
Warm Welcome: To help kick off Homecoming festivities this past Friday, Patrick Henry football players helped open car doors during morning drop-off at Meadowview Elementary. The team also enjoyed breakfast with students!



Good afternoon WCPS Families & Staff --
The full Washington County Public Schools division will operate on a two-hour delayed schedule on Monday, October 7, 2024. Delaying the start of school will allow additional time for students and staff to arrive safely in daylight hours, due to some area roads still having debris. Childcare will be provided beginning at 8:00 a.m. for working families at each elementary school.
We do have the following transportation information and route changes for students and families to be aware of:
*Taylor's Valley Bus 37 -- Students who live in Taylor's Valley can meet Bus 37 at the VFW Post on Route 91 at 9:15 a.m. Pick up in the afternoon will be at approximately 3:30 p.m.
*Konnarock/Green Cove Bus 69 -- Students who live above Green Cove Road on Route 58, or on Green Cove Road, can meet Bus 69 at the intersection of Green Cove and Route 58. Students who live on Rhymer Road or the closed section of Route 58 can meet Bus 69 at Saint Matthew Lutheran Church. Your driver will reach out to you with additional messaging about pick up and drop off times.
*Bus 38 -- Students who live on Rush Creek Road can meet Bus 38 at the intersection of Rush Creek and Confederate Road at 9:00 a.m. with drop off at approximately 3:45 p.m.
Again, a big thank you for your continued support and patience -- your efforts to help our school community and families has not gone unnoticed.
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“


Today was Fall Homecoming at Patrick Henry High School. The weather was perfect and so was our Homecoming Court. Congratulations to the 2024 Homecoming King and Queen,
Mr. Tyler Barrett and Miss Sophie Moore!

Attention Patrick Henry High School Rebels! Meet with your Balfour Representative on Thursday, October 10 to order your class ring, letter jacket, graduation products, and more.


Good afternoon WCPS Families & Staff –
Rhea Valley Elementary School, Damascus Middle School and Holston High School will be closed Friday, October 4, 2024.
Childcare will be provided at Rhea Valley Elementary from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
As we did this morning, all other Washington County Public Schools will operate on a two-hour delayed schedule on Friday, October 4, 2024.
For Holston High School students wanting to attend their classes at the Washington County Career and Technical Education Center, transportation will be provided TO and FROM Holston High School. Breakfast and lunch will be provided for those students at WCCTEC by the WCPS Nutrition Department. However, WCPS transportation will not be available to students who reside in the Rhea Valley Elementary, Damascus Middle, and Holston High attendance zones and attend other schools or programs in the division.
If your family is in need supplies, Damascus Middle School has some items, and will be open. Please call the school for additional details at (276)739-4100.
We are again planning to provide meals for our Damascus area students on Friday at Holston High School. We will send additional information in a separate message.
As we look towards next week, it is our goal to have students and staff return to Rhea Valley Elementary, Damascus Middle, and Holston High on Monday. As a result, we are asking you to please plan for the possibility of a division wide two-hour delay on Monday, October 7, 2024.
The WCPS Transportation Department is also working hard to plan and identify alternate bus routes for our Damascus area students. However, bus transportation for the Konnarock, Green Cove and Taylor Valley areas remains doubtful early next week. We will keep you updated as those plans are developed.
We also ask you to be on the lookout for additional messaging to assist families and students displaced by the floods.
We thank you for your continued support and patience as we work as a school community to navigate these unprecedented challenges and help our neighbors in need.
Thank you,
Keith Perrigan, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Washington County Public Schools
812 Thompson Dr.
Abingdon, VA 24210
276-739-3000
@WashCoSuper


Snap Recipients:
If you experienced loss of food during the natural disaster, you may complete the FOOD REPLACEMENT REQUEST form. This form must be submitted within 10 days of loss. For most in our region, that 10 days expires Monday.
Today at Patrick Henry, there is a Community Resource Fair. We will have a table set up with the applications on hand for you. You will need the name and account number of your electricity provider, ie AEP, the value of the food destroyed and the date of disaster. You can email the form to Hector.Moncibais@dss.virginia.gov or fax it to 276-645-5055.
There will be additional resources available to you, as well as the Disaster Relief feeding unit. Free, hot meals will be served 4-5pm.


The Patrick Henry High School Athletic Department is thankful and appreciative for SFC Matthew Riley and the Army National Guard for donating bottled water to our athletic teams and student-athletes! #WinTheDay #GoRebels #TheRebelStandard #Family


Good afternoon WCPS Families & Staff --
Rhea Valley Elementary School, Damascus Middle School and Holston High School will remain closed for the remainder of the week.
Rhea Valley families in need of childcare may come to Holston High School where care will be provided from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
All other Washington County Public Schools will operate on a two-hour delayed schedule on Thursday, October 3, 2024. Delaying the start of school will allow additional time for students and staff to arrive safely in daylight hours, due to some area roads still having debris. We recognize a small percentage of families in our community are still without power. However, we believe it is important for our schools to be open to provide students with meals and help them return to a routine. For those families still without power, your child’s principal will work with your family. Our transportation staff have driven our bus routes but if you believe roads in your area are unsafe, please contact your child's principal as well.
For Holston High School students wishing to attend their classes at the Washington County Career and Technical Education Center, transportation will be provided TO and FROM Holston High School. Breakfast and lunch will be provided for those students at WCCTEC by the WCPS Nutrition Department. However, WCPS transportation will not be available to students who reside in the Rhea Valley Elementary, Damascus Middle and Holston High attendance zones and attend other schools or programs in the division.
For our families in need of supplies, Damascus Middle School has some supplies and will be open. Please call the school for more information at (276) 739-4100.
We are also planning to provide meals for our Damascus area students on Thursday at Holston High School. We will send more information in a separate communication.
As a reminder, if you know of a family in need, please contact your child’s principal and we will work to help meet those needs. Thank you for your continued support and patience.
Thank you,
Keith Perrigan, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Washington County Public Schools
812 Thompson Dr.
Abingdon, VA 24210
276-739-3000
@WashCoSuper


10/3 Community Resource Night
10/3 PH vs. Rural Retreat Volleyball Disaster Relief Night information for @Principal_CAVS sponsored by PHHS Volleyball:
#Damascus #Cavs #Holston
Contact: shelton@wcs.k12.va.us
-Free hot meals for families in need and for
first responders while supplies last (4-5pm) -Free admission to the volleyball game on 10/3 if you donate D batteries, flashlights, or
personal care items
-We are accepting disaster relief donations at the main entrance and at the admission table. We are in need of bleach, tuna cans, Chef Boyardee Ravioli/Spaghetti, peanut butter, crackers, gummies, or other food/
snack items
-We will have a cash donation box. Funds will be sent from school by check directly to
the Damascus/Holston communities
-We will also collect donated items at
Saturday's 2024 Fall Homecoming game
(Kickoff is 1:00pm)
***The community resource fair and activities will take place from 4pm-6pm
regardless of school delays or closures
If you are able to load or transport donations, or have access to trucks or trailers on Monday, October 7, please contact Sarah Helton at shelton@wcs.k12.ya.us, or 276-739-3720


Good afternoon WCPS Families & Staff --
Because a significant percentage of our families are still without utilities, staffing concerns at multiple schools, and the fact that some roads are still inaccessible for buses, Washington County Public Schools will be CLOSED on Wednesday, October 2, 2024.
However, we are working in coordination with the National Guard to clear some of those roadways, and AEP anticipates that power will be restored to additional areas by Wednesday.
Because of this closure, childcare will be offered for working parents from 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at High Point Elementary, Meadowview Elementary, Valley Institute Elementary, and Watauga Elementary. Students at Abingdon Elementary and Greendale Elementary can take advantage of childcare at Woodland Hills Christian Church, provided by the Boys and Girls Club. If these students aren't already registered with the Boys and Girls Club, you can call (276) 696-9923. Rhea Valley students in need of childcare may come to Meadowview Elementary. Breakfast and lunch will be provided by WCPS School Nutrition Department at all locations. Each elementary school will send out additional information about childcare specifics for their students.
If all goes as planned with cleanup and restoration efforts, Washington County Public Schools anticipates operating on a two-hour delay on Thursday, October 3, except for schools in the Damascus area, which will remain closed. For those who have power and other utilities, we apologize for this inconvenience and hope to return to normalcy in the coming days.
As a reminder, if you know of a family in need, please contact your child's principal and we will work to help meet those needs. Thank you for your continued support and patience.
Thank you,
Keith Perrigan, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Washington County Public Schools
812 Thompson Dr.
Abingdon, VA 24210
276-739-3000
@WashCoSuper


Hot Meal: For those in need of a hot meal, John S. Battle Football will be serving free hamburgers with chips and drinks on Tuesday, October 1, at the Damascus Volunteer Rescue Squad beginning at 12:00 p.m. Thank you JSB Football!


Good afternoon, WCPS Families & Staff --
Due to the ongoing cleanup efforts across Washington County, several of our families still without power and utilities, the continuing assessment and coordination of food service needs, and roads that are still inaccessible by bus, Washington County Public Schools will be closed on Tuesday, October 1, 2024.
Because of this closure, childcare will be offered for working parents from 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at High Point Elementary, Meadowview Elementary, Valley Institute Elementary, and Watauga Elementary. Students at Abingdon Elementary and Greendale Elementary can take advantage of childcare at Woodland Hills Christian Church, provided by the Boys and Girls Club. If these students aren't already registered with the Boys and Girls Club, you can call (276) 696-9923. Rhea Valley students in need of childcare may come to Meadowview Elementary. Breakfast and lunch will be provided by WCPS School Nutrition Department at all locations. Each elementary school will send out additional information about childcare specifics for their students.
We are also aware that conditions across the county may still be tricky on Wednesday, and delayed schedules and alternate bus routes may be needed in order to get schools open. We appreciate your continued patience as we work to navigate these unprecedented challenges. We will keep you updated should additional schedule changes be necessary.
To our Damascus area families -- we know that it is going to be more difficult to get schools open in your area as cleanup efforts are ongoing and schools are still without utilities in that area. We will do everything we can to help provide some normalcy for you as soon as it is safe to do so.
We are also incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support from our community at our donation supply drop-off locations. I couldn't be prouder of our students who led efforts to help our friends and neighbors! If you still have items you would like to donate, you may do so prior to the John S. Battle/Patrick Henry football game at JSB this evening. Because of the amazing support that our schools and the United Way has received, we will not take any additional donations after tonight. When this inventory is used, we will consider additional opportunities to collect donations.
Please continue to pray for our students, families and friends impacted by this devastation. If you know a family in need, please contact your child's principal and we will work to help meet those needs. Thanks again for your support, patience, grace, and prayers.
Thank you,
Keith Perrigan, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Washington County Public Schools
812 Thompson Dr.
Abingdon, VA 24210
276-739-3000
@WashCoSuper


Needed Donations: New immediate needs have been identified, according to the Damascus Fire Department:
*EMPTY Gas Cans
*Portable Showers or Supplies to Make a Shower
*EMPTY 5 Gallon Buckets
*Personal Wipes
*Flashlights
*Batteries
Abingdon High School, John S. Battle High School, & Patrick Henry will be serving as central hubs to bring donations and supplies. All three high schools will be accepting supplies until 3:00 p.m. Items will also be collected at the John S. Battle/Patrick Henry Football Game at JSB on Monday evening. Those items can be dropped off behind the gymnasium.


Please Share: Our school communities are coming together to help our families & friends in need. Schools have opened their doors to provide services & amenities to all local students, parents, & families. (We will add to this list as resources become available)
• John S. Battle High School: The library is open with phone chargers available, comfortable places to sit – if needed, hot showers can be provided.
• Patrick Henry High School: The school has Wi-Fi & electricity. PHS also has two washers & dryers, laundry detergent, hot showers, & hot beef ravioli available for lunch. Families are welcome to come use any of these resources until 3:00 p.m.
• Greendale Elementary School: Open until 3:00 p.m. for families to charge devices, use WiFi & wash clothes.
• Valley Institute Elementary School: Open until 3:00 p.m. for families to come sit in the air conditioning in the cafeteria and charge electronic devices if needed.
• E.B. Stanley Middle School: Open until 3:00 p.m. for those needing to charge electronics.
• Glade Spring Middle School: GSMS will be providing a boxed spaghetti dinner for anyone in the community who needs a hot meal. Food will be ready by 4:00 p.m.
A reminder that Abingdon High School, John S. Battle High School, & Patrick Henry will be serving as central hubs to bring donations and supplies. All three high schools will be accepting supplies until 3:00 p.m. Items will also be collected at the John S. Battle/Patrick Henry Football Game at JSB on Monday evening. Those items can be dropped off behind the gymnasium.
Needed Items Have Been Identified as Follows (If other needs are identified at a later time, we will continue to take collections in the coming weeks)
• Water
• Cleaning Supplies
• Nonperishable Food Items
• Pet Food
Additional Resources:
• The Coomes Center in Abingdon has showers available & Food City in Damascus has set up a shelter for those in need.
• Washington Co. has a Shelter at Highlands Fellowship Church at 134 Commerce Ct. Bristol, VA.
• Anyone is welcome to visit the Damascus Rescue Squad location for supplies from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. any day this week. Address: 32094 Government Road, Damascus VA, 24236


Community Meal: Glade Spring Middle School will be providing a boxed spaghetti dinner for anyone in the community in need of a hot meal on Monday, September 30. Food will be ready by 4:00 p.m.


Attention Rebels!


Good afternoon Rebel faculty/staff members, students and family members. You ALL have been in my thoughts and prayers. I am at PH now and will leave the building open till 8pm if anyone needs to come by and charge their phones, chromebooks ect. Just come in the main entrance and I will have some coffee made too. Take care- Dr. D


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“


Good morning --
Due to weather related incidents, Washington County has declared a Local Emergency. As a result, ALL WCPS buildings and offices will be CLOSED for the remainder of the day on Friday, September 27, 2024. Please communicate with your families about these closures, should they have any questions. ALL after school activities and events are cancelled for Friday.
There is currently flooding with trees and powerlines down across the county. Please take the following steps 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.
Stay safe!


The football game that was rescheduled for tonight between Patrick Henry and John Battle has been postponed until Monday, September 30 at 6:00pm at John Battle. Stay safe Rebels! See you on Monday!
