Hands-On Learning: Ms. Hockett's 6th graders at Wallace Middle School kicked off their semester by applying the Scientific Method and the Engineering Design Process. Students used different brands of soap to determine which would produce the largest bubbles! They worked together to conduct a series of trials with the different brands and were able to identify independent and dependent variables during their experiment.
Students also worked together to apply the Engineering Design Process through a scenario. They took on the role of an engineer to work through their design challenge of building a tower with a limited number of index cards, popsicle sticks, rubber bands, and tape. Through their Engineering Design challenge, students were able to think like an engineer, build a prototype, identify constraints within designs, and share their results with their peers!
Sharing Unique Global Perspectives: Thank you to WCYB for interviewing and highlighting our awesome exchange students at Abingdon High School! Click the link to read the article and watch the story: https://shorturl.at/92b7F
WCPS will operate on a REGULAR SCHEDULE tomorrow, Tuesday, January 28, 2025. Because the WCPS Transportation Department has determined there are still a few roads in the county impacted by snow and ice, buses will only travel on clear routes. The roads that will not be used tomorrow can be found here: https://www.wcs.k12.va.us/documents/transportation%2Fbus-routes/743711
Our website provider is having issues this morning, that's why our district website is returning an error right now. You can get to your school apps and email by going directly to our SSO Portal at https://portal.wcs.k12.va.us.
SCHEDULE UPDATE: Due to snowfall overnight resulting in slick roadways across the county, WCPS will implement a Remote Learning Day today, Monday, January 27, 2025.
If your student has any issues accessing virtual instruction during their scheduled time, please contact your child’s teacher or principal directly. We will work with them on instruction, assignments, and attendance.
WCPS will operate on a REGULAR schedule tomorrow, Monday, January 27, 2025. Because our Transportation Department has determined there are still a few roads in the county impacted by snow and ice, buses will only travel on clear routes. The roads that will not be used tomorrow can be found here: https://www.wcs.k12.va.us/documents/transportation%2Fbus-routes/743711
We are also closely monitoring the potential for winter weather this evening into tomorrow morning -- We will update should additional schedule changes be needed.
Congratulations to the PHHS Robotics Drone Team for winning the National RDL Competition. Patrick Henry formed an alliance with Elizabethton High School and won the title. John Battle's Team walked away with the coveted "Rookie Team of the Year" for their hard work! So Proud!
Current Robot Drone Championship update! PHHS 2nd place overall, JSBHS in 3rd Place! Heading into semi-finals soon!
Teams from JSBHS and PHHS are competing today in the National Robot Drone League competition on the campus of ETSU! Competition is ongoing but you can follow the scores throughout the day by scanning the QR code below. @WashCoSuper #WashingtonWay
FFA Day at the Capitol: FFA Members from Abingdon High School, John S. Battle High School, Holston High School, and Patrick Henry High School traveled to Richmond to attend FFA Day at the Capitol. While there, members received leadership training and were able to tell FFA stories to political leaders. FFA Members also had the chance to meet and spend time with Del. Israel O'Quinn and Sen. Todd Pillion. To conclude the trip, Gov. Glenn Youngkin shared his take on the importance of FFA.
Photos Courtesy: Del. Israel O'Quinn.
Special Congratulations: John S. Battle High School senior Kara Kelley scored her 1,000th career basketball point on Thursday, during JSB's basketball game against Graham High School. Congratulations Kara on your big accomplishment!
We are closely monitoring the potential for winter weather to impact the area this afternoon, especially near our Russell County border. If you have concerns about your teen driver who would be driving home in these potential conditions, please contact your student's principal and they would be happy to work with you to coordinate an early dismissal. The same goes for bus riders in areas where roads are still snow covered or may become covered if the weather materializes.
We will closely monitor conditions for the remainder of the afternoon, but we do not currently anticipate a division wide schedule change.
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/JQpLa
WCPS will operate on a REGULAR SCHEDULE tomorrow, Friday, January 24, 2025. Because there are still a few roads in the county impacted by snow and ice, buses will only travel on clear routes. The roads that will not be used tomorrow can be found here: https://www.wcs.k12.va.us/documents/transportation%2Fbus-routes/743711
Additionally, if you know of a child in need of winter weather gear (hat, gloves, etc.) please contact your child's principal, and we will work to help meet those needs.
Entrepreneural Skills: Ms. Field's Economics classes at Patrick Henry High School were able to get savvy with their money last week to see if they had what it takes to be an entrepreneur! Thanks to Cindy Fields with the Small Business Development Center for sharing her skills.
WCPS will operate on a REGULAR SCHEDULE tomorrow, Thursday, January 23, 2025. However, buses will only travel on clear routes. There are still a few roads in the county impacted by snow and ice. The roads that will not be used tomorrow can be found here: https://www.wcs.k12.va.us/documents/transportation%2Fbus-routes/743711
As a reminder, if you know of a child in need of winter weather gear (hat, gloves, etc.) please contact your child's principal, and we will work to help meet those needs.
Check This Out: Mr. Marousek's Welding students at the Washington County Career & Technical Education Center have proudly completed the trailer project for the ECU Battle of the Build's competition! A special shoutout goes to Mr. Casteel's Engineering students for designing the tailgate with the school logo. Join us in wishing them the best of luck in the contest on February 1!
Special Recognition: During the meeting this evening, School Board Members Recognized the WCPS 2024-2025 Teachers of the Year. These individuals 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 ~ Gwen Campbell
*Greendale ~ Abby Rasnake
*High Point ~ Heather Hensley
*Meadowview ~ Kimberly Cox
*Rhea Valley ~ Beth Delp
*Valley Institute ~ Joy Hull
*Watauga ~ Sherry Thomason
Middle Schools:
*Damascus ~ Sallie Moss
*Glade Spring ~ Sherry Cannon
*E.B. Stanley ~ Maggie Branton
*Wallace ~ Kaitlyn Maples
Secondary Schools
*Abingdon High ~ Chase Nunley
*John S. Battle High ~ Emily Tallman
*Patrick Henry High ~ Alyssa Fields
*Holston High ~ Buffy Milhorne
*WC CTE Center ~ William (Billy) Buchanan
The Board also congratulated the following grade level Teacher of the Year for 2024-2025. Each of the building’s Teacher of the Year were chosen as models of what it means to be a teacher.
*WC Elementary School Teacher of the Year ~ Abby Rasnake
*WC Middle School Teacher of the Year ~ Kaitlyn Maples
*WC High School Teacher of the Year ~ Chase Nunley
Washington County School 2024-2025 Teacher of the Year ~ Chase Nunley
Congratulations to all as we celebrate these exemplary teachers of Washington County Schools!
We had hoped that we would be able to provide in person learning opportunities tomorrow. However, our afternoon update from our meteorologist provided a declining forecast. Due to the extremely cold temperatures forecasted for the morning, which are now predicted to have wind chills hovering in the sub-0 range for much of the morning, and TVA asking customers to participate in a voluntary power conservation effort, WCPS will implement a Remote Learning Day for tomorrow, Wednesday, January 22, 2025.
If your student has any issues accessing virtual instruction during their scheduled time, please contact your child’s teacher or principal directly. We will work with them on instruction, assignments, and attendance. Additionally, if you know of a child in need of winter weather gear (hat, gloves, etc.) please contact your child’s principal, and we will work to help meet those needs. We thank you for your understanding and appreciate your patience as we continue to work through these weather-related schedule challenges.
Referrals for gifted education services will be accepted January 20-31. If you would like to refer a student for an evaluation, please complete the survey link below. Should you have any questions, please contact Ms. Susan O'Dell at sodell@wcs.k12.va.us or Dr. Sherry King at sking@wcs.k12.va.us.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdLiwngXy-clNKrKlaFTPY6qwh3m3U6ElkdXCkMc_WOr796LA/viewform
