August WPS Family Newsletter

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Visis https://bit.ly/WPSBacktoSchool for important dates as well as information on school supplies, meals, and more.

First Day of School: Tuesday, August 11

Upcoming No School Days:

• Friday, September 4: Teacher Professional Development Day (NO SCHOOL)
• Monday, September 7: Labor Day (NO SCHOOL & ADMIN OFFICES CLOSED)

Daily Schedule:

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

📲 Check out our school closings, delays, and early release website when you aren't sure about the schedule!

Don't miss out on the last food distribution of the year! All WPS families are eligible to drive through! No pre-registration required. Items may vary and will be available in limited quantities while they last.

📅 Tuesday, August 4

⌚ 12-2 p.m.

📍178 Indian Hollow Rd.

We still have MANY families who have not completed their Annual Verification Form. This form must be completed EVERY YEAR for students in grades 1-12 returning to Winchester Public Schools. Please use the PowerSchool Parent Portal to complete the Annual Verification Form for each returning student in your household. Students cannot access their Chromebooks until the Annual Verification Form is complete.

• Please do not re-submit your form after it has been approved.
• This form should not be completed for new student registrations.

The steps below are provided with more detail in these step-by-step guides: Annual Forms on Web Browser and Annual Forms on Mobile.

• Step 1: Visit the PowerSchool Parent Portal at https://pwrschl.wps.k12.va.us/public/ and sign in. If you forget your log in information, use the “Forgot Username or Password?” button. If you need additional assistance to set up a PowerSchool Parent Portal account, have your email address ready and contact your school’s Registrar by calling the front office between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
  
• Step 2: Choose the child’s name in the top left corner.
  
• Step 3: Click on “Forms” in the left column.
  
• Step 4: Complete “ RETURNING STUDENT ONLY (Grade 1-12): Annual Verification Form.” The status will say pending until reviewed by a Registrar.

Please Note: If you have moved and changed addresses, you will need to provide proof of residency. If you have an updated vaccine record, you will need to upload it to your Parent Portal.

Visit the Walk-In Vaccine Clinic for incoming 7th & 12th grade students to help your student stay up to date and ready for the school year!

Walk-ins welcome — no appointment needed!
📅 Friday, August 7th

⏱️9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
📍Frederick-Winchester Health Department (10 Baker Street, Winchester, VA 22601)

Please bring:
• Insurance card
• Vaccination records

The aerospace industry is growing fast—and your journey can start right here at the Innovation Center! Talk with your school counselor about adding Aerospace Technology I or II to your schedule!

Schedules are being finalized now—don't miss your chance to be part of this new & exciting Career & Technical Education pathway!

We're excited to share that Winchester Public Schools has partnered with Daybreak Health to bring virtual therapy to our students and families.

Care is low to no cost, fully virtual, and available Monday through Saturday 8am to 8pm — so support fits your family's schedule without disrupting the school day.

Watch this short video to learn how Daybreak works and how to get started:

English: https://youtu.be/Y2No90_Sl_g

Spanish: https://youtu.be/2Rnx1DnBEDM

Ready to request care for your child?
→https://care.daybreakhealth.com/patient/login

Questions? Reach out to your school counselor.

Minimum Requirements:

1. Clothing must cover areas from one armpit across to the other armpit, down to 3 inches in length on the upper thighs (see image). Tops must have shoulder straps.
2. Shoes must be worn at all times and should be safe for the school environment (pajamas, bedroom shoes or slippers shall not be worn, except for school activities approved by the principal).
3. See-through or mesh garments must not be worn without appropriate coverage underneath that meet the minimum requirements of the dress code.
4. Headgear including hats, hoodies, and caps are not allowed unless permitted for religious, medical, or other reason by school administration.
5. Specialized courses may require specialized attire, such as sports uniforms or safety gear.

For the full dress code, view the Student Conduct Policy.

👟 A Footwear Reminder from your School Nurses:

If possible, we are asking our WPS families to please send some type of athletic or closed-toe shoe with children for recess/gym. Although slides and flip-flops are popular footwear for students, we are seeing an increase in serious injuries, including broken bones and severe sprains during physical activity. We appreciate your support as we strive to protect our students’ health and safety!

Apply Here: https://winchesterva.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5170392

Thanks to the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), ALL students attending WPS are automatically eligible for a FREE breakfast and lunch each school day! No charge to your household, no application required for the 2026-2027 school year. Students are also welcome to pack their own lunch and may purchase additional items with cash or myschoolbucks.com. More: https://bit.ly/CEPLetterWPS

We still have spots available for Preschool!

📅 Enrollment is based on need and available spaces. Completing the application does not guarantee acceptance into the program.

📱Apply online using the convenient online form: https://bit.ly/26PreKApp

📒Paper copies are also available at WPS elementary schools and Central Office (598 N. Kent St.)

You must submit required documents, including birth certificate, TWO proofs of residency, and income verification: https://bit.ly/WPSPreK

If you need assistance in completing the application please contact Patty Black, Coordinator of Early Childhood Education at 540-667-4253 or Diane Benitez, Early Childhood Family Liaison at 540-686-5436 to schedule an appointment.