Augusta County Public Schools

September 17, 2024 Update to Wilson High School Threat: The Augusta County Sheriff’s Office received information about a threat targeting Wilson High School on Monday, September 16, 2024, at approximately 6:05pm. The threatening posts alleged gun violence at the school would occur on Tuesday, September 17, 2024. The Augusta County threats mirrored the same messages that targeted Harrisonburg City Schools earlier in the day today. The threatening posts appeared to follow the same format. The ACSO immediately launched an investigation into the threats targeting Wilson High School. While investigating the initial threat, additional threats with different verbiage were intercepted. It was quickly determined that the threats originated from the same SnapChat profile as the threats that targeted Harrisonburg City Schools. The Harrisonburg City Police Department has the juvenile in custody that is responsible for posting these threats. At this time there is no threat to any of the Wilson Schools. Students, faculty, parents and our community can be assured that the individual responsible for these threatening messages is in custody at this time. “I know these types of threats and messages bring great fear, anxiety, and uncertainty to our community. Please know that the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office and Central Office works extremely hard to keep our community and schools safe at all times. If the origin was not determined, we would be cancelling school,” said Sheriff Donald L. Smith. Out of an abundance of caution, there will be an increased police presence around the Wilson Complex throughout the day Tuesday. The ACSO and Augusta County Public Schools remind parents to please monitor, educate, and counsel their children about social media. Students and young adults may think these types of threats are funny, jokes, or used to seek attention. However, the ACSO and School Administrators need parents to understand and explain that these threats have serious consequences. VA Code section, 18.2-60- Threats of death or bodily injury to a person or to a member of is family; threats of death or bodily injury to persons on school property; threats of death or bodily injury to health care providers is a felony.

From the Augusta County Sheriff's Dept: Threat to Wilson High School The Augusta County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating a threat that was posted on social media targeting Wilson High School earlier this evening. The ACSO is in contact with Central Office and Wilson School Administration. The Sheriff’s Office is working diligently to investigate the origin of this threat. Additional information will be released as it becomes available. “This is an ongoing investigation at this time, we will update our community as soon as possible,” said Sheriff Donald L. Smith.

September 12, 2024: This afternoon, we were notified by the Sheriff’s Department of a non-school related event in the Wilson schools community. Out of an abundance of caution, the Sheriff advised our schools to “secure.” During a code “secure”, students and staff remain inside the school and the instructional routine is not disrupted. The Augusta County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) responded to the situation and provided extra security and support. Once the individual was apprehended, the “secure” was released. At no time was the safety of our students nor staff compromised. We are thankful for the communication from law enforcement and the response from our schools.

Every Day Counts! September is National Attendance Awareness Month. Simply put, the first step towards student success is simply being present! We look forward to partnering with our students and families to make sure our students are present and engaged on a regular basis. Besides, we miss them when they're not here. Augusta County, let's make good school attendance a priority this school year!

Augusta County Public Schools: Please see the following press release from the Augusta County Sheriff's Office. As always, student safety is a priority in our schools and we are thankful for our partnerships with the Sheriff's Office:In the early morning hours of August 30, 2024 at approximately 5:51 AM, The Augusta County Sheriff’s Office received information that a student was threatening to shoot up an Augusta County school over social media. An investigation was immediately launched into the content of the threatening messages. Deputies responded to the student’s address and spoke with the suspect about the threatening messages. The juvenile suspect was taken into custody, and charged with Felony Virginia Code 18.2-60, Threats of Death or Bodily Injury, prior to the busses running their routes in the immediate area. The juvenile was taken to The Shenandoah Valley Juvenile Detention Center. “This was an isolated incident, and the juvenile was taken into custody prior to the school day beginning this morning, therefore there was no threat to the school,” said Sheriff Donald L. Smith. The ACSO and Augusta County Public Schools remind parents to please monitor, educate, and counsel their children about social media. Students and young adults may think these types of threats are funny, jokes, or used to seek attention. However, the ACSO and School Administrators need parents to understand and explain that these threats have serious consequences. VA Code section, 18.2-60- Threats of death or bodily injury to a person or to a member of his family; threats of death or bodily injury to persons on school property; threats of death or bodily injury to heath care providers is a felony.

Augusta County Public Schools will be closed on Monday, September 2, 2024 as we recognize the Labor Day Holiday.

August 7, 2024 is the First Day of School for our students in Augusta County. REMINDER: School buses will be on the roads. Please drive carefully. Look out for children. And stop while their stop arms are out. Also, please remember that it often takes a few days for the traffic patterns to work themselves out at our school buildings. So please be patient with our school staffs and each other as we welcome our kids back into our buildings!

The live feed for tonight's school board meeting is listed below:https://youtube.com/live/TvRC1KOa62A

Central Office, including the Instruction, Student Services, and Technology Departments, are closed due to a power outage impacting the Augusta County Government Center.

Online registration is open for the 2024-2025 School Year. Please see the posts below in the NEWS for instructions. Please call the school if you need assistance.

The next Regular School Board Meeting has been changed to Wednesday, July 31 at 7:00 at Buffalo Gap High School. This meeting will take the place of the August 1 meeting. More information is available here: https://www.augusta.k12.va.us/o/acps/page/school-board-menu

ACPS Division Literacy Plan Review: Thank you for taking the time to review the DRAFT version of the Augusta County Public Schools Division Literacy Plan. This plan will go into effect for the 2024-2025 school year as part of the requirements of the Virginia Literacy Act. As you review the ACPS Division Literacy Plan, please share your thoughts with us in order to help us make final revisions to the plan. https://forms.gle/HDkPTV3jyQsJ1fXq9

S5E7: Blair Hoffman, Teacher of the Year For our season finale, Dr. Bond sat down with the 2024 ACPS Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Blair Hoffman, and three of her students. Tune in to hear more about Mrs. Hoffman's career and her commitment to her outstanding students! https://youtu.be/UoFrfet7JQk

Free Meals To Go for Kids and Teens Under 18 Years Old are Available at All ACPS High Schools: June 4, 11, 18, 25 - 5-7 pm

Graduation Streaming Links: Saturday, May 18th, 9:00 AM BGHS at BGHS: https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/.../buffalo-gap.../evt9975dd840e Saturday, May 18th, 10:00 AM RHS at RHS: https://www.facebook.com/events/1129291448285811/ Monday, May 20th, 7:00 PM WMHS at JMU: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBWHqAVu1eY Tuesday, May 21st, 7:00 PM FDHS at JMU: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qG4SVIm8BQ Wednesday, May 22nd, 7:00 PM SDHS at JMU: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cATY16uZzUo

At approximately 2:07 p.m. today, the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) informed the school division of a community event in the Stuarts Draft and Riverheads area. ACSO requested that Stump Elementary School be placed under the code “secure” for approximately 60 minutes this afternoon. Even though the situation was not associated with the school, the code “secure” was implemented out of an abundance of caution. During a code “secure”, students and staff remain inside the school and the instructional routine is not disrupted. Two buses that travel on Cold Springs Road and Wilda Road were temporarily held at the schools per the direction of ACSO. At approximately 3:30 p.m., ACSO gave the “all clear”. We appreciate the patience and understanding of our families and the assistance provided by ACSO.

"Everyone who remembers his own education remembers teachers, not methods and techniques. The teacher is the heart of the educational system." –Sidney Hook Thank you for the admirable efforts you have put into the 2023-2024 school year. This week, we take extra time to express our gratitude for the difference you make in the lives of our students. It is a pleasure to visit our schools and witness the high-quality education you are providing our students each day. I recognize the energy, effort, and enthusiasm you pour into your work each school day and many hours before and after. Your devotion makes Augusta County Public Schools an exceptional place for your students, and our future, to learn and grow! With sincere appreciation, Dr. Eric W. Bond Division Superintendent

Now hiring bus drivers!

Starting kindergarten is a major milestone, but we are here for you! This episode is a must-listen for families getting their little ones ready to start kindergarten. Julie McClamroch, Inclusive Early Childhood Supervisor, joins Dr. Bond to discuss all the essential steps for kindergarten registration, including the required documents and tips for making the process smooth! This episode will help ensure you and your child are ready to embrace this exciting new chapter. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15Y5trH3rPo

Attention Rising 7th and 12th graders. Please schedule now to receive required vaccines for next school year and turn in documentation early. Documentation can include a medical exemption form, a notarized Religious exemption form or documentation of vaccine administration. Required vaccines for rising 7th graders are the Tdap and Meningitis. HPV is required but parents can opt out. Rising 12th graders need at least 1 Meningitis vaccine. For the Fort, Stewart and BMMS students, the Health Dept will be coming to campus on April 19th to administer. Consent forms can be obtained at your child's school. Vaccines will not be administered without parental consent. If you have questions, please reach out to your school nurse.