Independent of the Fauquier County School Board, a parent group known as the School Support Council (SSC) has been researching the potential benefits of later school start times for middle and high schools. The SSC is composed of a parent representative from each FCPS school.

With passion, poise, and presence, six finalists in the 25th Annual Youth Oratorical Contest wowed the audience of 2,300 in the Hylton Memorial Chapel on MLK Day. Barely had students ended their speeches when the audience rose to give standing ovations, interrupting the speakers numerous times.

All Prince William County Public Schools will open two hours late due to ice in certain areas and inclement weather forecast. SACC will open two hours late.

All Prince William County Public Schools divisionwide after-school and evening activities are canceled for tonight. All after-school and evening activities including night school, GED, and adult education classes, are canceled this evening. SACC and the Next Generation programs will close at 5 p.m. School will continue to operate on a normal schedule for the remainder of today.

Experts who can take the mystery and confusion out of the financial aid process will be at Stonewall Jackson High School Feb. 7 when Stonewall and the Virginia Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (VASFAA) will host Super Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. The school is located at 8820 Rixlew Lane, Manassas, VA.

Prince William County Public Schools Superintendent Steven L. Walts will present his proposed fiscal year 2016 budget to the School Board along with the Capital Improvements Program for 2016–25 on Wednesday, Feb. 4, beginning at 7 p.m. Walts' presentation will be televised.

PWCS is updating the Strategic Plan for FY2016–20. Primary goals are unchanged, but the plan is being streamlined and updated to better serve all stakeholders. Collaborative teams of Associate Superintendents, principals, teachers, and parentsare revising benchmarks to help guide school/Division efforts and measure success.

Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC) with March 16 deadline and the Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives (VMDAEC) with Feb. 11 deadline are accepting applications for higher-education scholarships from high school and home-schooled seniors who receive electricity from electric cooperatives. Scholarship committees will look for students who have demonstrated scholastic achievement, community service, work experience and leadership skills.