Sprinklers activated at Parkersburg High School
PARKERSBURG - An accidental activation of the sprinkler system at Parkersburg High School set off alarms and soaked floors Sunday evening.
Crews will be working overnight Sunday, Aug. 6, into Monday, Aug. 7, to clean up the water and determine the cause of the sprinkler activation. The water affected the PHS auditorium and the floors directly below the auditorium.
Officials do not believe there was any fire or other emergency which caused the sprinklers to activate, nor were they activated by any person.
More information will be released as it is available.
Teachers are set to return to classrooms Aug. 17 and a county-wide open house will be held on Aug. 21. Students return to classes Aug. 23.
WES announces new principal, Facebook page
WILLIAMSTOWN - Williamstown Elementary School is kicking off the 2023-24 school year with a new principal and new social media page.
Lee Ann Cumpston is the new principal at Williamstown Elementary. This year will mark her 30th year with Wood County Schools.
“I am a product of Wood County Schools,” Cumpston said. “I attended Mineral Wells Elementary, Edison, and graduated from Parkersburg South High School in 1986.”
Cumpston has both a a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Marshall University (Elementary Education K-8 and Reading Specialist K-12) and has taught at multiple area schools as a Title I interventionist, reading resource teacher and Title I teacher. She achieved National Board Certification in Reading while teaching at Kanawha Elementary School
Most recently Cumpston completed her 10th year as an administrator, the majority of those at Franklin Elementary Center.
“Nine of my years in administration have been at Franklin,” she said. “I spent two years as Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Instruction and seven years as principal.”
Cumpston said she is excited to work as principal at Williamstown Elementary School and to use her years of experience to benefit both her students and her staff.
The school also will have a new Facebook page to help parents and community members to stay informed and share the accomplishments of WES students.
The page can be found on Facebook by searching for “Williamstown Elementary School Yellowjackets” and via direct link at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094260651267.
Information on Williamstown Elementary can also be found online at https://www.woodcountyschoolswv.com/o/wte.
Wood County Schools will hold a county-wide Open House event Monday, Aug. 21!
Elementary schools will be open from 4-6 p.m.
Secondary schools will be open from 4:45-6:45 p.m.
Join us as we celebrate our students, new and returning!
Good morning,
An error caused report cards for middle school students at Williamstown Middle High School to not be sent to families at the end of the 2022-23 school year. The report cards have been reissued and should be arriving at homes this week or early next week.
We apologize for the delay and inconvenience.
Michael Erb
Communications Coordinator
Wood County Schools
Now Available: Explore the rich history of Wood County Schools through New Era School: A dialogue with Esther Carroll
A one-room school building located on the Mineral Wells Elementary School campus serves as a connection to our past. This building, known as New Era school, has been transformed into a museum that showcases the educational community of the nineteenth century. Within the museum, there is an extensive collection of carefully selected materials that chronicle the history of schools in Wood County. The museum is accessible to the general public, offering both individual and group tours, including school trips. In the latest episode of the WCS Voices Podcast, Esther Carroll, a retired library media specialist from Wood County Schools, shares her insights. Ms. Carroll oversees the museum's operations and is responsible for curating historical primary sources and various media. Accompanying the podcast is the melodious mountain dulcimer music performed by Jerry Rockwell.
https://www.woodcountyschoolswv.com/wcsvoices
Looking for a way to practice math and reading over the summer?
i-Ready is available to all students that finished kindergarten - grade 8 during the 2022-2023 school year. i-Ready Math and Reading will be available until July 31, 2023.
Sport Physicals Available Saturday, June 3 -- Click to learn more. https://www.woodcountyschoolswv.com/article/1082341
Thank you for all the love and support you've shown these past few weeks for our Wood County Schools educators and staff! Your kind words are needed and cherished.
This has been a wonderful school year and we are blessed to be part of this community!
- Michael Erb, WCS Communications Coordinator
#WCSEmployeeShoutouts
#TeacherAppreciationWeek2023
#WoodCountySchoolsWV
#WCSWV
"We would like to recognize Mrs. McDonald at Blennerhassett Elementary on her last day as a Wood County Schools teacher. She is the teacher that my son and I will forever talk about. She is very unique in the classroom by always finding a way to make learning fun no matter what they were being taught that day. She is incredible at that! Because of her, my son likes going to school every day.
My very favorite thing about her is that she would go around the classroom and tell each student why he/she was her favorite. I watched this and you could tell how much her comments meant to each student. I am positive that each student will be leaving her classroom today knowing she genuinely believes in them.It's a very sad day for Wood County Schools to lose this teacher, but happy that everyone in our community can get to know her and see the impact she can make on all the children at Discovery World on Market. Thank you for a wonderful year Mrs. McDonald! Kolson will be leaving your class today brighter and knowing you truly do care for him and believe in him. Thank you for that! You are the very best!
P.S. And that's why you're our favorite!🥰"
- Mandy and Kolson Camp
#WCSEmployeeShoutouts
#TeacherAppreciationWeek2023
#BlennerhassettElementarySchool
#WoodCountySchoolsWV
#WCSWV
"We have had a wonderful year with Mr. Lewellyn at Emerson Elementary! He is the boys basketball coach and after my son was on the team last year he was so excited to be in his class this year"
- Angie McFarland
#WCSEmployeeShoutouts
#TeacherAppreciationWeek2023
#EmersonElementarySchool
#WoodCountySchoolsWV
#WCSWV
“I have a 4 year old grandson who Is diagnosed with level 2 autism. My son and daughter in law decided at 3 to put him in school at Martin. I however, was completely against it. His vocabulary consisted of about 6 small words. He couldn't tell us if anyone was mistreating him or if he was scared or whatever the scenario, he would be there alone. Thankfully they enrolled him anyway.
His teacher, Michelle Sturm, I was told, is also fairly new to teaching, so what could she possibly do to help him that we couldn't do at home? Well, the first time I went to visit after he started school, my mostly non-verbal grandson counted to 10. Then it was 20, then his colors, then his ABC's all in a matter of a few months. He says please and thank you, when it's appropriate. We can point to a letter or animal or whatever and he can identify it correctly. He has already came further than any of us expected in his first year of school. The rate he is learning is Phenomenal. And this teacher needs recognized, I hope she understands the positive impact she's had on my grandson.
When it comes to change, we always think, I'd love to help but just one person isn't going to be able to make a difference. Mrs Michelle Sturm has forever changed the way i think, she is proof of what one person can do, when they care enough, to be that change in someones life. She's leveling the playing field for my grandson so he does get that fair chance, he deserves at life.
So, Mrs Sturm, if you see this, just know you're an amazing teacher and we will be forever grateful for all the things you've done to help Brycen.”
- Heather Hendershot
#WCSEmployeeShoutouts
#TeacherAppreciationWeek2023
#MartinElementarySchool
#WoodCountySchoolsWV
#WCSWV
"Shout out to Mrs. Walker for Being wonderful to my Tucker! She has helped him come out of his shell so much! And she’s such a blessing to us!!! We love her so much!!! Thank you for everything you’ve done for us Mrs Walker!!<3"
-Emma Monroe
#WCSEmployeeShoutouts
#TeacherAppreciationWeek2023
#WoodCountySchoolsWV
#WCSWV
"We have had a wonderful year with Mr. Lewellyn at Emerson Elementary! He is the boys basketball coach and after my son was on the team last year he was so excited to be in his class this year"
- Angie McFarland
#WCSEmployeeShoutouts
#TeacherAppreciationWeek2023
#EmersonElementarySchool
#WoodCountySchoolsWV
#WCSWV
"I would like to shout out all of Mineral Wells Elementary staff for always being so kind and incredible but especially Mrs Handshumaker for always going above and beyond for her students! Every morning she is outside greeting everyone at drop off with her shining smile and positive attitude! My son said she is the best teacher that he has ever had and really enjoys her classroom. Thank you, Mrs handshumaker for always making my child feel safe and respected in your class!"
-Abigail Coss
#WCSEmployeeShoutouts
#TeacherAppreciationWeek2023
#MineralWellsElementarySchool
#WoodCountySchoolsWV
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"Our family would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Mrs Shelley Wooldridge & Mrs Krista Bee, preschool teachers at the former Waverly Elementary for laying the foundational building blocks of our daughter’s education at a wonderful school, in an outstanding learning environment. Yesterday she graduated with honors from Parkersburg South and will be heading to WVU this fall to study Pharmacy. Thank you for staying with us throughout the entire journey. The fruits of your labors continues to pay off. We love you!!!"
~ Andrew, Jayme, and Aiden Michelle Fife
#WCSEmployeeShoutouts
#TeacherAppreciationWeek2023
#WoodCountySchoolsWV
#WCSWV
"Nurse Tricia at Vienna Elementary School is wonderful. She is so patient, kind and caring to all the kids. My granddaughter, Amelia enjoys their quick chats at school and at softball games. Thanks for all your kindness"
- Jennifer Blair aka Nana
#WCSEmployeeShoutouts
#TeacherAppreciationWeek2023
#ViennaElementarySchool
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"I can't say enough great things about Mrs. Jolly, 5th grade at Neale. She taught Caleb so much wonderful stuff in an exciting manner. He comes out of school many days and tells me the fun activities they did at school and they projects they are working on. He taught me things I didn't know. More importantly, he was happy to go to school every day the entire year. I could hear it in his voice how much he enjoyed being at Neale and to me, that is priceless. I am so grateful for Mrs. Jolly and the entire staff at Neale."
- Jackie Gentry
#WCSEmployeeShoutouts
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#NealeElementarySchool
#WoodCountySchoolsWV
#WCSWV
"I couldn't let this year end, without a shoutout to a pretty amazing school nurse! Nurse Tricia at VES is the BEST. Wood county is so lucky to have such a wonderful nurse in the school system. She goes above and beyond for the kiddos. Always helping with their hair, listening to all the elementary gossip, reminding our girls how it's not nice to be the "mean girl" at school. She takes an active part in the school functions! She isn't just a nurse, she's a cool nurse!
We love you Nurse Tricia!"
-Slusher Family
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#ViennaElementarySchool
#WoodCountySchoolsWV
#WCSWV
"I want to give a huge THANK YOU to 1st grade’s teacher Mrs Kelley of Martin Elementary. She was absolutely amazing with her patience and understanding towards my son and it made such a difference to us. I appreciate how much she helped him navigate 1st Grade, and the special gifts and time she took with each and every student in her class was awespiring. I’m so grateful!"
- Jenny Cortes
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#TeacherAppreciationWeek2023
#MartinElementarySchool
#WoodCountySchoolsWV
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"We would like to express how amazing we think Mrs. Sierra Whytsell, 2nd grade teacher at Neale School, is! She has been the perfect fit for my daughter Farrah. She has patiently planned, guided, and supported her while building her confidence and encouraging her to take ownership and pride in her work and her own education. Farrah has matured and grown so much this year, inside and outside of the classroom, and a huge part of that is because of Mrs. Whytsell’s never ending patience and love for Farrah. I have talked to many other parents and it is abundantly clear that Mrs. Whytsell works tirelessly to make sure that all of her students feel that special connection. She is their safe place.
Last night was Farrah’s first dance recital. This has been the subject of MANY conversations between her and her teacher. Mrs. Whytsell took her free time, outside of school hours, and bought a ticket to sit through a recital that was over an hour long to watch my baby girl dance for less than two minutes. Farrah was in two shows, so we didn’t get a picture last night, but here she is with her new PACE Dance Studio Season 2023 medal and one of her biggest supporters.
We will be sad when this school year comes to an end, change is hard and scary, if we could move her up to each grade with us, we would; but, we are confident that she has prepared Farrah for what is waiting for her in 3rd grade. A different classroom will not keep Farrah from making sure that Mrs. Whytsell is kept up to date on EVERY DETAIL of her life. I have a feeling that this bond will last way beyond Farrah’s years at Neale.
💚🦅💚"
- Gina Brunicardi
#WCSEmployeeShoutouts
#TeacherAppreciationWeek2023
#NealeElementarySchool
#WoodCountySchoolsWV
#WCSWV
