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.
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=S7AZ4AwzekaLrgn7FzdNai4u2CROf3xJu8rS67H_-BxUMVQ2QzFETUtONE5KM1JPOUU5N0xRQTE0Ti4u"
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=S7AZ4AwzekaLrgn7FzdNai4u2CROf3xJu8rS67H_-BxUMVQ2QzFETUtONE5KM1JPOUU5N0xRQTE0Ti4u"
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
One week down...
The image may be humorous, but our mission is not.
At Preston County Schools, we understand that when families send their children through our doors each day, they are placing tremendous trust in us. We do not take that responsibility lightly. We remain dedicated to creating safe, supportive, and engaging learning environments where every student can succeed.
As we continue through the next 175 days of the school year, we will remain focused on what matters most - the students and families we serve. Thank you for your continued partnership and trust.
The image may be humorous, but our mission is not.
At Preston County Schools, we understand that when families send their children through our doors each day, they are placing tremendous trust in us. We do not take that responsibility lightly. We remain dedicated to creating safe, supportive, and engaging learning environments where every student can succeed.
As we continue through the next 175 days of the school year, we will remain focused on what matters most - the students and families we serve. Thank you for your continued partnership and trust.
Parents, please be advised that your child should be bringing home a paper packet that will allow you to review and update your child's student information and medical information. In addition, the packet will also direct you to complete a brief online form to update additional student information. Please return these packets so that school personnel can update this information as soon as possible. This is a change from previous years in which information was updated exclusively using an online form. Please contact your school with any questions or concerns with this new process.
Preston County Schools will be conducting hearing, speech, language, and vision screenings in our schools in the months of September and October. These screenings are for students entering school for the first time who have not been screened, students who have been referred for re-screenings from the previous year, and/or any students referred by teachers. Parents will be notified if any student should not pass the screenings.
Those who do not wish their child to be tested must contact their respective school in writing. For additional information, you may
contact the Preston County Schools, Special Education Department at 304-329-0580, extension 3220 or 3239.
If you attended Aurora's Open House on August 21, please complete the following survey so we can improve our family engagement nights. https://prestoncs.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9siBvbDGUZ1SPga
September Calendar of Events
The final countdown...
We look forward to seeing all those smiling faces back, bright and early, and on-time, tomorrow morning to kick-off the 2026-2027 PCS School Year. We'll see all students in grades 1-12 tomorrow, then we'll welcome back our PK/K students on Thursday. Please see the following 'welcome back' message from Brad Martin, Superintendent of Preston County Schools. Thank you for trusting us with your kids and their education.
https://fb.watch/JbbhBFngBs/?
