August 2016 - Admiral Richard E. ByrdMiddle School

AUGUST 2016
Principal’s Corner
...learning today for a better tomorrow
W
elcome to Admiral Richard E. • Student/ Parent Open House:
Byrd Middle School, Home
Monday, August 15, 3:00pmof the Huskies. The 2016-2017 school
6:00pm
year will mark our twelfth year
• First Flight Orientation Camp for
serving students, parents and the
Sixth Grade Students:
community. We are looking forward
to August 17 when our students will
Tuesday, August 16, 8:00ambegin another school year.
11:30am
Our mission at Admiral Byrd
Middle School is to ensure that all
students achieve academic success
and personal growth. We pride
ourselves on learning today for a
better tomorrow. We, as a staff, have
high expectations for student learning
which is demonstrated through
collaboration, rigorous instruction,
making real-life connections,
technology, engagement and varied
assessments. We support a
partnership with the community,
parents, students and staff that
contribute to a positive and safe
school environment. We promote the
development of strong character,
student initiative, and school
citizenship. We are excited about the
challenging programs and
opportunities we provide for all of our
students and look forward to working
with them as they strive to achieve
high academic standards.
• FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL,
AUGUST 17, 7:50AM – 2:45PM
Finally, and of great importance to
our students, you should expect that
locker assignments and combinations,
in addition to school schedules, will
be mailed home during the week of
August 8 in time for our Open House
on Monday, August 15 from 3:00pm6:00pm. Please have your child bring
their schedule and locker information
with them. Also, our bookkeeper will
be present to assist in the collection of
fees if you do not have access to the
online payment system.
In closing, I encourage your regular
involvement in your child’s middle
school life. Your communication,
questions, and presence at our school
events are always welcome. If I can
be of any assistance to you as our
school year resumes, please do not
hesitate to call or e-mail me directly.
th
th
This year, our 6 , 7 and 8th grade Best wishes to you and your family in
enjoying the remaining days of
students all will receive Google
summer.
Chromebooks. We will continue to
educate students on digital citizenship
while integrating technology through
Teresa D. Ritenour, Principal
out their core and elective classes to
enhance their learning. Students will
be bringing their Chromebooks home
and are responsible for charging them
nightly.
A number of important
informational items are included
inside this newsletter. Please note the
following topics for additional
information inside:
MRS. TERESA RITENOUR, PRINCIPAL
DR. JESSICA NAIL, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
MR. DAVE ARNOLDY, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
FCPS Launches New Parent/Student
Information Portal
Over the summer, Frederick County Public Schools replaced
Edline with a new student information system from Tyler
Technologies called Parent/Student 360. The new system will
provide parents with access to a variety of information including
student schedules, grades and attendance data. Shortly after the
start of the 2016-17 school year, parents will receive a user name
and password that will allow them to login to Parent/Student 360
to access information regarding their student(s). The Parent/
Student 360 link can be found under the Parent & Students tab on
the Frederick County Public Schools website
(www.frederick.k12.va.us) and each individual school website.
Kristen Johnson – Science
Adrienne Sims – Math
Karen Trent – Spec. Ed.
Karen Bolin – Library Aide
Stephanie Noel – Math
Paul Britner – Aide
Alexandra Hoxton – Spec. Ed.
Karen Dondero – Aide
Adam Gealsen – Spec. Ed.
Paul Britner – Aide
Karie Von Fange – French
Danielle Ready – Aide
Erin Manuel – Algebra
Ashley Carter - Cafeteria
-Fall Athletic Info.
-Open House Info.
-First Flight Camp Info.
-Yearbook Order Info.
-Student Fees Info.
-Volunteer Info & Form
-Tardy/Early Release Policies
-Supply List
-Absences/Homework Request
Policies
-Nutrition/Lunch Info.
-Clinic Reminders/Info.
Find us on the web: abm.frederick.k12.va.us
-Emergency Close Info.
Time: 8-11 a.m.
Adm. Byrd will host a football camp
8/1—8/3. The camp will
be held at Adm. Byrd
from 8-11 a.m. for grades
3-8. Camp brochures and
registration information is available in
the main office or our webpage. The
price is $45 per athlete.
There will be a parent meeting
regarding Fall sports on 8/1 at 6:00
p.m. Coaches will be discussing
eligibility, requirements, and tryout
dates/times.
Please mark your
calendar and plan to
attend this meeting.
All athletes must
be in the 7th or
8th grade at Adm.
Byrd and must
have an approved sports physical
on file at the School Board Office
before they will be allowed to
tryout. Athletes must wear
football cleats to tryouts.
Cross Country
practice will
begin 8/8 from 34:30 p.m. All
athletes must
have an approved sports
physical on file before they
will be allowed to participate.
The First Flight Orientation Camp
for 6th gr. students will be held on Tuesday, August 16, from
8:00 —11:30 a.m. Students will have the opportunity to meet
their teachers, go to each of their classrooms, and find their
lockers. Drop off and pick-up locations are as follows:
-Students Last Names A-I Bus Loop (first entrance on the
right, door #24)
-Students Last Names J-Q—Main Entrance to Building (2nd
entrance on the right to main parking lot, door #1 under the
clock)
--Students Last Names R-Z—Parking lot at the end of the
school adjacent to football field (3rd entrance on the right,
Athletic Entrance, door #4)
Students must be picked up promptly at 11:30 a.m.
7th gr.—4:30-6 p.m.
8th gr.—3-4:30 p.m. Athletes must
have an approved sports physical on
file at the School Board Office before
they will be allowed to tryout and must
be present for all tryouts. Parents
must pick up their student at the end
time of their scheduled tryout time.
Congratulations to the following students
who will be the 2016-17 cheer squad.
Annalynn Branham, Natalie Chandler, Julia
Churchill, Paula Dominguez, Grace Everly,
Saige Garver, Paisley
Kupka, Faith Patton, Libby
Raymond, Azucena Rios,
Cierra VanFossen, Jayla
Wayland, Carly Wilfong,
Natalie Woodward
For the students’ protection, if medical
insurance is not currently provided through
the parents’ employer or individual plans,
parents are strongly encouraged to purchase
insurance from a private vendor or
the student accident insurance program
available through the school division
vendor—The Young Group,
Inc. Information about plan types and
enrollment instructions can be found
online. Go to your child’s school website,
click on Parents and Students then Health
Services then Student Accident Insurance,
where plan information and enrollment
instructions are located. Enrollment and
claim forms are also available in each school
office. Frederick County Public Schools’
insurance plan does NOT provide medical
coverage for accidents or injuries
to students during school or during schoolsponsored extracurricular activities.
Parents/guardians are encouraged to use MySchoolBucks to pay school activity fees, buy PE
uniforms, yearbooks, and place money on a student’s cafeteria account. Parents will be able to view
current account balances, review recent purchases, receive low-balance alerts, and setup recurring
payments on a weekly or monthly basis if desired. VISA and MasterCard accepted 24 hours a day.
Users will need to re-register with a user name and password even if you used our online payment
system in the past. In order to register, you will need your student’s ID number which can be found
on report cards or progress reports. The 9-digit student ID number is the 5-digit PIN number used in
the cafeteria with the number 7000 at the beginning. Register on the school’s website or on the FCPS
homepage. Look for MySchoolBucks link. We encourage parents to begin paying fees for the 201617 school year starting August 1, 2016.
All fees for 1st and 2nd semesters must be paid at the beginning of the school year.
Grade 6 Exploratory Materials
$6.00
Note: (All 6th grade students are expected to pay this fee.)
Agriscience 7-8 (Semester)
$7.00
Art 7-8 (Semester)
$7.00
Family & Consumer Science 7-8 (Semester)
$7.00
Technology 7-8 (Semester)
$7.00
Optional Club Memberships
Regular school-day clothes are not acceptable for
participation in physical education activities.
Students shall dress out for physical education by
purchasing a uniform from the school or wear
attire meeting the following criteria:
FFA grades 7-8
$15.00
TSA
$12.00
FBLA
$10.00
FCCLA
$12.00
-Students are required to wear shorts without
buttons, snaps, or zippers that are at least midthigh length.
Yearbook
$28.00
-Students are required to wear athletic shoes.
-Students are required to wear a crew neck tshirt with sleeves
(Orders will be accepted through December 31, 2016.)
MySchoolBucks Online Payment Portal
MySchoolBucks is the online payment portal where parents are able to view current account balances, review recent
purchases, receive low-balance alerts, and setup recurring payments on a weekly or monthly basis if desired. VISA and
MasterCard are accepted 24 hours a day. If you are a new student to Fred. Co. Public Schools, you will need register
with a user name and password . In order to register, you will need your student’s ID number which can be found on
their student schedule, report cards or progress reports. The 9-digit student ID number is the 5-digit PIN number used in
the cafeteria with the number 7000 at the beginning. All existing account balances will remain on account.
Look for this link on our school website.
Classes at Adm.
Byrd Middle
School begin at
7:55 a.m. Students
who are tardy to school must
report to the main office in
order to be admitted to class
and receive credit for
attendance. Tardiness will
usually be considered as
excused for reasons of school
bus delayed arrival or
verified physician’s or court
appointments.
Each nine-week grading
period, students with
unexcused tardies shall
receive the following
disciplinary action:
-1st unexcused tardy—
warning
-2nd unexcused tardy–
detention with the parent
informed
-3 or more tardies unexcused
tardies—school based
discipline.
When
students need
to be absent
from school,
we request
that the parent or guardian
either telephone or email
our school to notify us.
Parents can click on
“Report an Absence” on
our webpage to report their
child’s absence. For those
circumstances when you
cannot notify us in
advance, a written
explanation for the
student’s absence is due in
the school attendance
office no later than two (2)
school days following the
absence. The note is to be
signed by the parent/
guardian. It will no longer
be necessary to notify the
school both in advance of
and following the absence.
Homework requests can be made for students
that miss two or more consecutive days.
Requests need to be made by 8:30 a.m. on the
second consecutive day of absence and will be
available for pick-up after 2:30 p.m.
If your child is to ride the
bus home with another student
or will be picked up at
dismissal by another student’s
parent, BOTH students must
have a signed permission
note from their parent/
guardian stating their name,
with whom they are to go
home and the bus number
that they will ride.
Permission notes must be
delivered to the main office
before 8:00 a.m. Students will
not be allowed to call their
parents during the school
day or after school to make
these arrangements. Please
have these arrangements
made prior to the school day.
If you are picking your
student up early, please send
a note to the office with the
time they will be picked up,
the reason, and the name of
the person picking them up.
We will give the student a pass
to leave class to meet you in
the office. You must come to
the main office and sign your
student out. You must
present a valid driver’s
license or another form of
picture ID before your child
will be released. If you are
picking your student up after
school, you do not need to
send a note.
Sixth Grade Vaccination
Monday, August 15
from 3:00-6:00 p.m.
The 2006 Virginia General Assembly passed a law which
requires all sixth grade students to have a tetanus, diphtheria,
pertussis (Tdap) booster vaccination. Please review your
child’s immunization record and if it has been at least five
years since your child’s last vaccination, please have your
child vaccinated over the summer. Vaccinations may be
obtained from your doctor, military clinics, or the local health
department at 10 Baker Street in Winchester.
Please take time to stop by between the hours
listed above to locate your classes, your locker,
and take a self-guided tour.
Our bookkeeper will be present to assist in the
In order for your child to enter sixth grade on August 17, collection of fees if you do not have access to the
2016, documentation is required that they have been
online payment system.
vaccinated. You may mail your information to our school
nurse or drop it off in the main office of our school.
Medication Reminders
Frederick County Public Schools requires that if a
medication is to be taken by a student while he/she
is in school, the medication has to be kept in the
clinic and the school MUST have the following
information on file:
We ask that you adhere to the scheduled time
listed above and that you please do not bring
other students or guests due to limited space in
core hallways.
1. A signed consent form from the parent or legal
guardian.
2. The medication is to be in the original pharmacy
labeled container, not in a ziploc bag.
3. If the medication is going to be taken for longer
than one month, in addition to the above, the
prescribing physician needs to fill out our
medication form and sign it.
All forms are available on FCPS and ABMS’s web
sites.
If you have any questions / concerns please don’t
hesitate to call or drop by the clinic. Our school nurse
will be in the office beginning August 10, 2016. Welcome
back to school!
Students will receive their schedules and
locker assignments in early August.
Returned Checks
Frederick County Public Schools has an agreement with a third party
administrator for the collection of all returned checks. If your check is
returned by your bank, it will be automatically forwarded to a third party
administrator after the first presentation. They will collect the face amount
of the returned check plus the maximum collection fee allowable by law.
Further action within the limits of law may be taken if you do not properly
respond and Frederick County Public Schools may elect to cease accepting
checks from you.
I hope all of the students are enjoying their time off this
summer and have had an opportunity to read
some great books! The library’s first new
book order of the year has been placed and
should be ready for the students to check out
soon after school starts. We’re planning for
another great year of reading and research.
Last summer, we reorganized our fiction section. Fiction
books are now grouped by genre. We have fantasy, science
fiction, horror, adventure, mystery, sports, historical fiction,
humor and realistic fiction. This summer we are planning on
reorganizing our biographies. Instead of all biographies
arranged by the last name the person the book is about, they
will be sorted by the occupation of the person, then by
alphabetical order. This reorganization is being done as a
result of a survey of our students. The survey results
indicated that approximately 82% of students felt it would be
easier to find a biography about a person they would like to
learn about.
The Scholastic Book Fair is coming in
September. Dates for the book fair are
September 19th through September 23rd, so
mark your calendar! Students can make
purchases during the school day. Since we will not have
evening parent conferences scheduled this year, there will be
no evening hours for the book fair. We will stay open on
Wednesday afternoon, September 21st, after school from
2:45 – 5:00. Please stop by!
We are continuing to promote our digital resources.
Students can read ebooks or listen to audio books.
Instructions for downloading the apps are on the library
webpage found at www.destiny.frederick.k12.va. Links for
many resources can be found on the library catalog home
page Symbaloo.
Ms. Burkhart, Librarian
Parents have 3 ways to order
yearbooks this year.
-Send payment of $28 to school by 12/31/16.
-Order online using MySchoolBucks via our
school website by Dec. 31, 2016. Using this
option, payment will be $28.
-Order online directly from Herff Jones
through March 31, 2017. Using this option,
payment will be $32. You can access Herff
Jones from the link on our webpage.
All yearbooks will be distributed in June
2017.
President—Michelle Scott
Vice-President—April Walter
Treasurer—Judy Kay Schroer
Secretary—Shontya Washington
We greatly appreciate all parents/guardians
that take time to volunteer in our building and
chaperoning on field trips.
If you are interested in becoming a
volunteer, you must complete a volunteer
form and be approved by the School Board
yearly.
Forms will be sent home on the 1st day of
school or are available on our web page or in
the main office.
Welcome to Admiral Byrd
Counseling Department. The
counselors’ offices are located behind the
guidance secretary's office. Here are the
counselor assignments for the 2016-17
school year:
6th grade Mrs. Wagoner, room 414
7th grade Mrs. Cleveland, room 416
8th grade Mr. Farringer, room 413
Please do not hesitate to contact us at (540)
662-8479 if we may be of assistance.
Looking forward to a great year!
You can set your middle grader up for success this school year with some basic
pointers. Suggest that he/she try to follow this checklist, and you’ll help him/her
get off on the right foot:
•
I attend school every day unless I’m sick, and I get there on time.
•
I get 8–10 hours of sleep each night.
•
I eat a healthy breakfast in the morning.
•
I pay attention in class.
•
I write down my assignments for each subject.
•
I start my projects when I get them.
•
I complete my homework on time.
FCPS School Nutrition Services
New Guidelines for Student Charges
2016-2017 School Year
1. Announcements shall be made in school newsletters/start of year materials/other notices of parental information
that:
• parents are encouraged to register to use the online school payment system to deposit money in their
student’s meal account
• students are expected to pay for lunches in advance or at the time of purchase
• students must have either a packed lunch or money for food unless eligible for free meals
• no charges will be allowed for à la carte items or for second meals
• students and parents may contact the school principal should assistance be needed to provide food for the
student
• unpaid accounts will jeopardize the student’s participation in other school activities; i.e. graduation
ceremonies and prom
2. For all school students:
• If a student forgets his/her money for breakfast or lunch, the meal may be “charged” as an amount owed.
This may occur up to a total of $15.00. The cashier should inform the student that if the balance goes over
$15.00, he/she will receive an alternate meal.
• If a student’s charge balance goes over $15.00, the student shall be provided an alternate meal.
• À la carte items and second meals cannot be charged. All à la carte items must be paid for at the time of
purchase. If a student goes through the line with à la carte items for which they do not have money, staff is
permitted to direct the student to give back the à la carte food.
3. Cashiers are encouraged to remind students when their account balances are approaching a small balance and to
remind students that they will receive an alternate meal if they exceed the charge limit. It is permissible to show
the screen to the student or to tell the student the amount so they will be fully informed and so they can relay the
information to the parents.
4. For students who do not payoff or paydown any negative balances, the principal shall speak with student to
explain the multiple communications provided and to direct the student to have money for the cafeteria line or
bring a packed meal, OR come to your office if they have neither.
Meal Prices
2016-2017
2016-17 School Year
Breakfast
Lunch
Tiered Secondary Lunch
Reduced* Breakfast
Reduced* Lunch
Middle School Students
$1.40
$2.85
$2.95
0.30*
0.40*
*Reduced prices for approved applications only.
Please return this form to the Main
Office before September 2, 2016.
Admiral Richard E. Byrd Middle School
134 Rosa Lane
Winchester, VA 22602
(540) 662-0500
VOLUNTEER INTEREST SURVEY
2016-2017
We need your help as a volunteer! We can not do all of the great things that we do for your child without
volunteers like you that help make it happen. To volunteer, you must complete & return this form to school each
year. We do not share volunteer names and/or lists with other schools in Frederick County. Thank you!
PLEASE PRINT ALL INFORMATION CLEARLY.
PARENT 1:
LAST NAME__________________________________FIRST NAME_______________________________
Home Address_____________________________________City___________________State______Zip_______
Home Phone___________________________ Work/Cell Phone__________________________
Email Address: _________________________________________________
PARENT 2:
LAST NAME__________________________________FIRST NAME_______________________________
Home Address_____________________________________City___________________State______Zip_______
Home Phone___________________________ Work/Cell Phone__________________________
Email Address: _________________________________________________
Child’s Name
Child’s Grade
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I would like to help in the following ways:
Office Use Only
____Field Trips
____Donate food/beverages
____Help teachers for special classroom projects or on a regular basis
____Special events (socials, dances etc.)
____Library assistance
____Career day speaker; describe topic_______________________________
____Committee Membership (PTO or other school committees)
____Other (please specify)_________________________________________
Checked/Verified by
__________________
Date
______________
Comments
_______________________
Before you will be allowed to volunteer in our school or on school sponsored field trips, you must complete this form and
return it to the school by September 2, 2016. Your information will be forwarded to the School Board for approval.
Completion of this form does not allow you to volunteer in other school buildings.
Rising 7th grade students
(from left to right: Madelyn
White, Karmyn Franklin,
Anna Duke, and Mariah
Garneau) were selected by
teachers to present their
research and
recommended two sites for
the construction of a new
education center to the
Blandy Experimental Farm
board members in June.
Peachjar
provides the
most highly
effective method
of electronic
flyer distribution. FCPS began using Peachjar
March 1, 2016. Paper flyers that were being
carried home by your child will now be emailed
directly to you. Additionally, you can view all
school-approved eflyers by clicking the Peachjar
button on our website. This “green” initiative will
save our schools tons of paper and reduce copy.
In addition, posting school flyers in this electronic
backpack removes a significant administrative
burden from teachers, office staff, and
volunteers. No action is required on your part to
receive eflyers through Peachjar. Visit
www.peachjar.com for more information.
Please remember that state law requires motorists to stop for school buses that
are loading or unloading students. An area of particular concern is Route 522
between Route 50 and Justes Drive. Although that stretch of roadway includes
multiple lanes, motorists traveling in both directions must stop for school
buses that are loading or unloading students because there is no physical barrier
or unpaved area separating the northbound and southbound travel lanes.
The Admiral Byrd Middle School FFA
participated in the 90th Virginia FFA
Convention held in Blacksburg, Virginia
on June 20-23, 2016. Team members
Sarah Moreland and Tim Gaul
participated in the Plant Science Career
Development Event (CDE) receiving yellow ribbons.
Sarah Moreland served as a member of the Courtesy
Core.
Maya Witt and Gabby Osborne participated in the
Small Animal Care CDE. Maya received a blue ribbon
and Gabby received a red ribbon for this competition.
The Agriculture Mechanics Team placed first in the
state. Team members were Gabby Osborne, Gage
Canter, Charlie Shepley and Brady McKnight. Brady
McKnight was recognized as High Individual in the
state. Congratulations to everyone.
Maya Witt, Sarah Moreland, Gage Canter, Tim Gaul, Brady McKnight,
Gabby Osborne, Charlie Shepley, and Mrs. Kathy Ritenour
FREDERICK COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
EMERGENCY SCHOOL CLOSINGS
INFORMATION FOR PARENTS
August 2016
When a storm brings snow, ice, freezing rain,
flooding, or other hazardous conditions to
FrederickCounty or an emergency situation occurs,
care for safety may necessitate closing schools,
dismissing early, or opening them later than usual in
the morning.
WHEN THE DECISION IS MADE
If weather conditions occur that make it obvious our
schools will not be able to operate the following day,
an announcement for the next day is sent out on the
FCPS Rapid Communications System and is
communicated to radio and television stations.If the
situation is uncertain or a storm develops during the
night, the decision is not made and announced until
early the following morning. A decision for the
county must be made no later than 5:30 a.m. in order
for announcements to be made in a timely manner.
HOW THE DECISION IS MADE
The assistant superintendent for administration,
director of transportation, and other transportation
employees check weather and road conditions in
different sections of the county. They also coordinate
with the highway department, public safety officials,
and each other. In addition, school officials take a
firsthand look by driving some county school-bus
routes. The next step may involve checking with
other school superintendents, particularly those in
WinchesterCity,
Clarke,
Shenandoah,
and
WarrenCounties. Finally, a recommendation from
the assistant superintendent for administration and
the director of transportation is presented to the
superintendent, and a final decision is made.
LINES OF COMMUNICATION
After a decision to close school
or
delay
opening is made, an announcement is sent out on
the FCPS Rapid Communications System and is
communicated to radio and TV stations listed
below:
Radio Station Call List
WINC 92.5FM/1400AM
WRNR 740AM
WSIG 96.9FM
WUSQ 102.5FM/WFQX 99.3FM
WZRV 95.3FM/WFTR1450AM
WBOP 106.3FM
WKMZ 97.5FM/WEPM 1340AM WFTX 610AM
WYII 95.9FM
TV Station Call List
Cable Channel 18
Channel 4 (WRC-TV)
WHSV Harrisonburg
Channel 5 (WTTG-TV)
Channel 25 Hagerstown
Channel 7(WJLA-ABC7)
Channel 9 (WUSA TV9)
Channel 99 (WAZT)
The decision will be broadcast shortly after the
station is called. In addition, Frederick County
Public Schools’ information line at540-722-6443 or
540-662-3889, ext. 6, and Cable Channel 18 will have
information on emergency school closings.
Frederick County Public Schools also utilizes a free
e-mail service that will notify parents immediately
of announced school closings or opening delays.
Parents with the ability to receive e-mail may
register free of charge at www.schools-out.com.
In the event of school closings or cancellations,
parents who subscribe to the service will receive an
e-mail message sent to the address that they specify
notifying them of schedule changes. This is a free
service provided to the school division and control
of the www.schools-out.com site rests with the
non-profit group that sponsors the site.
Additionally, the information may be accessed by
going to the Frederick County Public Schools web
site at www.frederick.k12.va.us and clicking on
the “Info for Parents” graphic on the opening screen.
It is important that parents and students not
telephone the stations for information about school
closings. Such efforts may block delivery of the very
information the individual wishes to obtain by
preventing a call from a school official with the
announcement.
ONE-HOUR DELAY
The one-hour delay schedule is employed when the
weather situation is not sharply defined or when
some roads are not clear and daylight will improve
safety. A decision on this must also be made by 5:30
a.m.Use of the delay means that all schedules are
moved one hour later.For example, a student who
usually boards a school bus at 7:30 a.m. will be
picked up at 8:30 a.m.Use of the delay allows
schools to operate a full day if conditions
significantly improve after 6:30 a.m.On occasion, if
weather conditions worsen, schools will be closed
and the announcement made before 7:30 a.m.
suburbs are clear. The decision for the entire school
system is made in relation to the condition of all
roads in FrederickCounty. Many times city and
suburban streets are in good condition for travel, but
some secondary roads remain icy and very
dangerous.
Frederick County has approximately 650 miles of
highways. This includes 26 miles of I-81, 101 miles of
primary highways, and 523 miles of secondary
roads, including 172 miles of unpaved roads. The
heavily traveled routes (I-81, Rt. 37, and U.S. 11, 50,
and 522) are always cleared prior to secondary
roads.
EMERGENCY SNOW-SCHEDULE ROUTES
A two-hour delay may, at times, be announced.
When this occurs, students will be picked up two
hours later than usual, and no breakfast will be
served at school.
If icy conditions persist, it may be necessary to
operate schools and have reduced bus routes. If this
occurs, the radio announcement will state that buses
will operate on the emergency schedule. Parents on
roads where buses will not operate should get their
children to the location designated on the
emergency snow schedule until the bus can resume
its regular route. This information will be sent to
parents living on the emergency snow-schedule
routes.
EARLY DISMISSAL
BAD WEATHER DAYS IN SCHOOLCALENDAR
A storm can develop or conditions become
hazardous at anytime in the morning necessitating
an early closing. If this occurs, the high schools will
be dismissed at 12:00 p.m., middle schools at 12:15
p.m., and elementary schools at 1:00 p.m.When early
dismissal is announced, parents may go to the
schools and pick up their children. We ask your
cooperation in parking to avoid dangerous
situations for students and buses. During serious
weather conditions, these times may be changed and
announced on the identified communication
channels.
The School Board reserves the right to change the
calendar in relation to holiday observance and
make-up days (see school board policy). Seven (7)
inclement weather days are built into the 201617school calendar. The first five days missed are
made up one for one. If more than five teaching
days are missed, one day will be made up for each
two days missed in excess of 5 and up to 9 make-up
days. Fourteen or more teaching days missed will
require subsequent school board action to adjust
the school calendar.
TWO-HOUR DELAY
CONCERN FOR SAFETY
DIFFERING ROAD CONDITIONS
The condition of relatively narrow secondary roads
bears heavily on the decision to close schools as well
as to reopen them. Sometimes patrons ask why
schools are not in session after students have been
out a day or two and roads in Winchester and the
Any decision about closing schools is made with
safety of the students as the primary concern.
Admiral Richard E. Byrd Middle School
134 Rosa Lane
Winchester, VA 22602
Frederick County Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its program and activities. The
following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination process:
Title IX Coordinator
Section 504 Coordinator
John Linaburg
Lynette Johnson
Exec. Dir. Of Human Resources
Dir. Of Special Services
1415 Amherst Street
1415 Amherst Street
Winchester, VA 22601
Winchester, VA 22601
540 662-3888
540 662-3888
For further information on notice of non-discrimination, see list of OCR enforcement offices for the address and phone number of the office that serves your area
or call 1-800-421-3481.