School phone number: (540)828-6081

Greetings John Wayland Families,

As we head deeper into the busy spring season, there is a lot to celebrate at John Wayland! This week’s Jaguar Jiggy Journal is packed with moments that remind us what a special community we have — from honoring our amazing teachers to celebrating student achievements and meaningful learning experiences both inside and outside the classroom.

In this edition, you’ll find a recap and photos from Teacher Appreciation Week, along with highlights from our Books in the Barnyard event. We’re also sharing information and pictures from the Basics of Bicycling Program, recognizing our Rotary Club Ethics Award recipients, and featuring this month’s Counselor Corner with community resources and guidance about how we respond when children say scary or concerning things.  Finally, this school has an amazing Parent Teacher Organization who has done a great deal to support our school this year.  Their end of year newsletter says it all!

As always, thank you for your continued support, encouragement, and partnership. We hope you enjoy this week’s updates and snapshots of the great things happening at JWES!

Mr. Granger, Principal

John Wayland Elementary School

Tomorrow marks the official end of the 2026 Teacher Appreciation Week, but that doesn’t mean our love for our great educators changes one bit.  We have over 100 staff members at John Wayland, and every single day they give their hearts, minds, and souls to educating the 525 children who attend here.  Any adult who gives their life to helping children deserves a great deal of gratitude each and every day.  Here are a few snapshots of some of the things that teachers enjoyed this week!

Our Title 1 “Books in the Barnyard” was a ton of fun!  We had over 365 people sign-in, which represents a huge portion of our school community.  Some of the feedback we received was:

“Thanks for all of the work you all put into this!  It was truly family oriented, and we could do everything together.”

“My girls had so much fun!  We arrived early, stayed the whole time, and they didn’t want to leave!”

“Beautiful work to incorporate various learnings beyond what we typically think of as literacy night content.”

Couldn’t have done it without our amazing Title 1 team.  It takes a lot to pull off an event for over 300 people!

Here are a few pictures for you to enjoy.

Starting on May 7th and for the following two weeks something fun and exciting is happening for the students of John Wayland! They will be participating in the Rockingham County Public Schools Basics of Bicycling Program supported by Virginia Safe Routes to School Funding. We are working hard to teach students how to Bike Safe, Bike Smart, Be Active, and Have Fun! 

Rockingham County Schools has been operating a fleet of bicycles for our elementary and middle schools for over 8 years. Our mobile bicycle fleet travels between elementary schools for several weeks, and bicycles are used in physical education classes. Each student will use the bicycles included in the mobile bicycle fleet. We have enough bicycles for every student and do not permit bicycles from home. Please DO NOT send your student to school with their own personal bicycle.

Your student will participate in this hands-on unit and will learn bicycling skills through safety courses designed to give young students skills and knowledge for safe bicycling. We will ride on school property and utilize pavement, grass, and sometimes gravel surfaces.

According to statistics, kids aged 8 to 14 years old suffer from the highest number of bicycle collisions - nearly twice that of any other age group. The Basics of Bicycling unit aims to teach students to navigate or avoid those high hazard situations when riding their bikes with simulated streets, intersections, and road signs. We will also emphasize proper helmet fit and use. Above all, we will promote healthy physical activity and have lots of FUN on bicycles.

Physical Barrier between hair and helmet:

-We will use a disposable, medical grade bouffant cap for a physical barrier 

-Hairnet caps are disposed of after each use. 

-Helmets are sprayed with helmet specific cleaner

-Helmets are not permitted from home for the elementary school program 

-We have enough helmets in the trailer for all students and a full range of sizes available. The school division is not able to verify the safety or integrity of a helmet that has been brought from home.

Students must wear tennis shoes to participate in the bike unit. Please encourage your students to avoid loose fitting clothing like dresses or skirts that may get caught in the wheels.

Please contact us with any questions or concerns you might have.

Caroline Sanders csanders@rockingham.k12.va.us

Christopher Eby ceby@rockingham.k12.va.us

The Rotary Club of Harrisonburg’s Code of Ethics Awards Program celebrates the ethical integrity in our community and schools by honoring exceptional elementary, middle, and high school students throughout Harrisonburg and Rockingham County. This event is truly a highlight of our year, and we are excited to celebrate your students with you.

Criteria: Truthfulness, consistency, dependability, integrity, service to and concern for others, friendliness, depth of commitment and reverence. (Non-criteria: Grade point average, popularity, and accomplishments in sports, music, drama, etc.)

Brian Arbogast - Brian is an outstanding student and a strong role model for those around him. He demonstrates integrity and grit in all that he does and consistently strives to achieve his personal best. Brian approaches challenges with determination and perseverance, putting forth thoughtful effort in every task. He is a natural leader in the classroom, setting a positive example for his peers through his actions and attitude. Brian is respectful, dependable, and often goes out of his way to support others. His positive attitude, strong character, and sense of humor make him a valued member of our classroom community.

Lyla Campbell - Lyla is an exceptional role model for her classmates and consistently demonstrates what it means to be a positive member of the school community. She consistently goes above and beyond to offer a helping hand. Lyla shows natural leadership and sets a wonderful example for others through her actions. She puts thoughtful effort into her work and approaches every task with responsibility and care. Lyla is respectful to everyone she interacts with, treats others with genuine kindness, and truly represents all pillars of character. With her warm, kind-hearted personality and constant smile, she stands out as a student who makes our school a better place.

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 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Saturday of every month 9:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m.

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 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., 4th Thursday of every month from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

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 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., 3rd Tuesday of each month: 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., and the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

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

Young people say a lot of strange things, and sometimes those things can be scary.  Throughout the year we’ve talked about the different ways we keep kids safe at school.  This week we’d like to make you aware of how we respond to scary words or threats.

This graphic gives a short description of our threat assessment process.

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.)

Monday, May 25: Memorial Day (no school)

Monday, May 29: Field Day

Tuesday, June 2: 5th Grade Farewell Ceremony

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