Eagle Insights: Community Edition

Working together, we provide ALL students authentic learning experiences, knowledge, and skills to become successful global citizens.

To provide an exemplary learning environment that empowers ALL students to find their voices and make meaningful contributions to the world.

Westmoreland County Public Schools closed schools January 6-10, 2025 due to inclement weather. The division scheduled three in-person make-up days (February 14, 17 and March 10) and planned to make up two additional days through virtual instruction.

We have good news to share. The three in-person make-up days are sufficient, and we will not be scheduling any virtual make-up time. 😃 We are done with make-up days!

The School Board approved the 2025-2026 Academic Calendar at the regular School Board Meeting on February 24, 2025. The first day of school for students will be August 11, 2025. This aligns with the remainder of the Northern Neck divisions.

If one of the above situations applies to you and your family, please reach out for assistance! Please contact Carole Washington, Director of Student Services and Homeless Liaison; 804.493.8018 or kelleycl@wmlcps.org

Registration for Pre-K and Kindergarten will take place on March 19th from 9 AM to 3 PM and April 9th from 12 Noon to 6 PM. Contact your child's designated school to schedule an appointment.

Join us in reading The Lemonade War during the VA Reads One Book! Click on the calendars below for the schedule, plus links to the read aloud!

We invite you to complete our 2025 Family Engagement Survey to help us strengthen our partnership and create the best learning experience for your child. Your feedback guides our efforts to improve communication, support, and school programs.

Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts.

Lo invitamos a completar nuestra Encuesta de participación familiar 2025 para ayudarnos a fortalecer nuestra asociación y crear la mejor experiencia de aprendizaje para su hijo. Sus comentarios guían nuestros esfuerzos para mejorar la comunicación, el apoyo y los programas escolares.

Tómese unos minutos para compartir sus pensamientos.

SOL assessments will begin March 12th for Montross Middle and Cople Elementary. These schools will be administering the Integrated Reading and Writing Test.

On March 26th, Washington District will be giving the Integrated Reading and Writing Test or IRW.

This test has the student read a non-fiction passage, they then have 5 or 6 questions to answer. After completing the questions, the students will be given a prompt about the passage. This SOL test is different than our other tests, the last several years the test has not counted toward accountability but this year it will. Would you encourage your students to read the passage carefully, write about what the prompt says and try their best? More on the rest of the SOLs test coming in April in our next newsletter. If you would like to practice with your student, here's the website for practice download.pearsonaccessnext.com/virginia/va-practicetest.html?links=1 you can then click on Reading and the appropriate grade level and Integrated Reading and Writing.

Why Become a Substitute Teacher?

Substitute teaching offers a unique opportunity to engage with students and contribute to their learning journey. Whether you are a retired educator, a college student, or someone looking to explore a career in education, substitute teaching allows you to make a meaningful impact while gaining valuable experience.

Benefits of Being a Substitute Teacher

• Flexible Schedule: Choose when and how often you work, fitting your schedule and commitments.
• Competitive Pay: Earn competitive daily rates for your time and effort.
• Professional Development: Gain valuable classroom experience and skills that enhance your resume.
• Community Impact: Make a positive difference in the lives of students and support your local schools.

Current Needs

We are currently seeking substitute teachers for all grade levels and subject areas. If you are interested in joining our pool of substitutes, we encourage you to apply today!

How to Apply

Ready to take the next step? Applying to be a substitute teacher is easy! Visit our website at https://www.wmlcps.org/employment, go to Employment and then Job Opportunities to fill out an application to be a substitute teacher.

Thank you for your interest in supporting our schools and students! Stay connected with us for more updates and opportunities. Together, we can make a difference in our community!

As we prepare for the upcoming 2025-26 school year, we are actively seeking dedicated and passionate educators to join our team at WMLCPS. If you are interested in making a positive impact in the lives of our students and contributing to a dynamic learning environment, we would love to hear from you!

If you hold a Bachelor's degree in any field, there may still be opportunities for you to become an educator. Contact our Human Resource Department at 804-493-8018 to learn more.

For more information about available positions and how to apply, please visit our website at https://www.wmlcps.org/employment

Thank you for considering a role in our educational community!

WHS celebrates the students who have been selected to participate in the Chesapeake Bay Governor's School (CBGS) for Marine and Environmental Science for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year. We are excited to announce Christopher Bouie, Mark Gooch, Lillian MacNamara, Erica McKenney, Joshua Morgan, Emily Swann, and Amiaya Williams as the recipients of the chance to attend CBGS in the Fall through a rigorous and competitive selection process. This is a major accomplishment, and we wish them well on their CGBS journey.

The Gear UP team and WHS were recognized in the Fall Round Up for their outstanding work with the Gear UP program! We want to thank our Gear UP team and students for their hard work and dedication. A special thank you goes to Mrs. Payne, Mrs. Mendoza, Mrs. Jackson, and Mrs. Moore for leading the Gear UP program.

Westmoreland High School GEAR UP participated in National GEAR UP Week and even involved the whole school! Everyone signed a pledge to graduate. The GEAR UP cohort signed the pledge to graduate, answered trivia questions, and wrote letters to their future selves to read on graduation day. The GEAR UP cohort had a celebratory dinner on Tuesday, September 24th, which featured a special video of Erlinda and Eric discussing their experience at NCCEP this summer. Eric participated in the Youth Leadership Summit, and Erlinda participated in the Family Leadership Institute.

You can see their awesome video here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094053815951

Be on the lookout for Gear UP events!

On Friday, January 31, JVG (Jobs for Virginia Graduates) hosted Ralph Sampson and his son at WHS. A huge thank you to Mr. Wise for organizing this special event. Students had the opportunity to listen to Ralph Sampson and his son, Ralph Sampson III, share what it takes to achieve success and overcome challenges. Ralph Sampson, a native of Harrisonburg, Virginia, played basketball at the University of Virginia before being selected as the first overall pick in the 1983 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets. His son will continue to work with JVG students this spring on their MAP: Motivation, Attitude, and Plan!

The Roadmap to Success is built on three essential pillars:
M = Motivation – The spark that gets you started.
A = Attitude – The mindset that keeps you moving forward.
P = Plan – The strategy that turns ambition into achievement.

What is the JVG program?
Their mission is to empower and support Virginia's youth by helping them build the skills necessary for graduation and future success in the workforce. Currently, we have two dedicated teachers, Mr. Wise and Ms. Lurba, who are focused on developing students' employability, personal skills, and career planning.

We are thrilled to share that Montross Middle School student Ryan Gould earned 2nd place in the Regional Spelling Bee! This is a fantastic achievement, and we are so proud of Ryan's hard work and dedication.