Superintendent spotlights: student coder, DreamInova cosmetology program and special-education track meet highlighted
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Summary
Staff recognized Gabriel Gonzalez, a Manassas Park High senior who has run coding camps with nonprofit DreamInova; the board also spotlighted a returning cosmetology after-school program and a special-education "relay under the lights" track event.
The superintendent recognized community partnerships and student achievements in the board's spotlight segment, featuring a high-school senior who has run local coding camps and a returning cosmetology after-school program run with DreamInova volunteers.
Dr. Raitz invited representatives from DreamInova to the meeting and described the nonprofit as focusing on community, education and workforce initiatives in Northern Virginia. The board spotlighted Gabriel Gonzalez, a senior at Manassas Park High School who taught himself coding, built a jobs-board website for a school competition and then partnered with DreamInova to run bilingual coding camps and volunteer as a translator.
"Gonzalez first started coding last summer... he taught himself how to use code by researching online, and he eventually made a jobs board website for a competition at school," Dr. Raitz said while introducing Gonzalez. The board recognized Gonzalez for internship work and running coding camps at two locations.
The board also highlighted a cosmetology after-school program run by DreamInova volunteers at the high school for a second year. The program runs in two semesters with semester-one makeup and semester-two hair focus; volunteers provide hands-on instruction. Miss Hamad introduced a returning student, Isabella, who said the program helped her learn hair and makeup skills and motivated her to continue in the program.
Finally, staff noted Manassas Park High students participated in a special-education track meet called "Relay Under the Lights," which brought together students from nearby divisions for events including a 40-yard dash, javelin, standing long jump and an obstacle course.
Why it matters
The spotlights illustrate district partnerships with local nonprofits and the range of career and technical learning opportunities available to students, from coding and internships to cosmetology and work-based learning.
What the board said
Board members thanked DreamInova and district staff for providing opportunities and praised student participation in career-focused and inclusive extracurricular events.