Washington County Public Schools

☕✨Be a Bean Recognition

Did you know that replacing lockers in a single high school can be costly? Instead of buying them, WCPS is building them -- thanks to the incredible talent at the Washington County Career & Technical Education Center!

Our WCCTEC Carpentry students, led by Mr. Greer, have been hard at work crafting brand-new lockers for Holston High School and Patrick Henry High School. From football to basketball, these custom projects are a perfect showcase of skill, teamwork, and school spirit.

With sanding and finishing support from Mr. Burress and his Collision Repair students, plus installation by our WCPS Maintenance staff, these lockers are truly a homegrown success story.

This is what it means to Be a Bean -- saving resources, building opportunities, and showing the power of collaboration between students, staff, and schools!

🎭✨ This evening, students who participated in this summer’s WCPS Theatre Arts Camp shared their experiences with the School Board members! For the past four years, WCPS has partnered with the talented team at the Emory & Henry Theatre and Dance Department to make this camp possible. From singing and dancing to acting, set design, and stage production, students not only explored the arts but also built confidence, discovered new talents, and formed friendships that will last a lifetime. A huge thank-you to our friends at E&H for continuing to help our WCPS students shine — both on and off the stage!

WCPS Alumni Spotlight: Courtney Tipton-Dillard ~ John S. Battle High School ~ Class of 2019.
We are thrilled to highlight Ms. Courtney Tipton-Dillard, 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

✨ A special night at Holston High School! This evening, our Cavaliers had the honor of welcoming and recognizing several distinguished guests whose support makes a tremendous difference for our students and schools. We are grateful to Delegate Israel O’Quinn, Senator Todd Pillion, School Board Chair Debbie Anderson, Board of Supervisors Vice Chair Mike Rush, County Administrator Jason Berry, Commonwealth’s Attorney Josh Cumbow, Sheriff Blake Andis, Commissioner of the Revenue April Crabtree, and Damascus Mayor Katie Lamb for their continued advocacy and partnership. Because of their support, Holston has seen exciting improvements — including a renovated field house, new band instruments, a safety vestibule and enhanced front entrance — with plans underway to replace auditorium seating. Each of these projects helps create a safer, stronger, and more engaging school environment for our Cavaliers. We were also thrilled to welcome two very special guests to tonight’s game — former Virginia Governor George Allen and former Washington Redskins linebacker Ken Harvey. Mr. Harvey joined us to help highlight an important cause: the Coaches versus Overdoses initiative, in partnership with the Virginia Attorney General and the Commonwealth Football Coaches Association. This effort raises awareness about the dangers of fentanyl and counterfeit drugs and reminds us that working together can save lives. Ken Harvey also joined our Cavaliers at midfield to assist with the coin toss — a powerful moment to kick off the game and this life-saving message: Just One Pill Can Kill. Thank you to these leaders and advocates for their commitment to Washington County students, families, and communities.

We’ll have a few very special guests joining us at tonight’s Holston High School football game: Former Virginia Governor George Allen and former Washington Commanders linebacker Ken Harvey! Mr. Harvey will even help with the coin toss to kick off the night.

He’s also here to spotlight the Coaches vs. Overdoses initiative – a partnership with the Virginia Attorney General’s Office that raises awareness about the dangers of fentanyl and counterfeit drugs. This powerful effort equips schools, families, and communities with the knowledge and tools needed to prevent tragedies and save lives.

At WCPS, we’re proud to bring this message to the field – because protecting our students and community matters more than anything.

To learn more about Coaches vs. Overdoses, click here: https://www.coachesvsoverdoses.com/

It’s almost time for Community Day at Emory & Henry University!

This Saturday, Sept. 6, the Wasps will roll out the blue and gold carpet for their first home football game of the season. Starting at 11 a.m., families can enjoy free kids’ activities, giveaways, and local food trucks—thanks to the support of Stateline Services!

At 1 p.m., the Wasps take on Catawba College in their second season competing in NCAA Division II football.

On Community Day, kids 12 and under get in free with an accompanying adult. General admission is $15, reserved seating $20—tickets available at the gate.

Switching things up at Greendale Elementary

Yesterday morning, Mr. Colston, principal at Greendale, stepped back into the classroom to teach language arts -- and both he and the students loved the change of pace. Nothing like leading by example and showing that learning is always at the heart of what we do!

After starting the morning at Meadowview Elementary, Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares and special guests continued their visit at Glade Spring Middle School!

There, they met with students to share the importance of the National Child Identification Program I.D. Kit — a tool designed to help families keep their children safe.

We are grateful to AG Miyares, Former Governor George Allen, Delegate Israel O’Quinn, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, and our community partners for taking the time to empower and educate our students.

Together, we’re working to keep kids safe both online and in our community.

To learn more about the National Child Identification Program I.D. Kit, click here: https://childidprogram.com/the-id-kit/

This morning, families from Meadowview Elementary and Glade Spring Middle came together for an important Protecting Kids Online Town Hall at Meadowview Elementary.

Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares joined educators, law enforcement, and community partners to shine a light on the dangers children face online — and to share tools and strategies to help parents and grandparents keep kids safe in the digital world.

Also joining the conversation were Former Virginia Governor George Allen, Delegate Israel O’Quinn, the Virginia State Police, and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, along with WCPS board members, staff, and student leaders from Patrick Henry High School.

Thank you to all who helped make this event possible — and to our families for taking the time to learn, listen, and lead in protecting our students. Together, we can help our kids use technology wisely and safely!

Congratulations to WCPS Board Member Jenny Nichols for completing the inaugural Virginia Hunt State Policy Fellows program!

Over the past four months, Ms. Nichols joined 16 other leaders from across the Commonwealth to dive into Virginia's full education continuum -- from early childhood through higher education. Together, they explored both challenges and successes in education, while building bipartisan partnerships across rural and urban districts.

The program, directed by The Hunt Institute, is designed to strengthen the capacity of emerging education leaders, and we are so proud of Ms. Nichols for representing Washington County in this important work.

To learn more, click here: https://hunt-institute.org/news/virginia-policymakers-hspf-inaugural-first-cohort/

Our 4th and 5th grade Safety Patrol members at Greendale Elementary School have been hard at work making sure arrival and dismissal run smoothly and safely each day. From welcoming new students to keeping sidewalks safe during bus dismissal, this crew does it all!

Safety Patrol teams rotate every nine weeks, giving more students the chance to serve, lead and shine.

A big thank-you to these student leaders for keeping Greendale safe and welcoming for everyone!

September School Nutrition Menu Update:

Our Sunshine Salads will now be served on Friday, September 19 and Friday, September 26 (since the 12th is a 3-hour early dismissal).

Looking ahead to October, get ready for something new – our delicious Harvest Salad will make its debut!

EO Career Commons was recently buzzing with energy as students from Patrick Henry High School and Holston High School stepped into their futures!

From exploring 14 hands-on learning labs to building resumes, practicing job interviews, and connecting with professionals from CGI, Virginia Department of Transportation, and Virginia Highlands Community College -- our students gained valuable skills and career insight that will last a lifetime.

Big thanks to EO staff and amazing partners for opening doors and inspiring the next generation of leaders!

WCPS Alumni Spotlight: Brenna Hinchey ~ Abingdon High School ~ Class of 1989.
We are thrilled to highlight Ms. Brenna Hinchey, 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

Happy Labor Day from Washington County Public Schools

Labor Day is a time to honor the contributions of workers past and present who have helped shape our communities and our nation. It's also a reminder of the value of hard work, perseverance, and service -- qualities we see every day in our students, staff, and families.

We are grateful for the dedication of our WCPS team and wish everyone a safe and relaxing holiday! We will see our students back in class tomorrow!

✨ Tonight at the Abingdon High School football game, we were honored to welcome and recognize several special guests who play a vital role in supporting our students, schools, and community. We are grateful to Delegate Israel O’Quinn, joined by his wife, Emily, for his continued advocacy at the state level. We also extend our thanks to the Washington County School Board, Washington County Board of Supervisors, and the Abingdon Town Council for their partnership in making stadium improvements -- including new handrails and tennis courts at AHS -- possible. Special appreciation also goes to our local leaders: *School Board Members Dr. Sandy Frederick & Mrs. Crystal Rasnake *Supervisors Charlie Hargis Jr., Phillip McCall, & Board Chair Randy Pennington *Abingdon Mayor Dwayne Anderson *Sheriff Blake Andis, Commonwealth’s Attorney Josh Cumbow, County Administrator Jason Berry, & Commissioner of the Revenue April Crabtree Thank you all for your leadership, dedication, and ongoing support of Washington County Public Schools!

Our talented WCCTEC Carpentry students have been hard at work building brand-new lockers for Holston High School and Patrick Henry High School. From football to basketball, these custom projects are a perfect showcase of skill, teamwork, and school spirit.

Huge shoutout to our students and instructors for making a lasting impact on our schools -- one locker at a time!

Join the Abingdon High School Falcons tonight for our Coaches vs. Overdoses game as we team up to Tackle Fentanyl and Defeat Overdoses.

In partnership with the Virginia Attorney General and the Commonwealth Football Coaches Association's Coaches vs. Overdoses initiative, we're raising awareness about the dangers of fentanyl and counterfeit drugs -- and most importantly, working together to save lives.

Remember: "Just One Pill Can Kill."

Shoutout to Deputy Figueroa, School Resource Officer at John S. Battle High School

Last year for the yearbook, students voted him "Most Likely to Brighten Your Day." This year, they honored him again -- this time as "Best Role Model."

These recognitions speak volumes about the positive impact Deputy Figueroa has on the JSB community each and every day.

Thank you to all of our SROs for the difference you make in the lives of WCPS students!