Wood County Schools

A widespread power outage in Lubeck due to a traffic accident has knocked out phones at Lubeck Elementary School. Dismissal will be as normal, though buses will be delayed this evening due to blocked bus routes. Buses for Blennerhassett Elementary and Middle schools also will be delayed this evening due to blocked bus routes. Thank you for your patience and understanding as Wood County Schools works to get students home quickly and safely this evening.

Wood County Schools' Middle School Spelling Bee will be held Thursday, January 12 at 6:00 p.m. at Blennerhassett Middle School.

This afternoon Wood County School officials were made aware of a rumor of a student with a weapon at Jackson Middle School. Authorities were contacted, the claims were investigated and were found to not be credible. Wood County Schools takes all such reports seriously and works with area law enforcement to investigate any and all concerns.

This afternoon Wood County School officials were made aware of a threat made by a Williamstown Middle School student at the Wood County Schools STEAM Academy. The Wood County Sheriff’s Department has investigated and determined there does not appear to be a credible threat at this time.

Notice: Wood County Schools will be closed, CODE C, on Friday, December 23, 2022.

Good evening. This is Christie Willis, superintendent of Wood County Schools. During this time of giving and celebration, time spent with the warmth of family and friends is so important. Wood County Schools would like to thank you for your support and dedication and wish you a joyous holiday season. Schools will be closed beginning Thursday, December 22nd. Schools will reopen on Tuesday, January 3rd. Wishing you good health and peace in the upcoming New Year.

Local authorities this morning (Dec. 7, 2022) received a false incident report for Parkersburg High School. Police and administrators responded immediately and quickly determined there was no threat at the school. The Parkersburg Police Department is investigating the false report and said at no time was there any actual threat to students or staff at PHS. Classes continue as normal at the school. We appreciate the quick response from the police department in handling and investigating the incident.

Good evening from Wood County Schools. As we honor the men and women who have served our country, we would like to remind you that schools will be closed tomorrow, November 11th, in observance of Veterans Day.

We would like to remind you that Wood County Schools will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday, November 8th as our school buildings will be used for election day voting centers. Schools will reopen Wednesday morning. We hope you have a nice evening.

Congratulations to all the winners of the Vaping Prevention Poster and Video Contest. View the incredible creativity and diversity of our students' work! https://www.woodcountyschoolswv.com/page/vaping-prevention-contest-winners

Typically, the fall and winter months are times when sickness increases and spreads more easily. Over the last two years, the public has undertaken preventive measures (ie; masking, social distancing, vaccinations etc.) to help limit the spread of COVID-19. This has also helped prevent the transmission of other respiratory illnesses (flu, RSV). Now, as more people relax these precautions, these viruses are more likely to spread. To help decrease the spread of respiratory diseases in our schools and community, talk to your healthcare provider about getting your flu shot and Covid-19 booster. Flu shots and Covid-19 bivalent boosters are being offered for staff and community at our Lincoln facility. Call 304-420-9562 to schedule.

Please join Jeff Sandy, Cabinet Secretary, and Rob Cunningham, Deputy Cabinet Secretary, from the WV Dept. of Homeland Security at 5:30 pm this evening at PHS in the auditorium. Learn more about the Governor's School Safety Initiative and the "See Something, Send Something" app.

A reminder, Wood County Schools, in cooperation with area law enforcement, will be holding Active Shooter Training sessions this morning and afternoon at schools throughout the county. Today, Friday, Oct. 28, is a professional learning day for employees. Students will not be in school. The active shooter drills will help law enforcement and school employees prepare for the possibility of an active shooter situation. Drills will be held this morning at Blennerhassett Middle, Edison Middle, Williamstown Middle/High schools and the Wood County Technical Center. Drills will be held this afternoon at Blennerhassett Elementary, Jefferson Elementary, Williamstown Elementary, and at Jackson and Hamilton middle schools. Residents may see increased emergency or police activity around these schools Friday morning and Friday afternoon. Agencies and 911 responders have been made aware of the training sessions. Residents do not need to call 911 during these training sessions. If there are questions, contact Michael Erb, Wood County Schools Communications Coordinator, at 1-304-420-9670 x178 or by email at merb@woodcountyschoolswv.net.

Wood County Schools has made a change regarding the caller ID number for all mass calls and texts in which we want you to be aware. Previously, all mass calls made from Wood County Schools, used for emergencies or other important information, whether from the central office or from any individual school, used the number (304) 420-9520 for the caller ID. Starting today, all school mass calls will show a caller ID number that is the same as the school's main telephone number. District calls will continue to show a caller ID of (304) 420-9520. The caller ID number for any individual school may be verified by visiting the school's webpage and finding the phone number in the footer of the page.

Online threat investigated at PHS, Hamilton Officials at Parkersburg High School and Hamilton Middle School were made aware this morning of a possible threat made in an online chat Wednesday evening. Administrators immediately contacted their school resource officers and began investigating. A student identified as the possible source of the threat was identified and spoken to, as well as the student’s guardian. Officials found no evidence of a credible threat to any specific school or person and no weapons were found. The incident remains under investigation, but both schools are secure and safe and there is no indication of a threat at this time. Wood County Schools appreciate those who came forward to share the online post and to make administrators aware of the possible threat. Through the help of students and staff and our school resource officers, the issue was handled quickly and correctly and both schools continue to operate as normal today.

The Vaping Prevention Contest has extended the deadline for all *video* entries. The new deadline is Monday, October 17th! Submit your video here: https://www.woodcountyschoolswv.com/page/vaping-prevention-videos

Wood County Schools has revised its 2023 high school graduation dates. The new 2023 graduation dates are: Sunday, May 21, at 3 PM - Williamstown High School. Monday, May 22, at 7 PM - Parkersburg High School. Tuesday, May 23, at 7 PM - Parkersburg South High School.

Students do not report to school on Monday, October 10, 2022. This day is scheduled as a Continuing Education Day for staff.

Wood County Schools will distribute a limited number of Wi-Fi hotspots to households with no or unreliable Internet access. To learn more, visit https://woodcountyschoolswv.com/hotspot

The West Virginia Department of Education and our Board of Education are seeking your input regarding nutritional information from students' families. COMPLETE SURVEY ONLINE: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6Z9SYM9 DOWNLOAD PRINTABLE SURVEY: https://5il.co/1i2a6