šš§ŖšAs a review activity, students in Mr. Stinsonās 7th-grade life science class at Wallace Middle School revisited key life science concepts through a hands-on owl pellet investigation.
š 12 Days of Digital Safety
Washington County Public Schools is committed to student safety both in and out of the classroom. As we count down the 12 remaining days before Christmas Break, weāre launching our 12 Days of Digital Safety ā a series of simple, practical tips to help keep students safe online. The holiday season often brings extra screen time, new devices, and more online activity, so each day will highlight a different aspect of digital safety, along with helpful resources families can use right away.
šš»Day 12 ā Holiday Tech Gift Setup: With new devices under the tree, take time to set them up safely. Enable parental controls, review privacy settings, and guide your child on responsible use.
ā”ļøTo learn more, click here: https://connectsafely.org/controls/
Washington County Public Schools is committed to student safety both in and out of the classroom. As we count down the 12 remaining days before Christmas Break, weāre launching our 12 Days of Digital Safety ā a series of simple, practical tips to help keep students safe online. The holiday season often brings extra screen time, new devices, and more online activity, so each day will highlight a different aspect of digital safety, along with helpful resources families can use right away.
šš»Day 12 ā Holiday Tech Gift Setup: With new devices under the tree, take time to set them up safely. Enable parental controls, review privacy settings, and guide your child on responsible use.
ā”ļøTo learn more, click here: https://connectsafely.org/controls/
šā¤ļø Community Generosity in Action!
Thanks to the incredible kindness of several churches, businesses, and individual donors, more than 1,200 toys were donated to students at Rhea Valley Elementary School!
This outpouring of support brought big smiles, holiday cheer, and a powerful reminder of what makes our community so special. We are grateful to everyone who helped make this moment so meaningful for our students and families.
Thanks to the incredible kindness of several churches, businesses, and individual donors, more than 1,200 toys were donated to students at Rhea Valley Elementary School!
This outpouring of support brought big smiles, holiday cheer, and a powerful reminder of what makes our community so special. We are grateful to everyone who helped make this moment so meaningful for our students and families.
š 12 Days of Digital Safety
Washington County Public Schools is committed to student safety both in and out of the classroom. As we count down the 12 remaining days before Christmas Break, weāre launching our 12 Days of Digital Safety ā a series of simple, practical tips to help keep students safe online. The holiday season often brings extra screen time, new devices, and more online activity, so each day will highlight a different aspect of digital safety, along with helpful resources families can use right away.
š£š”Day 11 ā Digital Footprints Matter: Teach kids that their posts, photos, and messages can last forever. The holiday season is full of moments to share ā but pause and consider privacy before posting.
ā”ļøTo learn more, click here: https://fosi.org/picture-perfect-privacy-a-guide-to-responsible-sharing-of-your-kids-photos/
Washington County Public Schools is committed to student safety both in and out of the classroom. As we count down the 12 remaining days before Christmas Break, weāre launching our 12 Days of Digital Safety ā a series of simple, practical tips to help keep students safe online. The holiday season often brings extra screen time, new devices, and more online activity, so each day will highlight a different aspect of digital safety, along with helpful resources families can use right away.
š£š”Day 11 ā Digital Footprints Matter: Teach kids that their posts, photos, and messages can last forever. The holiday season is full of moments to share ā but pause and consider privacy before posting.
ā”ļøTo learn more, click here: https://fosi.org/picture-perfect-privacy-a-guide-to-responsible-sharing-of-your-kids-photos/
šStudents and staff from the Washington County Career & Technical Education Center participated in Wreaths Across America at Mountain Home Cemetery on Saturday, honoring and remembering the men and women who served our country.
This meaningful experience was rooted in gratitude, respect, and remembrance, and we are proud of our WCCTEC community for taking time to honor our nationās heroes.
This meaningful experience was rooted in gratitude, respect, and remembrance, and we are proud of our WCCTEC community for taking time to honor our nationās heroes.
š 12 Days of Digital Safety
Washington County Public Schools is committed to student safety both in and out of the classroom. As we count down the 12 remaining days before Christmas Break, weāre launching our 12 Days of Digital Safety ā a series of simple, practical tips to help keep students safe online. The holiday season often brings extra screen time, new devices, and more online activity, so each day will highlight a different aspect of digital safety, along with helpful resources families can use right away.
šš±Day 10 ā Location Settings Check: Turn off unnecessary location-sharing on devices and apps. Just as you protect your home during the holidays, protecting your childās location keeps them safe online.
ā”ļøTo learn more, click here: https://www.cisa.gov/resources-tools/training/manage-application-permissions-privacy-and-security#:~:text=The%20Bottom%20Line,To%20mitigate%20this%20risk:
Washington County Public Schools is committed to student safety both in and out of the classroom. As we count down the 12 remaining days before Christmas Break, weāre launching our 12 Days of Digital Safety ā a series of simple, practical tips to help keep students safe online. The holiday season often brings extra screen time, new devices, and more online activity, so each day will highlight a different aspect of digital safety, along with helpful resources families can use right away.
šš±Day 10 ā Location Settings Check: Turn off unnecessary location-sharing on devices and apps. Just as you protect your home during the holidays, protecting your childās location keeps them safe online.
ā”ļøTo learn more, click here: https://www.cisa.gov/resources-tools/training/manage-application-permissions-privacy-and-security#:~:text=The%20Bottom%20Line,To%20mitigate%20this%20risk:
š 12 Days of Digital Safety
Washington County Public Schools is committed to student safety both in and out of the classroom. As we count down the 12 remaining days before Christmas Break, weāre launching our 12 Days of Digital Safety ā a series of simple, practical tips to help keep students safe online. The holiday season often brings extra screen time, new devices, and more online activity, so each day will highlight a different aspect of digital safety, along with helpful resources families can use right away.
šµš Day 9 ā Healthy Tech Habits: Encourage tech-free zones or times at home ā during meals, holiday activities, or bedtime. Even in a season of screens and devices, unplugged moments with family are priceless.
ā”ļøTo learn more, click here: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/Media/Pages/How-to-Make-a-Family-Media-Use-Plan.aspx
Washington County Public Schools is committed to student safety both in and out of the classroom. As we count down the 12 remaining days before Christmas Break, weāre launching our 12 Days of Digital Safety ā a series of simple, practical tips to help keep students safe online. The holiday season often brings extra screen time, new devices, and more online activity, so each day will highlight a different aspect of digital safety, along with helpful resources families can use right away.
šµš Day 9 ā Healthy Tech Habits: Encourage tech-free zones or times at home ā during meals, holiday activities, or bedtime. Even in a season of screens and devices, unplugged moments with family are priceless.
ā”ļøTo learn more, click here: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/Media/Pages/How-to-Make-a-Family-Media-Use-Plan.aspx
š£ SCHEDULE CHANGE: Washington County Public Schools will operate on a 2-hour delay tomorrow, Tuesday, December 16, 2025. Buses will run on clear routes only. Childcare for elementary students will be provided at elementary schools (for elementary aged students only) for working parents who need it. Please watch for additional information from your child's elementary school.
š¢ Clinic Update
The clinic at John S. Battle High School is open today from 10:00 a.m. ā 4:00 p.m.
š To schedule an appointment, please call 276-642-5335.
The clinic at John S. Battle High School is open today from 10:00 a.m. ā 4:00 p.m.
š To schedule an appointment, please call 276-642-5335.
WCPS Alumni Spotlight: Ashley Cooper (Comer) ~ John S. Battle High School ~ Class of 2008.
We are thrilled to highlight Ms. Ashley Cooper (Comer), 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
We are thrilled to highlight Ms. Ashley Cooper (Comer), 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
š 12 Days of Digital Safety
Washington County Public Schools is committed to student safety both in and out of the classroom. As we count down the 12 remaining days before Christmas Break, weāre launching our 12 Days of Digital Safety ā a series of simple, practical tips to help keep students safe online. The holiday season often brings extra screen time, new devices, and more online activity, so each day will highlight a different aspect of digital safety, along with helpful resources families can use right away.
āļøšDay 8 ā Keep Devices Updated: Keep devices and apps up to date. Updates are like holiday prep ā small steps now can prevent bigger problems later.
ā”ļøTo learn more, click here: https://www.cisa.gov/resources-tools/training/keep-your-devices-operating-system-and-applications-date
Washington County Public Schools is committed to student safety both in and out of the classroom. As we count down the 12 remaining days before Christmas Break, weāre launching our 12 Days of Digital Safety ā a series of simple, practical tips to help keep students safe online. The holiday season often brings extra screen time, new devices, and more online activity, so each day will highlight a different aspect of digital safety, along with helpful resources families can use right away.
āļøšDay 8 ā Keep Devices Updated: Keep devices and apps up to date. Updates are like holiday prep ā small steps now can prevent bigger problems later.
ā”ļøTo learn more, click here: https://www.cisa.gov/resources-tools/training/keep-your-devices-operating-system-and-applications-date
š¢SCHEDULE UPDATE: Washington County Public Schools will be closed tomorrow, Monday, December 15, 2025.
Most roads are clear and dry and we had hoped that more secondary roads would improve throughout the day. However, there are several areas in every part of the county that still have roads that are ice covered.
WCPS Offices will open at 10:00 a.m. on Monday.
Childcare will be available beginning at 10:00a.m. Please watch for additional information from your childās elementary school. Be safe and stay warm!
āØIt is an honor for Washington County Public Schools to announce and congratulate the following teachers selected by their respective schools as their 2025-2026 Teacher of the Year.
These persons were chosen by their colleagues because they exemplify the best of being a teacher for Washington County Public Schools and the service they provide to the community, school and most importantly, students.
Elementary Schools
*Abingdon ~ Kari Akers
*Greendale ~ Lucy Davenport
*High Point ~ Paul Davidson
*Meadowview ~ Melissa Atwell
*Rhea Valley ~ Connie Gregor
*Valley Institute ~ Amy Dewease
*Watauga ~ Shawna Meade
Middle Schools
*Damascus ~ Lisa Blackburn
*Glade Spring ~ Amy Surber
*E. B. Stanley ~ Elizabeth McCall
*Wallace ~ Angela Waites
Secondary Schools
*Abingdon High ~ Brian Butler
*John S. Battle High ~ Gina Turner
*Patrick Henry High ~ Jared Mitchell
*Holston High ~ Cynthia Parkin
*WC CTE Center ~ Katherine Litton
These teachers will be recognized as their buildingās Teacher of the Year at the Washington County School Board meeting on January 20, 2026.
As well, we are excited to announce and congratulate the grade level Teacher of the Year for 2025-2026. Each of the buildingās Teacher of the Year could be chosen as all are models of what it means to be a teacher.
*2025-2026 Elementary School Teacher of the Year ~ Amy Dewease
*2025-2026 Middle School Teacher of the Year ~ Amy Surber
*2025-2026 High School Teacher of the Year ~ Katherine Litton
The 2025-2026 Washington County Teacher of the Year will be announced during the Washington County School Board Meeting on January 20, 2026, and will be our Divisionās candidate for the Region VII Teacher of the Year.
Congratulations to all as we celebrate these exemplary teachers of Washington County Schools.
These persons were chosen by their colleagues because they exemplify the best of being a teacher for Washington County Public Schools and the service they provide to the community, school and most importantly, students.
Elementary Schools
*Abingdon ~ Kari Akers
*Greendale ~ Lucy Davenport
*High Point ~ Paul Davidson
*Meadowview ~ Melissa Atwell
*Rhea Valley ~ Connie Gregor
*Valley Institute ~ Amy Dewease
*Watauga ~ Shawna Meade
Middle Schools
*Damascus ~ Lisa Blackburn
*Glade Spring ~ Amy Surber
*E. B. Stanley ~ Elizabeth McCall
*Wallace ~ Angela Waites
Secondary Schools
*Abingdon High ~ Brian Butler
*John S. Battle High ~ Gina Turner
*Patrick Henry High ~ Jared Mitchell
*Holston High ~ Cynthia Parkin
*WC CTE Center ~ Katherine Litton
These teachers will be recognized as their buildingās Teacher of the Year at the Washington County School Board meeting on January 20, 2026.
As well, we are excited to announce and congratulate the grade level Teacher of the Year for 2025-2026. Each of the buildingās Teacher of the Year could be chosen as all are models of what it means to be a teacher.
*2025-2026 Elementary School Teacher of the Year ~ Amy Dewease
*2025-2026 Middle School Teacher of the Year ~ Amy Surber
*2025-2026 High School Teacher of the Year ~ Katherine Litton
The 2025-2026 Washington County Teacher of the Year will be announced during the Washington County School Board Meeting on January 20, 2026, and will be our Divisionās candidate for the Region VII Teacher of the Year.
Congratulations to all as we celebrate these exemplary teachers of Washington County Schools.
š 12 Days of Digital Safety
Washington County Public Schools is committed to student safety both in and out of the classroom. As we count down the 12 remaining days before Christmas Break, weāre launching our 12 Days of Digital Safety ā a series of simple, practical tips to help keep students safe online. The holiday season often brings extra screen time, new devices, and more online activity, so each day will highlight a different aspect of digital safety, along with helpful resources families can use right away.
š«š¤Day 7 ā Stranger Safety Online: Encourage children to only interact with people they know in real life. The holidays may bring new games or apps, so make sure their online connections stay safe and friendly.
ā”ļøTo learn more, click here: https://sos.fbi.gov/en/
Washington County Public Schools is committed to student safety both in and out of the classroom. As we count down the 12 remaining days before Christmas Break, weāre launching our 12 Days of Digital Safety ā a series of simple, practical tips to help keep students safe online. The holiday season often brings extra screen time, new devices, and more online activity, so each day will highlight a different aspect of digital safety, along with helpful resources families can use right away.
š«š¤Day 7 ā Stranger Safety Online: Encourage children to only interact with people they know in real life. The holidays may bring new games or apps, so make sure their online connections stay safe and friendly.
ā”ļøTo learn more, click here: https://sos.fbi.gov/en/
š¢SCHEDULE UPDATE: Due to winter weather and poor road conditions across the county, WCPS will be CLOSED today, Friday, December 12, 2025. Childcare will NOT provided at elementary schools.
š¢SCHEDULE CHANGE: Weather models show that we will receive more snow overnight, especially on the eastern side of the county. As a result, WCPS will operate on a 2-hour delayed schedule tomorrow, Friday, December 12, 2025. If an adjustment needs to be made to the schedule in the morning, we will do so by 7:30 a.m. Childcare for elementary students will be provided at elementary schools (for elementary aged students only) for working families who need it. Please watch for additional information from your childās elementary school.
āļø With temperatures expected to drop significantly on Sunday -- possibly as low as 5 degrees -- and plenty of winter still ahead, we want to ensure every student is prepared for the cold.
If your child, or a child you know, is in need of winter weather gear (such as a warm coat, hat, or gloves), please contact your childās principal, the Communities in Schools liaison at your childās school, or Dr. Keith Perrigan at kperrigan@wcs.k12.va.us
Along with our wonderful community partners, we are here to help and will make sure those needs are met for our students.
Thank you for helping us keep all students safe and warm this winter.
If your child, or a child you know, is in need of winter weather gear (such as a warm coat, hat, or gloves), please contact your childās principal, the Communities in Schools liaison at your childās school, or Dr. Keith Perrigan at kperrigan@wcs.k12.va.us
Along with our wonderful community partners, we are here to help and will make sure those needs are met for our students.
Thank you for helping us keep all students safe and warm this winter.
š¶š¬ Science + Music = Learning Fun at Meadowview!
Meadowview Elementary 5th graders have been exploring the science of sound in music class, and their latest experiment hit all the right notes!
Using bowls, plastic wrap, rubber bands, and sugar sprinkles, students created a model to show how our eardrums respond to different pitches and volumes. They made predictions, tested low vs. high and quiet vs. loud sounds, and then shared their discoveries with the class.
Meadowview Elementary 5th graders have been exploring the science of sound in music class, and their latest experiment hit all the right notes!
Using bowls, plastic wrap, rubber bands, and sugar sprinkles, students created a model to show how our eardrums respond to different pitches and volumes. They made predictions, tested low vs. high and quiet vs. loud sounds, and then shared their discoveries with the class.
š 12 Days of Digital Safety
Washington County Public Schools is committed to student safety both in and out of the classroom. As we count down the 12 remaining days before Christmas Break, weāre launching our 12 Days of Digital Safety ā a series of simple, practical tips to help keep students safe online. The holiday season often brings extra screen time, new devices, and more online activity, so each day will highlight a different aspect of digital safety, along with helpful resources families can use right away.
ššDay 6 ā Keep Personal Info Safe: Remind kids not to share addresses, phone numbers, school information, or passwords online ā even during festive chats or holiday gaming sessions. Safety comes first, even in the excitement of the season.
ā”ļøTo learn more, click here: https://www.dhs.gov/know2protect/take-action?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22114696222&gbraid=0AAAAAq3BANWl2lvQmo_rPYpsDJG5mct_4&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIp9fRwI6zkQMVpVB_AB1mLCcxEAAYASAAEgIW_PD_BwE
Washington County Public Schools is committed to student safety both in and out of the classroom. As we count down the 12 remaining days before Christmas Break, weāre launching our 12 Days of Digital Safety ā a series of simple, practical tips to help keep students safe online. The holiday season often brings extra screen time, new devices, and more online activity, so each day will highlight a different aspect of digital safety, along with helpful resources families can use right away.
ššDay 6 ā Keep Personal Info Safe: Remind kids not to share addresses, phone numbers, school information, or passwords online ā even during festive chats or holiday gaming sessions. Safety comes first, even in the excitement of the season.
ā”ļøTo learn more, click here: https://www.dhs.gov/know2protect/take-action?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22114696222&gbraid=0AAAAAq3BANWl2lvQmo_rPYpsDJG5mct_4&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIp9fRwI6zkQMVpVB_AB1mLCcxEAAYASAAEgIW_PD_BwE
š¢SCHEDULE CHANGE: Due to black ice on several secondary roads and side streets throughout the county, Washington County Public Schools will be closed today, Thursday, December 11, 2025.
Childcare will still be available at our elementary schools for elementary-aged students for working families who need it.
Please watch for additional information from your childās elementary school regarding childcare procedures.
