Waynesboro Schools celebrates another successful summer of programming

As the summer comes to an end, Waynesboro Schools is proud to highlight the success of their Extended School Year (ESY) summer programs at secondary schools.

The programs provided invaluable experiences and learning opportunities for middle and high school students, ensuring a productive and enriching summer break.

For four weeks, Waynesboro Education Farm collaborated with Project GROWS to offer an engaging summer camp for middle school students at Kate Collins Middle School (KCMS). The students joined the Project GROWS team and WPS staff on the Waynesboro Education Farm, where they explored farming, farm-to-table cooking, and nature. Activities included:
● Exploring a local river
● Cooking demonstrations
● Wildlife Center presentations by Rockfish Wildlife
● Basics of Beekeeping by the Beekeeper Association
● Explore invertebrates, including a skeleton activity using coyote, deer, and beaver skeletons
● Harvesting food and mulching beds
● Bird and plant/tree identification
● Butterfly life cycle exploration and release

The hands-on experiences not only provided practical skills but also fostered a deeper connection
with the environment.

Waynesboro Schools believe that multilingual learners have a unique advantage and can become positive leaders both in middle school and beyond. The belief was the foundation of the Rising Leaders Academy for English Learners at Kate Collins Middle School. The program aimed to provide a strong start to the school year for the 23 invited EL Rising 6th graders from all four elementary schools.

Under the leadership of Berkeley Glenn, EL Teacher Tiffany Andrews, and KCMS teacher Grace Tangherlini, students from Africa, the Middle East, Mexico and Central America participated, engaging in activities designed to build leadership skills and vocabulary. Overall, the program successfully increased students’ confidence and resolve to be positive leaders.

Waynesboro Public Schools Bilingual Family Liaison Roxi Staton facilitated the Waynesboro High School EL Summer Program, which focused on foundational English skills, including vocabulary, phonological awareness, reading comprehension, text analysis, spelling, grammar and parts of speech. The program also addressed cultural adaptation, discussing topics such as cultural shock stages, cultural differences and living in the United States. Students from Syria, Afghanistan, Haiti, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador and Mexico participated in activities that put language in context, such as real-life scenarios, songs, dances, role-playing and storytelling.

The program included field trips to downtown Waynesboro to learn about city landmarks and practical activities like requesting items in a cafe or restaurant and having a picnic at Ridgeview Park.

Waynesboro High School also hosted a seven-week Heavy Equipment Program and provided three recently graduated students with an exceptional opportunity to gain valuable skills and credentials. The program included:
● Stand Up Forklift Certification
● Sit Down Forklift Certification
● Heavy Equipment Operator Level 1 certification
● OSHA 10 certification

In addition to the technical training, students participated in resume writing and interview preparation sessions. Upon completion of the program, students were guaranteed interviews with Waynesboro City, Momentum Earthworks, and M3 Inc. Impressively, each student received at least one job offer.

“Our goal is always to eliminate as many barriers as possible to help prepare our students to be successful, contributing members of society upon graduation from Waynesboro High School. Collaboration between WHS and Blue Ridge Community College allowed this program to accomplish just that and so much,” said Program coordinator and BRCC career coach at Waynesboro High School Beth Burdick.

Waynesboro Schools is committed to providing enriching educational experiences year-round. The success of the summer programs underscores the division’s dedication to fostering a love of learning and community engagement among its students.

“We are very proud to be able to offer these inspiring and innovative programs. It is amazing to see the initiative our staff takes to develop and lead these unique and enriching experiences for our students. They are to be commended for the hard work, leadership, and dedication they have shown to make these programs possible,” Waynesboro Schools Director of Secondary Instruction Dr. India Harris said.