School phone number: (540)828-6081

Greetings John Wayland Families,

Last week, February 9–13, our school celebrated Kindness Week with a different focus each day that encouraged students to put compassion into action. We began by “catching others being kind,” recognizing the many thoughtful choices happening all around us. Students were challenged to be kind even when it was difficult, showing patience, empathy, and self-control. Another day centered on the Golden Rule — treating others the way we want to be treated, and we saw countless examples of respect and helpfulness. Our halls echoed with phrases like “Let me get that for you,” as students looked for ways to serve one another. We closed the week remembering that love is kind, and that simple acts of kindness can make a big difference in our school community.

Yesterday was our 100th day of school!  There were a bunch of ways we celebrated making it this far.  And last week in our PE Classes kids competed in our indoor Winter Olympics.   We have a few pictures of both events to share! We have a couple of fundraisers coming up in the next few weeks that we wanted to make sure were on your calendar: Domino’s Pizza and Chick-fil-A have partnered with us to share portions of their proceeds to help our school.  There’s an update and a request from our playground committee we wanted to bring to your attention as well.  And in case you hadn’t heard, the Rockingham County Public School’s Superintendent Dr. Larry Shifflett spent a day substitute teaching in kindergarten last week.  We have the pictures to prove it!  Finally, our Teacher Feature this week highlights a member of our school community who is not a teacher at all…It's our School Resource Officer Deputy C. W. Irvine (Trea)!  He is a strong supporter of the kids at both John Wayland and Turner Ashby.  He’s always there when you need him!

We open the Kindergarten and Pre-School Registration process the week of March 2nd-6th!  If you or anyone you know has a child who is eligible for kindergarten or preschool next year, the first chunk of this Jaguar Jiggy Journal is for you (or them).  Our school registrar, Krista Kane, has put together a wealth of information with everything you need to know to make sure the registration process is smooth and easy.  As always, if you have any questions you can always reach out to us at the school.

Mr. Granger, Principal

The 100th day of school was a celebration to remember at John Wayland! Our students marked this milestone with laughter, creativity, and plenty of hands-on learning. Classrooms were filled with 100th-day collections, special writing activities about what life would be like at 100 years old, and even a few students and staff who looked like they had aged a few decades overnight! Beyond the fun, the day was a wonderful reminder of how much our students have grown academically and socially over these first 100 days. We are so proud of their hard work and grateful for the partnership we share with you in making each day meaningful.

We have been getting into the spirit of the Games with Winter Olympics stations in PE! We showed a video on the first day of a variety of Winter Olympics sports since most of them aren't ones students have heard of. The students are loving practicing the skeleton and luge on scooters. We adapted curling for the gym by having students slide bean bags to a target on the floor. Skiing is done on buddy walkers, either solo or with a partner. Scooter hockey is a fan favorite because they get to play 4 vs 4. Another favorite is the bobsled which we created by putting a mat on top of 3 scooters. One or two students sit on the mat while the others push them through the course. Slalom, speed skating and biathlon round out the rest of the stations. We encourage everyone to watch the last few days of the Winter Olympics which end on Sunday, as well as the Paralympics March 6-15!

Our next JWES Domino's “Spirit Night” is Monday, March 2. Please use Coupon Code DN6 when ordering online, or mention John Wayland if ordering in person/over the phone. Enjoy a night off from cooking while also supporting John Wayland!

Also, mark your calendar for our second Chick-fil-A Night on Wednesday, March 11, from 4:45–7:00 PM at Chick-fil-A!  A portion of the evening’s sales will support our school. Come enjoy dinner and help us raise funds together.

Having 2 straight weeks of indoor recess because of snow has reminded all of us just how important outdoor play is for children (and all of us)!  In case you haven’t heard, we’re starting the process of building a playground for our youngest kiddos that will eventually replace the structure behind the school they are currently using.  This is a big endeavor, and even though we’re still in the design process, it will eventually require quite a bit of money.  Chris Eby, Caroline Saunders, and Rachel Moyer are heading the process and are already thinking ahead about how to secure the funds for this massive project.  If you have experience with fundraising and have been looking for a tangible way to get involved with our school, please reach out to Chris Eby at ceby@rockingham.k12.va.us .

Last Thursday our superintendent, Dr. Shifflett, spent the entire day with us substitute teaching in Sydney Coffman’s kindergarten class!  By all accounts it was a good day!  This is a note he sent to me after his visit that I shared with our staff:

Mr. Ganger,

I had a wonderful experience in kindergarten at JWES today.  I did not feel like I was on an island, but rather surrounded by lots of supportive and caring folks.  I was thrilled that both you and Dianne visited to check on me.  The kindergarten team, especially Ms. Pedersen, was wonderful and made sure I had all the resources and materials for the day's lesson. The assistant, Ms. Shirin was a HUGE help to me and made sure I survived the day.  Ms Coffman provided great lesson plans for me to follow and it is evident that she has excellent routines and procedures established in her classroom. The students were very kind and polite. They did well and did not try to take advantage of me too much. HA! Overall, a great day and thank you for the opportunity and support.

All the Best,

Larry

His comments speak to the warmth and support that is so common here at our school.  Hats off to Ms. Shirin who was such a gracious support to him all day long!

School Resource Officer

Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office

Interviewer: Arra McCall

How would you approach preventing and addressing bullying in the school?

I would spend time with students so they know me and feel safe talking to me. I would teach them what bullying is and why it is wrong. If bullying happens, I would listen to everyone involved and work with the school to fix the problem. The goal is to keep everyone safe and treated with respect.

What strategies would you use to build positive, trusting relationships with students and staff?

I would be kind, fair, and consistent. I would talk with students in the hallways, at lunch, and at events. I would listen when people have concerns. When students and staff see that I care and keep my word, trust grows over time.

How do you handle high-stress situations while interacting with young people?

I stay calm and speak in a steady voice. Kids watch how adults react, so I try to be a good example. I take a moment to think before I act, and I focus on keeping everyone safe.

How do you communicate with parents or caregivers about school safety policies?

I use simple, clear language. I explain the rules and the reasons behind them. I also make sure parents know how to contact me if they have questions or concerns. Working together helps keep students safe.

How will you balance enforcing school rules while maintaining a positive relationship with students?

I treat students with respect, even when they break a rule. I explain why the rule exists and what the right choice would be next time. Being fair and consistent helps students see that I am there to help, not just to punish.

What methods do you use to de-escalate a heated argument between students?

First, I separate the students so things don’t get worse. Then I talk to each person and listen to their side. I help them calm down and find a better way to solve the problem. The goal is to keep everyone safe and teach better choices.

Why do you want to be an SRO specifically, rather than a patrol officer?

I enjoy working with kids and helping them grow into good adults. As an SRO, I can build relationships, teach safety, and be someone students can trust. It gives me a chance to make a positive difference every day.

How do you help kids de-stress if needed?

I talk with them and listen to what is bothering them. Sometimes just having someone listen helps a lot. I may suggest taking deep breaths, getting some water, or speaking with a counselor or trusted adult.

Did you have any other jobs close to this before this job?

Yes. I worked as a patrol officer, where I helped keep the community safe. I also worked with people during difficult situations. That experience helped prepare me to work in a school.

What’s the hardest part of your job?

The hardest part is seeing students go through tough situations. I want every student to feel safe and supported. One of the hardest and proudest parts of my job is watching students I have known for years graduate and move on to the next part of their lives. Even though it can be emotional, it reminds me why this job matters.

March 2 - 6 is the week that our Kindergarten Registration opens and our PreK Application process begins for the 2026-2027 school year! As a convenience to families, most of the registration process can be done online through the Rockingham County Public Schools website at:  www.rcps.net   The online registration portal for the 2026-2027 school year is not yet open. It will open at the start of the registration week.  It’s important that families register their child for next school year (2026-2027), NOT the current school year. We will, of course, welcome anyone who needs assistance to visit our school office, and we’ll be happy to help you through the online registration process. We’ve highlighted some information below so families understand the process. Please feel free to share this with friends and neighbors.

Kindergarten Registration

In order to register your child for Kindergarten, he/she must turn five years old by September 30, 2026, and live in the John Wayland attendance area. In early March, you may register online via the Rockingham County Public Schools Website: www.rcps.net  

After completing the online registration, families are asked to please provide:

- A copy of your child’s birth certificate

- Proof of residency; i.e., a utility bill, lease agreement, or mortgage statement

-An up-to-date Kindergarten physical health exam AND up-to-date immunization record.  The physical health exam MUST be dated on or after August 20, 2025.  Your child MUST have a current physical completed even if they already had one completed for PreK.  

PLEASE NOTE: WE MUST HAVE THE HEALTH EXAM AND IMMUNIZATION RECORD PRIOR TO THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL.  

These documents may be dropped off at our office or sent via email to: jwesregistration@rockingham.k12.va.us . 

Lastly, any family who registers their child for kindergarten will receive a follow-up email from our Registrar, Krista Kane. The email will contain a digital questionnaire that we ask all rising kindergarten families to complete. The email will also contain an informational video introducing our kindergarten team and sharing information including info on August visits for students and families to meet their teacher and visit classrooms and our school. 

Application & Registration for PreK

John Wayland hosts a VPI PreK Program each year. We have 18 spots to offer to students in this class. Spots in this program are given to students/families who meet criteria set by the state of Virginia. Unfortunately, not all who apply/register will get into our PreK class.

In order to be eligible for application into our PreK Program your child must turn 4 years old by September 30, 2026.  Please understand that you must provide the following documents which are REQUIRED in order to apply: 

- Proof of residency;  i.e., a utility bill, lease agreement, or mortgage statement 

- A copy of the child’s birth certificate

- Finally, per state requirement, we are required to have proof of income for any adults in the home who are employed.  We can accept a W2 or paystub.  

**Any of the above documents can be emailed to jwesregistration@rockingham.k12.va.us or dropped off at our office.  Once the documents have been received, we ask that you please call the school to schedule a parent interview and child screening. We have two days later in March when we will be conducting these: March 24th and 25th.  As a reminder, without these required documents, your child’s application will not be complete, and your child will not be considered for our PreK Program. 

Kindergarten Registration for Current 2025-2026 PreK Students

RCPS sends out an email to all current PreK families with a snapcode for you to use to register your PreK student for Kindergarten next year. You will do so under the “Returning Students 2026-2027” section on the RCPS webpage. Current PreK students do not need to participate in classroom screenings/visits in May. 

PLEASE NOTE: Your child MUST have a current physical & immunizations completed even if they already had one completed for PreK.  The physical must be dated on or after August 20, 2025.  We have to have this on file before the first day of school. 

NOTE:  After families complete a registration for their soon-to-be kindergartner, each family will receive an email with general kindergarten information and also receive a digital survey. We will not be doing in person visits or assessments this spring.  One-on-one visits or small group in-person classroom visits as well as a virtual parent meeting for each kindergarten class will be scheduled in August. 

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, March 2: Domino’s Spirit Night & Kindergarten Registration Kick-Off Day (11AM-6PM)

Monday-Friday, March 2-6: Preschool and Kindergarten Registration Week

Wednesday, March 11: Chik-fi-A Night (4:45-7:00PM)

Wednesday, March 18: 2nd Grade Musical Performance (6:30PM)

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.