Preston County Schools

Summer fun and learning experience for current 9th-11th grade students: The 2025 West Virginia Governor’s School of Entrepreneurship (GSE) at Marshall University is a 10-day program that inspires high school students to explore innovation and entrepreneurship. Students will work in teams to create startups addressing West Virginia’s biggest challenges, learning from top companies like Apple, AirBnB, and Intuit. This experience will help students develop the skills and confidence to become leaders and innovators in their communities. GSE was established in 2016 to empower students to turn their ideas into reality and create lasting change. Redesigned as an intense 10-day experience for 2025, the program focuses on real-world problem-solving and the challenges of launching a startup. Students will collaborate with peers, learn from industry experts, and use cutting-edge tools to design and pitch creative solutions. Participants will gain practical skills, build valuable networks with entrepreneurs, and experience the excitement of pitching ideas to investors. Whether you want to start a business, make a difference in your community, or explore your creative potential, GSE offers the perfect opportunity to shape your future. Apply today and take the first step toward becoming a leader and change maker. https://wvde.us/academics/middle-secondary-education/student-events-programs-initiatives/governors-schools-west-virginia/governors-school-entrepreneurship-gse

Attention 7th and 8th grade students. Fun, learning opportunities this summer. Applications are due by April 11th. https://wvde.us/academics/middle-secondary-education/student-events-programs-initiatives/governors-schools-west-virginia/governors-stem-institute-gsi West Virginia University (7th Grade) Students will dive into the world of science, math, and engineering to investigate everything from everyday legends to internet rumors. Get ready for exciting experiments, collaborative projects, and a whole lot of myth-busting mayhem! Prepare to get your hands dirty (and maybe a little messy) as we uncover the truth behind the myths. Green Bank Observatory (8th Grade) Learn about the magic of the universe as you study the mysteries of outer space, utilizing data from the Green Bank Observatory (Green Bank) in Pocahontas County. Accessing the information under the guidance of nationally recognized scientists and instructors, students will learn about the constellations, outer space and, perhaps just as importantly, about their inner selves.

9th and 10th grade students summer learning opportunity: Computer science, coding, and programming drive modern innovation. Computer science allows students to create programs and build applications to solve real-world problems. Opportunities to collaborate and work like computer scientists and programmers are part of the GCSI. https://wvde.us/academics/middle-secondary-education/student-events-programs-initiatives/governors-schools-west-virginia/governors-computer-science-institute-gsci Application: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=S7AZ4AwzekaLrgn7FzdNagRfzXSbZ4FNoC2K_kgnr2ZUQ0VVUFFTN1lDRUw1NUtWR0EzUUczRTBEMS4u&route=shorturl

Next up for our Governor's Schools Opportunities for our students is the Governor's School for Tourism. https://wvde.us/academics/middle-secondary-education/student-events-programs-initiatives/governors-schools/governors-school-tourism The GST provides selected 9th and 10th-grade students with opportunities to tour West Virginia for 10 days, learning about the tourism and hospitality sectors of our economy through hands-on experiences and introducing various career paths in one of the state’s fastest-growing industries. Students will stay at multiple state park lodges and visit historical and other significant landmarks across Almost Heaven. This exciting experience is being planned as a collaboration between the West Virginia Department of Tourism and the West Virginia Department of Education. The online application is located at: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=S7AZ4AwzekaLrgn7FzdNagRfzXSbZ4FNoC2K_kgnr2ZUM1lDWUNDWklQOTc5V1IwNFdIVTJWTzZSNS4u&route=shorturl

Congratulations to all of our winners and participants in the Regional Social Studies Fair yesterday. Preston County had an amazing showing. 2025 Preston County West Virginia Region VII Social Studies Fair Results Preston County Clean Sweep at Regionals! On March 19, 2025, Preston County Schools sent thirty-six projects to compete at the West Virginia Region VII Social Studies Fair. The West Virginia Region VII Social Studies Fair was held at the Waco Center in Glenville, West Virginia. Results: 24 first place, 4 second place, 4 third place, and 4 that had a great showing. First Place winners will now advance to the West Virginia State Social Studies Fair on April 11, 2025, at the Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center. Division I First Place: Delilah Ringer – Bruceton Noah Goodrich – Kingwood Grady Walsh, Coal Baker & Wyatt Calhoun – Terra Alta/East Preston Emilia Bright – Bruceton Ava Kerstetter & Addilyn Baker – Kingwood Taylor Schnopp – Kingwood Ryan Foley – Kingwood Division II First Place: Aiden Huggins & Connor Larue – West Preston Adrienne Bernatowicz – Central Preston Scarlett Hayes – Central Preston Ava Waters – Aurora Remington Wolfe & Isaiah Nelson – South Preston Ella Dilly – West Preston Kenzley Rouzee & Katelyn Kelly – Central Preston Sophie Uphold – Central Preston Collin Sheets & Bryson Teets – Central Preston Temperance Phillips & Kayleigh Myers – South Preston Mason White & Noah Johnson – West Preston Division III First Place: Isabella Edmunds – Preston High Kalista Huggins – Preston High Elijah Barker – Preston High Delaney Seese & Olivia Seese – Preston High Reese Stratton – Preston High Sophia Flowers, Leila Carpenter & Kaitlin Michaels – Preston High Division I Second Place: Cooper Welch & John Yates – Kingwood Penelope Hebb & Savannah Calhoun - Kingwood Division II Second Place: Makenzie Goodwin – Central Preston Ava Myers – South Preston Division I Third Place: Briar Larew – Kingwood Jay Taylor & Eli Mauldin – Kingwood Division III Mackenzie Selders & Heidi Michael 0 Preston High Logan Bell – Preston High Didn’t Place: Catalina Richards – Bruceton Ty Peaslee – Kingwood Deseree Newland, Audrey Britton & Jaden Arnold – Preston High Colson Manko – Preston High

The 2025-2026 Proposed Calendar is currently available for public comment. Public Comments on the calendar can be submitted to Superintendent Martin at brrmarti@k12.wv.us. Comments will be received through Wednesday, April 9th with the final hearing and vote on the calendar scheduled for the Monday, April 14th Board Meeting. Important dates on the calendar to note: 8/18 - First Day for Students 5/28 - Possible Last Day for Students 5/28 - PHS Graduation 9/26 and 9/29 Off (Buckwheat) Full Week off for Thanksgiving Christmas Break begins on 12/24 - (students go 12/22, 12/23) Calendar - https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/2073/PCS/5430428/2025-2026_Preston_D03182025T121615.pdf Non-Traditional (Brain Freeze Days) Application - https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/2073/PCS/5430427/NTI_Day_Application.pdf

This is a Bruceton Area Bus Message for Wednesday, March 19th. Tomorrow, Bus 22-21, Gerri Shaffer, will not be running. Again, tomorrow the 19th, Bus 22-21 will not run.

Parenting can be challenging, and at times, feel isolating. Parent coaching is here to provide support during those tough moments. Offered at no cost by your school district, parent coaching connects you with a coach and resources developed by therapists. Click here to sign up for ongoing support: https://cookcenter.info/coaching

After 2 weeks in March, here are your top reading schools in Beanstack. #PCSREADS #BEANSTACK

Preston High was well-represented at the 2025 HOSA State Leadership Conference this weekend. Results and participants are below: Hallie Hartsell - 2nd Place Biology Kadence Whitehair- 2nd place in Human Growth & Development Collin Wyatt- 2nd Place in Medical Math Abigail Hubbard- 3rd Place in World Health & Disparities Nathaniel Bishop- 1st Place in Nursing Assisting Landon Wheeler- 1st Place in Respiratory Therapy Gracie Wilson- 2nd Place in Veterinary Science Kloey Rodeheaver & Lexa Galloway- 3rd Place in Forensic Science Tori Hovatter & Bailey Turner - 2nd Place in Health Career Display Other competitors attending were: Brooklyn Casteel- Veterinary Science Harley Wilt- Phlebotomy Haley Sims & Carlee Wilson- Health Career Display Lydia Arnold- Medical Reading Laira Galloway- Medical Terminology Madeline Funk- Nutrition Harley Freeland- Human Growth & Development Samantha McKinley & Kaitlyn Flores- Health Education Cloe Pingley & Hanna Wolfe- Health Education Accompanied by HOSA Advisors Jodi Larew, Alyssa Sines, Amanda McCleary, and CTE Director Ryan Justus

Exciting news from Preston County Schools! We have not only met, but exceeded our reading goal with 2 months still remaining in the year. This achievement reflects the hard work and dedication of our students and educators. Let's continue to promote a culture of reading and keep our schools at the top of the leader board. How are you encouraging reading in your community? #keepreading #Beanstack #PCSREADS

This is a Kingwood Area Bus Announcement for Bus 51-25. Tomorrow, Friday March 14th, Bus 51-25, Phillip Moreland, will not be running. Again, Bus 51-25 will not run tomorrow the 14th.

This is a South Preston Area Bus Announcement. Bus 50-25, Steven Bolyard, will not be running tomorrow. Again, Bus 50-25 will not run tomorrow, Thursday the 13th.

Preston County Schools is in need of substitute cooks. Becoming a sub cook can even lead to full-time employment with PCS if interested. The next class will be Monday, March 24th at 9AM in the PCS Board Room. To be eligible for employment, applicants must pass the test at the end of class, have a HS Diploma or GED, and receive a clean background check. If interested, please call Autumn Sheets at 304-329-0580 ext. 3216, or email Justin Hough, Director of Child Nutrition, at jhough@k12.wv.us

Yesterday, March 10th, Preston County Schools were well-represented at the State Science and Engineering Fair. We had multiple students place and receive recognitions. The results are listed below. Congratulations to these awesome students. WEST VIRGINIA STATE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING FAIR RESULTS FOR PRESTON COUNTY MARCH 10, 2025, CHARLESTON COLISEUM & CONVENTION CENTER FIRST PLACE: DONALD “TRAVIS” PARKS - PHS ETHAN WHITE - PHS SECOND PLACE: ZADAYA BOLYARD – SOUTH PRESTON VADA WALSH – TERRA ALTA EAST PRESTON AINSLY FEATHERS – SOUTH PRESTON RILEY MAYFIELD - PHS THIRD PLACE: TARYN SULLIVAN - AURORA NICHOLAS BERNATOWICZ – PHS MARIAH TITCHENELL – PHS HAYLIE TRENUM – PHS ALYSSA FRIEND – PHS SOPHIE ZINN – PHS ETHAN WHITE – RECEIVED A REGIONAL WATER PRIZE AWARD DONALD ‘TRAVIS” PARKS – RECEIVED A UNITED STATES AIR FORCE AWARD

The Preston County Board of Education is looking to fill a vacancy left by the recent resignation of one of its members. Those interested in the position are asked to submit a written notice of interest to Preston County Schools Superintendent Brad Martin by 2 p.m. on Monday, March 24, 2025. Notices can be emailed, hand-delivered or mailed to the Superintendent’s Office at 731 Preston Drive, Kingwood, WV 26537 or to brrmarti@k12.wv.us. Alongside notices, candidates should include qualifications, experience and why they’re interested. Interviews will be conducted Wednesday, March 26th at 6:00 PM in the BOE Boardroom. Candidates should be available that evening, as times and durations are dependent on the number of applicants. Interested candidates must reside within the 1st or 2nd Magisterial Districts of Preston County. This vacancy cannot be filled from a resident of the 3rd.

At last night's board meeting, the PHS Science Olympiad Team , which competed at Marshall University on Saturday, March 1st, were recognized and congratulated by members of the PCS BOE. Coaches: Mrs. Haught, Mrs. Cool, Mr. Cool & Mr. Flowers Team Members: Alyssa Friend Madeline Funk Hayleigh Fullmer Abigail McCoy Dillion Moore Alison Schmidle Ira Shaffer Penelope Shaffer Lincoln Wiles Winning/Placing in their category: Astronomy - Alison Schmidle & Abigail McCoy (2nd place - Silver Medal) Ecology - Dillion Moore & Ira Shaffer (3rd place - Bronze Medal) Fossils - Hayleigh Fulmer & Lincoln Wiles (3rd place - Bronze Medal)

April Menus

This is a South Area bus message. After not running normal last week, this message is to let parents know that Bus 13-20, Tim Cline, will run normally tomorrow. Again 13-20 is running tomorrow.

Don't forget that after midnight tonight, approximately 2am local time on Sunday, March 9, we spring forward 1 hour. Don't forget to change those clocks that don't automatically change.