Good afternoon!
Our message to Westwood Hills students, families, and staff included a lot of important information and details. To make things a little easier, we’ve put together a “Key Takeaways” sheet that highlights the most important points and may be helpful for many families.
We appreciate you all and your continued support. Have a wonderful weekend!
Westwood Hills Recovery & Return: KEY TAKEAWAYS | SEPTEMBER 11, 2026
Good afternoon,
Please check our website and your email for important Westwood Hills Recovery and Return Information and Resources.
The information shared includes a number of resources to support our students, families, staff, and community. Please take some time to review these materials, and do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need additional support.
We know this is a challenging time for our community, and we remain committed to supporting one another. We will continue to communicate, collaborate, and partner together as we move forward.
Thank you for your continued care, patience, and support.
Aidan was one of eight students selected from across the Commonwealth of Virginia selected to serve on the State Student Advisory Board.
Waynesboro Public Schools are providing this notification in conjunction with the Waynesboro Police Department: During the overnight hours of September 5, 2026, the Waynesboro Police Department received information from out of state about a potential threat to Westwood Hills Elementary School on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. Throughout the weekend, Waynesboro Police Department personnel worked with school officials and other law enforcement agencies to investigate the alleged threat, specifically to source its origin and locate the suspect. Westwood Schools was also searched and checked throughout the weekend out of precaution.
This afternoon, Waynesboro Police were able to locate the individual with the assistance of Harrisonburg Police Department and determine the alleged threat was false. The investigation continues, and charges are likely pending.
We are so sorry to have to share this message at such a difficult time for our community. Take care and have a good evening.
Waynesboro Public Schools will be closed tomorrow, Monday, September 7, in observance of Labor Day.
We appreciate the continued care, support and compassion being shown throughout our school community.
Artwork created and shared by Mae Carrel, 7th grade student at KCMS. ❤️
suspicious individual on the grounds of Westwood Hills Elementary School, located at 548 Rosser
Avenue in the City of Waynesboro.
The individual, Anthony I. Ignatiadis-Isabelle, 19, of Waynesboro (Augusta County), Va., forced entry
into the school. Law enforcement responded within minutes and immediately entered the school.
There they located, in the library, the suspect dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
There were no students in the library at the time.
The time between the initial call and the location of the suspect was approximately three minutes.
One adult staff member did suffer a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. The staff member has
been treated and since released.
This remains an active and ongoing investigation. As investigators continue their work, additional
information will be released when it is appropriate and confirmed.
Westwood Hills Elementary School will be closed Thursday. Waynesboro Public Schools will
communicate directly with families regarding available resources and any additional information
concerning school operations.
We recognize how frightening an incident like this is for students, parents, staff, and the entire
Waynesboro community. We are extremely grateful for the immediate response of school staff and
the coordinated response of the Waynesboro Police Department, Augusta County Sheriff’s Office,
Virginia State Police, and our other local, state, and federal law enforcement partners.
We also want to sincerely thank the parents, guardians, and families of Westwood Hills Elementary
School for their patience, cooperation, and understanding throughout today’s reunification process.
We know how difficult it is to wait for information when your child is involved in an emergency
situation. Your willingness to follow the established reunification procedures allowed school officials
and law enforcement to account for students and reunite them with their families in a safe and
orderly manner. We are extremely grateful for your cooperation during what was an understandably
stressful and emotional time.
We also want to thank the Westminster Presbyterian Church, which served as our reunification site for
our families. Their help was immense in bringing our families back together in this trying situation.
There are still aspects of this incident that are under investigation, so there will be questions we simply
cannot answer today. We will provide as much verified information as we can while protecting the
integrity of that investigation.
Quote from Dr. Jeffrey Cassel, Superintendent of Waynesboro Public Schools:
“Today is the day every school system hopes they never have to deal with. I need to praise the
response of our staff and the Waynesboro Police Department, Augusta County Sheriff’s Office,
Virginia State Police, and our other local, state, and federal partners. Our safety and security protocols
and procedures worked. Staff notified law enforcement immediately, and our school executed our
lockdown procedures. Every student and staff member is safe and returned home to their families.
”
We want to take a moment to share how proud and grateful we are for our KCMS community.
Today was a difficult day, and we are incredibly proud of the patience and maturity our students demonstrated during the lockdown. Our staff responded with calm, reassuring care, keeping the safety and well-being of our students at the forefront throughout the day.
To our families, thank you for your patience, understanding, and trust. We know that situations like today’s can bring worry and uncertainty, and we deeply appreciate your support.
Our hearts are with the students, families, and staff of Westwood Hills Elementary School. Please continue to keep their school community in your thoughts.
We also recognize that students may have questions or need additional support following today’s events. Our school counselors are available to provide a listening ear, answer questions, and support students as needed. Please do not hesitate to reach out if your child needs someone to talk with.
Today was also a reminder of what makes our Waynesboro community so special. In difficult moments, we come together, support one another, and take care of each other. We are proud of our students, our staff, our families, and our entire community.
Thank you for your continued trust and support.
Take care and have a good evening.
Also, there will be no late buses this afternoon. All students should arrive on regular schedule.
View the presentation here: https://aptg.co/X306F8
As part of our commitment to providing a safe environment for students, families, and guests, all spectators entering Waynesboro High School athletic events will pass through our weapons detection system.
To help keep the entry process moving smoothly, please have the following items out and ready as you approach the entrance:
☂️ Umbrellas
👓 Glasses cases
💻 Computers
👁️ Eyelash curlers
Other items may remain on your person or in your bag during entry.
🎒 Students may not bring backpacks into the game.
🛴 E-scooters, bicycles, and other forms of personal transportation must be secured at the bike racks located around the school and may not be brought into the stadium.
⏰ We strongly encourage families and spectators to arrive early. Please allow a few extra minutes to complete the screening process so you don’t miss any of the action.
Middle School Game Admission
Middle school students will be admitted free of charge to the middle school game when accompanied by a paying parent or guardian.
Once admission begins for the JV game, any middle school student who is not already inside the stadium will be required to pay the $7 general admission fee and must also be accompanied by a paying parent or guardian.
Thank you for your patience, cooperation, and partnership as we work together to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.
Go Giants! 💜💛
Dear Families,
Thank you for helping us start the 2026–2027 school year on such a strong note. We truly appreciate your support and the joy your children bring to our schools each day. I also want to thank our dedicated staff, whose commitment and care make a difference in the lives of our students every day.
I have two important reminders to share this afternoon:
1. Emergency Drills
Virginia public schools are required to conduct a variety of emergency drills throughout the school year, including fire, lockdown, tornado, earthquake, and bus evacuation drills. These drills are required by the Code of Virginia and are designed to help students and staff know how to respond safely and appropriately in the event of an emergency.
You may notice that drills occur more frequently during the first 20 days of school as we work to meet state requirements and ensure that students and staff are familiar with our safety procedures. If you have questions about emergency drills at your child’s school, please contact your child’s principal.
2. Waynesboro High School Athletic Event Reminders
As we begin the fall athletic season, please keep the following expectations in mind:
Children who attend schools other than Waynesboro High School must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all Waynesboro High School athletic events.
The accompanying adult must remain at the event with the child for the duration of the event. Our staff cannot provide supervision for children attending athletic events.
Waynesboro High School students may attend without an adult.
Unaccompanied children who are not Waynesboro High School students will not be permitted to enter.
Thank you for helping us ensure that our athletic events remain safe and enjoyable for our students, families, and community.
3. Weapons Detection Systems at Waynesboro High School Athletic Events
As part of our continued commitment to safety, all spectators entering Waynesboro High School athletic events will pass through our weapons detection system.
To help keep the entry process moving smoothly, please have the following items out and ready as you approach the entrance:
☂️ Umbrellas
👓 Glasses cases
💻 Computers
Thank you for your continued support of Waynesboro Public Schools. We appreciate your partnership in creating safe, welcoming schools and events where our students can learn, grow, and succeed.
Have a wonderful evening.
Sincerely,
Ryan Barber
Assistant Superintendent
Waynesboro Public Schools
Virginia school divisions are required to make information about Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes available to the parent or guardian of each enrolled student at the beginning of the school year.
Please review the Diabetes Information for Parents resource developed by the Virginia Department of Education and Virginia Department of Health. It includes common signs and symptoms of diabetes, along with additional resources for families.
Families are encouraged to maintain regular well-child visits and contact their child’s healthcare provider with any health concerns.
School readiness is about more than schedules and supplies. At the Back-to-School Bash, community partners offered haircuts that helped students begin the year feeling confident, cared for and ready to learn.
By bringing practical support together in one welcoming place, WPS helps remove barriers before the first bell. This is what support looks like.
Learn more about the division our next superintendent will serve: https://www.waynesboro.k12.va.us/page/superintendent-search
