Wallace Middle School

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.

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.

WMS Volleyball Game for tonight will still be played. Tailgate is rescheduled for next week.

Volleyball Game is still on for tonight 9/26. Attention Jr. Trojans!! The pep rally and tailgating event scheduled for today will be held on Tuesday, October 1. We will be rescheduling the event to celebrate our team  before the last volleyball home game against E.B. Stanley Middle School. Come show your team spirit, play games, enjoy a hot dog and support your school all at the same time!

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.

Please see the flyer for information about the Jr. Trojans Basketball League. The deadline to register is October 14.

WMS students and staff engaged in the annual "Fabulous Day of Learning" on September 13. Staff members teach students skills that they are interested in. It is an incredible way to build a sense of community within the school and teach a new skills in the process. This year students had many options to choose from including, banana pudding making, art therapy, yoga, BINGO, Jiu-Jitsu, Ninja Warrior, and escape rooms

Ms. Maples and Ms. Hicks led Wallace Middle School 7th grade "surgeons in training" in performing the correct (mathematical) order of operations on their patients today. All patients are expected to make a full recovery!!

WMS Volleyball Tailgate Thursday September 26 from 3:30-5:30. Hosted by the PTA, students must have signed permission form to participate. See the flyer for more information.

Book Fair is this week at Wallace Middle School! See the attached flyer for more information on how to create a Book Fair eWallet for cash-free shopping.

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.

Battle Cheer Clinic - October 5th Presented by WCAA October 5th 4:30pm-8:30pm John S Battle High School gym $50 registration fee (includes pom poms and bow) Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1afiIE4jqA3BpwCrkMRZPf5Vsil2vqc-UwgEbKs4WvaU/viewform?edit_requested=true

Please see the flyer for Tennis Club information.

The homeroom with the best attendance will get an ice cream sundae party on September 30th!

Fall school pictures will be on Monday, September 9 for all Wallace Middle School students and staff. Students will receive proofs of their photographs later to order pictures.

School Days at the Fair will take place on Friday, September 13th. There will be free admission to the fairgrounds from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. for all students and school employees -- admission will be 1/2 price for parents at $5.