Dr. Rick Leonard, Superintendent

Welcome to Winchester Public Schools
Dr. Ricky L. Leonard, Superintendent

It is my pleasure to welcome you to our school division. I am honored to work in a school system and community that share a deep commitment to the success of every child. Inspired by “Learning For All, Whatever It Takes”, our mission focuses on students by providing the highest standard of education to students of all ability levels. Please join us in accomplishing this goal and become a part of the legacy we are creating – one where learning for all has no limits.

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Appointment of Director of Finance
  • Winchester Public Schools announces the appointment of Garland Miller, Jr. as Director of Finance effective May 5, 2014. The position became available with the upcoming retirement of Linda Meadows effective June 30, 2014.
  • Mr. Miller comes to Winchester with more than 24 years of experience focused on local government functions and economic development efforts, as well as 14 years of experience as a finance and budget manager with Shenandoah County. In this role, he worked closely with the Shenandoah County Public School system. Mr. Miller is a Winchester native; he holds a B.A. in Economics from the College of William and Mary and a Master of Business Administration from Averett University.
  • “Mr. Miller is an excellent budget manager and brings tremendous financial expertise to the Winchester Public Schools system. We are very pleased to welcome him to our community and look forward to many years of strong financial leadership,” commented Dr. Ricky Leonard, Superintendent of Schools.
  • “I consider it an honor to be selected for this position. I am looking forward to serving the students, the employees, the members of the Winchester Public School Board and ultimately the residents of the City of Winchester,” stated Garland Miller, Jr.
Bus Driver and Custodian Job Fair
  • Winchester Public Schools will be holding a job fair for bus drivers and custodians Saturday, March 29, 9:00am-12:00pm, at Lord Fairfax Community College in the Corron Community Development Center. Please come join us to explore training and employment opportunities! You may also submit an application at http://www.applitrack.com/wps/onlineapp/default.aspx
Northern Shenandoah Valley Regional Teacher Recruiting Fair
  • Winchester Public Schools will again participate in the Northern Shenandoah Valley Regional Teacher Recruiting Fair at Lord Fairfax Community College. The Fair will be held on Saturday, March 29, 9:00am-12:00pm. Preregistration is not required; however, attendees must be eligible for or hold a license to teach in the state of Virginia by fall 2014.  | FLYER |
Capitol Steps Comedy Troup Coming to Winchester
Capital Steps
  • John Handley High School's Class of 2014 and their parents are pleased to bring back the Washington DC comedy troupe, Capitol Steps. The show will be held Sunday, March 2, at 3:14pm in the Patsy Cline Theatre at JHHS. Tickets are $20, $35, $50, and $100 and are available at the JHHS Tennis Pavilion Box Office (MWF 12:00-2:00pm and TTh 4:00-7:00pm). Corporate packages are also available. For more information, call 540/247-5344 or email handleyclassof2014@yahoo.com.  |  FLYER  |
Cold Weather Reminders - Dress Warmly and Stay Dry
  • When the weather is extremely cold, and especially if there are high winds, try to stay indoors. Make any trips outside as brief as possible, and remember these tips to protect your health and safety:
  • Adults and children should wear:
    • a hat
    • a scarf or knit mask to cover face and mouth
    • sleeves that are snug at the wrist
    • mittens (they are warmer than gloves)
    • water-resistant coat and boots
    • several layers of loose-fitting clothing
  • Be sure the outer layer of your clothing is tightly woven, preferably wind resistant, to reduce body-heat loss caused by wind. Stay dry—wet clothing chills the body rapidly. Excess perspiration will increase heat loss, so remove extra layers of clothing whenever you feel too warm. Do not ignore shivering. It’s an important first sign that the body is losing heat. Persistent shivering is a signal to return indoors.
Substitute School Bus Driver Classroom Instruction
  • Classroom instruction for substitute school bus drivers is scheduled for April 7–11, 5:00–9:00pm, at the Administration Office, 301 E. Cork Street. Behind–the–wheel instruction to be scheduled. If interested please complete an application online. Please contact Sherry Whittington, Coordinator of Transportation, at (540) 667-4253, ext. 17124, for additional information or if you have any questions. Click HERE for required qualifications and information.
Saving Pennies, Nickels and Dimes, $1 Million at a Time
  • Our conservation efforts and attention to how we are running our WPS properties is paying off. We surpassed the $1 million dollar mark in savings, in just 36 months in our partnership with Cenergistics. We are currently showing $1,050,000 in savings. The following local businesses donated prizes for our October prize give-away in recognition of this milestone. Please keep them in mind as you do business throughout Winchester:
    • Alamo Drafthouse Cinema
    • Patsy's Pastry Pizza
    • Tire Distributors
  • Four WPS staff members won the following prizes for their conservation efforts:
    • $10 gift card to Patsy's Pastry Pizza (2)
    • Two free movie tickets courtesy of Alamo Drafthouse Cinema
    • 4–wheel alignment with computerized print–out from Tire Distributors
  • October was Energy Awareness Month. Special recognition to Art Club at DMMS for their entries in the call out contest. All participants will be receiving items from the school store along with a $5 gift card from Sweet Frog. Also, the 3rd and 4th grade students at Garland R Quarles for participating in the bulletin board contest. They will receive a pizza party courtesy of the WPS Energy Conservation Team.
  • Thanks to everyone for helping us become better stewards of the utility resources we use daily here at Winchester Public Schools!
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    SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH
    The School Board has begun the search for a new superintendent. Follow the progress of the search on the Superintendent Search page.
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    Superintendent Search Survey
    The School Board of Winchester Public Schools invites you to complete a survey to assist with our current superintendent search. This survey will be open through March 8, 2014. To participate, please click here.
     
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    FEBRUARY IS SCHOOL BOARD APPRECIATION MONTH!
    Thank you to our school board members for all you do to help us work toward the goal of high academic achievement. We appreciate the vital contributions you make and the crucial role you play in the education of our children.
     

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