Preston County Schools

Preston County Schools had the privilege today of awarding the County 2026 "Of the Year" to our winning Principal, Samantha Peaslee at Kingwood Elem., Teacher, Laurie Noland at Terra Alta East Preston, Service, Veronica Corbin at the Rowlesburg Opportunity Center (R.O.C.), Counselor, Crystal Pell at Kingwood Elem. and Coach, John Noah Loughrie at Central Preston.
Special thanks to Clear Mountain Bank for sponsoring the award, Modern Homestead, along with Lucas Tatham, board member, and Trellis Smith for providing the flowers, and board members Cross Kisner and Beth Noss for helping to present the awards and congratulate our winners.

Today, we are recognizing all PCS school bus drivers for taking care of our precious cargo during the school year. Today is nationally recognized as School Bus Driver Appreciation Day, but we appreciate these unsung heroes of the roads everyday. Whether they are transporting our kids to school, home, activities, or to sporting events, school bus drivers deserve recognition for the job they do. Thank you PCS Bus Drivers.

Tomorrow, more than 550 Students from across the state will present at the 2026 State Social Studies Fair. Preston County Schools will have 37 students presenting, representing 26 total projects. That means out of all 55 Counties, PCS students are representing 7% of the participants at the state level. That's very strong representation. If all counties were represented equally, each would have 1.8%, so PCS more than surpasses that. Good luck to all of our participants at States:

LILLIAN WUNDERLICH, LAUREL SHAFFER, EMERY DORNACKER, LANDRY DAVIS, LILAH KELLY, COOPER KELLY, LILLIAN CRANE AND OAKLEY GILLEY, KARA REYNOLDS & HAILEY HUNT, ROWAN VANDEVORT, OWEN CALHOUN, JUDE SQUIRES & HARRY CALE, VADA WALSH, CARTER BOLYARD & PAYTON WAGNER, SYLVIANA BITTINGER, DEREK EDMUNDS & TYLER STREET, LAYLA WATERS, IRIS NELSON, LEXI FULK, CARTER GARBART & OLIVIA KELLY, EMMA GOODRICH, REMINGTON WOLFE & ISAIAH NELSON, ALISON SCHMIDLE & WYATT BRAHAM, ISABELLA EDMUNDS, ALYSSA FRIEND, REESE STRATTON, AADEN MILLER, NATALIE JAVOSKY, KAITLYN FLORES AND KENNA BISHOFF

West bus run - This afternoon, Bus 82-18 Samantha Stone - first run elementary and middle school students will be delivered about 1 hour late today along with phs students due to bus break down.

Tomorrow the 28th, Superintendent Martin, Asst. Superintendent Varner, and other members of the PCS Central Office Staff and Board will be travelling the county to recognize the overall county winners for Teacher, Service Personnel, Guidance Counselor, Coach, and Principal of the Year for 2026. Please join us in congratulating all of our school-level nominees and winners for Teacher, Coach, Guidance and Service. Tomorrow's recognitions will be streamed live at each school.

The West Virginia Department of Education has announced the 2026 Golden Horseshoe winners for Preston County. Since 1931, students have been honored as knights of the Golden Horseshoe, having demonstrated exceptional knowledge of West Virginia history on the state administered exam. This year, 225 winners will join the ranks of WV citizens who have won this prestigious award. Preston's winners will have an opportunity to be recognized at the State Golden Horseshoe ceremony on Tuesday, June 9, 2026 at the West Virginia Culture Center in Charleston, WV. This year's winners are (in no particular order):
Myla Zinn, Central Preston Middle School
Ainsley Feathers, South Preston School
Vada Walsh, Terra Alta/East Preston School
Alexis Atkins, West Preston School
Congratulations!

...And the celebrations continued today at PHS. Our students across Preston County continue to make us all proud. This afternoon, more than 70 students in the class of 2026 were recognized, (some not in attendance), for their commitments to continue their educations beyond Preston High. Family, staff and friends were in attendance to celebrate them, along with many of our in-state school representatives. Our Preston High Students committed to continuing their education at over 20 colleges, universities or technical schools, including: Arizona State U., Berea College, Fairmont State U., Florida Gulf Coast, Garrett College, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Laurel Business Institute, Local 152 Union (Trades), Ohio U., Penn State, Pierpont Community and Technical College, University of Charleston, University of South Carolina Beaufort, Washington & Jefferson College, West Liberty U., WVU - West Virginia University, West Virginia Wesleyan, Wheeling University, WVU Tech, WV Junior College, and WVU Potomac State College

It has been a day of celebration at Preston High, as we recognized 5 more of our student athletes who will be taking both their athletic and academic talents to the collegiate level. Autumn and Delilah Myers (Cross Country/Track) have committed to Glenville State U., Conner Chappell (Wrestling) has committed to Muskingum University, and Skyler Wilson and Evan Livengood (Soccer) have both committed to WVU Tech. Congratulations to these students and we're looking forward to cheering you on at the next level. Good luck in all your future endeavors. You continue to make us Preston Proud.

Congratulations to our Beanstack Reading Giftcard Winners for the month of March.

This week is nationally recognized as Volunteer Week, and PCS has some of the very best in our schools and school support organizations. We want to thank these volunteers for their selflessness, compassion, service, and impact throughout our schools and communities.

Mrs. Katie Weaver, PHS ProStart Instructor was recently highlighted by CareerTechWV.
She has spent the past few years transforming the ProStart Program at Preston High School into a thriving, hands-on culinary experience. Her students are learning to serve their community and are trained to meet state food safety standards. From catering awards banquets and hosting teacher appreciation luncheons to preparing and serving buckwheat cakes and sausage at the State Capitol for Preston County Day, students gain real-world experience every day. They also run in-school food offerings like sandwiches, pepperoni rolls, and other favorites for students and staff. ✨
Behind the scenes, Mrs. Weaver is constantly improving the program by painting, organizing, building, and creating an environment where students can truly succeed. Her dedication extends far beyond the classroom, showing up early, staying late, and always finding ways to support her students, coworkers, and community.
A graduate of the Pittsburgh Culinary Institute, she brings both passion and industry expertise to her teaching. Mrs. Weaver has also secured grant funding to upgrade equipment and was recently selected as 1 of only 48 schools nationwide to receive the prestigious Rachael Ray Grow Grant. 🎉Mrs. Weaver truly exhibits and shows what it means to be Preston Proud.
#CareerTechWV #ThisIsCTE #Culinary #ProStart #Tourism

One of our very own, PHS Sophomore Audrey Caudill, was recently featured by our WV Secretary of State, after serving as a page for the WV State Senate during the recent legislative session. While at the State Capitol, Audrey visited WV Secretary of State Kris Warner to learn more about the duties and responsibilities of the WV Secretary of State. Audrey was accompanied by representatives from the Mountaineer Area Council during Scouting America Day at the State Capitol. Way to make us all Preston Proud Audrey!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CZZU9PkGm/

Today is National Administrative Professionals Day, but not just today, but everyday across PCS, we want to celebrate those people that keep things operational and running smoothly, our secretaries, assistants, and office staff. From all of us at PCS, thank you for being the glue that holds this place together.

PCS Athletic Coaches:
A Microsoft Form is on our county webpage for your intent to coach next school year 26-27. This form needs to be completed by May 15, 2026, and will take you less than two minutes to complete. If you coach multiple teams, please mark all locations and positions that you coach. You will see that there is a place for head coaches, assistant coaches, and volunteer coaches. Please mark in the correct areas. If you coach multiple teams and want to resign from one position but not others, please follow the instructions in question two.
If we do not receive your response by May 15, we will take this as your resignation and this will appear on the May 26, agenda. On May 27, your position will be posted if you are a head coach or assistant coach.

Below is the link for the survey. If you have any questions, please contact either Ms. Varner, Autumn or Kristin.

https://forms.office.com/r/GT1nS4xupK

Just a reminder that Parents are invited to join members of the BOE and County Office Staff for our annual parent advisory meeting and work session tomorrow, Monday, April 20th at 5:00PM at the Preston County Board of Education Offices. During this time, you'll be able to share your ideas on how we can better serve you as a parent and our students through our Title 1 Programs and District Goals. This will also be an opportunity to share thoughts on the new, state-mandated, retention policy that will go into effect next school year.

Congratulations to the CPMS Meow Cats for being last night's 2nd Annual PCS Scholar Summit Champions. Special thanks to Colson Manko, PHS alum and founder of the summit, and Katie Rush, Curriculum Director, and their entire team for putting on such a great event that all participants really enjoyed. More photos and results will be posted on Monday.

Elias Cooper, a second grade student at South Preston, was recognized today in front of his classmates and family for winning 3rd place in the Preston County Young Writers Contest. An error occurred during the judging process prior to the previous awards ceremony last month, so Mrs. Debbie Zigray and Mr. Brad Martin wanted to ensure this young man got the recognition he deserved. Today, Elias was presented his award in the South Preston Gym in front of Mrs. Duckworth's class and 2nd grade students, with the event being live streamed. Congrats Elias.

As we speak, Middle School students from across the county, representing Aurora, Bruceton, Central Preston, South Preston, Terra Alta East Preston, and West Preston schools are competing in the 2nd Annual PCS Scholar Summit, founded by PHS Alum, Colson Manko in 2025. The competition is comprised of academic events spanning the fields of math, science, speech, composition, CTE and general knowledge. Awards to the winners will be presented this evening at 7:00 in the PHS Theater following the final round of the Quiz Bowl portion of the competition beginning at 6:00. Good luck to all the participating students and coaches from each school, and a special thank you to all the scholar summit sponsors:
Comfortable Living Properties
Kingwood Lions Club
The Country Retreat
Interact, Rotary Sponsored Club
Grandma Manko
Reedsville United Methodist Church
Rotary Club of Kingwood
Fraternal Order of the Eagles
Affordable Signs Unlimited
T.H. Services, LLC
Don Smith, Commissioner
Sir Chester, PHS Therapy Dog