Dear Parents, Guardians, Students, and Staff,
Please be advised that Wise County Public Schools will be closed on Monday, November 3rd, and Tuesday, November 4th, in observance of Election Day. Please also remember to set your clocks back one hour on Sunday, November 2nd as Daylight Saving Time ends. School will resume as normal on Wednesday, November 5, 2025.
Information for parent listening sessions
On September 25, 2025, the Virginia Board of Education unanimously approved revisions to cut scores for mathematics and reading Standards of Learning (SOL) assessments. Cut scores define the minimum score a student must achieve to reach a performance level on an assessment. By modifying cut scores, the Board ensures that proficient reflects the skills and knowledge students need to be ready for success in college, career, or in military pathways. The Virginia Department of Education is currently gathering feedback on the implementation of revised cut scores. We value input from parents to inform implementation decisions.
We are inviting parents to participate in an upcoming listening session. Listening sessions provide the opportunity for parents to receive an overview of the proposed implementation models, share their feedback on the models, and identify supports and resources needed by parents to help their child meet higher expectations. Listed below are days, times, and login information for virtual listening. You can also share you input using the feedback form. To learn more about new cut scores and upcoming stakeholder listening sessions, please visit Raising Expectations in Virginia K-12 Education.
October 29, 2025, 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 294 925 281 885 6
Passcode: 2CM6VE2D
November 5, 2025, 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 230 998 444 924 3
Passcode: ui9mv9Nz
Wise Primary School will cancel After School Remediation on Thursday, October 30th, due to Spooky Science Night. After-school remediation will reconvene on Thursday, November 6th.
Thank you and have a good evening!!
🎃 Spooky Science Night kicks off at 6:00 pm with the UVA-Wise Spooky Science Show in the WPS gym tomorrow evening. The gym foyer doors will open at 5:30. Please stop at the registration table in the gym foyer to sign-in.
🎃 If you don’t have time to run home for dinner, Southwest Smashburger will be set up in car drop off lane for your convenience. You can purchase delicious food items starting at 5:00 and they will remain open during Spooky Science Night until 8 pm. We appreciate them being with us this year!!
🎃 Students may dress up in a costume for Spooky Science Night if they wish.
🎃The Food City Halloween Contest will be held in the gym immediately after Spooky Science Night beginning at 8pm. Lots of fun and prizes for the winners!!
🎃 Please take time to vote for your favorite pumpkin during Spooky Science Night!
🎃 The contents of the POW WOW TIME CAPSULE will be on display during Spooky Science Night in the computer lab!
🎃 The fourth grade Spooky Surgical Suite is for fourth grade students ONLY and their parents/guardians. Younger siblings will not be able to enter.
We look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow evening!! It's going to be a SPOOKtacular night!! 🧫🎃🧪🥼👩🏽🔬
October is National Bullying Prevention Month and Wise Primary students are committing to making school a kinder, safer place for all!!
Wise Primary students participated in classroom guidance lessons focused on being a good friend and recognizing bullying behavior. During their resource time, Mrs. Flanary and Mrs. Lindsay met with each grade level to lead thoughtful discussions and activities around kindness, empathy, and standing up against bullying.
As part of the lesson, every student signed a pledge to be drug-free and to not be a bully. They also brainstormed meaningful ways to show kindness to others — emphasizing the importance of treating everyone with respect.
Throughout the month of October, we will be highlighting bullying prevention activities and assemblies taking place in all of our schools in Wise County. Together, we can make a difference by promoting kindness and respect in every classroom and hallway. Let’s continue working together as a community to create safe and supportive environments for all students!
🚌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!
🌟 Community Spotlight! 🌟
Big thanks to Lowe’s Home Improvement for giving Wise Primary School a beautiful makeover on Wednesday, October 15th! 🎨✨
They painted curbs yellow & blue (including handicap spaces), refreshed all the handrails with black paint, mulched the landscape beds with rubber mulch and added colorful flowers 🌸, and even touched up signs with bright red paint for extra pop! 🚧🌼
Our school grounds have never looked better — and it’s all thanks to this amazing community effort!
In his deepest apprecation, Principal Hood states, "Lowe's really went above and beyond in transforming the outside of Wise Primary School today. The pressure washing, painting, and landscaping improvements will significantly enhance the school's appearance and create a welcoming environment for both students and staff. It's great to see businesses like Lowe's giving back to their community. We are so appreciative of all the materials and labor that Lowe's has provided for this needed project at Wise Primary School. Thanks again Lowe's of Wise County!! You guys and gals rocked it out!!"
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! 📘🍎
VDOE Performance Level Cut Score Implementation
From September 29 - October 14, 2025, the Department facilitated 13 listening sessions with almost 400 participants including school board members, superintendents, principals, and central office staff representing all 8 superintendent regions. The Department continues to gather feedback from stakeholders to support a thoughtful and well-informed process that supports students and educators in meeting higher expectations. We encourage you to share additional opportunities for your educators and families to learn more about revisions to cut scores and to provide input on the implementation plan. Upcoming listening sessions are scheduled for the following dates and times:
Teacher Listening Sessions
October 16, 2025, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 228 039 215 165 3
Passcode: Mw9gB7TR
October 20, 2025, 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 294 871 245 452 9
Passcode: cQ2hz6dc
Parent Listening Sessions
October 17, 2025, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 260 057 484 258 4
Passcode: hS3rE9Qa
October 20, 2025, 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 282 592 230 634
Passcode: uM7KA7Jv
Information about upcoming listening sessions is posted on the Raising Expectations in Virginia K-12 Education web page. Feedback can also be submitted on the Share Your Thoughts Form by Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at noon EST.
📢 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! 🧡🍁
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. 🙌
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! 🧡
🧹 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
WPS will begin After-School Remediation for students who have returned their permission forms on Tuesday, September 30th. Students will be provided with an after-school snack. WPS will conduct after-school remediation on Tuesdays and Thursdays, unless otherwise noted. Buses will leave WPS at approximately 4:45 PM. Car Pick-ups will also be at 4:45 PM in the playground circle.
Thank you!!
Wise Primary School’s “Old Fashion Day” Brings History to Life!
Today, students at Wise Primary School stepped back in time for an "Old Fashion Day"! It was a fun-filled, hands-on experience where students explored traditions, trades, and games from the past!
Activities included:
🍎 Apple Butter Exhibit & Apple Cider Tasting
🐝 Bee Keeping Display
⛏️ Coal Mining Exhibit & Gristmill Demonstration
🐐 Mini Goats Petting Area
🐄 Milk-a-Cow Station
🦌 Wildlife Education Exhibit
🚜 Tractor Photo Booth
🎶 Live Music & Clogging Demonstrations
🎯 Classic games like Jenga, Connect Four, Tic Tac Toe, Hopscotch, and Cornhole
🪣 Washtub Washing Experience
🧵 Quilting Demonstration
🍿 Kettle Corn Snacks
🌳 Outdoor Classroom & Nature Walk
The day was full of learning, laughter, and a deeper appreciation for the simple joys and hard work of the past. Thank you to all the volunteers, teachers, and community members who made this memorable event possible!
WPS will begin After-School Remediation for students who have returned their permission forms on Tuesday, September 30th. Students will be provided with an after-school snack. WPS will conduct after-school remediation on Tuesdays and Thursdays, unless otherwise noted. Buses will leave WPS at approximately 4:45 PM. Car Pick-ups will also be at 4:45 PM in the playground circle.
Thank you!!
