Outstanding orchestra students from Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) at the middle and high school levels will combine their talents for an afternoon of music at the upcoming All County Orchestra program, scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 30 at Stonewall Jackson High School. The annual event gives young musicians a chance to perform challenging scores under the direction of a guest conductor.

Greg Oaks at Battlefield High School and Thomas Tutwiler at Hylton High School have been honored by James Madison University School of Music for their significant contributions to the music education profession.

Paul Rischard of Hylton High School was presented the 2015 Excellence in Teaching Award for U.S. secondary schools by the American Association of Teachers of Slavic and East European Languages.

How do you rate your child’s school and the education programs in Prince William County? Prince William County School Board wants to know. All parents or guardians of students enrolled in Prince William County Public Schools received a survey to measure satisfaction and determine how well the School Division is meeting the instructional needs of students. Replies are asked by Jan. 29.

The 2015–16 School Calendar for PWCS includes the following closings for January and February 2016: Jan. 18, Feb. 1 and Feb. 15 and half day Jan. 29 (elementary only).

In a slight change from the current calendar model, the first day of school for students will be on a Wednesday instead of a Monday; students will return to school on Wednesday, August 17 in 2016 and on Wednesday, August 16 in 2017.

Prince William County Police gave the all-clear following a thorough search of Glenkirk Elementary School building, but are continuing their investigation. All after-school student activities have been cancelled. Students may not re-enter or retrieve belongings from Glenkirk today, Jan. 11.

Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative and the Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives are accepting applications for higher-education scholarships from high school and home-school seniors who receive electricity from electric cooperatives.