
Stafford County Public Schools will host a dedication and open house at the Heather Empfield Day School and Transition Center on Thursday, November 5, 2009, at 6:30 p.m. The Heather Empfield Day School and Transition Center is located on the campus of Drew Middle School at 501 Cambridge Street, Falmouth, VA 22405. Please R.S.V.P. by October 23rd to Emily Perry, 540/658-6505 or e-mail eperry@Staffordschools.Net. For complete information regarding the dedication, please read Press Release #PR0913.
An information session for eighth grade families and other high school students and families interested in the International Baccalaureate program at

All Stafford County schools and offices will close at the end of business on Wednesday, December 23, 2009, and remain closed through Sunday, January 3, 2010. Public services will not be available during this time. Scheduled activities (such as athletic events or building use authorized for outside organizations) will continue as previously scheduled.
Students and staff will report back to school on Monday, January 4, 2010. New residents wishing to enroll a student should contact the registrar at the appropriate school for an appointment on January 4, 2010. The attendance zone listing for the schools and registration requirements may be found using the links below.
Winter Break for students begins with an early release on December 22, 2009, and students report back to school on Monday, January 4, 2010.

Stafford County Public Schools continues to work closely with the Rappahannock Regional Health Department and the Virginia Department of Education and Department of Health to remain current on the status of the H1N1 Influenza. Please take a few minutes to review the information on this webpage to inform you as a parent on what Stafford Schools is and will be doing in relation this flu and how you can help us keep the flu out of the schools. Click here for more H1N1 Information ...
UPDATE...UPDATE.....UPDATE.....
The following dates and places have been set for the initial H1N1 influenza vaccine clinics in Stafford County. The time will be 5 to 8 p.m. on each of these days. These dates are dependent upon the Health Department distributing the vaccines to the schools by these dates and are subject to cancellation.
Monday October 26, at Mountain View HS
These clinics will be first come, first served. The staff can vaccinate up to 600 people during each clinic. Parents should be in line with their children at 5 p.m. Please do not come onto school property before 3 p.m. as this will disrupt the school day. Lines will not form before that time.
Your assistance is needed in identifying students with federal connections that qualify for the Impact Aid federal grant program. This process helps ensure Stafford County Public Schools qualification for and level of Federal Funding for providing K through 12 educational services. More information on Impact Aid.

UPDATE
2nd Vaccines for students ages 9 and under are not being released at this time. Further questions about this topic should be directed to the Health Department.
Stafford County Public Schools continues to work closely with the Rappahannock Regional Health Department with the availability of vaccines and/or clinics. Please click here for H1N1 information and updates regarding future H1N1 vaccine clinics.
Independent Study Affirms Correct Accounting Practices
In a statement to the School Board, Superintendent David Sawyer expressed that "based upon my review of the results, Stafford County Public Schools made no payroll accounting errors and, therefore, there is no balance available that can be attributed to such errors. This conclusion is supported by the Stafford County Public Schools' General Ledger and its audited financial statements for the fiscal year in question."
"The report clearly demonstrates that the earlier conclusion reached by those examining this issue was based on incomplete and inaccurate financial analyses. Specifically, the previous review omitted or included by mistake several General Ledger postings leading to false conclusions. The details of these erroneously omitted or included entries are explicitly identified and documented in separate and distinct schedules producing what is, in my opinion, indisputable evidence of proper accounting and reporting as well as a balanced bottom line," he concluded. [Click here to view the report and Dr. Sawyer's complete comments and editorial titled "The Mysterious $6 Million".]

If you are interested in serving on one of Stafford County Public Schools’ textbook adoption committees for the 2009-10 school year, please contact Karen Duffy, Supervisor of Libraries and Elective Programs, (duffyka@staffordschools.net) or (540) 658-6000 by September 30. Committees will be formed for the following subject areas: Social Studies and Dictionaries for grades K-12.
Stafford Schools to offer opportunity for students to view President Obama's address to students
Principals, with participation of faculty members, may make available the President's speech to classes and with students, as they deem appropriate. The video of the President's comments will be available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/mediaresources/ as well as on http://www.ed.gov. C-SPAN.org will provide archived and "on-demand" viewing options and a copy will also be posted to the Stafford County School Division's website at www.staffordschools.net.
Principals are asked to publish the schedule for use of the video to their school communities as soon as the schedule is firm. Parents should be advised that if they wish to exclude their children from the experience they should contact the school in advance so that alternative instructional arrangements can be made for their children during the presentation.
First Day of School - Tuesday, September 8th.


The 2009-2010 school bus routes will be available on the MapNet website August 28, 2009.
President Obama's Address to Students (September 8, 2009, 12:00 noon)
Because of logistical issues related to the first day of school and other concerns regarding the short planning window available, members of the Stafford County School Board have elected not to have Stafford's schools participate in the live presentation on September 8th. They have instead expressed a preference to make the President's comments to students available via video at a later date. The plan and procedures associated with making this opportunity available for Stafford's students will be announced next week.
Free sports physicals will be conducted Thursday, July 23, 2009, 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m, at James Monroe High School, 2300 Washington Avenue, Fredericksburg, VA An appointment is required. Please call HealthLink at (540)741-1404 or (800)722-2788 to schedule your appointment. Please use the links below for additional information.
- Free Sports Physical Flyer
- VHSL Physical Form (Part I and II must be completed and signed by a parent or guardian.)

Looking to save money on Back-to-School shopping this year? Then don't miss the Sales Tax Holiday on school supplies and clothing on August 7, 8 and 9.
Additional information on the 2009 Tax Holiday can be found on the Department of Taxation website.

During the summer of 2009, Stafford County Public Schools will offer academic classes for new and repeat credit, and driver’s education (both classroom and Behind the Wheel). Information about the SOL remediation/test review for students, who pass a class but fail the SOL test, as well as the Jump Start program, is also included. All classes will be held at Brooke Point High School with the exception of Behind the Wheel. Please click here for complete details.

Stafford County Public Schools’ Spring Non-Writing SOL testing window opens on May 18, 2009 and concludes on June 12, 2009. School-specific schedules have been developed by all elementary, middle, and high schools to identify when students in certain courses or grade levels will be testing during the testing window.
Information about a specific school’s SOL testing schedule can be found on the school’s webpage or by contacting the school directly.
All schools will release students 2-hours early Friday, May 22, 2009. All schools and offices will be closed on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2009.

The Stafford County Sheriff's Office will be offering an informational session regarding social networks on Tuesday, June 16, 2009, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Read more...
N-STAR VDP MATH, SCIENCE, ENGINEERING, AND TECHNOLOGY PROJECT
Stafford County Public Schools in conjunction with the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC), Dahlgren Division and the College of William and Mary are participating in a program involving middle school student teams in a problem-based learning project which uses Mindstorm robots. Over 2000 SCPS students have participated since March 2005. This year, two one-week summer camps will be held on base at the Dahlgren School at the Naval Surface Warfare Center during July. There is no cost to Stafford County students.
All seventh grade students who have NOT participated in past N-STAR summer camps may apply to participate in NSTAR VDP Summer Camp 2009. Click here for additional details and application.
Link to VDOE H1N1 Influenza A (Swine Flu) Information
http://www.doe.virginia.gov/support/health_medical/influenza/

The annual Stafford Education Foundation Banquet will be held on Friday, May 1, at 6 p.m., at Mountain View High School. Dr. Russell Watson, former superintendent, and Mrs. Marion Brooks Robinson, long-time drama and American history teacher, will be honored with “Distinguished Service to Education” awards. Teachers receiving the 2009 “Innovative Teaching Grants” from the Foundation also will be presented an award during the evening. Tickets are $35 per person. To purchase, call the Foundation Office at 540/658-6708.
Stafford County Public Schools first annual “Career Night”, co-sponsored by the Department of Career and Technical Education and Stafford Education Foundation, will be held Monday, April 20 at Brooke Point High School. Check-in for registered participants will begin at 6:15 p.m. The program will begin at 6:45 p.m.
Registration is required, and is limited to 400 8th, 9th and 10th graders. Students may register online at http://tiny.cc/CareerNight2009 or by using registration forms that are available in all middle and high school counseling offices. Students will have the opportunity to attend three different sessions from among 26 career areas. Parents will be offered concurrent sessions to support them in facilitating their child’s career development. Deadline to register is Monday, April 20th.
Opening Ceremony: March 28, 2009 - 10:45 am – 11:00 am
Director: Katherine Reeves
Where: Stafford High School, 33 Stafford Indian Lane, Fredericksburg, VA 22405
Highlights
- Over 5,000 pieces of art work on display from elementary to high school
- 27 Student performances-Jazz Band/Choir/African Drumming/Strings/Drama
- Third Grade Musical Presentation

To review the Superintendent's proposed budget recommendations, click here.
The Stafford School Board approved the 2009-2010 School Calendar during their meeting Tuesday evening. The school year will begin on September 8. Tentative dates for summer school are included on the calendar. Click here for details.

At the December 9 School Board meeting, Dr. Sawyer requested the approval of the School Board to close all schools and offices on Inauguration Day, January 20, 2009. Many employees had suggested the schools close on that day to allow participation in the historic event by those who wish to do so. This day will be removed from the regular calendar in the same manner that inclement weather days are taken. A make-up day will not be scheduled unless inclement weather throughout the winter creates a calendar deficit in required classroom time.

The Stafford Education Foundation (SEF) will be awarding more than $15,000 in "Innovative Teaching Grants" to Stafford County Public School teachers this spring. The Application deadline is Friday, February 27, 2009. Additional information about the program can be found on the SEF website under "Projects" at www.staffordeducationfoundation.org.

All Stafford County schools and offices will close at the end of business on Friday, December 19, 2008, and remain closed through Sunday, January 4, 2009. Public services will not be available during this time. Scheduled activities (such as athletic events or building use authorized for outside organizations) will continue as previously scheduled.
The Stafford County School Board has announced a work session to be followed immediately by a special called meeting for Tuesday, December 2, 2008, at 8:30 a.m. to discuss the Capital Improvement Plan for FY2010 through 2015.
For complete details, please read News Release #08-32
Please read News Release #08-30 for additional information.
Your assistance is needed in identifying students with federal connections that qualify for the Impact Aid federal grant program. This process helps ensure Stafford County Public Schools qualification for and level of Federal Funding for providing K through 12 educational services. Please click on the link below for additional information and the Student-Parent Survey.

An information session for eighth grade students and parents interested in the International Baccalaureate program at
The Stafford County School Board will hold a public hearing to receive comments on the final reports for the elementary and middle school attendance zone studies on Wednesday, October 15, 2008 at 6 p.m. The hearing will be held at Brooke Point High School located at 1700 Courthouse Road.
Those citizens wishing to comment but unable to attend the public hearing may submit comments by email to PublicInformation@staffordschools.net or by fax to 540/658-658-5963 or by mail to The Clerk of the Board, Stafford County Public Schools, 31 Stafford Avenue, Stafford, VA 22554.
A School Board work session will immediately follow the public hearing if time allows. An alternate date for the work session is Tuesday, October 21.
The final reports for the elementary and middle school attendance zone studies are now available on the ES Attendance Zone Study and MS Attendance Zone Study pages.
The Stafford County School Board will receive public comment regarding the grading scale for grades 6 through 12 on Tuesday, October 28, 2008, at 7 p.m.
The public hearing will be held at the beginning of the School Board's regularly scheduled meeting in the School Board Chambers of the Alvin York Bandy Administrative Complex located at 31 Stafford Avenue, Stafford VA 22554.
Those citizens wishing to comment but unable to attend the public hearing may submit their comments in writing via email to PublicInformation@StaffordSchools.net, via fax to 540/658-5963 or via mail to The Clerk of the Board, 31 Stafford Avenue, Stafford, VA 22554.
Additional information provided in the links below:
- Key Points for 10-Point Grading Scale
- Discussion on Grading Scales (Powerpoint Presentation)

Stafford County Public Schools Presents
Funding A Place Called School:
The Future of Public Education in Stafford County
October 16, 2008, at Colonial Forge High School, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Please click here for additional details.


September 1st through September 30th ~ For changes contact your Benefits Department team members at 540-658-6000.

Virginia Sales Tax Holiday for School Supplies and Clothing - August 1-3, 2008. For more information click here.

The Stafford County School Division's operating hours for the 2009 summer months will be as follows:
All schools will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
All central offices will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
All schools and offices will be closed to the public on Friday.
The summer schedule is in effect from June 22 through August 21.
The Fridays impacted by this schedule are June 26, July 10, July 17, July 24, July 31, August 7, August 14, and August 21. All schools and offices will be closed in observance of the Independence Day Holiday on Friday, July 3.
All schools and offices will make accommodations for parents needing to meet on Fridays.
The Stafford County School Board has scheduled a Special Called Meeting on Friday, July 11, 2008, 9:00 a.m., to receive two information items regarding construction projects. The agenda for this meeting can be found by selecting the following link: School Board Agenda & Minutes
The School Board will also hold its previously announced retreat immediately following the Special Called Meeting at 9:30 a.m. The agenda will be available on the Stafford Schools' website at www.staffordschools.net.
News Release #07-71
The Stafford County Public Schools calendar for the 2007-2008 school year has been adjusted. The following changes to the end of the school year have been made:
* Wednesday, June 11, 2008, will be a 2 ½ hour early release for all middle and high school students.
* Thursday, June 12, 2008, will be a 2 ½ hour early release for middle and high school students.
* Friday, June 13, 2008, will be a 2 ½ hour early release for all students including elementary, middle and high school and is the last day of the 2007 - 2008 school year for all students.
* Monday, June 16, 2008, is no longer a school day for students. It will become a teacher workday.
The Virginia Department of Education is requesting that parents of students with disabilities complete an online survey regarding parental involvement beginning May 11, 2009. The survey will be posted in both English and Spanish, and will be available to parents from May 11th to June 30th, 2009.
Go to http://www.doe.virginia.gov/VDOE/sess and click on “Parent Survey” for directions.
If you do not have access to a computer with the internet, you may access the survey at Stafford County Public Schools, Parent Resource Center, 31 Stafford Avenue, Stafford, Virginia, (540) 658-6710, the John Porter Regional Library, 2001 Parkway Blvd., Stafford, VA 22554, (540) 659-4909, or the Central Rappahannock Regional Library, 1201 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401, (540) 372-1144.
If you wish to receive a paper survey, please contact Emily Perry in the Department of Special Education, (540) 658-6505.
News Release #07-80
May 9, 2008
Gayle Middle School opens as emergency shelter to house families impacted by tornado/Stafford Schools to operate on regular schedule today
Following damage to numerous homes in the England Run area this morning, Gayle Middle School was opened as an emergency shelter. More than 75 people have been housed in the shelter, according to School Safety and Security Supervisor Greg Martin.
School officials and cafeteria staff are at the school working closely with the Red Cross personnel and the Stafford County Sheriff's and Fire Departments.
The Sheriff's office reports that roads are passable and the damaged area is confined to the England Run area. Stafford County Schools will operate on a regular schedule this morning. School transportation officials are reviewing roads in the county that regularly flood and work-arounds will be established for any roadway that has become impassable due to flooding.
Please click here for additional information on STAT.

The Stafford County School Board will hold a FY09 budget work session on Monday, May 5, 2008, at 6 p.m. This meeting will be held in the Alvin York Bandy Administrative Complex, School Board Chambers, located at 31 Stafford Avenue. The worksession will be followed by a special called meeting at 7:30 p.m., to allow the board to take action on the Fiscal Year 2009 budget.
Please click here to read the complete News Release #07-58
Stafford County Public Schools 33rd Annual County-Wide Arts Festival will be held on April 12 and April 13, 2008, at Brooke Point High School.
Opening Ceremony - 9:45 a.m. - 10:a.m.
Saturday, April 12, 2008 - 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 13, 2008 - 12:00 noon - 4:00 p.m.
For program highlights, please click here.
The Stafford County School Board will hold a budget work session to discuss reductions to the FY09 school budgets on Thursday, April 10, 2008, at 4 p.m. The work session will be followed by the school board’s teacher roundtable at 6 p.m. A special called meeting will follow at 7:30 p.m. The work session and meeting will be held in the School Board Chambers of the Alvin York Bandy Administrative Complex. The roundtable will be held in the Professional Development Center, Room 16.
Please click on the links below to view the Agenda and complete Press Release.

For information regarding the School Board's calendar, contact Clerk of the Board, Cathy Torkos, at 540.658-6630.
The Stafford County School Board will present their approved FY09 School Budgets to the Stafford County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, March 18, 2008, at 1 p.m. during the Board of Supervisors regular meeting. The meeting will be held in the County Administrative Building, Board Chambers, located at 1300 Courthouse Road in Stafford. Please click here for complete details of Press Release #07-51.
Stafford County Public Schools hosts regional Technology Student Association Competition, March 15, 2008, at Mountain View High School. For more information, please see Press Release #07-50.
IGNITE (Inspiring Girls Now In Technology Evolution) will be held on Monday, March 10, 2008, 7:00 p.m., at Stafford Middle School. More...Press Release 07-45.
The Stafford Career and Technical Academy, called Stafford Academy for Technology (STAT) will focus on information technology, mathematics and engineering with instruction provided at three locations – Brooke Point High School, North Stafford High School, and Stafford High School.
The International Baccalaureate Information Night at Mountain View High School has been rescheduled for Tuesday, January 22 at 7 p.m.
The Stafford High School performance of The Sound of Music has been rescheduled for Tuesday, January 22. Dinner is at 5 p.m. and the show will start at 7 p.m. All other shows will continue as scheduled on Friday and Saturday, January 18 and 19.
Public Notice of Stafford County School Board and Advisory Committee Meetings
For complete details, please read News Release #07-30 ![]()

THE IB INFORMATION SESSION AT MOUNTAIN VIEW HIGH SCHOOL RESCHEDULED!
An information session for eighth grade students and parents interested in the International Baccalaureate program at Mountain View High School will be held in the auditorium on Tuesday, January 22, 2008, 7:00 p.m. Please click here for additional details.
To learn more about the International Baccalaureate program you can visit the web at www.mountainviewhs.net or IB directly at www.ibo.org.
All schools and division offices will close at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, December 21st and will remain closed until 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 27th. Schools and offices will be closed on Monday, December 31st and Tuesday, January 1st.
Please read News Release #07-27 for December events for Stafford County School Board and Advisory Committee Meetings.
For complete details of meetings and activities for November and December, please see News Release #07-25.
All Stafford County Schools and Offices are closed for the Thanksgiving Holiday beginning at noon on Wednesday, November 21. All schools and offices will reopen on Monday, November 26.
There is no school for students on Wednesday (November 21), Thursday (November 22) or Friday (November 23).
6:30 – 6:45 P.M. General Session for All Parents in the auditorium
6:50 - 7:20 P.M. Session I
7:25 – 7:55 P.M. Session II
The following sessions will be offered:
- Elementary to Middle School Transition and Focus Services
- Is My Child Gifted? The Identification Process
- Delivery of Services for Highly Able and Gifted Learners at the High School Level
- The Social and Emotional Sides of Being Gifted: Elementary and Middle School
- Focus Art -- Identification and Services, Grades 4-12
- Odyssey of the Mind
- Commonwealth Governor’s School Application Process
If you need directions or have questions, please call the Office of Accelerated Programs at 658-6680. We hope to see you at Drew Middle School on November 15!
All Stafford County Public School football games scheduled for this evening (Friday, October 26, 2007) have been postponed. All field hockey games except Colonial Forge High School vs. Riverbend have been postponed. The Colonial Forge/Riverbend game will be played as scheduled at Liberty High School.
Please contact the hosting school's athletics director for information on rescheduling of events.
October 22, 2007, 6:00 p.m., School Board Chambers, 31 Stafford Avenue
The School Board will meet with Stafford County Public Schools' PTO/PTA representatives to receive their input on budget issues and priorities for the Fiscal Year 2008-2009.