Student Input: The School Nutrition Department hosted its first ever School Menu Student Advisory Meeting on Wednesday. High school students representing the four school communities participated in a great discussion, where they shared input and ideas when it comes to school meals and menu planning!
Thank you to WCYB for highlighting a trip several Damascus Middle School students took to Laurel Creek Park. Click the link to read and watch the story: https://wcyb.com/news/local/middle-schoolers-engage-in-hands-on-environmental-learning-aiming-to-preserve-local-park
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/fWFM6
Real World Learning: Gifted and Talented Education Program students from Damascus Middle School visited Laurel Creek Park. The students heard from the town manager and town staff about a creek bank erosion and will now spend the rest of the year exploring ways to solve the issue. This project will give students a real-world application to something they are working on in the classroom. WCYB came out to the park to interview students about the importance of this project and talked with them about what they are hoping to learn. Tune in to WCYB News at 5:30 this evening to see the report.
Reminder: You have a few days left to vote! 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.
Fresh Flavors: Culinary Arts students at the Washington County Career & Technical Education Center whipped up a delicious Tomato Basil Bisque. Their creations brought fresh flavors to the table!
Book Fair Fun: Valley Institute Elementary students recently had a chance to visit the Book Fair! We love seeing our students bonding over books and dreaming about the adventures on the pages. Happy reading!
Communities across the Commonwealth were recently invited to join in a fireside chat with First Lady Suzanne Youngkin and award-winning social psychologist, author and researcher Dr. Jonathan Haidt. The conversation focused on the findings of Haidt's book The Anxious Generation and how it informs our communities and schools in limiting social media and cell phone use to help restore childhood and play. If you missed the chat, click here to view a recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1w287BCT4Mw
Surgeons in Training: Ms. Maples and Ms. Hicks led Wallace Middle School 7th grade "surgeons in training" in performing the correct mathematical order of operations on their patients. Good news -- all patients are expected to make a full recovery!
Special Honors: Congratulations to the John S. Battle 2024 Yearbook Staff for winning Honorable Mention in Balfour's Yearbook Yearbook! This award only goes to the top 10% of Balfour's schools! View the 2024 Yearbook: https://issuu.com/balfour/docs/2024_yearbook_yearbook_issuu
Career Cafe: Damascus Middle School hosted its first Career Cafe, sponsored by school counselor Jamie Moser. Students had a chance to learn about veterinarian & veterinary technician careers! Dr. Emily Winebarger Hoss & Chlowe Taylor shared the joys & challenges of their jobs.
We wanted to share a fun fact with you that will greatly benefit your students! All students in Washington County Public Schools eat for FREE! But did you also know that even if a student packs their lunch, they may pick up three additional items from the cafeteria for FREE to add to their meal? For it to be a qualifying free meal, students must choose an item from three food groups, with one item being a fruit OR vegetable. This is a program available to ALL students in ALL schools!
Immersive Learning: Check out this great article from Cardinal News highlighting some of our students taking part in Southwest Virginia's first lab school: https://shorturl.at/C09Z5
Taco Night: Greendale Elementary School hosted a taco night on Tuesday! Families, faculty and staff enjoyed a free taco dinner sponsored by the Greendale Elementary School PTO and Communities in Schools. We love seeing our school community enjoying a tasty meal!
Planning for the Future: Members of the Teachers for Tomorrow programs at Abingdon High School, John S. Battle, Patrick Henry and the CTE center visited Emory & Henry University. The students met with the education department, sat in on classes, and took a tour of the campus.
School Spirit: Glade Spring Middle School recently hosted Damascus Middle School for a friendly volleyball game during the school day to boost school spirit and assure that all students had a chance to see their friends play!
Reminder: School will dismiss three hours early today for an afternoon of fun at the Washington County Fair!
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“
School Day at the Washington County Fair: We loved seeing our students enjoy the afternoon at the fair -- whether it was riding rides, petting animals or hanging out with friends, a great time was had by everyone!
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.
