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Issue 68
Friday, June 4, 2021
Prince William County
Dear Neighbors,

As noted in the subject line, we are beginning to commemorate the high school graduation Class of 2021. While I will be attending many graduations this season, I wanted to highlight my first experience at the C. D. Hylton High School graduation ceremony below.

I was there yesterday, amid the storms and rain, to watch as these graduating students were launched into the next phase of their lives. During the ceremony, I thought about the opening of Dr. Suess's book, “Oh the Places You’ll Go." “You’re off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting.” Yes, Class of 2021, you are at the beginning your promising future. The world is your oyster. In many ways, we are all starting a new chapter in our lives as we emerge from a yearlong shutdown due to the pandemic.

Last year were living in a world that was missing much of the normal routine. This season has seen the lifting of restrictions just in time for high school graduation ceremonies and I am so grateful for that. The C. D. Hylton graduation will be etched in my memory as the first of a long line of normal celebratory events I will be honored to attend. May there be many more.

In Service,
Chair Ann Wheeler
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Class of 2021
Below are a few of Chair Wheeler's pictures from the C. D. Hylton High School Class of 2021 Graduation Ceremony. As more graduations are attended over the next few days, memories from them will be shared in the next issue.
Don't Miss Out

Find the details for all PWC Schools graduations ceremonies, including links to view the live streams and read the programs, here.
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COVID-19 Updates
Upcoming Vaccination Event
Help spread the word about this great Johnson & Johnson vaccination event on Saturday, June 19, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Harris Pavilion, 9201 Center Street in Manassas. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is for ages 18 and older and requires only one shot. Pre-register here by entering zip code "20110" and vaccine type "Johnson & Johnson." Walk-ups will be accommodated based on vaccine availability.
Get Vaccinated
To schedule a Prince William Health District vaccination appointment for:
  • Adults, go to vase.vdh.virginia.gov, enter your zip code, select “25-miles” for Distance Range.
  • Adolescents aged 12-15, go to vase.vdh.virginia.gov, enter your zip code, select “25-miles” for Distance Range, and search for Vaccine Type “Pfizer.” A parent or guardian, with legal proof, must be present at vaccination and verbally attest to the age.

To find additional vaccination locations:
  • Go to vaccines.gov to find locations near you with your local pharmacies, hospitals, community vaccination, and health centers, and doctors’ offices.
  • Text your zip code to 438829 (GETVAX).
Testing Change
Following a significant decline in requests for COVID-19 testing, Prince William Health District has closed its free testing locations. If you think you may have COVID, please seek testing by:
  • Reaching out to your healthcare provider or doctor's office.
  • Searching by your location here to find local testing sites.
  • Contacting your local pharmacy to see if it is offering testing and/or now selling over-the-counter home testing kits.
For the Uninsured and Underinsured

The George Mason University MAP Clinic, at 99 Tremont St, Manassas Park, is offering testing from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The MAP Clinic will continue to partner with the Prince William Health District to provide testing to those who cannot find opportunities in the community.
Moving Forward
According to the Virginia Department of Health data, more than 50% of PWC residents have received at least one vaccine dose. Since this does NOT include doses administered through federal initiatives, like the Federal Retail Pharmacy Partnership (issue 52), the total number is even higher. Therefore, the County is making plans to transition to a long-term recovery.
The long-term recovery framework will be established using the following five function areas:
  • Resilient Economy
  • Health and Wellbeing
  • Housing and Homeless Services
  • Food Insecurity
  • Infrastructure Systems
To request a replacement COVID-19 vaccination card:

  • Email the Virginia Immunization Information System help desk at [email protected] or
  • Call 866-375-9795.
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BOCS
Next Meeting

Tuesday, June 15
at 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm

Agenda and Public Comment signup information will be in the next Wheeler Report
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County News
A Chance to Learn More and Ask Questions
On Wednesday, June 9, from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm, the PWC Planning Office, Department of Transportation, and Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism are hosting the second of two virtual public meetings. These meetings enable participants to share their questions related to mobility, transportation, and multimodal options in the county over the next two decades. This meeting will focus on the Trails component of the Mobility section of the Comprehensive Plan. Register for the meeting here.
Seeking Your Input
The community is invited to a Public Input Session on Wednesday, June 9 at 6:30 pm hosted by the PWC Department of Social Services at the Best Western Battlefield Ballroom located at 10820 Balls Ford Road in Manassas. The goal is to provide information and gain input from the public about the purchase of 7300 New Market Court in Manassas for a daytime Homeless Navigation Center (HNC) to serve adults experiencing homelessness. The days and hours of operation are flexible, based on public input.
Important to Know
The PWC Department of Public Works confirmed the area’s first positive sample of West Nile Virus from a collection made in Woodbridge on May 18. On Tuesday, June 1, Public Works applied an insecticide throughout the area, targeted at adult mosquitoes. The department will continue to monitor the area and County throughout mosquito season and respond accordingly. To learn more about the County’s Mosquito and Forest Pest Management Services, visit the webpage dedicated to this topic.
Things to Do
Looking for things to do this month? Then Visit Prince William's events calendar for June is the place for you! There is a wide variety of activities, with something for everyone! You can search by date and/or the following categories:
  • Family friendly
  • Eat & drink
  • Outdoor adventure
  • Live music & entertainment
  • History & heritage
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County Kudos
Sustainability Award

The PWC Schools (PWCS) earned the U.S. Department of Education’s 2021 Green Ribbon (ED-GRS) School District Sustainability Award. Since 2012, the PWCS Energy Management and Sustainability Team leads the school division’s holistic approach and collective effort of all stakeholders in energy conservation and environmental sustainability. The award is given to districts that demonstrate high achievement in the three ED-GRS Pillars of Sustainability:
  • Reducing environmental impacts and providing energy savings.
  • Providing healthy schools for students and staff.
  • Providing effective environmental and sustainability education.

Learn more in the fun video below.
Counseling Programs Receive Designation
Exciting news for 6 PWC Public Schools’ counseling programs! The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) designated Forest Park and Freedom High Schools, Independence Nontraditional School, and Marshall, Rockledge, and Kyle Wilson Elementary Schools as Recognized ASCA Model Programs (RAMP). Less than 1% of all public and private K-12 schools in the U.S. are awarded the RAMP designation, which recognizes schools committed to delivering a data-informed school counseling program and an exemplary educational environment. Read more here.
 “These schools used data to drive their program development and implementation so all students can achieve success. RAMP designation distinguishes these schools and encourages school counselors nationwide to strive for excellence.”
Jill Cook
ASCA Executive Director
Summer Camps are Recognized

Congratulations to PWC Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism! Its summer camps were recognized as "Best Summer Camps 2021" by the readers of NorthernVirginia Magazine! Visit here to see what it has planned this summer for ages 3-17 at 16 locations throughout PWC.
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An Important Acknowledgement
Pride Month
LGBTQ Pride Month is celebrated in June. LGBTQ Pride is a month-long process that celebrates the presence and contributions of the community while raising awareness of issues still facing the LGBTQ community.

The event is celebrated in June in honor of the Stonewall Riots. On June 28, 1969, police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay club in Greenwich Village, that resulted in an uprising of six days of protests. The following year, the first Pride March was in New York City. Learn more about Pride Month here.
Ann B. Wheeler was elected Chair At-Large of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors during the 2019 General Election and assumed office on January 1, 2020. Prince William County is located 25 miles south of Washington, D.C., and is the Commonwealth of Virginia’s second-most populous county with approximately 470,000 residents.