Manassas Park City School was selected as a recipient of the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) grant. The grant program aims to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. The purpose of the grant is to begin to serve students no later than the seventh grade and follow the cohort through high school. According to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia the objectives are to: 1) Increase the academic performance and preparation for postsecondary education of GEAR UP students; 2) Increase the rate of high school graduation and enrollment in postsecondary education for GEAR UP students; and 3) Increase GEAR UP students' and their families' knowledge of postsecondary education options, preparation and financing. The GEAR UP grant will allow for activities such as: student and family workshops on college preparation and financial aid, mentoring, professional development for teachers on social/emotional learning, increased STEM opportunities, college visits, guest speakers, scholarships and family engagement activities. The grant program runs from 2021-2028.

Manassas Park High School senior, Brayden Wence, has been named a Semi-finalist in the National Merit Scholarship Program. Brayden is one of only 16,000 students from across the nation to be named as a semi-finalist in the 67^th annual program conducted by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

Mr. Claude Legrand, Jr., Director of Bands at Manassas Park High School accepted a $1000 dollar grant this month from the GRAMMY Recording Academy in Washington, DC. The Academy contacted Legrand in the late winter of 2021 after word spread of his dedication to music in the high school. In a review of the band program at MPHS, the Academy found the instrumental program as unique and worthy of recognition and support.

Manassas Park City Schools is pleased to welcome incoming leaders in the following roles:

Ms. Tricia Williams has accepted the position of Manassas Park High School Assistant Principal. Williams come to MPHS after seven years at Colonial Beach High School where she most recently served as Principal.

Ms. Sabera Rahyab accepted the position of Assistant Principal of Manassas Park Elementary School. Rahyab joins MPCS from Fairfax County Public Schools after serving as ESOL Department Chair at Herndon Middle School.

The Claude Moore Charitable Foundation awarded Manassas Park City Schools approximately $20,000 to explore ways to expand health sciences offerings at the high school as part of the Claude Moore Scholars Program.

In a 3-0 vote at last night's organizational meeting, Ms. Rachel Kirkland was named Chair and Mr. Paul Alexander was named Vice Chair of the MPCS School Board for the upcoming year.

Manassas Park City Schools will continue to distribute meals at no charge to children 18 and under throughout the summer until the first day of school. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved waivers for local school divisions and other federal meal program sponsors to implement the Summer Food Service Program to provide meals to children in the community free of charge. The waivers support access to nutritious meals while minimizing exposure to COVID-19.

Manassas Park City Schools is pleased to announce that Mr. Charles Forrest has been named as the next principal of Manassas Park High School.

Since joining MPCS in 2002, Mr. Forrest has been a steadfast presence and influential leader at MPHS. He moves to the Principal position after serving for 10 years as assistant principal. Prior to that he served as a department chair and social studies teacher for nearly a decade, while establishing mentorship and after-school remediation programs.

Manassas Park City Schools is pleased to announce that Ms. Pam Kalso has been named the new Associate Superintendent for Teaching and Learning for the division. Ms. Kalso is currently principal of Manassas Park High School.

Manassas Park City Schools named Kelly Burcher the 2021 Teacher of the Year. Ms. Burcher, Manassas Park Middle School Choir Director, represented MPCS in this spring's Washington Post Teacher of the Year competition.

Manassas Park City Schools is pleased to announce that Ms. Jennifer Kiernan-Graham has been named Executive Director of Special Programs.

Ms. Kiernan-Graham joined MPCS in 2001 as a middle school teacher. With more than 20 years of experience in Manassas Park, her expertise in Special Education and support programs will offer continued support and advocacy for the MPCS community.

Manassas Park City Schools is pleased to announce that Ms. Marta Craighill has been named the new assistant principal of Cougar Elementary School.

Ms. Craighill has served the students and families of Manassas Park City Schools for more than 17 years. With a career dedicated to the development of language acquisition and leadership development, her experience and enthusiasm will positively support the students and staff of Cougar Elementary.

Dr. Melissa Saunders was appointed as the next superintendent of Manassas Park City Schools at tonight's school board meeting. Her new position will be effective July 1, 2021. Saunders has 28 years of experience working in public education. She has served as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, and director of curriculum and instruction in Loudoun County and Manassas City, Virginia and in Pennsylvania and Delaware. Since 2016, she has served as the executive director of student achievement for Manassas City Public Schools.

After a nationwide search which generated a strong number of highly qualified candidates, the Manassas Park City School Board has identified the candidate who best meets the criteria and qualities to serve as the school division's next superintendent.

At the April 8, 2021, Special School Board meeting, the School Board will appoint the new superintendent to replace Dr. Bruce McDade upon his retirement on June 30, 2021. The meeting will begin at 5:59 pm with a public vote and announcement of the individual selected.

The meeting will be broadcast on Comcast Channel 18, Verizon Channel 42, and on the MPCS YouTube Channel at https://youtu.be/s77ApYVY0FA.

The Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA) assisted the school board with the superintendent search process.

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Effective immediately, Manassas Park City Schools will be serving meals at no charge to children 18 and under. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved waivers for local school divisions and other federal meal program sponsors to implement the Summer Food Service Program to provide meals to children in the community free of charge to both in person and virtual students through June 30, 2021. The waivers support access to nutritious meals while minimizing exposure to COVID-19.

Meals will be provided at distribution sites on a first come, first served basis at the following dates, times and locations:

Effective immediately, Manassas Park City Schools will be serving meals at no charge to children 18 and under. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved waivers for local school divisions and other federal meal program sponsors to implement the Summer Food Service Program to provide meals to children in the community free of charge February 2021. The waivers support access to nutritious meals while minimizing exposure to COVID-19.

Manassas Park City Schools last week presented its language acquisition program to school boards statewide. The program was among those recognized nationally by the National School Boards Association (NSBA) this year for its innovation and creativity in helping increase student achievement.

NSBA's Magna Awards program recognizes school division innovation and creativity in increasing student achievement. One of five first place winners nationwide in the under 5,000 students category, MPCS's language acquisition program was selected because of its ability to provide a diverse set of teaching strategies to provide each student with a personalized language acquisition plan.

Manassas Park City School Board last night unanimously in a 4-0 vote approved a return to virtual instruction for all students and a revised rollout to a hybrid model of teaching and learning.

All students will return to a virtual learning environment on Monday, November 23, 2020.

Manassas Park High School seniors Mohini Gupta and Nathan Lam have been named Commended Students in the 2021 National Merit Scholarship Program.

Last night, the Manassas Park City School Board unanimously approved a tentative, conditions-based rollout to a hybrid model of teaching and learning. In a 4-0 vote (with one absence), the Board approved return dates that will collectively delay should conditions warrant a revised start date for any school or grade.