📚 Grades K–2
1st Place: Gemma, Deacon, and Ms. Hardesty's 2nd Grade Class
2nd Place: Lennon
3rd Place: Lydia
📖 Grades 3–5
Participants: Woodrow, Jerzie, Elliott, Adalyn, Alida
Winners:
1st: Gracie, Paisley, Jackson, Henlee, Titus, Daniel, Annabel, Sullivan, Madison
2nd: Avery, Mariella, Cadence
3rd: Jerico, Isaiah
✍️ Grades 6–8
Participants: Isaac, Rufus, Noah
Winners:
1st: Kendall, Karli, Kendyl, Ava, Eva, Madelyn
2nd: Grayson, Carter, Bayla, Gemma, Rayna, Kaidence, Wade, Lane
3rd: Natalie
📝 Grades 9–12
1st Place: Kaylah, Arizona, Emma
🎉 Congratulations to Our 2025 Regional Literature Fair Winners & Participants! 🎉
🎉 Let's hear it for Pocahontas County's Joey Van Meter!!! 👏
Pocahontas County High School’s senior class president has been selected as one of West Virginia’s delegates for the 2026 U.S. Senate Youth Program! Joey will receive a $10,000 scholarship and represent WV in Washington, D.C. during Washington Week in March, joining student leaders from across the nation.
We’re proud of Joey’s leadership and commitment to making a positive impact! 👏
Learn more https://bit.ly/4otg9MA.
#PocahontasProud #StudentLeader #USSYP #WVEd #WVDE
As we head into the holiday season, here are some important dates for families to keep in mind:
🍂 Fall Break: November 24–28
➡️ Back to school on December 1
❄️ Winter Break: December 22–January 2
➡️ Back to school on January 5
✏️ Martin Luther King Jr. Day: January 19
➡️ No School
Stay connected and plan ahead! Visit http://boe.pocahontas.k12.wv.us for more details.
#PocahontasCountySchools #FamilyReminders #SchoolCalendar #PCStrongerTogether
Join us for an evening of fun, learning, and connection at our Learning Beyond the Bell afterschool event!
Families from all Pocahontas County Schools - PK-12- are welcome to attend at Marlinton Middle, Green Bank Elementary/Middle, or Pocahontas County High School from 4:00–6:00 PM.
🧩 Enjoy classic board games as a family!
📚 Discover free resources from TutorWV, ParentGuidance.org, and others.
🎁 Register by November 20 to receive a free board game at the event!
📍 Choose your location and return the registration form to your school or register online: https://bit.ly/4qMqZQd
Let’s make it a night to remember—Together We Win! 💛
🌟 Pocahontas County Schools at STRIVE 2025! 🌟
Our team of PCS leaders and educators is diving into powerful sessions at the West Virginia Department of Education's STRIVE Conference for Secondary Special Education this week! We’re learning innovative strategies to support ALL students and exploring important updates like House Bill 2499, which focuses on strengthening alternative education programs and supports for student success. 👏
This work reinforces our commitment to collaboration and growth—because in Pocahontas County, we are truly #StrongerTogether! 💪✨
#PocahontasCountySchools #WVDE #STRIVEConference #SpecialEducation #PCStrongerTogether
📢 Important Calendar Reminder 📅
On Wednesday, November 19, students will be dismissed 3 hours early so our staff can participate in professional learning. Thank you for your support and planning ahead!
#PocahontasSchools #EarlyOut #PCStrongerTogether
personalized support for you and your child. Get help with anything from behavior challenges to
seasonal stress. Register here for ongoing support: https://cookcenter.info/coaching
If you'd like to learn more about the Parent Coaching program, please come to our Family Game and Resource night on December 1st. A representative from the Cook Center will be presenting information about the program and how to sign up! More information on that event can be found here: https://boe.pocahontas.k12.wv.us/page/learning-beyond-the-bell
📢 Reminder from Pocahontas County Schools:
In observance of Veterans Day, there will be NO SCHOOL on Tuesday, November 11, 2025.
Let’s take this time to honor and thank all who have served our country 🌟
The Pocahontas County Schools Board of Education meeting scheduled for 11/4/2025 has been cancelled.
The LSIC presentations for HES and GBEMS will be moved to the 12/2/2025 meeting.
Our next regularly scheduled meeting will be November 18, 2025.
🏫 Recognizing the dedicated professionals shaping education every day.
We’re excited to welcome Phillip Anderson as the new Special Education and Pre-K Director for Pocahontas County Schools starting this November!
Phillip has served as principal at Marlinton Elementary School since 2015, where his leadership has made a lasting impact. Now, he’s looking forward to embracing a new challenge and learning the ropes in his upcoming role at the central office.
A proud alumnus of Pocahontas County Schools and graduate of West Virginia University, Phillip began his career teaching subjects spanning Social Studies, Health, and Driver’s Education across several schools in the county. His deep roots in education and the community make him a great fit for this new position.
Phillip lives in Marlinton with his wife Shannon, a kindergarten teacher at MES, and their two daughters, Emma and Gracie. Outside of work, he’s a devoted Mountaineer fan and loves attending WVU sporting events.
Please join us in congratulating Phillip on his new role and thanking him for his continued commitment to Pocahontas County Schools! 💛🏫💼
📦 Join our Food Drive to support students in need!
🗓️ Drop off donations from Nov. 3–21 at any Pocahontas County School during school hours.
🥫 Most Needed Items Include:
• Canned veggies, fruit, soup (pop-top lids preferred)
• Rice, pasta, cereal
• Peanut butter, canned protein
• Flour, sugar, cooking oil
• Prepackaged snacks, oatmeal packets
• Individual servings of mac & cheese, mashed potatoes, noodles
📞 Questions or need support? Contact our Communities in Schools team:
Lois Wilfong – 304-799-6564
Marsha Grimes – 304-456-4865
Jillian Lacasse – 304-799-6551
Let’s come together to make sure no child goes to bed hungry. 💛
#MonthOfGiving #PocahontasCountySchools #FoodDrive #GiveBack #PCStrongerTogether
📢 Important Schedule Update for Pocahontas County Schools!
The Pocahontas County Board of Education has approved three early dismissal days in November for staff professional development.
On November 6, 7, and 19, students will be dismissed three hours early.
Please plan accordingly and contact your child’s school if you have any questions. Thank you for your continued support!
Reminder that our Veterans Day programs are quickly approaching! We would love to see you there - check out the details below!
Join us as we honor those who have served and continue to serve our country.
We would be honored with your presence at our special Veterans Day programs.
🎖️ Program Schedule:
📅 November 7
• Green Bank School – 9:00 AM
• Pocahontas County High School – 10:30 AM
📅 November 10
• Marlinton Elementary – 9:00 AM
• Hillsboro Elementary – 10:30 AM
• Marlinton Middle – 1:00 PM
🍽️ Veterans Lunch
Served at PCHS and Hillsboro Elementary
📞 Please call to reserve your meal:
• PCHS: 304-799-6564
• HES: 304-653-4221
🎉 Veterans Day Dinner
📍 Opera House
📅 November 11, 2025
🕚 11:00 AM
Let’s come together to show our gratitude and respect. 🇺🇸 #VeteransDay #PocahontasProud #ThankYouVeterans
✨ Celebrating the leaders who shape our schools and inspire our future
Meet Duane Gibson, our dedicated Director of Maintenance, Transportation, and School Safety for Pocahontas County Schools!
A proud PCHS alumnus, Duane has served our school system for 28 years. He began his career as part of the maintenance team before moving into the classroom as a Carpentry teacher, where he spent 26 years shaping young minds and building futures. A few years ago, he transitioned into his current leadership role, continuing to make a meaningful impact.
As Director, Duane was instrumental in securing a major COPS grant to enhance school safety and has overseen several key facility upgrades— including the current MIP project for the gym floor and electrical renovations at PCHS.
Duane lives in Huntersville with his wife, Sarah, and enjoys spending time with his two adult daughters, Amanda and Kayla. In his free time, you’ll find him enjoying the outdoors—hunting, fishing, hiking, biking, and water sports like kayaking, paddle boarding, boating, and swimming. He also loves to travel whenever he can.
👏 Thank you, Duane, for your continued commitment to Pocahontas County Schools!
#PCStongerTogether #CentralOfficeSpotlight #PocahontasCountySchools
