Washington County Public Schools

🍎✨ Celebrating Excellence in Education At tonight’s School Board meeting, Washington County Public Schools proudly recognized our 2025–2026 Teachers of the Year -- an exceptional group of educators whose dedication, passion, and leadership make a lasting impact on students every day. Please join us in congratulating the following honorees: 🌟 Elementary Schools *Abingdon Elementary – Kari Akers *Greendale Elementary – Lucy Davenport *High Point Elementary – Paul Davidson *Meadowview Elementary – Melissa Atwell *Rhea Valley Elementary – Connie Gregor *Valley Institute Elementary – Amy Dewease *Watauga Elementary – Shawna Meade 🌟 Middle Schools *Damascus Middle – Lisa Blackburn *Glade Spring Middle – Amy Surber *E.B. Stanley Middle – Elizabeth McCall *Wallace Middle – Angela Waites 🌟 Secondary Schools *Abingdon High – Brian Butler *John S. Battle High – Gina Turner *Patrick Henry High – Jared Mitchell *Holston High – Cynthia Parkin *Washington County CTE Center – Katherine Litton 🏆 Division-Level Honorees *WCPS Elementary School Teacher of the Year – Amy Dewease *WCPS Middle School Teacher of the Year – Amy Surber *WCPS High School Teacher of the Year – Katherine Litton 🎉🍎 Washington County Public Schools 2025–2026 Teacher of the Year * Amy Dewease, Valley Institute Elementary School We are incredibly proud of these educators and grateful for the difference they make in the lives of our students and school communities every day. Please help us celebrate them!

📢SCHEDULE CHANGE: Due to predicted sub zero temperatures in the early morning, Washington County Public Schools will operate on a 2-hour delayed schedule tomorrow, Tuesday, January 20, 2026. 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 child’s elementary school. As temperatures drop, we recognize that for some students, school is the warmest place they have access to. We have made significant efforts to ensure children who need hats, gloves, and jackets receive them. If you know of a child who may need assistance, please contact your school principal so we can provide support.

Washington County Public Schools (WCPS) is taking proactive steps to protect students in today’s increasingly complex digital world with the launch of a new Internet Safety and Prevention Task Force focused on education, awareness, and prevention of Internet crimes affecting children and families.

The task force, which held its first meeting on January 8, 2026, reflects the commitment of WCPS to student safety both in schools and online. While online threats may sometimes feel distant, these risks are occurring right here in Southwest Virginia.

The task force brings together a diverse group of partners, including parents, teachers, school administrators, counselors, mental health professionals, and law enforcement. Representatives at the inaugural meeting included the FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, Virginia State Police, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Abingdon Town Police Department, and the Children’s Advocacy Center.

The group’s goals include:
*Increasing awareness of current and emerging online threats
*Sharing prevention strategies and educational resources
*Strengthening communication and collaboration among schools, families, and community partners
*Supporting proactive measures to keep students safe online

During the meeting, WCPS announced a resource provided through the Virginia Attorney General’s Office called Proxyware, a cutting-edge Internet safety technology designed to detect and disrupt online threats targeting children.

According to Proxyware data:
*82% of teens have been exposed to violent content online
*77% have seen online content involving drugs or alcohol
*75% have encountered sexual content while online

Additionally, Proxyware has detected 192,000 digital attacks targeted at Virginia children while at school during the current calendar year alone. Unlike traditional cybersecurity tools such as firewalls – which focus on blocking known harmful websites – Proxyware detects harmful activity on trusted platforms such as search engines, news sites, educational tools, and online games. Using artificial intelligence and synthetic personas that emulate children online, the system proactively identifies predators and disrupts threats before students are harmed.

As part of its ongoing commitment to Internet safety, WCPS is in the process of implementing several measures across the division, including:
*Locking down YouTube access
*Providing parents with after-hours device controls (middle school pilot program)
*Restricting incoming, external email communication for elementary and middle school students
*Updating take-home device policies by grade level
*Establishing screen time limits by grade
*Internet safety assemblies for students in grades 4-6
*Presentations led by the FBI and Virginia State Police
*Family engagement nights to assist parents with device setup and controls
*Continued evaluation of Proxyware implementation

Washington County Public Schools will continue to share updates as the task force’s work progresses and encourages families to partner with schools in promoting safe and responsible digital use.

✨ Glade Spring Middle School proudly honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy of hope, courage, and equality. Students watched Dr. King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech and reflected on its powerful message through a journal-writing activity, sharing their own dreams for the future. This experience helped students connect Dr. King’s vision to their lives today while sparking meaningful conversations about leadership, perseverance, and making a positive impact in their community.

In addition, under the guidance of Ms. Harris, members of the Student Council Association (SCA) volunteered with Faith in Action, turning Dr. King’s message of service, justice, and unity into action. Through this service opportunity, students honored his legacy by giving back and helping strengthen their community.

🍬Mrs. Ritchie’s first grade class at Rhea Valley Elementary School is learning all about increasing patterns in math -- and they did it in the sweetest way! Using mini marshmallows and heart-shaped marshmallows, students created growing patterns while building strong math skills.

Hands-on learning makes concepts stick, and in first grade, learning is definitely SWEET!

✨WCPS Alumni Spotlight: 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

📚🛠️ When Craftsmanship Meets Community

Students in Mr. Greer’s Carpentry class at the Washington County Career & Technical Education Center recently put their skills to work building a brand-new Little Free Library for the Glade Spring community.

This special project replaced a library originally installed by the Book Lovers Club of Glade Spring -- a local book club with a 90-year history of sharing a love of reading. Thanks to our talented students, that tradition will continue for generations to come!

We love seeing hands-on learning make a real impact beyond the classroom. Great work!

📐✨ Hands-On Learning in Action at Meadowview Elementary

Mrs. Moore’s 4th grade math classes at Meadowview Elementary School had hands-on fun building 2D and 3D shapes to practice and strengthen their geometry skills. From constructing to exploring, students deepened their understanding of shapes while engaging in active, meaningful learning.

When students get the opportunity to build, create, and explore, learning truly comes to life!

📢SCHEDULE UPDATE: An Important Update from the WCPS Transportation Department: Due to weather conditions, buses will NOT run in the Konnarock, Taylor's Valley, and Green Cove areas of Washington County on Thursday, January 15, 2026.

📢SCHEDULE CHANGE: With the probability of snow, cold temperatures, and icy conditions increasing in the eastern third of Washington County, WCPS will operate on a 2-hour delayed schedule tomorrow, January 15, 2026. 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 child’s elementary school.

📣For Your Information

Referrals for gifted education services are currently being accepted through January 30. Parents who wish to refer their child for evaluation should contact their child’s homeroom teacher. For questions, please contact Ms. Susan O’Dell at sodell@wcs.k12.va.us.

Spring 2026 Gifted Education Referral Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfWwRsaIXaUJFKogEaaGSViANzzAAW9QaJwV5gxVr9yILCStQ/viewform

🏆 Superintendent’s Cup 2026

What an exciting day of competition as our Scholastic Bowl teams from Abingdon High School, John S. Battle High School, Patrick Henry High School, and Holston High School came together to compete in the annual Superintendent’s Cup!

Students were challenged across English, math, science, social studies, and miscellaneous knowledge, showing off their teamwork, quick thinking, and academic excellence. Our administrators and community leaders even joined in the fun with some friendly competition!

👏 Congratulations to Patrick Henry High School, winners of this year’s Superintendent’s Cup!

⭐ Top Scorers / MVPs:
*Carter W. (Patrick Henry High School)
*Sage B. (Holston High School)

Thank you to all of our students, coaches, staff, and supporters for making this a fantastic day celebrating academics in Washington County Public Schools!

🌟☕ Be a Bean Recognition – Watauga Elementary School

We are proud to recognize Laura Nunley, Principal, SRO Officer Watson, and Mary Harris from Watauga Elementary School, who were recently recognized by the School Board for going above and beyond to support a student and family.

On a snowy morning in December, a Watauga student and her parent slid off the road along Hillman Highway and became stuck in a ditch. With a dead cell phone and limited options, help arrived in the form of familiar faces. Mrs. Nunley happened upon the scene, ensured the family made it home safely, coordinated with Officer Watson, and called on Mary Harris -- who used her jeep to help recover the vehicle and spare the family a costly tow.

Thank you for modeling kindness, compassion, and community!

🎉 Virginia School Principals Appreciation Week

This week, Washington County Public Schools proudly recognizes and thanks our school principals for their leadership, dedication, and commitment to students, staff, and families.

Principals play a vital role in creating positive school cultures, supporting teachers, and helping students succeed every day. We are grateful for their hard work and the impact they make across our schools.

🌟WCPS Alumni Spotlight: Taylor Skeens Evans ~ John S. Battle High School ~ Class of 2016.
We are thrilled to highlight Ms. Taylor Skeens Evans, 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

🌍 Before Christmas, students in Ms. Chatten’s 7th grade English class at Glade Spring Middle School took their learning global with a creative twist! Through the Global Realty Project, students researched different countries, used AI tools to design culturally inspired gingerbread houses, and created real estate–style posters to “sell” their designs. A fun blend of research, creativity, technology, and presentation skills—sweet learning at its best!

🚓 National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day

Today, we proudly recognize and thank our School Resource Officers for their dedication to keeping our schools safe, secure, and supportive learning environments. Our SROs do far more than protect -- they build relationships, mentor students, and serve as trusted partners to staff and families.

Washington County Public Schools is grateful for the commitment and care our SROs show our school communities each and every day. Thank you for all you do!

📢The Washington County School Board has approved Monday, January 19 and Monday, February 16 as weather-related make-up days. Schools will be in session on both dates.

Thank you for your flexibility and continued support as we work to make up instructional time lost due to inclement weather.

🎉 Board Meeting Spotlight: Student Achievements We were proud to recognize several outstanding student-athletes during tonight’s School Board meeting for their impressive All-State honors! Abingdon High School *Mason Sollein, Senior – First Team All-State Kicker *Avery Whitson, Sophomore – Class 3 All-State Cross Country *Bennett Hunter, Senior – Class 3 All-State Cross Country Holston High School *Brody Thomas, Junior – All-State Golf Congratulations to these students for representing Washington County Public Schools with excellence through hard work, dedication, and teamwork. We are proud of you!

🌮🥣 WCPS Lunch Feature

Chicken Tortilla Soup makes its long-awaited debut for lunch tomorrow at WCPS middle and high schools! This new menu item was originally planned for December, but inclement weather days changed the schedule.

Packed with bold flavor, it’s a great reason to grab lunch at school tomorrow. Don’t miss it!

*Elementary students will enjoy delicious and hearty homemade chicken noodle soup!