š¢ School Board Meeting ā Monday, December 8
The Washington County School Board will hold its regular meeting on Monday, December 8 at 6:00 p.m. at WCPS Central Services.
One topic of discussion will be an informational presentation on the divisionās ongoing transportation zone review. Community members are welcome to attend in person or watch live.
šŗ Watch the livestream: https://www.youtube.com/@wcssboyoutube2985/streams
š View the presentation slides: https://shorturl.at/a8676
Holston High Schoolās English 9 Honors students took their introduction to Romeo & Juliet to a whole new level! As part of their study, students in Ms. Mittenās class wrote letters to Juliet seeking her advice.
Thanks to Mrs. Cox, those letters traveled all the way to Casa di Giulietta in Verona, Italy, where they were delivered straight into Julietās famous mailbox.
Now the waiting beginsā¦ Members of the Juliet Club -- who answer letters from around the world on Julietās behalf -- will hopefully be writing back soon!
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±ā±ļøDay 2 -- Screen Time Check-In: Holiday breaks can bring extra screen time. Take a moment to review your childās usage and make small adjustments to maintain balance ā helping them enjoy both devices and family moments.
ā”ļøTo learn more, click here: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/childrens-health/in-depth/screen-time/art-20047952
With the delayed schedule, childcare will be available at elementary schools for elementary-aged students beginning at 8:00 a.m. until the start of the school day. Parents must provide transportation, and additional details will be shared directly by elementary principals.
To learn more about our schedule change options, frequently asked questions about winter weather procedures, and ways to stay connected with WCPS, click here:
https://www.wcs.k12.va.us/article/2573248
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 1 ā Strong Passwords: Start the holiday season with strong, unique passwords for all devices and accounts. A secure passphrase is like a digital lock on your childās presents ā it keeps their accounts safe from intruders.
ā”ļøTo learn more, click here: https://www.cisa.gov/secure-our-world/use-strong-passwords
Students in Ms. Ritterās Science 7 classes rolled up their sleeves and used air-dry clay and tiny dinosaurs to create their very own fossils. Hands-on learning at its finest!
š¢ Stay Informed This Winter with WCPS Weather Procedures
As we begin to see winter weather make its way into our region, Washington County Public Schools would like to remind staff and families what to expect when weather impacts our normal school schedule.
There are many factors that go into adjusting school schedules due to inclement weather. Student and staff safety are always our top priority. In addition to buses traveling on potentially hazardous roads, we must also consider the large number of teenage drivers commuting to and from school each day.
Existing conditions, forecasted weather, road temperatures, wind chills, and other elements all factor into our decision-making process. For perspective, Washington County has a larger land area than 25 countries and is the largest county south of Staunton, Virginia. With more than 500 square miles ā covering over 2,000 miles of county roads and varying by more than 2,500 feet in elevation ā no two weather events are ever the same. Each decision is made with care, based on the best information available.
This year our Board approved several pre-determined make-up days, should we miss a day for inclement weather, as part of the school calendar. They are as follows:
*January 5, 2026
*January 19, 2026
*February 16, 2026
*March 12, 2026
*March 13, 2026
ā”ļøSchedule Change Options
ā”ļøFrequently Asked Questions
ā”ļøStay Connected
We are thrilled to highlight Ms. Melanie Blankenship, a proud Abingdon 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
Today and every day, we are grateful for our incredible students, families, teachers, and staff who make WCPS such a strong and caring community.
Thank you for the kindness you show, the hard work you give, and the support you provide to one another. We wish everyone a joyful, restful, and safe Thanksgiving Break! š¦
Whether you're cooking, traveling, relaxing, or spending time with family, snap a few photos and share your break with us!
Send your pictures to Ashley Hoak, School Outreach Specialist, at ahoak@wcs.k12.va.us.
šø Photos shared may be posted on our social media pages.
We canāt wait to see your holiday memories! š
Washington County Public Schools will be closed Monday, November 24 ā Friday, November 28. Students will return on Monday, December 1.
Need care during the break? The School-Based Health Center at John S. Battle High School will be open Monday, Tuesday, and Friday (all day) and is available to all WCPS students and staff.
We wish everyone a restful, safe, and happy Thanksgiving Break! š
Check out our newsletter to learn more about our exceptional academic performance, the growth of our Teachers for Tomorrow program, and an early look at the upcoming transportation zone presentation.
š Read it here: https://shorturl.at/rc1Nq
š Congratulations to Washington County School Board Member Jenny Nichols!
The torch has officially been passed at the annual VSBA Convention in Williamsburg, where Mrs. Nichols was selected to serve as the 2025ā2026 President of the Virginia School Boards Association.
Nichols brings a wealth of experience to this statewide leadership role. With a degree in Political Science from UVA Wise and a Master of Arts in Public Policy from Liberty University, she has dedicated her career to public service and educational advocacy. In addition to her service on the WCPS School Board, Jenny is the Director for GO Virginia Region 1, supporting economic development initiatives throughout our region.
āI am honored to serve as VSBA President and to lead with a vision that keeps us Rooted in Public Education,ā said Nichols. āTogether, we will strengthen our schools, support our educators, and empower every student to reach their fullest potential. By staying grounded in the values that unite us, we will continue to grow a strong and thriving public education system for all.ā
WCPS is incredibly proud of Mrs. Nichols for earning this distinguished honor. Her passion for students, educators, and public education will serve communities across the Commonwealth.
Students āfilled their platesā with turkey, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, and more -- then turned their feast into half-note, quarter-note, and eighth-note rhythms. After crafting their tasty musical patterns, they performed them for the whole class!
What a fun (and delicious!) way to learn music right before the holiday!
