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.
”
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
🚗 Morning Drop-Off Reminder
Families, please remember that when dropping students off in the morning, you must use the car loop or park in a designated parking space and walk your student to the front door.
For everyone's safety, students may not be dropped off on King Ave or anywhere in the parking lot.
Thank you for helping us keep morning drop-off running smoothly and, most importantly, keeping all of our students and families safe!
⏰ Early Dismissal Reminder
Early dismissals must take place before 2:15 PM. If you are picking your student up early, please park in a designated parking space—not in the car loop—and come into the front office to sign your student out.
Guidelines for Keeping Ill Children Home from School
Early in the morning, it is often difficult to decide whether or not your sick child can attend school. Often, the way a child looks and acts can make the decision for you. Two major considerations are whether the child is comfortable enough to be able to participate fully in the school day and whether the child might spread a contagious condition to other children and staff. Please consider these guidelines:
Fever Any child with a temperature of 100 degrees or more should remain home until they have been without a fever for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicine.
Diarrhea/Vomiting Students should remain home until 24 hours after their last episode of vomiting or diarrhea.
Cough/Cold/Runny nose Colds are usually self-limiting and children may attend school if they have a normal temperature and are feeling well enough to attend and participate. The child should not have ear pain, severe sore throat or difficulty breathing. Coughing or runny nose associated with seasonal allergies or mild colds are not reasons to miss school.
Conjunctivitis A child with conjunctivitis or “pink eye” should not return to school until the drainage and redness have resolved or they have started treatment with antibiotic eye drops.
Rashes The source of a rash is often difficult to determine. Many common infectious diseases are most contagious in the early stages. A child with a serious rash should be evaluated by the primary health provider before returning to school. Mild rashes associated with contact allergies, eczema, or other chronic skin conditions should not prevent the child from attending school. Rashes that are blistered or draining should be evaluated by the child’s primary physician.
Lice If the child has active lice, he/she may return to school once they have been treated (proof of treatment should be sent with the child) and evaluated in the school clinic and found to be free of live lice. The presence of nits does not prohibit the child from attending school, but should be addressed by combing with a comb specifically designed to remove nits.
Strep The child may return to school when they feel able to participate, are free of fever and have been on antibiotics for at least 12 hours.
Here are some tips to keep you and your child healthy and to manage those occasional illnesses that occur:
Wash hands frequently with soap and warm water for 20 seconds before eating and after sneezing or coughing
Cover your mouth or nose with a tissue when you cough or cough into your elbow or sleeve.
Develop good health habits in regard to hygiene, diet and sleep.
Dress the child appropriately for the weather.
Make sure that the school has parent contact information during the school day.
If a child is going to need medication during the day, make sure the medication forms and medication in the original containers are taken to the clinic on the day the child returns to school.
If you have any doubt about a child’s illness, you should always contact your child’s physician.
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.
Specials Welcome Information
Fall 2026
Welcome to Music!
I am Brandy Wingfield, the William Perry Music Director. This year all students will have
Music once a week. We will be learning singing and instrumental skills, music theory, history,
choreography and more. Each grade level will perform at some point during the year for family
and friends. All communication regarding concert dates, times and attire will be shared on
Rooms and in the Tuesday folders. I look forward to working with you and your children
throughout the year. If you have questions or concerns please contact me by email
bwingfield@waynesboro.k12.va.us or on Rooms.
Brandy Wingfield, Music Director
My main focus is to help students discover the love of reading and to supply them with books
they are excited about. I will see students once every four days except for when they visit Mrs.
Campbell for SEL (about once a month). Remember to bring library books with you each time
even if you are not finished with it. Students are able to renew books if they aren’t done but
they sometimes get special reading time around the library and need their book to do this. If
you put your books in your backpack daily you are always prepared!
*PLEASE KEEP BOOKS SAFE AND DRY BY NOT PUTTING WATERBOTTLES OR LOOSE FOOD DIRECTLY
INTO BACKPACKS.*
Please be sure you have signed up for the WPS app/Rooms and have notifications on. It
is the way that I share all important information with families: what’s going on in the library,
missing book notices, Book Fair info, and other fun opportunities. Once you are connected, you
will be able to message me easily whenever you have questions.
I know we will have a FABULOUS year in the Library this year!
(new married name - same librarian) Mrs. Perry mhperry@waynesboro.k12.va.us
School Counselors
Welcome back! Your school counseling team is Chelsey Campbell and Brandon Poole. This is
our 6th year at William Perry. We are excited to get to know the school and your wonderful
students. We meet with students individually, in small counseling groups at lunchtime, and we
teach classroom lessons, known as SEL lessons. If you have a concern, please don’t hesitate
to call the school or email us directly at ccampbell@waynesboro.k12.va.us or
bpoole@waynesboro.k12.va.us. Thank you for supporting our students and we look forward to
working with you and your family!
Welcome to Art with Mrs. Morris
My Philosophy: All Students are ARTISTS!
I am Margaret V. H. Morris, your student’s Art Instructor. This is my 26th year here at Perry, making it my 30th
year of teaching ART. I am blessed to have lived and worked with our family in this community for the last 25
years! The daily expectations for ALL students are based on Respect, Honesty, Cooperation, and Responsibility
with Self-Control within those areas.
Upcoming:
Annual “Dot Day” is Tuesday, September 15, 2026 wear your DOTS---make a DOT outfit or T-
shirt. This is an International Literacy based Art Celebration Day. The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds
The Original Works Art Fundraiser will come home with an order form in the Spring Semester. Your child’s
original art will be printed on your order. You may purchase objects from the company for your child’s Art to be printed on.
March is Youth Art Month (YAM) I look forward to working with your child(ren) and you!
Mrs. Morris, mhmorris@waynesboro.k12.va.us , and Rooms.
Welcome to Physical Education (PE)!
I am Kasey Branch, the Physical Education teacher. Students will have P.E. once a
week, so please make sure they are prepared to succeed in my class. I have a fun and exciting
year planned. Please encourage your child to talk about what they are learning and engage in
exercise activities with them. My program is about being active, learning how to be healthy and
developing great sportsmanship and teamwork. We will cover a wide variety of skills and
activities in my class.
My Expectations in the Gym
Wear appropriate clothing (SNEAKERS, Athletic/Loose fitting clothing), BE RESPECTFUL
to self, others, equipment and my space, HAVE FUN and TRY YOUR BEST.
Grading:
I will keep track of their participation, behaviors, and quiz them on the information they learn in
PE.
Important Dates
*Walk To School Day is Thursday, October 6th, Field Day Friday May 19th*
I look forward to working with and getting to know your child and you. If you have any questions
please feel free to contact me through email kbranch@waynesboro.k12.va.us
Coach Branch, Physical Education Teacher
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
We want to make families aware of a transportation delay affecting Bus 696, which serves William Perry, KCMS, and WHS. The bus is expected to run approximately 25 minutes late this afternoon, Friday, August 21, 2026, Bus 621 will be pick up elementary students on this route and Bus 698 will cover the secondary run.
We apologize for any inconvenience.