📢 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
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. 🙌
🎉 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
🧹 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
We did have one class score in the "Excellence" range but we have a lot of practice to do!!! Take 5 minutes a night and practice, especially the facts from 6-12.
Classroom bees are WEDNESDAY, October 1st.
School wide spelling bee for all the classroom winners is FRIDAY, October 24th, at 9AM.
The school wide spelling bee is open to parents, obviously the classroom bees are not.
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.
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. 💙
Of 1,250 schools participating in the Food City School Bucks program, Union Middle School ranks #1 in Food City School Bucks! Union Primary ranked #5, and Union High School ranked #16!
UMS--#1 out of all the schools - $12,077
UPS--#5 out of all the schools - $6,999
UHS--#16 out of all the schools - $4,374
Community members can assign their cards to the school of their choice beginning on September 3rd!
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
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.
