Washington County Public Schools

Yesterday was a tail-waggin' Tuesday at Watauga Elementary's Summer School! A huge thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Cassell for stopping by with their sweet pups and sharing some four-legged joy! Students had a blast seeing the dogs learn new tricks and soaked up plenty of snuggles and smiles. It's safe to say the furry visitors were the paw-fect addition to the day!

Virginia SUN Bucks Reminder: The Virginia Department of Social Services will issue a one-time $120 food benefit through Virginia SUN Bucks beginning July 2025 to children who qualify. Children qualify and are automatically enrolled in Virginia SUN Bucks if they receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or an income-based Medical Assistance Program (Medicaid). If you are not enrolled in SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid, you can apply and potentially qualify for Virginia SUN Bucks by visiting virginiasunbucks.com/ and mailing the application to Virginia SUN Bucks, c/o VDSS, 5600 Cox Road, Glen Allen, VA 23060. Beginning July 1 through August 30, you can apply by calling the Virginia SUN Bucks Call Center at 866-513-1414. The application for SUN Bucks will require you to enter your child’s “Local Student ID Number.” This is your child’s Lunch Number they use at school. If you qualify, SUN Bucks benefits will be issued starting July 2025 on a rolling basis and will be loaded onto your current SNAP EBT Card or a Virginia SUN Bucks Card which will be mailed to the address on file with your schools. Please click this link for additional information and resources: https://www.wcs.k12.va.us/.../summer-ebt.../803643

Back to School 2025–2026 Make sure your child is ready for the first day of school -- get their vaccines now and avoid the last-minute rush! *Beat the back-to-school wait times *No out-of-pocket cost for required vaccines *Vaccines available through your local healthcare provider or health department See the attached flyer from the Virginia Department of Health for details on required immunizations and where to go.

For Your Information: The VDOE is asking for your assistance in promoting the completion of the survey by each of your families who have a child with a disability and receive special education services through an IEP. Families with more than one child receiving special education services through IEPs in Virginia’s public schools should submit one survey for each child. A security feature within the survey submission process requires a different internet browser or device when multiple online surveys are submitted. This year’s timeline for completion and submission of survey responses, in any modality, is set at December 12, 2025. Thank you for your ongoing commitment toward ensuring that we engage all families in their child’s special education program. If you have questions or need assistance concerning this survey process, please contact Dr. Marie Stanley, Supervisor of Special Services at 276-739-3041 or mstanley@wcs.k12.va.us Click here for more: https://virginiadoe.gov1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6opHcg0Cu3xcYYK

WCPS Alumni Spotlight: Christina Hayden ~ Patrick Henry High School ~ Class of 1994. We are thrilled to highlight Ms. Christina Hayden, a proud Patrick Henry 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

☀️ Free Summer Meals REMINDER: Washington County Public Schools is excited about two great meal programs this summer for all children and teens 18 and under! On-Site Meals in June: Stop by one of four WCPS locations for free breakfast and lunch – no sign-up needed. Just come and enjoy your meal, and fuel up for summer fun. No application required. Please note: Meals must be eaten on-site. Grab-and-Go Meals in June and July: Thanks to our partnership with Feeding Southwest Virginia, families have the opportunity to pick up multiple Grab-and-Go breakfasts and suppers at various locations – no need to stay onsite and eat! Children do NOT need to be present for meal pick-up. Enrollment is required through Feeding Southwest Virginia – Forms will be available at each pick-up site, scan the QR Code in the attached flyer, or click here to enroll online: https://shorturl.at/uPys5 You may only enroll for ONE site during the summer. 📅 Check out our full schedule for locations, dates, and times in the graphics below.

Patrick Henry High School Class of '98 grad, Delegate Israel O'Quinn presented a Virginia Capitol Commendation to recent Patrick Henry grad, Tyler Barrett, the 2025 Gene "Pappy" Thompson Award Winner and Georgetown University commit. The prestigious award, named after legendary Bristol Herald Courier sports editor Gene Thompson, honors student-athletes who shine in athletics, academics, and community service -- and Tyler does it all with pride! Since 2018, Patrick Henry High School has produced 3 award winners and 5 finalists.

Exploring Pathways Summer Camp is in full swing at the Washington County Career & Technical Education Center! Our campers are diving into hands-on adventures that spark creativity, fuel curiosity, and ignite future careers. Some of the fun includes: *The Wonders of Hair Color in Cosmetology *Put a Spin on Learning with Auto Body *Spark Some Learning with Welding *Stir Up Some Fun with Culinary *Start Your Engines with Auto Servicing *Healthcare Heroes in Nursing *Imagineering with Engineering ... and so much more! We love seeing our students exploring their passions and discovering new possibilities!

Own a Piece of Washington County History! As part of exciting auditorium renovations at Holston High School and John S. Battle High school, the auditorium chairs have been removed -- and now you have the chance to take one (or more) home! Whether you're a proud alum, local supporter, or just love a little nostalgia, this is your opportunity to grab a seat in history. To learn more: *Visit: https://www.publicsurplus.com *Select a Region: Virginia *Select an Agency: Washington County Public Schools (VA)

Summer school students at Watauga Elementary School had a special visitor this morning! Virginia State Trooper Chris Combs stopped by to share what it's like to serve and protect as a State Trooper. From safety tips to sirens, students got an up-close look at law enforcement in action. Thank you, Trooper Combs, for inspiring our young learners and keeping our community safe!

Meadowview Elementary School Reset Room Thank you to the Bristol Herald Courier for highlighting the Reset Room at Meadowview Elementary!  This innovative space is all about giving students the tools they need to hit the "reset" button when things get overwhelming. Whether it's for calming down, reflecting, or regaining focus, the Reset Room is all about supporting our students' emotional and mental well-being. Click here to read the article from the Bristol Herald Courier: https://heraldcourier.com/news/local/education/k-12/article_ddcc2709-4551-473d-8ffa-d39cdf495f85.html#tracking-source=home-top-story

Stay Connected Be sure to check out the latest edition of The Washington Way! It's our division newsletter to help you stay updated with what is going on across the WCPS system. Visit this link to read the news: https://shorturl.at/KRRZh

WCPS Alumni Spotlight: Jake Holmes ~ Holston High School ~ Class of 2007. We are thrilled to highlight Mr. Jake Holmes, a proud Holston 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

Free Summer Meals REMINDER: Washington County Public Schools is excited about two great meal programs this summer for all children and teens 18 and under! On-Site Meals in June: Stop by one of four WCPS locations for free breakfast and lunch – no sign-up needed. Just come and enjoy your meal, and fuel up for summer fun. No application required. Please note: Meals must be eaten on-site. Grab-and-Go Meals in June and July: Thanks to our partnership with Feeding Southwest Virginia, families have the opportunity to pick up multiple Grab-and-Go breakfasts and suppers at various locations – no need to stay onsite and eat! Children do NOT need to be present for meal pick-up. Enrollment is required through Feeding Southwest Virginia – Forms will be available at each pick-up site, scan the QR Code in the attached flyer, or click here to enroll online: https://shorturl.at/uPys5 You may only enroll for ONE site during the summer. Check out our full schedule for locations, dates, and times in the graphics below.

🥚😄 Sometimes leadership means taking one for the team … or an egg to the face! Our WCPS administrators had an egg-cellent time at the Blue Ridge Discovery Center —building trust, bonding through team challenges, celebrating our successes, talking about ways to improve student safety, and planning for another great year ahead!

Summer Reading Looking for something fun and educational to do this summer? Our friends at the Washington County Public Library have tons of exciting resources and programs for our students and families to enjoy! From summer reading challenges to free activities for kids and teens, there's something for everyone! Check out the library's Summer Reading Program and all the other awesome resources available: https://shorturl.at/1Ap1U

🎉💻 Congratulations to Christina Zochowski, a 10th grader at John S. Battle High School, who was recognized by School Board members this evening for an amazing achievement -- being named the Microsoft Office Specialist State Champion! Christina's skills with Microsoft Office are next level, and we couldn't be prouder of her hard work and dedication.

WCPS Alumni Spotlight: Olivia Cochrane ~ John S. Battle High School ~ Class of 2020. We are thrilled to highlight Ms. Olivia Cochrane, 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

Free Summer Meals REMINDER: Washington County Public Schools is excited about two great meal programs this summer for all children and teens 18 and under! On-Site Meals in June: Stop by one of four WCPS locations for free breakfast and lunch – no sign-up needed. Just come and enjoy your meal, and fuel up for summer fun. No application required. Please note: Meals must be eaten on-site. Grab-and-Go Meals in June and July: Thanks to our partnership with Feeding Southwest Virginia, families have the opportunity to pick up multiple Grab-and-Go breakfasts and suppers at various locations – no need to stay onsite and eat! Children do NOT need to be present for meal pick-up. Enrollment is required through Feeding Southwest Virginia – Forms will be available at each pick-up site, scan the QR Code in the attached flyer, or click here to enroll online: https://shorturl.at/uPys5 You may only enroll for ONE site during the summer. Check out our full schedule for locations, dates, and times in the graphics below.

🎓✨ The tassels have turned, the caps have flown, and the Class of 2025 has officially crossed the field. From proud smiles to cap tosses and everything in between, here's a look at some of the special moments from each WCPS high school graduation! Congratulations, graduates -- your future is bright, and we're so proud of you! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnULjXXcHIo