SCHEDULE UPDATE: We have had multiple snow squalls in different parts of the County this evening. Unfortunately, it’s snowing again now. As a result, Washington County Public Schools will be closed tomorrow, Thursday, January 9, 2025. Childcare will still be offered at elementary schools. Please be on the lookout for information from your student's principal. Stay warm and be safe!
A reminder that WCPS will operate on a 2-Hour Delay tomorrow, Thursday, January 9, 2025, due to expected wind chill temperatures in the single digits. Childcare will be provided at all elementary schools for working families who need it. Please be on the lookout for additional childcare information from your student’s elementary school.
We are looking forward to starting the second semester and welcoming our students and staff back to their classrooms. Stay warm and be safe!
SCHEDULE UPDATE: While we were excited and planning on welcoming back our students to start the second semester today, due to unexpected heavy snow flurries that have covered many roads throughout the county, some of which have black ice, WCPS will be closed Wednesday, January 8, 2025. Childcare will still be provided at elementary schools. That information will be provided by each principal. Stay warm and be safe!
WCPS will operate on a 2-Hour Delayed Schedule on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. Childcare will be provided at all elementary schools for working families who need it. Please be on the lookout for additional childcare information from your student’s elementary school.
Our biggest obstacle for tomorrow is parking lots and drop off lines. We have worked those hard this afternoon and will hit them again in the morning. For parents and students who will be driving, please take extra care in those areas.
Due to expected sub-zero wind chills, we will operate on a 2-Hour Delayed Schedule on Thursday, January 9, 2025, as well. We understand how inconvenient delayed schedules can be for families so we are providing this advance notice to give everyone ample time to make arrangements.
We can’t wait to see our students and staff back in their classrooms tomorrow (Wednesday)! Stay warm and be safe!
The basketball games scheduled for tonight have been cancelled.
Due to deteriorating conditions in many parts of the county overnight, WCPS will be closed today, Tuesday, January 7, 2025. Because of these conditions, childcare will not be available. Stay safe and warm!
WCPS will operate on a 2-Hour Delay on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. We have had multiple folks checking roads across the county this afternoon -- kudos to VDOT for getting roads in such good shape! As a result, our current plan is to operate on the two hour delayed schedule. We will reevaluate roads in the morning as temperatures are predicted to fall, with the potential for roads to ice over. Childcare will be provided at all elementary schools for working families who need it. Childcare will also be available in the event that we need to close in the morning (a decision will be made by 7:00 a.m.) There will be no virtual option tomorrow. Please be on the lookout for additional childcare information from your student's elementary school. Be safe and stay warm!
Jolly, the 6th-grade elf, snuck her way onto the DMS morning news. She accidentally “spilt the tea” even though we have zero tolerance for drama. And she’ll finish out her stay in an igloo to prepare for her return to the cold temperatures at the North Pole. She will definitely be missed at DMS, but we know she will be busy!
Jolly, the 6th-grade elf, was still hanging in there, after being shaken up in the dice container. But she did suffer a broken arm and lost an earring. She won a sleigh riding competition against the Christmas bear. She sat with a teacher (skeleton) waiting for the class to get quiet. She stayed up all night watching the jellyfish & sipping coffee creamer, and she made Domino’s pizza for the kids.
There is a lot going on tomorrow! It's the end of the nine-weeks and the semester! It's a 2-hour early dismissal day! It's Ugly Christmas Sweater Day! And best of all...it's DANCE DAY!
Special Agent Travis Howard from the Virginia State Police High-Tech Crimes Division provided a Lunch & Learn session for Damascus Middle School students on Wednesday, December 18. He talked with them about online safety issues, an important topic for today's students!
The DMS Cavalier Basketball teams play Chilhowie at home tonight! Go Cavs!
Come out to cheer on the DMS Cavalier basketball teams as they play the E.B. Stanley Falcons at home tonight!
On Friday, December 6, DMS welcomed Deputy US Marshal A. Johnson to another exciting Career Café. Mr. Johnson spoke with students about the important role of US Marshals in our justice system. After discussing the unique aspects of working in federal law enforcement, he talked about the Marshals’ varied responsibilities. These include helping to find missing children, protecting federal workers and employees within federal courthouses, and finding fugitives and bringing them to justice. Students were engaged and asked many questions to learn more about vocational opportunities in the future.
Damascus Middle School students, faculty, staff, and special guests were excited to welcome Congressman Morgan Griffith for an informational Q & A session this afternoon!
Teachers of the Year: It is an honor for Washington County Schools to announce and congratulate the following teachers selected by their respective schools as their 2024-2025 Teacher of the Year.
These persons were chosen by their colleagues because they exemplify the best of being a teacher for Washington County Public Schools and the service they provide to the community, school and most importantly, students.
Elementary Schools
*Abingdon -- Gwen Campbell
*Greendale -- Abby Rasnake
*High Point -- Heather Hensley
*Meadowview -- Kimberly Cox
*Rhea Valley -- Beth Delp
*Valley Institute -- Joy Hull
*Watauga -- Sherry Thomason
Middle Schools
*Damascus -- Sallie Moss
*Glade Spring -- Sherry Cannon
*E.B. Stanley -- Maggie Branton
*Wallace -- Kaitlyn Maples
Secondary Schools
*Abingdon High -- Chase Nunley
*John S. Battle High -- Emily Tallman
*Patrick Henry High -- Alyssa Fields
*Holston High -- Buffy Milhorne
*WC CTE Center -- William (Billy) Buchanan
These teachers will be recognized as their building’s Teacher of the Year at the Washington County School Board meeting on January 21, 2025.
As well, we are excited to announce and congratulate the grade level Teacher of the Year for 2024-2025. Each of the building’s Teacher of the Year could be chosen as all are models of what it means to be a teacher.
*2025-2025 Elementary School Teacher of the Year -- Abby Rasnake
*2024-2025 Middle School Teacher of the Year -- Kaitlyn Maples
*2024-2025 High School Teacher of the Year -- Chase Nunley
The 2024-2025 Washington County Teacher of the Year will be announced during the Washington County School Board Meeting on January 21, 2025, and will be our Division’s candidate for the Region VII Teacher of the Year.
Congratulations to all as we celebrate these exemplary teachers of Washington County Schools.
The DMS Cavalier Wrestlers travel to John Battle High School tonight and to Union High School tomorrow! Go Cavs!
Damascus Middle School is proud to announce our teacher of the year, Ms. Sallie Moss. Although Ms. Moss has been an educator for over 25 years, this is her first year at DMS, and we are extremely blessed to have her! She shares that [she] wants to help shape the lives of [her] students and make a positive impact similar to the experiences [she] had in school. She is definitely succeeding, as her students and colleagues feel her positive energy on a daily basis. Congratulations to Ms. Moss!
Members of the SCA (Student Council Association) loved spending time with nursing home patients and spreading Christmas cheer! This trip is always their favorite one of the year!
Sixth-grade students received a package from the North Pole last week! Since then, Jolly has become part of the daily routine, moving to a new location each night and staying very busy. She has decorated, helped "teach" moon phases, hidden candy canes, and at times, found herself "stuck" in awkward situations. She has definitely added some jolly magic to this time of year!
