Valley Institute Elementary

Good afternoon, WCPS Families & Staff -- Due to the current heartbreaking devastation in Damascus, several of our schools still without power, internet or phone service, and many families without any utilities, including water, Washington County Public Schools will be closed on Monday, September 30, 2024. We have moved frozen food from several schools without electricity to a refrigerated trailer, generously provided by Food City. A huge shoutout to our Maintenance and Cafeteria teams and to our School Board Members who spent their Saturday morning moving frozen food. However, many schools have lost all their refrigerated food items, and we will need to place orders for replacements on Monday. We will not be able to provide childcare at most schools for those same reasons and staffing concerns. If that changes, your child's school will send you more information. Thank you for your patience as we work through this situation together, as a community. Please pray for our students and friends in Damascus, with many, having lost everything. We are in the process of identifying needs and will provide information soon about how we can help our friends and neighbors. Be safe, Keith Perrigan, Ed.D. Superintendent Washington County Public Schools 812 Thompson Dr. Abingdon, VA 24210 276-739-3000 @WashCoSuper “Committed to the Success of Every Student“

Washington County Public Schools will be CLOSED Friday, September 27, 2024. The decision to close is based on forecast models calling for heavy rain to continue into Friday, which could lead to flash flooding. Hurricane Helene is also expected to bring strong winds, possibly gusting over 65 mph at times. Governor Glenn Youngkin declared a State of Emergency for Virginia due to the anticipated impacts of Hurricane Helene and we have been informed that swift water rescue and other emergency teams have been dispatched to the area as a precaution. Because of this closure, child care will be offered for working parents from 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Friday, at each elementary school. Breakfast and lunch will be provided for all students by Washington County Public Schools. Each elementary school will send out additional information about child care. The Boys and Girls Club will also provide child care for students already enrolled in the program, at Woodland Hills Christian Church beginning at 9:00 a.m. Washington County Public Schools will provide breakfast and lunch for those students as well. *Please have a backup plan for child care in the event conditions deteriorate overnight to the point it is unsafe to travel -- A final decision on child care availability will be made after reevaluating conditions in the morning. Please take the following steps to prepare for the impacts of Hurricane Helene to help ensure the safety of your family: Be Self-Sufficient for 72 Hours: Make sure you have enough food, water, medication, flashlights and other essential supplies to last for at least three days. Stay Informed: Keep an eye on trusted weather reports and updates on the storm's path and any potential impacts to our area Expect Road and Utility Disruptions: Roads could be blocked, and various utilities such as power, water and communication services may be impacted. Plan accordingly. Exercise Caution: Avoid travel during heavy rain and wind, especially in areas prone to flooding or landslides. Do not attempt to drive through flooded roads.

Due to flood warnings, downed trees, and the potential of another 5 inches of rain today Washington County Public Schools will be CLOSED on Thursday, September 26, 2024.

Bulldogs! Here is a community opportunity to take your students mountain biking. On Sunday, September 29th, IMBA Take a kid Mountain Biking will be hosted at Sugar Hollow Park. We can't wait to see you there!

The book fair is here! Be sure to grab your next favorite book before it is too late! Who knows what adventure you will find. Families, please visit the link below to add funds to your student's account.

Bulldog Beat! VIES Families click the link below to check out this week's Bulldog Beat! https://secure.smore.com/n/37nja

Flu Vaccine Clinic: WCPS is scheduled to have flu vaccine clinics in schools October 8th, 10th and 11th. Be on the lookout for student registration forms being sent home.

Calling all cheerleaders! Cheer Clinic is back! Sign up at the link below for this wonderful opportunity. Cheer Clinic Sign Up: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1afiIE4jqA3BpwCrkMRZPf5Vsil2vqc-UwgEbKs4WvaU/edit

Childcare Opportunity for Early Dismissal Parent-Teacher Conferences Day! You must RSVP before September 13th to secure a spot for your child. Thank you.

The VIES Book Fair will be opening September 16th until September 20th. Please visit the link if you would like to put funds on your student's account. https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/valleyinstituteelemsch

Childcare Opportunity for Early Dismissal Fair Day! You must RSVP before September 9th to secure a spot for your child. Thank you.

Vote Now: Communities in Schools of Appalachian Highlands is a Regional Finalist for the 2025 Chick-fil-A True Inspiration Awards grant! Be sure to cast your vote to help CIS-AH become a regional winner & further their impact throughout our community. See the flyer on how to vote

Happy Labor Day from WCPS! We hope all of our students, staff and families have been enjoying this long weekend! We will see you back on Tuesday.

Dunk Your Superintendent! If you don’t like the idea of a new cell phone policy or think school starts too early in August, now is your chance to take out your start of school frustrations, and dunk Dr. Perrigan! He’ll be in the dunk tank at Dairy Queen in Abingdon (Exit 19 location) on Saturday, with the fun beginning at 4:00 p.m. Proceeds raised from the event go towards St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. WCPS students and staff have loved participating in fundraisers for St. Jude and are thrilled to be able to give back.

Are you looking for a fun event for Saturday, August 31? Check out Emory & Henry University Community Day starting at 11:00 a.m.!

Congratulation Bulldogs on completing your first FULL week of school! Please visit the link here to read this week's issue of the Bulldog Beat: https://secure.smore.com/n/twcep

Bulldogs wear your BRIGHTEST colors Monday August 12th to show us how bright your future is!

Good Evening VIES Families, In an effort to ensure student and staff preparedness in the event of an emergency, we will conduct a school lockdown drill the week of August 12. Efforts will be made to conduct this drill in a timely fashion. If you have questions or concerns, please don't hesitate us at (276)642-5500.

We've had a great few days of welcoming back our students for the 2024-2025 school year! Click the link to watch a video to see some of the fun. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CpJ2C3Ifek

First Day of School: We've had a great day welcoming back our students for the 2024-2025 school year! Here are some highlights of the fun that took place. Be sure to check back as we share more photos over the next few days!