Patrick Henry High School

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“

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.

Good afternoon, I couldn't be prouder of our Maintenance Team and the School Custodians across Washington County. They have done a phenomenal job of clearing school parking lots and sidewalks. Despite the terribly cold working conditions they have worked tirelessly, and flawlessly, to get our schools ready to provide a safe environment for students and staff to return to school. Additionally, VDOT workers have gone above and beyond the call of duty to get many main roads and secondary roads clear and safe. We are very grateful to those workers as well. Almost every road I traveled in Washington County today was clear. Unfortunately, there are still some roads that are not safe for buses to drive considering the constant starting and stopping they are required to do. Many of the turn around areas for buses are still covered with snow and ice. As a result, Washington County Public Schools will be closed on Thursday January 18, 2024. Be safe, have fun, and pray that we will miss the predicted snowfall on Friday. Thank you, Keith Perrigan, Ed.D. Superintendent

Washington County Public Schools serves many children in foster care and have an interest in supporting children as they enter the foster care system. The Isaiah 117 House’s welcoming space allows children to receive the comfort and care they need, while the Department of Social Services staff perform the necessary paperwork and identify a good foster placement. Isaiah 117 House is changing the way foster care begins. If you are interested in learning more about the progress of Washington County’s Isaiah 117 House, please reach out to Savannah Harrison at [email protected] For more information, see this article https://www.wcs.k12.va.us/article/1414089

Washington County VA Schools will be closed on Wednesday, January 17th.

Tune in for this very important announcement from School Superintendent, Dr. Keith Perrigan: https://youtu.be/j10RWCvrmr4?feature=shared

Be sure to check out the FREE tutoring resource provided by the VDOE for all students. This can be accessed through the students' SSO portal. Here is just one of the options offered. https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:2827544a-e724-3bb0-9609-0abc17dd85da

Washington County VA Schools will be closed on Tuesday, January 16th

Good evening, Over the last few years, Washington County Public Schools has made the decision to have school on the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday to ensure our teachers could use the day as a teachable moment. Dr. King's advocacy, tenacity, and action had a huge impact on American History. His leadership led to countless Americans having more liberty, opportunity, and personal freedom. Teaching our students about his legacy is of the utmost importance. Unfortunately due to the Winter Storm Warning in effect for Washington County Virginia, we are going to cancel school on this very important holiday. Based on a forecast prepared specifically for Washington County Schools by AccuWeather for 01/15/2024, we anticipate snow flurries in the early morning and heavy snowfall by lunchtime. Even though it looks like we could get students to school safely in the morning, it appears that getting them home would be much more difficult. Due to the potential for significant snowfall, we will not provide childcare on Monday. I apologize for the inconvenience this causes for working families. If we have to close school for additional days this week, we will do our best to offer childcare for working families. Have a restful evening and feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. 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

Washington County Schools is proud to have so many talented musicians across our division. Today we celebrated some of the #WCPSBest at the All-County Middle School and High School Honors Band concert. @WashCoSuper #WashingtonWay

Dear Families, Due to increasing wind speeds in parts of our county, we will dismiss school 1 hour early on Friday, January 12. 2024.

Seniors and senior families, We want to encourage you to go online at balfour.com and purchase your cap and gown before Monday, January 15. All orders made on the 15th or later will have a late fee of at least $10 in order for the cap and gown to get here on time. The cost for a cap, gown and tassel is $40. Thank you

Dear Washington County Families, We wanted to inform you that we there has been a bus incident in the Patrick Henry area of the division. All students on board have been evaluated by medical personnel and no injuries were sustained. Parents of all students involved have been contacted. The safety and security of our students and staff is always our first priority.

Good afternoon, Washington County Public Schools will be closed on Wednesday January 10, 2024. Our WCPS specific Accuweather Forecast gives us reason to believe that we would need to operate on a 2-hour delayed schedule tomorrow. Since a 2-hour early dismissal is already scheduled, adding a 2-hour delay would become a logistical nightmare for students, parents, and staff. I apologize for interrupting your daily routine with this closure, but hopefully the early notification will provide ample time for parents to make arrangements. We will provide free childcare for working parents who are unable to make arrangements for their children. This service is being provided as a result of goals our School Board adopted last summer. All Elementary and Middle Schools will be open tomorrow to serve students whose parents have to go to work and can’t make other arrangements. Be on the lookout for messaging from your school about specific details, hours of operation, etc. Again, I apologize for this inconvenience. Please let me know if you have questions, suggestions, or concerns. 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“

Dear Washington County Schools Families, Please see this important announcement regarding weather updates from the Watauga Elementary News Crew and WES-TV! https://www.canva.com/design/DAF2tJu3wvM/v0_4WoDFpbt3wbCWHIVu6w/watch