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Good afternoon, WCPS Families & Staff -- Due to the current heartbreaking devastation in Damascus, several of our schools still without power, internet or phone service, and many families without any utilities, including water, Washington County Public Schools will be closed on Monday, September 30, 2024. We have moved frozen food from several schools without electricity to a refrigerated trailer, generously provided by Food City. A huge shoutout to our Maintenance and Cafeteria teams and to our School Board Members who spent their Saturday morning moving frozen food. However, many schools have lost all their refrigerated food items, and we will need to place orders for replacements on Monday. We will not be able to provide childcare at most schools for those same reasons and staffing concerns. If that changes, your child's school will send you more information. Thank you for your patience as we work through this situation together, as a community. Please pray for our students and friends in Damascus, with many, having lost everything. We are in the process of identifying needs and will provide information soon about how we can help our friends and neighbors. Be safe, Keith Perrigan, Ed.D. Superintendent Washington County Public Schools 812 Thompson Dr. Abingdon, VA 24210 276-739-3000 @WashCoSuper “Committed to the Success of Every Student“
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Washington County Public Schools will be CLOSED Friday, September 27, 2024. The decision to close is based on forecast models calling for heavy rain to continue into Friday, which could lead to flash flooding. Hurricane Helene is also expected to bring strong winds, possibly gusting over 65 mph at times. Governor Glenn Youngkin declared a State of Emergency for Virginia due to the anticipated impacts of Hurricane Helene and we have been informed that swift water rescue and other emergency teams have been dispatched to the area as a precaution.
Because of this closure, child care will be offered for working parents from 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Friday, at each elementary school. Breakfast and lunch will be provided for all students by Washington County Public Schools. Each elementary school will send out additional information about child care. The Boys and Girls Club will also provide child care for students already enrolled in the program, at Woodland Hills Christian Church beginning at 9:00 a.m. Washington County Public Schools will provide breakfast and lunch for those students as well. *Please have a backup plan for child care in the event conditions deteriorate overnight to the point it is unsafe to travel -- A final decision on child care availability will be made after reevaluating conditions in the morning.
Please take the following steps to prepare for the impacts of Hurricane Helene to help ensure the safety of your family:
Be Self-Sufficient for 72 Hours: Make sure you have enough food, water, medication, flashlights and other essential supplies to last for at least three days.
Stay Informed: Keep an eye on trusted weather reports and updates on the storm's path and any potential impacts to our area
Expect Road and Utility Disruptions: Roads could be blocked, and various utilities such as power, water and communication services may be impacted. Plan accordingly.
Exercise Caution: Avoid travel during heavy rain and wind, especially in areas prone to flooding or landslides. Do not attempt to drive through flooded roads.
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Due to flood warnings, downed trees, and the potential of another 5 inches of rain today Washington County Public Schools will be CLOSED on Thursday, September 26, 2024.
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Flu Vaccine Clinic: WCPS is scheduled to have flu vaccine clinics in schools October 8th, 10th and 11th. Be on the lookout for student registration forms being sent home.
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We wanted to make you aware that overnight, the Abingdon Police Department received information about a nonspecific potential threat that appears to be a couple days old. No school was specifically named, however, a student from Abingdon High School received a screenshot of the information. Overnight interviews determined a few students from E.B. Stanley Middle School also received a version of the screenshot. After consulting with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, it was determined that the screen shot has been circulating in other states and did not originate in our area.
Out of an abundance of caution, the Abingdon Police Department will continue to investigate, and have additional officers at Abingdon High School and E.B. Stanley Middle School this morning. We are grateful for our partnerships with local law enforcement and will continue to take all threats, specific and non-specific, seriously.
Thank you,
Keith Perrigan, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Washington County Public Schools
812 Thompson Dr.
Abingdon, VA 24210
276-739-3000
@WashCoSuper
“Committed to the Success of Every Student“
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Vote Now: Communities in Schools of Appalachian Highlands is a Regional Finalist for the 2025 Chick-fil-A True Inspiration Awards grant! Be sure to cast your vote to help CIS-AH become a regional winner & further their impact throughout our community. See the flyer on how to vote
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Happy Labor Day from WCPS! We hope all of our students, staff and families have been enjoying this long weekend! We will see you back on Tuesday.
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Dunk Your Superintendent! If you don’t like the idea of a new cell phone policy or think school starts too early in August, now is your chance to take out your start of school frustrations, and dunk Dr. Perrigan! He’ll be in the dunk tank at Dairy Queen in Abingdon (Exit 19 location) on Saturday, with the fun beginning at 4:00 p.m. Proceeds raised from the event go towards St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. WCPS students and staff have loved participating in fundraisers for St. Jude and are thrilled to be able to give back.
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The following is a message from the WCPS Transportation Department on an upcoming bus route change for Abingdon High School and E.B. Stanley Middle School students only:
Please be advised of the following afternoon route change for High School and Middle School students that live in Rockwall Subdivision (Stoneybrook Drive and Rockwall Drive) and Willow Run (Willow Run Drive, Weeping Willow Drive, Lauren Drive, and Marcus Way) starting on Wednesday, August 14, 2024. Due to overcrowding on the school bus, students that live on the above-mentioned roads will ride Bus 65 in the afternoon only, there will be no change to the morning route. Approximate time of drop off will be 4:05 p.m. This will be for the high school and middle school students only. Once again, the route change will begin on the afternoon of Wednesday, August 14, 2024, high school, and middle school students in Rockwall Subdivision and Willow Run. If you have any questions, you're asked to call the WCPS Transportation Department at 276-739-3054.
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We've had a great few days of welcoming back our students for the 2024-2025 school year!
Click the link to watch a video to see some of the fun.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CpJ2C3Ifek
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First Day of School: We've had a great day welcoming back our students for the 2024-2025 school year! Here are some highlights of the fun that took place. Be sure to check back as we share more photos over the next few days!
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As our students head back to school, please remember to use caution! Observe the speed limit in all school zones, watch for school buses and pedestrians and plan additional time to reach your destination. We appreciate your help to keep our students, teachers, staff and parents safe as we begin a new school year.
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Special Recognition: The WCPS Board recognized Dustin Forrester, of Glade Spring Middle School for performing the Heimlich Maneuver on a choking student this past school year. Thank you for your quick actions, Mr. Forrester!
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It was all smiles at the WCPS Board Meeting on Monday! Students that took part in Theatre Camp this summer put on a special performance. More than 90 campers in grades 3-12 participated from schools across the division. The camp was in collaboration with WCPS & Emory & Henry.
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SY 2024-2025 Staff and Visitor Meal Pricing: Please click the link below for information regarding SY 2024-2025 Staff and Visitor Meal Pricing:
https://5il.co/2swm9
A reminder that Washington County Public Schools will provide free meals to all children served under the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs.
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WCPS SY 2024-2025 Staff and Visitor Meal Pricing: Please see the images below for information on SY 2024-2025 Staff and Visitor Meal Pricing. A reminder that Washington County Public Schools will provide free meals to all children served under the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs.
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Mobile Menu App: We are pleased to announce a free Mobile Menu App! It offers an easy way to view daily menus. To learn more, click here: https://www.wcpsvacncafe.com/index.php?sid=1560448952848&page=mobile-menus-app-guide
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Linq Connect Online Payments: All meals in WCPS are free! However, if your child would like to purchase a-la-carte items, you can pay online. Click here to make a payment: https://linqconnect.com/main
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Going Green! Menus: Did you know that you can have your school menus emailed automatically? You’re able to choose the school menus that you receive. Click here to sign up: https://www.wcpsvacncafe.com/index.php?sid=1560448952848&page=automenu
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Back to School Shopping: If you are wanting to do some shopping this weekend -- remember it's Virginia's 3-Day Sales Tax Holiday!
To learn more about exempt items, click here: https://www.tax.virginia.gov/virginia-sales-tax-holiday
For WCPS Supply Lists, click here: https://www.wcs.k12.va.us/article/1687491
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