Judges' Docket

In collaboration with the Winchester Police Department, John Handley High School will participate in ongoing opportunities to deter illegal substances, such as drugs, from entering school grounds. This may include bringing drug dogs into the school. Please know that our student’s health and safety is our top priority and that we will make every effort to prevent the presence of illegal substances in our school. If you have concerns regarding substance abuse and your child, please contact Leslie Stewart, Social Worker, for resources. She can be reached at 540.662.3471 or stewartle@wps.k12.va.us.

En colaboración con el Departamento de Policía de Winchester, la Escuela Secundaria John Handley participará en oportunidades continuas para disuadir la entrada de sustancias ilegales, como drogas, a los terrenos escolares. Esto puede incluir traer perros drogadictos a la escuela. Tenga en cuenta que la salud y seguridad de nuestros estudiantes es nuestra principal prioridad y que haremos todo lo posible para prevenir la presencia de sustancias ilegales en nuestra escuela. Si tiene inquietudes sobre el abuso de sustancias y su hijo, comuníquese con Leslie Stewart, trabajadora social, para obtener recursos. Puede comunicarse con ella al 540.662.3471 o stewartle@wps.k12.va.us.

With 90%, three classes tied for 2nd place: Seniors, Juniors, and Freshman making the Sophomore Class winners for the 2nd week in a row with 92%!!!

All Handley Students get free admission to the Girls Basketball Game on Monday, 12/4 vs Warren County. JV's play at 6 pm and Varsity plays at 7:30 pm.

Come out and support your Judges!

With winter weather fast approaching, we wanted to share JHHS Inclement Weather Schedule so students and families can prepare. Winchester Public Schools will always communicate with families if we have to close or delay opening of schools due to inclement weather. Please ensure we have your correct contact information with the school's registrar.

If your child tests positive:

• Keep your child home from school. They will need to quarantine through Day 5.

• Notify your child’s school that your child is positive for COVID-19.

• The school will provide instructional materials during the duration of their quarantine.

• If your child’s symptoms are improving and they have been fever free for 24 hours, they may return to school on Day 6.

• They will need to wear a mask through Day 10.

• If your child is unable to wear a mask, they will need to provide a negative test on Day 6 in order to return, otherwise they will need to stay at home through Day 10.

If your child is exposed outside of school, but does NOT have symptoms:

• The child may continue to attend school as long as they do not have symptoms

• A test is recommended as soon as possible after the exposure and again between Days 3-5 after exposure.

• If you need a free COVID-19 test kit, please contact the school nurse.

Link to infographic

Stephen Hill of Speak Sobriety will be talking to our students on the afternoon of December 12th in regards to substance abuse (including vaping.) Families and parents are invited to join us for an evening presentation on Tuesday, December 12th from 5:30-7:30 in the Patsy Cline Theater at Handley. The evening will focus on building resiliency within our students and helping them make healthy choices while learning how to overcome adversity.

Attention all Asian/Pacific Islanders Association members and interested students, we will be meeting on Wednesday, December 6, in the planetarium after the advisory lesson and on Wednesday, December 13, after school in the Student Union. We look forward to seeing you there!

Scores from the October 3 PSAT session have been emailed to students. All 10th graders and select 9th and 11th graders took the test. If your student did not receive scores, please email spitzerd@wps.k12.va.us.

This winter our school, in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services and Virginia Department of Education is conducting a school climate and safety survey of students and teachers. The purpose of this survey is to measure school discipline, student support, student engagement, and safety conditions in each school. This information will be used to guide educational practices that produce a safe and orderly school environment.

All students are asked to participate in the school climate survey. This survey will be given during advisory in January.

The Local Scholarship Application is now available here.

In a time of 24/7 connectivity, do the benefits of online sharing outweigh the risks? Your students participated in Common Sense Media lessons this week prompting them to consider how sharing information online can affect them and others. The lessons also supported them in learning to reflect before they reveal, as well as encourage others to do the same. Additionally, students learned the pros and cons of having different personae and explored how presenting themselves differently online can affect their sense of self, their reputations, and their relationships. Here is a follow up family activity (English/Spanish) that you may find beneficial.

Winter weather is upon us! Be sure to have a book on hand to read when the weather outside gets frightful. Here are some digital book displays put together by our student library aides who have also set up displays in the library. Come in and check one out!

Give the Gift of Reading, by Alma

Got the Winter Blues?, by Tey

Overdue books Please be considerate of other readers who may be waiting for a book and return your library books in a timely manner. If you need a book longer than the month-long checkout period, just stop by to renew it.

“It’s Your Choice!” Book Bingo Challenge

The 2023-24 JHHS Book BINGO Challenge is a great way to become a more diverse reader. Read from a variety of genres and keep track of the titles on your BINGO sheet. After completing a row of 5, bring in your sheet and tell us about what you read, and you’ll get to choose a prize. You can do this up to 5 times throughout the year.

Coffee with a Company in the Teachers’ Lounge! ☕

This school year we will be hosting monthly "Coffee with a Company" sessions for interested 10th, 11th & 12th graders during Advisory on Wednesdays from 1105-12:05pm in the Teacher's Lounge!

The format will be a 10-15 min presentation about the company and opportunities available followed by questions and networking over coffee & pastries. You MUST sign up to attend and maximum capacity will be 15-20 students, seniors will take precedence.

The schedule is as follows:

Wednesday, December 13, 2023: Navy Federal Credit Union

Wednesday, January 17, 2024: Berryville Graphics

Wednesday, February 14, 2024: Continental

Wednesday, March 13, 2024: TBD

Wednesday, April 17, 2024: TBD

Please click here to sign up for these presentations.

This is an internal link, students must be the one to sign up.

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Blue Ridge Technical College Field-Trip Opportunity

We will be traveling to Blue Ridge Community & Technical College to take a tour of their course offerings such as: Culinary, Robotics, Lineman, Machine/Welding & Digital Media.

This field trip will be on Friday, December 15th. Please sign up here to attend. This is an internal link, students must be the one to sign up.

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**For questions about any of these opportunities or to sign up, please visit the link included or reach out to Ms. Weinstein, Work-Based Learning Coach at weinsteins@wps.k12.va.us or Ms. Hall, Transition Specialist at hallt@wps.k12.va.us**

Below are three exciting study abroad scholarship programs offered by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. These are merit-based, full-scholarship programs for eligible high school students and recent graduates. The links are for flyers, and I have attached a one-pager with detailed information about all three programs as well.

• Through the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Abroad Program students develop leadership skills, international competence, and an understanding of global interests and values shared across cultures while forming lasting relationships with the local community. The deadline to apply for these academic year-long programs is December 6, 2023 at 4:00 pm Eastern.

Students can contact studyabroad@afsusa.org with any questions about this or our other study abroad opportunities.

The selection process starts October 16, 2023 and runs through April 2024. The Deadline for online applications is January 2024, so we have time but want to get them in earlier than later. I have included some information to share with students or faculty that may have questions on the NROTC Scholarship. More information about this can be found here.

The Summer Residential Governor's Schools are month-long residential programs for current year tenth- and eleventh-grade gifted students in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Governor’s Schools are designed for highly motivated students who are looking for a challenging summer experience. The selection process is extremely competitive. For more information clock here for english and click here for spanish.

The Handley Parent Teacher Student Organization (the PTSO) works to strengthen relationships between families and faculty. We do this by sponsoring events, volunteering at school, and supporting our kids, teachers and staff.

Unlike most Parent/Teacher/Student Organizations, we charge no membership fee. We're grateful for all of the ways our families contribute to the Handley community - whether it's with your time, your culinary efforts, or your donations. Now, the Handley PTSO is also able to accept credit card donations via PayPal!

If you're able to spare a monetary donation to support our work benefitting Handley students, teachers, and staff, we are grateful for any amount. Cash and checks may be left for us at the front office. Or click here to reach PayPal and send your donation to JHHSPTO@wps.k12.va.us!

Sign up for our monthly emails by clicking here or email us at jhhspto@wps.k12.va.us for more information!

The Canvas Learning Management System (LMS) is the online classroom software used by WPS. It’s where teachers can post content, discussion, and assessments. It’s where students can extend their learning outside of the normal classroom and school day.

Teachers can post all their class content in one place, including a calendar for due dates, links to class resources like videos, posted homework assignments (and tips on how to turn it all in), etc.

Students can see all their assignments, due dates, and class materials in one spot. They can turn in assignments and see teacher feedback.

Please note that the official gradebook for WPS is PowerSchool GradeBook. Grades in Canvas may not reflect the final grade for a course. For more information please click here.

Here is a list of all the JHHS Clubs and Activities available to students. Explore your options and find a place to get involved! Students that are interested in clubs can email the club sponsor.

EACH school year, a NEW VHSL physical is required and must be dated after May 1, 2022 for participation in any 2022-20223 sport. You must also complete all athletic forms. All Athletic Forms are found online. Please visit www.Handleypride.org and click on the Activity Registration tab at the top of the page to get started.

Click here to view the Quick Start Guide for Families.

Check out the online store to get your JH gear for the new year!

https://sideline.bsnsports.com/schools/virginia/winchester/handley-high-school

Our Mission:

The mission of the JAA is to provide financial support to the Handley athletic program and its student athletes. Specifically, the JAA awards scholarships to graduating Handley student-athletes and purchases equipment for uniforms for the athletic departments.

Become a Member and help the JAA’s continued commitment to and support of Handley Athletics and its Student-Athletes!

For your annual membership, click the code or contact us at judgesathleticassociation.com

Student Resource Guide

Student Tech Support times are daily 8:15 - 9:00 and 11:30 - 12:15.

Here is the school lunch menu.

Here is the Emil & Grace Shihadeh Innovation Center lunch menu.

For the duration of this school year, Comcast will continue to partner with WPS to provide eligible families with one year of free internet service.

Families can learn more by visiting this webpage. In short, we provide the promo code, and Comcast, ultimately, determines eligibility. School Social Workers will have the necessary information to provide assistance to a family who would like to apply.

All seniors need the meningitis vaccine, please turn in your record of vaccine to the nurses clinic.

If your student would like to receive tylenol, ibuprofen or pepto bismol during the school year please send in an unopened bottle with their name and signed authorization form.

Any student requiring prescribed medication during school hours please complete the Student Medication Authorization. Form needs to be signed by the health care provider.

Click here for links to the 2023/2024 WPS Calendar. Click here for the A/B day schedule.

If you need to update your contact information or to set up a Powerschool parent account, please email Brandy Woods at (woodsb@wps.k12.va.us )

Please refer to this school bus locator to find the bus stop closest to you.

Have you registered for SchoolCash Online, our new option for processing student/school fees online? You are encouraged to register now as there will be many items that you can pay for online as we expand use of this service. More information, including registration details, an introduction video, help with logging in, etc. are available on our website. Simply click on the SchoolCash Online link from the Parents, Students, or Staff Quick Links page, or click here to go directly to the information page.

Students are permitted to park on school premises as a matter of privilege, not of right. If you are going to be driving to school for the 2023 -2024 school year and parking in the Handley parking lot, you must obtain a parking permit. Visit the Handley Student Parking webpage for more information. High School Student Parking Pass Application (Spanish here)

You may only park in your assigned spot during school hours. If you fail to park in your spot, break any parking lot rules, and/or are chronically late to school, you may lose your privilege to park in the lot and anywhere on school property.