Preston High School

Early this morning, we have received an anonymous message related to a possible threat against Preston High School. Law enforcement is on the scene and the school has been placed in a precautionary hold status while a course of action is planned. Parents desiring to pick up their children may do so at the main office area. We are working on an early dismissal plan and are attempting to dismiss Preston High School students only by 10:30 AM. More details will follow as soon as possible.

Based on the school threats that came to light today and to better ensure the safety and security of our students throughout the district, Preston County Schools will be on a remote learning day for tomorrow, Friday, September 13th. Students will not report tomorrow and staff will report on a 2-hour delay with the expectation for assignments to be posted for students by 10 AM. Staff should be available for calls or messages from 10 AM to 12 PM and from 1 to 3 PM. Unlike a normal Brain Freeze Day, lunches will not be served as to not bring students into the buildings tomorrow. The status of any scheduled extracurricular activities will be announced tomorrow by midday.

Based on the school threats that came to light today and to better ensure the safety and security of our students throughout the district, Preston County Schools will be on a remote learning day for tomorrow, Friday, September 13th. Students will not report, and all staff members will be reporting on a 2-hour delay with the expectation for assignments to be posted for students by 10 AM. Staff should be available for calls or messages from 10 AM to 12 PM and from 1 to 3 PM. Unlike a normal Brain Freeze Day, lunches will not be served as to not bring students into the buildings tomorrow. Long-term subs should report, while all other subs should not report tomorrow. Staff without direct student responsibilities tomorrow can work on any unfinished training via Vector Solutions.

9/11 Remembrance: We will never forget that twenty-three years ago, on September 11, 2001, at 8:46 am Eastern time, the United States of America came under attack from 19 Al-Qaeda Terrorists, as they crashed a jet filled with people into World Trade Center North Tower in New York City. At 9:03, a second jet struck the South Tower, and at 9:37 the Pentagon was hit by a third plane. At 9:59, the South Tower collapsed, and 8 minutes later, Flight 93 crashed in a field in Pennsylvania as passengers attempted to stop the terrorists who were headed for the White House or the Capital. At 10:28, the North Tower collapsed. 2996 people died that morning and in that 2-hour time span, the world as we once knew it, changed forever. It was the first time most of us did not feel safe in our own country and had no idea what would happen next. Brave men and women gave their lives to try to save others and it took months to clear the debris. If you ever have the chance to visit New York City, take the time to visit the 9/11 memorial and museum. It is a life changing experience. As we observe our moments of silence today, please take the time to remember the events of 9/11. Twenty-Three years later, there are still thousands of families affected by the tragedy. And even though you might not realize it, your lives changed that day, even for our students not yet born. Today, let's all take a moment or moments of silence, remember and reflect. Always Remember. Never Forget.

Last night, at the county board meeting, Preston High presented the proposal for finals based off of teacher, student and parent input. The Board will be discussing the plan attached and voting on the action at the next board meeting. We invite you to attend the board meeting and provide your input.

At last night's board meeting, Brian Bailey and Roxanne Miller (not pictured) were recognized by Superintendent of Preston County Schools, Brad Martin, and PCS Board Members for their outstanding work in the Option Pathway Program at Preston High School. On August 23, 2024, the WV Department of Education recognized the Preston High School Testing Center for having the highest passing rate on the High School Equivalency Test for Centers Testing Fewer Than Fifty Test Takers. The WVDE issued a certificate of achievement. Congratulations to these outstanding educators for the dedication to our Preston County Students and for their great work in the Option Pathway Program.

Good evening Preston County. Today, all students, grades 4-8, were given a letter explaining how to retrieve their state testing results from this past May. The letter includes both a link to the detailed score report and a video. Please take the time to review these and go over them with your student. Thank you.

Good evening. The changes from the WV Department of Ed on attendance, Policy 4110, as it relates to excused and unexcused absences, has been posted and updated on the county site, as well as an informational graphic has been posted to answer any questions. Again, PCS operates with complete adherence to state policies.

We love our local businesses and how much they support our students. Cecilia's Macarons & Sweets and Sugar Plum's Bakery recently collected school supplies for Preston County Schools. We can't thank you all enough.

Next week, we will be featuring a NEW menu item for lunch, MOZZARELLA STICKS on Tuesday, the 10th. Be sure to try these, and then vote when the next survey comes out if you'd like to keep them as a regular menu item.

This week's #PrestonCountyReads focus is phonics. Use the # to share your use of the tip. Keep reading Preston County.

Good evening PCS. If your student is absent, please submit an absence note online. You can find the form under documents under the county page or app, or you can click the link on the county or individual school websites. Doctors slips will need sent in upon return for verification if that's the reason selected. Thanks

Good evening, Preston County families , Today your student should have come home with an attendance letter and chart to monitor their absences at home. Any absence is a loss of instruction. We want all of our students present, engaged, and to be successful! Over the next several days, you will see updated Policy 4110, attendance information, via social media and our county website. Stay informed, talk with your student, and reach out for assistance from your student's administrators and/or student support team! We are here for your kids and attendance is KEY!

A Suicide Prevention Assembly is scheduled for 9/4 and 9/5 at Preston High. See the attached image for details.

Due to this evening's Home Varsity Football Opener, the evening activity buses will depart from Preston High School at 5:15, instead of 5:45. Again, the buses will be departing PHS for those who participate in after-school functions 30 minutes early to be able to get out before traffic begins coming in.

Don't forget to join us tomorrow evening for the opener of the Knights 2024 Football Season. Our Knights' Football Team will not only be representing PHS in their season opener at home, but the WV Army National Guard in the kick-off to the WVARNG Gridiron Series. This team was chosen as they show grit, determination, and represent the Army's values every time they take the field. So let's pack Knights Stadium this Friday and show Hampshire and the state what being a Knight is all about.

September Breakfast and Lunch Menus - 2 "New Item" Days - Following these days, surveys will go out to see if these are items we want to permanently add into our rotation.

Due to changes in our attendance policies as it relates to changes made at the state level, this will be how the county is handling our participants in the Buckwheat Festival this year as it relates to attendance. More info will follow.

Our Knights' Football Team will not only be representing PHS in their season opener at home, but the WV Army National Guard in the kick-off to the WVARNG Gridiron Series. This team was chosen as they show grit, determination, and represent the Army's values every time they take the field. So let's pack Knights Stadium this Friday and show Hampshire and the state what being a Knight is all about.

The FBI Pittsburgh Division’s Community Outreach Program will host five Teen Academy programs this fall and will support the CJIS Teen Academy in Clarksburg. Teen Academy is a one-day hands-on program for rising High School Juniors and Seniors (2024-2025 school year) who live within the FBI Pittsburgh Division’s area of responsibility in Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The dates and locations for the 2024 Fall Program are below: FBI Beckley, WV Teen Academy; October 8, 2024 FBI Charleston, WV Teen Academy; October 9, 2024 FBI CJIS (Clarksburg, WV) Teen Academy; October 15, 2024 FBI Pittsburgh, PA Teen Academy; October 17, 2024 FBI Wheeling, WV Teen Academy; October 29, 2024 FBI Martinsburg, WV Teen Academy; November 13, 2024 The FBI’s Teen Academy program in Pittsburgh and West Virginia allows a diverse group of high school students the opportunity to develop leadership skills and to investigate the world of law enforcement. Active explorations of fitness and forensic science grow students’ minds and bodies while age-appropriate lessons on topics such as violence prevention, sextortion, and hoax threats teach them how to stay safe. FBI staff, including special agents, intelligence analysts, and professional staff, lead discussions and interactive sessions focused on the work we do, how we do it, and, most importantly, why we choose this work in service of all Americans. Any student with an interest in leadership and service is welcome to apply for this free opportunity. An interest in a law enforcement career is not a pre-requisite. Please visit the following link to view a sneak peek of our Teen Academy program and to download an official application, which includes an essay requirement. When you click on the city of your choice, make sure you click on the link to download the file, complete the application on your computer, and return via e-mail to the POCs listed below. https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/pittsburgh/community-outreach Application dates vary. See the site above for more information. Pittsburgh applications should be sent to: fatrovato@fbi.gov Beckley, Charleston, Wheeling, and Martinsburg applications should be sent to: wnbarnhart@fbi.gov Please contact me with any questions you may have