Washington County Schools was made aware of a recent cybersecurity incident involving PowerSchool by the North Carolina Department of Instruction (NCDPI). The incident impacted student and staff data globally.
We are still in the early stages of this development and in the information gathering process. However, our Technology Innovations Department has been working with PowerSchool and the NCDPI. From their analysis, it appears that no student's password, grades, or social security number was accessed by the hacker. However, other student information, including medical, discipline, and custody related alerts, demographic data, student UID, and contact information, was compromised. It also appears that staff members with PowerSchool access had their phone numbers, email addresses, addresses, and UIDs compromised. Additionally, the hacker accessed approximately 515 active staff members' social security numbers.
We were informed by PowerSchool that it has confirmed that the breach involved unauthorized access due to compromised credentials of one of its contract employees. “PowerSchool has shared that the threat has been contained and that the compromised data was not shared and has been destroyed.” Importantly, per PowerSchool, there are no additional copies of the compromised data in existence. PowerSchool is also working with law enforcement to monitor the dark web for any data exposure.
Upon notification of this incident,Washington County Schools has been in communication with NCDPI and Powerschool and will continue to actively work alongside both entities to ensure that all notifications required of PowerSchool are conducted. It is important to stress that there is nothing that WCS could have done to avoid this situation as we did not have administrative access to the maintenance tunnel where the breach occurred.
Our commitment to protect student and educator data is a top priority. For additional details and FAQs, please visit PowerSchool's public website - https://www.powerschool.com/security/sis-incident/
January is School Board Appreciation Month.
Thank you for the important work you do in making our school district a great place for all students and educators. We appreciate you!
Good Evening Students, and Parents
This is Principal Peele with this week's announcements. Tomorrow, 1/13 will be our first day in the new school building. Let us all have patience and grace as we start this new chapter. Drop off time for students starts at 7:45am and pickup time starts at 3:30pm. If students are being picked up early, they need to be picked up before 3:05pm or they will have to wait until dismissal. Parents, to dropoff and pickup elementary students you will use the first school entrance on highway 45 coming off highway 64. Any change in a child's transportation, it needs to be made by 3pm so that staff will have time to get students to the appropriate place. Next Monday 1/20 is a holiday and there will be no school for students or staff. I look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow focused and ready to work together. This is the end of the announcements. Thank you and enjoy the rest of your evening.
OPEN HOUSE!
Join us today at our new home for an open house. Come out to meet with your student scholars' teachers and locate your new classroom. This is strictly for students and their families. Be sure to only enter on the Hwy 64 side (not Hwy 45 side) for parking.
Good Evening Students, Parents and Staff This is Principal Peele with a reminder. WCES Open House for the new building will be tomorrow, 1/8/2025 from 2:00 pm-6:00 pm. Due to Thursday and Friday being changed to virtual school days, there will be homework packets ready for students at the Open House. The completion of all the assignments by Monday 1/13 will count for the attendance for Thursday and Friday. All assignments will need to be completed in order for your child to receive attendance credit. I look forward to seeing you. Thank you and enjoy your evening.
Washington County Elementary School 2025 Open House Information
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
WCS Substitute Refresher Training
Training session is scheduled for Janurary 16, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Roper building. Current substitutes should check their email for a calendar invitation. New substitutes must complete the online Substitute 101 Class and present their certificate in order to attend the refresher/orientation session. Please note, completion of this training is required to remain eligible to substitute for the 2024-2025 school year at WCS.
Good Evening Students and Parents
This is Principal Peele with this week's announcements. WCES will be having our Winter Multicultural Cantata on Tuesday, 12/17 starting at 6:00 pm. Parents, families and friends please come out and watch our students perform. Wednesday, 12/18 is the last day of school for students before our winter holiday break. Students, I look forward to see you these three days focused, ready to learn, and following the PBIS matrix. I wish everyone a wonderful, safe, and restful holiday. This is the end of the announcements. Thank you and enjoy the rest of your evening.
Spotlight of Excellence: Samantha Bearden
Samantha Bearden was recently recognized as Washington County's Exceptional Children's (EC) Educator of Excellence at the 73rd North Carolina Conference on Exceptional Children (NC CEC) in Greensboro. Mrs. Beardden, an EC teacher for the 4th-8th Grade Adaptive Classroom at Washington County Elementary School, has made significant contributions since joining the district in January 2023.
Starting as a 6th-8th grade Resource Teacher, Mrs. Bearden quickly became an integral part of Washington County Middle School. She has played a key role in transitioning 8th-grade students to high school, helping families understand the different educational pathways available. This year, she transitioned into an Adaptive Classroom teacher, supporting students with extended content standards, and continues to assist fellow educators in navigating ECATS.
Msr Bearden's dedication to her students and her ongoing pursuit of professional growth make her a tremendous asset to our district. We are proud to have her on our team and thank her for her unwavering commitment to expanding learning opportunities for all students.
Congratulations, Mrs. Samantha Bearden!
Good Evening Students and Parents
This is Principal Peele with this week's announcements. Progress reports will go home with students on Friday 12/13. Parents, if you have any questions or concerns about your child's progress report, contact your child's teacher to schedule a conference. Parents, just a reminder that students last day before the holiday break is now 12/18. Please make plans accordingly. Students, I look forward to seeing you this week focused, ready to learn, and following the PBIS matrix each day. This is the end of the announcements. Thank you and enjoy your evening.
Click the link to read the letter:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OxhmuNlTRVrbPfnKh0HSOJ2IJgFABSmEYeybsZJ0tY4/edit?usp=sharing
HIGH SCHOOL CLOSING EARLY
Due to significant heating issues at the High School, we have decided to release students at 10:30 a.m. We are sorry for this inconvenience, but the safety of our students and staff are our priority. Students should complete all assignments in Google classroom. We will update you on the building status later on today.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING To Each Of You!
In recognition of National Career Development Month, Governor Roy Cooper has officially proclaimed November as Career Development Month, with November 13th designated as National Career Development Coordinator Day. Washington County Schools is proud to honor the dedication and hard work of Mrs. Denise Harris, our exceptional Career Development Coordinator (CDC).
CDCs counsel students through the process of exploring career opportunities and understanding the diverse paths available to them after high school. Through Career and Technical Education (CTE), students acquire vital skills such as problem-solving, creativity, leadership, and employability—skills that are crucial for success in today’s workforce and that contribute to the growth and prosperity of our state and nation.
Mrs. Harris works tirelessly to empower our students. Helping them make informed decisions about their futures, whether they plan to enter the workforce, pursue higher education, or serve in the military.
Today, we celebrate Mrs. Harris’s unwavering commitment to supporting students as they pursue their career aspirations and create bright futures.
Thank you Mrs. Harris!
WCES PRE-K Parent Night - Please come out to support our Pre-K Parent Night
Good Evening Students and Parents,
This is Principal Peele with this week's announcements. Thanksgiving Break is this week. There will be no school on Wednesday 11/27 thru Friday 11/29. I hope everyone gives thanks and enjoys your family over the break. Students and staff, let's make Monday and Tuesday great days. This is the end of the announcements. Thank you and enjoy your evening.
Last week, Ms. Morgan was honored at the NCCTM Conference as WCS Outstanding Elementary Math Teacher for WCS.
We are thrilled to celebrate Ms. Jardine Morgan! On November 15, 2024, she was honored as the district's Outstanding Elementary Math Teacher for the 2024-2025 school year. This esteemed award, presented by the North Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCCTM) and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI), recognizes educators who inspire student success, demonstrate a strong record of academic achievement, and make significant contributions to mathematics education. Ms. Morgan's unwavering commitment to nurturing a love of learning and building solid mathematical foundations for her young students truly sets her apart. Congratulations, Ms. Morgan!
We are excited to celebrate Ms. Jardine Morgan! On November 15, 2024, she was recognized as the district’s Outstanding Elementary Math Teacher for the 2024-2025 school year. This prestigious award, presented by the North Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCCTM) and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI), honors educators who inspire student success, demonstrate a strong record in academic achievement, and make impactful contributions to the field of mathematics education. Ms. Morgan’s unwavering commitment to fostering a love of learning and establishing strong mathematical foundations for her young students truly sets her apart. Congratulations, Ms. Morgan!
November 4 was National Coaches Appreciation Day & we have AMAZING Instructional Coaches in WCS! Our instructional coaches support teachers and work with students. Their impact goes far and wide in our district and we are appreciative of their work every single day.
