Rhea Valley Elementary

We are honored to invite all Veterans to our Veterans Day Program at Rhea Valley Elementary School on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024 at 9:00 am in the gymnasium. Join us as we celebrate and recognize the sacrifices and contributions of our veterans. We would love for you to share this special day with us. Your service and dedication mean so much to our community.

Schools will be open next Monday, November 4th, and attendance will be taken. On this day, students will be learning how to participate in online instruction in the event of inclement weather. It is important for your child to be at school on Monday so they will know how to participate when remote learning days are called. Thank you!

It was an exciting Friday for Washington County Public Schools! We were honored to provide a tour of Rhea Valley Elementary, Holston High School, and Abingdon High School to Virginia Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera and her staff, as well as Sen. Todd Pillion. During the visit, Secretary Guidera was able to see the new safety vestibule at Abingdon High School, learned about flood recovery efforts at Rhea Valley Elementary and saw the Hydrophonics System in action at Holston. Secretary Guidera also offered a special congratulations to Holston High School for being recognized Thursday with the 2024-2025 Virginia Board of Education Exemplar High Achievement Award. As always, our students were great ambassadors for our distinguished guests, and we loved highlighting all the great things happening in WCPS!

Don't forget to send in a bag of candy for our annual Trunk or Treat at RVES.

Promise Program: Today was a proud moment for Washington County Public Schools! We witnessed something truly special as our community gathered at Virginia Highlands Community College to celebrate the launch of the Washington County Promise Program. This commitment by Wellspring Foundation of Southwest Virginia and VHCC marks a major step forward in providing a brighter future for our students. Thanks to this incredible program, students who live in Washington County, VA, can now pursue higher education with free tuition, breaking down financial barriers and opening doors to countless opportunities. We’re beyond excited to see the impact this will have on our students, their families, and our community as a whole. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us today - from students and faculty to community leaders and partners. Your support means everything as we work together to enrich the lives of our young people. Head over to https://promiseprogram.org/ and discover how this opportunity can benefit your student! #WashingtonCountySchools #VHCCPromise #StudentOpportunities #OurFuture #CommunityStrong #EducationMatters (Photo Courtesy: Virginia Highlands Community College)

RVES can't wait! Register now.

Watauga Elementary has invited us to join in the fun of their Fall Festival. Thank you WES!!!

Don't forget we get out 2-hours early today, 12:50. Also, we are on fall break next Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Thanks!

From the WCPS Transportation Department: Due to an accident on Interstate 81 and traffic delays as a result, several WCPS buses are delayed in their afternoon routes.

Rhea Valley parents, During the School Board Meeting on Monday, October 7, 2024, the WCPS Board voted to approve a change to the 2024-25 School Calendar. Due to missing several days over the past two weeks because of inclement weather challenges, the End of the First Nine Weeks and Two-Hour Early Dismissal planned for Wednesday, October 9, has been moved to Friday, October 11. Wednesday will be a regular schedule day.

Washington County Public Schools will operate on a regular schedule on Tuesday, October 8, 2024. We do have the following transportation information and route changes for students and families to be aware of. These changes will be in place until further notice: *Taylor's Valley Bus 37 -- Students who live in Taylor's Valley can meet Bus 37 at the VFW Post on Route 91 at 7:15 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 times. *Bus 38 -- Students who live on Rush Creek Road can meet Bus 38 at the intersection of Rush Creek and Confederate Road at 7:00 a.m. with drop off at approximately 3:45 p.m.

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“

Field Trip: Rhea Valley Elementary students were treated to field trip and a showing of "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown," thanks to the Emory & Henry Theatre Department! Following the performance, students enjoyed a meal in the cafeteria.

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

This is for families that have ongoing cases or that have received SNAP benefits within the last year and those who have had their electricity off for 8 or more hours . Completion of the attached form and submission to the local Department of Social Services Office is required. The form needs to be filled out within 10 days of the event which will be Monday, October 7th.

Due to Rhea Valley Elementary, Damascus Middle, and Holston High schools being closed on Friday, October 4, 2024, free breakfast and lunch meals will be available for pick-up between 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. at Holston High School. Students do not have to be present for families to pick up the meals. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Reminder: Due to Rhea Valley Elementary, Damascus Middle, and Holston High schools being closed today, Thursday, October 3, 2024, free breakfast and lunch meals are available for pick-up until 1:00 p.m. at Holston High School. Students do not have to be present for families to pick up the meals. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

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

Due to Rhea Valley Elementary, Damascus Middle, and Holston High schools being closed on Thursday, October 3, 2024, free breakfast and lunch meals will be available for pick-up between 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. at Holston High School. Students do not have to be present for families to pick up the meals. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

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