🚨 Monthly WCCTC Spotlight–Healthcare Career Pathway Preview! 🩺💡(...more to come in the November newsletter!)
🚨 Big things are happening in the Health Sciences Pathway at WCCTC — all thanks to the incredible leadership of Mrs. Becca Slone and Mrs. Kara Fleming! 🩺❤️Their kindness, care, and compassion as healthcare professionals and educators continue to drive this program forward — inspiring the next generation of medical heroes.👏 We are so proud of the work they're doing and the lives they’re changing every day!
🎓 Industry-focused instruction from REAL field professionals
💬 Strong student relationships, real-world skills, & EMPATHY at the core
The Claude Moore Scholars Program has provided:
✅ $500K for expansion, curriculum upgrades, renovations
✅ New Middle School Healthcare Career Exploration position @ Union Middle
✅ All Wise County Schools now have exploratory healthcare programs!
Thanks to the Rapha Grant, students receive:
👟 Scrubs, shoes, stethoscopes
📄 CNA certification support
📚 Certifications & Dual Enrollment Courses Offered:
• CNA, EKG Tech, CPR & First Aid
• 13 college credits available through DE Health Programs
• Save 💸 over $2,000 vs taking these courses after high school!
• 🤝 Job placement partnerships with Ballad Health, and nursing homes including Heritage Hall, & The Laurels, earning over $20.00/hour💸
💬 Student Voices:
What is the most important thing you’ve learned in this program?
“Empathy. Patients always come first.”
What do you love about working with your instructors?
“They care deeply. They're nurturing. They’re like moms — they bring heart into the profession.”
What would you say to a student considering pursuing this program?
“Do it. It will change your life. You’ll learn things about yourself you never thought you would.”
Want to learn more?!
🎉📅 Tonight, Tuesday, October 21st| Grades 5-12 | 4:00pm-6:00pm | 🏫 WCCTC (Wise County Career-Technical Center)
✅Join us for our annual Exploring Health Care Careers and Open House event, a collaborative effort between: WCCTC, UVA-Wise, Mountain Empire Community College (MECC), Claude Moore Scholars Program, and Ballad Health
✅This event is designed to give students, families, and community members a hands-on look at the many exciting opportunities in the healthcare field — from dual enrollment courses and certifications to real-world clinical experiences.
✅ Meet instructors, tour classrooms, talk to current students, and connect with local healthcare professionals and college partners.
Whether you're a middle or high school student interested in a healthcare career or a parent looking to learn more about student opportunities, this event is for you!
Contact Info.:
Rebecca Slone, BSN - rslone@wisek12.org (Dual enrollment/CNA instructor)
Kara Fleming, RN - kmfleming@wisek12.org (CNA instructor)
Jodie Bowen - jbowen@wisek12.org (Assistant Principal/Guidance at WCCTC)
🚌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!
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! 📘🍎
📢 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! 🧡🍁
🍂🎉 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. 🙌
🧹 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
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
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. 💙
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
