Students at Damascus Middle School had the opportunity to stay after school last week for an Art MakerSpace, hosted by art teacher Mrs. Mitten-Stanford. During this creative hour, students explored hands-on artmaking and worked with clay in a relaxed, collaborative environment.
Shoutout to Marleigh A., Sophie B., Allana C., Lily D., Alyssa W., and Ellie W. for their creativity and enthusiasm!
š Celebrating Our Community Schools
Washington County Public Schools is proud to share that 14 of our schools have earned the Virginia Community Schools Designation through the Virginia Department of Education!
This recognition reflects our commitment to supporting studentsā academic success and well-being by strengthening partnerships with families and community organizations. Through the Community Schools approach, our schools help address barriers to learning, expand access to supports, and increase student engagement -- so every student has the opportunity to succeed.
Congratulations to our designated schools:
*Abingdon Elementary School
*Abingdon High School
*Damascus Middle School
*Glade Spring Middle School
*Greendale Elementary School
*High Point Elementary School
*Holston High School
*John S. Battle High School
*Meadowview Elementary School
*Patrick Henry High School
*Rhea Valley Elementary School
*Valley Institute Elementary School
*Watauga Elementary School
*Wallace Middle School
Special thanks to EO and Danielle Dye for their leadership and tireless work preparing our schools for this rigorous designation process. Your partnership made this achievement possible.
We are proud of this recognition and remain committed to building strong school, family, and community connections that support student success.
Washington County Emergency Services and the Washington County Sheriffās Office are opening a limited Warming Shelter beginning today at 1:00 p.m.
š Location:
Hayters Gap Community Center
7720 Hayters Gap Road
Abingdon, VA 24210
The shelter will provide cots, basic food, and water.
The shelter will close at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 27.
ā ļø Important notes:
ā¢ Bring any medications you may need if staying overnight
ā¢ The Community Center does not have cell service
ā¢ VDOT is working to clear secondary roads
Need a ride? Call 276-676-6000
This information is being shared from Washington County Emergency Services and the Sheriffās Office for families who may be in need.
We are thrilled to highlight Mr. William Denton, a proud Abingdon High School graduate!
Are you a graduate of Washington County Public Schools? If so, we'd love to hear from you! We're excited to learn about your accomplishments and share your story and advice with our current students, families, and community.
Please click here, to fill out a submission form: https://forms.gle/7qzqxJCpCjryVsfW8 OR Do you know a graduate from Washington County Public Schools who has made a positive impact in their community?
Nominate them to be featured in our Alumni Spotlight Series! Click here, to nominate a WCPS graduate: https://forms.gle/LFV1PwdpHnLfYRhn8
Gifted students at Abingdon Elementary School recently teamed up with Food Cityās Department of Emerging Technology to explore the exciting world of coding, artificial intelligence, and game development. Students didnāt just learn about technology -- they built their own video games and got to play them, too!
The day wrapped up with some big-picture thinking as students brainstormed what future jobs might look like. Their ideas? Glasses that double as phones and drones delivering food!
From creativity to critical thinking, these students are already imagining the future -- and helping shape it.
Holston High School students recently kicked off a new āEat & Exploreā series -- an opportunity for students to learn about different colleges, careers, and experiences during their lunch period.
During the first session, Holston graduate Seciley Quina (Class of 2025) shared insight into Virginia Tech and the Corps of Cadets, giving students a firsthand look at campus life and leadership opportunities beyond high school.
A big thank-you to Seciley for returning to inspire the next generation of Cavaliers, and best wishes for a successful semester!
āļøš¢As a winter storm approaches, we are sending out a condensed version of a communication we sent out earlier this winter about our decision-making process for schedule changes. Washington County Public Schools covers a large geographic area with varying elevations, road conditions, and weather patterns. When winter weather affects our county, we carefully weigh multiple factors to make decisions that prioritize student and staff safety while maintaining in-person learning whenever conditions allow.
Why WCPS Sometimes Delays School
*Temperature: Even when forecasts predict extreme cold, a 2-hour or 3-hour delay gives temperatures a chance to rise slightly during the daylight hours. We begin to consider this when temperatures are single digits or wind chills are below zero. As temperatures drop, we recognize that for some students, school is the warmest place they may have access to.
*Road Conditions: Snow and ice may impact roads differently across the county, and a delay gives the WCPS transportation department extra time to ensure all bus routes are safe for travel. Driving in the daylight also allows drivers to identify potential slick spots more easily.
*Bus Preparations: Cold temperatures can make starting school buses challenging. Diesel engines may require extra time to warm up and operate properly.
*Comfortable/Safe Learning Environment: A delay gives our maintenance teams additional time to ensure parking lots are clear, heating systems are fully operational, and that plumbing and other systems are safe before students and staff arrive.
*Childcare: Childcare for elementary students will be provided at elementary schools (for elementary aged students only) for working families who need it.
Why WCPS Sometimes Closes School
*Operating on a delayed schedule does not improve student and staff safety.
*Road and Transportation Safety: Unsafe roads or bus travel across the county.
*Adverse Weather Conditions: Forecasted storms, snow, ice, windchill, or temperatures too low for safe travel.
*Childcare: When schools are closed due to weather, WCPS will determine whether it is safe to offer childcare at elementary schools based on road conditions. If childcare is offered, meals will be provided for elementary students at those school locations. Details about childcare and meal availability will be communicated as needed.
Importance of In-Person Learning
*While remote learning is utilized when necessary, in-person instruction provides a richer educational experience, including direct access to teachers, hands-on activities, meals, and social interactions ā all of which are difficult to replicate virtually. We have additional days built into the 2nd semester and make-up days built into the calendar. Once these options are exhausted, we will begin to consider virtual learning as an option.
To learn about WCPS Schedule Change Options, click here: Schedule Change Options
To read Frequently Asked Questions about schedule changes, click here: Frequently Asked Questions
To learn how to Stay Connected with WCPS, click here: Stay Connected
Families always have the final say when deciding whether their child should attend school. Absences due to unsafe travel are excused, and schools will work with families to support learning. Our goal is to keep students safe, ensure schools are ready, and maintain in-person learning when possible. Thank you for your patience and partnership as we navigate winter weather together.
šŗ Thank you to WJHL for highlighting our new Internet Safety and Prevention Task Force and helping share the important work being done to protect students in todayās digital world.
Link: https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/washington-county-va-schools-announces-internet-safety-and-prevention-task-force/
Fifth graders at Abingdon Elementary School are enjoying hands-on learning as they investigate static electricity. From sparks of curiosity to electrifying discoveries, these students are powering up their science skills one experiment at a time!
In kindergarten, Mrs. Holden read special books highlighting Dr. Kingās world-changing work, sparking thoughtful discussions. In music class, Mrs. Edwards taught students about Dr. King and the powerful Civil Rights songs that became anthems for equal rights and a call to end segregation and discrimination.
We are grateful for our dedicated teachers who help students learn, reflect, and grow through lessons that inspire understanding, empathy, and hope.
We are proud to recognize Noah Street, a 10th grade student at John S. Battle High School, for going above and beyond to help others in his community.
On December 19, a fallen tree blocked the road and left Bus 85 unable to continue its route. After waiting nearly 30 minutes, Noah realized help might be needed. Living nearby, he went home, hopped on his four-wheeler, and returned to the scene to lend a hand.
When he arrived, only one VDOT truck had reached the area. Noah jumped in to help cut and move the tree out of the roadway until additional crews arrived -- allowing traffic to pass and the bus to safely continue its route.
Afterward, Noah rode his four-wheeler back home, walked down the road, and still made it onto the bus to get to school.
This is a true example of kindness, responsibility, and stepping up when it matters most!
The task force, which held its first meeting on January 8, 2026, reflects the commitment of WCPS to student safety both in schools and online. While online threats may sometimes feel distant, these risks are occurring right here in Southwest Virginia.
The task force brings together a diverse group of partners, including parents, teachers, school administrators, counselors, mental health professionals, and law enforcement. Representatives at the inaugural meeting included the FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, Virginia State Police, Washington County Sheriffās Office, Abingdon Town Police Department, and the Childrenās Advocacy Center.
The groupās goals include:
*Increasing awareness of current and emerging online threats
*Sharing prevention strategies and educational resources
*Strengthening communication and collaboration among schools, families, and community partners
*Supporting proactive measures to keep students safe online
During the meeting, WCPS announced a resource provided through the Virginia Attorney Generalās Office called Proxyware, a cutting-edge Internet safety technology designed to detect and disrupt online threats targeting children.
According to Proxyware data:
*82% of teens have been exposed to violent content online
*77% have seen online content involving drugs or alcohol
*75% have encountered sexual content while online
Additionally, Proxyware has detected 192,000 digital attacks targeted at Virginia children while at school during the current calendar year alone. Unlike traditional cybersecurity tools such as firewalls ā which focus on blocking known harmful websites ā Proxyware detects harmful activity on trusted platforms such as search engines, news sites, educational tools, and online games. Using artificial intelligence and synthetic personas that emulate children online, the system proactively identifies predators and disrupts threats before students are harmed.
As part of its ongoing commitment to Internet safety, WCPS is in the process of implementing several measures across the division, including:
*Locking down YouTube access
*Providing parents with after-hours device controls (middle school pilot program)
*Restricting incoming, external email communication for elementary and middle school students
*Updating take-home device policies by grade level
*Establishing screen time limits by grade
*Internet safety assemblies for students in grades 4-6
*Presentations led by the FBI and Virginia State Police
*Family engagement nights to assist parents with device setup and controls
*Continued evaluation of Proxyware implementation
Washington County Public Schools will continue to share updates as the task forceās work progresses and encourages families to partner with schools in promoting safe and responsible digital use.
In addition, under the guidance of Ms. Harris, members of the Student Council Association (SCA) volunteered with Faith in Action, turning Dr. Kingās message of service, justice, and unity into action. Through this service opportunity, students honored his legacy by giving back and helping strengthen their community.
Hands-on learning makes concepts stick, and in first grade, learning is definitely SWEET!
