Judges' Docket

During this week of school, staff and students will be participating in one of our state mandatory Lockdown drills.

• The annual verification form must be completed each year using your PowerSchool Parent Portal account. **Students cannot access their Chromebooks until the annual verification form is complete.**

• You can access the PowerSchool Parent Portal using this link or using the PowerSchool App. The app code for WPS is ZQQL.

• If you forget your log in information, use the “Forgot Username or Password?” button. If you aren't sure if you have a Parent Portal account, have your email address ready and contact your school.

• Complete the Returning Students 1st - 12th: Annual Verification Form for EACH of your students. If a student is missing from your account, contact your school.

• Do NOT complete New Student Registration for returning students.

• VERY IMPORTANT: If your form says Approved when you log in, be sure it is approved for the CURRENT school year. It should be submitted and approved after June 30, 2025 for the 2025-2026 school year.

• If annual verification forms are not completed by Thursday, August 7, your student's Chromebook will be locked and inaccessible until these forms are completed.

Please use these step-by-step guides to assist you in completing the form.

• Completing the form on a web browser: https://bit.ly/25webformguide

• Completing the phone on a mobile phone: https://bit.ly/25mobileformguide

As always, we are more than happy to assist you in our front office, M-F, 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Welcome back to another exciting school year at John Handley High School! I hope you've had a wonderful summer and are as eager as we are to begin the new academic year. As we prepare for the start of classes on August 12th, I wanted to share some important information with you to help ensure a smooth transition for both you and your student.

Cell Phones: The Cell Phone Procedure (https://bit.ly/2425JHHSCellPhoneProcedure) will continue to be in effect this year, starting on the first day of school. Students will put their personal electronic devices in pouches during class and lunch. When transitioning in the hallway, personal electronic devices cannot be visible and will need to be in bookbags or in clothing pockets.

Weapons Detectors: We will continue to have weapon detectors as a layer of safety. Students will need to remove their Chromebooks from their bags and hand them to a staff member as they pass through the detectors. Additionally, other items such as metal water bottles, 3-inch 3-ring binders, and umbrellas may need to be taken out of bags before going through the screening process.

Communication with Teachers: Our primary communication tool for contacting teachers is TalkingPoints, a multilingual family-teacher engagement program accessible via SMS or through an Android/iOS app. For more information, please refer to https://bit.ly/3IpvtdJ. If you have any questions, please reach out to Julie Crawford (crawfordj@wps.k12.va.us).

JHHS PTSO: A great way to get involved and support the school is through the JHHS PTSO. They support many events and school activities, and always need support. To get involved, email jhhsptso@wps.k12.va.us.

Vaccinations: The Virginia Department of Health requires students receive the Meningococcal Conjugate (MenACWY) vaccine before they can begin 12th grade. Students will not be able to start 12th grade classes without proof of these vaccines. Please email proof of vaccinations to reesem@wps.k12.va.us or submit to the front office.

Transportation: Bus information can be found through the PowerSchool Parent Portal. Students who skateboard, scooter, or bike to school are expected to dismount and walk while on school property. Students who skateboard to school will store their skateboards in the main office during the school day. Students with scooters or bikes need to bring a lock and secure the bike or scooter to the bike rack off of Handley Circle. This includes electronic bikes and scooters. We cannot store or charge electric transportation devices in the building. Please ensure students wear a helmet and follow traffic laws. Additionally, students cannot ride these bikes or scooters on property while at school.

JHHS Parking Permit Information: Parking passes are available for purchase in the main office through Ms. Coates beginning July 29th. Please visit this link for more information: https://bit.ly/3TnjrEe

Parent Resources in WPS website: The Parent/Student Handbook, WPS calendar, PowerSchool Portal, and many more resources, can be found under https://www.wps.k12.va.us/Page/7522

NEW! Schedule Adjustments: The last day to turn in a schedule adjustment request form is Monday, August 25th. All requests to change a class after this date will need to follow the add/drop process.

Girl Power Virginia! 💡⚡

October 30, 2025

Each year, the electric cooperatives of Virginia, Maryland & Delaware host one-day energy career experiences for high school girls interested or curious about working on a line crew, in a substation, with advanced-metering technology, as a fiber broadband technician, or a variety of other careers in the power industry. Instructors lead students through various activities in the classroom and outdoors at the Electric Cooperative Training Centers in Palmyra, Va., and Salisbury, Md.

Campers learn about safety on the job, including how to safely climb a utility pole and operate a bucket truck. Students also individually meet with industry human resources professionals to review their resumes and discuss interviewing best practices. Other representatives, including community college advisors, are on site and available to answer questions about career paths and education requirements.

WPS will take a small group of students to the Palmyra location if there’s enough interest and will provide transportation. The event would be an all day event.

Learn more here. If you're interested in this opportunity, sign up here and reach out to Ms. Weinstein by September 30th.

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**Please note: For students to be eligible to attend career exploration opportunities, they must be in good academic standing. i.e. grades, behavior and attendance. 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 or Ms. Hall, Transition Specialist**

Welcome back, Judges!

The halls of Handley are buzzing with excitement, and we're so thrilled to kick off another amazing school year with all of you! We hope your summer was filled with sunshine, smiles, and maybe a little bit of relaxation before diving back into textbooks and school spirit!

Our PTSO is powered by YOU – your brilliant ideas, incredible energy, and awesome involvement. This year, we're on a mission to make some magic happen with our fundraising efforts, and we want to hear all your creative ideas! Whether it's a classic that always brings in the bucks or a super-duper new concept, every suggestion helps us reach our goals and bring even more fun to our school community!

Guess what?! Our sweet partnership with Sugar Creek is back! 🍦 They'll be at our home games selling their yummy ice cream, and a portion of every scoop sold goes right back to our PTSO initiatives! How cool is that?! If you're ready to scoop up some fun and help out at our home football and volleyball games, sign up with this sign up genius.

Feeling extra spirited and want to make an even bigger impact? We'd absolutely love to chat with you about taking on a leadership role in the PTSO! Whether it's leading a committee, organizing an event, or stepping into a bigger position, it's a fantastic way to connect with others, share your talents, and truly make a difference at Handley.

Want to stay in the loop with all things PTSO? Pop your email on our list here or scan the QR code below! And seriously, don't be shy! Reply to this message or reach out if you have ideas to share or want to learn more about how you can shine as a leader.

Here's to a fantastically fun year ahead!

Our dress code can be found on Page 27 of our Parent/Student Handbook which delineates the acceptable school dress code, under School Board Policy JFC - Student Code of Conduct Policy.

The dress code reads as follows:

Dress Code

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 below). 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 reasons by school administration.

5. Specialized courses may require specialized attire, such as sports uniforms or safety gear.

Student Support List

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.

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.