🦁🐼🦓 Alum Creek Elementary Was a ZOO Today—Literally! 🐘🐍🐧 2nd and 3rd graders roared with excitement as they brought the ACES Zoo to life in an amazing collaborative project! 🧠📚🐾 Students presented their animal research, showing off their knowledge of wild creatures and their habitats—everything from the arctic tundra to the tropical rainforest! ❄️🌴 What really warmed our hearts? 💛 The way students worked together—cheering each other on, asking thoughtful questions, and sharing in each other’s success. 🤝✨ This wild adventure wasn’t just about animals—it was about teamwork, confidence, and creativity. 💫🎉 Way to go, ACES Zoo Crew! 🙌🦜📖

😊 It was a night for the arts at West Side Middle School! 🎻 The WSMS band, strings, and chorus performances were fantastic — students did a great job. Afterward, families joined in for some fun with trivia, birdhouse building, tree painting with Mr. E (a.k.a. Bob Ross 🌳🎨), and checking out student art and a West Virginia history display around the school. It was great seeing the building filled with families — and we’re pretty sure no one left hungry thanks to Chick-fil-A! 🍗

🌊🐟 From the Classroom to the Creek — Malden Students Making Waves! 🐟🌊 Morris Creek Watershed in Montgomery is now home to 25 more brown trout! 🎉📸 Students from Malden Elementary gathered to release the trout they’ve been raising all year as part of the Trout in the Classroom program. For the past 10 years, Malden teacher Tonya Crist has led this, hands-on program that turns students into young scientists, conservationists, and changemakers. They raise trout from eggs, test water quality, explore food webs, and learn the importance of protecting our environment — all while having a blast doing it! 🧪🌿 Thanks to hard work form countless people in the community — and the ongoing partnership with the Morris Creek Watershed Association — Malden students get to be part of something real and impactful. 🙌💧 Today’s event was a true celebration of learning, legacy, and environmental renewal. Former Malden students, now in Riverside High School’s Grow Your Own program and Marshall University’s Biology & Environmental Science program, returned to present their award-winning STEM projects — from boosting firefly and bat populations 🦇✨ to supporting native pollinators 🌼🐝. Two even won the National STEM Challenge Championship and presented their research in Washington, D.C.! 🔬 After the release, students went on a hayride, did STEM activities (thanks to the WVSU 4H program for providing the STEM kits), and made some animal tracks! 👏 We're so proud of these students, past and present, for showing what’s possible when education meets purpose. 📷💪

🦋 Mrs. Owens’ class at Kanawha City Elementary had a wonderful time releasing the painted lady butterflies they’ve been raising and learning about in science class! 🐛➡️🦋 The students got to watch the whole life cycle—from tiny caterpillars to beautiful butterflies—and earlier this month, they released them! 🌸🌿 Such a fun and hands-on way to learn about nature and science! 🧠🌞 Great job, scientists! 👏💛

🎉 Congratulations to two KCS students who have been awarded the 2025 Albert Yanni Scholarship from the West Virginia Department of Education! 🎓👏 🔹 Knowlen Baskin 🔹Natalie Nesselrotte Natalie and Knowlen are among 30 students across the state to receive this 💲2,000 scholarship, which supports education or training connected to their career goals. The award is open to West Virginia seniors in Career Technical Education (CTE) programs who maintain strong academics 📚 and attendance 📅. We’re proud of their hard work and wish them the best in their next steps! 🙌

⏳⏩ The days are long but the years are fast — or so it seems during graduation season 🎓 Amanda Mays always knew she wanted to be an elementary principal — in 2011, she did just that when she took the head job at Belle Elementary School. 👩‍🏫 Mrs. Mays' first year as principal was also the first year the students pictured below started school — as preschoolers at Belle Elementary. In just a few hours, those same students are graduating from Riverside High School! 🧑‍🎓 👏 Before accepting their diplomas, those students stoped by the KCS Board Office, where Mrs. Mays is now the Asst. Superintendent of Elementary Schools, for a few pictures and lots of laughs with their former principal. The bonds made and memories shared in education will last a lifetime!

🎥🎓 Livestream Info for 2025 KCS Graduation Ceremonies 👩‍🎓🔗 In 2012 ⏪, phones still flipped, TikTok didn't exist, and the 💡Class of 2025 began their educational journey as preschoolers with tiny backpacks, crayon names🖍️, and big dreams. They grew up with changing technology, shifting trends, and a world that seemed to spin faster every year. ⏩ Fast forward 13 years, those preschoolers have turned into young adults and are about to earn their high school diploma! There will be tears 🥹, smiles 😃, and high fives 🫸🫷. Reaching this point is a team effort, and we want to make sure everyone who has played apart in this journey can join in on the celebration! 🥳 🔴 All eight KCS High School Graduation Ceremonies will be available to watch live using link below. 👇 🔗: videoproductions.com/watch 📅: 2025 KCS High School Graduation Schedule 🟣 Riverside High School, May 21st — 1:00 PM 🟠 South Charleston High School, May 21st — 7:00 PM ⚪️ George Washington High School, May 22nd — 1:00 PM ⚫️ Nitro High School, May 22nd — 7:00 PM 🔵 Capital High School, May 23rd — 1:00 PM 🔴 Herbert Hoover High School, May 23rd — 7:00 PM 🔴 St. Albans High School, May 27th — 1:00 PM 🔴 Sissonville High School, May 27th — 7:00 PM 🎥: Livestreaming provided by — Video Productions

🇺🇸 Shoutout to Mr. Healy’s AP U.S. History class at Capital High School for putting in the work this month as they geared up for their big AP test! From the Founding Fathers to the Civil Rights Movement, these students have been hitting the books and making history of their own. Good luck—you’ve got this, Cougars! 📚💪

🎓 Graduation Week is Almost Here! 🚴‍♂️ ⚠️ Heads up! The City of Charleston has shared some helpful info about the best routes to use when heading to the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center between Monday, May 19 – Monday, May 26. During that time, the city will be hosting the USA Cycling Pro Road Races, which means some roads will be closed around Charleston. At the same time, six of our Kanawha County high schools will be celebrating graduation at the Coliseum! To help make sure everyone gets to their ceremonies on time (and without too much stress), we encourage families and guests to use the routes provided on the flyer. 🎉 Let’s make graduation week a smooth ride for everyone — and a time to celebrate all our amazing grads! 📍Check out the flyer for all the details, and feel free to share with anyone who might be heading downtown.

🏀 The gym floor at 🐝 Hayes Middle School has been refinished, giving students a clean, safe space for PE classes, sports, and other activities. This project was paid for using funds from the Kanawha County Schools excess levy. Thank you to the voters of Kanawha County for continuing to support the excess levy. Your support helps KCS provide valuable academic and extracurricular opportunities for students across the county. 📷🪑 Not pictured are the new bleachers for the HMS gym. We'll share more pictures after the install is complete!

☀️📚 Third Grade Readers in the Sunshine! 🍫🌳 3rd graders at Alum Creek Elementary soaked up the beautiful weather with an outdoor reading session! They're diving into The Chocolate Touch and sharing some sweet small-group discussions. Great books + great conversations + great sunshine = the perfect morning! 😎📖💬

🎨🖼️✨ Talent is on full display at the Kanawha County Schools Art Show! 🎨🖌️👩‍🎨 Last week, the Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center hosted the 2025 KCS Art Show, and WOW — our students never cease to amaze us! 🤩 From bold brushstrokes to detailed drawings, colorful collages to creative clay work, students from grades K–12 have filled the space with imagination and heart. 💛💡🎭 📸 See some of the incredible pieces created by our young artists below! A HUGE thank you to our dedicated art teachers 🎓❤️ and to every student who poured their creativity into these works. Your hard work and talent make us #KanawhaCountyProud every single day! 🎨👏 👉🏆 For a list of awards from the 2025 KCS Art Show, check out the KCS website 🔗: https://kcs.kana.k12.wv.us/news/latest_news/2025_k_c_s_art_show_award_winners

🏆💥 Big Moves, Big Wins, and Big Smiles! 😄👟 Fitness Teams from elementary and middle schools across the state brought serious hustle to the 2025 WVDE Fit + Active Schools Face-Off 🌄🎽 Since January, these young athletes have been training hard—building strength, teamwork, and some seriously impressive stamina. 💪🔥 🏆 And a school from Kanawha County brought home the gold! 🎉 OVERBROOK ELEMENTARY took home 1st place in the Elementary Division! 🥇🐾 Way to represent, KCS! 🙌💙 This high-energy event wasn’t just about competition—it was also packed with fun, hands-on educational opportunities! 🧠➡️💡 In the Great Hall students learned the importance of living tobacco- and vape-free from RAZE 🚭, while Medical Assisting students from Ben Franklin Career Center checked vitals and shared health tips like real pros-in-the-making! 🩺💉📋 From flawless form to lightning-fast transitions ⏱️, teams were scored on everything from intensity and rhythm to stamina and communication. 🗣️🤝 Kanawha County kids showed up strong, supported each other, and inspired us all to keep moving and live healthy, active lives! 🥗🏃‍♂️❤️ Congratulations, Overbrook!

🐝 Sweet Learning at Belle Elementary! 🍯 Students at Belle Elementary had a buzz-worthy day learning all about bee pollination thanks to a special visit from a local beekeeper! 🐝🌼 Students got an up-close look at how bees work hard to make honey, explored real honeycombs, and even got to taste the delicious, fresh honey made right here in our community. It was a hands-on experience that was both educational and tasty! We're so thankful for opportunities like this that bring learning to life! 💛🍯

🎉 Nitro High School Signing Day with Marshall University! 💚🐾✍️🎓 Wednesday morning was a proud moment for Nitro High School as students signed their letters of intent to continue their academic journeys at Marshall University! 🏫➡️🏛️ Marshall University brought Signing Day to the Nitro campus, with President Brad Smith speaking to students before the official signing. 📣✨ Afterward, he celebrated each future Son and Daughter of Marshall by taking photos 🤳📸 and congratulating them personally. 👏🎉 President Smith also gave special recognition to NHS students currently enrolled in the Herd Academy—a powerful program that gives high school students the opportunity to earn college credit without having to leave the Nitro campus. 🎓📚💪 We are incredibly proud of these students for their hard work and commitment to their futures. 🌟 🥧 To give President Smith a true taste of Nitro, NHS students and staff gifted him with a peanut butter pie from Diehl's Restaurant. 🪵 Students also hand crafted a shadow box for President Smith. Congratulations to all the Nitro Wildcats who are joining the Herd! 🐾💚 Your next chapter is just beginning, and we can’t wait to see all you’ll accomplish at Marshall! 🚀📖

🎉 WHAT A NIGHT! 🎉 Last night, six of our middle schools and two elementary schools experienced an unforgettable evening of inspiration, energy, and excitement — all thanks to renowned educator Ron Clark and a brand-new partnership with Huntington Bank! 🍽️📚 After a wonderful dinner and an electrifying presentation, the night ended with an incredible surprise: 67 Kanawha County teachers and administrators were gifted an all-expenses-paid scholarship to attend the Ron Clark Academy this summer! ✈️🎓 The room erupted with shouts, screams, and even a few happy tears. 💥😭❤️ The joy and gratitude were overwhelming, and the energy was contagious. THANK YOU to Huntington Bank for investing in our educators — and thank you to Ron Clark for reminding us why passionate teaching changes lives. 📸 Check out some of our favorite moments from the night below!

💪 This morning, 12 Kanawha County Schools students signed on to join the Toyota 4T Academy at the Toyota Manufacturing Plant in Buffalo, WV! These rising juniors are getting a jumpstart on their careers — learning real-world skills in a high-demand industry and even earning a paycheck while they’re still in school. After graduation, many will have the opportunity to start a full-time job with Toyota. Check out these photos from today’s signing event — a big step toward a bright future! 👏🔧🚗

🎭🇺🇸 Capital High Shines on the National Stage! 🇬🇧🎭 Capital High School's Isaiah Canterbury recently represented West Virginia at the ESU National Shakespeare Competition in New York City, competing against 40 top students from across the country. Isaiah won FIRST PLACE — and we could not be more proud! 🥇🎉 As the national champion, Isaiah will attend a prestigious Shakespeare intensive this summer at Oxford University in England — a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to deepen his craft and represent CHS and WV on an international stage. Help us congratulate Isaiah on this incredible accomplishment! 👏👏👏

*May 5th Curriculum Board Meeting* The Kanawha County Schools Board of Education will host its monthly regular session meeting at 5 p.m. today (5/5). 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/district/board_of_education/k_c_s_livestream The agenda is available on the KCS website 👇 https://kcs.kana.k12.wv.us/common/pages/GetFile.ashx?key=GpfuDAtk

📣 You're Invited! Join the KCS Office of Exceptional Students as we review data from last year’s focus areas and state indicators, and discuss our goals for the upcoming school year. This event is open to all KCS parents, staff, and community members—your input and involvement matter as we work together to support every student’s success! 📍 Event details (including location, date, time, and satellite locations) can be found in the graphic below. Let’s come together to celebrate our progress and plan for an even better year ahead. We hope to see you there!