Washington County Public Schools

✨ Tonight at the Abingdon High School football game, we were honored to welcome and recognize several special guests who play a vital role in supporting our students, schools, and community. We are grateful to Delegate Israel O’Quinn, joined by his wife, Emily, for his continued advocacy at the state level. We also extend our thanks to the Washington County School Board, Washington County Board of Supervisors, and the Abingdon Town Council for their partnership in making stadium improvements -- including new handrails and tennis courts at AHS -- possible. Special appreciation also goes to our local leaders: *School Board Members Dr. Sandy Frederick & Mrs. Crystal Rasnake *Supervisors Charlie Hargis Jr., Phillip McCall, & Board Chair Randy Pennington *Abingdon Mayor Dwayne Anderson *Sheriff Blake Andis, Commonwealth’s Attorney Josh Cumbow, County Administrator Jason Berry, & Commissioner of the Revenue April Crabtree Thank you all for your leadership, dedication, and ongoing support of Washington County Public Schools!

Our talented WCCTEC Carpentry students have been hard at work building brand-new lockers for Holston High School and Patrick Henry High School. From football to basketball, these custom projects are a perfect showcase of skill, teamwork, and school spirit.

Huge shoutout to our students and instructors for making a lasting impact on our schools -- one locker at a time!

Join the Abingdon High School Falcons tonight for our Coaches vs. Overdoses game as we team up to Tackle Fentanyl and Defeat Overdoses.

In partnership with the Virginia Attorney General and the Commonwealth Football Coaches Association's Coaches vs. Overdoses initiative, we're raising awareness about the dangers of fentanyl and counterfeit drugs -- and most importantly, working together to save lives.

Remember: "Just One Pill Can Kill."

Shoutout to Deputy Figueroa, School Resource Officer at John S. Battle High School

Last year for the yearbook, students voted him "Most Likely to Brighten Your Day." This year, they honored him again -- this time as "Best Role Model."

These recognitions speak volumes about the positive impact Deputy Figueroa has on the JSB community each and every day.

Thank you to all of our SROs for the difference you make in the lives of WCPS students!

Sweet learning at Glade Spring Middle School

Mrs. Beaird's 6th grade students at Glade Spring Middle School recently stepped into the role of candy shop designers! Using Roald Dahl's "The Bicycle and the Sweet Shop" as their guide, they applied creativity and critical thinking to craft menus, packaging, and advertising displays that blended literature with real-world skills.

Abingdon High School was the first visitor to EO Career Commons for the 2025-2026 school year! Our students brought curiosity and enthusiasm as they created resumes, sharpened interview skills, and explored EO's hands-on learning labs.

Thank you to EO, volunteers, Virginia Highlands Community College, and CGI for making this experience possible!

Real-World Skills in Action at WCCTEC!

Masonry 3 students at WCCTEC recently took classroom learning to the next level with a big project: measuring, grading, and pouring a concrete slab for the Welding Shop. This new slab will soon hold an outdoor welding booth -- perfect for practicing outdoor welding and tackling larger projects that won't fit inside.

Under the CTE Work-Based Learning Program, students took on jobsite roles just like the pros:
*Foreman: Colton F.
*Estimator: Dalton A. (with math skills from his Data Analysis class!)
*Crew Members: Clayton C., Levi B., Brayden P., and Dakota S.

From calculating materials and labor needs to cutting asphalt and clearing debris, this crew did it all -- and wrapped up the slab on Monday, August 25, meeting professional construction standards.

Huge thanks to Masonry Instructor Johnny Blevins for his guidance and to Mr. Gene Greer's Carpentry class for lending a hand. Teamwork truly makes the dream work at Washington County Career & Technical Education Center!

Watchful Wildcats are on the move at Watauga Elementary School

Led by School Resource Officer Matt Watson, these awesome student leaders help with hallway traffic, duty locations, and even escort new Wildcats each morning.

We're so proud of the way they are serving their school community -- showing that leadership starts right here at Washington County Public Schools!

Monster Makers at WCCTEC

Our WCCTEC Early Childhood Education students turned recycled materials into the most amazing monsters! Using boxes, bottle caps, paper rolls, and lots of imagination, each group designed their own one-of-a-kind creature.

This hands-on project wasn't just about creativity -- it brought multiple intelligences to life:
*Spatial -- designing colorful monster features
*Bodily-kinesthetic -- cutting, gluing, and building
*Logical -- figuring out how to make parts fit and balance
*Linguistic -- naming and storytelling
*Interpersonal -- sharing materials and ideas
*Naturalistic -- learning how recycling helps our planet

What an awesome way to mix creativity, collaboration, and sustainability -- proving that learning can be both fun and impactful!

WCPS Alumni Spotlight: Cody Mumpower ~ John S. Battle High School ~ Class of 2012.
We are thrilled to highlight Mr. Cody Mumpower, a proud John S. Battle 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

EmpowerED at Glade Spring Middle School

Mr. Ritchie's students are starting the year strong and EmpowerED! From the very first days of class, they're diving into learning with energy, confidence, and collaboration -- setting the tone for a successful school year ahead.

Future Ready Friday: Scientists in the Making

Sixth-grade students in Mrs. Caywood's class at Damascus Middle School turned candy into chemistry by using Skittles to model the structure of atoms and the placement of subatomic particles.

Through hands-on activities like this, WCPS students are building future-ready skills -- learning how to ask questions, think critically, and make evidence-based conclusions that will serve them well in the classroom and beyond.

🎃👟 It’s Time to Register – WCPS Boo Dash 5K & Monster Mile

Washington County Public Schools, in partnership with We Run Events, is thrilled to be hosting our Boo Dash 5K and Monster Mile this fall!

*When: Saturday, October 18
*Packet Pickup & Registration: 2:00 p.m.
*Race Start: 4:00 p.m.
*Where: Virginia Creeper Trail, Abingdon (Wye Park)

*Registration Details:
WCPS Students & Staff: FREE if you pre-register by October 3
Parents & Community Members: $20 if you pre-register by October 3
After October 3:
*WCPS Students - $10
*WCPS Staff - $15
*Parents & Community Members - $30
T-shirts in your size are not guaranteed without pre-registration

This community-wide event is all about health, wellness, and Halloween Fun – and yes, costumes are encouraged! We just ask that costumes remain family-friendly (no masks, nothing scary, gory, etc.).

Awards will be given for:
Best Team Costume
Best Homemade Costume
Funniest Costume

Not a runner? No problem! The Boo Dash 5K & Monster Mile is perfect for walkers, strollers, families, and friends who just want to enjoy a fun afternoon on the Creeper Trail. Whether you walk every step, jog a little, or cheer from the sidelines – YOU belong at this event!

*Register now:https://www.athlinks.com/event/397082/results/Event/1119071/Results

Thankful Thursday: Spotlight on Deputy Roberts

This week, we’re shining a spotlight on Deputy Roberts, School Resource Officer at Valley Institute Elementary School. Valley is Deputy Roberts’ first assignment as an SRO -- and it’s a special one, since he’s also a proud VIES alumnus returning home to serve students in a new way.

Before becoming an SRO, Deputy Roberts worked as a Patrolman and Crisis Intervention Team Officer, where he helped implement the Mental Health System Co-Response Program in Washington County Public Schools. His passion for mental health awareness and his role as a dad to an 8-year-old fuel his commitment to supporting students and helping them navigate school with compassion.

Already, he’s been busy connecting with students -- learning names, reading in classrooms and eating lunch in the cafeteria. His goal? To go above and beyond safety by fostering kindness, respect, and positive values in every child he meets.

Throughout the school year, we plan to highlight each of our amazing SROs across Washington County Public Schools.

Wellness Wednesday: Heat Safety

Staying safe in the heat is a top priority for Washington County Public Schools! The School Board is implementing a new policy on Student Athlete Extreme Heat Safety and Protection to keep students safe during outdoor activities.

What’s in the policy?
*A five-tier system using wet bulb globe thermometers to monitor conditions
*Temperatures checked every 15 minutes when its 80°F or warmer
*At higher tiers: more water breaks, extra rest time, and removal of helmets/shoulder pads
*Applies to all outdoor extracurricular activities – including marching band

Pictured: Yesterday, Mr. Bussey was out at practice monitoring the wet bulb globe, helping ensure a safe and healthy environment for all students.

📢 As part of the ongoing Sanitary Sewer Project on East Valley Street and Walden Road, the Town of Abingdon has announced that the intersection of Boone Street and Walden Road will now be closed, with the exception of local traffic only.

This change may impact the car rider line at E.B. Stanley Middle School, and those wishing to go back through town using Boone Street. This portion of the project is expected to last two to three weeks.

Please plan for extra time during drop-off and pick-up, and continue to use patience as these necessary improvements to Abingdon’s infrastructure move forward.

The first few days of school are always full of excitement, and Assistant Principal Mr. Francisco has loved getting to know some of Abingdon Elementary's newest Bobcats!

WCPS “Bean” Spotlight: Turning Challenges into Opportunities

This week’s “Be a Bean” spotlight shines on Karla Worley, a teacher at Valley Institute Elementary School. Ms. Worley has shown us what it truly means to Be a Bean -- transforming challenges into powerful opportunities for growth, kindness, and learning.

After experiencing the heartbreaking loss of a loved one, Karla chose to honor his memory in a way that would impact both her students and her community. She launched a project-based learning tradition at Valley Institute called the Bulldog Bakery. This schoolwide project blends reading, vocabulary, and math skills with hands-on learning and service. Students make homemade dog treats, collect supplies for the Washington County Animal Shelter, and deliver the donations themselves -- connecting classroom lessons to real-world kindness.

Karla’s compassion doesn’t stop there. Last school year, she was able to offer empathy, encouragement, and a steady source of support to a family going through an incredibly difficult time.

Karla Worley is a shining example of how Coffee Bean employees turn challenges into opportunities. She has transformed personal grief into something beautiful and lasting for her students, her school, and her community.

Greendale Elementary School is bringing stories to life this year with their schoolwide theme, "Once Upon a Leo." Each month, students explore a new fairy tale and connect its lessons to their daily learning.

This month's tale is The Three Little Pigs, which is helping students highlight and discuss positive character traits like perseverance and problem-solving. These lessons are being woven into classwork, making storybook themes part of everyday learning!