SR512: Commending Featherstone Elementary School.


SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 512
Commending Featherstone Elementary School.
 
Agreed to by the Senate, February 18, 2021
 

WHEREAS, Featherstone Elementary School, which has served the Prince William County community since 1961, celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2021; and

WHEREAS, when Featherstone Elementary School opened its doors in December 1961, it served students in grades one through seven; soon thereafter, students would organize a student council, safety patrol, and choir, while the parent-teacher association taught ballet classes and held an annual carnival and parade through the neighborhoods, which featured teachers’ cars decorated for the event; and

WHEREAS, Featherstone Elementary School achieved the School of Excellence award in the fall of 2019 for meeting all benchmarks in the Prince William County Public Schools award program; the school previously received the award in 2012; and

WHEREAS, Featherstone Elementary School underwent a major renovation in 2015, adding two new wings that house preschool and kindergarten classes, an expanded library, and a beautiful gymnasium; the school also maintains a one-to-one ratio of devices per student to ensure that each child has access to technology that enhances the learning process; and

WHEREAS, Featherstone Elementary School provides many before and after school opportunities for students, including writing, art, music, gardening, robotics, and athletics clubs; and  

WHEREAS, Featherstone Elementary School supports a diverse student community with an exceptional English language learner program and many bilingual staff members; and

WHEREAS, in 2019, Featherstone Elementary School received a grant from the Virginia Tech Cooperative Extension Prince William County Unit to support its school garden; and

WHEREAS, Featherstone Elementary School has partnered with local organizations to provide unique opportunities for students, such as volunteering in food and clothing drives or opportunities for mentorship and leadership development; and

WHEREAS, Featherstone Elementary School has embraced the Ron Clark Academy House System, a dynamic and exciting approach for students to develop positive character traits; and

WHEREAS, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Featherstone Elementary School has offered virtual and in-person learning as the community grapples with the unprecedented health crisis, and it has provided free breakfasts and lunches to the Featherstone Falcon community, as well as free grocery kits containing a five-day supply of a variety of whole grains, protein, fruits, vegetables, and milk; and

WHEREAS, Featherstone Elementary School has succeeded in its mission to be a community school where hearts, hands, and minds can shape the future thanks to the hard work of its faculty, administrators, and staff; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate of Virginia, That Featherstone Elementary School hereby be commended on the occasion of its 60th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Featherstone Elementary School to express the Senate of Virginia’s gratitude for its students’ accomplishments and its staff’s support of the Prince William County community.

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 512

Offered February 15, 2021
Commending Featherstone Elementary School.
Patron-- Surovell

WHEREAS, Featherstone Elementary School, which has served the Prince William County community since 1961, celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2021; and

WHEREAS, when Featherstone Elementary School opened its doors in December 1961, it served students in grades one through seven; soon thereafter, students would organize a student council, safety patrol, and choir, while the parent-teacher association taught ballet classes and held an annual carnival and parade through the neighborhoods, which featured teachers’ cars decorated for the event; and

WHEREAS, Featherstone Elementary School achieved the School of Excellence award in the fall of 2019 for meeting all benchmarks in the Prince William County Public Schools award program; the school previously received the award in 2012; and

WHEREAS, Featherstone Elementary School underwent a major renovation in 2015, adding two new wings that house preschool and kindergarten classes, an expanded library, and a beautiful gymnasium; the school also maintains a one-to-one ratio of devices per student to ensure that each child has access to technology that enhances the learning process; and

WHEREAS, Featherstone Elementary School provides many before and after school opportunities for students, including writing, art, music, gardening, robotics, and athletics clubs; and  

WHEREAS, Featherstone Elementary School supports a diverse student community with an exceptional English language learner program and many bilingual staff members; and

WHEREAS, in 2019, Featherstone Elementary School received a grant from the Virginia Tech Cooperative Extension Prince William County Unit to support its school garden; and

WHEREAS, Featherstone Elementary School has partnered with local organizations to provide unique opportunities for students, such as volunteering in food and clothing drives or opportunities for mentorship and leadership development; and

WHEREAS, Featherstone Elementary School has embraced the Ron Clark Academy House System, a dynamic and exciting approach for students to develop positive character traits; and

WHEREAS, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Featherstone Elementary School has offered virtual and in-person learning as the community grapples with the unprecedented health crisis, and it has provided free breakfasts and lunches to the Featherstone Falcon community, as well as free grocery kits containing a five-day supply of a variety of whole grains, protein, fruits, vegetables, and milk; and

WHEREAS, Featherstone Elementary School has succeeded in its mission to be a community school where hearts, hands, and minds can shape the future thanks to the hard work of its faculty, administrators, and staff; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate of Virginia, That Featherstone Elementary School hereby be commended on the occasion of its 60th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Featherstone Elementary School to express the Senate of Virginia’s gratitude for its students’ accomplishments and its staff’s support of the Prince William County community.