Kanawha County Schools

Chamberlain Elementary had a pretty special reason to celebrate. 🎉 Their school counselor, Taylor Walters, was named the 2025–2026 West Virginia Elementary School Counselor of the Year! 🎉

Students and staff recently surprised Taylor with a celebration to show just how much she means to their school, and the smiles said it all.

This award recognizes counselors who go above and beyond for students every day, and we’re proud to see that kind of care and commitment right here in KCS.

Congratulations, Taylor! Thank you for the difference you make for kids, families, and your school community. 💛

4 months ago, Kanawha County Schools

Taylor is hugging her school's principal. Taylor is holding a bouquet of flowers in her left hand. Students sitting in the audience are looking on .

A cake with white icing, sprinkles, and a soft pink icing border. WVSCA Counselor of the Year is written on top of the cake in light purple icing.

Growth worth celebrating 📈🍎

We recently recognized several of our secondary teachers whose students showed the most growth on mid-year benchmark testing, and that growth doesn’t happen by accident.

Our teachers are always refining lessons, trying new strategies, and finding what works best for their students. Walk into classrooms across the county and you’ll see learning that’s active, engaging, and focused on helping every student move forward.

Elementary teachers and service personnel will be recognized at an upcoming meeting, too. When our whole school community works together, students grow. 💙

👩‍🏫 A full list of the teachers who were recognized is on our website. The link is in the comments!

4 months ago, Kanawha County Schools

A group picture of all the teachers who were recognized.

A teacher is smiling after receiving his certificate of recognition.

A teacher is walking up the aisle to receive his certificate of recognition.

A wide shot of the board meeting where teachers were recognized. The picture is taken from the back of the room, behind all of the audience seating. Most of the seats are full. In front of the audience, the teachers are lined up. In the middle of the teachers is KCS Superintendent, Paula Potter, Asst. Superintendent of Secondary Gene Smith, and Deputy Superintendent, Missy Ruddle.

A teacher is walking up the aisle at the board meeting to receive her certificate of recognition.

👔 Dunbar Middle School showed what learning beyond the classroom looks like today with its annual Guys in Ties event.

8th grade students were paired with mentors from the community for real conversations about life, goals, and the future, and, of course, a few lessons on how to tie a tie. Students also heard from Dr. Brian Dinkins, who shared his personal journey — from a difficult childhood and academic struggles to chasing his dream of playing professional football.

He spoke honestly about the challenges he faced when life didn’t unfold exactly as planned, and why planning ahead, staying focused, and surrounding yourself with people who push you to be better is important.

A special thanks to Chick-fil-A for donating breakfast and to Esteps for providing every student with a custom-fitted dress shirt and tie. Events like Guys in Ties are a reminder that lessons learned in school are strengthened through mentorship, connection, and real-world experiences.

👛 And coming soon: Girls in Pearls on March 26.

4 months ago, Kanawha County Schools

A student walking down the aisle of the school's auditorium to receive his dress shirt and tie.

The school principal is handing a student his bag with that has his dress shirt and tie in it.

A University of Charleston soccer player is speaking with two students at the Guys in Ties event while eating breakfast.

The school principal is handing a student his bag with that has his dress shirt and tie in it. Another student, who has already received his bag, is walking back towards his seat.

A mentor is speaking to an 8th grade student during the guys in ties event.

Dr. Brian Dinkins is standing in front of the stage in the Dunbar Middle School Auditorium speaking to students and their mentors.

A black gift bag, with white tissue paper that has black polka dots on it, sitting on the DMS auditorium stage. These bags have the student's shirt and tie in them.

Next level: unlocked. 🎮🐺

Each month, students at West Side Middle School who show growth on the GSA and middle of the year benchmark tests score an invite to the Wolf Den for the monthly Level Up Party.

The Wolf Den is the school's game room. Students who level up receive personalized Level Up cards engraved by students at Carver, lanyards, and other special perks. When students level up, they wear their progress proudly.

Leveling up is about progress, not perfection. At WSMS, hard work isn’t just recognized — it unlocks the next level. 💙📚

4 months ago, Kanawha County Schools

Four students taking a break from playing the arcade games to smile at the camera for a picture.

Three students are standing around a table playing jenga. Two students are watching as the third student is placing one of the wooden blocks on top of the stack of blocks.

A huge group of students is sitting around a table in the Wolf Den posing for a picture. There are snacks and drinks sitting on the table.

The school principal is playing arcade like mini basketball game with a student trying to see who can make more baskets in a period of time. A third student is standing to the side of the game watching.

Three girls are doing Karaoke. One student is holding the mic and signing and the other two are dancing.

Two students are playing a game of pool on a mini pool table. A third student standing to the left of the pool table, is also holding a pool cue and smiling while one student lines up for a shot.

Three students sitting at an arts and crafts table, and one student standing up behind the three sitting down. They are working on an art project and there are beads and glitter covering the table.

Students playing basketball on a mini basketball hoop in the game room.

Five arcade games lining the wall in the game room at west side middle school. These are the old school, 90s era, type arcade games.

A student sitting at an arts and crafts table that is covered in glitter. She is holding up a dream catcher that she designed with glitter and beads.

❄️ Two-Hour Delay – Tuesday, February 24 ❄️

Due to forecasted snow moving in overnight, Kanawha County Schools will operate on a two-hour delay tomorrow.

We hope to be open on the delay schedule.

🔹 Morning classes at Carver and Ben Franklin are canceled.
🔹 Afternoon classes at Carver and Ben Franklin will run as normal.
🔹 Employees report on time (notify your supervisor if travel is unsafe).
🔹 Families should use their best judgment if conditions are unsafe in your area.
🔹 Watch for possible bus route changes in the morning.

Please stay safe and give yourself extra time on the roads.

4 months ago, Kanawha County Schools

KCS on a two hour delay Tuesday, February 24th, 2026 due to weather.

Due to snowfall moving into our area and worsening road conditions, Kanawha County Schools will be closed today, Monday, February 23.

This is a traditional snow day. School-based staff do not report. All 261 employees may report up to two hours late. If you will be later than two hours, please contact your supervisor.

Because we have used all of our snow days, this closure will require a makeup day later in the school year. We will share that date once it is finalized.

We hope to see everyone back on Tuesday. Stay safe and stay warm. ❄️

4 months ago, Kanawha County Schools

KCS closed today, Monday, February 23rd due to weather.

Due to winter weather and road conditions, Kanawha County Schools will operate on a two-hour delay tomorrow, Monday, February 23rd.

This delay allows our transportation crews time to evaluate bus routes. If conditions worsen overnight, we will share an updated call Monday morning.

Please take your time traveling, stay safe, and we’ll see everyone two hours later than normal. ❄️

4 months ago, Kanawha County Schools

KCS is on a two hour delay Monday, February 23rd, 2026.

Kanawha County Schools Board of Education, Regular Session — February 19th

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

**This meeting will be held at the Edison Staff Development Center in South Charleston.

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://aptg.co/8pMN7H

4 months ago, Kanawha County Schools

Staffing season is one of the hardest things to do in the public school system.

These decisions are never easy, and they affect people we know, work with, and care about. We do everything we can to limit the number of cuts while continuing to support students and keep our schools running strong.

We’re sharing this to help explain the “why” behind the changes and to make sure our staff and community have clear, accurate information.

4 months ago, Kanawha County Schools

We LOVED seeing Lakewood Elementary filled with smiles, laughter, and kindness this morning 💛🎉

5th graders hosted a “Love Language Fair,” inviting every grade level to come play, create, dance, and just enjoy being together. From board games and crafts to gift-making and laughter with friends, kindness was everywhere you looked.

Shoutout to these awesome 5th grade leaders for planning this event and showing that kindness can be creative, silly, and full of heart 💫

4 months ago, Kanawha County Schools

Lakewood elementary valentines day party

F is for friends who do stuff together,
U is for you and me,
N is for anywhere and anytime at all…at Bridgeview Elementary

Elementary P.E. teachers brought the FUN to yesterday’s Professional Learning Day! 🎈🏃‍♂️

They shared their favorite games, activities, and ideas for keeping kids active and smiling. There was lots of movement, teamwork, and laughter as teachers jumped right in and tried everything out together.

Now they’re heading back to their schools with fresh ideas and tons of excitement to help our students stay healthy, confident, and full of energy! 💙👟

4 months ago, Kanawha County Schools

The teachers are in a huge circle in the gym, with one teacher leading the exercise standing at half court.

Two gym teachers are standing in front of the bleachers in the gym. They are playing rock paper scissors. The teacher on the right has his left leg extended backwards.

There are six, evenly spaced out, rows of hula hoops on a gym floor with four hula hoops in each row. Teachers are taking turns running in and out of the hula hoops.

Teachers are in pairs in a line from one baseline to the other baseline.

Teachers are spread out across the gym floor doing an exercise.

Another big day for math in KCS! 🧮👏

Congratulations to our middle and high school participants from the 2026 KCS Secondary Math Field Day. These students took on some serious challenges and represented their schools with pride. We’re proud of each of you! Below are the final results.

6th Grade
1st — Evan Cumberledge, Cross Lanes Christian
2nd — Simon Hale, Horace Mann Middle School
3rd — Ian Alhamwi, Charleston Catholic
Alternate — Juliana Fields, Dunbar Middle School

7th Grade
1st — Collin Gertz, DuPont Middle School
2nd — Charlie Davis, John Adams Middle School
3rd — Reed Pell, Elkview Middle School
Alternate — Madison Leport, Charleston Catholic

8th Grade
1st — Hayden Zhang, Andrew Jackson Middle School
2nd — Eli Hale, Horace Mann Middle School
3rd — Nadia Cicenas, Charleston Catholic
Alternate — Harper Bartlett, Sissonville Middle School

9th Grade
1st — Hope Wu, George Washington High School
2nd — Shrija Malkaram, George Washington High School
3rd — Vibhuman Haricharan, George Washington High School
Alternate — Beau Hale, Capital High School

High School Team Results
1st — Anshuman Haricharan, George Washington High School
2nd — Ellie Hoblitzell, Charleston Catholic
3rd — Colin Brown, Charleston Catholic
4th — Andrew Vogelaar, Nitro High School
5th — Luca DiCocco, Charleston Catholic
6th — Isaac Franck, George Washington High School
7th — Ben Smith, George Washington High School
8th — Isaiah Vellaithambi, George Washington High School
9th — Saja Huggi, George Washington High School
10th — Audree Born, Herbert Hoover High School

Alternates
1st — Christopher Shickchen, Cross Lanes Christian
2nd — Jerry Stover, Riverside High School
3rd — Dakota Taylor, Capital High School
4th — Christian Shamblin, Cross Lanes Christian
5th — Vivian Zhang, Nitro High School

🏆 Highest overall scoring middle school team: Horace Mann Middle School
🏆 Highest overall scoring high school team: Charleston Catholic

Great work to all who competed—your dedication, focus, and problem-solving were on full display. We’re proud of you and excited to see what you accomplish next! 🎉

4 months ago, Kanawha County Schools

KCS Math Field Day Winners, 6th Grade, from left to right - Alternate, Juliana Fields, Dunbar Middle - 3rd Place, Ian Alhamwi, Charleston Catholic - 2nd Place, Simon Hale, Horace Mann - 1st Place, Evan Cumberledge, Cross Lanes Christian.

KCS Math Field Day Winners, 7th Grade, from left to right - Alternate, Madison Leport, Charleston Catholic - 3rd Place, Reed Pell, Elkview Middle - 2nd Place, Charlie Davis, John Adams - 1st Place, Collin Gertz, DuPont Middle..

KCS Math Field Day Winners, 8th Grade, from left to right - Alternate, Harper Bartlett, Sissonville Middle - 3rd Place, Nadia Cicenas, Charleston Catholic - 2nd Place, Eli Hale, Horace Mann - 1st Place, Hayden Zhang, Andrew Jackson Middle.

KCS Math Field Day Winners, 9th Grade, from left to right - Alternate, Beau Hale, Capital High School - 3rd Place, Vibhuman Haricharan, George Washington High School - 2nd Place, Shrija Malkaram, George Washington High School- 1st Place, Hope Wu, George Washington High School.

2026 KCS Math Field Day High School winners. 15 students total.

2026 KCS Math Field Day overall top scoring middle school team, Horace Mann.

2026 KCS Math Field Day overall top scoring high school team, Charleston Catholic.

You might do a double take walking past Nitro High’s art room 👀🍩

Students created Food Realism Sculptures that look good enough to eat . By focusing on color, texture, and tiny details...each piece feels real 🎨🧁 It’s the kind of work that would make Duff Goldman proud 👏

Really cool creativity and craftsmanship from these talented artists.
Imagination 🤝 Skill ✨🖌️

4 months ago, Kanawha County Schools

Art sculpture made to look like the iconic hot dogs from Spring Hill Pastry Shop.

Art sculpture made to look like a strawberry cake. At the base of the cake sculpture are white balls. On top of the cake sculpture are strawberry sculptures. There is also a fork to the left of the cake and a fork leaning against the cake.

A hand is holding an art sculpture that looks like a banana split.

An art sculpture that looks like a plate of spaghetti and meatballs. There is also a sculpture on the side of the plate that looks like garlic bread.

A sculpture made to look like tomato soup with noodles. The noodles are in the shapes of different letters of the alphabet.

A sculpture made to look like pepperoni pizza.

A sculpture made to look like a blueberry waffle covered in chocolate sauce in syrup.

Congrats to our elementary winners from the 2026 KCS Math Field Day! 🧮✨

These students showed off some seriously sharp thinking and problem-solving skills! Next stop for this crew, the regional Math Field Day competition. 👏

4th Grade:
🥇 Leo Goffreda — Point Harmony Elementary
🥈 Vivaan Haricharan — Holz Elementary
🥉 Tate Bock — Weberwood Elementary
⭐ Alternate: Grayson Lodge — St. Francis

5th Grade:
🥇 Will Emrick — Overbrook Elementary
🥈 Roger Lin — Central Elementary
🥉 Ella Alhamwi — Sacred Heart
🏅 Alternate: William Ghareeb — Cross Lanes Christian

Way to go!! We’ll be cheering you on at regionals. The calculations continue tomorrow with our 2026 KCS Secondary Math Field Day!

5 months ago, Kanawha County Schools

2026 KCS 4th Grade math field day winners. From left to right - KCS Superintendent, Dr. Paula Potter, Vivaan Haricharan (2nd Place) Holz Elementary, Grayson Lodge (Alternate) St. Francis, Tate Bock (3rd Place) Weberwood Elementary, Leo Goffreda (1st Place) Point Harmony Elementary.

2026 KCS 5th Grade math field day winners. From left to right - KCS Superintendent, Dr. Paula Potter, Will Emrick (1st Place) Overbrook Elementary, Roger Lin (2nd Place) Central Elementary, Ella Alhamwi (3rd Place) Sacred Heart, William Ghareeb (Alternate) Cross Lanes Christian.

The faces say it all. 😆❄️

South Charleston High School raised $932 for Special Olympics of West Virginia and brought the energy (and the bravery!) to this year’s Polar Plunge. The water was extra polar this year, and those split-second expressions when students hit the water were priceless.

Cold water, warm hearts, and lots of school spirit — way to go, SCHS! 🧡👏

5 months ago, Kanawha County Schools

Two girls jumping into an above ground pool during the South Charleston High School Polar Plunge. One girl is about halfway under the water. The other girl's feet have just entered the water.

Two girls jumping into an above ground pool during the South Charleston High School Polar Plunge. Both girls are about waste deep underwater. In the background, two students are looking on and someone else is taking a picture of the girls. There is snow on the hillside behind the pool.

A group picture of all of the SCHS students who jumped into the pool for the school's polar plunge event to raise money for the Special Olympics of West Virginia.

Two girls, one dressed in all black and the other wearing black pants and a red shirt, have just jumped off the steps of an above ground pool. Neither girl has entered the water yet. The left foot of the girl dressed in all back is just about to break the surface of the water.

Two girls wearing a tee shirt and shorts jumping into an above ground pool. The legs of the girl closes to the camera have just entered the water. The second girl is still in mid air. In the background a man is taking pictures of the girls jumping into the water.

A group picture of all of the SCHS students, and their teacher, who jumped into the pool for the school's polar plunge event to raise money for the Special Olympics of West Virginia.

🐝 Spelling Bee Update

Due to weather, the spelling bee, that was scheduled for Saturday, February 7th, has been rescheduled to Wednesday, February 11th at South Charleston High School.

🕔 Registration: 5:00 p.m.
🐝 Competition begins: 5:30 p.m.

We appreciate everyone’s flexibility and can’t wait to cheer on our spellers!

5 months ago, Kanawha County Schools

KCS Spelling Bee scheduled for Saturday, February 7th, has been postponed due to weather. The new date is Wednesday, February 11th at South Charleston High School. Registration begins at 5:00 p.m. and the competition begins at 5:30 p.m.

❄️ KCS Weather Update - Remote Learning ❄️

Due to snow that is forecasted to begin falling by mid-morning and making dismissal unsafe, Kanawha County Schools is going to err on the side of caution and use our last remote learning day tomorrow, Friday, February 6th.

Students should have already been given work that can be completed offline. If the work was not downloaded, it is available in Schoology. If a student is unable to access their work due to no power or internet, the work may be completed later and turned in as makeup work.

Teachers will be available during normal school hours to provide assistance as needed.

Thank you for your continued patience, flexibility, and support this week. Stay safe, stay warm, and we hope to see everyone Monday. Have a great weekend.

5 months ago, Kanawha County Schools

KCS closed and remote learning on Friday, February 6th, due to weather.

❄️ KCS Weather Update 2-Hour Delay ❄️

Due to poor road conditions in parts of the county, Kanawha County Schools will operate on a two-hour delay tomorrow, Thursday, February 5.

The two-hour delay allows our transportation department additional time to assess road conditions across the county and eliminates the need for an early-morning call.

There is a possibility this could change to a remote learning day. If that happens, families will receive an update Thursday morning (but not at 4:55 a.m.)

Our hope is to remain on a two-hour delay. Thank you for your patience and understanding. ❄️🚌

5 months ago, Kanawha County Schools

KCS is on a two hour delay Thursday February 5th.

❄️ Huge thanks to the City of South Charleston crews who were out bright and early today clearing snow and ice from our schools in South Charleston - because winter is clearly feeling very committed this year. ☃️

They do this just about every time it snows, and we can’t say thank you enough. With more than 60 buildings across the district and snow showing up like it’s on a schedule, that extra help is a big deal.

Their support helps our KCS maintenance teams keep it moving and head on to other schools, so more sidewalks, lots, and entrances get cleared faster. Teamwork for the win. 💪❄️

5 months ago, Kanawha County Schools

City of South Charleston workers posing for a picture in front of South Charleston Middle School after clearing the sidewalk and front entrance of the school. There is a city snow plow with its lights on parked just behind the group of workers.

Seven City of South Charleston workers are getting snow removal gear out of a white city truck so they can begin clearing the sidewalk and front entrance at Bridgeview Elementary School in South Charleston.

A city of south charleston snow plow is driving down the street in front of South Charleston Middle School. The snow plow is about to begin clearing a strip of snow that is just in front of the sidewalk at South Charleston Middle School.

In the foreground, a city of South Charleston worker is using a leaf blower to blow snow off of the main sidewalk at South Charleston Middle School. Behind that man, about halfway down the sidewalk, two men are using snow shovels to clear snow from the sidewalk at the school. Beside the two men with the snow shovels, a city work truck is parked and two men are getting snow removal equipment out of the bed of the truck.

❄️ Remote Learning Day – Weather Update ❄️

Due to weather conditions, Kanawha County Schools will have a remote learning day tomorrow, Wednesday, February 4th.

Students should have been assigned work that can be completed offline. If students do not have their work downloaded, it is available to download in Schoology.

Teachers will be available during school hours to help and answer questions.
If you are without power or internet, students can complete and turn in their work later as makeup work.

Thank you for your flexibility, and please stay safe.

5 months ago, Kanawha County Schools

KCS is closed and on remote learning, Wednesday, February 4th, due to weather.

Kanawha County Schools -