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! 🧡
🎉 Celebrating National Principals Month
Every October, we take time to celebrate National Principals Month—a special opportunity to recognize the vital role school principals play in shaping the academic success and well-being of students across the country. Principals are not only school leaders but also mentors, visionaries, and champions for students and staff alike.
This month, we proudly honor Mr. Paul Clendenon, Principal of Union Middle School:
Google Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1m5-wU39gS3lDRmwTMp_oel0Bo8Rfv8Gr/view?usp=drive_link
YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/XI8-DzE62Gs
🎓 Known for his exceptional ability to bring team members together to achieve shared goals, Mr. Clendenon leads with integrity, collaboration, and a student-first mindset.
🏌️ Off campus, he's an avid golfer, and he also shares his passion for sports as a sports analyst for the Union Sports Network. Whether he's on the green or behind the mic, Mr. Clendenon brings the same focus and enthusiasm that he brings to our school community every day.
Thank you, Mr. Clendenon, for your leadership, your dedication, and your commitment to making Union Middle a place where students and staff thrive.
Happy National Principals Month!
Brag on a Bus Driver - Redena Barton
🚍🐻🧡💙With over 36 years in education, Redena Barton has become a cherished figure in the Union Primary, Middle, and High School communities. As a dedicated school bus driver, Mrs. Barton exemplifies commitment, kindness, and community spirit. She treasures every student on her route — especially her own grandchildren who ride with her daily! Mrs. Barton’s bus route is a scenic journey through the heart of Southwest Virginia — from the quiet curves of Egan Road to the peaceful end in Clinch Haven.
Her favorite memory? Driving a bus, as her mother (who was the first female bus driver in Wise County) once did, now with a third generation aboard!
Mrs. Barton’s unwavering dedication, deep roots in the community, and love for her students make her an irreplaceable part of Wise County’s educational family. She is more than a bus driver — she is a constant, caring presence in the lives of those she serves. Thank you, Mrs. Barton! 🧡💙🚌🐻 #HeroBehindTheWheel
National Coaches Day is today, Monday, October 6, 2025, and serves as an annual day to honor the positive impact coaches have on individuals and communities. Today, we celebrate the mentors, motivators, and game-changers who push us to be our best — on and off the field. Whether it’s drawing up plays, inspiring comebacks, or teaching life lessons, coaches make a lasting impact every single day.
👟 Thank you for your passion.
💪 Thank you for your dedication.
👏 Thank you for your commitment.
📣 Tag a coach who has changed your life and let them know how much they mean to you! #NationalCoachesDay
