Provided by Prince William County Schools (PWCS)
Dear PWCS Families, Employees, and Community,
I appreciate your cooperation, understanding, and support this week as we dealt with the challenges related to inclement weather. I believe strongly that our students are best served in person at school to the greatest extent possible. To that end, we are excited to welcome everyone back next week as we prepare to return Monday, Jan. 10, 2022. All schools are ready to provide instruction and critical services to all PWCS students.
As we prepare to return, COVID-19 remains a challenge locally and nationally. We continue to implement a layered mitigation strategy, and there are several actions we can collectively take to lower the risk of transmission. First, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has expanded eligibility of COVID-19 vaccine booster doses to those 12 to 15 years of age. The CDC now recommends that adolescents ages 12 to 17 years old should receive a booster shot five months after their initial Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination series.
Vaccines remain the best mitigation against COVID-19. Please visit vaccines.gov for information on how to schedule a vaccination appointment. PWCS is also working with the Prince William Health District to host vaccination clinics. As these are scheduled, further communications will be sent from your school.
Second, although the COVID-19 home test kits are in short supply nationwide, we have procured a limited number of kits that will be available at each school only for students and staff currently exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19. Details on the process for securing an at-home test kit will be communicated by schools next week. We are collaborating with the Prince William County Health District to secure additional testing options. Please continue to use the self-screening tool and keep your child at home if sick.
Please remember that mask requirements remain in place in our schools and buildings. PWCS has sufficient KN-95 masks for any staff who may request one, and face masks are available for any student or visitor who may enter a PWCS facility without a mask.
I would like to acknowledge that Jan. 8 to 14, 2022 is Virginia School Principals Appreciation Week. I express my sincere gratitude to our school principals for their dedicated leadership and support of our students and families, especially as we continue to face the challenges presented by the pandemic and inclement weather, and for all that they do every day. Let’s all go the extra mile to show gratitude and appreciation to our principals.
Thank you to our entire community for your support as we continue to work together in the best interest of our students.
Sincerely,
LaTanya D. McDade, Ed.D. Superintendent Prince William County Public Schools
