🤝 Real-World Lessons from Industry Leaders 🔧💡

Herbert Hoover High School students in The Shop had the opportunity to learn from someone who’s built success in the skilled trades from the ground up.

Local contractor and businessman Jerry Hinzman spent the day with students, touring the shop, watching production in action, and sharing valuable insights — from work ethic and professionalism to what it really takes to thrive in today’s workforce.

Mr. Hinzman was joined by a 2024 Nitro High School graduate, now employed with his company, who offered an inspiring peer perspective on entering the job market and meeting employer expectations.

We also appreciated Delegate Dean Jeffries for stopping by and supporting this conversation about the future of West Virginia’s skilled workforce. 👏
about 2 hours ago, Kanawha County Schools
herbert hoover shop students sitting in the school auditorium listening to a local contractor talk about the need for skilled labor in west virginia.
herbert hoover shop students posing for a picture in the school's auditorium with their teacher, principal, contractor jerry hinzman, kcsboe member mike arbogast,  and wv house of delegate member dean jeffries.
local contractor jerry hinzman speaking to shop students at the podium in the herbert hoover high school auditorium.
local contractor jerry hinzman, one of his employees, and herbert hoover high school's shop teacher on the stage in the school's auditorium talking with herbert hoover shop students.
Sometimes the biggest impact comes from the quietest acts of kindness. 💙
This story from Ruffner Elementary reminds us that when educators, families, and students work together with compassion and care, amazing things can happen. 🔗 Link to story ⬇️

➡️: https://kcs.kana.k12.wv.us/article/2512704
1 day ago, Kanawha County Schools
picture of the front of ruffner elementary school.
🌹 This week on the “The Mathematician”... the MOST dramatic season we've ever seen begins 🌹

George Washington High School geometry students were speed dating — with conditional statements! 💘 They raced to find their perfect matches among converses, inverses, and contrapositives, then decided if each one was truly “the one” (true or false)!
1 day ago, Kanawha County Schools
students sitting at their desks, filling out their worksheets, while solving geometry equations.
students sitting at their desks, filling out their worksheets, while solving geometry equations.
white board with conditional, inverse, converse, and contrapositive geometry statements.
a math work sheet students are filling out to solve their geometry equations.
🌟 Celebrating College Access & Success Champions! 🎓

CFWV recognized three Kanawha County high schools as College Access and Success Champions for the 2025-2025 school year!

🔵 George Washington
🔵 Riverside
🔵 St. Albans

In total, 71 high schools in the state earned this recognition. This honor highlights schools that work hard to guide students through college and career planning, helping them take the next step after graduation.

We’re grateful for the educators, counselors, and families who make this important work possible. Together, we’re helping every student build a strong future. 💙
2 days ago, Kanawha County Schools
St. Albans High School Counselors accepting their award as a Champion of College Access and Success.
Riverside  High School Counselors accepting their award as a Champion of College Access and Success.
KCS Executive Director of Counseling, Jon Duffy,  accepting GWHS award as a Champion of College Access and Success.
🚲💙Community partnerships make all the difference!

Elk Center Elementary is making amazing gains 💪 this year on their attendance rate! The school partnered with ANR Construction, Affiliated Financial Group, and Affiliated Insurance Solutions to bring the heat 🔥 with epic attendance prizes — brand new bikes! These incentives are helping students stay motivated and excited about showing up each day. 🚲

👏Thanks to their generosity, attendance is on the rise — and so is 🧠 learning and school pride! When local businesses and schools team up 🤝 for a common goal, the impact reaches far beyond the classroom.
2 days ago, Kanawha County Schools
local business owners delivering new bikes to elk center elementary that are being used as prizes for good attendance.
local business owners and elk center elementary principal, kami lucas, posing with new bikes that are being used as prizes for good attendance.
🚀 Nitro High School Leads the Way in Online Safety!

🌄 West Virginia is the first state in the nation to partner with Skyll, a new interactive curriculum designed to teach students how to safely and confidently navigate life online. 🌐

Nitro High School 🐾 students are the first in West Virginia to dive into the new Skyll lessons — which use game-based storytelling to help students recognize and respond to real-world digital challenges like scams, bullying, sextortion, and misinformation.

One student summed it up perfectly:
“I’m invested in the story. I NEED to know what happens.”

It’s learning that’s engaging, relevant, and empowering — preparing students not just for the internet, but for life. 💻✨
6 days ago, Kanawha County Schools
nitro high school students doing their internet safety lessons during class.
nitro high school students doing their internet safety lessons during class.
nitro high school students doing their internet safety lessons during class.
nitro high school students doing their internet safety lessons during class.
nitro high school students doing their internet safety lessons during class.
📣 We’re looking for the real MVPs of flexibility — Substitute Teachers! 🏫✨

Like being called “Mr.” or “Ms.” by everyone in the room? ☕🍎
You might just be the substitute teacher we’re looking for!

Join KCS and help keep learning going strong while having fun along the way.

🔗: Apply Today ➡️ https://bit.ly/KCSSubs
8 days ago, Kanawha County Schools
KCS is hiring substitute teachers. Apply now.
Reminder: No school for students tomorrow — it's a Professional Learning Day for staff! See you Thursday, students!
9 days ago, Kanawha County Schools
no school for students on wednesday october 22nd, due to a PL Day.
🎨 Edgewood students are painting their mark on Charleston! 💛💙

Something colorful is coming to the bottom of Edgewood Hill! The City of Charleston is creating a brand-new art piece that will spell out EDGEWOOD — and every single letter will feature artwork created by Edgewood Elementary students! 🌈

Each grade level painted their own vibrant sheet today, using different colors and styles. Those student-painted sheets will be used by Charleston’s Art Director, Jeff Pierson, to design each letter — making this project a true collaboration between Charleston and KCS students!

Even Mayor Amy Goodwin joined in on the fun and added her own brushstrokes! 🖌️😊

We can’t wait to see the finished piece — it’s going to be a bright, bold celebration of Edgewood’s creativity and community spirit! 💫
9 days ago, Kanawha County Schools
three girls laughing while reaching for paint with their paint brush.
student showing off his art work while taking it to the drying rack.
a student getting ready to dip her paint brush into a new color.
a student holding up her painting and smiling.
a girl painting on her paper with the color blue..
student painting on her paper.
charleston mayor amy goodwin and an edgewood student washing off their brushes in a water cup.
a girl painting on her paper with the color blue.
a student using the color teal to create a line in her art.
student dipping his paint brush into paint.

👏 Teamwork, pride, and a little friendly competition! 🎉

Dunbar Middle kicked off its new House Point System last Friday — a fun, schoolwide competition inspired by the Ron Clark Academy!

👩‍🎓 Students were sorted into one of four houses 🏡 — Protos, Amistad, Isibindi, or Altruismo — and will earn points for kindness, leadership, school spirit, and academic effort. The winning house each nine weeks earns a special reward — this time, a trip to Winterplace for tubing! ❄️

Friday's kickoff celebration set the tone with cheers, house pride, and a giant inflatable slide! 🏠

WATCH: 🔗 Checkout the Friday's event on WSAZ ➡️ https://www.wsaz.com/2025/10/17/new-school-incentive-encourages-good-behavior-teamwork/

More: ➡️ Read the article on our website to find out more about this new program at DMS

🔗: https://kcs.kana.k12.wv.us/article/2494555

10 days ago, Kanawha County Schools
student looking on as his house is revealed.
student sliding down an inflatable sign.
dms students in the school gym waiting for the event to start.
one of the house leaders holding their house flag.
student sliding down an inflatable sign.
student holding up his ID card for the house he is in.
dunbar middle student finding out what house she is in.
two students walking on the gym floor towards the inflatable sign.
student finding out what house she is in.
student sliding down an inflatable sign.
📚🏈 SCHS includes elementary schools in Homecoming Week event! 📚

As South Charleston High School wraps up Homecoming Week festivities, the Black Eagles squeezed in one last event this morning. SCHS football players kicked off their day by visiting several elementary schools in the feeder area to read with students. ❤️

These young readers loved seeing their hometown heroes in the classroom — and the Black Eagles showed that leadership goes far beyond the football field.
13 days ago, Kanawha County Schools
south charleston high school football players posing with a group of students from bridgeview elementary school.
four south charleston high school football players standing in front of an elementary classroom reading to students.
four south charleston high school football players standing in front of an elementary classroom reading to students.
two south charleston high school football players standing in front of an elementary classroom reading to students.
two south charleston high school football players sitting in front of an elementary classroom reading to students.
two south charleston high school football players standing in front of an elementary classroom reading to students.
two south charleston high school football players sitting in front of an elementary classroom reading to students.
four south charleston high school football players standing in front of an elementary classroom reading to students.
four south charleston high school football players standing in front of an elementary classroom reading to students.
a south charleston high school football player seated in the front of an elementary classroom reading to students.
🌟 KCS Student Spotlight! 🌟

We’re so proud to share the incredible achievements of two Kanawha County Schools students currently attending the Mountaineer Challenge Academy!

💪 Cadet Kaliee Peters, a St. Albans High School student, earned the Academic Most Improved Award — a testament to her hard work and commitment to growth.

🎖️ Cadet Ka’Lea Burkes, a Capital High School student, was selected as Assistant Platoon Leader for 1st Platoon — a role that reflects her leadership and drive to succeed.

Both students embody the determination and resilience that define our KCS family. Congratulations, Cadets Peters and Burkes — we’re proud of you! 👏❤️💛
14 days ago, Kanawha County Schools
Mountaineer challenge academy newsletter showing kailee peters winning the award for most improved cadet academically and cadet Ka'lea burkes being named assistant platoon leader of 1st platoon.
Kanawha County Schools Board of Education, Regular Session — October 16th, 2025

The Kanawha County Schools Board of Education will host its monthly regular session meeting at 5 p.m. today. The meeting is open to the public.

This meeting will be livestreamed, and can be viewed at the link here 👇

https://kcs.kana.k12.wv.us/o/kcs/page/kcs-live-stream

The agenda is available on the KCS website 👇

https://5il.co/3qze8
14 days ago, Kanawha County Schools
kcs logo
💙✨ Student leaders making a difference! ✨💙

West Side Middle School Student Council members showed what leadership looks like during homecoming week! 🙌 They created posters, stayed after school to decorate the halls, and worked hard to make homecoming extra special for their classmates.

When students take pride in their school, everyone feels the spirit! 🎉💪
14 days ago, Kanawha County Schools
west side middle school student council members posing for a picture in a school hallway they decorated for homecoming week.
the entrance at west side middle school decorated for homecoming week.
a hallway at west side middle school decorated with gold and black homecoming decorations.
homecoming decorations at west side middle school that say "go pack"
🎨🌸 Learning comes full circle in KCS!

Riverside senior art students Jaiden, Josie, and Pearl joined their teacher, Mr. Stanley, at Midland Trail Elementary to lead a hands-on STEAM art project with third graders! Together, they learned about pollinators 🐝, protecting our planet 🌎, and made colorful 3D butterflies to take home.

Projects like this are what KCS is all about—older students building confidence and strengthening their knowledge by teaching, and younger students seeing what’s possible when they dream big! 💚✨
15 days ago, Kanawha County Schools
riverside high school art students and midland trail 3rd grade students posing for a picture outside of the school showing off their 3D butterflies.
a riverside high school student looking on as an elementary student colors part of her butterfly blue.
a riverside high school student looking on as an elementary student colors part of her butterfly black.
a riverside high school student looking on as an elementary student colors part of her butterfly purple.
a riverside student working with a midland trail student to build a 3D butterfly.
a riverside student working with a midland trail student to build a 3D butterfly.
Riverside and midland trail students posing for a picture outside of midland trail elementary school.
3D butterflies made by students attached to a box with a wooden dowels.
3D butterflies made by students attached to a box with a wooden dowels.
student using a yellow marker to color in a butterfly.
🧠✨ Learning that sticks—literally!

As part of their unit on Ancient Egypt, students are diving hands-on into history with a S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) twist—mummifying a chicken! Don’t worry—no live animals were harmed! The chicken was store-bought.

This creative project brings ancient traditions to life, helping students explore Egyptian culture, science, and art through an unforgettable, interactive experience that deepens understanding and curiosity.
16 days ago, Kanawha County Schools
sissonville middle school students measure a chicken during a steam lab.
students at sissonville middle school using a scale to measure a chicken during their steam lab.
sissonville middle school students measuring ingredients and weighing a chicken during their steam lab.
sissonville middle school students measure ingredients to create a mummy wrap for a chicken during a steam lab.
students at sissonville middle school using a scale to weigh a chicken during a steam lab.
🎃👻 THURSDAY — Trunk or Treat with KCS! 👻🎃

The KCS Office of Exceptional Students is excited to host a Trunk or Treat for all students with disabilities and their families! 🧡

📅 Date: Thursday, October 16th
📍 Location: Capital High School
🕔 Time: 5:00 – 6:30 PM

Come out for an evening of fun, candy, and community! 🍬✨ We can’t wait to see your costumes and celebrate together.
16 days ago, Kanawha County Schools
KCS office of exceptional students trunk or treat event at Capital high school on thrusday october 16th from 5:00pm-6:30pm open to all students with disabilities and their families.

🎉🏆 Triple Crown ! 👑

We’re celebrating not one, not two, but THREE incredible KCS educators who were recently recognized for their outstanding work! 🎉

At Overbrook Elementary, Brooke Bias was named Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year by SHAPE WV! Mrs. Bias is known for her energy, kindness, and the way she inspires students to stay active and confident—both in and out of the gym. 🏃‍♀️💪

And over at Alum Creek Elementary, Mr. Chet Lowther was named the West Virginia Art Education Association’s Elementary Art Educator of the Year! His creativity and passion for art help students see the world through color, curiosity, and imagination. 🎨✨

🖌️ And at the middle school level, Elkview's, Mrs. Casey Aldrich has been named the WVAEA Middle School Art Educator of the Year! She’s devoted to creating dynamic spaces where young artists grow in confidence and imagination every single day.

Congratulations to both! Their dedication reminds us just how many extraordinary people we have teaching and mentoring students across Kanawha County Schools every single day. 💙❤️💚

17 days ago, Kanawha County Schools
Chet Lowther, art teacher at Alum Creek Elementary, named the West Virginia Art Education Association’s Elementary Art Educator of the Year.
Brooke Bias, the PE teacher at Overbrook Elementary, accepting her award from ShapeWV as the elementary PE teacher of the year.
Casey Aldrich, middle school art teacher of the year.
📣 Reminder for KCS Families

There will be no school for students on Monday, October 13th — it’s Parent/Teacher Conference Day! 🍎

Parent/Teacher conferences are a great opportunity to connect one-on-one with your student's teacher, learn more about how they’re growing, and hear ways you can support their success at home.

If you haven’t already, reach out to your student’s school or teacher to schedule your meeting. Every conversation helps strengthen the partnership that makes learning possible! 💬✨
20 days ago, Kanawha County Schools
no school for kcs students on monday, october 13th due to parent/teacher conferences.
🔍🧬 CSI — Cross Lanes

5th graders at Cross Lanes Elementary are turning into junior detectives thanks to KCS Security Officer Bob Houck and their teacher Tiffany Pace! For the past five weeks, students have been diving in to real forensic science, preparing for their sixth and final lesson! Today, students collected evidence at the "crime scene" — they suited up and tested fingerprints, analyzed DNA samples, and collected evidence to solve a mystery crime. 👣🔬

What started as a spark of curiosity has grown into a hands-on learning adventure that gets students thinking, problem-solving, and dreaming about future careers in science. 💡

Lessons like this are possible thanks to our KCS Excess Levy, which helps fund our 12 dedicated security officers. These officers do so much more than keep our schools safe—they’re part of our classrooms and our communities, helping learning come to life in amazing ways. 💚
20 days ago, Kanawha County Schools
students using black lights to look for blood spatter.
student putting on gloves before she tests for dna.
student writing in his evidence log.
kcs security officer helping student put evidence in a collection bag.
cross lanes elementary students, their teacher, school security officer, principal, and kcs superintendent posing for a picture at the end of the lesson.
student looking for evidence on a sheet of paper.
students testing for finger prints at a classroom table
student testing a cup for dna.
student in a crime scene suit collecting evidence
student testing for a fingerprint during the lesson.