Holston High School

Washington County Public Schools will operate on a two-hour delayed schedule on Wednesday, January 15, 2025. However, buses will only travel on clear roads. As a reminder, students who live on roads that are snow and/or ice covered will have multiple options: 1. Parents can choose to keep their child at home and the building principal will work with that family to make up assignments and missed instruction. Students who live on these roads and do not attend school will be given a weather-related approved absence and it will not adversely affect their school record. 2. Parents who can safely navigate these roads may take their child directly to school. 3. Parents may also drop their child off at the school closest to their home in the morning. A bus will then transport their child to their school of attendance. Use the car rider line at the school by 9:30 a.m. A staff member will take your child to a designated transfer area. Afternoon pickup will be at the child’s home school. Again, parents who choose not to send their child to school because of road conditions in their area, will have the support of their principal and the School Division. If you are a parent of a teen driver, we completely understand and support you if you decide not to allow your child to drive to school. The roads that will not be used tomorrow, can be found here: https://www.wcs.k12.va.us/documents/transportation%2Fbus-routes/743711 Childcare will be provided at elementary schools for working parents who need it. Be on the lookout for specific details from your child's school.

As you may know, Washington County covers more than 500 mi.², and is serviced by more than 2,000 miles of primary and secondary roads. VDOT has done an excellent job of clearing the vast majority of these roads. However, there are still several roads in the county that are snow and/or ice covered. Based on the current forecast for the upcoming days, it doesn’t appear that there will be much change in the condition of those particular roads. Since we are able to safely travel a majority of county roads, Washington County Public Schools will operate on a two hour delayed schedule on Tuesday, January 14, 2025. However, buses will only travel on clear roads. Students who live on roads that are snow and/or ice covered will have multiple options: 1. Parents can choose to keep their child at home and the building principal will work with that family to make up assignments and missed instruction. Students who live on these roads and do not attend school will be given a weather-related approved absence and it will not adversely affect their school record. 2. Parents who can safely navigate these roads may take their child directly to school. 3. Parents may also drop their child off at the school closest to their home in the morning. A bus will then transport their child to their school of attendance. Use the car rider line at the school by 9:30 a.m. A staff member will take your child to a designated transfer area. Afternoon pickup will be at the child’s home school. Again, parents who choose not to send their child to school because of road conditions in their area, will have the support of their principal and the School Division. If you are a parent of a teen driver, we completely understand and support you if you decide not to allow your child to drive to school. We are providing a list of the roads that won’t be used tomorrow. Those roads can be found here: https://www.wcs.k12.va.us/documents/transportation%2Fbus-routes/743711 We are also giving bus drivers the discretion to avoid other roads if they have a concern. Please be patient as altered routes and longer car rider lines will cause delays to our typical routines. Melting that occurred today may ice over and there is potential for additional snow overnight. We will reevaluate in the morning. If a change needs to be made, that decision will be made by 7:00 a.m. We will be sending laptops and other instructional materials home with students for the foreseeable future. Due to the number of days we have missed already, we will consider using remote instruction should we have adverse weather in the future. We appreciate your patience as we navigate the snow, ice, and temperatures. Childcare will be provided at elementary schools for working parents who need it. Be on the lookout for specific details from your child’s school.

It has been another busy day for our road checkers across Washington County. While crews have worked hard this weekend to clear main roads and secondary roads, there are still many backroads across the area that remain snow and ice covered, with the possibility of a refreeze as temperatures drop again tonight. As a result, WCPS will be CLOSED tomorrow, Monday, January 13, 2025. Childcare will be provided at elementary schools. Please be on the lookout for additional information from your child's principal. Looking ahead at the weather for this week, we are hopeful we will be able to have students and staff return to their classrooms on Tuesday, as conditions are expected to improve and temperatures rise. In the meantime, if you know the name of any of these roads, put it in the comments.

Our road checkers have been busy surveying roads across the county all day today. While we believe we would be able to have students return to school on a regular schedule tomorrow morning, the expected timing of the winter storm in the afternoon could make safely transporting students home difficult. Accumulating snow is expected to start at noon tomorrow. As a result, WCPS will be CLOSED Friday, January 10, 2025. Childcare will not be provided. We have put much thought and discussion into this decision, but based on conversations with multiple meteorologists, we feel this is the safest option for our students and staff. Be safe and stay warm!

SCHEDULE UPDATE: We have had multiple snow squalls in different parts of the County this evening. Unfortunately, it’s snowing again now. As a result, Washington County Public Schools will be closed tomorrow, Thursday, January 9, 2025. Childcare will still be offered at elementary schools. Please be on the lookout for information from your student's principal. Stay warm and be safe!

A reminder that WCPS will operate on a 2-Hour Delay tomorrow, Thursday, January 9, 2025, due to expected wind chill temperatures in the single digits. Childcare will be provided at all elementary schools for working families who need it. Please be on the lookout for additional childcare information from your student’s elementary school. We are looking forward to starting the second semester and welcoming our students and staff back to their classrooms. Stay warm and be safe!

SCHEDULE UPDATE: While we were excited and planning on welcoming back our students to start the second semester today, due to unexpected heavy snow flurries that have covered many roads throughout the county, some of which have black ice, WCPS will be closed Wednesday, January 8, 2025. Childcare will still be provided at elementary schools. That information will be provided by each principal. Stay warm and be safe!

WCPS will operate on a 2-Hour Delayed Schedule on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. Childcare will be provided at all elementary schools for working families who need it. Please be on the lookout for additional childcare information from your student’s elementary school. Our biggest obstacle for tomorrow is parking lots and drop off lines. We have worked those hard this afternoon and will hit them again in the morning. For parents and students who will be driving, please take extra care in those areas. Due to expected sub-zero wind chills, we will operate on a 2-Hour Delayed Schedule on Thursday, January 9, 2025, as well. We understand how inconvenient delayed schedules can be for families so we are providing this advance notice to give everyone ample time to make arrangements. We can’t wait to see our students and staff back in their classrooms tomorrow (Wednesday)! Stay warm and be safe!

Due to deteriorating conditions in many parts of the county overnight, WCPS will be closed today, Tuesday, January 7, 2025. Because of these conditions, childcare will not be available. Stay safe and warm!

WCPS will operate on a 2-Hour Delay on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. We have had multiple folks checking roads across the county this afternoon -- kudos to VDOT for getting roads in such good shape! As a result, our current plan is to operate on the two hour delayed schedule. We will reevaluate roads in the morning as temperatures are predicted to fall, with the potential for roads to ice over. Childcare will be provided at all elementary schools for working families who need it. Childcare will also be available in the event that we need to close in the morning (a decision will be made by 7:00 a.m.) There will be no virtual option tomorrow. Please be on the lookout for additional childcare information from your student's elementary school. Be safe and stay warm!

Students in Ms. Mitten's Chorus and Guitar classes performed songs of the holiday season for Damascus Middle School students during lunch!

Teachers for Tomorrow: Emory & Henry University, Virginia Highlands Community College, Bristol Virginia Public Schools, Washington County Public Schools, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop and implement an innovative pathway for students to obtain teacher certification through a collaborative educational pipeline. “We are thrilled to partner with our public school and community college partners to create an educational pathway that supports the development of future teachers in our region,” said Dr. Michael Puglisi, Provost, Emory & Henry University. “This initiative will not only benefit our students but will help meet the growing demand for educators in our communities.” This partnership aims to address the critical need for qualified educators by offering students from the local area an accelerated route to become licensed teachers. Students will have access to a streamlined pathway through this program. The opportunity includes experiential learning opportunities, dual enrollment courses, and a structured course sequence designed to take them from high school through to a bachelor’s degree in education and teacher licensure. Abingdon High School senior, Gavin Songer, was among more than 25 high school students attending the signing event on the campus of Virginia Highlands Community College. “I have so many teachers who have helped me and are my absolute role models...I am interested in becoming a teacher so I can make a difference in others’ lives like they have me.” Program Highlights: *Emory & Henry University (EHU): --EHU will provide the final two years of the 1+1+2 Teachers for Tomorrow Program, enabling students to complete their bachelor’s degree and obtain teacher licensure through a prescribed curriculum. --EHU will also offer students a discounted tuition rate of $7,500 per year (excluding the Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant), making the program more accessible and affordable. --EHU has developed a visit program offering students the chance to explore the EHU campus during their early years at VHCC. This program provides valuable exposure to EHU's academic environment, including classroom experiences, as well as a glimpse into campus life. --EHU will share annual data with VHCC on transfer students, including persistence rates, graduation outcomes, and job placement statistics, to ensure ongoing success and improvement of the program. *Virginia Highlands Community College (VHCC): --VHCC will offer dual-enrollment classes to BVPS and WCPS students, allowing them to complete the Uniform Certificate of General Studies (UCGS) and earn the first year of the 1+1+2 Teachers for Tomorrow Program. --Additionally, VHCC will provide EDU-specific courses as part of this program, enabling students to earn credits toward their Associate of Science (AS) degree in Education, which constitutes the second year of the program. *Washington County Public Schools: --Starting in 10th grade, students will receive information about the "Teachers for Tomorrow" pathway, encouraging them to consider a career in education. --Juniors and seniors will gain valuable classroom experience, offering them hands-on exposure to the teaching profession. --Dual-enrollment opportunities will be available for 11th and 12th graders, enabling students to earn up to one year of college credit, setting the foundation for their future studies. The goal of this collaborative effort is to create a sustainable, well-supported pipeline that allows students from the region to enter the teaching profession more quickly, effectively, and with the skills needed to succeed in today’s classrooms. “How wonderful that through this program we will be able to affordably train today’s students to be tomorrow’s teachers...all right here in southwest Virginia,” said Dr. Adam Hutchison, President, Virginia Highlands Community College. “This outstanding opportunity is a true testament to the partnerships and collaborative spirit that is so vital to providing opportunities for the future.” Through this comprehensive program, students will gain the skills, credentials, and experience they need to make a meaningful impact as educators, while simultaneously addressing the needs of local schools and communities. This collaboration serves as a model for how higher education, community colleges, and K-12 schools can work together to provide quality education and training for the next generation of teachers. “As long as I can remember, I have wanted to be a teacher just like my grandma,” said Kinsley Bird, a Patrick Henry High School graduate and current VHCC student. “I cannot imagine doing anything else – and this program just made my path smoother and more affordable.” Kinsley will be joining the Emory & Henry family this spring of 2025.

Holston High School is proud to announce our Teacher of the Year, Ms. Buffy Milhorne! Ms. Milhorne teaches math, which is often noted to be one of the most challenging subjects for students. However, Ms. Milhorne changes this for many of her students, as she teaches with intention, checking for understanding often and providing lots of real-world examples. Even more important to her success is her love for her students and her support of them in and out of the classroom. Holston High School is thankful to have her! Congratulations to Ms. Milhorne!

Teachers of the Year: It is an honor for Washington County Schools to announce and congratulate the following teachers selected by their respective schools as their 2024-2025 Teacher of the Year. These persons were chosen by their colleagues because they exemplify the best of being a teacher for Washington County Public Schools and the service they provide to the community, school and most importantly, students. Elementary Schools *Abingdon -- Gwen Campbell *Greendale -- Abby Rasnake *High Point -- Heather Hensley *Meadowview -- Kimberly Cox *Rhea Valley -- Beth Delp *Valley Institute -- Joy Hull *Watauga -- Sherry Thomason Middle Schools *Damascus -- Sallie Moss *Glade Spring -- Sherry Cannon *E.B. Stanley -- Maggie Branton *Wallace -- Kaitlyn Maples Secondary Schools *Abingdon High -- Chase Nunley *John S. Battle High -- Emily Tallman *Patrick Henry High -- Alyssa Fields *Holston High -- Buffy Milhorne *WC CTE Center -- William (Billy) Buchanan These teachers will be recognized as their building’s Teacher of the Year at the Washington County School Board meeting on January 21, 2025. As well, we are excited to announce and congratulate the grade level Teacher of the Year for 2024-2025. Each of the building’s Teacher of the Year could be chosen as all are models of what it means to be a teacher. *2025-2025 Elementary School Teacher of the Year -- Abby Rasnake *2024-2025 Middle School Teacher of the Year -- Kaitlyn Maples *2024-2025 High School Teacher of the Year -- Chase Nunley The 2024-2025 Washington County Teacher of the Year will be announced during the Washington County School Board Meeting on January 21, 2025, and will be our Division’s candidate for the Region VII Teacher of the Year. Congratulations to all as we celebrate these exemplary teachers of Washington County Schools.

Students in Ms. Mitten's English 9 class worked together to rewrite the poem "Twas the Night Before Christmas," based on their own life experiences.

WCPS will operate on a 2 hour delay on Thursday, December 12, 2024 due to black ice in some locations. Opening later will allow better visibility for drivers. Childcare will be provided at elementary schools for working parents if needed.

Based on our conversations with our meteorologist at AccuWeather, we anticipate weather conditions to deteriorate during our normal dismissal time. As a result, Washington County Public Schools will dismiss 2-Hours early today, Wednesday, December 11, 2024. All extracurricular activities for Wednesday are postponed.

An Important Update from the WCPS Transportation Department: Due to weather conditions, buses will NOT run in the Konnarock, Taylor's Valley, and Green Cove areas of Washington County on Wednesday, December 11, 2024.

Bus service to the Konnarock, Taylor’s Valley, and Green Cove areas of Washington County will run on a two hour delay for Wednesday, December 11, 2024. Should weather conditions deteriorate further, it is possible these areas could become closed. We will keep you updated on further schedule changes.

#TheWashingtonWay: We are so thankful for our amazing support staff that we have here at WCPS! At the meeting this evening, School Board Members recognized our Support Staff Award Winners for the fall semester. *Master Technician Award -- Jason Salyers (Technology Department) *Wheels on the Bus Award -- Ronica Blevins (Transportation Department) *Above and Beyond (Custodian) Award -- Becky Lane-Smith (Watauga Elementary School) *Helping Hand Award -- Lynn Redman (High Point Elementary School) *Silver Spoon Award -- Kristen Deel (E.B. Stanley Middle School) *Customer Service Award -- Abby Stamper (WCPS Annex) Congratulations to our award winners and thank you for your hard work!