Washington County Public Schools

🎉✂️ Big day at Holston High School We officially cut the ribbon on Holston High School's brand-new security vestibule -- a major step forward in keeping our students and staff safe. With support from local, state, and federal partners, including Governor Glenn Youngkin, who joined us for the celebration -- this project is all about putting student safety first while giving Holston a fresh, modern update.

🎓✨ Congratulations to the Washington County Career & Technical Education Center Class of 2025! Tonight's graduation ceremony was a celebration of hard work, dedication, and real-world skills. We couldn't be prouder of their accomplishments and can't wait to see how they shape the future with their talents and determination!

Can’t make it to graduation? We’ve got you covered! Washington County Public Schools is proud to announce that our high school graduation ceremonies will be livestreamed so family and friends can celebrate from anywhere! Watch live using the links below: *Washington County Career & Technical Education Center: https://www.youtube.com/svhec *Holston High School: https://www.youtube.com/live/CeWI94aLXas?si=cDycn_AkyicAtWfm *Patrick Henry High School: https://www.youtube.com/live/0Iq9iOEDAX8?si=P5N-yyAIpKTJxBoj *John S. Battle High School: https://youtube.com/live/jhKwYY0bw_k?feature=share *Abingdon High School: https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/abingdon-high-school-abingdon-va/evtc237678dde We're so proud of the Class of 2025 and can't wait to celebrate their achievements together -- near or far!

We are getting ready for the Class of 2025 to walk the stage! Don't miss the celebration -- check out the dates, times, and locations for each high school's graduation ceremony in the graphic below. *Bring your cheers *Charge your cameras *Help us celebrate the incredible achievements of our graduating seniors! Worried about the weather? We've got a backup plan. View the second graphic to see our Inclement Weather Graduation Dates.

🎉 Spring Fun + Fabulous Learning = One Amazing Day at Wallace Middle School! Students at Wallace Middle School got to step outside the usual classroom routine and dive into a day full of creativity, curiosity, and connection. From making tasty meals in the cafeteria to crafting friendship bracelets to learning the art chess -- students explored hands-on activities that were both fun and educational. And that's not all -- many also enjoyed exciting off-site learning activities, making this a day to remember!

WCPS Alumni Spotlight: Ashley Russ ~ John S. Battle High School ~ Class of 2007. We are thrilled to highlight Ms. Ashley Russ, 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

The Virginia Department of Social Services will issue a one-time $120 food benefit through Virginia SUN Bucks beginning July 2025 to children who qualify. Children qualify and are automatically enrolled in Virginia SUN Bucks if they receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or an income-based Medical Assistance Program (Medicaid). If you are not enrolled in SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid, you can apply and potentially qualify for Virginia SUN Bucks by visiting virginiasunbucks.com/ and mailing the application to Virginia SUN Bucks, c/o VDSS, 5600 Cox Road, Glen Allen, VA 23060. Beginning July 1 through August 30, you can apply by calling the Virginia SUN Bucks Call Center at 866-513-1414. The application for SUN Bucks will require you to enter your child’s “Local Student ID Number.” This is your child’s Lunch Number they use at school. If you qualify, SUN Bucks benefits will be issued starting July 2025 on a rolling basis and will be loaded onto your current SNAP EBT Card or a Virginia SUN Bucks Card which will be mailed to the address on file with your schools. Please click this link for additional information and resources: https://www.wcs.k12.va.us/documents/summer-ebt-information---2025/803643

Mr. Marousek's Welding students at the Washington County Career & Technical Education Center didn't just learn their craft -- they put it to the test and built a full-sized grill from the ground up! What better way to celebrate than to fire it up for a well-earned cookout? Burgers and steaks taste even better when you've built the grill yourself!

🎉 Celebrating Our WCPS Retirees Today, we had the honor of celebrating some truly incredible individuals at our WCPS Retirement Reception -- staff members who have dedicated their time, talent, and heart to our schools, students, and community. From classrooms to cafeterias, buses to offices, their impact has been felt in every corner of our division. While we'll miss seeing them every day, we know they're off to well-earned adventures, relaxation, and maybe even a few late mornings! Thank you for your service, your smiles, and your commitment to Washington County Public Schools.

🥟🔥 Our Culinary Arts II students at the Washington County Career & Technical Education Center are serving up serious talent -- and serious flavor! Check out this recent dish -- beef dumplings with Szechuan sauce! And yes, they were as delicious as they sound. From prep to plating, these chefs-in-training nailed it!

☀️ Free Summer Meals Washington County Public Schools is excited to announce two great meal programs this summer for all children and teens 18 and under! On-Site Meals in June: Stop by one of four WCPS locations for free breakfast and lunch – no-sign up needed. Just come and enjoy your meal, and fuel up for summer fun. No application required. Please Note: Meals must be eaten on-site. Grab-and-Go Meals in June and July: Thanks to our partnership with Feeding Southwest Virginia, families have the opportunity to pick up multiple Grab-and-Go breakfasts and suppers at various locations – no need to stay onsite and eat! Children do NOT need to be present for meal pick-up. Enrollment is required through Feeding Southwest Virginia - forms will be available at each pick-up site. In addition, a QR code will be shared in the near future to sign up for Grab-and-Go meals before the first meal distribution date. You may only get meals from one location. 📅 Check out our full schedule for locations, dates, and times in the graphics below. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ☀️ Comidas de verano gratis ¡Las Escuelas Públicas del Condado de Washington se complacen en anunciar dos excelentes programas de comidas este verano para todos los niños y adolescentes menores de 18 años! Comidas en junio: Pase por una de las cuatro ubicaciones de WCPS para disfrutar de desayuno y almuerzo gratis; no es necesario registrarse. Simplemente venga y disfrute de su comida y recargue energías para la diversión del verano. No se requiere solicitud. Tenga en cuenta: las comidas deben consumirse en el lugar. Comidas para llevar en junio y julio: Gracias a nuestra asociación con Feeding Southwest Virginia, las familias tienen la oportunidad de recoger múltiples desayunos y cenas para llevar en varios lugares, ¡sin necesidad de quedarse en el lugar y comer! Los niños NO necesitan estar presentes para recoger la comida. Se requiere inscripción a través de Feeding Southwest Virginia; los formularios estarán disponibles en cada sitio de recogida. Además, en un futuro próximo se compartirá un código QR para registrarse para recibir comidas para llevar antes de la primera fecha de distribución de comidas. Solo puede recibir comidas en un lugar. 📅 Consulte nuestro calendario completo para conocer ubicaciones, fechas y horarios en los gráficos a continuación.

Say Cheese Our 8th grade Ag Science students at Glade Spring Middle School traded textbooks for taste buds -- by making their very own mozzarella cheese! From science to snacks, these students are learning how farm-fresh ingredients turn into delicious results!

Students in Mr. Burress's Auto Collision class at the Washington County Career & Technical Education Center have outdone themselves - just look at this beautifully restored 1951 Ford! With hours of hard work, craftsmanship, and attention to detail, these talented students brought this classic car back to life - and the proud owner couldn't be happier! This project is more than just shiny chrome and fresh paint -- it's a showcase of real-world skills, teamwork, and dedication.

Rolling into School It was a picture-perfect morning for the recent Damascus Middle School Roll into School event, led by Communities in Schools SSC, Brandon Dale! 25 students and several parents kicked off their day with a bike ride from Damascus Town Park to DMS! Huge thanks to Adventure Damascus for providing bikes, helmets, and support, and to the Town of Damascus employees for keeping everyone safe along the way.

📍 New Resource Alert | SchoolSearch for WCPS Do you know someone thinking of moving to Washington County or do you just want to learn more about our local schools? We're excited to introduce a new resource called SchoolSearch, an easy-to-use tool that helps families find their school attendance zones based on a home address. Simply enter your address to see which WCPS schools your child would attend -- or use the "Find on Map" feature to explore all schools in our county! Try it out here: https://app.guidek12.com/washingtonva/school_search/current/

In Case You Missed It -- Big things are growing at Holston High School, and WCYB recently stopped by to showcase the innovation happening right inside the greenhouse! Check out this special feature highlighting Andrew Greer, Holston's Greenhouse Manager, and his instructor Mr. Lawrence Cox, as they share details of the school's aquaponics system -- a powerful blend of fish tanks, fresh produce, and real-world learning. Watch the full story here: https://wcyb.com/news/local/holston-high-senior-discovers-passion-through-growing-lettuce# A great example of sustainability, student leadership, and hands-on education in action!

We Want Your Feedback WCPS invites parents and families to review potential math textbooks for upcoming use in our classrooms. The textbooks are currently on display at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center and will remain available for review until early June. While you're there, look for the flyer onsite with a QR code that links directly to our feedback form. We appreciate your input!

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/nVcz8

WCPS Alumni Spotlight: Bryson Senter ~ John S. Battle High School ~ Class of 2020. We are thrilled to highlight Mr. Bryson Senter, 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

Happy School Communicators Day to our outstanding School Outreach Specialist ~ Ashley Hoak!!