Tomorrow the 28th, Superintendent Martin, Asst. Superintendent Varner, and other members of the PCS Central Office Staff and Board will be travelling the county to recognize the overall county winners for Teacher, Service Personnel, Guidance Counselor, Coach, and Principal of the Year for 2026. Please join us in congratulating all of our school-level nominees and winners for Teacher, Coach, Guidance and Service. Tomorrow's recognitions will be streamed live at each school.
The West Virginia Department of Education has announced the 2026 Golden Horseshoe winners for Preston County. Since 1931, students have been honored as knights of the Golden Horseshoe, having demonstrated exceptional knowledge of West Virginia history on the state administered exam. This year, 225 winners will join the ranks of WV citizens who have won this prestigious award. Preston's winners will have an opportunity to be recognized at the State Golden Horseshoe ceremony on Tuesday, June 9, 2026 at the West Virginia Culture Center in Charleston, WV. This year's winners are (in no particular order):
Myla Zinn, Central Preston Middle School
Ainsley Feathers, South Preston School
Vada Walsh, Terra Alta/East Preston School
Alexis Atkins, West Preston School
Congratulations!
Myla Zinn, Central Preston Middle School
Ainsley Feathers, South Preston School
Vada Walsh, Terra Alta/East Preston School
Alexis Atkins, West Preston School
Congratulations!
Congratulations to our Beanstack Reading Giftcard Winners for the month of March.
This week is nationally recognized as Volunteer Week, and PCS has some of the very best in our schools and school support organizations. We want to thank these volunteers for their selflessness, compassion, service, and impact throughout our schools and communities.
Today is National Administrative Professionals Day, but not just today, but everyday across PCS, we want to celebrate those people that keep things operational and running smoothly, our secretaries, assistants, and office staff. From all of us at PCS, thank you for being the glue that holds this place together.
Just a reminder that Parents are invited to join members of the BOE and County Office Staff for our annual parent advisory meeting and work session tomorrow, Monday, April 20th at 5:00PM at the Preston County Board of Education Offices. During this time, you'll be able to share your ideas on how we can better serve you as a parent and our students through our Title 1 Programs and District Goals. This will also be an opportunity to share thoughts on the new, state-mandated, retention policy that will go into effect next school year.
The 2026-2027 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 Friday, April 24th, with the final hearing and vote on the calendar scheduled for the Monday, April 27th Board Meeting.
Important dates on the calendar to note:
8/24 - First Day for Students
6/1 - Possible Last Day for Students
5/27 - PHS Graduation
9/25 and 9/28 Off (Buckwheat – staff reports on 28th for PD)
Full Week off for Thanksgiving
Christmas Break begins on 12/24 - (students go 12/21,12/22, 12/23 (Early Out))
Easter – Off (3/25, 3/26, 3/29, 3/30)
Draft Calendar - https://5il.co/3u96g; https://5il.co/3u96h
Non-Traditional (Brain Freeze Days) Application - https://5il.co/3u96i
Important dates on the calendar to note:
8/24 - First Day for Students
6/1 - Possible Last Day for Students
5/27 - PHS Graduation
9/25 and 9/28 Off (Buckwheat – staff reports on 28th for PD)
Full Week off for Thanksgiving
Christmas Break begins on 12/24 - (students go 12/21,12/22, 12/23 (Early Out))
Easter – Off (3/25, 3/26, 3/29, 3/30)
Draft Calendar - https://5il.co/3u96g; https://5il.co/3u96h
Non-Traditional (Brain Freeze Days) Application - https://5il.co/3u96i
📚🏆 Can we say THREE-PEAT?!? Terra Alta holds on to the title of Beanstack champ for the 3rd month in a row! 🏆📚
The reading trophy is getting quite comfortable at Terra Alta, but will it remain for a 4th month following April, or pack its bags and find a new home! With an impressive 117,452 minutes read, Terra Alta remains our current Beanstack Reading Winner. Way to go, readers! 👏✨
Who will reign supreme in the next reading showdown? Will a new school sneak up and take over? Keep those pages turning! 📖💙 #PCSREADS #BEANSTACK
The reading trophy is getting quite comfortable at Terra Alta, but will it remain for a 4th month following April, or pack its bags and find a new home! With an impressive 117,452 minutes read, Terra Alta remains our current Beanstack Reading Winner. Way to go, readers! 👏✨
Who will reign supreme in the next reading showdown? Will a new school sneak up and take over? Keep those pages turning! 📖💙 #PCSREADS #BEANSTACK
Reminder - The 2nd Annual Preston County Schools Fine Arts Festival returns this evening, Friday, April 10th beginning at 6:00pm. Performances kick off at the Preston High School Theater, showcasing the incredible artistic achievements of our county's students. 6-630 is a Theater Showcase, followed by exhibits, art displays, informational vendors, and our food service class selling snacks in the Grand Hall. At 7:00, people will move into the gym for the music performances. Don't miss this celebration of creativity and community!
May Menus
(The week of April 27th, Summer Feeding Sign-ups will go live and messages will go out about how to register your child for Preston County School's Summer Feeding Option - Be on the lookout for that)
(The week of April 27th, Summer Feeding Sign-ups will go live and messages will go out about how to register your child for Preston County School's Summer Feeding Option - Be on the lookout for that)
Reminder - The 2nd Annual Preston County Schools Fine Arts Festival returns tomorrow, April 10, 2026, at 6:00pm. Performances kick off at the Preston High School Theater, showcasing the incredible artistic achievements of our county's students. Don't miss this celebration of creativity and community!
Parents are invited to join members of the BOE and County Office Staff for our annual parent advisory meeting and work session on Monday, April 20th at 5:00PM at the Preston County Board of Education Offices. During this time, you'll be able to share your ideas on how we can better serve you as a parent and our students through our Title 1 Programs and District Goals. This will also be an opportunity to share thoughts on the new, state-mandated, retention policy that will go into effect next school year.
Preston County Schools is lucky to have the administrative teams at each of our schools, and this week, we join the rest of the nation in celebrating our Assistant Principals and Deans. We recognize the critical roles they play in fostering student success, supporting school staff, and fostering positive school cultures. Today and everyday, we say thank you to these "unsung heroes" of our schools who handle discipline, curriculum, and mentorship. Thank you Assistant Principals and Deans.
PCS Easter/Spring Break - Just a reminder that an extended weekend for Easter Break begins tomorrow, Friday, April 3rd, with students and staff returning on Wednesday, April 8th. Happy Easter Preston County!
What could possibly make our holiday lunches for the kids even better? How about the PTA at Terra Alta East Preston "Eastering" up the tables today to compliment the great lunch fixed by our hard-working school cooks. All students this week who ate free hot lunch in the county, were treated one day to a holiday meal consisting of ham, sides and a cook's choice dessert. Yum. Happy Easter P-County!!!
No fooling around today, at least when it comes to recognizing our Paraprofessionals. Paraprofessional Appreciation Day is observed annually on the first Wednesday of April. Today and everyday, we honor paraprofessional educators, who may also be known as paras, instructional assistants, or teacher aides. Paraprofessionals perform a variety of teaching-related jobs and often assist teachers in classrooms.
Paras may work with students on supplemental enrichment activities, either in small groups or one-on-one. They may also help students complete assignments or practice reading. Paraprofessionals often work with students with special education needs and a variety of disabilities. They may also supervise students outside of classrooms and help teachers with clerical work.
Paraprofessionals work tirelessly each day to support students & teachers, so today we honor them for their service.
#ParaprofessionalAppreciationDay
Paras may work with students on supplemental enrichment activities, either in small groups or one-on-one. They may also help students complete assignments or practice reading. Paraprofessionals often work with students with special education needs and a variety of disabilities. They may also supervise students outside of classrooms and help teachers with clerical work.
Paraprofessionals work tirelessly each day to support students & teachers, so today we honor them for their service.
#ParaprofessionalAppreciationDay
PCS Easter/Spring Break - Just a reminder that there is no school for students on Thursday, April 2nd, with staff reporting for a professional day. An extended weekend for Easter Break begins on Friday, April 3rd, with students and staff returning on Wednesday, April 8th.
This evening's "Young Writers Awards" will be held at the PHS Theatre at 6:00 PM, and live streamed on Facebook: (https://www.facebook.com/PrestonCountySchools)
(Photos and winner's list will be published tomorrow)
(Photos and winner's list will be published tomorrow)
Next month begins statewide testing across WV, beginning with our 11th Graders on SAT School Day on the 14th, then our students who take the Alternative State Assessment (WVASA or DLM), with that window opening on April 13th. Attached are letters from Superintendent of WV Schools, Michelle Blatt, on each of those tests outlined:
West Virginia General Summative Assessment for Grades 3-8
West Virginia Alternate Summative Assessment (DLM) for Grades 3-8 and 11
West Virginia SAT School Day for Grade 11
West Virginia General Summative Assessment for Grades 3-8
West Virginia Alternate Summative Assessment (DLM) for Grades 3-8 and 11
West Virginia SAT School Day for Grade 11
This Saturday!!! Don't miss out on the Ham, Bacon and Egg Show, brought to you by the PC FFA, at the PHS Gym beginning at 6PM. Doors open at 5.
