Parkersburg High

April 18th Scholarship Newsletter from studentscholarships.org

9th and 10th grade students applying for the Governor's School of Tourism need to have applications turned into their counselor no later than Monday April 22nd.

Monday is the last day to pre-order a yearbook. Cost is $70. There are only 100 yearbooks remaining to be sold. Yearbooks may be ordered online at yearbookordercenter.com or in the finance office through 3:10 on Monday. When online use the code 4982 or just search for Parkersburg High School. If you're not sure if you ordered a yearbook, please reach out to Mrs. Koreski by Monday.

Join us on WCS Voices as we host Olivia Reeder, Dean of Early College at WVU-P, Jason Hughes, Director of Career and Technical Education, and Jason Potts, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, both of Wood County Schools. These experts will explore the benefits of dual credit programs and career and technical education for high school students. Discover how dual credit initiatives allow students to earn college credits alongside their high school curriculum. Learn how CTE programs provide hands-on learning experiences tailored to various career pathways. Tune in for valuable insights into shaping the educational journey of today's youth. https://woodcountyschoolswv.com/wcs-voices

Seniors - Balfour will be here Wednesday, April 10th, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Thursday, April 11th, 11:00-1:30pm to distribute caps and gowns. Prom - Outside guest registration forms are available in the finance office, attendance office and student wellness center. Outside guest registration form needs to be turned in and approved prior to purchasing tickets. Last day to turn these forms in is Friday, April 26th by 1:00 p.m. Prom tickets will go on sale starting Monday, April 8th. Tickets can be purchased during both lunches and after school from 3:10 to 3:30. If someone is wanting to bring an outside guest or an underclassman from PHS, they have to buy this ticket at the time their ticket is bought.

The deadline for 9th and 10th graders to apply for the Governor's Computer Science Institute is April 15th. This amazing opportunity is free for students and takes place on the WVU campus during June 16-22, 2024. The only cost to parents is transportation to and from WVU. https://wvde.us/gov-schools/computer-science-institute/

It's that time of year again for us to educate everyone on the annual Senior Game of Water Assassins. First of all, we want our community to know that this is not a school sponsored activity in any way. PHS is off limits for any water assassin-related activity 24 hrs/day, 7 days/wk. Also, anyone caught playing Water Assassins during school time will be reprimanded even if it is going to Tech Ctr/Caperton. School time and county property at any time are off-limits. It is going to take someone to get seriously hurt for this to be shut down. It is our responsibility to encourage you all to stop participating. Those involved in playing are often seen hiding on people's property and reckless driving. Law enforcement is highly on the lookout for those playing. We understand the thrill involved in playing a game of tag with a water gun, but when you are sneaking around holding something that looks like a weapon, in the dark, dressed in dark clothing, and/or possibly wearing a mask, obviously it is not a safe game to play! The following are articles from the internet about the dangers of water assassins. http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/1388463 http://www.cbsnews.com/news/high-school-assassins-water-gun-game-could-bring-charges/ If you have any other questions, please do not contact the school but instead contact your local law enforcement if you have a concern.

Buses may be delayed this morning due to high water in several areas across the county. We appreciate your patience as we work to safely pick up and deliver students this morning.

All Wood County Schools after-school and evening activities will be CANCELLED tonight (Tuesday, April 2, 2024) due to incoming inclement weather. Schools will dismiss at their normal times today.

As a reminder, Spring pictures, if you want them, are tomorrow in the auditorium. Please go to https://my.lifetouch.com/mylifetouch and enter picture day ID # EVTN2FR4B to preorder.

Calendar update: In order to account for missed school days due to inclement weather, students will now attend school on May 31 as well as June 3 and 4. Preschool will attend May 28 and 29. For staff, June 5 will be a curriculum development day (students do not attend) and June 6 will be a day to prepare for the end of the school year (students do not attend).

Dear Parents, We understand that being punctual is an important life skill that we want to instill in our students. Some day it will be a career or a part-time job and if you are late for that position you can be fired. We have noticed that many students arrive late to class, or for some, many of the minutes that should be spent in class learning are being spent being late or in the bathroom. Please help us stress the importance of valuing those instructional moments and being on time. We highly suggest leaving earlier if you commute to school by vehicle or on foot to avoid being late. If you arrive after 8 am, you will need to sign in at the front office, whether you come in the front or back. We also noticed that some of you wait until your vehicle is directly in front of the doors to allow your students to exit. Please allow your students to take those extra few steps and walk a little further from your car door to the building if it means them being on time. As an example, I used to live near Baltimore and DC over 25 years ago, and it took me 90 minutes to drive 22 miles one way. If I had to be at work by 9 am, I would have to leave by 7:30 am. Some days, the traffic was better, but most days it wasn't, so it was important for me to plan accordingly just as it is for you to plan accordingly now. With prom season coming up, absences, tardiness, or other issues could prevent you from being allowed to attend. Being punctual is one of the greatest forms of respect because it demonstrates that you care enough to be there, that you appreciate the teacher or boss's time, and that you have self-discipline. As always parents, if you have any questions about getting robo calls that suggest your student is tardy or has missed a class, please feel free to contact the attendance office. Thank you for your cooperation in ensuring your child is punctual.

Senior Cabinet is selling Alma Mater/School Seal t-shirts and sweat shirts to help raise money for Senior Cabinet for Color Day. You may order and pay with cash from Mrs. DeBarr, Mrs. Poling, Ms. Burns, or Mr. Vincent. If you want to order them online for pickup and or shipped, you can do so at https://parkersburghighschool.fws.store/ . By using the online store, there will be a $2 increase on all items due to the processing fee of the credit card. Please add "shipping required" to your cart if you need it shipped. Sales end March 15th and all products should be in your hands by April 12th.

IMPORTANT UPDATE: The Wood County Board of Education will meet in special session Monday, Feb. 12, 2024, to conduct candidate interviews and appoint an interim board member to a vacant seat. The board has consulted with the Wood County Prosecutor’s Office and the Wood County Clerk’s Office and has been advised, due to election cycle deadlines, a selection must be made by February 12, 2024. The online application period for those interested in applying for the interim position will close at 5 p.m. on Monday, February 12. The board meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. to announce the candidates and interviews will begin at 6:00 p.m. An appointment announcement will follow the completion of the interviews on February 12. Those submitting an application by Sunday, February 11, will be informed of their interview time before 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 12. Applicants submitting applications on Monday, February 12, will be contacted as applications are received throughout the day to have interviews arranged for that evening.

Wood County Schools has the opportunity to provide a 5-day meal kit to students of Wood County that can be utilized during spring break in March. In order to do so we need your help. If you are interested, parents must complete the following survey by Feb 23rd. Meal kits are shelf-stable and will include breakfast, lunch, and shelf-stable milk for the students. This is through a grant program, parents/guardians will pick up the meal boxes on Friday, March 22nd, no refrigeration will be needed, and we have a limited number of boxes that are available. So please fill this survey ASAP if you are interested. https://forms.office.com/r/hs67gFvQYr

Can we have your attention for an important sports announcement: The Varsity girls basketball game tonight at home vs Huntington will start at 6:00 with no JV game before hand!

The WV Advisory Council for the Education of Exceptional Children (WVACEEC) is excited to announce a Resource Virtual Fair for parents and families of students with exceptional needs. If you or someone you know would like to get information on the following topics, please join us on Thursday, February 8 2024, from 9- noon for three 45-minute virtual sessions on the following topics: • WVABLE- An important financial planning tool that equips eligible individuals with disabilities and their families to save and invest without jeopardizing their eligibility for public benefit programs, including SSI and Medicaid. Earnings from the investments grow tax free and funds can be used at any time to pay for qualified disability expenses. • Foster Care Support and Educational Services -Providing educational support to foster care youth (i.e., enrollment assistance.) Gathering supporting documents for special education services. Helping to link foster youth with outside agencies for additional services and support, and increase collaboration and communication between stakeholders, i.e. DHHR, foster care parents, childcare agencies, LEAs, and the WVDE. • CSEDW- Children with Serious Emotional Disorders Waiver program provides additional Medicaid support to children from ages three to 21 with serious mental, behavioral, or emotional health needs. The program helps keep children with their families at home or in the community instead of going to a care facility or a group home. While they are at home or in the community, they receive services to improve their condition. • ACES (Living with Adverse Childhood Experiences) How trauma affects young people and families in WV. Participate in a conversation about how to support youth who are experiencing trauma. • Preparing your child to graduate and transition to adulthood- DRS Services- Supporting youth and adults with disabilities (ages 14 and up) on their path to work and living independently. Find out about services that are available to your child as they prepare to graduate high school. • Special Education Laws and Policies and how to advocate for your child and navigate through the system. Don’t be confused or afraid to ask for help when preparing for a meeting at your child’s school. Learn about support that is available to help you through the special education process. (Presentations will be recorded and posted to the WVACEEC Facebook page)  Please click the link below to complete registration for the event.  A valid email address must be provided (please provide neatly printed email address)  Feel free to share the registration link with others who might be interested in this information. http://tinyurl.com/2c8mykxu

Wood County Schools has the opportunity to provide a 5 day meal kit to students of Wood County that can be utilized during spring break in March. In order to do so we need your help. If you are interested, parents must complete the follow survey by Feb 23rd. Meal kits are shelf stable and will include breakfast, lunch, and shelf stable milk for the students. This is through a grant program, parents/guardians will pick up the meal boxes on Friday, March 22nd, no refrigeration will be needed, and we have a limited number of boxes that are available. So please fill this survey ASAP if you are interested. https://forms.office.com/r/KjRnQfn8wh Thank you!

Wood County Schools will operate on a two-hour delay on Monday, January 22, 2024.

Wood County Schools will be closed on Friday, January 19, 2024 due to inclement weather.