A. R. Ware Elementary

Bessie Weller Elementary

Dixon Educational Center

T. C. McSwain Elementary

Shelburne Middle School

Staunton City Public Schools

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[Register Here](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc97oTCOp2WiWYRa5SlUuuvWYu3NKN-8hF0VQweGc1v4Nji9Q/viewform?usp=sf_link)

Teacher Job Fair

Staunton High School and Shelburne Middle School have partnered to host a **You Matter Mental Health Fair** from 6-8 p.m. on Monday, October 28 at the high school. **The event is free but registration is required by Oct. 25 at** [**bit.ly/YouMatterMentalHealthFair**](http://bit.ly/YouMatterMentalHealthFair)**.**

The Fair will feature informational booths, presentations, and interactive activities designed to educate attendees about mental health resources, support services, and strategies for maintaining overall well-being. Dinner will also be provided.

Representatives from local mental health organizations, counseling services, and community support groups will be on hand to provide valuable information and answer questions.

**Read more:** [ **https://conta.cc/47ZMPa3.**](https://conta.cc/47ZMPa3)[](<http://	https://conta.cc/47ZMPa3>)****

You Matter Mental Health Fair Happens Oct. 28

Staunton City Schools (SCS) is pleased to announce all of Staunton's schools are fully accredited, based on the 2023-2024 SOL data just released by the Virginia Department of Education.

Over the past six years, SCS has shown significant improvement, climbing 62 places in state rankings, the highest level of improvement in SOL results compared to any other school division in Virginia from 2018 to 2023. Out of 131 Virginia school divisions, SCS is now ranked 43rd in the state based on 2023-2024 SOL data, placing it among the top one-third of divisions in the state for student achievement.

[Read more](https://conta.cc/3ZKNXfu).

New Data Just Released by VDOE Shows Full Accreditation for all Schools

SCS score ranking from 2018 to 2024 shows the division has moved from 105th place to 43rd place

Join us at the Staunton High School track to walk or run for your favorite school and help them win the Kindness Matters Walkathon Champion title and trophy! 

[**Registration **](https://ms8ho6abb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001X0jqWIQp1zswKpeMtPCDzJoIkqUG-rdMGhiYSwho-luN9btaUFXB8KsqQ-\_FZG3JPwUmTYpFKH5AERL2Q38CNuQ1B4KW4ab-7s6D-ZALCT6IWIdJ3BQfG5kqHsOHzFSaXDUyTeP3ds9984cRRCetyRw94bUCtXlT\&c=h12EuotIUn87yBre6ovhq-zj1q_Bv9nie9JiDqolOVoxSnSkNzXHAw==\&ch=sQDqFYb20gqoRh3d3n5wHHv4leU65rup\_06bGpGm46hgr7oa9\_FRyg==)**is open until 5 p.m., Sept. 27. Advance registration only; there will be no event-day registration**.

We'll offer family-friendly activities, including outdoor games, an interactive snack and beverage station and a kindness craft station. 

There’s no fixed registration fee, but we encourage participants to make a donation to [The Kindness Fund](https://ms8ho6abb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001X0jqWIQp1zswKpeMtPCDzJoIkqUG-rdMGhiYSwho-luN9btaUFXB8KsqQ-\_FZG3JjiL8WZ6xiaegxBsBKjYOKYvN-tLv1pg4JdhhHVE1TWJHiJUZWwEWxps-Fm3E_t53Wfhz92DT\_\_MSafSfLnza8ts4rLA65-a2\&c=h12EuotIUn87yBre6ovhq-zj1q_Bv9nie9JiDqolOVoxSnSkNzXHAw==\&ch=sQDqFYb20gqoRh3d3n5wHHv4leU65rup\_06bGpGm46hgr7oa9\_FRyg==)[ ](https://ms8ho6abb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001X0jqWIQp1zswKpeMtPCDzJoIkqUG-rdMGhiYSwho-luN9btaUFXB8KsqQ-\_FZG3JjiL8WZ6xiaegxBsBKjYOKYvN-tLv1pg4JdhhHVE1TWJHiJUZWwEWxps-Fm3E_t53Wfhz92DT\_\_MSafSfLnza8ts4rLA65-a2\&c=h12EuotIUn87yBre6ovhq-zj1q_Bv9nie9JiDqolOVoxSnSkNzXHAw==\&ch=sQDqFYb20gqoRh3d3n5wHHv4leU65rup\_06bGpGm46hgr7oa9\_FRyg==)when you sign up. Your generosity will help sustain this wonderful initiative in our schools and community.

Walk for Kindness on Oct. 5th

I'm walking for kindness, kindness matters walkathon 2024

Staunton City Schools and Waynesboro Public Schools are working together to proudly showcase the rich tapestry of cultures that make up our learning communities. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, September 21 at the Gypsy Hill Park Bandstand, there will be a variety of school-sponsored activities, including hands-on art experiences, a Latin salsa band, giveaways and free books. Plus, enjoy food and retail vendors on site. We hope you’ll celebrate with us!

Celebrating our Many Cultures

Staunton City Schools is considering **supplementary curriculums** to include during Family Life education to address various topics from the Family Life standards, helping students to understand how to make informed choices and avoid high-risk behaviors, including information about human trafficking. These curriculums will be available for public review at the Staunton City Schools Central Office through **Monday, September 9, 2024**. Community members are welcome to make an appointment during office hours to look at the materials and leave written feedback.  Please contact us by phone at 540-332-3920 to make an appointment.

Family Life Supplementary Curriculums

We've got you covered for the new school year! Get everything you need to know for back-to-school preparation in one place: https://bit.ly/scsbts2024.

Your Back-to-School Guide for 2024-25

### **Get the Facts:** [**SMS Renovation Fact Sheet**](https://drive.google.com/file/d/15g-Yzlo75Ub7YDiKLsi\_6vZ4Q-NbiisI/view?usp=drive_link)

Shelburne Middle School has served our students for 62 years and is currently undergoing renovations to better support a 21st-century education. The project also aligns with our strategic commitment to help prepare students for the jobs of the future. The last renovation occurred 25 years ago, and much has changed in how we teach students since then. The renovation project is being carried out in phases.

### **Phase I**

Phase I is focused on interior renovations and requires the removal of the school division's maintenance department from Shelburne's basement. The department moved into a more suitable leased facility last year but still needs a permanent home.

This phase includes enhancing our career and technical education (CTE) and STEM labs and classrooms, adding classroom space and reconfiguring administrative offices for improved flow and security. Phase I began this month and is expected to be completed in September. Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates are the project architects, and Nielsen Builders are responsible for the construction. These companies also successfully delivered the new Staunton High School on time and on budget in 2020. The $7.4 million cost of Phase I has been funded with federal and state pandemic relief funds and the school division’s capital reserves.

### **Phase II**

**View** [**exterior** ](https://youtu.be/qiUwVRKdvQI)**and** [**interior**](https://youtu.be/p8uFfMx\_5zU) **videos of Phase II plans.**

Phase II plans to add to the area adjacent to the Hern Gymnasium, providing a multi-tiered collaborative academic and performing arts space with seating for up to 350 people. The addition will feature collaborative learning spaces for small groups and students with disabilities, grade-level meetings, open houses, art shows, science fairs and school-wide activities. It will include accessible seating, improvements to storage areas and the performance stage in the Hern Gym, and it can serve as an after-hours recreational and event space for the community.

Although Phase II was included in the original bid proposal submitted by Nielsen Builders for $6.6 million, it was cut from the construction contract due to insufficient funding. The school division has the option to re-engage Nielsen, but delays into 2025 could increase the project cost by as much as $30,000 per month.

SCS is seeking a school construction grant and school financing bond from the Virginia Public School Authority to fund this phase and start construction this year. The school board approved a bond resolution during its [Aug. 12 meeting ](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WNFZuwyMBdiiL1OXFh8yeDzpFvwgqHfW/view?usp=sharing)and is requesting the participation of the Staunton City Council to move forward with the bond application.

### **Phase III**

Phase III involves acquiring and developing real property to consolidate the maintenance and transportation departments into one operations facility. This is a critical step in modernizing Staunton City Schools' physical plant. Phase III includes establishing a warehouse for supplies and surplus, creating a centralized depot for deliveries, providing cold and dry storage for the nutrition department, setting up a food manufacturing kitchen, and adding more CTE classrooms. However, this phase was excluded from the Nielsen bid and construction contract due to the need for a suitable parcel of land. Funding for full-scale development has yet to be identified.

Shelburne Middle School Under Renovation

new CTE classrooms and labs being built at Shelburne Middle

District News

Seniors! Free Application Week is coming. Use the QR code to sign up and join students all over the state of Virginia who will be participating in Free Application Week activities.

Staunton High School

Free Application Week

On Monday, October 28 from 6-8 pm, Staunton High will be hosting a Mental Health Fair. We have a guest speaker, Hidden in Plain Sight, Food and Community organizations will have tables and lots of information for you.

You Matter Mental Health Fair

Homecoming tailgate, October 11

Staunton High School

September 27, 28 at 7:30 pm

September 29 at 2:30 pm

Tickets $10

Shakespeare in Love

Students get your tickets for this years Homecoming Dance!

Homecoming Dance, October 12

Open House for 9th graders is 5-6:30 pm. Open House for 10th-12th grades is 6:30 - 8 pm. Come meet your teachers, find your classes and get your schedule.