Widewater Elementary School

Due to the potential for severe weather in our area during dismissal, including the strong possibility of tornadoes, all schools and offices will be closed tomorrow, March 16, 2026. All after school activities are cancelled.

Students and staff will engage in asynchronous remote learning, with submission of assignments counting toward attendance. In the event of a power or internet outage, or difficulty with assignments, students and families should communicate with their assigned teacher(s).

Meals will be available, free of charge, from 10 am - 12 pm at Edward E Drew MS (501 Cambridge St, Fredericksburg, VA 22405) and Kate Waller Barrett ES (150 Duffey Dr, Stafford, VA 22556).

This decision was made out of an abundance of caution and with the safety of our students, staff, and families as the top priority.

We recognize that schedule changes can create challenges for families, and we appreciate your understanding as we prioritize safety during severe weather conditions. The school division will continue to monitor conditions and will share any additional updates as needed. Please stay safe and take precautions if severe weather approaches your area.

Congratulations to Mrs. Nikia Mays (WES Student Support Employee of the Year) and Mrs. Phyillis Manners (WES Service Employee of the Year)!

This week the students participated in the mascot naming election. We can't wait to share the new name for our mascot!

Reminder! Our fundraiser is ongoing! Get signed up today at MyBooster.com and try to finish the Weekend Challenge before time is out. 💪

We love our counselors!

Who’s ready for a weekend challenge?! 🙋‍♀️ Get a $60 donation before Monday and you’ll score a GLOW IN THE DARK EDITION keychain. Good luck!

Be safe navigating to the bus stop or to the school. We look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow!

Due to current road conditions in some areas of the county, Stafford Schools will operate on a 2-hour delay schedule on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. This delay allows for safer travel conditions in the morning while preserving instructional time for our students.

Schools will operate as follows:
High Schools, Phoenix Regional, Heather Empfield: 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Elementary Schools Shift 1: 10:15 a.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Elementary Schools Shift 2: 10:45 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Middle Schools: 11:20 a.m. - 3:50 p.m.
North Star ECEC: Full day program begins at 9:37 a.m. No morning half day program. Afternoon half day program begins at 12 p.m.
Rising Star ECEC: Full day program begins at 11:23 a.m. No morning half day program. Afternoon half day program begins at 12:45 p.m.

Buses will also operate on a 2-hour delay. There may be some adjustments to your child’s bus stop to ensure greater safety for our students, which may cause some minor delays. Transportation will contact you directly should your child’s bus stop require temporary adjustment. If you are able, please consider assisting your child to and from the bus stop.

For our drivers, please proceed with caution and reduce speed, especially on bridges and similar surfaces. Allow extra time for your commute. Avoid sudden stops and sharp turns.

We appreciate your patience with weather related delays and closures. We are working closely with VDOT to clear all roads and sidewalks, however, this will take a great deal of time. While we cannot stay closed until the snow and ice completely melts, by working together, we can help students and staff get to and from school safely. As we re-open, please also consider carpooling and sharing rides for walkers, when possible, and make sure that students are dressed appropriately for the weather.

As always, per School Board Policy 5906R, parents have the option of not sending their child to school during inclement weather on delayed opening days when, in the parent’s judgment, conditions in their neighborhood are unsafe. In such cases, upon notification by the parent, the student will receive an excused absence and will be required to make up for missed work.

Thank you for your partnership and support as we work together to bring our students and staff back into school. We look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow.

Fun Run Update!

❄️ Wildcat Glow Run New Kickoff Day! ❄️
Due to the snow, our Widewater Wildcat Glow Run will now Kickoff on Tuesday, 2/3! You can help support our school right from the comfort of home by sharing our donation page or making a gift if you’re able. Every share and every donation makes a difference.
🎉 Kickoff Date (in school): 02/03/2026
👟 Event Date: 02/11/2026
Visit mybooster.com to sign your student up—thank you for your support! 💙☃️

It’s almost GO time! Have you signed up your student yet? Go to MyBooster.com today! We’re ready to have fun and raise some funds for our school! 🙌

Due to lingering adverse road conditions, all Stafford Schools, offices, and buildings will be closed on Thursday, January 29, 2026. All activities and events scheduled for Thursday are cancelled.
All 12-month employees should telework. Liberal leave is authorized.

We would like to recognize the behind-the-scenes work continuing across the division. Maintenance teams remain focused on clearing campuses and preparing buildings, our nutrition services staff are coming in to provide free meals for students, and VDOT crews are addressing road conditions throughout the county. Each group is playing a critical role in supporting our community during this closure.

Thank you for your adaptability during an extended stretch of difficult weather. We are eager to reopen our buildings and see you all again as soon as conditions allow us to do that safely.