Schedule Change: Due to water, limbs, and other debris on several roads, WCPS will operate on a 2 hour delayed schedule, today, Friday, February 7, 2025. Childcare will be provided at elementary schools for working parents.
š Exciting Summer Science Opportunities for Middle and High Schoolers! š
Study Science. Do Science. Summer Camp for Students: The Virginia Tech College of Science is now accepting applications for five residential summer science camps for students in grades 7-12. Dive into microbiology, neuroscience, physics, nanoscience, data science, and more! Make new friends and unlock new passions this summer! Costs are associated with each camp and need-based scholarships are available. Applications are due April 10: https://www.science.vt.edu/get-involved/camps.html Email Victoria Corbin at explorescicamp@vt.edu with any questions.
Virginia Junior Academy of Science Research Symposium -- May 31, 2025: Students in grades 7-12 who wish to enter the VJAS Research Symposium are asked to submit their research paper by February 21. The 2025 Symposium will be a hybrid event where students may present in-person at Ferrum College or attend synchronously via Zoom. Membership in the VJAS is free. Click here for more information: https://vjas.org/index.html VJAS is also seeking judges both virtually and in person -- https://vjas.org/judges.html
National Youth Science Camp: The NYSCamp is a residential science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics program open to current high school juniors and seniors. Two students will be selected to represent Virginia as delegates in this fully in-person experience! The camp will be held July 10 - August 2 and is offered at no cost to the selected participant. Apply by February 28: https://www.nysacademy.org/programs/nyscamp/
Career Cafe: Damascus Middle School recently welcomed another awesome presenter for the DMS Career Cafe series. A best-selling author spoke with students about writing as a career. He shared details about the creative writing and publishing process with students and really piqued their interests!
š Get to Know Your Washington County School Board Members š
As we celebrate School Board Appreciation Month, it's the perfect time to get to know the dedicated individuals who work tirelessly to ensure our students have the best educational experiences possible!
Today, we are spotlighting Dr. Sandy Frederick.
MAP Fun: Take a look at some of the adventures students in MAP (Meadowview Afterschool Program) have been having, even on the weekend! Students had a chance to visit Hands On! Discovery Center this past Saturday where they spent the day exploring, learning and having a blast!
š National Signing Day Celebration š
We're proud to celebrate our talented Abingdon High School students as they officially sign to continue their athletic careers at the next level! These student-athletes have worked tirelessly to reach this milestone and today marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in their journey.
*Abigail O'Quinn -- Basketball -- Bluefield
*Muriel Dillow -- Softball -- Tusculum
*Riley Singleton -- Softball -- SWCC
*Owen Barr -- Football -- Emory & Henry
*Luke Honaker -- Football -- Emory & Henry
*Isaac Doss -- Football -- Bridgewater
*Alex Hawkins -- Football -- Bridgewater
*Cole ReMine -- Football -- Bridgewater
*Turner ReMine -- Football -- Bridgewater
Interactive Learning: Students at Glade Spring Middle School have been busy interacting with a Black History Month STEM bulletin board and learning about the important contributions of individuals such as Lewis Latimer, George Washington Carver, and Dr. Patricia Bath. A special thank you to Ms. Surber for organizing this bulletin board for students.
š Get to Know Your Washington County School Board Members š
As we celebrate School Board Appreciation Month, it's the perfect time to get to know the dedicated individuals who work tirelessly to ensure our students have the best educational experiences possible!
Today, we are spotlighting Mr. Sanders Henderson.
Watch Now: We are so proud of our teams from Patrick Henry High School and John S. Battle High School for their success at the recent National Robot Drone League Competition! Watch this feature from WCYB to hear more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXzE9OsrjHw
š Happy National School Counseling Week! š
This week, weāre celebrating our incredible school counselors who make a difference every day! From providing guidance and encouragement to working with teachers, staff, and families to help their students thrive, their impact is felt across our schools. ā¤ļø
Counselors were asked how they know students are thriving. Here is what they had to say:
"When they stop by (all smiles) just because"
"When they show a positive attitude towards their education"
"When they are happy, healthy, & excited!"
Join us in thanking our counselors for their dedication and hard work!
Empowering Future Professionals: In Ms. Fuller's Marketing Co-op class at John S. Battle High School, students aren't just learning about marketing strategies -- they're gaining real-world skills that will benefit them for years to come! As part of this unique course, every student has a job, and they've been taking a deep dive into something just as important: understanding their W-2 forms and filing taxes. These real-life lessons not only equip students with the tools they need for financial literacy but also help them feel confident and empowered in handling their finances as they move into the next phase of their careers.
Tune In: Thank you to WCYB for coming out to Patrick Henry High School this morning to talk with students about the robotics programs in WCPS, and the recent RDL Competition! Be sure to watch WCYB this evening for the full story.
School Board Appreciation: February is School Board Appreciation Month in Virginia, and we want to take a moment to thank the dedicated members of our School Board! Your commitment to the success and well-being of our students and schools is inspiring, and your hard work doesn't go unnoticed. We appreciate everything you do to make Washington County Public Schools a great place for our students, staff, and families!
Special Resources: Parents, February is all about love and relationships. Join Parent Coaching to nurture and strengthen your connection with your children. This free resource pairs you with a parenting coach and offers content designed by therapists. Click here to register and receive ongoing support: https://cookcenter.info/coaching
Introducing the participants of the CultivatED Leadership Academy, made up of our great WCPS staff members! The goal of the CultivatED Leadership Academy is to grow a leadership team that is ready to bloom to ensure we continue our tradition of excellence, The Washington Way.
Family Math Night: We love seeing our young students having fun while learning math. Rhea Valley Elementary School hosted Family Math Night, which consisted of various activities and games for students and families to enjoy!
Collecting Data: Students in Mrs. Caywood's Science 7 class at Damascus Middle School have been busy! They lifted and observed their fingerprints to collect and analyze data while practicing scientific inquiry. Scientific inquiry is a process that uses evidence to solve problems and understand scientific phenomena. It involves making observations, forming hypotheses, conducting experiments, and analyzing data.
Honoring Black History: February is Black History Month, and Washington County Public Schools is proud to recognize the incredible contributions of notable individuals throughout history. This provides a special opportunity to reflect on the achievements, struggles, and resiliency of Black communities and to deepen our understanding of their lasting impact on society.
In celebration of Black History Month, the WCPS School Nutrition Department will highlight Leah Chase, known as the Queen of Creole Cuisine. We will have a special menu item celebrating her life and dedication to bringing people together through food. Leah Chase's restaurant, Dooky Chase's Restaurant in New Orleans, became an important meeting place for civil rights leaders during the 1960s. She opened her doors to activists and leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Thurgood Marshall, and others who needed a safe place for strategy and discussion. The restaurant provided not only great meals, but also a sense of solidarity and hope, playing a crucial role in the fight for racial equality. Through Chase's impact on Creole cuisine and commitment to her community, she became a driving force in the kitchen and in maintaining cultural heritage and unity. On Wednesday, February 12, our students will be able to enjoy a special tasting of gumbo, inspired by Chase! We believe that through meals like this, there can be conversations and a deeper appreciation for the valuable contributions towards American food traditions by chefs like Leah Chase.
To view WCPS menus for February, click here: https://shorturl.at/0YUBo
Photo of Leah Chase Courtesy of Dooky Chase's Restaurant
RDL Nationals: Thank you to WJHL for highlighting the recent Robot Drone League Nationals competition and for giving a shoutout to our teams from Patrick Henry High School and John S. Battle High School! To read the article, click here: https://shorturl.at/xXkiN
WCCTEC Visit: It was an exciting day for 8th grade students from E.B. Stanley Middle School! Students visited the Washington County Career & Technical Education Center to learn about the various programs and classes offered and to hear from current WCCTEC students and teachers. The 8th graders had the chance to visit 18 different classes/stations at WCCTEC, which provided a great opportunity for these students to start thinking about their futures!
