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$1 Million Donation for Innovation Center
October 20, 2017, began a new era for Winchester Public Schools. The Frederick D. and Karen G. Schaufeld Family Foundation donated $1 million for the creation of the newly named Emil and Grace Shihadeh Innovation Center at 536 Jefferson Street. The new career/innovation center will offer Career and Technical Education (CTE) classes currently offered at Handley High School, including the trades academy, the health science academy and the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) academy.
The dedication ceremony was attended by Gov. Terry McAuliffe and other dignitaries, including Rep. Barbara Comstock, R-10th. In his keynote address, Gov. McAuliffe stressed the importance of students being trained for career and technical jobs, stating that employers are looking more for innovation and problem-solving abilities and, "that's what this facility is going to help us do."
Superintendent Jason Van Heukelum said of the new center, "Today marks a new day in education in Winchester Public Schools. Today we embrace the need to reimagine school as we know it in order to meet the emerging needs of the 21st centry. And today we commit to a new visition of education for our students and our community. In this space, in this innovation center, we will be innovative. We will redesign learning for high school kids and adults."