School phone number: (540)828-6081

Good Evening John Wayland Families,

I hope you enjoyed a restful Thanksgiving Break. Taking time to pause is a natural and healthy rhythm of life, and it’s something we all need—especially during a busy season. Before we dismissed for the long weekend, I shared with our staff that this time of year can be calm, intentional, and steady…a pace that makes space for joy, rest, and meaningful work. My hope is that, together, we can tune into one another and the joys of the season in ways that lift us up rather than wear us down.

This edition of the Jaguar Jiggy Journal begins with an important request regarding several American flags we’ve recently discovered that are worn and need to be disposed of respectfully. You’ll also find information about community resources should your family need support, as well as reminders about the holiday schedule, snow-day notifications, and ways to partner with our PTO.

Thank you for all the ways you support our school.

Mr. Granger
Principal

We have collected several American flags from around our school that are worn and no longer suitable for display. Out of respect for the flag and what it represents, we want to make sure they are disposed of properly and according to accepted retirement practices.

If your family, scout troop, veteran organization, or community group performs flag retirements—and would be willing to pick up these flags from the school—we would be grateful for your help. Our goal is simply to ensure they are handled with the respect they deserve.

If you are able to assist, please contact the school office to arrange a pickup time.

Thank you for partnering with us and for supporting our students in learning the importance of care and respect.

Our community has so many resources available, but it’s not always easy to find what you need, especially when you’re in crisis. Part of our job as school counselors is to connect you with the needs your student and family have. This month we are focusing on basic needs, which can sometimes be difficult to reach out to ask for help for. We are so lucky in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County to have many organizations to support our families. Please reach out if you have any questions. 

Shelter

Mercy House

Provides families with shelter care, rapid rehousing assistance, and other housing support programs

Centralized Housing Intake Hotline: 540-271-1701

305 N. High St., Harrisonburg, VA 22802

First Step

Provides victims of domestic violence shelter care and other domestic violence support services

540-434-0295

129 Franklin Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22801

Valley Mission

Emergency shelter for individuals and families

1513 West Beverley Street, Staunton, VA 24401

540-886-4673

Food and Nutrition

Hope Distributed- 540-578-3501

Food pantry that supplies a variety of perishable and nonperishable items. Delivery options available.

Hours: Thursdays 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm, 1st Thursday of each month 9:30 am - 11:30 am, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Saturday of every month 9:00 am- 11:00 am

1869 Boyers Rd., Rockingham, VA 22801 - 540-578-3510

Bridgewater Area InterChurch Food Pantry

Bridgewater Church of the Brethren - 420 College View Drive, Bridgewater, VA 22812 (back entrance portico)

Clothing

Hope Distributed 

Free clothing store that provides new or gently used closing to those who qualify. Provides four complete outfits once every three months.

Hours: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Saturday 9:00 am - 12:00 pm, 4th Thursday of every month from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

1869 Boyers Rd., Rockingham, VA 22801 - 540-578-3510

Mission Central

Provides clothing for children ages 0-18, disposable baby diapers, and baby supplies to families in need

2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm, 3rd Tuesday of each month: 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm, and the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month from 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm

1704 Smithland Road, Harrisonburg, VA - 540-929-1688

Car Seats

City of Harrisonburg 

Child Safety Seat Inspections - by appointment only - 540-810-0527

Offers free child safety seats for eligible children through the Virginia Department of Health (VDH)

Fire Alarms

Rockingham County Fire and Rescue

Free smoke alarm program - Smoke Alarm Application

Home Safety Visits to identify potential hazards and offer advice on how to prevent fires and injuries

540-564-3175

Safety Tools

Harrisonburg-Rockingham Community Services Board - participates in a region-wide effort, “Lock & Talk Virginia”, whose mission is to lock guns, lock medication, and talk safety. 

Offering free prescription medication lock boxes and gun trigger lock boxes - email bhaden@hrcsb.org

The next couple of months have a number of breaks from school that we want you to be aware of.

December 22-January 2: Winter Break

January 19-20: Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday and Teacher Workday

Icy or snowy mornings, or even the forecast of wintry weather, can create safety concerns for our schools and families in the Shenandoah Valley. Rockingham County Public Schools takes these decisions seriously, especially given the size and varied geography of our county.

Here’s what to know:

Timing of Decisions: We aim to notify families about weather-related delays or closings by 6:15 a.m. Sometimes that means making a decision early in the morning based on the latest conditions and forecasts.

How We Decide: A lot goes into these calls. If you're interested in learning more about how weather decisions are made, we invite you to listen to our podcast episode here: Safety First: The RCPS Approach to Weather-Related Decisions 

How You’ll Be Notified: Families will receive alerts by text, phone, and email based on the contact information shared during student registration. Information will also be shared through WHSV, WSVA, RCPS Social Media, and on the "Live Feed" of the JWES website. If your contact information has changed, please reach out to your child’s school to update it. Additional guidance and options for community member sign-ups are available at: https://www.rcps.net/o/rcps/page/notification-sign-up.

As always, our goal is to keep students, staff, and families safe and informed.

Stock the Workroom Donation List: 2025 Sign up genius 

Breakfast and lunch are available for purchase to every student at John Wayland Elementary School each day.  Daily menus and information about the cost of each meal can be found at: https://www.schoolnutritionandfitness.com/index.php?sid=1496945305215 

Monday, December 22-Friday, January 1: No School (Winter Break)

Monday, January 19: Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday (No School)

Tuesday, January 20: Teacher Workday (No School)

Need a new t-shirt?  Looking for a nice fitting hoodie?  Wondering where all those great looking John Wayland clothes come from?  Look no further.  The University Outpost has created a site you can use to order a number of great items that not only look great, but support the school as well.  The University Outpost will donate 15% of every purchase back to the school.

You can find t-shirts, hoodies, polos and more at this site: https://stores.inksoft.com/john_wayland_elementary_school/shop/products/all?page=1

We are working hard to make sure this year is a great one for your child. I’m energized by the opportunity to partner with you to support your child’s growth—academically, socially, and emotionally.

For updates, reminders, and celebrations throughout the year, be sure to follow John Wayland Elementary School on Facebook.  Also, Rockingham County Public Schools has an incredible new app called the RCPSApp that allows you to stay connected to the latest news and information about our school and the division.