Winchester Public Schools would like to thank U.S. Attorney Tim Heaphy and Assistant U.S. Attorney Nancy Healey for an excellent presentation on keeping kids safe online. Below is a list of helpful resources on internet safety from Ms. Healey's presentation.

• Netsmartz Workshop for Parents & Guardians
• Netsmartz Workshop 411
• National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
• FBI Parents Guide to Internet Safety
• Online Safety Guidelines

For more information, tips, and resources on protecting your kids online, click HERE.

Thanks to your efforts, our energy program has saved more than $300,000! Every dollar we save on energy is a dollar that can be used for the education of our community's children. By applying a little Classroom TLC (Thermostats, Lights, Computers), we'll be able to save even more! Here's how you can do your part:

• Adhere to conservation guidelines, adjusting thermostats accordingly.
• Reduce your own energy consumption.
• Close classroom doors when the air conditioning or heating is running.
• Report malfunctioning equipment, or equipment that is running when it should be off.
• Report water leaks, running toilets, or dripping sinks.
• Use reduced lighting in your area before students arrive and after dismissal. Use daylight when appropriate. Turn off unused lights.
• Turn off your computer(s) at the end of the day, including monitors, scanners, non-network printers, and other peripherals.

Thank you for helping our school division save energy! Remember, the cheapest unit of energy is one that is never used!

Superintendent of Public Instruction Patricia I. Wright has approved 13 virtual school programs to provide instruction to students in multiple school divisions as part of Governor Bob McDonnell’s effort to expand access to online learning while ensuring quality and alignment with state academic standards.

The virtual schools will offer instruction aligned with the Commonwealth’s Standards of Learning (SOL) and will be delivered by teachers fully licensed by the Virginia Board of Education. The approved “multi-division online providers” include full-time virtual schools, programs offering supplemental instruction, and blended instruction programs in which students have a trained, on-site mentor in addition to an online teacher.

Virtual school programs provided at John Handley High School are:

• Apex Learning — full-time, supplemental and blended instruction for students in grades 9-12 including Advanced Placement (AP) courses; accredited by Northwest Accreditation Commission
• Virtual High School Global Consortium — supplemental instruction for students in grades 9-12, including AP courses; accredited by Northwest Accreditation Commission and Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools

Students may take virtual courses throughout the school year as part of their program of studies at no charge to the student based on seat availability (VHS). Students may also recover credits during the school year by online courses at no charge to the student (APEX). Encore (repeat) courses taken online during the summer academy is provided at no charge to the student. Credits will be awarded according to Virginia and Winchester Public Schools policies.

Parents and staff wishing to customize how they are contacted may do so through the AlertNow Parent Access Portal. The portal allows users to create an account then log on and configure their profiles. Parents must have a current email address on file with the school where their child attends in order to be able to access this portal. WPS employees may access the portal using their WPS email address.

Please note that this system should not be used to change contact information. Any changes in contact information should be reported directly to your child's school. Employees should contact the personnel department to report any changes in their contact information.

For more information and directions on setting up an account, click on the AlertNow button at left.