2013 Superintendent’s Business Breakfast

“The State of the Schools”

October 24, 2013Dr. Steven L. Walts

Superintendent of Schools

Today’s Agenda

• Did You Know?• Providing a World-Class Education• Celebrating Success• What Is the Value of an Education?• Powered by SPARK• Excellent Schools Are Everyone’s Business• Closing Thoughts

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Did You Know Video

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Mission Statement:Providing A World-Class Education

• What does our mission statement mean?The focus is on teaching and learning,

enhanced by professional learning communities.

All students achieve high standards.Instruction is engaging and rigorous.Reading and writing literacy is taught

in all content areas.There is a sense of belonging –

including all students.

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Providing A World-Class Education• What does our mission statement mean?We support the Developmental Assets

for students.Schools and offices are inviting,

welcoming, and customer oriented.We will accomplish our Strategic Plan

by working together.

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Celebrating Success• All 10 qualifying high schools continue to

be in the top eight percent of over 37,000 public and private high schools nationwide*

• Named one of America’s 100 Best Communities for youth three yearsin a row

* As determined by the “Washington Post” - Patriot HS did not qualify, since it did not have a senior class at the time of the last award

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Celebrating Success• PWCS met or exceeded all of the annual

measurable objectives in math and reading• Divisionwide, performance in math stayed

the same or increased for all student groups• All PWCS schools are accredited (95% fully

accredited, exceeding the state)• PWCS composite SAT

scores rose eight points

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Celebrating Success• The percentage of PWCS students

earning Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or Cambridge qualifying scores far exceeds the national average

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Celebrating Success• Nearly 90 percent of students entering

our high schools now graduate on time

• The PWCS graduation rate climbed for the second year in a row and now ranks 7th highest among thecountry’s 50 largestschool systems (asreported in “EducationWeek”)

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What Is the Value of an Education?

* Income projections from the U.S. Census Bureau,

2011 American Community Survey

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Supporting Partnerships And Resources for Kids

Powered by SPARK

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• Nearly $700,000 awarded since

inception in 1999• 35 awarded in 2012-13 including the following here with us today:

– Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?– Creating An Outdoor Exploration Laboratory– Cross Curricular Book Room– From Mountains to the Estuaries– Project R.I.S.E. (Reading in Summer to Excel)– Hylton Performing Arts Center and Ballet Come Alive– I Problem Solve– Keeping Kids on the Ball

Powered by SPARKInnovative Grants

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• $75,000 provided towards online communication tool for students, teachers, parents, and administrative staff

• Contact Sharon Henry at henrysw@pwcs.edu to learn more and to advertise your business on school Web sites

Powered by SPARKSchoolFusion and Commercial Advertising

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A collaborative effort that provides technologyto students and schools in need

• Coordinated by PWCS• 2013-14 Legislative Priority • Currently in 25 school divisions statewide• Since 2010 4,400 computers provided representing a

cost avoidance of nearly $3 million

Powered by SPARK

Powered by SPARKRobotics

Participation in 2013-14• FIRST LEGO League – Elementary School

– 75 teams

• VEX- Middle School and High School – 154 teams

• SeaPerch - High School– 473 teams

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Powered by SPARKRobotics

• FIRST Robotics Competition – High School– 3 teams

• VEX IQ- Elementary School (new fall 2013)– 12 teams

• Zero Robotics - High School– 2 teams

Proudly Sponsored by…

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• FIRST LEGO League – Coles, Penn, and Triangle Elementary

competed at state level competition• VEX

– 15 teams competed in the World Tournament comprised of 44 countries

– Woodbridge High School placed third among all high school teams

– Bull Run Middle School received Judges Award for most well rounded team

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Powered by SPARKRobotics – Accomplishments

State, National, and International Awards• SeaPerch

– 6 teams qualified to compete at

the National Challenge• FIRST Robotics Competition

• Two teams competed in

FIRST World Tournament – Battlefield– PWC All-County team received Rookie All-Star Award

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Powered by SPARKRobotics - Accomplishments

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Powered by SPARK

• A public-private initiative that addresses kindergarten readiness

• Key Initiatives:• Comprehensive health and tracking of developmental

milestones• Parent education and information• Kindergarten transitions and quality early learning

experiences• Books 4 Babies

• Rachel’s Challenge• Middle school anti-bullying program

• Give the Band a Hand• Elementary school band

• NatureBridge• Middle school outdoor classroom experience

• Girls on the Run• Elementary school developmental youth sports

program

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Powered by SPARKProudly Sponsored By…

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2013 Business Partners of the Year• Please stand and be recognized• And then enjoy the video

Excellent Schools are Everyone’s Business

Apple Federal Credit Union

Fraternal Order of Police Battlefield

Lodge #43

Dollar Tree

Volunteer Prince William

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Join Us in Supporting SPARK

Powered by SPARK

A Sincere Thank You toOur Business Community

• For your contributions of time, money, and goods and services

• For supporting innovative programs

• For advocating for Prince William County Public Schools

• For helping us build our World-Class schools, the Prince William County School Board thanks you

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Closing Thoughts…

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget

what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Maya Angelou

2013 Superintendent’s Business Breakfast

“The State of the Schools”

October 24, 2013Dr. Steven L. Walts

Superintendent of Schools