📢 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!

1 day ago, Wise County Public Schools
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📢 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! 🧡🍁

1 day ago, Wise County Public Schools
Fall Break
📚🍎 October is National Principals Month! 🎉🏫

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. 🙌
2 days ago, Wise County Public Schools
Principal Collage
🎉 Our 1st Annual Pre-K Fall Festival at WCCTC was a huge success! 🍂

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! 🧡
3 days ago, Wise County Public Schools
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Fishing game
Bouncy house activity
Snack time!
Students sit together
Sack race game
Bingo
Games

🧹 Happy National Custodian Day! 🧼

Today, we honor the hardworking custodians who keep our schools clean, safe, and running smoothly. Your dedication, attention to detail, and pride in your work make a world of difference every single day for our students, faculty, and staff. 🌟

To all custodians—thank you for everything you do! We appreciate you. 🙌

#NationalCustodianDay

9 days ago, Wise County Public Schools
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🎉 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

23 days ago, Wise County Public Schools
Wise County School Board members accept NCUST award
Wise County Public Schools Directors and Supervisors
Dr. Karen Dickenson, Principal of SPES
Dr. Gregory Ottinger, Executive Director of NCUST
Isabella Burke
Annebelle Riner
Dr. Dickenson receives award

📢 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. 💙

about 1 month ago, Wise County Public Schools
WCPS Logo
Schools will dismiss early at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 9th, in observance of the mid-point of the first nine weeks grading period. Teachers are reminded that they are expected to participate in scheduled professional development activities until 3:30pm.
about 1 month ago, Wise County Public Schools
Early Dismissal

The "August 2025 Newsletter" is released!

This month’s newsletter features key updates from the August 11 school board meeting, along with back-to-school news as we welcome students to a new year of learning! Get the latest on our school safety initiatives, capital improvement projects, curriculum and instruction enhancements, and recent academic achievements. We also reaffirm our ongoing commitment to community engagement and spotlight our growing partnership with United Way and Lunchbox276 to support our students and their families.

Start the school year informed and inspired—check out all the updates and stories in this month’s edition by clicking here: https://wisecova.edurooms.com/engage/wise-county-public-schools/newsletters/august-2025-newsletter-74650

about 2 months ago, Wise County Public Schools
WCPS Logo
Wise County Public Schools congratulates Braelyn H., Maddie C., Emma S., Haley D., Dakota C., Mallory D., Jada J., Rylie B., Haley F., Alexia B., Zoey N., Zoe S., Rhyleigh L., and Peyton V. from Eastside High School as the VHSL Class 1 Softball State Champions. The Lady Spartans are coached by Head Coach Suzi Atwood, who is assisted by Alex Wyatt and Marcus Sartin. The WCPS Board recognized this special team and their incredible accomplishments during the August 11th school board meeting.
2 months ago, Wise County Public Schools
Eastside High - Softball

Wise County Public Schools congratulates Katelynn W. from Union High School as the VHSL Class 2 Girls Outdoor Track & Field State Champion in the 100m & 300m Hurdle events. Katelynn is coached by Jay Edwards and James Hamilton. The WCPS Board recognized Katelynn and her incredible accomplishments during the August 11th school board meeting.

2 months ago, Wise County Public Schools
K. Witt - Union High

Wise County Public Schools congratulates Braelyn H., Maddie C., Emma S., Haley D., Dakota C., Mallory D., Jada J., Rylie B., Haley F., Alexia B., Zoey N., Zoe S., Rhyleigh L., and Peyton V. from Eastside High School as the VHSL Class 1 Softball State Champions. The Lady Spartans are coached by Head Coach Suzi Atwood, who is assisted by Alex Wyatt and Marcus Sartin. The WCPS Board recognized this special team and their incredible accomplishments during the August 11th school board meeting.

2 months ago, Wise County Public Schools
Eastside Softball
Wise County Public Schools congratulates Shelby S. from Eastside High School as the Class 1 Girls Outdoor Track & Field State Champion in the 800m Dash, 1600m Run, and 4x800m Relay Team.

Wise County Public Schools also congratulates Jocelyn A. from Eastside High School as the Class 1 Girls Outdoor Track & Field State Champion in Triple Jump. Jocelyn is coached by Joel Davis and Mike Rhodes.

Wise County Public Schools congratulates Shelby S., Hailey M., Hannah M., and Katie W. from Eastside High School as the VHSL Class 1 Girls Outdoor Track & Field State Champions in the 4x800m Relay.

The Lady Spartans are coached by Joel Davis and Mike Rhodes.

2 months ago, Wise County Public Schools
Eastside High - Track & Field
Clayton Homes of Norton just celebrated their grand opening and made a $2,000 donation to the Wise County Public School System! These funds will be used in partnership with the Lunchbox276 program to provide weekend food bags to food insecure students this school year. Clayton Homes is hosting a back-to-school promotion today, August 9th, to give away 24 backpacks with school supplies.
2 months ago, Sarah Helton
Mary Beth Adkins accepts a check from Clayton Homes!

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

2 months ago, Wise County Public Schools
Alumni Spotlight

Brag on a Bus Driver - Sherry Ramey

For the past 37 years, Sherry Ramey has been a dedicated school bus driver, faithfully transporting students and building lasting relationships along the way. For her, driving a bus is far more than a job — it’s her life. “Driving a school bus is my priority,” Sherry says. “When it gets to the point that I can’t drive my school bus, I don’t know what I will do.” She finds true joy in interacting with the children, sharing laughs, and being part of their everyday lives. Over the years, she’s also played a special role in local sports history, driving all of Robin Dotson’s State Championship teams. Whether it’s a routine school day or an exciting trip to a championship game, Sherry brings warmth, dedication, and heart to everything she does. Her commitment and love for the job have made her a beloved figure in the community — truly irreplaceable.

2 months ago, Wise County Public Schools
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📢SPE Back-to-School Update 📢

1️⃣ School starts tomorrow, Aug. 7, at 8:30 AM – We’re excited to see everyone!
📅 Aug. 7 & Aug. 8 are 12:30 PM dismissal days.

2️⃣ New traffic pattern – The pickup line has NOT changed, but the entrance into the school has. See our Facebook page for details.
⏱ Pickup dismissal: 3:25 PM (or 12:25 PM on half days).

3️⃣ Bus dismissal – 3:23 PM (or 12:23 PM on half days).
☎️ Call bus notes into the office by 1:30 PM (or 11:00 AM on half days).

4️⃣ Bus numbers/times may have changed – Please allow for buses to run up to 10 minutes early or late for the first few days. Times should be more accurate next week.

We can’t wait to start another great school year! 🎒✨
2 months ago, Hannah Perrigan
Wise County Public Schools is so grateful for our partnership with United Way! Over 500 backpacks for elementary, middle, and high school students were delivered today to our central office. These backpacks are filled with back-to-school supplies.

Parents/guardians of students requesting backpacks and supplies should communicate needs to their school's main office. We will transport these to the schools this week! Thank you, again, to United Way for this wonderful partnership!
2 months ago, Wise County Public Schools
United Way Backpack Delivery

Wise County Schools today announced its policy for providing free meals to all students served under the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. All schools in the division will be participating in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) as implemented under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. Students attending a participating school will be provided a nutritious meal for breakfast and lunch each day at no charge to the household.

Link for full press release: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VY_-QiCgOGrqtW1M9BiTVvauu-8fZbcv/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=118171730297788648515&rtpof=true&sd=true

Households will not be required to submit a meal application form to receive meals at no charge. Any questions can be directed to:

Brandi Bates, Director of Food Services
Phone: (276) 328-8017
Email: bbates@wisek12.org

2 months ago, Wise County Public Schools