💙💛GBEMS thanks the supporters of the Kasha Care fund!🐕🦺
Please take a minute to learn about Kasha, the therapy dog at GBEMS and her care fund. We're so grateful to be able to participate in the WV Friends with Paws program!
https://youtu.be/OB3egzpzcJQ
A message from the West Virginia Department of Education about the recent school threats in our state:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JB_PgDgebU8
Pocahontas County Schools staff enjoyed meeting children and families during Roadkill in Marlinton on September 28. We thank "Save the Children" for donating books and games.
❓ Did you know ❓
Pocahontas County Board of Education meetings are now live-streamed! 🎥✨ Stay informed with the latest discussions and decisions that shape our community’s education.
🔗 Watch Live Here: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_ZDgwY2E1ZjEtZTEzYS00YmVlLTkwYWYtNjdkMTU1M2UzNmUy%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22e019b04b-330c-467a-8bae-09fb17374d6a%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22328a045e-c07c-4855-ad16-6965d628357a%22%7d
You can also find the meeting link, recordings and the BOE meeting schedule on the PCS website via the site menu under "Board of Education Links and Agenda".
Join the Pocahontas County Schools Team!
Students will not report to school tomorrow, Friday, September 20, due to Professional Learning for all staff.
📢📢📢You can still sign up for optional student device insurance through the end of October! 💻
Get started here: https://schooldevicecoverage.com. Premiums are just $34 per device and School Device Coverage paid 💯% of last year's claims for our students!!
Note: Device serial numbers can be found typing "About" in the search box on the Windows taskbar and clicking on "About this PC" in the results. The serial number will be listed under "Windows Specifications".
Good morning, It is an honor to work for each of you and today we honor our School Service Personnel. These valuable members of our team hold our system together in so many ways. Thank you all for your dedication to the students of Pocahontas County Schools. Take care, Lynne Bostic
We want to celebrate these valuable members of the Pocahontas County Schools. Thank you for being so dedicated to the students.
Please see the following announcement from Senator Shelley Moore Capito:
Please note our Governor's update about the recent threats. This announcement has been shared by the West Virginia Department of Education.
Gov. Justice directs West Virginia Fusion Center, Department of Homeland Security, partner agencies to investigate threats of violence to WV schools
CHARLESTON, WV — Gov. Jim Justice has directed the West Virginia Fusion Center to act as the central repository for all threats of violence received at more than 45 schools in West Virginia. The Governor also directed state agencies to act in a coordinated manner to diligently investigate social media posts and warnings circulating in communities across the state.
“We will tenaciously pursue these bad actors and anyone creating an unsafe environment for our children. I just won't tolerate it. Not for one instant,” Gov. Justice said. “Each and every one of these threats will be investigated and all our resources are working together to protect our students, our schools, and our communities.”
The West Virginia Department of Homeland Security and other law enforcement agencies are aware of and working with local, state, and federal partners to monitor and investigate all leads and information received.
A call was held earlier today with school superintendents from across the state to discuss the threats, ongoing response, and safety measures and protocols in place with local schools. Homeland Security also assured that if additional resources are needed in specific counties, the state can provide support and facilitate connections as necessary.
“We are working with local, county, regional, state, and federal authorities to investigate and address these threats,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Mark Sorsaia. “As we fulfill our mission to protect our students, teachers, and staff and coordinate our response and investigation with local and federal authorities, we ask the public to share any and all information they may have regarding these threats.”
Threats early in the school year are not uncommon. Each instance is taken very seriously and punishable by strict disciplinary measures, including possible suspension, expulsion, and legal consequences. The school safety unit takes all threats seriously and supports zero tolerance when dealing with threats to schools.
The West Virginia Fusion Center, under the West Virginia Department of Homeland Security, will continue coordinating response efforts and investigations at the state level.
“Our ongoing priority is to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of our students and communities,” said Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Rob Cunningham. “We will continue our investigation of each event and are prepared to respond if needed. We ask the community to download our emergency response phone app and assist us in keeping our communities safe.”
The community is encouraged to report any and all types of threats by calling 911 and utilizing the My Mobile Witness reporting app.
"These threats are incredibly disruptive to student learning and well-being," said State Superintendent of Schools Michele L. Blatt. "We implore our families and communities to work with their local law enforcement agencies or school safety officers to report suspicious activities. Students deserve to attend schools where they feel safe and can learn in a productive and nurturing environment."
The West Virginia Department of Homeland Security will provide updates as more information becomes available.
Reporting a Threat
The West Virginia Department of Homeland Security reminds all West Virginians to immediately call 911 if there is an immediate danger or law enforcement intervention is necessary.
Additionally, West Virginia has partnered with My Mobile Witness to implement a “see something, send something” reporting system that can be completed on a smartphone or other mobile device. All West Virginians are encouraged to participate in this initiative by downloading the free See, Send application from the App Store or Google Play.
My Mobile Witness is also compatible with web-based reporting and is not strictly for cell phone use. Once the app is downloaded to a device, users will be prompted to enter their first and last name (though any reporting can be done anonymously, if the user prefers), their phone number, and then select a state of residence. Once those fields are entered, the app will be ready to use. The user may submit tips for “Crime/Suspicious Activity” or “School Threat or Safety Issues,” and they may also request help for “Suicide or Addiction.”
https://us15.campaign-archive.com/?e=403a6b8281&u=d525ab9ade4d860d2b5772468&id=0d7a3a0f8b
We want to take this opportunity to remind students, staff and parents about the availability of the "SeeSend" app, an important tool that can be used to report potential threats in WV schools. All students should have a desktop shortcut on their devices titled either, "SeeSend App" or "See Something" for quick access. Additionally, we have added the app shortcut to the home page of the BOE website for universal availability.
SeeSend link for Pocahontas County schools: https://isx.wv.seesomethingsendsomething.us/webforms/14333b5d-675e-44e0-bf33-28bd253b775f
Administrators from Pocahontas County Schools were made aware of a variety of concerning social media communications. To keep our students and staff safe, school was canceled in an abundance of caution giving us time to investigate in conjunction with West Virginia State Police and West Virginia Capitol Police. School will resume tomorrow, Thursday, September 12, 2024.
We have several layers of protocols we utilize to keep our schools safe. Our schools are locked and under video surveillance at all times. All staff are trained in situational awareness and safety protocols. School safety is everyone’s primary responsibility. If you see something say something to the appropriate authorities. Please call the Safe Schools helpline at 1-866-723-3982.
We appreciate everyone working together to keep our students, staff, and communities safe, especially on Patriots’ Day.
We feel it is in the best interest of all of our students and staff to close schools on Wednesday, September 11, 2024.
Did you spot the school bus at First Friday in Marlinton last week? 🚌 Pocahontas County Communities In Schools (CIS) staff participated in the event by collecting school supplies for our students and handing out new books to children.📓📚✏️ Thank you to the Family Resource Network for inviting CIS to join this exciting evening! 🥰
⭐It takes a village…or a community! ⭐
Pocahontas County Schools is proud to be a licensed partner of Communities in Schools (CIS), a national non-profit organization dedicated to surrounding students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. We will soon be adding a new CIS team member at MES - be on the lookout for that upcoming post! 💕🏫
Thank you to our CIS team for all your hard work! #GreatThingsAtPCS #SchoolHeroes
🌟 Happy Grandparents Day! 🌟
Today, we celebrate the incredible grandparents who fill our lives with wisdom, love, and joy. Your stories, hugs, and guidance shape the hearts and minds of our students every day.
A special shoutout to our grandfamilies—grandparents who are raising their grandchildren. Your dedication and love create a nurturing environment that helps our students thrive. You are the unsung heroes, providing stability and support, and we are deeply grateful for all you do.
Let’s take a moment to honor and appreciate all the grandparents and grandfamilies in our community. Share your favorite memories and photos with your grandparents in the comments below! 💖👵👴 #GrandparentsDay #Grandfamilies #SchoolCommunity
🗣️ Bluefield State University is hosting a FREE virtual conference on Autism Spectrum Disorder and the public is invited. You can sign up via the QR code or the link below:
https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=75dqiSvWREexJKURrN9SJTXWX9WZG1xOpgzFkOqYTRdUMTU1R0ROUkE1SzVSR1dDQkQzWDg4V1YzSy4u&route=shorturl
Interested in becoming a bus driver? 🚍 Here's a great way to get started!
