Good evening,
Westwood Hills Elementary School will be closed tomorrow, Friday, September 4, 2026, and Tuesday, September 8, 2026. In the coming days, we will share additional information with Westwood Hills families regarding the reopening of school on Wednesday, September 9, 2026.
Thank you for your continued patience, understanding, and support as we prepare the school to welcome students back, care for and support our staff, and listen to the needs of our school community.
We know this is an incredibly difficult time for our students, families, staff, and community. Several community organizations are available to provide support and resources to students and families. A list of those organizations and resources is available here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1H4s3yfRSs2IrYA5OD22l-vCU1joCUpZu/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=115118456599463587778&rtpof=true&sd=true
As a show of unity and support for the students, staff, and families of Westwood Hills, we encourage staff and students across Waynesboro Public Schools to wear red or black (Westwood Hills’ school colors) or other school or Waynesboro gear tomorrow.
All other Waynesboro Public Schools will operate on a normal schedule tomorrow and Tuesday. Out of an abundance of caution, there will be an increased law enforcement presence at all Waynesboro Public Schools locations.
As a reminder, all Waynesboro Public Schools will be closed Monday, September 7, in observance of Labor Day.
Thank you for continuing to care for and support one another and the entire Westwood Hills community. Have a good evening.
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.
”
Also, there will be no late buses this afternoon. All students should arrive on regular schedule.
View the presentation here: https://aptg.co/X306F8
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
Fresh. Colorful. Delicious. Our students are loving the variety of fresh fruits and vegetables we're offering right here at Waynesboro Public Schools.
From vibrant strawberries to Homemade Black Bean & Corn Salad, we're committed to serving meals that nourish our students and fuel their day. Because healthy eating starts in the cafeteria.
Waynesboro Public Schools staff, families and community members are invited to share the qualities and qualifications they believe are important in our next superintendent.
Complete the superintendent search survey by Friday, August 21, 2026:
🔗 https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2026WaynesboroCitySearch
Paper copies are also available at the School Board Office and each WPS school. Your voice matters!
We’ve had a great first day! Thank you for all of your support, patience, and help in making the start of the school year a success.
We want to make families aware of a transportation delay affecting Bus 676, which serves Westwood, KCMS, and WHS. The bus is expected to run approximately 25 minutes late during:
Afternoon routes today, Wednesday, August 12
Morning routes tomorrow, Thursday, August 13
As you might expect on the first day of school, transportation may be a little slower than usual this afternoon as everyone settles into new routines. Our top priority is the safety of our students, and our transportation team will work hard to get each child home safely and as efficiently as possible.
Thank you for your patience, understanding, and continued support. We appreciate you!
Waynesboro Public Schools will offer FREE breakfast and lunch to ALL students for the 2026-2027 school year! 🎉
✅ No applications required
✅ Healthy meals every day at no cost
💳 Need to add money for extras? Visit linqconnect.com
📞 Questions? Contact our School Nutrition team:
📧 kshomo@waynesboro.k12.va.us | lcash@waynesboro.k12.va.us
#WPSStrong #FreeMeals #HealthyKids
