School phone number: (540)828-6081

Greetings John Wayland Families,

This edition of the Jaguar Jiggy Journal is packed with important updates, helpful information, and a few things that might make you pause and say, “Wait…what’s that?” From Snap Codes (what are those?!?) to Books in the Barnyard (you’ll definitely want to check that out!), there’s something here for every family.

You’ll also find details about end-of-year assessments (we know…tests are tough), along with our Title I Spring Newsletter, Administrative Professionals Day, Teacher Appreciation Week, and information about our 5th Grade Farewell Ceremony. We’ve also included details on how to join the final PTO meeting of the year.

Please take a few minutes to read everything over so you don’t miss a thing. As always, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Mr. Granger, Principal

Registration snapcodes for the 2026-2027 school year (rising grades 1 - 12) went out on Friday, April 17, at 3:45pm.  They should have gone to the email you have on record with the school, so if you did not receive one, check your spam folder and then call the school.  These codes are the simplest way to register your child for next year.  By entering your code into the Parent Portal, all of the information we have about your child in our system will be pre-populated.  All you have to do is confirm what is correct, update anything that needs to be changed, and add any new information.  Once it is saved, your child will be automatically registered to come to John Wayland Elementary School in the fall.

You’re invited to a fun-filled evening at Books in the Barnyard! Join us at John Wayland Elementary on Wednesday, April 29, from 5:30–7:00pm for a night of barnyard-themed learning and family fun. There will be literacy and math stations, dancing, light snacks, farm animals, tractors, a visit from a local author, and our Green Valley Book Fair.
We are also still looking for a few volunteers to help make the evening a success. If you are interested, please reach out to the school to let us know. We hope to see you there!

Please note: We will be holding a pop-up Green Valley Book Fair for Literacy Night on the 29th. It will also be open on the 30th and May 1st from 7:50-11:30 for those who were not able to make it to Literacy Night.  

PS - Our lost and found is overflowing with jackets and sweatshirts, so while you are at school next week please take a few moments to look through the clothes that have been collected and retrieve any that belong to your child.

As we approach the end of the school year, students will be participating in a variety of end-of-year assessments and check-ins.  These help us understand the progress each child has made across subjects like reading, math, and in some cases, science and social studies. Some of these are quick, informal “check-ups,” while others are more structured and comprehensive.  And, of course, our 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders will be taking SOL tests, as well.

These assessments are used to guide instruction and celebrate growth; they are not recorded as grades on report cards.  Because different grade levels take different assessments at different times, your child’s classroom teacher will share the most relevant details, including which assessments your child will take and the general testing window.

If you have questions about any specific assessment, we encourage you to reach out to your child’s teacher.  For SOL testing, results will be shared with families all at once at the end of the year once all testing is complete.

Administrative Professionals Day was yesterday, April 22.  We are proud to recognize the amazing team that keeps our school running smoothly every day; Krista, Jen, Jenny, and Ashley are an incredible front office team.  From managing student registration and answering phones to organizing the lost and found and supporting students, staff, and families in countless ways, they truly do it all.

Their work often happens behind the scenes, but its impact is felt throughout the entire building. Our school simply could not run without them.  We are grateful for their organization, care, and dedication, and we hope you’ll join us in thanking them for everything they do!

Teacher Appreciation Week is May 4–8, and it’s a perfect time to recognize the incredible work our teachers do each day.  Teaching is a profession built on dedication, expertise, and heart. Most teachers complete at least four years of college, and many go on to earn advanced degrees.  Across Virginia, there are thousands of teachers serving students in nearly 2,800 elementary schools, each working to support their local community.
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The impact of a teacher adds up quickly.  Over the course of a career, an elementary teacher may teach well over 1,000 students.  In Virginia, the average elementary classroom includes about 18 students, allowing teachers to build strong, meaningful relationships with each child.  And while the school day may end in the afternoon, teachers’ work does not.  On average, they put in more than 50 hours each week planning, teaching, assessing, and supporting their students.

We invite you to join us in celebrating our teachers and the difference they make every day.  A kind note, a quick message, or a word of appreciation can go a long way in making this week extra special.

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If you or someone you know has a child who will be 5 years old by September 30, we encourage you to register for kindergarten as soon as possible. We love getting to know our incoming students and families, and early registration helps us begin preparing for a smooth and successful start to the school year. Signing up now is a great first step in getting ready for an exciting kindergarten experience this fall!

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 

Families are welcomed and encouaged to come to school to enjoy breakfast or lunch with their children.  We love having you here!  To ensure we have enough food for everyone, PLEASE LET YOUR STUDENT'S TEACHER KNOW YOU WOULD LIKE TO BUY A LUNCH.  There have been a few times that we did not have enough food on hand for all the family members and children who wanted to eat.  (We obviously prioritize the children having food, but hate it when family members are not fed.)

Wednesday, April 29 (new date): Title 1 "Books in the Barnyard" Reading and Math Night

Friday, May 1: Regular School Day for Everyone (This is a shift from original school calendar.)

Monday, May 25: Memorial Day (no school)

Monday, May 29: Field Day

Wednesday, June 3: Last day of school (1PM Dismissal)

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