August 24, 2025

We’ve had an incredible first week at Unity Reed High School, laying the foundation for a year filled with growth, connection, and achievement. Our students have truly impressed us with their positive attitudes and strong start—especially in embracing our wireless device policy. It’s been refreshing to see them fully present, engaging with one another, building relationships, and participating in team-building activities without the distraction of phones.

Throughout the week, students and staff focused on establishing routines, fostering a welcoming environment, and getting to know one another. Our seniors are enjoying the new Senior Lounge, and students across all grade levels are making the most of their lunch periods—talking, laughing, and building community face-to-face.

We’re also excited to share that students already got to enjoy our brand-new pickleball court.

In addition to these highlights, we held Class Assemblies, conducted a successful fire drill, and practiced our tardy sweep procedures to ensure a safe and smooth school day for everyone. Our 12th Graders also enjoyed their Senior Sunrise on the stadium to kick off their last year of High School.

It’s been inspiring to see our students show up with enthusiasm, kindness, and a spirit of inclusivity. We’re looking forward to all the amazing moments ahead!

This Week’s Updates Include:

📅 Back to School Night - Please join us this Thursday night from 5:30 - 8:00pm.
📞 New Automated Phone System Menu
🏈 Athletics Updates - How to purchase game tickets!

🌎 Virginia Naturally School Recognition
✅ Updated Attendance Procedures
📵 PWCS Cell Phone & Wireless Device Policy
⏰ Tardy Sweeps
...and much more!

• August 26: Volleyball Home Game vs. Manassas Park (JV @5:45, Varsity @7pm)

• August 28: Back to School Night 5:30 - 8:00PM

• August 29: NO SCHOOL

• September 1: NO SCHOOL

• September 2 & 3: Senior Portraits (book appointment here)

• September 5: Football Home Game vs. Stafford HS @7pm)

• September 13: Save-the-Date: Senior (12th Grade) Student-Parent Breakfast

To help streamline calls and reduce wait times, we’ve launched a new automated phone system. Here are the menu options for your convenience:

• Press 2 – to hear the menu in Spanish
• Press 3 – Attendance
• Press 4 – Parent Liaisons
• Press 5 – Counseling & Registrar
• Press 6 – School Nurse
• Press 7 – Athletics & Activities
• Press 0 – All other inquiries

We invite you to our Back to School Night and Title I Annual Meeting next Thursday, August 28, from 5:30 – 8:00 PM. Our Title I Annual Meeting will take place in the auditorium at 6:00 PM; Spanish interpretation will be available. The Title I Annual Meeting is an opportunity for families to learn about our school's vision, mission and continuous improvement goals for 2025-26, our Title I parent and family engagement policy and school compact, important school contact information, and more!

• Activity Fair from 5:30 - 6:30pm
• Welcome address by Mrs. Polanco and Title I Annual Meeting at 6:00 pm
• Class rotations to meet your student's teachers between 6:30-8:00 pm
• Interpreters on every floor

Science teachers Rich Smith and Jess Hruska have been instrumental in leading Unity Reed High School’s Environmental Sustainability program. Thanks to their dedication—and the outstanding efforts of our students—Unity Reed HS has been officially recognized as a Virginia Naturally School for the 2024–2025 academic year, earning our Year 1 badge!

This recognition, awarded by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR), celebrates schools that foster environmental awareness and stewardship through meaningful, hands-on learning experiences. Virginia Naturally Schools go beyond traditional classroom instruction by engaging students in real-world environmental initiatives that deepen their understanding of Virginia’s natural resources and promote sustainable practices.

The Back to School Packet, where parents/guardians can review emergency cards, update contact information, and complete annual policy reviews and acknowledgements, will be available in ParentVUE the evening of August 5. All families must complete the Back to School Packet as soon as possible. The information you provide will allow school staff to ensure the safety of your student this school year. To access the Back to School Packet:

• Login to your ParentVUE account and go to “Online Records” in the top right corner.

• Written Instructions for completing the Back to School Packet due September 12th

• If a parent/guardian needs to make changes to information once they submit the Back to School Packet, they can resubmit anytime by following the same instructions provided above

• Please contact our Parent Liaisons: Dr. Livia Perez: perezl@pwcs.edu, Michelle Gonzalez: GonzalM6@pwcs.edu, or call 703-365-2900.
• We will have a help desk set up at Back to School Night as well!

Arriving on time is a life skill that we want to instill in our students. It is important for students to arrive to class on time and ready to learn as every minute counts in support of student's' academic success and on-time graduation. Students are given 5 minutes to get to each class, and warning bell (lion roar sound) rings 1-minute prior with music playing to remind students to hurry to the next class before the tardy bell rings.

Tardy sweeps were a huge success last school year, so we will continue conducting regular tardy sweeps multiple times each day. We understand the first week students are locating classes (especially our 9th graders and new students).

Students who are late to class and caught in a tardy sweep will be sent to the cafeteria to be issued a consequence. Tardy consequences reset each quarter. The consequences are as follows:

• 1st offense: Warning
• 2nd offense: 1-hour detention
• 3rd offense: 2-hour detention
• 4th offense: Saturday School

• *Accumulated offenses and/or refusal to serve may lead to more severe consequences to include loss of privileges and exclusionary discipline.

Please help remind your students of the importance of being to class and school on time.

Fall sports are in full swing, and our student-athletes have been working hard to prepare for an exciting season! Now all they need is your support in the stands.

This year, Prince William County Schools (PWCS) has transitioned to GoFan for all high school athletic ticket sales. You can now conveniently purchase tickets online for Unity Reed volleyball, football and (new this year) flag football games!

🎟️ Ticket Options:

• Single Game Tickets – Available for each event
• 10-Game Punch Pass – Just $50 for entry to any 10 home games

📲 How to Purchase:

• Visit GoFan.co or download the GoFan App and search for Unity Reed High School

Let’s pack the stands and show our Lion Pride! 🦁 Thank you for supporting our student-athletes and helping make this season unforgettable.

Attendance is the number one predictor of both dropout and graduation rates. Establishing the habit of daily attendance is more important than ever and helps to reduce stress, strengthen connections with friends and teachers, and support academic success.

Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) follows the provisions of Virginia law (Code of Virginia § 22.1-254) regarding compulsory attendance for all school-aged students.

PWCS uses an attendance management system that carefully tracks attendance and ensures that parents are notified in a timely and consistent manner when students are absent from school.

Attendance letters are mailed to notify parents of:

• Truancy status when students accrue three unexcused absences
• Excessive excused absences
• Chronic absentee status when students are absent 10% of instructional days based on where we are in the school year. Learn more about PWCS attendance letters.

Detailed information about attendance communication, types of absences, late arrival/early dismissal, and more is on the PWCS Attendance Guidelines webpage.

Revisions have been made to Regulation 724-1- Attendance, Absences, Excuses, and Tardies.

We encourage families to note the following key updates:

• Schools may require a doctor’s note when a student misses three consecutive days or a total of 10 days during the school year due to illness.
• Family trips or absences related to travel are unexcused absences.
• Students are considered chronically absent if they miss 10% or more school days in a school year. Both excused and unexcused absences count towards chronic absenteeism.
• Students are expected to make up all missed assignments and assessments for both excused and unexcused absences.
• Military-connected students may have up to five days of excused absences to visit a parent/guardian called to active duty or on leave from active duty.
• With prior approval from the principal (or designee), absences for college admission visits or to apply for post-graduation employment can be excused for juniors and senior.

• Parents receive automated calls when students miss one or more classes.
• Absences can be viewed and reported the same day via the ParentVUE app or parentvue.pwcs.edu.
• Tardy and early dismissal requests cannot be submitted through ParentVUE · Absences can also be reported by emailing URHS-Attendance@pwcs.edu or calling 571-598-3298.

Email URHS-Attendance@pwcs.edu at least 1 hour before pickup. Include your student’s full name, reason, time, and note if they’re a driver. Use “EARLY DISMISSAL” in the subject line. If picking up in person, bring a photo ID and allow time for processing. Lunch period dismissals may be delayed.

We understand that some absences are unavoidable, however we encourage parents and guardians to schedule appointments on scheduled days off for students throughout the school year. View the 2025-26 school calendar webpage to view days off for students.

We are committed to creating a safe, healthy, and supportive learning environment and understand there are times when your child may need to stay home due to illness or other unavoidable circumstances. If you need assistance or resources to have a successful school year, please contact us at 703-365-2900. We value your partnership and look forward to a successful school year together!

This school year, students will no longer be assigned counselors and administrators based on grade level. To improve communication and support between families, students, and school staff, assignments will now be organized by student last name. Please review the updated assignments below. We're excited to add 3 additional counselors this year!

LAST NAMES:

• A - Bar
• Counselor: Ms. Abraham (AbrahaRD@PWCS.EDU)
• Administrator: Ms. Nash (NASHSJ@pwcs.edu)
• Bas - Com
• Counselor: Mr. Lindenberg (LindenJE@pwcs.edu)
• Administrator: Ms. Nash (NASHSJ@pwcs.edu)
• Con - Fi
• Counselor: Ms. McQuillan (McQuilSA@PWCS.EDU)
• Administrator: Mr. Gillespie (GillesRG@PWCS.EDU)
• Fl - Gut
• Counselor: Ms. Marchetti (MarcheTA@PWCS.EDU)

• Administrator: Mr. Gillespie (GillesRG@PWCS.EDU)
• Guz - K
• Counselor: Mr. Brandonisio (brandojm@pwcs.edu)
• Administrator: Mr. Hintosh (HINTOSCR@pwcs.edu)
• L - Mei:
• Counselor: Ms. Jefferson (JEFFERET@pwcs.edu)
• Administrator: Mr. Hintosh (HINTOSCR@pwcs.edu)
• Mej - Or:
• Counselor: Mr. Taylor (TAYLORDM@pwcs.edu)
• Administrator: Ms. Mathison (MathisCC@PWCS.EDU)
• Os - Riva:
• Counselor: Ms. Ochoa-Castro (ochoacgq@pwcs.edu)
• Administrator: Ms. Mathison (MathisCC@PWCS.EDU)
• Rive - Soli:
• Counselor: Ms. Goodman (GoodmaBJ@pwcs.edu)
• Administrator: Dr. Brooks (BrooksDR@PWCS.EDU)
• Solo - Z:
• Counselor: Ms. Lewis (LewisJ@pwcs.edu)
• Administrator: Dr. Brooks (BrooksDR@PWCS.EDU)

Visit the Class of 2026 webpage frequently for updates throughout the year.

Capture your senior year memories with convenient school-held photo sessions by Victor O'Neill Studios! Yearbook poses are included in all session types. Upgraded sittings can have up to four additional outfits. The next dates for senior pictures (2026) are:

• September 2 and 3 from 9:00AM-3:00PM in the Auditorium
• November 17 and 18 from 9:00AM-3:00PM in the Auditorium

Click the link to schedule your session today. Unity Reed Photo Sessions

As a friendly reminder, appointments are needed for Senior Portraits. If you have any questions, please email our Senior Portraits Team: seniors@vosphoto.com Please kindly include your Senior’s First and Last Name and “Unity Reed Class of 2026” when emailing, for faster assistance.

Painting will take place from 8:00 – 4:00 pm on August 4th – 8th, August 11th -15th, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm Saturday, August 16th, and September 13th 11:00 am -2:30 pm (following the Senior Breakfast event) Please notify Mrs. Nash of the dates you plan to paint your space. More details on how to get your parking spot reserved and painted are included in the attachments below.

The Class of 2026 Senior Breakfast will be held on September 13th at 9:00 AM in the 1st Floor Cafeteria, inviting both parents and students. The event will cover important topics such as senior events, graduation details, college and career planning, scholarships, and more. Please be on the lookout for more detailed information on how to sign up to attend.

• Weekly LIONS’ ROAR: This will include the latest updates with pertinent information for the upcoming week and will be emailed to students and families every Sunday. This information will also be posted on our school website.

• URHS website: This will be updated more frequently so that we can share the most up to date information with you. In fact, click here to view our school website.

• School Status: This is our messaging system, and it allows staff to send text messages, emails, or make phone calls to families. When an email comes to your inbox with this system, the sender will be listed as School Status or Teacher name. A text message will include the staff member’s full name in the message but will be a random number. This system allows the recipient to respond directly to a message.

• The PRIDE Newsletter: This is a monthly newsletter where we celebrate and highlight the incredible accomplishments of our students, staff, and community at Unity Reed High School. Each month, we will showcase achievements, events, and milestones that make our school proud. Stay tuned for inspiring stories, academic successes, athletic triumphs, and much more. All this information will also be available on our school website for easy access and sharing.

I encourage you to continue to stay in touch with important updates by visiting our website. We are here to support you. Please reach out throughout the school year with any questions, concerns, or to share general feedback, and thank you for being part of our school community, as our STRENGTH is IN UNITY!

Sincerely,

Milagros Polanco
Principal, Unity Reed High School