We’re kicking off National School Bus Safety Week at Union High School as we celebrate the dedicated school bus drivers who work hard every day to ensure our students get to and from school safely!
Over the next several days, Wise County Public Schools will be sharing photos and posts highlighting our valued school bus drivers and the important role they play in the lives of our students and families.
School bus safety is a shared responsibility. From our drivers and school staff to motorists, parents, and students, we all play a part in keeping our children safe.
Join us this week as we recognize and thank the incredible men and women behind the wheel who make student safety their priority every day!
Thank you, Union High School bus drivers, and all WCPS bus drivers, for putting the safety, health and well-being of all students, first.
🚌 National School Bus Safety Week | October 19–23, 2026 🚌
This week, Wise County Public Schools joins school communities across the nation in celebrating National School Bus Safety Week and recognizing the everyday heroes who help our students arrive at school and return home safely!
Our school bus drivers play an important role in the lives of our students. Their dedication, patience, and commitment to safety make a difference every single day. We are grateful for the care they show our students and the responsibility they carry on every route.
📸 Over the next five days, we’ll be sharing posts and pictures celebrating our valued school bus drivers! We hope you’ll join us in recognizing these dedicated members of our WCPS family who work hard each day to make a difference in the lives of our students.
🚦 Let’s all do our part to keep students safe!
Stop when a school bus has its red lights flashing and stop arm extended.
Slow down and watch for children near bus stops and school zones.
Remind students to wait safely, follow their driver’s instructions, and use caution when boarding and exiting the bus.
To our WCPS bus drivers and transportation team, thank you for all you do to keep our students safe. We appreciate you today and every day!
The Lenowisko Health Department has shared dates and times for upcoming school-based flu clinics for students.
Parents/guardians may register online by using the REDCap link provided on the flyer or by clicking the link below:
https://redcap.link/lenoschoolflu26
The Lenowisko Health Department is requesting that consent forms be completed by October 4, 2026. Health Department staff will begin collecting completed forms after this date. Please note that additional consent forms received after October 4 will still be accepted.
Parents/guardians are encouraged to review the linked flyer for clinic dates, times, and additional information.
10/15/2026 - Coeburn Primary School - 9:00am
10/15/2026 - Coeburn Middle School - 10:30am
10/15/2026 - Eastside High School - 1:00pm
10/19/2026 - Union Primary School - 9:00am
10/19/2026 - Union Middle School - 10:30am
10/19/2026 - Union High School - 1:00pm
Student Vaccination Form: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1s2cBgYctQBgbet7hge4ilUV7VhpRjP5n/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=118171730297788648515&rtpof=true&sd=true
Employee/Staff Vaccination Form: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eNmbxu1wG5KMFi0prJsuIqLCfhZwYlsP/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=118171730297788648515&rtpof=true&sd=true
You may access the newsletter by clicking the following link:
https://wisecova.edurooms.com/newsletters/wise-county-public-schools/newsletters/october-2026-newsletter
The Wise County Public School Board was proud to recognize Katelynn 'Katie' Witt of Union High School at its meeting on Tuesday, October 13, for an incredible accomplishment on the track!
Katie repeated as the VHSL Class 2 State Champion in both the 100-meter and 300-meter hurdles! 🥇
👏 100-Meter Hurdles: 15.25 seconds
👏 300-Meter Hurdles: 46.40 seconds
Winning a state championship is an achievement worth celebrating, and Katie did it twice! Her success is a testament to the time, effort, and dedication she has put into her sport.
We are proud to see Katie represent Union High School and Wise County so well. Congratulations on another outstanding season, Katie! We look forward to seeing what you accomplish next!
Congratulations, Katie!
Wise County Public Schools will be closed on Monday, October 12, for Fall Break.
We wish all students, staff, and families enjoy a safe, relaxing, and well-deserved long weekend!
For Dr. Leah Deel, learning never stops—and this school year marks 15 years in the classroom as an English teacher at Union High School.
A 2005 graduate of UVA Wise with a B.S. in Education, Dr. Deel took a different path for a few years, working in banking before returning to education. Once she found her way back to the classroom, she continued to pursue opportunities to grow as an educator and as a lifelong learner.
She earned her master’s degree in English from Moorhead State University in 2017. Then, driven by curiosity and a desire to become an even better teacher, she continued her education, most recently completing both her Ed.S. and Ed.D. from the University of the Cumberlands. She successfully defended her doctoral dissertation in August 2026, as she prepares for her cohort’s commencement in December 2026.
For Dr. Deel, earning these degrees was never simply about adding credentials.
“Starting with my master’s in English, I really wanted to offer students the best teacher that I could be. Furthering my education was the best way to do that.”
Her master’s degree opened the door to new opportunities, including teaching English 111 and 112 as an in-house adjunct. Beginning in Spring 2027, she will also have the opportunity to teach Literature 243.
But while additional opportunities are certainly rewarding, Dr. Deel says the most important reason for continuing her education is her students.
“Once I saw what doors having the master’s degree opened, the curiosity drove me to attain my Ed.S. and Ed.D. These degrees may open doors for eventual opportunities, but most importantly, they allow me to be the best teacher for my students.”
And her students recognize that commitment.
They describe Dr. Deel as someone who genuinely cares about her students, works hard, and has earned their respect. One student even called her the “Larry Bird”—the G.O.A.T.
Her students appreciate that while she can be strict, she also knows how to connect with them, make them laugh, explain challenging concepts, and meet them where they are. And, of course, her students know she can bring a little personality into the classroom—just ask them about the Tupac vs. Shakespeare quiz!
As Dr. Deel celebrates 15 years of teaching, her journey is a testament to the power of lifelong learning. She continues to challenge herself to learn more, grow more, and bring that knowledge back to the students she serves.
Union High Assistant Principal, Mr. Tyler McFarland, credits Dr. Deel’s value to Union High School, “Dr. Deel is a great asset to our school community. She has balanced the demands of teaching dual-enrollment classes, advising our yearbook committee, and completing a doctoral degree, which is an incredible accomplishment. Her dedication to our students and our school, while continuing to grow professionally, is a true reflection of the passion and commitment she brings to education every day.”
Union High School Principal, Mr. Jerred Chandler echoes the above sentiments, “Dr. Deel demonstrates a commitment to student success and academic excellence on a daily basis. She is a valued member of the staff her at Union High School and we are proud of her for earning her doctorate degree.”
Congratulations, Dr. Deel, on 15 years of teaching and on demonstrating what it truly means to embrace lifelong learning! Wise County Public Schools is proud of your recent degree attainment and confident that your continued pursuit of knowledge will provide lasting value to our students and strengthen the educational experiences you provide in the classroom.
October 7, 2026
Wise County Schools Earn Full Accreditation and Distinguished Performance Ratings
WISE, Va. — Wise County Public Schools is celebrating another achievement: all 11 schools included in the Virginia Department of Education’s 2026–2027 division report are Fully Accredited and earned a Distinguished rating, the highest performance category under Virginia’s School Performance and Support Framework (SPSF).
The schools recognized are:
Union Primary School
St. Paul Elementary School
Coeburn Primary School
J.W. Adams Combined School
Wise Primary School
L.F. Addington Middle School
Coeburn Middle School
Union Middle School
Eastside High School
Central High School
Union High School
The SPSF ratings reflect data from the 2025–2026 school year and measure student mastery, academic growth, readiness, and graduation, as applicable to each school. Full Accreditation is a separate designation confirming that schools meet Virginia’s required operating standards.
This recognition builds on Wise County Public Schools’ third-place ranking in Standards of Learning performance among Virginia’s 131 school divisions. Together, these achievements demonstrate strong performance across the division’s primary, elementary, middle, combined, and high schools.
Wise County Public Schools congratulates its students, teachers, support staff, and school leaders and thanks its families and community members for their continued support. These results reflect a shared commitment to helping the children of Wise County learn, grow, and succeed.
Today, we celebrate the coaches who do so much more than teach the game. They inspire, encourage, challenge, mentor, and believe in their athletes—helping shape not only better players, but better people. ❤️
Whether they coach at the varsity, junior varsity, middle school, or rec league level, their impact can last a lifetime.
🥇 Share this post and tag a coach who has made a positive impact in your life! Let’s give them the recognition they deserve and remind them just how much their dedication means.
Thank you to all the coaches who give their time, energy, and heart to our athletes and our communities!
WCPS will be offering FREE developmental and speech screenings on Friday, October 30th. These screenings are open to preschool children ages 2.5 - 5 years of age, who live in Wise County, and are not yet attending kindergarten. For more information, contact Kristen Day at kpday@wisek12.org, or at (276) 328-8017 ext. 12043.
Today, Wise County Public Schools recognizes and celebrates our incredible custodians who work behind the scenes each day to keep our schools clean, safe, and welcoming.
From early mornings to late afternoons, our custodians do so much more than maintain our buildings—they help create positive environments where students and staff can learn, work, and thrive.
Thank you to each of these individuals for their hard work, dedication, and the pride they take in caring for our schools. We appreciate you today and every day!
October is Bullying Prevention Month!
At Wise County Public Schools, we believe every student deserves to feel safe, respected, valued, and included. Throughout the month of October, we will share activities that our schools and students are participating in to spread kindness.
This month, let’s all remember to:
• Celebrate our differences.
• Include those who may feel left out.
• Know that our actions matter.
• Respect one another.
• Listen with patience.
• And most importantly, be kind to one another.
Small acts of kindness can make a lasting difference. Together, we can help create school communities where everyone feels like they belong.
Watch the Virginia School Boards Association’s Bullying Prevention Month video here:
https://youtu.be/edl64xcmvb8?si=osVBO_U8hCLRCwtr
#BullyingPreventionMonth #BeKind #ChooseKindness #WiseCountyPublicSchools
The Pulse – Season 3, Episode 1 features two outstanding students from L.F. Addington Middle School! Tune in to hear their voices, perspectives, and experiences as they share their stories.
https://youtu.be/yNUAz2s_yVE?si=H5vMpdofDBItxl2T
The Lenowisko Health Department has shared dates and times for upcoming school-based flu clinics for students.
Parents/guardians may register online by using the REDCap link provided on the flyer or by clicking the link below:
https://redcap.link/lenoschoolflu26
The Lenowisko Health Department is requesting that consent forms be completed by October 4, 2026. Health Department staff will begin collecting completed forms after this date. Please note that additional consent forms received after October 4 will still be accepted.
Parents/guardians are encouraged to review the attached flyer for clinic dates, times, and additional information.
10/13/2026 - JW Adams Combined - 9:00am
10/13/2026 - Wise Primary School - 10:30am
10/13/2026 - LF Addington Middle - 1:00pm
10/14/2026 - Wise Alt Ed/ School Board - 9:00am
10/14/2026 - Central High School - 10:30am
10/14/2026 - St Paul Elementary - 1:00pm
10/15/2026 - Coeburn Primary School - 9:00am
10/15/2026 - Coeburn Middle School - 10:30am
10/15/2026 - Eastside High School - 1:00pm
10/19/2026 - Union Primary School - 9:00am
10/19/2026 - Union Middle School - 10:30am
10/19/2026 - Union High School - 1:00pm
Student Vaccination Form: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1s2cBgYctQBgbet7hge4ilUV7VhpRjP5n/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=118171730297788648515&rtpof=true&sd=true
Employee/Staff Vaccination Form: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eNmbxu1wG5KMFi0prJsuIqLCfhZwYlsP/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=118171730297788648515&rtpof=true&sd=true
