with our furry little friend Humphrey and his book series with Surprises According to Humphrey. This next book in the series focuses on Humphrey’s springtime adventures and the everyday surprises of an elementary classroom. The event began promptly at 6:30 p.m. where the excitement and anticipation began even before the students reached the door. Manassas Fire and Rescue arrived early greeting students at the door and peaking curiosity with their truck in the parking lot. Our special …
Thursday, March 21, 2013
School administrators present plan to school board, questions linger about possible mandate.
The students at Weems Elementary School will be sporting the latest trend when they return to school next fall: uniforms. As administrators continue rolling out new curriculum for students to choose from, they've also been working with parents and teachers to roll out a new dress code. Librarian Rachel Kirkland presented the plan to the Manassas City School Board on Tuesday. Uniform policies are increasing in popularity, usually consisting of polo shirts in certain colors and khaki or black pants, shorts and skirts. "It promotes a cohesive culture from the top down," she said. "It promotes school pride and a feeling of belonging." What do you think of school uniforms? Is it right for our local public schools? Tell us in the comments! …
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
School board members stress necessity of new school in five-year vision.
The Manassas City Public Schools have a $106 million budget to hand to City Council, with school board members celebrating the administration's zero-based approach. Board chairman Scott Albrecht called the results "fundamental change" for the district that focuses on student achievement. "I applaud the work that has been done," he said. See Superintendent Catherine Magouyrk's budget presentation Board member Ellen Purdy was skeptical of some capital improvements included in the budget. But even Purdy welcomed a new salary structure and a new program for preventative maintenance. "Those are examples of very effective financial management," she said. The board approved the budget unanimously with a 7-0 vote. The budget will be presented on …
Manassas Police said 10 students were on the bus at the time the rock was thrown.
Police are trying to determine who threw a rock through a Manassas school bus carrying 10 children. It happened Thursday just before 5 p.m. when the bus was making a right turn on to Wharton Court from Confederate Trail, Manassas Police reports show. The rock broke a bus window and landed on a seat. None of the passengers were seated near where the rock landed and no injuries were reported. Police said neither the bus driver nor the students saw who threw the rock. No arrests have been made. Throwing a missile into an occupied vehicle is a felony offense in violation of section 18.2-154 of the Virginia Code, Manassas Police said.
Jessica Sabatino Reistad
2:29 am on Thursday, April 25, 2013
Perhaps it's politically incorrect to say this but, thank goodness! Dr. Meyers has been difficult, toxic and polarizing since day one. Good riddance. more ›