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 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.
Starting tomorrow 8/26/26 for the afternoon high school runs, the Terra Alta area students will need to board the following buses at Preston High School.
If you ride bus 73-16 Pam Ragione, 77-16 Bruce Ragione or 12-20 Mark Knotts evening runs, you will board bus 73-16 Pam Ragione.
If you live on Rt. 7 going to Terra Alta School, you will need to board bus 57 Doug Falkner's bus at Preston High School.
If you ride 70-16 Charlie McCarty or bus 57 Doug Falkner, you will also board bus 57 Doug Falkner.
Monday, August 24th - All Students Grades 1-12 Start
Thursday, August 27th - PK/K Students Start
Information and a Map on the Preston High Morning Drop Off for this School Year can be found on the scrolling banner on the PHS Website and also below.
Parents will drop off in horseshoe loop as you come up to the school on the right. Kids will enter the building at the connector entrance.
School Buses will be only vehicles dropping off at the concourse in the morning in the front of the school.
Special Education Parents and buses will follow the same route as the buses that start in front and will drive behind the school drop off the kids and exit by the bus garage and down the hill.
Club Directory - https://aptg.co/F4Gd9d
Club Descriptions - https://aptg.co/DdrQdZ
All students and families are invited to attend Preston High School's Open House on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
This is a great opportunity to meet teachers and learn more about the upcoming school year. We look forward to partnering with you for a successful year at PHS!
Reminder: PCS is excited to welcome our faculty and staff for opening day sessions in Kingwood, tomorrow, the 18th. The schedule of trainings with times and locations , along with a welcome letter, can be found at the following link(s), as well as on the PCS Website Scroller:
https://aptg.co/0sPtZq (Welcome Letter)
https://aptg.co/18qLPG (August 19th)
https://aptg.co/-1vG0S (August 18th)
