🍎 Honoring Our Lifetime Educators | Wise County Public Schools 🍎
Wise County Public Schools proudly recognizes and celebrates the incredible dedication of our lifetime educators — those who have devoted a lifetime to shaping young minds, building strong communities, and nurturing future generations.
These remarkable individuals have not only taught lessons from textbooks but have imparted wisdom, compassion, and inspiration across decades of service. Their classrooms have been places of growth, encouragement, and lifelong impact. 👏 Join us in applauding these champions of education!
✨ 47 Years of Impact | A Legacy of Learning ✨
Today, we honor and celebrate an extraordinary milestone — 47 years of unwavering dedication, inspiration, and passion for teaching. To teach is to touch lives forever, and for nearly five decades, Ms. Judy Abbott (Eastside High) has been doing just that — shaping minds, building futures, and leaving a legacy that stretches far beyond the classroom walls. You’ve led with heart, wisdom, and resilience. Your commitment has not only educated — it has empowered. 💫
Thank you, Ms. Abbott, for 47 remarkable years with Wise County Public Schools!
This week's alumni spotlight is Rachel Green, Class of 2020, 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
Come work with us!
POSITION: Custodian - Wise Central High School
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
High school diploma or GED Equivalent
Experience working in a related field.
Able to operate a personal computer, laptop computer, peripheral computer equipment, photocopier, fax machine, and other office equipment with a high degree of skill.
Highly motivated with strong organizational skills; able to coordinate multiple tasks at one time.
Self-starter; able to work independently.
Strong telephone and interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to lift 40 lbs. to shoulder height occasionally.
POSITION TYPE: Full-Time
APPLY HERE: https://wiseva.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5383763
Grand Opening of Lunchbox276 Celebrated with Ribbon-Cutting in Wise, VA, with Governor Glenn Youngkin and State Officials Attending to Support Regional Backpack Program
Click here to watch a video message from Governor, Glenn Youngkin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q43vmR0bFP8
Wise, VA – September 19, 2025 — The communities of Wise, Dickenson and Norton City gathered today in Wise, Virginia to celebrate the grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for Lunchbox276, one of the region’s most impactful food assistance initiatives. With the support of local leaders and special appearances by Governor Glenn Youngkin and Maggie Beal, Director of the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), the event highlighted the program’s expanding mission to combat food insecurity for school children in Wise and Dickenson Counties, and the City of Norton.
Lunchbox276 is now the second-largest backpack meal program west of Roanoke, and is projected to provide more than 50,000 meals over the coming school year. The program currently distributes 1,000 weekend food bags every week to students in need, each one filled with child-friendly, nutritious, and easy-to-prepare meals. Bags are discreetly delivered by teachers each Friday, or before long school breaks.
Funded entirely by donations, grants, and volunteer support, the program operates with a monthly cost of $15,000, underscoring the ongoing need for community engagement and contributions.
Wise County Public Schools extends their gratitude to the many individuals and organizations that make Lunchbox276 possible, including:
-Wise, Dickenson, and Norton City School division staff and volunteers
-Local governmental leadership in Wise County, and Mr. Mike Hatfield, Wise County Administrator
-LENOWISCO Planning District Commission
-The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)
-Lunchbox276 Program Director Mary Beth Masters, whose tireless dedication has brought the program to life.
How to Support Lunchbox276
Community members and organizations wishing to support Lunchbox276 can contribute through the following platforms:
PayPal: @Lunchbox276
Venmo: @Lunchbox276
Cash App: $LBX276
For more information about the program or how to get involved, please visit https://www.lunchbox276.com/, or your local school division.
Lunchbox276 Contact:
Mary Beth Masters
Lunchbox276 Program Director
mmasters@wisek12.org
🎉 Congratulations to the students, faculty, staff, administration, community members, and community leaders of St. Paul Elementary School—alongside Dr. Karen Dickenson—for being named one of NCUST’s 2025 America’s Best Schools! 🏆
Out of hundreds of schools across the nation, St. Paul Elementary is one of only 200 schools selected—and the ONLY school in the entire state of Virginia to receive this prestigious honor! Dr. Gregory Ottinger, Executive Director of the National Center for Urban School Transformation (NCUST), presented a certificate of commendation to Dr. Karen Dickenson on behalf of St. Paul Elementary. The school was deemed a silver award medalist, receiving $2,500.00. Students, Isabella Burke and Annebelle Riner, were selected as student representatives and were asked to read speeches on their educational experiences at St. Paul Elementary and the impact the school has had in their lives! Both, Isabella and Annebelle received $100.00 for their award-winning essays!
Your hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence are truly inspiring. Your success is a shining example of what can be achieved when a community comes together to support education. 🌟
Link to Thursday's award ceremony: https://youtu.be/UaleHppEcJ4
America's Best Schools Spotlight: https://ncust.com/abs-spotlight-st-paul-elementary-school/
#AmericasBestSchools #NCUST
Today we toured the Precision Machining & Welding Fabrication classes, and WOW—did you know these programs have metal AND wood CNC machines for design fabrication? Students produce metal machinery parts for local residents and businesses at minimal cost, helping fund their program! During the holidays, students fabricate wreath hangers and candy cane decorations which are powder-coated in house for outdoor use as a fundraiser!💡
Exciting news: they’re adding a new lathe to move from 2D to 3D cutting and design which will allow for 3-dimensional wood signs! Plus, fun fact—those iconic signs like the “LOVE” sign in downtown Wise, VA and the WCCTC sign at the Career & Technical Education Center were created by these talented students! They also fabricated and powder-coated hole markers for the Lonesome Pine Country Club❤️⚙️
Their latest project? A fully designed and fabricated grill (with trailer) all fabricated by this class, which will be auctioned soon—with a custom logo option for the winner! 🔥
Next Gen Entrepreneurship: Beyond welding and fabrication skills, these students are learning entrepreneurship—turning their designs and craftsmanship into real business opportunities.
Huge shoutout to instructors Darren Mullins and Derick Robinson for leading the next generation of multi-skilled welders and fabricators! They work with local community colleges, including MECC, to increase the pipeline for apprenticeships, placing students in 2-year vocational tracks, or industry (locally, Tate Manufacturing, NorrisBuilt Fabrication, Welding, and Machinery; and regionally, Eastman Chemical) 💪⚡
#WCCTCProud
This week's alumni spotlight is Noah Hall, Class of 2017, from Central High School.
Wise County Public Schools is eager to learn about and share alumni highlights from its graduates! Please click the link below to complete a submission form.
***please note that submissions will be featured in the order they are received.
Link: https://forms.gle/ADQAbVxjGmieZA6R9
💻✨ Today, Tuesday, September 16th, we celebrate IT Professionals Day!
Behind every smooth login, fixed glitch, updated system, and protected network is an incredible IT professional working hard to keep us connected and secure. 🙌
A huge THANK YOU to our Technology Director, Dr. Scott Kiser, and his team for their knowledge, patience, and dedication—you truly keep everything running! 🚀🔧🖥️
#ITProfessionalsDay
Students were able to sit in both the pilot’s and nurses’ seats inside the helicopter, giving them a first-hand look at the work environment. The team also explained the schooling and training required to become a flight nurse or pilot.
To give students a realistic demonstration, the crew used a student volunteer as a patient to show how a stretcher is used to safely load someone into the helicopter. This hands-on experience gave students a deeper understanding of emergency medical transport and the teamwork required to save lives.
📢 We’re Hiring – Come Work With Us!
✨ Open Position: 25-26 Special Education Paraprofessional
📍 Location: Alternative Education Center
🕒 Hours/Type: 29 hours/week (Part-Time)
👉 Apply today and become part of something great!
📩 https://wiseva.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5372533
📢 We’re Hiring – Come Work With Us!
✨ Open Position: 25-26 Paraprofessional
📍 Location: Union High School
🕒 Hours/Type: 29 hours/week (Part-Time)
Why work with us?
✅ Supportive team environment
✅ Opportunities to grow & learn
✅ Make a real impact
👉 Apply today and become part of something great!
📩 https://wiseva.schoolspring.com?jobid=5372519
Wise/Norton School Flu Clinic Information:
Pre-Registration:
https://redcap.link/lenoflu25
2025-2026 Parent Letter Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZWw32MlgotvWb3txAsApEy4DRWL-YIR9/view?usp=sharing
Student Registration Link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bsuCxh5lsz_2a01aFBYyiwmjO6Fy10w6/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=118171730297788648515&rtpof=true&sd=true
Employee Registration Link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/16e2DndZ-hj-IP3jSwaH-SSbvtyYhiVYz/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=118171730297788648515&rtpof=true&sd=true
For more information, please call: (276) 328-8000
📢 SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER RECAP
Link: https://wisecova.edurooms.com/engage/wise-county-public-schools/newsletters/september-2025-newsletter
We’re off to an incredible start! Here’s what’s been happening in our amazing school communities:
🎒 Student Opportunities Expand
Our latest field trip opened doors to real-world learning—proof that opportunity is growing for every Eastside Spartan!
🏆 School Board Highlights
✅ Dominating SOL Rankings in VA
✅ 11 YEARS of Superior Academic Performance
We’re proud to lead the way in the pursuit of excellence!
🧠 Curriculum & Instruction Updates
Our teachers continue to grow through professional development in:
• 🤖 AI Training
• 📚 UFLI Literacy Training
• 🏫 Science of Reading & HMH Implementation Training (SPED Grades 3–8)
🌟 Spotlighting Student Success
• 🎖️ Cole Morgan: WCYB 5-Star Student
• 🏈 Kam Bostic: WCYB News 5 Player of the Week
• 💻 Kenzie Oliver: 2nd Place (High School Division) – SWVA Can Code Pitchfest
• 💻 Gemma Sturgill: 3rd Place (Middle School Division) – SWVA Can Code Pitchfest
🛒 COMMUNITY Power
Thanks to everyone who united for Food City Bucks—your support fuels student success! Union Primary, Middle and High School Bears lead the way!
🎉 Speech Pathology Week
We celebrated our incredible speech-language team—thank you for giving our students a voice!
🚍 Transportation Spotlight
👏 Huge thanks to Robin Yates for keeping our students safe and smiling!
🍎 Educational Spotlight: Teachers for Tomorrow
At WCCTC, this program is building the next generation of passionate educators. The future is bright!
Let’s keep pushing forward, together. 💙
Safety Care Training, UFLI Training (K-2 teachers, reading coaches, SPED, parapros), Science of Reading and HMH Implementation Training (SPED Grades 3-8), and AI Training (for those teachers who were not involved in UFLI/HMH training).
