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!
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!
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.
WCPS will operate on a 2 hour delay on Thursday, December 12, 2024 due to black ice in some locations. Opening later will allow better visibility for drivers. Childcare will be provided at elementary schools for working parents if needed.
Based on our conversations with our meteorologist at AccuWeather, we anticipate weather conditions to deteriorate during our normal dismissal time. As a result, Washington County Public Schools will dismiss 2-Hours early today, Wednesday, December 11, 2024. All extracurricular activities for Wednesday are postponed.
Congratulations to our amazing Cafeteria Manager, Kristen Deel, on receiving the WCPS Silver Spoon Award at last night's board meeting! Ms. Deel goes above and beyond for her EBSMS family each and every day.
#TheWashingtonWay: We are so thankful for our amazing support staff that we have here at WCPS! At the meeting this evening, School Board Members recognized our Support Staff Award Winners for the fall semester.
*Master Technician Award -- Jason Salyers (Technology Department)
*Wheels on the Bus Award -- Ronica Blevins (Transportation Department)
*Above and Beyond (Custodian) Award -- Becky Lane-Smith (Watauga Elementary School)
*Helping Hand Award -- Lynn Redman (High Point Elementary School)
*Silver Spoon Award -- Kristen Deel (E.B. Stanley Middle School)
*Customer Service Award -- Abby Stamper (WCPS Annex)
Congratulations to our award winners and thank you for your hard work!
Due to predictions of windchills in the morning in the single digits, WCPS will operate on a 2 hour delayed schedule on Friday, December 6, 2024. Childcare will be available for working parents at elementary schools.
The WCPS Transportation Department would like to inform families that Bus 5 is running roughly 30 - 40 minutes late this morning, Wednesday, December 4. The route will be completed as normal.
In what has been a tricky morning, we have decided to call a Remote Learning Day for Tuesday December 3, 2024. Main roads are clear, as are some back roads and side streets. However, “road checkers”, encountered multiple slick secondary roads. At our December School Board Meeting, we will present a Snow Route plan that would potentially allow us to have in person learning on days like today. Be safe, stay warm, and we’ll see everyone online
Due to current snowfall in some parts of Washington County, temperatures in the teens overnight, and predicted snowfall in the morning hours, WCPS will operate on a 2 hour delayed schedule on Tuesday, December 3, 2024. Childcare will be provided for working parents at elementary schools. Should conditions worsen to warrant a Remote Learning Day, childcare will not be available. A decision to change from a 2 hour delayed schedule to Remote Learning will be made by 7:30 a.m.
Due to winter weather, Washington County Public Schools will implement a Remote Learning Day for Friday, November 22, 2024. NO childcare will be provided.
Classroom teachers will communicate with students to facilitate classes.
Stay safe and warm!
Stay in the Know: With the potential for winter weather this evening through tomorrow morning, we wanted to alert you of the two options for Friday, November 22, if Washington County Public Schools is NOT on a regular schedule.
*Remote Learning Day -- NO childcare will be provided
*Two-Hour Delay -- Childcare will be provided at elementary schools from 8:00 a.m. until the start of the school day.
As a reminder: A Remote Learning Day will be announced if instruction is going to be provided during an unscheduled closure of a school or schools. Classroom teachers will communicate with students about the processes they will use to facilitate their classes.
A Remote Learning Day is NOT a traditional snow day. School Closed will be announced if instruction is NOT going to be provided during an unscheduled closure of a school or schools.
As we are now entering the winter months and know weather can be unpredictable, it’s important to stay connected with Washington County Public Schools. We have various ways for you to stay in the loop.
Websites:
*The district and individual school websites will be the hub of communication for all WCPS.
*All information that affects the school or district will be communicated through district and/or school web pages. The district website is https://www.wcs.k12.va.us/
*School web pages are “school initials + .wcs.k12.va.us” (example: Abingdon High School = ahs.wcs.k12.va.us)
*The websites can be translated to multiple languages by clicking the drop-down menu in the top right-hand corner.
Receive Text Messages, Phone Calls & Emails:
*The contact information for students and/or parents comes from the Contact 1-5 Data in PowerSchool for each student.
*Check with your student’s school to make sure your contact information is up to date.
Receive Push Notifications:
*Download the Washington County VA Schools Mobile App for your smartphone.
*The app is available for FREE download in the Apple Store and the Google Play Store.
*The app will provide instant access to district and school announcements and calendars.
*Scroll down to settings; toggle the school(s) you would like to receive push notifications for and view.
Social Media:
*The district maintains and operates Facebook, Twitter (X), and Instagram accounts as well as a district YouTube account.
*Families are encouraged to follow the district accounts @washcovaschools for updates, news, and information.
*Individual schools maintain a Facebook and Twitter account.
Promise Program: Our friends with the Promise Program have been visiting middle schools, sharing the amazing news about the Washington County Promise Program! Our students are beginning to think about their futures, and we're excited to show them how this commitment can help make their college dreams a reality -- with free tuition.
These visits were all about getting our middle schoolers thinking ahead and understanding that opportunities are within reach. By preparing now, they can set themselves up for a successful future with the help of this incredible program.
We loved seeing the excitement and curiosity from our middle schoolers as they learned how the Washington County Promise Program can help them succeed.
Visit https://promiseprogram.org/ to see if your student is eligible to take advantage of this amazing commitment by Wellspring Foundation of Southwest Virginia and Virginia Highlands Community College.
#WashingtonCountySchools #VHCCPromise #MiddleSchoolFuture #BuildingBrightFutures #FreeTuition #StudentOpportunities
Washington Way Award Nominations: Nominate a special support staff person for the #WashingtonWayAward! Do you know someone whose work and commitment makes WCPS a better place to be?
#WashingtonWayAward Categories:
*Above and Beyond Custodian Award -- Vote for a custodian that makes a difference!
*Silver Spoon Award -- Vote for the best food service worker out there!
*Helping Hand Award -- Vote for a nurse or an aide that has helped you!
*Master Technician Award -- Vote for the one who has helped you fix things!
*Wheels on the Bus Award -- Vote for the driver or mechanic who helps get you home!
*Customer Service Award -- Vote for the person who is always there to help!
Scan the QR Code by Friday, November 22 to nominate a support staff person. To learn more about the #WashingtonWayAwards, watch this video! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IM7Y0BdMbF4
Washington Way Award Nominations: Nominate a special support staff person for the #WashingtonWayAward! Do you know someone whose work and commitment makes WCPS a better place to be?
#WashingtonWayAward Categories:
*Above and Beyond Custodian Award -- Vote for a custodian that makes a difference!
*Silver Spoon Award -- Vote for the best food service worker out there!
*Helping Hand Award -- Vote for a nurse or an aide that has helped you!
*Master Technician Award -- Vote for the one who has helped you fix things!
*Wheels on the Bus Award -- Vote for the driver or mechanic who helps get you home!
*Customer Service Award -- Vote for the person who is always there to help!
Scan the QR Code by Friday, December 6 to nominate a support staff person.
To learn more about the #WashingtonWayAwards, watch this video! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IM7Y0BdMbF4
Promise Program: Today was a proud moment for Washington County Public Schools! We witnessed something truly special as our community gathered at Virginia Highlands Community College to celebrate the launch of the Washington County Promise Program. This commitment by Wellspring Foundation of Southwest Virginia and VHCC marks a major step forward in providing a brighter future for our students.
Thanks to this incredible program, students who live in Washington County, VA, can
now pursue higher education with free tuition, breaking down financial barriers and
opening doors to countless opportunities. We’re beyond excited to see the impact this
will have on our students, their families, and our community as a whole.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us today - from students and faculty to
community leaders and partners. Your support means everything as we work together
to enrich the lives of our young people.
Head over to https://promiseprogram.org/ and discover how this opportunity can benefit your student!
#WashingtonCountySchools #VHCCPromise #StudentOpportunities #OurFuture
#CommunityStrong #EducationMatters
(Photo Courtesy: Virginia Highlands Community College)
