As we begin to enjoy the warmer weather, I wanted to send a friendly reminder about our Washington County dress code to help ensure all students are dressed appropriately for the school day.
Please keep the following guidelines in mind:
• Shirts should fully cover the midsection- No crop tops.
• Shorts must be fingertip length or longer.
• Thin-strapped tank tops are not permitted.
Our goal is to maintain a positive and distraction-free learning environment for all students. If a student is out of dress code, the following will occur:
• First offense: A warning will be given and a parent/guardian will be contacted.
• Second offense: A parent/guardian will be asked to bring a change of clothes for the student.
We appreciate your support in helping us reinforce these expectations. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
PLEASE VOTE for LEIF one more time!!! He made it to the "wildcard" round!
This week, we are excited to spotlight our 4th grade student teacher, Katelyn Dancy! Katelyn is a student at Emory & Henry College and is originally from Marion, VA. Katelyn decided to pursue a career in teaching because she has always loved working with kids and helping them learn. She especially enjoys seeing the moment when something finally “clicks” for a student. Her goal as a future teacher is to encourage and support students while helping them feel confident in the classroom.
So far, her favorite part of working with our 4th graders has been getting to know the students and building relationships with them. She says our class is a fun group and she loves seeing their personalities shine while watching their confidence grow.
One thing that has surprised Katelyn about teaching is how much a student’s attitude can change when they feel that someone truly cares about them. She believes that taking time to listen and show support can make a big difference in how students approach learning.
Katelyn’s favorite subject to teach is English, although her favorite subject when she was in elementary school was science. During her time with our class, she recently taught a science unit about the solar system. She especially enjoyed incorporating hands-on learning activities, such as measuring out the distance between the planets and exploring moon phases using Oreos.
One of Katelyn’s favorite children’s books is If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff.
Outside of school, Katelyn enjoys spending time with family and friends and going shopping. She also has an Aussiedoodle named Daisy who keeps her busy. When it comes to treats, she enjoys classic favorites like Oatmeal Cream Pies and Doritos.
In the future, Katelyn hopes to teach upper elementary and create a classroom where students feel safe, supported, and excited to learn. She wants her classroom to be a place where students feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes, and sharing their ideas.
Her advice to our 4th graders is:
“Ask questions, try new things, and don’t worry about mistakes—they help you grow. Remember: the ones who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones that do… and that could be you!” We are so glad to have Katelyn as part of our 4th grade team!
Our friends at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center are inviting young learners to explore science, technology, engineering, and math during the 2026 Spring K–5 STEM Academy!
This hands-on program gives elementary students the chance to experiment, build, and discover while learning alongside other curious minds.
📅 Tuesdays, April 7 – May 5
⏰ 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. (Kindergarten dismisses at 7:15 p.m.)
📍 Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center – One Partnership Circle, Abingdon
💲 Cost: $35
Spots fill quickly, so families are encouraged to register soon!
🔗 Learn more and register here:
https://www.swcenter.edu/k5stemacademy
Our very own Leif Asbury was selected as a candidate in the “Bob Ross Presents: America’s Most Artistic Kid” art contest! For this competition, kids submit some of their artwork, and the judges select who will be part of the competition. The winner earns the honor of having their artwork displayed at the Minnestrita Museum in Muncie, Indiana, as well as appearing on a special episode of “The Joy of Painting” with Nicholas Hankins and taking home $20,000! To say we are proud of Leif for even being selected as a candidate is an understatement!
We want Leif to get as many votes from our Wildcat Family as possible. PLEASE VOTE FOR LEIF ASAP! To vote, you will need to visit Leif’s artist profile online at https://artistickid.org/2026/leif-aa01
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The 19th Annual PAWS Campaign (Providing Animals With Support) is back! From March 1–March 31, 2026, Washington County Public Schools is proud to support the Washington County Animal Shelter through this annual community drive.
We’re collecting much-needed items to help care for animals in our community, including:
🐶🐱 Cat & dog food
🧹 Cleaning supplies (bleach & dish detergent)
🐾 Kitty litter
Donations can be dropped off at ANY Washington County school.
The Washington County Career & Technical Education Center (WCCTEC) is excited to announce that registration is NOW OPEN for the 2026 Exploring Pathways Summer Camp!
This hands-on camp is open to current 4th-, 5th-, 6th-, and 7th-grade students and gives campers the chance to explore exciting career pathways, build new skills, and have a whole lot of fun along the way.
⏰ Spots are limited and fill quickly!
🗓 Application deadline: May 1, 2026
👉 Apply today by visiting:
🔗 https://wcctec.wcs.k12.va.us/o/wcctec
Don’t miss this opportunity to spark curiosity and explore future possibilities this summer!
Our very own Leif Asbury was selected as a candidate in the “Bob Ross Presents: America’s Most Artistic Kid” art contest! For this competition, kids submit some of their artwork, and the judges select who will be part of the competition. The winner earns the honor of having their artwork displayed at the Minnestrita Museum in Muncie, Indiana, as well as appearing on a special episode of “The Joy of Painting” with Nicholas Hankins and taking home $20,000! To say we are proud of Leif for even being selected as a candidate is an understatement!
We want Leif to get as many votes from our Wildcat Family as possible. PLEASE VOTE FOR LEIF ASAP! To vote, you will need to visit Leif’s artist profile online at https://artistickid.org/2026/leif-aa01
Join us for the Washington County Preschool & Child Care Enrollment Fair -- a one-stop event to connect families with high-quality early childhood programs available in Washington County!
📅 Monday, March 2
⏰ 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
📍 EO Building | Abingdon, VA
Whether you’re planning ahead or exploring options, this event is a great opportunity to learn, ask questions, and find the right fit for your child.
Save the date and share with families who may be interested!
