Waynesboro Public Schools

09/05/2026

Good evening.

Thank you for your continued patience, understanding, and support as our school division and the entire community navigate the difficult and unfamiliar circumstances surrounding the incident at Westwood Hills Elementary School.

The school division has created a website titled “Westwood Hills Elementary School Recovery and Return Information and Resources.”
The website is found at this link: https://www.waynesboro.k12.va.us/o/wps/page/westwood-hills-elementary-school-recovery-and-return-information
This site is intended to provide families, staff, and community members with the most current information and resources available as we move forward together.

We recognize that we do not yet have all of the answers and that no amount of information can fully ease the concerns and emotions surrounding this situation. We are committed, however, to communicating openly and keeping this website updated as additional information becomes available.

At the bottom of the webpage, you will also find a link where families and community members may submit additional questions. Your questions will help us identify areas where further information or clarification may be helpful.

Thank you again for your patience, compassion, and continued support of Westwood Hills and our school community. We hope you and your family are able to find some comfort and peace over the weekend.

09/04/2026

Support is available for students and families as our community continues to process recent events. Local counseling providers are offering a variety of counseling and trauma-support services, many at no cost.

Please review and share these resources with anyone who may benefit. Students and families may also contact their school counselor, psychologist, social worker or administrator for additional support.

We are grateful to our community partners for caring for and supporting our students, families and staff.

09/03/2026

Good evening,

Westwood Hills Elementary School will be closed tomorrow, Friday, September 4, 2026, and Tuesday, September 8, 2026. In the coming days, we will share additional information with Westwood Hills families regarding the reopening of school on Wednesday, September 9, 2026.

Thank you for your continued patience, understanding, and support as we prepare the school to welcome students back, care for and support our staff, and listen to the needs of our school community.

We know this is an incredibly difficult time for our students, families, staff, and community. Several community organizations are available to provide support and resources to students and families. A list of those organizations and resources is available here:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1H4s3yfRSs2IrYA5OD22l-vCU1joCUpZu/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=115118456599463587778&rtpof=true&sd=true

As a show of unity and support for the students, staff, and families of Westwood Hills, we encourage staff and students across Waynesboro Public Schools to wear red or black (Westwood Hills’ school colors) or other school or Waynesboro gear tomorrow.

All other Waynesboro Public Schools will operate on a normal schedule tomorrow and Tuesday. Out of an abundance of caution, there will be an increased law enforcement presence at all Waynesboro Public Schools locations.

As a reminder, all Waynesboro Public Schools will be closed Monday, September 7, in observance of Labor Day.

Thank you for continuing to care for and support one another and the entire Westwood Hills community. Have a good evening.

09/02/2026

WAYNESBORO - At approximately 9:12 a.m., on Sept. 2, 2026, Waynesboro Police were notified of a
suspicious individual on the grounds of Westwood Hills Elementary School, located at 548 Rosser
Avenue in the City of Waynesboro.

The individual, Anthony I. Ignatiadis-Isabelle, 19, of Waynesboro (Augusta County), Va., forced entry
into the school. Law enforcement responded within minutes and immediately entered the school.
There they located, in the library, the suspect dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

There were no students in the library at the time.

The time between the initial call and the location of the suspect was approximately three minutes.
One adult staff member did suffer a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. The staff member has
been treated and since released.

This remains an active and ongoing investigation. As investigators continue their work, additional
information will be released when it is appropriate and confirmed.

Westwood Hills Elementary School will be closed Thursday. Waynesboro Public Schools will
communicate directly with families regarding available resources and any additional information
concerning school operations.

We recognize how frightening an incident like this is for students, parents, staff, and the entire
Waynesboro community. We are extremely grateful for the immediate response of school staff and
the coordinated response of the Waynesboro Police Department, Augusta County Sheriff’s Office,
Virginia State Police, and our other local, state, and federal law enforcement partners.

We also want to sincerely thank the parents, guardians, and families of Westwood Hills Elementary
School for their patience, cooperation, and understanding throughout today’s reunification process.
We know how difficult it is to wait for information when your child is involved in an emergency
situation. Your willingness to follow the established reunification procedures allowed school officials
and law enforcement to account for students and reunite them with their families in a safe and
orderly manner. We are extremely grateful for your cooperation during what was an understandably
stressful and emotional time.

We also want to thank the Westminster Presbyterian Church, which served as our reunification site for
our families. Their help was immense in bringing our families back together in this trying situation.
There are still aspects of this incident that are under investigation, so there will be questions we simply
cannot answer today. We will provide as much verified information as we can while protecting the
integrity of that investigation.

Quote from Dr. Jeffrey Cassel, Superintendent of Waynesboro Public Schools:
“Today is the day every school system hopes they never have to deal with. I need to praise the
response of our staff and the Waynesboro Police Department, Augusta County Sheriff’s Office,
Virginia State Police, and our other local, state, and federal partners. Our safety and security protocols
and procedures worked. Staff notified law enforcement immediately, and our school executed our
lockdown procedures. Every student and staff member is safe and returned home to their families.
”

09/02/2026

The Waynesboro Police Department and Waynesboro Public Schools will conduct a media press conference about the incident today at Westwood Hills Elementary School. The press conference will be at 4:15pm today, September 2, 2026, in the City Council Chambers (1st Floor) located at 503 W. Main Street in Waynesboro. The public may stream the press conference live via the City of Waynesboro YouTube page. The link is: https://www.youtube.com/live/744PSJYLKhA

Also, there will be no late buses this afternoon. All students should arrive on regular schedule.

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

09/02/2026

The lockdown at all Waynesboro Schools has been lifted. Parents wishing to pickup students can now access the school. The reunification process of the Westwood students and families has been our priority. We appreciate your cooperation, understanding and patience through this process. All students from Westwood have been released to their parents and guardians at this time.

Currently, law enforcement is at all locations out of an abundance of caution. Parents are encouraged to follow the directions of school staff and law enforcement.

Again, all students, staff, and teachers are safe.

09/02/2026

All Westwood students, teachers, and staff are accounted for and are safe. The school division is currently conducting reunifications of students and families at Westminister Presbyterian Church at 1904 Mount Vernon Street in Waynesboro. Families are staging in the lower fellowship hall.

As a precautionary measure, all other Waynesboro Public Schools have been placed on lockdown. More information will be released when it becomes available. All schools are secure and safe at this time. Parents and guardians, please do not call 911 for additional information. We will relay it as soon as possible.

09/02/2026

The Waynesboro Police Department is managing an emergency at Westwood Hills Elementary School. The school division will conduct a reunification of students and families at Westminister Pressbyterian Church located at 1904 Mt. Vernon Street in Waynesboro. Families are staging in the lower fellowship hall. Please enter where the signs say "Entry."

09/01/2026

September is Attendance Awareness Month! At WPS, attendance is about more than being in a seat—it is about access, belonging and opportunity.

When students attend regularly, they have more chances to ask questions, practice new skills, connect with caring adults and participate in the moments that make school meaningful.

Thank you to our students, families, staff and community partners for helping every student feel welcomed, supported and ready to learn. Your presence matters today and all year long.

09/01/2026

Beginning this school year, Waynesboro Public Schools will offer whole white milk as a new option alongside 1% white milk and fat-free chocolate milk (available with lunch only).

This change is the result of the recently enacted Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, which expands the milk options that schools participating in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs are permitted to serve.

The new law gives school districts greater flexibility to offer students and families additional nutritious choices while continuing to meet federal school meal standards. Students who prefer low-fat milk will still have that option, and fat-free chocolate milk will continue to be available with lunch.

At Waynesboro Public Schools, we're committed to serving nutritious, appealing meals that help students learn, grow, and succeed. We look forward to offering this new choice and continuing to provide healthy options that support every student's day.

🥛 Milk Choices Available:
• Whole White Milk (NEW!)
• 1% White Milk
• Fat-Free Chocolate Milk (Lunch Only)

*** Fluid milk substitutes are available for students with a qualifying medical need when supported by a written medical statement from a state-licensed healthcare professional authorized to provide medical documentation in accordance with federal and state requirements.***