Gov. Ralph Northam and the state Board of Education revealed June 27 the schools earning 2018 Virginia Index of Performance (VIP) awards for advanced learning and achievement. The VIP program recognizes schools and divisions that exceed state and federal accountability standards and achieve excellence goals established by the Governor and the Board of Education.

U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine announced $2,774,825 in federal funding to support nursing education at George Mason University over the next four years. The funding will be used to recruit, admit, and retain students interested in pursuing nursing careers in Prince William and Fairfax Counties.

Amy Aviles White, whose roots with Prince William County Schools go back to Vaughan Elementary as a fifth grade teacher and Springwoods Elementary as principal, is the Prince William County School Division’s new Associate Superintendent for Human Resources, effective July 1, according to a news release.

Wayne Mallard, retired PWCS deputy superintendent and former principal, has been named interim associate superintendent for Finance and Support Services for Prince William County Schools. He will replace Dave Cline, who is retiring after 29 years of service to PWCS.

Carol Marchant, an education law attorney currently serving as assistant division counsel for Fairfax County Public Schools, will join the PWCS Office of Division Counsel as the assistant division counsel beginning July 1. Marchant has worked in private practice and public schools as an education law attorney for 25 years.

First Lady Pam Northern will lead the effort to improve the quality of and access to early childhood education programs across Virginia, support the early childhood education workforce, and ensure that Virginia makes the most of early childhood education resources.

“This bipartisan bill will make it easier for people to receive degrees that they’ve already paid for, worked towards, and earned,” said Sen. Mark Warner. “This bill will give schools one more tool to prepare degree seekers for the workforce – equipping them with credentials that would have otherwise been left on the table."

Beckanne Sisk and Chase O'Connell, principal dancers for the esteemed Salt Lake City company Ballet West, will teach two, 2-hour master classes on Saturday, July 14 at Manassas Ballet Academy in Manassas. Both the intermediate and the advanced classes are open to all area ballet students.