The graph above from yesterday's Virginia Department of Health cases by locality dashboard, shows PWC's increase in positive COVID-19 cases. The CDC COVID-19 Integrated County View Data Tracker, now has PWC in the High level of COVID-19 community transmission. Two weeks ago on July 30, as noted in issue 76, the PWC level was Moderate. The city of Manassas is at the Substantial level, and the City of Manassas Park is at the Moderate level of community transmission.

The Virginia Department of Health states the Delta variant spreads more than twice as quickly than earlier strains of COVID-19. This variant is the top strain in Virginia and the Country and is contributing to a surge of COVID-19 cases. The Prince William Health District recommends wearing a face mask when inside public places, social distancing, and getting vaccinated. Being fully vaccinated is the best way to prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and death.

The Board is on summer recess through Labor Day.

The 2021-2022 school year in PWC starts on Monday, August 23. Parents/Guardians were surveyed and asked to make a selection for student learning preference. Current parent survey data indicates 96.4% of our nearly 89,000 students have committed to in-person learning and 3.6% requested virtual learning. For those families who have opted to have their students be served fully virtually for the school year, PWCS developed models for elementary, middle, and high school in order to provide quality virtual learning, while minimizing concurrent teaching. You can read the 2021-2022 Learning Plan in full here.

Effective July 1, the Commonwealth updated the minimum immunization requirements for children. PWCS immunization requirements can be found here. Children may be vaccinated at the Manassas or Woodbridge clinics of the Prince William Health District or other medical professionals. Vaccinations required for entrance into school are free at the Health District clinics. Please call the health clinic for times and schedules. 

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) provides additional funding to school systems to support unfinished learning efforts. The PWCS plan for recovery, acceleration, and re-engagement provides comprehensive academic, social-emotional, and mental health support in schools. The plan addresses unfinished learning and synthesizes efforts to measure the impacts of COVID-19, school closures, and sustained virtual instruction, with particular emphasis on our most vulnerable learners. PWCS designed a resource allocation process to provide additional resources, supports, and services to meet and/or exceed the specific academic and social-emotional needs of all students including our advanced learners. Learn more about the PWCS ARPA Plan here.

From January through June, 189 businesses received assistance from the Small Business Project Management Program offered by PWC Department of Development Services. Of the 189 'Certificate of Occupancy’ or authorization letters issued, 162 were identified as new businesses and 27 as existing businesses, that either relocated or expanded within the County.

Thursday, August 19, at 6:30 pm the PWC Racial and Social Justice Commission will hold its monthly general meeting. Citizens may speak in person or remotely during Public Comment Time. For in-person, you must sign-up at the location on the evening of the meeting. To speak remotely, you must sign up by 2:00 pm on the day of the meeting. Due to work in progress in the PWC Board Chambers, the location for this meeting has been moved to the Edward L. Kelly Leadership Center at 14715 Bristow Road in Manassas, Room 1101. The meeting can also be viewed live here.

Wednesday, August 18, through Monday, September 6, the PWC Police Department joins law enforcement agencies throughout Virginia to deter and increase drunk driving enforcement in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign. Drive Sober is a crucial joint effort between public and private partners working to stop traffic fatalities. During this time, the Department will continue to raise public awareness about the dangers of impaired driving by educating communities on the importance of driving sober.

While the Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1st, we’re now entering the “season within the season.” Mid-August through mid-October accounts for 78% of the tropical storm days, 87% of the category 1 and 2 hurricane days, and 96% of the category 3, 4, and 5 hurricane days. In its August 4 annual mid-season update, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) stated atmospheric and oceanic conditions remain conducive for an above-average hurricane season.

There is nothing more American than the County Fair and the Prince William County Fair is returning in 2021 from Friday, August 13, through Saturday, August 21. There is no shortage of great things to do and see for the young to young at heart. The jammed-packed schedule includes a wide range of activities from petting zoos to wine tastings. You can enjoy live music, food, rides, exhibits, as well as the traditional Grand Stand like the demolition derby and bull riding. Visit the website for gate times.

Saturday, August 14, bring your chairs, kick up your heels, and enjoy the Skystone Bluegrass Band at the Brentsville Bluegrass Concert Series. Food and beverage will be available for purchase on-site and before the concert you can tour the Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre including the Courthouse, School, and newly opened Jail Museum. Located at 12229 Bristow Road in Bristow, the gates open at 4:00 pm and the concert starts at 5:00pm. The lawn will be marked to help maintain social distancing and face masks are required when indoors. Tickets are $10 and advanced purchase is recommended. King Street Bluegrass will be performing in the three event series on Saturday, September 11 (purchase tickets) and Page County Ramblers on Saturday, October 9 (purchase tickets) .

Friday, August 13, through Sunday, August 22, the Town of Occoquan is hosting Discover Occoquan Week. Special events include a scavenger hunt, karaoke, haunted pub crawl, sunset paddling, and much more. Participate in interactive classes and free demonstrations at local businesses while browsing the town’s unique shops, galleries, restaurants, and cafes. The week culminates in a river paddle challenge, beer garden, and concert in River Mill Park.

Friday, August 13, through Sunday, August 15, the USA BMX 2021 East Coast Nationals series heads east to PWC for a weekend full of heavy-hitting racing! The family-friendly event will be held at the Pfitzner Stadium NOVA BMX Track at 7 County Complex Court in Woodbridge. Parking: standard car/truck occupying 1 parking place $10 per day / $25 for the weekend. For vehicles with a trailer or needing two parking places $20 per day / $50 for the weekend.

Of the 102 submissions, two PWC Departments were among the 30 programs receiving Virginia Association of Counties 2021 Achievement Awards! The Finance Department was acknowledged for its Procurement Office Workload Balance and the Planning Office for its Technology and Connectivity Plan. The awards recognize excellence in local government programs and winning entries focused on addressing issues of inclusion, belonging, and reconciliation that challenges counties today.

Congratulations to Evelyn I. BruMar on her new appointment to the Virginia LGBTQ+ Advisory Board. Established in 2021, the Board will act as a formal liaison between the Commonwealth’s executive branch and LGBTQ+ communities. Ms. BruMar is the Founder, President, and Executive Director of the Casa BruMar Foundation. Additionally, she serves on the PWC Human Rights Commission.

PWC has formed an alliance with Fairfax, Loudoun, and Stafford Counties to launch SportsNOVA. The regional sports tourism partnership will market the area for sports-related travel by acting as a one-stop liaison with sports facilities, hotels, attractions, restaurants, shopping centers, vendors, government agencies, and other tourism stakeholders in the region. With a focus on multi-sport and large single-sport events, the counties will work collaboratively and hand-in-hand with planners, providing support services to ensure the success of the travel tournaments and competitions.