Wilkes County Schools

This morning, all Wilkes County Schools successfully conducted a required intruder drill as part of Georgia law. We’re pleased to report that the drills went smoothly and reaffirmed our readiness to respond to any potential emergencies. We know safety is a top priority for everyone, and we want to assure you that we are taking every measure to protect your children. Please remind your child that these drills are part of our commitment to keeping them safe.

After investigation, the source of the rumors has been identified. A student received a list of Title I Schoolwide and Targeted Assistance Schools and was mistakenly told this was a threat. The student shared this information with other students on the bus, which led to the spread of these rumors. We want to reassure everyone that there was no real threat today. While there was no specific danger, we took precautionary measures by increasing the presence of sheriff's deputies on our campuses. We sincerely thank you for your patience and understanding. The safety of our schools remains our highest priority, and Wilkes County Schools will continue to collaborate with law enforcement to ensure a secure environment. As always, please encourage your children to report any suspicious activity they see or hear to school administrators.

The safety of our students and staff remains our top priority. District and school administrators have been informed of social media rumors regarding a potential threat to our schools. We are working closely with the Wilkes County Sheriff's Office to maintain a safe environment for everyone. At this time, there is no evidence of a specific threat to our students or staff. However, out of an abundance of caution, there will be an increased presence of sheriff's deputies on our campuses. District and school leaders will continue to closely monitor the situation and collaborate with law enforcement to ensure the ongoing safety of our schools. Please encourage your children to report any suspicious activity they see or hear to school administrators.

We’re happy to announce that in addition to offering 1% White Milk daily, the School Nutrition Department now offers Lactose-Free Chocolate and Strawberry Milk daily at all four Wilkes County schools! Whether you're looking for a delicious, dairy-free option or simply a tasty treat, we've got you covered. Our lactose-free milk is packed with the same great flavors and nutrients, making sure every student can enjoy their favorite drink without any worries.

Addy’s Law is NOW in effect as of July 1, 2024 Wilkes County, GA Schools start back on Monday, August 5, 2024! Please share this post to help keep our kids safe and avoid hefty fines. Law enforcement will be strictly monitoring for anyone ignoring school signs and signals. Under the new law, this violation is now classified as a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature. The fines have increased to a minimum of $1,000, and offenders still face up to 12 months in jail. Additionally, drivers will incur six points on their license for this violation. All Wilkes County buses are equipped with stop-arm cameras. These cameras capture footage providing clear evidence for law enforcement agencies to issue citations. This means, even if there is no law enforcement on scene when you pass the bus, you could still be charged based on the camera. Safety Reminders for Motorists: 1. The best practice is to always stop when you see a school bus. 2. Yellow flashing lights mean the bus is about to stop to load or unload children. Slow down and prepare to stop. 3. You can start moving again only when the red flashing lights turn off, the stop-arm is retracted, and the bus starts moving. 4. Never pass on the right side of the bus where children enter or exit. This is illegal and extremely dangerous. 5. Slow down and be vigilant for children walking in the street, especially in areas without sidewalks. Watch for kids playing or gathering near bus stops. 6. Avoid distractions while driving. Be alert, as children arriving for the bus might run into the street without checking for traffic. 7. Be cautious of young people who might be distracted and unaware of the traffic around them.

The 2024-2025 school year starts two weeks from today! Please view our Back to School Page for all of the information you may need. https://www.wilkes.k12.ga.us/page/2024-2025-back-to-school

We are excited to announce that online student registration for the upcoming school year is NOW OPEN! This easy process will allow parents to register their child(ren) for any school in Wilkes County at one time Whether you're a returning student or new to our school community, registering has never been easier. Simply visit https://www.wilkes.k12.ga.us/page/registration to complete your registration from the comfort of your home. *Easy and convenient online process *Secure your spot for the new school year *Access important information and updates Don't wait – register today and get ready for an amazing year of learning and growth! If you have any questions, don't hesitate to get in touch with campushelp@wilkes.k12.ga.us

For the upcoming 2024-2025 school year, Wilkes County School Nutrition will continue participating in the USDA’s Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) through the National School Lunch Program. As a result, all Wilkes County students from Pre-K through 12th grade will receive breakfast and lunch at no cost. CEP allows eligible schools to provide free meals to all students, regardless of their economic status. What does this mean for you? Great news! Every enrolled student in Wilkes County Schools will be eligible for a healthy breakfast and lunch every school day of the 2024-2025 year at no charge. No action is required on your part. Your child(ren) can enjoy these meal programs without having to pay a fee or submit an application.

Yesterday after morning workouts, our amazing football players stepped off the field and into the community to make a difference! They volunteered their time and energy to help distribute food boxes for the Golden Harvest Family Food Box program. With their help, over 100 needy families received nutritious food to support them during these challenging times. It's heartwarming to see our athletes giving back and showing that teamwork extends beyond the game. Thank you to our players for their dedication both on and off the field. You make us proud every day! Also, HUGE thank you to our other volunteers The Townsends and Mrs. Megan Seawright for coming out to help us! We appreciate ALL our volunteers!!! And a big shoutout to the Golden Harvest Family Food Box program for their incredible work in fighting hunger and supporting families in our community. Together, we can make a real impact!

Congratulations to the hard-working, talented, and spirited Class of 2024!

Due to inclement weather, the graduation ceremony will now begin at 8:30. We ask that guests prepare accordingly. Graduates should report to the visitor's locker room at 7:30.

It's that time of year again—Seamless Summer Meal time! The Wilkes County School Nutrition Department is excited to serve our school children, as well as any child aged 18 and younger in our area. Throughout May, June and July, summer meals will be available for children in Wilkes County. The locations listed below are "open sites," welcoming all children in the community to join us for a meal. Washington Wilkes Comprehensive High School – May/June Summer School meals o Breakfast – 7:30 am – 8:00 am & Lunch - 11:30 am – Monday thru Thursday  May 28 – May 31  June 3 – 6  June 10-13  June 17-18 and 20 – closed on June 19th Washington Wilkes Comprehensive High School – Community Meals – open to any Wilkes County child(ren) – May, June and July o Breakfast – 8:00 am & Lunch - 11:00 am – Monday thru Thursday  May 28 – May 31  June 3 – 6  June 10 - 13  June 17 - 18 and 20 – closed on June 19th  June 24 – 27  July 1 – 2 – closed July 3 - 4  July 8 – 11  July 15 – 18 Parks and Rec Department – Community Meals** – open to any Wilkes County child(ren) – June and July o Breakfast – 8:00 am & Lunch - 11:30 am – Monday thru Thursday  June 3 – 6  June 10 - 13  June 17 - 18 and 20 – closed on June 19th  June 24 – 27  July 1 – 2 – closed July 3 - 4  July 8 – 11 On Thursdays at the above-mentioned community locations, we will send the children home with 3 breakfast meals and 3 lunch meals to enjoy over the weekend. ** To participate in the Summer Camp at the Parks and Rec department with the Wilkes County Community Partnership, an application is required. Please ensure you complete the application process if you wish for your children to join the Summer Camp. Reminder, the Seamless Summer Meal Program is for children 18 and younger. Sorry, this does not include adults

Wilkes County Schools celebrated our school-level 2024-2025 Teachers of the Year and RISE Award Winner tonight. We would like to congratulate Ms. Jessiann Williams for being selected as the 2024-2025 Wilkes County District Teacher of the Year! Congratulations to all!

Washington-Wilkes Elementary School's custodian, Michael Danner, has been chosen for the 2024-2025 Wilkes County RISE Award! He will be celebrated along with our Teachers of the Year on May 20th! Congratulations!

Make sure your notifications for Rooms are turned on! Please watch the video on how to use Rooms. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuG_iHU-E-U

This week is Teacher Appreciation Week! Wilkes County Schools is lucky to have such wonderful teachers! We would like to shower our teachers with words of appreciation. If you would like to submit a quick note of appreciation to a current teacher, please complete the linked form. The teacher will receive your note this week. https://forms.gle/udtfGjEzsGhintff8

The Recognizing Inspiring School Employees (RISE) Award honors classified school employees who provide exemplary service to students. Wilkes County Schools is honored to announce our four finalists for this award for 2024-2025. Carolyn Bolton, Bus Driver; Mary Wylie, Media Center Para, WWPS; Michael Danner, Custodian, WWES; and Cody Armour, Custodian, WWCHS. Our system RISE Award Winner will be announced on May 8th and will be honored at our Teacher of the Year and RISE Award Reception on May 20th.

Congratulations to our 2024-2025 Teachers of the Year! Mrs. Emily Phillips, WWPS Mrs. Cindy Fritts, WWES Ms. Jessiann Williams, WWMS Mr. Tyler Moon, WWCHS Our District Teacher of the Year will be announced on May 20, 2024, at our TOTY and RISE Award Reception! Congratulations to all!

Congratulations, Mrs. Carolyn Bolton! Mrs. Bolton has been selected as one of our four finalists for the RISE Award! The Recognizing Inspiring School Employees (RISE) Award honors classified school employees who provide exemplary service to students. Mrs. Bolton's commitment to the students of Wilkes County is unparalleled. We truly appreciate all that you do for our students.

Please join us at our parent/stakeholder input meeting to provide your insight and help improve our school district! May 15, 2024, at 9 am or 4:30 pm at the Wilkes County Board of Education! If you cannot attend, you can share your input at https://forms.gle/YNbRGghZwSEujj8TA. Thank you for your support!