Damascus Middle School

This weekend 8 WCPS Robotics teams are competing in the National RDL Championship at ETSU! These teams are forming alliances with other teams and sharpening their skills to represent our school division on the National stage!

We loved welcoming members of the Emory & Henry University basketball teams to Damascus Middle School on Tuesday! Our 8th-grade students had the opportunity to connect with the players during lunch as they floated around, talking and building relationships. The teams then shared information about working hard, having confidence, staying motivated, and surrounding themselves with people who push them to be their best. What a great way to inspire our students—thank you for making a difference!

📢 SCHEDULE CHANGE: Many roads across the county have developed ice patches overnight. As a result, today, Tuesday, March 17, 2026, will be a Remote Learning Day. No childcare will be provided. Because of the Remote Learning Day, the WCPS Nutrition Department will offer breakfast and lunch meals for students at four locations. Meals will be available from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Abingdon High School, John S. Battle High School, Patrick Henry High School, and Holston High School. Any child 18 years of age or younger is eligible to receive meals and may choose one of the four listed locations for meal pick-up. Students do not need to be present for families to pick up meals.

📢 SCHEDULE CHANGE: Due to winter weather conditions, WCPS will operate on a 2-Hour Delayed Schedule on Tuesday, March 17, 2026. Childcare for elementary students will be provided at elementary schools (for elementary-aged students only) for working families who need it. Please watch for additional information from your child’s elementary school. If additional changes need to be made, we will shift to a remote learning day by 7:30 a.m. Childcare will not be provided if the division transitions to remote learning.

Congratulations to Lily D., who was crowned Jr. Miss Holston High School and Miss Photogenic; Harper C., who was 1st Runner Up; and Montana R., who was 2nd Runner Up, Miss Congeniality, and People's Choice in the Jr. Miss Holston High School Pageant on Saturday, March 7!

This science lab was a hoot!🦉 Ms. Ritter's Science 7 students dissected owl pellets to explore small mammal community structure.

Congratulations to Collin C. for earning 2nd place in the 4-H Photography Contest!

We are so proud of the hard work and creativity he put into his photo. It’s always great to see students use their talents and step out to try new things. Way to go, Collin! Keep up the great work.

Washington County's Instructional Technology Team preparing to present at #NCTIES26. Showing off innovative ways to use technology in classrooms!

The tradition continues...Mrs. Lisa Blackburn's English students have been writing children's books to share with RVES kindergarten students for many years. This year, we honor this tradition with a look at several of our 7th-grade authors now--and back when they were the kindergarten students who were excited for the "big kids" to come read! #TBT

Student Authors📝 📚: English 7 students celebrated Read Across America with a visit to Rhea Valley Elementary kindergarten students to read children's books that they had written themselves! This is an annual tradition begun by teacher Mrs. Blackburn, and this year, co-teachers Mrs. Lopez and Mrs. Moss aided in the writing process. This is a wonderful way for student authors to write with a specific (and real) audience in mind!

Looking for an awesome way to spend your Saturday night? Come out to FFA Bingo at HHS!

🐾❤️ PAWS-itively Making a Difference

The 19th Annual PAWS Campaign (Providing Animals With Support) is back! From March 1–March 31, 2026, Washington County Public Schools is proud to support the Washington County Animal Shelter through this annual community drive.

We’re collecting much-needed items to help care for animals in our community, including:
🐶🐱 Cat & dog food
🧹 Cleaning supplies (bleach & dish detergent)
🐾 Kitty litter

Donations can be dropped off at ANY Washington County school.

📢SCHEDULE UPDATE: Washington County Public Schools will implement a Remote Learning Day for Tuesday, February 24, 2026. No childcare will be provided. Because of the Remote Learning Day, the WCPS Nutrition Department will offer breakfast and lunch meals for students at four locations. Meals will be available from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Abingdon High School, John S. Battle High School, Patrick Henry High School, and Holston High School. Any child 18 years of age or younger is eligible to receive meals and may choose one of the four listed locations for meal pick-up. Students do not need to be present for families to pick up meals.

Come support the Damascus Middle School and Holston High School Bands as they perform their Pre-Assessment Concert on Thursday at 7:00 PM in the Holston High School auditorium!

🚀✨ Explore. Create. Discover

The Washington County Career & Technical Education Center (WCCTEC) is excited to announce that registration is NOW OPEN for the 2026 Exploring Pathways Summer Camp!

This hands-on camp is open to current 4th-, 5th-, 6th-, and 7th-grade students and gives campers the chance to explore exciting career pathways, build new skills, and have a whole lot of fun along the way.

⏰ Spots are limited and fill quickly!
🗓 Application deadline: May 1, 2026

👉 Apply today by visiting:
🔗 https://wcctec.wcs.k12.va.us/o/wcctec

Don’t miss this opportunity to spark curiosity and explore future possibilities this summer!

📢 SCHEDULE UPDATE: Washington County Public Schools will be closed today, Monday, February 23, 2026. Several roads across the county remain snow-covered and slick, and additional bursts of snow are expected. Childcare will be provided at elementary schools (for elementary-aged students only) for working families who need it, beginning at 9:00 a.m. Please watch for additional information from your child’s school.

📢For Your Information: We are watching forecasts closely. Current data for Washington County shows that we should be able to go to school tomorrow, Monday, February 23, 2026, on a regular schedule. If a change is needed, we will make a decision by 5:30 a.m. For everyone’s planning purposes, if conditions deteriorate overnight, Remote Learning will not be considered as an option tomorrow.

👶📚Looking for preschool or child care for the 2026–2027 school year?

Join us for the Washington County Preschool & Child Care Enrollment Fair -- a one-stop event to connect families with high-quality early childhood programs available in Washington County!

📅 Monday, March 2
⏰ 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
📍 EO Building | Abingdon, VA

Whether you’re planning ahead or exploring options, this event is a great opportunity to learn, ask questions, and find the right fit for your child.

Save the date and share with families who may be interested!

The DMS Sixth Grade Mental Math Bee was held on February 20. The following students represented their homerooms: Tristan S., Connor H., Zane F., Albert H., Fisher H., Jude F., Paige D., Asher W., and Carson T. The grade level winner was Tristan S.! He is the son of DMS teacher Mrs. Renee Foster. Congratulations to these students!

STEAM Student Showcase: Projects created by Mrs. Stevens' Technology students and Mrs. Rhudy's Agriscience students were displayed in the library during Parent Teacher Conferences on Thursday, February 12. Albert H. and Carter W., members of the Caval-Air Force Robotics team, were also available to share information about robotics.