Wood County Schools

Email merb@woodcountyschoolswv.net to share a shout out to a deserving Wood County Schools educator! We will be posting them each day on our website and on social media. Bonus points if you include a photo or artwork with your submission! Teacher Appreciation Week 2023 runs May 8-11.

"I am so thankful for Diana Mundorff -1st grade teacher at Williamstown Elementary. She makes her classroom feel like a family and has fostered my daughter’s love of reading all year. We are grateful for all she does every day ❤️" - Candice Grose

To kick off Teacher Appreciation Week, I want to give a shout out to my high school English teacher Miss Goldsworthy! Miss Goldsworthy stopped by the board office the other day with her service dog Duke and I was thrilled to see her, not just because she remains one of my favorite teachers and one of the most influential people in my life, but also because just the day before Superintendent Christie Willis, TIS Eric Murphy and myself had finished recording a podcast about teachers. I had mentioned Miss Goldsworthy as being a major influence on my decision to pursue writing and journalism, and credit her at least in part with me being able to do this job now as spokesman for Wood County Schools. Teachers touch lives in ways many of us do not realize until much later. I am very fortunate to still have this wonderful lady in my life and I am thankful every day for the skills and confidence she has given me. Thank you Miss Goldsworthy! Have a wonderful Teacher Appreciation Week! - Michael Erb, Communications Coordinator, Wood County Schools

“We love Gihon Elementary!! Mrs. Hitt is the best teacher amongst several others at Gihon. But she has had both of my sons in first grade and has my youngest again in 4th! She’s a very caring teacher who my whole family loves and appreciates so much!!” - Stephani Cox #TeacherAppreciationWeek2023 #GihonElementarySchool #WoodCountySchoolsWV #WCSWV

WCS Voices - Episode 3: Christie Willis and Michael Erb join the podcast to talk about first jobs, growing pains, memories from childhood, and to speak about the importance of public education teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week. https://woodcountyschoolswv.com/wcs-voices

Late this afternoon administrators were made aware of a possible threat by a student at Van Devender Middle School which was reported through the West Virginia See Send App. Administrators immediately contacted law enforcement and located the student identified in the message. The school was briefly placed on lockdown, though most students had already left for the day. The investigation found no credible threat. Wood County Schools takes all threats seriously and works with state and local authorities to investigate every report. Student and staff safety is our top priority.

Administrators today were made aware of a possible online threat at Criss Elementary School. Police were notified and administrators immediately investigated and determined there was no credible threat. Wood County Schools takes all threats seriously and works with state and local authorities to investigate every report. Student and staff safety is our top priority.

Sport Physicals Available Saturday, June 3 -- Click to learn more. https://www.woodcountyschoolswv.com/article/1082341

Important reminder for all parents of current 6th and 11th grade students: Required Tdap and Meningitis vaccines are due BEFORE school begins in the fall for 7th and 12th grades. Check with your health care provider to see if your child needs vaccines and be sure to give vaccine records to your school nurse. An annual exam from your health care provider and dental health provider is also due. Thank you and have a great day!

Request for WCS K-8 Off Campus Learning for 2023-2024 This form is only for grades K-8. Wood County schools will ONLY OFFER Virtual School. There will be no live instruction Distance Learning this school year. https://forms.office.com/r/DQHeDdeywC High School students need to contact their high school for further information and approval for virtual school. (PHS 304.420.9595, SOUTH 304.420.9610, WMHS 304.375.6151) Please complete for each student in your household in grades K-8. Once completed, a representative of the WCS Off Campus Learning program will contact you with information about the next step to complete which will include an orientation. NOTE: If you desire to enroll in an off campus program, student attendance, grades and prior off campus performance will determine your eligibility for enrollment.

This evening on a bus taking students home from Jefferson Elementary Center, a student said they had a gun and brought out a squirt gun. At no time was there any danger to students, and the bus driver spoke to both the child and a parent about the seriousness of the situation. This is a good opportunity for parents to remind their children it is never appropriate for a student to joke about having a weapon and even carrying a toy weapon can cause panic and potentially lead to serious consequences. We remain dedicated to the safety of all of our students and staff and we ask parents to help us in teaching children about responsible behaviors.

Wood County Schools is hiring! Take a look at our current offerings. https://www.woodcountyschoolswv.com/page/careers

Officials this morning were made aware of a possible threat to Van Devender Middle School. The information was sent through the state See Send App. Law enforcement and Wood County Schools administrators immediately responded. Upon investigation, no credible threat was found. Wood County Schools takes all threats seriously and works with state and local authorities to investigate every report. Student and staff safety is our top priority.

Sport Physicals Available Saturday, June 3 -- Click to learn more. https://www.woodcountyschoolswv.com/article/1082341

Parents & Caregivers: Considering signing your child up for our summer learning? Listen to our WCS Voices podcast to learn more about all the exciting opportunities available this summer. Also, learn how to register. Listen now... https://woodcountyschoolswv.com/wcs-voices

Introducing: "WCS Voices: Conversations on Education & Community" Podcast. Live now. First up: Summer Learning Opportunities -- A Conversation with Ashlee Beatty, Joanna Mulligan & Candace Lewis. Listen now... https://www.woodcountyschoolswv.com/o/wcs/article/1077662

Important reminder for all parents of current 6th and 11th grade students: Required Tdap and Meningitis vaccines are due BEFORE school begins in the fall for 7th and 12th grades. Check with your health care provider to see if your child needs vaccines and be sure to give vaccine records to your school nurse. An annual exam from your health care provider and dental health provider is also due. Thank you and have a great day!

Statement from Wood County Schools: On March 6, 2023, Wood County Schools administrators were made aware of accusations toward Wood County Schools employee Nathan Cunningham. The school system took immediate action, alerting law enforcement, suspending the employee and removing him from school grounds within hours of learning of the accusations. On March 28, the Wood County Board of Education voted 5-0 to formally suspend Cunningham. Cunningham was arrested March 29 by the Parkersburg Police Department. Wood County Schools received notification of his arrest April 4 through an online release by Parkersburg PD. Wood County Schools is prohibited by state law from making public the details of personnel issues, but takes all reports seriously and reacts quickly and appropriately to deal with any such accusations.

Good evening, this is Christie Willis, Superintendent of Wood County Schools. I apologize for the late message this evening. Today has been a stressful day for the community, and many rumors fueled by anxiety and concern have been circulating on social media. Let me address some of today's concerns. At PHS it was reported a student made a reference to having a weapon. Administrators immediately investigated and there was no weapon. Social Media statements have been made that there were several overdoses at PHS. The report is untrue. At Parkersburg South High School a student reported briefly overhearing a conversation where someone made a threat. Upon investigation the threat was not credible. Recent events have made everyone concerned about school and student safety. Administrators were notified of safety concerns, and everyone was asked to be more vigilant. The See Send App has been utilized and we take the information reported seriously. Often times, the school system cannot release details that might identify students. I hope you will take time to process the seriousness of today's events with your child. It is important threats are reported. Our students also need to be aware that spreading rumors can escalate fear. Let me assure you, the administrative team in Wood County Schools is working diligently to ensure student safety. If you have questions or concerns, please contact your child's school or Communications Coordinator Michael Erb at the Wood County Schools Board of Education Office. The phone number is 304-420-9663. We ask for your help with safety issues for our students. Thank you for your time and have a good evening. Christie Willis Superintendent Wood County Schools

Summer Learning Opportunities registration is now open! Follow this link to get started. https://woodcountyschoolswv.com/summer2023