February 22 - Students Dismiss 2 Hours Early Teacher/Parent Conferences
Be sure to check out these exciting opportunities for our students sponsored by the Washington County Public Library next month!
Good afternoon,
A few folks have reached out to us about increased cases of flu and other illnesses in our schools. After reviewing the attendance data at every school in our division, we noticed that a few of our schools have had a slight increase in the number of students who are absent and/or checked out of school early. Thankfully, the increases are not to the extent that we would consider closing school or making other schedule changes.
However, in order to make our learning environments as safe and healthy as possible, we have approved overtime for all custodians and have directed them to make sure all areas of our schools are properly cleaned and disinfected, especially those areas with higher than normal absences. We will also be disinfecting school buses as necessary.
We appreciate the communication from our families about the increase in illnesses and we hope that everyone who has been affected feels better soon. If we see attendance rate increase at an alarming rate, we will communicate with the local Health Department about how to best address the situation. In the meantime, we hope you and your family stay healthy and avoid the Flu, COVID, and the other illnesses that seem to peak this time of year.
Thank you,
Keith Perrigan, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Washington County Public Schools
812 Thompson Dr.
Abingdon, VA 24210
276-739-3000
@WashCoSuper
Families, we hope that you'll take advantage of this very timely and informative session being offered free of charge for all our families. Join via ZOOM tonight for the next session in our Mental Health Series The ABCs of Substance Use and Vaping!
Due to downed trees and power lines in some parts of the County, bus service will be delayed for some students as we reroute buses. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
On Tuesday, February 6, Jeremy T. from Glade Spring Middle School attended the Washington County Farm Bureau Appreciation Dinner Jeremy accepted a generous donation from the Farm Bureau on behalf of the GSMS FFA Chapter. Glade Spring Middle School is very thankful for the support of the community, local government, and organizations like the Farm Bureau.
Lacrosse Opportunity for Washington County Students:
Celebrate National Children's Dental Health Month in February by donating new toothbrushes and toothpastes to GSMS. Send new packaged toothbrushes and toothpaste to the main office. Our goal is to send every student home with a new toothbrush and toothpaste!
It's safety first for the WCPS Transportation Support Team! This team is up early and staying late daily to ensure safe travels for all Washington County Students for school days and for afterschool activities! #WashingtonWay @WashCoSuper
Be sure to check out Varsity Tutoring's Practice Tests and Personalized Learning Plans that are free to all WCPS Students through their SSO Portal. This week's highlight is on Practice Tests. Be sure to take time to log in and see how this could enhance your students' learning.
Tonight, Washington County Schools is proud to recognize some of our excellent teachers who were chosen as Teacher Of The Year by their colleagues for the 2023-2024 school year. #WashingtonWay #WCPSBest @WashCoSuper
Wallace Middle School is host to several WCPS Teachers and Administrators for Safety Care Training today. Just another way our staff is putting the needs of our students first! #WCPSBest #WashingtonWay @WashCoSuper
Good afternoon,
Increased temperatures today not only allowed ice to melt, but enabled VDOT to treat roads more efficiently and effectively. As a result, Washington County Public Schools will operate on a regular schedule on Wednesday, January 24, 2024.
Unfortunately, there are still a few roads and turn arounds that we can’t access by bus. We have contacted those families to make other transportation arrangements.
We appreciate your patience as we have worked through this weather event. I will be making recommendations to our Board on Thursday to reschedule and account for the days we have missed to this point. Based on our policy, we are now able to implement virtual learning days if we have adverse weather in the future. I will also recommend that we have a virtual learning day on March 5, 2024 (Presidential Primary) rather than closing. I anticipate that our Board will take action on those recommendations in February.
Stay tuned, we will keep you updated!
Thank you,
Keith Perrigan, Ed.D.
Superintendent
This is just a reminder that Varsity Tutoring is available FREE to ALL Students through their SSO Portal. This is a service provided by the VDOE. This week's spotlight is on the 24/7 On-Demand Tutoring Chat.
Good afternoon,
There are still at least 27 roads in Washington County that are impassable by school bus. In addition to the safety of students who live on these roads, these roads are connecting roads to other students on our bus routes. Even though I would love to bring students back to school tomorrow, we are going to close school on 1-23-24. Childcare will be provided at our elementary schools for working parents who need the service. I apologize for the inconvenience this causes our families.
Thank you,
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“
ATTN GSMS students: What kept you busy during the snow days Jan. 15-19? Any snowmen, sledding, skiing, gaming, singing, dancing? How did you pass the time? Be a part of our cafeteria slide show. Send entries to [email protected]
Good afternoon,
There are probably few folks who would like for our students and staff to return to school tomorrow more than me. We waited as long as possible today to make the call, hoping the sunshine today would help melt the ice. However, there are still many secondary roads and turn around spots that are snow and/or ice covered. As a result, Washington County Public Schools will be closed on Monday January 22, 2024.
We will share information later in the week about rescheduling the days we have missed.
Good afternoon,
There are probably few folks who would like for our students and staff to return to school tomorrow more than me. We waited as long as possible today to make the call, hoping the sunshine today would help melt the ice. However, there are still many secondary roads and turn around spots that are snow and/or ice covered. As a result, Washington County Public Schools will be closed on Monday January 22, 2024.
We will share information later in the week about rescheduling the days we have missed.
Continued snowfall and dangerous road conditions have resulted in building closures, therefore there will be no childcare offered at the elementary schools today. Stay safe!
Due to current road conditions and a forecast for additional snow/ice overnight, Washington County Public Schools will be closed on Friday, January 19, 2024.