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297 Stanley Street, Abingdon, VA 24210 Phone: 276-739-3300
COVID19 Updates

E.B. Stanley Middle School Home

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Thanks Highlands Fellowship for the Monday morning coffee!

Weekly Updates

 
 
The following messages have been sent through SchoolMessenger as phone calls, emails, and text messages.  If you are not getting our messages, please login to PublicPortal (also known as Parent Portal) and following the directions on this handout to update your preferences. 
 
This Week - October 26th
 
The following is information from E. B. Stanley Middle School.
 
Monday is the last day of the 1st Nine Weeks.  Students who were 100% Virtual for the 1st Nine Weeks have the option to return to in-person instruction this week.  Any student who wishes to continue virtually for the 2nd Nine Weeks may sign-up on our website under Latest News - Continuing Virtual Survey.
 
New exploratory classes will begin on Monday for sixth and seventh grade. 
 
On Tuesday, from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., flu vaccinations will be given at Abingdon High School in the gym.  In order to participate, you must have signed up in advance.
 
Meal distribution will continue each Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  Meals are free for all Washington County children.
 
On Friday, October 30th, report cards will be sent home with B Group students.  Additionally, report cards will be mailed home to virtual students that day.  
 
Daylight Savings time will end on Sunday, November 1st.  Please set your clocks back one hour.  
 
On Monday, November 2nd, report cards will be sent home with A Group students.
 
School will be closed on Tuesday, November 3rd for Election Day.  There will be no new instruction.  When school is scheduled to be closed for specific days such as Election Day, Thanksgiving, etc., there will not be any new instruction.  It is a day off and we will announce “no new instruction.”
 
School pictures will be made in November.  Additional details are on our online calendar.  
 
Monday, November 23rd and Tuesday, November 24th, no students will attend in-person.  These two instructional days prior to the Thanksgiving break will now become remote learning days for all students. New instruction will occur.  This change will help both Groups A and B in the hybrid model receive parity in instruction prior to the holiday. Additionally, the intent is to focus efforts on cleaning and provide additional staff support. 
 
 
This Week - October 18th
 
The following is information from E. B. Stanley Middle School.
 
Meal distribution will continue on each Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  Parents will need to go through the car rider loop to pick up meals at the cafeteria entrance.  Please remain in your car and we will bring the meals to you.  Meals are free for all Washington County children from 0 to 18 years of age.
 
Virtual students are encouraged to check out the ebooks available through our Library.  Additionally, virtual students may check out books and pick them during meal distribution on Wednesdays.  
 
This is a clarification on the Washington County Schools attendance policy.  Students who are scheduled to attend in-person and are absent on their designated days will be marked as absent.  All students are expected to make up missed class work when not in attendance - either in person or virtually.  
 
Any student who wishes to continue virtually for the 2nd Nine Weeks may sign-up on our website under Latest News - Continuing Virtual Survey.
 
The end of the first nine week grading period is October 26th.   Students are encouraged to talk to their teachers about completing any and all missing assignments. 
 
Next Monday, October 26th, students who were 100% Virtual have the option to return to in-person instruction.  New exploratory classes for 6th & 7th graders will begin on October 26th.
 
EBSMS participates in the Food City School Bucks program.  We ask that you help to support our school by linking your Food City card number to our account.  We then get points which equates to money that supports our programs.  You can link your card at any Food City store or if you want, we can submit the information for you.  Please provide the name on the card account and your card number using the form linked under Latest News.   Only Food City and our administration will have access to the information you provide. 
 
This Week - October 12th
 
The following activities will be happening at E. B. Stanley Middle School this week.
 
On Monday, the A Group of students will return for in-person instruction.  Classes will begin at 8:07 a.m.  Students who are car riders are encouraged to arrive before 8:00 a.m.  Additionally, car riders may not be dropped off before 7:30 a.m.
 
On Wednesday, the building will not be open.  Students and teachers will work remotely.  There will not be any new instruction on Wednesdays but teachers will still post assignments for students to complete.  Students should check their class pages for more details.
 
Also on Wednesdays we will have Meal Distribution from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
 
Any 8th grader who is interested in trying out for JV Basketball should attend workouts on Wednesday evening.  Workouts will be held in the Abingdon High School Gym and start at 6:30 p.m.  For more information contact the AHS Athletic Director.
 
On Thursday, the B Group of students will return for in-person instruction.  These students will have new instruction on their virtual days of Monday and Tuesday.
 
Friday is the last day to sign-up for Flu Vaccinations.  Details are found on our website under Latest News.
 
Students who signed up to be 100% Virtual in August must continue virtually until the end of the 1st Nine Weeks and will return on October 26th.  Any student who wishes to continue virtually for the 2nd Nine Weeks may sign-up on our website under Latest News - Continuing Virtual Survey.
 
All students must wear a mask to school.  Masks will be worn all day at school.  Teachers are building in 10 minute masks breaks.  Masks must be worn properly, covering both the mouth and nose.  Additionally, masks must adhere to the dress code; no inappropriate images or messages, no political advertisements, etc.  Bus drivers and classroom teachers do have disposable masks if needed.  Face shields and gaiters do not meet the Virginia Department of Health guidelines.
 
Each and every day students must bring their Chromebook to school.  This must be fully charged.  We will not have charging stations.  Additionally, students may be asked to bring earbuds or headphones. 
 
Lunch choices for the week are listed on our calendar.
 
Bus routes may be a bit off this week.  We encourage students to be at their bus stop about 10 minutes early and be patient if the bus is running late.  All questions concerning transportation including bus routes should be directed to the Transportation Department at 276-739-3054.
 
Meals and Transportation Information - Oct 7
 
E. B. Stanley Middle School is providing the following information concerning meals and transportation.
 
This year every student will receive free breakfast and lunch.  All meals will be eaten in the classroom.  When students arrive by bus, there will be breakfast available at the entrances.  Students who are car riders will pick up their meals from the cafeteria.
 
Meals available for pick-up will switch to Wednesdays only.  All Virtual students, Hybrid students and any child between the ages of 0 and 18 qualify for free meal pick-up.  We will distribute meals from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  This will begin on October 14th.
 
Students who are bus riders will be required to wear a mask on the bus.  If a student does not have a mask, the bus driver will provide one.  On the bus, students will sit one per seat, unless students are from the same household. The same seat will be assigned to the student for each ride. 
 
We encourage students to be at their bus stop 10 minutes prior to designated pick-up time.  During the first few weeks, times may be a bit off.  Additionally, in the afternoons, it may take longer to load buses leading to a delay of arrival time at home.
 
The Transportation Department is not allowing bus passes for other students during the pandemic.  Currently, there will not be a bus to Abingdon High School, the Coomes Recreation Center and/or the Washington County Public Library.  
 
All questions concerning transportation including bus routes should be directed to the Transportation Department at 276-739-3054.
 
Students who are car riders cannot be dropped off before 7:30 a.m.  Students are asked to remain in their cars for a quick touchless temperature scan.  
 
In the afternoons, car riders will be dismissed from bus duty on an individual basis.  Teachers on duty will use walkie-talkies to call into classrooms for the students.  Parents are encouraged to have your student’s name and grade on a sheet of paper to make it easier and quicker to call for your student.  Students do not need a pass to ride a car home with another student
 
Throughout this week, we have done a series of messages home with complete details concerning the Hybrid Plan and the return to in-person instruction.  All of these messages are on our website under Weekly Updates (on the main page under the picture).  We will continue with more messages tomorrow and Friday and then our weekly message on Sunday.
 
Please contact us anytime you have any questions.
 
Student Messages & General Information - October 6
 
This evening, October 6th, E. B. Stanley Middle School has sent email messages to all of our students concerning the returning to school on the Hybrid Plan.  We have posted links containing each of the messages under Latest News on our website.
 
Here is some general information for parents:
 
Our school day begins at 8:07 a.m. and ends at 3:10 p.m.  Car Riders may be dropped off starting at 7:30 a.m. and car riders will be dismissed from their classrooms individually in the afternoons.  To make the process go faster, we encourage you to have your student’s name and grade on a piece of paper so those on duty can radio in for them more easily.  
 
Bus duty will be held in the students’ first core classroom.  For both the sixth and seventh grade students, this is the first class listed on their schedule.  For the eighth grade students, this is their first core class; the third class on their schedule.  We will have staff at the car rider entrance and the bus entrances to look up their schedules in case students are unsure which is their 1st Core Class.
 
Car riders will enter through the main entrance and students who ride the bus will enter through one of two doors.   Sixth graders will enter on the sixth grade side and eighth graders will enter on the eighth grade side.  Seventh graders (who are bus riders) will enter through the door that leads directly to their first core class.  Don’t worry.  There will be lots of staff helping students to find their rooms.  
 
Students will have the opportunity to pick up breakfast as they enter the building.  This is free for all students.  Car riders will pick up their breakfast in the cafeteria.  Again, we will have staff available to help them.
 
Students must bring their Chromebook to school each day.  This must be fully charged.  We will not have charging stations.  Additionally, students may be asked to bring earbuds or headphones.  Other supplies needed are on our Supply List posted under Latest News.
 
Throughout this week, we will do a series of messages home with complete details concerning the Hybrid Plan and the return to in-person instruction.
 
Safety Protocols - October 5
 
Hybrid Instruction will begin on Monday, October 12th.  Students will attend in person in A Group on Monday and Tuesday or B Group on Thursday and Friday.  On the other days, students will participate virtually.  There will not be new instruction on Wednesday.  Wednesday will be for remediation and review.
EBSMS will have the following safety protocols in place:
 
Students will have their temperature checked before entering the building.  As students get off the bus, they will be scanned.  If a car rider, we ask that students remain in their cars until scanned.  If a student has a temperature of 99.3 or higher, our school nurse will then screen him/her for additional symptoms.  We encourage all students who feel sick to stay home and attend school virtually, if possible. 
 
All students must wear a mask to enter the school.  Students who ride the bus must have on a mask before they can get on the bus.  Masks will be worn all day at school.  Teachers are building in 10 minute masks breaks.  Masks must be worn properly, covering both the mouth and nose.  Additionally, masks must adhere to the dress code; no inappropriate images or messages, no political advertisements, etc.  Bus drivers and classroom teachers do have disposable masks if needed.  Face shields do not meet the Virginia Department of Health guidelines.
Students will have PE and Recess.  During each, students must remain 10 feet apart and, if social distancing allows, will be allowed to remove their masks.  
 
Throughout the school, signs and markers are in place indicating social distancing of six feet apart.  When in the hallways, students must walk on the right side of the hallway.  Students will switch classes as a group and will stay with the same group of students throughout the day.   
 
Students will have assigned seats on the bus and in the classroom.  
 
Students will have scheduled restroom breaks and will be asked to sign out when going to the restroom individually.  Throughout the day, students will have the opportunity to wash their hands.  Additionally, hand sanitizer is in all classrooms.  
 
Students are encouraged to bring a water bottle to school.  All water fountains have been covered except for the two with touch-less bottle fillers.  
 
Visitors will be limited to the school and by appointment only.  If a student forgets something at home, parents may bring it to the school and we will deliver it to the student.  Lunch and classroom visitors will not be allowed.  Parents will not be allowed in the building when dropping off a student who is late.  Additionally, when picking up a student, parents will be asked to wait at the door and the student will be sent outside.
 
Throughout this week, we will do a series of messages home with complete details concerning the Hybrid Plan and the return to in-person instruction.
 
 
 

This Week - October 5th
Hybrid Instruction will begin on Monday, October 12th.  To prepare for this, Thursday and Friday will be transition days this week.  There will be no new instruction.  Instead, these two days will focus on transitioning, review and catching up on any and all missed work.
 
Parents who wish to bring in medications for their students are encouraged to do so this week.  Our nurse will be available each day.  
 
When we return to school next week, EBSMS will follow the Virginia Department of Health Safety Protocols including temperature checks before students enter the building, frequent handwashing, social distancing of at least six feet, grouping of students to limit exposure, and everyone will be required to wear a mask.  Students will wear their masks all day and teachers are building in “mask breaks” throughout the day.
 
On the Hybrid Plan, Group A students will attend in-person on Mondays and Tuesdays and remotely the rest of the week.  Group A students are those with last names “A” through “K”.
 
Group B students will attend in-person on Thursdays and Fridays and remotely on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.  Group B students are those with last name “L” through “Z.”
 
Students who signed up to be 100% Virtual in August must continue virtually until the end of the 1st Nine Weeks and will return on October 26th.  Any student who wishes to continue virtually for the 2nd Nine Weeks may sign-up on our website under Latest News - Continuing Virtual Survey.
 
All Washington County students will receive free meals this year.  Students will have the opportunity to pick up breakfast as they enter the building.  All meals, including lunch, will be eaten in the classrooms.  Students who normally pack their lunches are reminded that there will not be access to a microwave this year.  Meal distribution will continue for both full virtual and hybrid students with meal pick-ups on Wednesday.  The time will be announced soon. 
 
Throughout this week, we will do a series of messages home with complete details concerning the Hybrid Plan and the return to in-person instruction.
 

Hybrid Instruction Begins October 12th
 
At the last school board meeting, the decision was made to begin in-person instruction on the Hybrid Plan starting on Monday, October 12th.  
 
Group A students will attend in-person on Mondays and Tuesdays and remotely the rest of the week.  Group A students are those with last names “A” through “K”.
 
Group B students will attend in-person on Thursdays and Fridays and remotely on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.  Group B students are those with last name “L” through “Z.”
 
Students who signed up to be 100% Virtual in August must continue virtually until the end of the 1st Nine Weeks and will return on October 26th.  Any student who wishes to continue virtually for the 2nd Nine Weeks may sign-up on our website under Latest News - Continuing Virtual Survey.
 
We will continue to send information as we get closer to the return to in-person instruction on October 12th.
Weekly Updates

Beliefs

We believe successful schools:
  • understand all students can learn
  • foster effective communication, critical thinking, creativity and collaboration
  • prepare students for success
  • meet the unique needs of each child
  • are grounded in respect and integrity
  • have a well-defined curriculum and programs that meet or exceed state and national standards
  • provide safe, healthy, and dynamic learning environments
  • have high expectations which inspire high performance
  • enable students to be college and career ready
  • engage and communicate with families

Mission

Washington County Schools is committed to the success of every student. We seek to empower all students to meet rigorous academic standards by providing authentic and relevant educational experiences.

Vision

Washington County Schools is an innovative leader in education excellence, teaching and learning, creativity, technology integration and global citizenship.