Wise Primary School

🍎 Honoring Our Lifetime Educators 🍎
Mrs. Patsy Dotson, Teacher | 46 years and counting!

From the days of chalkboards and filmstrips to today’s SMART boards and iPads, Mrs. Patsy Dotson has been a cornerstone of Wise County education for nearly five decades. They say that home is where the heart is, but for Mrs. Dotson, heart is also found in the classroom. For 46 remarkable years, she has been a steady, loving presence for the children of Wise County, especially those at Wise Primary School.

From Clintwood Student to Wise County Mentor
Her journey came full circle right here at home. A proud member of the Clintwood High School Class of 1976 (graduating in the top 10 with honors!), she was inspired by the "wonderful and caring" teachers of her own youth. She took that inspiration to Clinch Valley College and later to the University of Virginia, where she spent two years traveling to Charlottesville on weekends and teaching in summer clinics to earn her Master’s degree from the UVA Curry School of Education—all while teaching full-time!

A Witness to Change
In four decades, Mrs. Dotson has seen education evolve from the era of chalkboards, filmstrip projectors, and play-based centers to today’s fast-paced world of SMART boards, iPads, and rigorous academic expectations. Through every curriculum trend that has come and gone, her philosophy remains unshakable: “Kindergarteners still need FUN sprinkled in with all the rigor that exists in Kindergarten now. It is of utmost importance to establish routines and good classroom management practices to ensure optimal learning opportunities for ALL children. We become a school family and create an environment of mutual respect! I truly LOVE my job and continue taking classes and participate in educational trainings to continue my own learning journey!

Memories that Last a Lifetime
Whether it was the elaborate Disney performances, the annual "Tale of Peter Rabbit" spring plays, or the "lightbulb moments" when a child first discovers the joy of reading, her impact is immeasurable. And who could forget the "lessons" learned along the way? (Like when a curious student accidentally turned her "winter white" trousers into a green-painted masterpiece!)

A True School Family ❤️
"I hope they remember the fun times and love as a ‘School Family,’" she shares. For her, the classroom isn't just a workspace—it’s her HAPPY PLACE. “I take pride in watching my students learn & grow every day! I always look forward to each new school year and the opportunities & possibilities it will bring!” (pictured) (Left) Mrs. Patsy Dotson stands with Mrs. Samantha Thompson (2nd grade teacher) in the early 80’s when she first started teaching Kindergarten. (Right) Fast forward!!! Mrs. Dotson's granddaughter is in Mrs. Thompson's class currently!

Even after 46 years, she continues to attend trainings and learn new ways to keep her students engaged, proving that a great teacher is always a great student, too. Help us celebrate, Mrs. Dotson! 🍎 Whether you were in her class in the 80s, 90s, 00s, or just recently, you are part of her legacy. 👇 Please share your favorite memory, a "lightbulb moment," or a simple "Thank You" in the comments below!

Good evening students, families, faculty and staff:

Welcome back and Happy New Year! We hope the holiday break brought time for rest, reflection, and celebration. As we return refreshed and ready to learn, we look forward to a year filled with new opportunities, goals, and successes. Please be advised that school operations will resume tomorrow, Thursday, January 8th, with an early dismissal schedule for students, both, on Thursday, January 8th and Friday, January 9th at 12:30pm.

Thursday, Jan. 8th: Student Early Dismissal at 12:30pm
Friday, Jan. 9th: Student Early Dismissal at 12:30pm

Teachers are expected to participate in scheduled professional development activities until 3:30pm on both early release dates.

Wishing our students, their families, and our faculty and staff a joyful holiday season, and a restful break filled with peace and happiness!

The Pulse - Season 2, Episode 4:
Harper & Reid, from Wise Primary School

This episode of The Pulse (Season 2, Episode 4) features Dr. Goforth, the Superintendent of Wise County Schools, interviewing two fourth-grade students, Harper and Reid, for a special Christmas-themed podcast. The conversation covers school life, holiday traditions, and future aspirations.

To view, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELY24WgMQQs

Wise County Public Schools Achieve Full Accreditation and Statewide Recognition

We are honored to share that every school within the Wise County Public School division has earned full Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) accreditation, reflecting strong academic performance across the division, region, and state with 7 of 11 schools achieving “Distinguished” status, and 4 of 11 schools earning an “On Track” rating. Congratulations to students, staff, and administration on this amazing accomplishment!

Press Release: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1x4bunzJIflmvX16fF3EdPXN3RM6ao6_w/view?usp=sharing

Good evening, 3rd-grade parents of Wise Primary. Ms. Bays wants to remind you that 3rd-grade students will be singing at the Big Glades Community Square and Amphitheatre in Wise on Monday, December 1st, at 6 pm. This will be for the Wise Christmas Tree Lighting. 3rd graders will need to arrive by 5:45 pm, please. Thank you!!

🍎✨ Happy Substitute Educators Day! ✨🍎

Today, Wise County Public Schools proudly celebrates our incredible substitute educators — those who step in with flexibility, care, and commitment whenever they’re needed most. Our substitutes provide stability and guidance, keeping learning moving forward for every student, every day.

Thank you for your dedication, adaptability, and the positive impact you make across all our schools. You truly help light the way for student success in Wise County!

🌟 Celebrating Exceptional Dedication on National Education Support Professionals Day! 🌟

Today, on National Education Support Professionals Day, we are especially proud to honor the outstanding commitment and collaborative spirit of three extraordinary members of our team at Wise Primary School:
✨ Whitney Jenkins, Special Education Teacher
✨ Sandra Wingler, Special Education Paraprofessional & Registered Behavior Technician
✨ Sara Johnson, Special Education Paraprofessional

For the past four years, this incredible team has worked side-by-side—combining Mrs. Jenkins' five years of teaching experience, Mrs. Wingler's more than twenty years of expertise, and Mrs. Johnson's four years of dedicated service. Together, they embody the very best of what today’s celebration represents.

Every day, these professionals demonstrate unwavering support for our students with special needs. Their patience, empathy, and deep understanding shine through in everything they do. They recognize that success looks different for every child and consistently go above and beyond to adapt strategies, create supportive learning environments, and meet complex individual needs.

Their collaboration is a powerful force for student growth. By working seamlessly and using individualized techniques, they help students bridge the gap between academic challenges and behavioral goals. Thanks to their efforts, our students feel successful, valued, and truly seen.

On this day dedicated to honoring education support professionals, we are profoundly grateful for the tireless effort, extraordinary compassion, and daily dedication Whitney, Sandra, and Sara bring to our school community at Wise Primary School.