Past Events

Recorded Family Engagement Series Sessions

The Family Engagement Series provides families with resources that will assist with their student's success. Sessions that are hosted virtually are recorded and will be shared on this webpage when they are available for viewing.

If you have questions or don't see a past event listed here, please contact Yanet Boyd, Supervisor of Family and Community Engagement, at [email protected]

Adult Education Program

Focus: Adult Education Program

Target Audience: Adults 18 and over

Date: December 13, 2023 and January 24, 2024

This session focuses on the Adult Education Program and the educational opportunities it provides for adults who wish to acquire competencies necessary for further education, employment, and personal enrichment. We offer classes in GED, English Language Acquisition, Microsoft Specialist, Workforce Preparation, and much more.

Presenter: Toi Tanton, Coordinator of Adult Education, with Prince William County Public Schools

Watch Adult Education Program Session

Career and Technical Education

Focus: Career and Technical Education

Target Audience: Students and families of middle and high school students

Date: November 9, 2023 and January 17, 2024

This session focuses on Career and Technical Education and the resources available to all students. Families will learn about Career and Technical Education program areas and courses available to middle and high school students. This will also be an opportunity to learn about Work-Based Learning experiences and upcoming events.

Presenters: Dr. Sarah Martin, Director of Career and Technical Education, and Danielle Meyer, Coordinator of CTE Workforce Development, with Prince William County Public Schools

Watch the Career and Technical Education Session

Career Pathways and In-Demand Jobs

Focus: Career Pathways and In-Demand Jobs

Target Audience: Students in grades 6-12 and families

Date: February 1, 2024

This session focuses on the Virginia careers in-demand and the multiple pathways students and families can access those industries.

Presenter: Jason Puryear, Director of the College Place, with Education Credit Management Corporation

Watch Career Pathways and In-Demand Jobs Session

Empowering Parents - Strategies for Supporting Children and Adolescents in Mental Health

Focus: Empowering Parents - Strategies for Supporting Children and Adolescents in Mental Health

Target Audience: Students in Kindergarten - Grade 12 and families

Date: May 14, 2024

This session focuses on valuable insights into identifying warning signs, empowering families with effective strategies to support their children and adolescents, and practical ways to reduce stress and anxiety.

Presenter: Jennifer Walker, Licensed Professional Counselor and Board Certified Clinical Supervisor, with Teen Talk Counseling

Watch Empowering Parents - Strategies for Supporting Children and Adolescents in Mental Health

Exploring Dual Enrollment Opportunities in PWCS

Focus: Exploring Dual Enrollment Opportunities in PWCS

Target Audience: High school students and families

Date: February 7, 2024

This session focuses on exploring dual enrollment opportunities available to high school students. The session will cover the various opportunities to earn credit, ways to leverage those credits, as well as eligibility and the registration process for students.

Presenters: Kelly Brown, Supervisor for Advanced Academics and Specialty Programs, with Prince William County Public Schools, and Lacey Faunce, Dual Enrollment Coordinator, with Northern Virginia Community College

Watch Exploring Dual Enrollment Opportunities in PWCS Session

FAFSA Demo Q&A

Focus: FAFSA Demo Q & A

Target Audience: Students in grade 12 and their families

Date: November 7, 2023

This session focuses on the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid process. Students and families will have the opportunity to walk through the FAFSA one question at a time for a pre-screening of the new form and will be able to ask questions along the way.

Presenter: Jason Puryear, Director of the College Place, with Education Credit Management Corporation

Watch the FAFSA Demo Q&A

FAFSA Walk-Through

Focus: FAFSA Walk-Through

Target Audience: Students in grade 12 and families

Date: January 9, 2024

This session focuses on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Students and families will receive a virtual walk-through of the FAFSA in a demonstration account.

Presenter: Jason Puryear, Director of the College Place, with Education Credit Management Corporation

Watch FAFSA Walk-Through Session

Financial Aid Award Letter Overview

Focus: Financial Aid Award Letter Overview

Target Audience: Students in grade 12 and families

Date: April 17, 2024

This session focuses on how students and families can understand the financial aid award package that is offered by their college of choice. Students and families will learn what to look for on award letters and what to be aware of when making a financial decision and commitment to college.

Presenter: Jason Puryear, Director of the College Place, with Education Credit Management Corporation

Watch Financial Aid Award Letter Overview Session

Gifted Education and Talent Development Program

Focus: Gifted Education and Talent Development Program

Target Audience: All students and families

Date: December 7, 2023

This session focuses on the services available to students in grades K-12 through the Gifted Education and Talent Development program. We will discuss what it means to be "gifted," and how students are identified for the program, and ways parents can support their advanced learners at home.

Presenter: Brenda Bailey, Supervisor of Gifted Education and Talent Development, with Prince William County Public Schools

Watch Gifted Education and Talent Development Program Session

Knowledge is Power, Attend Every Hour: The Importance of School Attendance

Focus: Knowledge is Power, Attend Every Hour - The Importance of School Attendance

Target Audience: All students and families

Date: March 6, 2024

This session focuses on PWCS attendance regulations and processes, the impact of missed days, our efforts to increase attendance across the division, and how we can partner with families to improve attendance and student outcomes.

Presenter: Dr. Tamaica Martin, Supervisor of Student Prevention Programs and Family Assistance, with Prince William County Public Schools

Watch Knowledge is Power, Attend Every Hour - The Importance of School Attendance Session

Mathematics Curriculum for Secondary Students

Focus: Mathematics Curriculum for Secondary Students

Target Audience: Students in grades 6-12 and families

Date: November 30, 2023

This session focuses on students' ability to apply math formulas accurately, efficiently, and flexibly. The student's ability to transfer math formulas to different problems, and to recognize when one math formula is more appropriate to apply than another.

Presenters: Shannon Miller, Coordinator of Secondary Math, and Shelly Pine, Coordinator of Secondary Math, with Prince William County Public Schools

Watch the Mathematics Curriculum for Secondary Students Session

Nontraditional Programs

Focus: Nontraditional Programs

Target Audience: Students in grades 6-12 and families

Date: December 6, 2023

This session focuses on information on the Nontraditional Programs in Prince William County Public Schools to include the Evening School Program, the ISAEP 16/17 GED Program, and the STAR Tutoring Program.

Presenter: Wendy Downey, Supervisor of Nontraditional Education Programs, with Prince William County Public Schools

Watch the Nontraditional Programs Session

Northern Virginia Community College

Focus: Northern Virginia Community College

Target Audience: Students in grade 12 and families

Date: May 23, 2024

This session focuses on information about the numerous opportunities, services, and resources designed to get you connected to Northern Virginia Community College.

Presenters: Sandra Delgado, Coordinator for Outreach, and Leilani Liguid, Coordinator for Outreach, with Northern Virginia Community College

Watch the Northern Virginia Community College Session

Parks and Recreation: Summer 2024 Programs and Youth Employment

Focus: Parks and Recreation: Summer 2024 Programs and Youth Employment

Target Audience: All students and families 

Date: March 7, 2024

This session focuses on the Department of Parks and Recreation. They will be presenting their Summer 2024 programs offerings as well as sharing opportunities for youth employment with Prince William County.

Presenter: Sara Smith, Senior Manager of Recreation, with Prince William County Government

Watch Parks and Recreation: Summer 2024 Programs and Youth Employment

Paying for College: Early Planning

Focus: Paying for College - Early Planning

Target Audience: Students in Kindergarten – Grade 8 and families

Date: May 7, 2024

This session focuses on how students and families can explore various financial preparation options. An overview of the Virginia 529 program will be provided, offering insights into college savings.

Presenter: Jason Puryear, Director of the College Place, with Education Credit Management Corporation

Watch Paying for College: Early Planning

Practical Strategies for Reducing Stress and Increasing Success

Focus: Practical Strategies for Reducing Stress and Increasing Success

Target Audience: Students and families grades Kindergarten – Grade 12

Date: May 8, 2024

This session focuses on recognizing five domains that may contribute to wellness. Learn to take advantage of routine, make simple constructive changes to your student’s environment, identify strategies to enhance social and family life, and identify warning signs and resources for educational and mental health support.

Presenter: Melissa Garcia, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Vice President of Clinical Services, with Dominion Hospital

Watch Practical Strategies for Reducing Stress and Increasing Success

Prince William Public Libraries - Student and Parent Resources

Focus: Prince William Public Libraries - Student and Parent Resources

Target Audience: All students and families

Date: May 22, 2024

This session focuses on library resources, program information, services available, and the upcoming Summer Reading Program.

Presenter: Kristen Burnham, Coordinator for Office of Programming and Events, with Prince William Public Libraries  

Watch Prince William Public Libraries - Student and Parent Resources Session

PWCS Office of the Ombudsman

Focus: PWCS Office of the Ombudsman

Target Audience: All students and families

Date: December 11, 2023 and February 15, 2024

This session focuses on the Office of the Ombudsman. It provides parents, students, and members of the school community a confidential, impartial, and informal place where they can seek assistance in navigating concerns, conflicts, and issues arising within PWCS. The people who visit the Ombudsman's office may do so for many reasons. The office seeks to empower these individuals to overcome their disputes, conflicts, and barriers by helping them to find options for the best possible resolution.

Presenter: Monique Bookstein, Ombudsman, with Prince William County Public Schools

Watch PWCS Office of the Ombudsman Session

PWCS Summer Academic Enrichment and Recovery Opportunities for Students

Focus: PWCS Summer Academic Enrichment and Recovery Opportunities for Students

Target Audience: All students and families

Date: April 11, 2024

This session focuses on the academic and enrichment summer learning opportunities for summer 2024. Families will learn about the summer offerings and the registration process.

Presenters: Laura Gast, Coordinator of Extended Learning Opportunities, and Mandy Livings, Coordinator of Extended Learning Opportunities, with Prince William County Public Schools

Watch PWCS Summer Academic Enrichment and Recovery Opportunities for Students

Relationship Skills

Focus: Relationship Skills

Target Audience: All students and families

Date: February 8, 2024

This session focuses on the importance of communication in the school setting and modeling Social Emotional Learning competencies through healthy relationships.

Presenter: Chavonne Thomas, Coordinator of PWCS Heals, with Prince William County Public Schools

Watch Relationship Skills Session

Responsible Decision-Making

Focus: Responsible Decision-Making

Target Audience: All students and families

Date: May 9, 2024

This session focuses on helping you recognize how critical thinking skills are useful in and outside of the school setting. Learn ways to teach children and others through parts of a problem.

Presenter: Chavonne Thomas, Coordinator of PWCS Heals, with Prince William County Public Schools

Watch Responsible Decision-Making

REVIVE

Focus: REVIVE

Target Audience: All students and families

Date: February 22, 2024 

This session focuses on educating students and families on how to recognize and respond to opioid overdoses using naloxone.

Presenter: Mallory McKnight, Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist, with Prince William County Public Schools

Watch REVIVE Session

Rising Senior College Application: Common Application Overview

Focus: Rising Senior College Application - Common Application Overview

Target Audience: Students in Grade 12 and families

Date: April 25, 2024

This session focuses on how students and families can complete the Common Application. Students and families will receive a walk-through of the common application and learn what can be done during the summer leading into senior year.

Presenter: Jameia Tennie, Director of Student Engagement Programs, with Common Application

Watch Rising Senior College Application: Common Application Overview

Scholarship Searches

Focus: Scholarship Searches

Target Audience: High school students and families

Date: February 20, 2024

This session focuses on students and families understanding sources of scholarships both locally and nationally. Families and students will receive key scholarship searching tips and scholarship application steps including a highlight of Naviance.

Presenter: Jason Puryear, Director of the College Place, with Education Credit Management Corporation

Watch Scholarship Searches

Self and Social Awareness

Focus: Self and Social Awareness

Target Audience: All students and families

Date: December 14, 2023

This session focuses on how parents can help children develop self and social awareness. Families will learn how self and social awareness is the foundation of Social Emotional Learning skills.

Presenter: Chavonne Thomas, Coordinator of PWCS Heals, with Prince William County Public Schools

Watch Self and Social Awareness Session

Social Emotional Learning Overview

Focus: Social Emotional Learning Overview

Target Audience: All

Date: October 26, 2023

This session focuses on introducing families and caregivers to social emotional learning and its five competencies. These competencies include self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making skills. Engaging families in social emotional learning can strengthen the home-school partnership and support students' emotional well-being and academic success.

Presenter: Chavonne Thomas, Coordinator of PWCS Heals, with Prince William County Public Schools

Watch the Social Emotional Learning Session

Specialty Programs for Elementary Students

Focus: Specialty Programs for Elementary Students

Target Audience: Families of elementary students

Date: October 9 and November 14, 2023

This session focuses on what Specialty Programs are available at the elementary school level. We will review the program offerings and discuss the application process, including deadlines. We will also discuss transportation options for students attending Specialty Programs.

Presenter: Kelly Brown, Supervisor of Advanced Academics and Specialty Programs, with Prince William County Public Schools

Watch the Specialty Programs for Elementary Students Session

Specialty Programs for Middle School Students

Focus: Specialty Programs for Middle School Students

Target Audience: Middle school students and families

Date: October 12 and November 13, 2023

This session focuses on what Specialty Programs are available at the middle school level. We will review the program offerings and discuss the application process, including deadlines. We will also discuss transportation options for students attending Specialty Programs.

Presenter: Kelly Brown, Supervisor of Advanced Academics and Specialty Programs, with Prince William County Public Schools

Watch the Specialty Programs for Middle School Students Session

Specialty Programs for High School Students

Focus: Specialty Programs for High School Students

Target Audience: High school students and families

Date: October 10 and November 16, 2023

This session focuses on what Specialty Programs are available at the high school level. We will review the program offerings and discuss the application process, including deadlines. We will also discuss transportation options for students attending Specialty Programs and VHSL considerations.

Presenter: Kelly Brown, Supervisor of Advanced Academics and Specialty Programs, Dr. Martin Grimm, Director of Student Activities Management, and Christine Good, Supervisor of Career and Technical Education, with Prince William County Public Schools

Watch the Specialty Programs for High School Students Session

Student Vision Profile

Focus: Student Vision Profile

Target Audience: Middle and high school students and families

Date: March 18, 2024

This session focuses on the new Student Vision Profile. Learn about this personalized view of students' post-high school readiness, including college and career information. The Student Vision Profile is a document that contains valuable information about planning for life after high school and making the most of their PWCS experience.

Presenter: Dr. Anaid Shaver, Supervisor of College and Career Services, with Prince William County Public Schools

Watch Student Vision Profile Session

Understanding Graduation Requirements and Academic Advisement Resources

Focus: Understanding Graduation Requirements and Academic Advisement Resources

Target Audience: Students in grades 8-12 and families

Date: January 23, 2024

This session focuses on the new PWCS course catalog, graduation requirements, and the Equal Opportunity Schools initiative. Participants will also learn about and receive updates regarding the Career and Technical Education program to prepare for the upcoming academic advising season.

Presenters: Dr. Charmelle Ackins, Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Compliance, Dr. Sarah Martin, Director of Career and Technical Education, Jane Prince, Supervisor of Secondary Counseling, and Briana Milton, Coordinator of School Counseling K-12, with Prince William County Public Schools

Watch Understanding Graduation Requirements and Academic Advisement Resources Session

Learn more about the Family Engagement Series