Winchester plans emergency response exercise
The City of Winchester will hold a full scale emergency exercise on October 1st.
The training exercise will take place at John Handley High School from 8 am to noon and include the city’s public safety departments, public schools, and supporting agencies.
The simulated scenario will involve an active threat at Handley.
The goal is to assess first responders and school staff’s readiness in the event of a threat.
On that date, there will be increased traffic around Handley, John Kerr Elementary, and Quarles Elementary.
There will also be numerous road closures in those areas.
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Senator Tim Kaine visits the Valley
Senator Tim Kaine visited the area this past week making stops in Winchester, Frederick County and Front Royal.
While in Winchester, he visited the Emil and Grace Shihadeh Innovation Center and spoke on the importance of the future of Career and Technical Education.
He then went to Frederick County’s new water treatment which is under construction.
While in Front Royal, he spent time with the family of the former Front Royal mayor, George Banks.
He visited the family’s home along the newly renamed road in his honor and spoke on his ability to “build bridges” in the community.
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WPS issue a warning for parents and guardians
Winchester Public Schools (WPS) issued a message to parents and guardians of two drug related concerns.
Schools nationwide have seen an increase in students ingesting THC laced candy items.
This trend has led to some serious health complications recently nationwide.
Another troubling trend is the increase incidents involving vapes and pills that contain traces of fentanyl.
School officials are asking parents and guardians to have a frank discussion about the dangers of such activity.
They ask that you make sure your child is aware of the dangers of accepting candy even from their peers as packaging can be deceptive.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) offers tips for talking to kids about the dangers here.
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WPS utilizes Dual Language Immersion
Winchester Public Schools are using Dual Language Immersion to help bring the community together.
Frederick Douglass Elementary School teachers spend half their day educating in English and the other half in Spanish.
The program not only helps Spanish speaking students keep up with their Native English-speaking classmates, but also helps Native-English students learn a new language and increase cultural awareness.
WPS initially struggled finding suitable teachers for the initiative.
A partnership with Participate Learning, which specializes in this type of education, helped the program take off.
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Ronnie Milsap headlines Patsy Cline Classic
Country Music Hall of Famer and Grammy Award winning artist Ronnie Milsap is bringing his talents to Winchester tonight.
Milsap is the headliner for the 11th Annual Patsy Cline Classic at Handley High School’s Patsy Cline Theater.
The event is being held to benefit the Winchester Education Foundation and Winchester Public Schools.
The show starts at 8 pm and tickets are still available through Eventbrite.
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WPS officially opens it’s Emil and Grace Shihadeh Innovation Center
Winchester Public Schools (WPS) held the grand opening ribbon cutting at the Emil and Grace Shihadeh Innovation Center yesterday Oct. 13.
According to the WPS social media site dignitaries from across the state including Gov. Northam and former Gov. McAuliffe and Mayor Smith among others attended the celebration.
The celebration which included the Handley High School marching band was at 536 Jefferson Street Winchester.
According to the WPS’s website the center offers students and adults hands on training for skilled jobs in health care and skilled labor.
The center is a partnership with Lord Fairfax Community College (LFCC) and local industry to help train and equip students with the skills to meet the demands of the regional job market.
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WPS receive a $7.8 million grant for a 3 year period
Winchester Public Schools (WPS) have received a $7,799,878 Teacher and School Leader Incentive Program Grant from the U.S Department of Education.
According to the press release WPS is one of only 12 schools and 22 overall to receive such a grant.
The grant will help develop new and innovative career pathways for teachers according to School Superintendent Jason Van Heukelum in the press release.
The grant will likely foster professional growth while compensating teachers at a higher level for their leadership and expertise over the next three years.
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WPS recognized for approach to digital media
Winchester Public Schools (WPS) has been designated a Common Sense District.
Common Sense (CS) is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping kids and families thrive in the world of media and technology.
The WPS was recognized by CS for taking a community approach to preparing it’s students for digital media while limiting the perils that exist online.
WPS has been praised for teaching students to explore, create, connect and learn.
At the same time WPS is teaching students to avoid the perils of plagiarism, loss of privacy and cyberbullying.
The recognition acknowledges WPS’s commitment to creating a culture where the community is invested in helping kids thrive in the digital world.
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JHHS premieres Beauty and the Beast
John Handley High School premiered their rendition of Beauty and the Beast last night at Patsy Cline theater in Winchester.
There will also be showings today and tomorrow at 11 am and 4 pm.
Tickets are available for purchase at $10 and it’s expected to sell out, so show up early.
The high school student actors have had to be creative in preparing their performance which will also feature prerecorded video performances from Winchester’s elementary and middle school students.
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WPS are prepared for return to in-person learning
Winchester Public Schools prepare for expanded in person learning.
On Friday Daniel Morgan Middle School received a visit from 10th District Representative Jennifer Wexton.
The representative toured the school to see and hear how the school is prepared for a safe return to in-person learning.
Wexton saw and declared that the school is well prepared to welcome students back to school today Mon. Apr. 12.
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