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
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.
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.
Beverley Manor Middle School (BMMS) was put on code “secure” at approximately 10:40 this morning due to reported gunshots in the community around the area of BMMS. Even though the situation was not associated with the school, the code “secure” was implemented out of an abundance of caution for student safety. During a code “secure”, students and staff remain inside the school, the instructional routine is minimally disrupted, and campus surveillance is enhanced to verify that there is no threat to school safety. The Augusta County Sheriff’s Office gave the “all clear” at 10:55 am after assessing the situation. We appreciate the patience and understanding of our families and the assistance provided by our School Resource Officer and the Sheriff’s Office.
On January 23, 2024, messages were sent out to multiple Beverley Manor Middle School (BMMS) students via TikTok and Snapchat. These messages targeted BMMS students and were threatening in nature.
The Augusta County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO), school division administration, and BMMS administration immediately launched an investigation to determine where the threatening messages originated. The Sheriff’s Office quickly determined that a BMMS student was responsible for the creation of the social media account and messages. The student has been identified and criminal petitions are pending. The ACSO investigation has concluded and there is no current threat to BMMS at this time.
Out of an abundance of caution and in an attempt to ensure everyone at BMMS feels safe, ACSO will have an increased presence on campus on Wednesday, January 24. Additionally, weapons detectors will be in use.
Threats of death or bodily injury to persons on school property are unlawful. The Augusta County School Board will cooperate with the ACSO to prosecute all parties to the fullest extent of the law. In situations such as this, potential criminal charges include:
§ 18.2-60. Threats of death or bodily injury to a person or member of his family; threats of death or bodily injury to persons on school property; threats of death or bodily injury to health care providers; penalty.
Parents and families, we ask you to use this example to talk to your children about the importance of their statements, in-person or online. All reports will be taken seriously even if they are made as a joke. Those responsible are subject to our school disciplinary process as well as potential criminal charges by law enforcement.
Notice of Public Hearing - February 1, 2024
The Augusta County School Board will hold a public hearing on Thursday, February 1, 2024 at 7 p.m. to receive input as it pertains to the 2024-2025 Augusta County School Board Budget. The meeting will be held at the Augusta County Government Center, Verona, Virginia. All interested parties are invited to attend. Details for those wishing to speak are available on the “School Board” tab of the Augusta County Public Schools webpage (https://www.augusta.k12.va.us/page/school-board-meeting-dates). The regular School Board meeting will follow.
Inclement Weather Announcement for Monday, December 11, 2023: Schools will open on a 2-hour delay.
Checkout ACPS School Quality Profiles shared by the Virginia Department of Education:
https://schoolquality.virginia.gov/divisions/augusta-county-public-schools
Changing Thrillshare App’s (ACPS app) Language:
Spanish - Cambiar el idioma de la aplicación Thrillshare (aplicación ACPS)
Russian - Izmeneniye yazyka prilozheniya Thrillshare (prilozheniye ACPS)
Ukrainian - Zmina movy prohramy Thrillshare (ACPS).
French - Changer la langue de l'application Thrillshare (application ACPS)
(see image below)
Dear Students, Employees, Families & Community Members,
The Augusta County Public Schools staff have begun the process of developing a draft budget for the next school year, 2024-2025. Your views are an important part of that work and we encourage you to participate by offering your input by way of a budget survey which can be found at the following link: https://forms.gle/bUfA4PbSH2mP16FA9
Two days a doesn’t seem like a lot but…two days a month adds up to:
One month per year
Chronic absenteeism
Gaps in learning
Missing opportunities
So let's SHOW UP TOGETHER because Every Day Counts!
We appreciate our School Psychologists!
During the week of November 6-10, 2023 schools throughout the United States will celebrate National School Psychology Week (NSPW) to highlight the important work school psychologists and other educators do to help all students thrive. This year's theme is "Let's Grow Together," inspired by the importance of both personal and shared strengths in our growth as individuals and school communities in every season of life. The theme recognizes every aspect of growth, as fundamental to effective learning environments and to school psychologists' role in supporting student well-being and learning. -National Association of School Psychologists
Reminder to Families: Monday, November 6 and Tuesday, November 7 are Work Days/Professional Development Days for staff. There is no school for students.
The Comprehensive Plan is a far-ranging and dynamic blueprint that will guide Augusta County's economic and cultural growth over the next 20 years. Share how you envision the future of Augusta County.
Every Day Counts! Absences add up, and even two days a month can impact a child's learning. Attendance is a lifelong skill. At school and in life, SHOWING UP MATTERS!
Reminder: Monday, October 9 is a Teacher Work Day. There is no school for students.
Reminder: Monday, October 9 is a Teacher Work Day. There is no school for students.
This afternoon, September 14, 2023, two Augusta County Public School (ACPS) buses were involved in an accident. The buses were transporting students home from Riverheads High School (RHS), Beverley Manor Middle School (BMMS), and Riverheads Elementary School (RES) when one bus rear-ended the other bus.
ACPS activated its Crisis Emergency Plan. Central Office administrators reported to the scene and to Augusta Health along with staff from each school to assist the students and the families. Two students were transported to Augusta Health with non-life-threatening injuries. The remaining 60 students were screened and/or treated on the scene and released to their families or transported to their homes by another ACPS bus. The family of each student involved in the accident received a personal phone call from an administrator to notify them of the situation.
The community support from Augusta County Fire and Rescue, Chief Schacht, Augusta County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Smith, Virginia State Police, Augusta County Emergency Communications Center, and Augusta Health Staff was tremendous. The school division wants to thank everyone for their quick response, professionalism, teamwork, and compassion during this accident.
Counselors and School Psychologists will be available to assist students and staff at these schools tomorrow. If you feel your child needs additional support due to this situation, please reach out to your school administrator for assistance. The safety of all students and staff is a priority for Augusta County Public Schools.
Tuesday, March 5, 2024, is now a Professional Development Day with no school for students instead of Monday, March 4. This was approved at the September School Board meeting due to scheduled presidential primary elections. The revised calendar is available here: https://www.augusta.k12.va.us/documents/calendars/227009
Reminder to Families: Monday, September 18, is a Division Professional Development Day for Teachers. There is no school for students.
