🎅✨ Sensory with Santa: A Holiday Meet & Greet for Students with Disabilities ✨🎄

We’re excited to invite students and families to a special sensory-friendly holiday event designed just for them!

📅 Thursday, December 4, 2025
⏰ 5:00 – 6:30 PM
📍 Edison Staff Development Center
157 2nd Avenue, South Charleston, WV 25303

Enjoy cookies, hot chocolate, games, and crafts in a calm, welcoming environment where every child can experience the magic of the season. Families can also connect with helpful resources about IEPs, 504 Plans, preschool services, therapies, and more.
3 months ago, Kanawha County Schools
Sensory with Santa night for all KCS students with disabilities is on December 4th at the Edison Staff Development Center in South Charleston, it begins at 5:00 p.m. and ends at 6:30 p.m.
📣 Calling all leaders!
KCS is forming a Student Leadership Team — a diverse group of middle, high, and career/technical school students ready to make a difference!

Each school will select 1–2 students who will:
💡 Lead projects that build belonging, wellness, and school pride
💬 Share student perspectives and ideas
🤝 Serve as ambassadors for their school community

See your school administrator for an application — due Dec 1!

🔗 Learn more about this new program on the KCS website
👉 https://kcs.kana.k12.wv.us/article/2539016
3 months ago, Kanawha County Schools
KCS announces new student leadership team that will work with kcs superintendent paula potter to give students a voice in their education.
❄️🚨 Weather Update – Sunday, November 9, 9:00 p.m. ❄️🚨

After tonight’s 8:00 p.m. briefing with the Charleston National Weather Service, we’ve learned that the forecast has been downgraded — ground temperatures are warm, and the chance of snow sticking is low.

As of now, Kanawha County Schools plans to operate on a normal schedule tomorrow, Monday, November 10.

If the forecast changes overnight and a schedule change becomes necessary, we’ll send an update between 6:00–6:15 a.m. via callout, text, email, and on our social media pages.
3 months ago, Kanawha County Schools
kcs logo
🥇 Grand Champions! 🥇
Congratulations to Carver Career Center’s Culinary Arts team for taking home Best Dish and Grand Champion honors at the West Virginia Jr. Cast Iron Cook-Off in Morgantown!

Chef Grant and Principal Lisa Dorsey joined students Lola Zamora, Amazing Tognoli, and Will Ellis in the kitchen as they impressed the judges with their winning menu — feta and spinach meatballs over rustic fall creamy orzo, topped with tomato coulis and micro-greens, and a delicious apple tart with meringue for dessert. 🍎

🤗 Are there any leftovers — asking for a friend!?
3 months ago, Kanawha County Schools
Carver culinary students at their work station during the WV Jr. Cast Iron Cook-Off in morgantown.
Carver Culinary students with their principal and instructor holding the prize checks for winning best dish and grand champion at the wv Jr. Cast Iron Cook-Off.
🚑 Dr. Grammar is in! 👨‍⚕️🩺

Cedar Grove Elementary second graders suited up for Contraction Surgery — learning how to bring two words together to make one. The hands-on lesson made grammar unforgettable and full of laughter! ❤️
3 months ago, Kanawha County Schools
two students pose together with their surgical gowns and caps during their lesson.
a table of students cutting and gluing words together during their contraction lesson.
a student cutting out words during the contraction surgery lesson.
a student cutting words off of a piece of paper.
five students getting their surgical gear on for their contraction surgery lesson.
a teacher is helping students during the contraction surgery lesson.
students working during their lesson.
a student cutting a piece of paper during the lesson.
students in their surgical smiling during the lesson.
students cutting words out to make them into contractions.
🦜From scales to feathers to fur — students at Cross Lanes Elementary met them all! 🦎🦜🐇

Zoodles Animal Education Program brought the animal kingdom to life, giving students a hands-on lesson in habitats, adaptations, and conservation. 🐾🌍
3 months ago, Kanawha County Schools
a young student holding a turtle.
a baby kangaroo.
students looking on as an animal trainer holds a bird on her arm.
cross lanes elementary students in the school gym watching animal experts from zoodles show off animals from around the planet.
a cross lanes elementary teacher helping a student hold a turtle.
a cross lanes elementary teacher holding a snake.
a bird sitting on a branch inside cross lanes elementary school.
a cross lanes elementary teacher holding a baby kangaroo.
a member of the zoodles staff with a snake on his shoulders.
🗓️ Review and comment on the proposed 2026–2027 KCS School Calendars!

Visit our homepage and click “2026–2027 Calendar Options” to share your feedback.

👉 https://kcs.kana.k12.wv.us/o/kcs/page/kcs-calendar-options
📱You can also submit comments on the KCS App by selecting "Kanawha County Schools" in your Feed.
4 months ago, Kanawha County Schools
kcs website home screen
💚 The Herd rolled into South Charleston! 🖤

Today, Marshall University President Brad Smith, KCS Superintendent Dr. Paula Potter, Marco the mascot, and SCHS alum & Marshall med student Gabrielle Potter visited South Charleston High to celebrate the Direct Admit Partnership between Kanawha County Schools and Marshall University!

Through this partnership, any KCS senior with a 2.5 GPA or higher is automatically admitted to Marshall — no separate application or fees required. 🙌

President Smith encouraged students to dream big, and Gabrielle reminded them that you don’t have to have it all figured out — just take the next right step.

One more reason KCS students have so many paths to success! 💚🖤
4 months ago, Kanawha County Schools
south charleston high school students posing for a picture with Marshall's mascot Marco.
south charleston high school students sitting in the auditorium and representatives from marshall university speak with them about the direct admit partnership with KCS.
marshall university president, brad smith, on stage in the south charleston high school auditorium talking to students about what they can accomplish at marshall.
kcs superintendent, paula potter, on the stage at the south charleston high school auditorium welcoming students and guests to the event.
marshall university president, brad smith, on stage in the south charleston high school auditorium talking to students about what they can accomplish at marshall.
Marshall University mascot, marco, waving to students while walking into the south charleston high school auditorium at the end of the event.
Marshall University mascot, Marco, giving the horns up sign to students at the end of the event.
three south charleston students speaking with a Marshall recruiter after the program.
 Marshall University President Brad Smith and a south charleston high school student giving the horns up sign while taking a picture together.
south charleston high school students posing for a picture with Marshall's mascot Marco.

The October edition of the KCS Monthly Newsletter is now available 👇

🔗: https://5il.co/3ruj2

Content includes:
🔬A forensics lesson at SCHS
📅 Important November events and reminders
🛠️ HVAC Levy Project Updates
... and more!

4 months ago, Kanawha County Schools
a south charleston high school students doing a blood testing analysis during forensics class.
🎃 From superheroes 🦸‍♂️ to storybook characters 👸, our schools are full of Halloween magic today! 🎃✨

🧡 We’re loving all the photos and videos coming in from around KCS — keep them coming! Share your favorite staff or student costumes below! 👇🧡

📸: Pictured below — Lakewood Elementary Staff
4 months ago, Kanawha County Schools
The staff at Lakewood Elementary posing for a picture in their halloween costumes in the school cafeteria.
💙 Many of our schools operate food pantries to help students and families when extra support is needed. With more families seeking assistance right now, several schools are starting new pantries to meet the growing demand — and schools with existing pantries are continuing to accept donations.

If you’d like to help, please contact your local school—or the school you wish to support—to ask what items are most needed and where donations can be dropped off. Thank you, Kanawha County, for always supporting students. 💛
4 months ago, Kanawha County Schools
To donate to a school food pantry, contact your local school to ask how you can help.
🤝 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. 👏
4 months 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
4 months 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)!
4 months 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. 💙
4 months 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.
4 months 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. 💻✨
4 months 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
4 months 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!
4 months 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! 💫
4 months 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.