We extend our heartfelt appreciation to all veterans, including those within our school division family and the communities we serve. Thank you for your service, your sacrifices, and the example you set for future generations.
Happy Veterans Day!
📢 Upcoming Early Dismissal Notice:
The Wise County Public School Division would like to remind students, families, and staff members of the following upcoming early dismissal:
🕧 Early Dismissal – Friday, November 13, 2026
Schools will dismiss at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, November 13, in observance of the midpoint of the second nine-week grading period.
📚 Teacher Reminder: Teachers are expected to participate in scheduled professional development activities until 3:30 p.m.
School Closing Reminder | Election Day
Wise County Public Schools will be closed on Monday, November 2, and Tuesday, November 3, 2026, in observance of Election Day.
⏰ Don’t forget to turn your clocks back one hour on Sunday, November 1, as Daylight Saving Time comes to an end!
🏫 School operations will resume on a regular schedule on Wednesday, November 4, 2026.
🍎 Happy National Principals Month! 🍎
As October comes to an end, we want to recognize and thank our incredible leadership team throughout Wise County Public Schools for their commitment to students, families, schools, and communities.
Being a principal means wearing many hats, supporting teachers, encouraging students, working with families, and making sure our schools are places where everyone can succeed. We know it takes a lot of hard work, many late evenings, patience, and heart, and we truly appreciate the time and effort our principals give each day.
To our principals, thank you for showing up, leading by example, and always putting your school communities first. The difference you make does not go unnoticed, and we are grateful to have you leading our schools!
🚌 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!
You may access the newsletter by clicking the following link:
https://wisecova.edurooms.com/newsletters/wise-county-public-schools/newsletters/october-2026-newsletter
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!
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!
Early Dismissal & Fall Break Notice:
All Wise County Public Schools will dismiss early at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, October 9, in observance of the end of the first nine weeks grading period. Following dismissal, teachers are expected to participate in scheduled professional development activities until 3:30 p.m.
Wise County Public Schools will then 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!
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
Wise County Public Schools is proud to share an exciting opportunity for Wise County students and residents to participate in the Semiquincentennial Essay Contest, celebrating the 250th Birthday of the United States of America!
SEMIQUINCENTENNIAL ESSAY CONTEST INFORMATION
To celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States of America, the Wise Business Association and Wise County Historical Society are sponsoring an Essay Contest for Wise County residents—both youth and adults!
📖 Theme: “Remember the Past, Imagine the Future”
Let your imagination be your guide! Choose any event from our nation’s long history that interests you and explore something you would like to learn more about.
✍️ Two Categories:
Youth: 18 years of age and younger
Adult: 19 years of age and older
🏆 Prizes in Each Category:
🥇 1st Place — $150
🥈 2nd Place — $100
📅 Deadline: September 26, 2026
📝 Entries must be typed and limited to 500 words.
📄 Cover Sheet Requirements:
Please include:
Adult or Youth
School (if Youth)
Name
Address
Email
Phone Number
📬 Mail Entries To:
Bonnie Aker
Box 595
Wise, VA 24293
ATT: ESSAY
📍 Entries may also be dropped off during business hours at:
The Clapboard House
207 West Main Street
Wise, VA
🎉 Award Ceremony
📅 Friday, October 9, 2026
⏰ 6:00 PM
📍 The Inn at Wise
Light refreshments and music will be provided. Everyone is welcome!
We encourage our Wise County students, families, and community members to participate in this special opportunity to celebrate our nation’s history while imagining its future!
Thank you for participating in this historical event!
We hope our students, families, faculty, staff, and community members enjoy a safe, relaxing, and enjoyable long weekend.
Thank you to the hardworking individuals who help make our schools and our community strong each and every day. We appreciate all you do!
We look forward to welcoming everyone back on Tuesday, September 8.
Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend, Wise County!