Kanawha County Schools Newsletter
December Calendar Highlights
Please note the location change for the December Curriculum Board Meeting. It will be held at Edison Staff Development Center located at 157 2nd Ave SW, South Charleston, WV 25303.
KCS is Hiring!
We're hiring! KCS is hiring for a variety of positions, including but not limited to: teachers, service personnel, bus operators, Third Base assistants, coaches and more!
Consider joining the KCS Team. If you have questions, you can call our office at 304-348-7753, ext. 110.
KCS 2023-2024 Weather Procedures
As we move into Winter 2023-2024, we wanted to give you some information about how we will handle any inclement weather days that arise this school year. We ask staff and will also ask parents to remind students to bring their iPads home each day in case there is a need for remote learning due to the weather.
KCS will utilize one of two options granted by the State this year if/when we must close due to weather:
True Snow Day
- Staff: all school-based and non-261-day employees stay home. All 261-day employees are to report to work on time. Other essential staff may be asked to report as directed by their building administrator or the directors of child nutrition, transportation or maintenance, with the permission of the Superintendent of Schools.
- Students: there will be no remote learning for students. This is a true day off.
Non-Traditional Instructional Days (NTID)
- Staff: all staff report on time.
- Students: all students stay home. Parents/students should check Schoology for assignments or conferences at or before the normal start time of their school day.
Our plan is to utilize true snow days first, however, there may be a situation that necessitates another option.
Like last year, we are able to use five true snow days and five NTID days (10 total days) before adding days on at the end of the school year. If we go beyond those 10 days, we will have to extend the school year.
Please find the formal procedure document attached and re-post as needed. It includes additional details for staff. You may also find it on the KCS website here.
Reminders
Upcoming Bus Driver Classes
The next bus driver training class will run from February 5-9, 2024. Classes run from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily (M-F). For more information please call (304) 348-6616 or click here.
2024-2025 FAFSA Update
The 2024-2025 FAFSA form will be available by December 31. More information will be shared as it becomes available. Click the button below to be redirected to the FAFSA website.
TutorWV
TutorWV offers free, live tutoring for library patrons from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., plus access to test prep and a drop-off service. This resource is for students at all levels and job seekers. More information at https://www.tutor.com/tutorwv.
Powerful Partners
We are excited to share the website for all of our Powerful Partners tip sheets! Each tip sheet has some simple grade-level activities that can be done at home with no technology. They are meant to simply supplement what students are learning in school and provide additional opportunities for families to work with students as we continue to support learning.
Sissonville Area Spotlights
Throughout the month of October, we featured spotlight stories from Sissonville area schools.
- Flinn Elementary
- Sissonville Elementary
- Sissonville Middle
- Sissonville High
Click here to see the November spotlight stories.
Each month we will be featuring schools from a different area, so be sure to follow along on our social media channels for more good news and spotlight stories!
In December, we will be featuring schools from the George Washington area.
Flinn Elementary
Sissonville Elementary
Sissonville High
Sissonville Alumni Profiles
Click on the images below to learn more about some of our Sissonville alumni!
Around Kanawha County Schools
Kanawha County Schools sponsored a tree as part of the Holly Jolly Brawley celebration in downtown Charleston. Our tree features ornaments created by our talented KCS students and staff. Be sure to scan the QR code on the tree stand to cast a People’s Choice vote for KCS! The event runs through January 1.
Schools celebrated Thanksgiving with family lunches, creative art projects, and STEM activities based around the holiday. We want to give a special shoutout to our amazing KCS cooks for serving up delicious meals!
Riverside’s Mu Alpha Theta contributed to the community with volunteer service. They paired up with Teens for Change to clean out the rain garden at the WV Department of Environmental Protection Office in Kanawha City. The Mu Alpha Theta Chapter also served veterans on Veteran’s Day.
The WV Dance Company brought their exciting performances to multiple KCS schools this month, spreading the joy and excitement of dance throughout the community. A big thank you to the WV Dance Company for inspiring the art of dance and movement to our students!
Several Kanawha County Schools spent time honoring Veterans Day. Activities included art activities, bulletin boards, parades and visits from veterans. We offer our sincere thanks to those who have served and those who are currently serving!
To celebrate Native American Heritage Month, Dunbar Middle School students enjoyed a special performance from the Dineh Tah' Navajo Dance Troupe. We thank them for sharing their culture and customs with our students!
Members of the Sissonville High School Strategic Media visited the University of Charleston campus. They were greeted with a personal welcome from University President Marty Roth, then we were taken on a private campus tour followed by a Virtual Reality Lab experience and classroom intensive with the UC Digital Media Design program director.
High school bands from Herbert Hoover, Capital, George Washington, Nitro, South Charleston, and St. Albans came together to help send-off the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree! The festive event took place at the WV State Capitol and marked a special moment in history, as it's been almost 50 years since a West Virginia tree has been on display at the U.S. Capitol.
Nitro High School collaborated with WV State Parks! They teamed up to craft amazing woodworking pieces that will be available for purchase at select park gift shops.