October Calendar of Events
💙💛 Today, we’re celebrating the people who help make our schools work! 💛💙
Happy West Virginia School Service Personnel Appreciation Day! 🎉
From keeping our schools clean and safe, to preparing meals, maintaining our buildings, driving our students, providing classroom support, and handling the countless behind-the-scenes details that make each school day possible—our school service personnel do it all!
Your dedication, hard work, kindness, and commitment make a difference in the lives of our students every single day. You may not always be the first people our students see in the morning or the last people they see before heading home, but your work is woven into every part of their school experience. ❤️
To our amazing Preston County Schools service personnel: THANK YOU! We appreciate you, we value you, and we are incredibly grateful for everything you do for our students, our schools, and our community. 💙💛
You make our schools stronger. You help our students succeed. You are an essential part of our team!
🎉 Happy School Service Personnel Appreciation Day!
Happy West Virginia School Service Personnel Appreciation Day! 🎉
From keeping our schools clean and safe, to preparing meals, maintaining our buildings, driving our students, providing classroom support, and handling the countless behind-the-scenes details that make each school day possible—our school service personnel do it all!
Your dedication, hard work, kindness, and commitment make a difference in the lives of our students every single day. You may not always be the first people our students see in the morning or the last people they see before heading home, but your work is woven into every part of their school experience. ❤️
To our amazing Preston County Schools service personnel: THANK YOU! We appreciate you, we value you, and we are incredibly grateful for everything you do for our students, our schools, and our community. 💙💛
You make our schools stronger. You help our students succeed. You are an essential part of our team!
🎉 Happy School Service Personnel Appreciation Day!
This is a reminder that the Aurora School Calendar Sales end next Wednesday, September 30th. Please try to sell all of your dates, however, if you are only able to sell a few dates on the calendar, you can still return it to be entered in the drawing. Please make sure to return all calendars and money no later than next Wednesday the 30th.
Happy Buckwheat! Just a reminder that tomorrow, Thursday the 24th is a 2 Hour Early Dismissal, and there will be no school on Friday the 25th and the B.O.E. Offices will be closed. Students will not return until Tuesday the 29th, as Monday is a Professional Learning Day for Staff. We hope everyone has a safe, fun and Happy Buckwheat Festival.
Bus Announcement for Thursday 9/24/26 - Due to a lack of substitute drivers available, the following buses will not be running tomorrow. Those students affected will be marked excused.
Bus #75-16 in the Bruceton area - Shelly Wolfe
Bus #4-26 in the Aurora/Rowlesburg area - Michael Strawser
Bus #15-20 in the South area - Chip Biggins
Bus #75-16 in the Bruceton area - Shelly Wolfe
Bus #4-26 in the Aurora/Rowlesburg area - Michael Strawser
Bus #15-20 in the South area - Chip Biggins
Today, Preston County Schools join communities across the nation in recognizing Constitution Day, commemorating the signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787. In our public schools, this day provides an opportunity for students to learn about the document that established the framework of our government, shaped the rights and responsibilities of citizens, and continues to guide our democracy. Constitution Day is more than a look back at history—it is an opportunity to encourage civic understanding, thoughtful participation, and an appreciation for the principles that help shape our nation. Throughout Constitution Week, September 17–23, we are proud to help our students understand the importance of our Constitution and their role in our communities and our country. This year, all 8th graders will receive a pocket Constitution thanks to the 917 Society (https://www.917society.org/all-pocket-constitution-requests) and spearheaded by Tracy Friend.
Just a reminder that tomorrow, Wednesday the 16th, is a 2 Hour Early Dismissal for Students while staff participates in Data Team Meetings. Data-driven instruction is essential to the success of our students and teachers. Our schools' goals are to improve year after year, and much of that improvement comes from data-driven decision-making and instruction.
At last night's meeting of the PCS BOE, the board recognized the outstanding efforts of Kathy Cline (Aurora School - MS Science Teacher) and Mandy White (Aurora School Principal). Mrs. Cline and Mrs. White were recognized for the outstanding testing performance of Aurora's 8th grade class on the 2026 WV General Summative Science Assessment. Aurora School ranked 5th out of 144 middle schools statewide in science proficiency, and the 8th grade proficiency was nearly 20% above the statewide average! Way to represent Bears!
Today, we celebrate and recognize our awesome Tech Team in the county. The 15th may be I.T. Professionals' Day, but we appreciate the team here in Preston County Schools each and every day. In this ever-changing, technological and growing world, they help keep the wheels turning and our students learning. For that, we thank you. Happy I.T. Professionals' Day!!!
October Lunch/Breakfast Menus
The first week of October, a survey will go out for students to fill out to continue to shape the menus for the remainder of the school year.
Just a reminder that this Wednesday, September 16th, is a 2 Hour Early Dismissal for Students for Staff Data Team Meetings. The next planned 2 Hour Ealy Dismissal is on Buckwheat Thursday, the 24th. The attached image is our term calendar, as well as planned 2 Hour Early Outs, and Professional Learning Days for Staff (No Students in buildings).
An up to date events calendar is located on the PCS App, and the Website. The county site includes dismissals, days off and board meetings. The most up-to-date calendar can also be found on the scrolling marquee on the PCS Website.
An up to date events calendar is located on the PCS App, and the Website. The county site includes dismissals, days off and board meetings. The most up-to-date calendar can also be found on the scrolling marquee on the PCS Website.
Today, Patriot Day 2026, marks the 25 year anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. Twenty-five years later, we pause to remember September 11, 2001 — the day that changed our nation forever.
Many of us woke that morning and began an ordinary day by getting ready for work, heading to school, making plans, and going about our daily lives. Little did any of us know that before the day was over, our country and our understanding of the world would be changed forever.
Today, we remember the lives lost, the families forever changed, and the courage of the first responders and ordinary people who stepped forward in extraordinary ways.
May we never forget. May we always remember. And may we continue to rise from the ashes with strength, compassion, courage, and unity.
25 years later — We Remember.
Many of us woke that morning and began an ordinary day by getting ready for work, heading to school, making plans, and going about our daily lives. Little did any of us know that before the day was over, our country and our understanding of the world would be changed forever.
Today, we remember the lives lost, the families forever changed, and the courage of the first responders and ordinary people who stepped forward in extraordinary ways.
May we never forget. May we always remember. And may we continue to rise from the ashes with strength, compassion, courage, and unity.
25 years later — We Remember.
"Shout Out" and Congratulations to Kathy Cline, MS Science Teacher, and last year's 8th graders at Aurora School for ranking 5th out of 144 middle schools statewide for science proficiency. Aurora's 8th grade proficiency was almost 20% above the statewide average. Way to go Bears.
Parents, just a reminder that the permission slips for the vision screenings are due on Friday, September 11th.
The Little Learners program is returning to Aurora School! Any child who is below school enrollment age is welcome to attend the weekly 2-hour sessions with a parent or caregiver. Please scan the QR code or click the link to learn more and enroll.
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Just a reminder that there is No School on Monday, September 7th, and the BOE Offices will be Closed for Labor Day. We hope all of our students, staff, and families have a nice, extended weekend. We'll see you all on Tuesday the 8th.
Parents/Families Beware of Ongoing TikTok/Social Media Trends:
The latest social media trend (hoax/scare tactic) is called “The Cat in the Hat” and uses AI, costumes and staged video of the popular Dr. Seuss character appearing in residential areas accompanied by unsettling music.
Some posts associated with the trend have included threats involving people, their homes, schools or other locations.
PCS has been made aware that we've had a few students who have been sent requests/messages, etc. from a similar account. If you or your student has come to you with what appears to be any localized messaging to the area of Preston County and/or Preston County Schools, please take that information to local law enforcement for further investigation, as well as contact Nick Schmidle, PCS Safety Coordinator, at nicholas.schmidle@k12.wv.us or Justin Hough, PCS Communications Director, at jhough@k12.wv.us.
More information on the trend can be found at the links below.
West Virginia covers false threats and fake emergency reports under several specific statutes depending on the nature of the claim, such as West Virginia Code §61-6-20 for false emergency reporting and West Virginia Code §61-6-24 for terroristic threats and hoaxes. These can result in misdemeanor and/or felony penalties, including steep fines and could carry a prison sentence.
https://www.wboy.com/news/ritchie/ritchie-county-sheriffs-office-warning-against-cat-in-the-hat-social-media-trend/
https://www.newsweek.com/schools-issue-warning-about-viral-cat-in-the-hat-trend-as-teen-arrested-12391002
The latest social media trend (hoax/scare tactic) is called “The Cat in the Hat” and uses AI, costumes and staged video of the popular Dr. Seuss character appearing in residential areas accompanied by unsettling music.
Some posts associated with the trend have included threats involving people, their homes, schools or other locations.
PCS has been made aware that we've had a few students who have been sent requests/messages, etc. from a similar account. If you or your student has come to you with what appears to be any localized messaging to the area of Preston County and/or Preston County Schools, please take that information to local law enforcement for further investigation, as well as contact Nick Schmidle, PCS Safety Coordinator, at nicholas.schmidle@k12.wv.us or Justin Hough, PCS Communications Director, at jhough@k12.wv.us.
More information on the trend can be found at the links below.
West Virginia covers false threats and fake emergency reports under several specific statutes depending on the nature of the claim, such as West Virginia Code §61-6-20 for false emergency reporting and West Virginia Code §61-6-24 for terroristic threats and hoaxes. These can result in misdemeanor and/or felony penalties, including steep fines and could carry a prison sentence.
https://www.wboy.com/news/ritchie/ritchie-county-sheriffs-office-warning-against-cat-in-the-hat-social-media-trend/
https://www.newsweek.com/schools-issue-warning-about-viral-cat-in-the-hat-trend-as-teen-arrested-12391002
PTO September 8 @ 5:00
LSIC September 14 @ 4:00
LSIC September 14 @ 4:00
Summer Reading Reward Calendars are due Friday, September 4.
September Dates to Remember
