🚨 Monthly WCCTC Spotlight–Healthcare Career Pathway Preview! 🩺💡(...more to come in the November newsletter!)
🚨 Big things are happening in the Health Sciences Pathway at WCCTC — all thanks to the incredible leadership of Mrs. Becca Slone and Mrs. Kara Fleming! 🩺❤️Their kindness, care, and compassion as healthcare professionals and educators continue to drive this program forward — inspiring the next generation of medical heroes.👏 We are so proud of the work they're doing and the lives they’re changing every day!
🎓 Industry-focused instruction from REAL field professionals
💬 Strong student relationships, real-world skills, & EMPATHY at the core
The Claude Moore Scholars Program has provided:
✅ $500K for expansion, curriculum upgrades, renovations
✅ New Middle School Healthcare Career Exploration position @ Union Middle
✅ All Wise County Schools now have exploratory healthcare programs!
Thanks to the Rapha Grant, students receive:
👟 Scrubs, shoes, stethoscopes
📄 CNA certification support
📚 Certifications & Dual Enrollment Courses Offered:
• CNA, EKG Tech, CPR & First Aid
• 13 college credits available through DE Health Programs
• Save 💸 over $2,000 vs taking these courses after high school!
• 🤝 Job placement partnerships with Ballad Health, and nursing homes including Heritage Hall, & The Laurels, earning over $20.00/hour💸
💬 Student Voices:
What is the most important thing you’ve learned in this program?
“Empathy. Patients always come first.”
What do you love about working with your instructors?
“They care deeply. They're nurturing. They’re like moms — they bring heart into the profession.”
What would you say to a student considering pursuing this program?
“Do it. It will change your life. You’ll learn things about yourself you never thought you would.”
Want to learn more?!
🎉📅 Tonight, Tuesday, October 21st| Grades 5-12 | 4:00pm-6:00pm | 🏫 WCCTC (Wise County Career-Technical Center)
✅Join us for our annual Exploring Health Care Careers and Open House event, a collaborative effort between: WCCTC, UVA-Wise, Mountain Empire Community College (MECC), Claude Moore Scholars Program, and Ballad Health
✅This event is designed to give students, families, and community members a hands-on look at the many exciting opportunities in the healthcare field — from dual enrollment courses and certifications to real-world clinical experiences.
✅ Meet instructors, tour classrooms, talk to current students, and connect with local healthcare professionals and college partners.
Whether you're a middle or high school student interested in a healthcare career or a parent looking to learn more about student opportunities, this event is for you!
Contact Info.:
Rebecca Slone, BSN - rslone@wisek12.org (Dual enrollment/CNA instructor)
Kara Fleming, RN - kmfleming@wisek12.org (CNA instructor)
Jodie Bowen - jbowen@wisek12.org (Assistant Principal/Guidance at WCCTC)
October is National Bullying Prevention Month and Wise Primary students are committing to making school a kinder, safer place for all!!
Wise Primary students participated in classroom guidance lessons focused on being a good friend and recognizing bullying behavior. During their resource time, Mrs. Flanary and Mrs. Lindsay met with each grade level to lead thoughtful discussions and activities around kindness, empathy, and standing up against bullying.
As part of the lesson, every student signed a pledge to be drug-free and to not be a bully. They also brainstormed meaningful ways to show kindness to others — emphasizing the importance of treating everyone with respect.
Throughout the month of October, we will be highlighting bullying prevention activities and assemblies taking place in all of our schools in Wise County. Together, we can make a difference by promoting kindness and respect in every classroom and hallway. Let’s continue working together as a community to create safe and supportive environments for all students!
Emma McReynolds, Eastside High School--Class of 2024, is representing Virginia as Miss Virginia Teen USA and is competing at Miss Teen USA this week in Reno, Nevada! 👑✨
Let’s show our support from home — voting is FREE and just takes a minute! 🗳️
📲 Vote here: https://missusa.choicely.link/teenvote
📅 The pageant is THIS THURSDAY, October 23 — let’s cheer Emma on all the way to the crown! 💫
#MissTeenUSA #MissVirginiaTeenUSA
🚌National School Bus Safety Week 2025 🚌
October 20–24, 2025
This year’s message is also a reminder: safety doesn’t begin or end with the bus ride. It’s about Safety at Every Stop 🛑—from the moment a child leaves their front door to the time they return home.
Stay alert. Slow down in school zones and neighborhoods.
Stop for the bus. Obey the stop-arm law every time—no exceptions.
Support accountability. Technology and enforcement work hand in tandem to change driver behavior.
Raise awareness. Share facts, resources, and personal stories that open eyes and change hearts.
Wise County Public Schools would like to express our sincere appreciation for our dedicated bus drivers and transportation team.
Each day, these individuals go above and beyond to ensure the safety, well-being, and comfort of our students. Their commitment, patience, and care play a vital role in our students’ success — both on the road and in the classroom.
Thank you for all you do to keep our children safe!
🌟 Community Spotlight! 🌟
Big thanks to Lowe’s Home Improvement for giving Wise Primary School a beautiful makeover on Wednesday, October 15th! 🎨✨
They painted curbs yellow & blue (including handicap spaces), refreshed all the handrails with black paint, mulched the landscape beds with rubber mulch and added colorful flowers 🌸, and even touched up signs with bright red paint for extra pop! 🚧🌼
Our school grounds have never looked better — and it’s all thanks to this amazing community effort!
In his deepest apprecation, Principal Hood states, "Lowe's really went above and beyond in transforming the outside of Wise Primary School today. The pressure washing, painting, and landscaping improvements will significantly enhance the school's appearance and create a welcoming environment for both students and staff. It's great to see businesses like Lowe's giving back to their community. We are so appreciative of all the materials and labor that Lowe's has provided for this needed project at Wise Primary School. Thanks again Lowe's of Wise County!! You guys and gals rocked it out!!"
Stay informed and inspired—check out all the updates and stories in this month’s edition of the WCPS October 2025 Newsletter by clicking here: https://wisecova.edurooms.com/engage/wise-county-public-schools/newsletters/wcps-october-2025-newsletter
✅ Board meeting visits from our awesome 4-H partners & Coeburn Middle School admin team
🎥 Canaan Spears | Union High featured on The Pulse S2E1 for the 2025-2026 school year
🌟 Darren Williams | Eastside High – WCYB Five Star Student
🏈 Rocky Bond | Eastside High – WCYB Player of the Week
⚡ Keldan Hamilton | Eastside High – Gatorlyte Quick Play Winner (Week 6)
🎓 Shelby Stanley | Eastside High – WCYB Scholar Athlete of the Week
🚁 AirVac landed at Union Middle for a special learning experience
💻💪 Celebrated IT Professionals Day, Coaches Day & Custodian Day
🏆 St. Paul Elementary recognized as one of America’s Best Schools by NCUST!
🎉 Lunchbox276 held a ribbon-cutting for their new food distribution warehouse
🔩 WCCTC Spotlight: Precision Welding & Fabrication – shaping future careers!
🎊 The WCCTC Annual Fall Festival was a huge hit with students!
🍁 Our 1st Annual Pre-K Fall Festival at WCCTC brought smiles and fun for our youngest learners
👒 Wise Primary School’s "Old Fashion Day" brought history to life in the most charming way!
👩🏫 Celebrated 47 years of dedication with the incredible Ms. Judy Abbott at Eastside High 💚
We’re proud of our students, staff, and community for making Wise County Public Schools a place of excellence, tradition, and growth! 📘🍎
Our Newsletter for October is available!
Community Outreach Golf Match at Lonesome Pine Country Club
On Tuesday, October 14th, L.F. Addington Middle/J.W. Adams Combined middle school athletes hosted a fun and memorable Adults vs. Middle School Team Match as part of our community outreach efforts at Lonesome Pine Country Club. It was a fantastic day of friendly competition, mentorship, and connection between generations through the game of golf. Athletes showcased impressive skill, sportsmanship, and enthusiasm throughout the event.
Coach Vanover would like to extend a special thank you to our adult golfers who generously gave their time and support to help inspire the next generation of players: Brad Easterling, Kaye Shortt, Robert England, Jerry Domby, Chris Christian, Leigh Clark, Katie Vanover, Robin Dotson, Jo Jo Martin, and Robbie Carter.
Your involvement made a lasting impact on these young golfers, and your support helps grow the game in our community. Thank you for being outstanding role models both on and off the course!
This week's alumni spotlight is Angela Duncan, Class of 2001 (J.J. Kelly High School)!
Wise County Public Schools is eager to learn about and share alumni highlights from its graduates! Please click here (https://forms.gle/ADQAbVxjGmieZA6R9) to complete a submission form.
***please note that submissions will be featured in the order they are received.
🎶 Tiny Desk Concert Series - Eastside High School 🎶
The Eastside Spartans are movin' on up! Check out their "Tiny Desk Concert" here: https://youtu.be/MRZWQNcceCc
📢 Early Release Reminder!
This is a reminder that all schools will dismiss early at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, October 10, in observance of the end of the first nine weeks grading period.
Teachers are reminded that they are expected to participate in scheduled professional development activities following dismissal, lasting until 3:30 p.m.
Thank you for your attention and cooperation!
📢 Reminder: Fall Break Closure 🍂
Wise County Public Schools will be closed on Monday, October 13th for Fall Break.
We hope all students, staff, and families enjoy a safe and relaxing long weekend! 🧡🍁
44th Annual McChesney Band Festival Info:
Date: Saturday, October 18, 2025
Time: 1:00pm - 6:30pm
Location: Bullitt Park, Big Stone Gap, VA
Admission: $10.00 (Children 5-under receive free admission)
Contact: Kimberely Sturgill | ksturgill@wisek12.org
🍂🎉 The Wise County Career and Technical Education Center (WCCTC) hosted their annual Fall Festival today! Students enjoyed corn hole, pumpkin carving contests, seed spitting contests, pie eating contests, a cupcake walk, bingo, football toss, ring toss, putt putt, and more! Huge thanks to our administration, sponsors and teachers for grilling up delicious hamburgers for the students! 🍔🎃
Fall fun, friendly competition, and great food—what a perfect way to celebrate the fall season! 🍁👏
This month, we’re giving a huge THANK YOU to the heart of our schools — our PRINCIPALS! 💙
From leading with vision to supporting every student and staff member, your commitment to community makes a difference every single day. 🙌
This week's alumni spotlight is Deventae Mooney, Class of 2013, from Eastside High School.
Wise County Public Schools is eager to learn about and share alumni highlights from its graduates! Please click here (https://forms.gle/ADQAbVxjGmieZA6R9) to complete a submission form.
***please note that submissions will be featured in the order they are received.
Link: https://forms.gle/ADQAbVxjGmieZA6R9
Students enjoyed tons of fun activities like the three-legged race, a HUGE inflatable bouncy house, egg on a spoon race, football toss, ring toss, pumpkin bowling, boat racing, fishing, sack race, face painting & tattoos, putt putt, bingo, and more! 🎯🎨🎃
Plus, students enjoyed treats that include popcorn, drinks, and a cakewalk! 🧁⛳🍿
We would like to thank the WCCTC students, teachers, and our amazing Family Engagement Coordinators for pulling together our 1st annual Pre-K Fall Festival and making it a huge success! Your support brought joy and smiles to so many little faces! 🧡
