October WPS Family Newsletter

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Grandparents' Day was September 8, and VACDES 2nd grade families celebrated with a special Lunch on the Lawn. Thank you to the WPS Grandparents who support our students each and every day!

No School Days

Monday, October 14: NO SCHOOL

• Teacher Work From Home Day

Tuesday, November 5: NO SCHOOL

• Election Day / Teacher Professional Development Day

Daily Schedules:

• Elementary: 7:50 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
  
• Daniel Morgan Intermediate and Middle Schools: 8:25 a.m. - 3:20 p.m.
• DMIS and DMMS: All students should arrive by 8:15 a.m.

• John Handley High School: 8:25 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.

Has your family been impacted by an outstanding staff member? Nominate them for an Apple Award! This can include teachers, cafeteria staff, front office staff, custodians, or any other WPS employee you would like to nominate. October Nominations Are Due Friday, October 11!

Dear Parents, Families, and Community Members:

You are cordially invited to serve on the Superintendent's Equity Advisory Council by registering here.

This year, we will use an equity audit tool each meeting to deeply examine our policies, programs, and practices. Thus, we want to ensure that we have representation from all areas of our stakeholders including staff, parents, families, and community members. More information will be provided at our second meeting scheduled for December 11, 2024. Additional meeting dates, times, and locations may be found on the following flyers: English Spanish

Family Feedback Survey: https://bit.ly/ECSEfeedback

Google Meet Link for Virtual Listening Tour: https://meet.google.com/vip-dbwa-pzd

Please join us for the Winchester System Wide Musical of MAMMA MIA! Tickets are available online for $10 on Gofan.

Dates of events:

October 4th: 7 p.m

October 5th: 2 p.m and 7 p.m

October 6th: 2 p.m

For any questions contact: okeefev@wps.k12.va.us

Youth basketball for ages 5-13 starts soon. Registration is FREE for City of Winchester residents (22601). Register here before November 4!

Make a Difference Today! The Winchester Education Foundation is dedicated to advancing our Winchester Public Schools. By becoming a Partner in Education, you support scholarships, teacher incentives, and pioneering programs for as little as $25 per year. Help us achieve excellence together as a WEF “Partner In Education.”

Click here to join today: https://winchestereducationfoundation.org/become-a-partner/ or email us: wefscuccess@gmail.com. Thank you!

What is Bullying Prevention Month? The Month of October is Bullying Prevention Month and our goal is to encourage communities to work together to stop bullying and cyber-bullying by increasing awareness of the prevalence and impact of bullying on children of all ages.

What is Bullying?

"Bullying" means any aggressive and unwanted behavior that is intended to harm, intimidate, or humiliate the victim; involves a real or perceived power imbalance between the aggressor or aggressors and victim; and is repeated over time or causes severe emotional trauma. "Bullying" includes cyber-bullying. "Bullying" does not include ordinary teasing, horseplay, argument or peer conflict. (WPS Parent/Student Handbook)

What if my child is being bullied?

Confirm bullying behavior with your child (occurring multiple times with the intention of being hurtful). Ask if they have told anyone at school or if any adults have witnessed the bullying. Reach out to someone at the school who can help.

For Hispanic Heritage Month, there will be different events happening within our community spread throughout September and October.

Please join us at these events as a celebration of our Hispanic community!

Check out the Today Show story that aired recently on NBC featuring John Handley High School!

There are so many great things happening in Winchester schools, and we don't want you to miss it!