Wirt County High School

WCHS invites parents to attend the 1st LSIC of the year. LSIC is the Local School Improvement Council and is made up of students, parents, and teachers. They work together to help improve the school. If you are interested, please call the school and let Mrs. Smith know. The 1st meeting is Friday, 9/18/24 at 11:15 am - 12 Noon. Lunch will be provided.

Due to new WV State Policy, WCHS will no longer be giving excused absences for vacations/educational leave. All educational leave granted prior to this change will be honored. Students only get 10 days of parent notes per year. Any days beyond this are counted as unexcused. Students are only permitted 5 unexcused absences per year. Again, this is a new state policy, not a Wirt County Schools policy. When a student is absent, a parent note or doctor note must be submitted within 3 days upon returning to school.

Help us celebrate our school aides, cooks, custodians, bus drivers, maintenance, support personnel, and secretaries on Thursday, September 19, 2024!

Students are bringing home their 1st 9 Weeks Midterms tonight!

WCHS September 16 - 21, 2024 Events

WCHS Student Council is planning a Trivia Night this Saturday, September 21 in the cafeteria. Teams of 2-5 may sign up using the QR code. Please register by 3:30 pm on Thursday, 9/19. If we do not receive more registrations by this time, the event will have to be postponed due to low participation.

A message for CJ Harvey - cj.harvey@wv.gov View this email in your browser FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, September 12, 2024 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.” ### CONTACT THE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE C.J. Harvey Director of Communications CJ.Harvey@wv.gov Rachael Harper Communications Specialist Rachael.A.Harper@wv.gov FOLLOW GOVERNOR JUSTICE Gov. Justice on Twitter Gov. Justice on Facebook Gov. Justice on Instagram Gov. Justice on YouTube Gov. Justice on Flickr Governor's Website https://us15.campaign-archive.com/?e=94b2481ca6&u=d525ab9ade4d860d2b5772468&id=0d7a3a0f8b

Friday, September 13, is White Out Day at WCHS and the Home Football Game! WCHS is supporting Suicide Awareness with positive messages! Wear your white with positive messages!

Good evening, this is John McKown, Wirt County Schools superintendent. In light of recent social media post that are circulating threatening schools in West Virginia I am calling to let parents, students, and staff members know that we are aware of this and are in contact with local and state law enforcement concerning these posts. At this time, there has not been a direct threat to Wirt County Schools. The safety of our students and staff is our top priority and every threat is taken seriously and fully investigated. Thank you to the parents that have reported these posts to us. Please continue to do so if you see something concerning. We are working with law enforcement to have an increases police presence at school tomorrow and in the days that follow until the source of these posts is found and dealt with by law enforcement.

The WCHS Homecoming Parade will be on October 4th at 2:15 p.m. Organizations and businesses are invited to register for the parade. Registration is due by October 2nd! Please register online at https://bit.ly/2024-WCHS-Homecoming-Parade. Here are some rules to keep in mind for this year's parade: Line-up and pictures will begin at 1:00 p.m. and the parade will begin at 2:15 p.m. We do not allow political or religious groups in the parade. Parade floats, banners, advertisements, etc. must be positive in nature. Any trailer/float with children on it MUST have at least one adult who is on the trailer/float at all times with the kids. Wirt County High School staff reserve the right to deny entry to parade lineup if any of the guidelines are not followed.

WCHS Student Council is hosting a Trivia Night on September 21st at 6:00 PM (Doors open at 5:40 PM). Scan the QR code to sign up.

WCHS is hosting a White Out Friday night as our Tigers take on Calhoun County Red Devils @ 7:00 pm.

WCHS SEPTEMBER EVENTS

Help the community by supporting the food drive......

The FBI Pittsburgh Division’s Community Outreach Program will host five Teen Academy programs this fall and will support the CJIS Teen Academy in Clarksburg. Teen Academy is a one-day hands-on program for rising High School Juniors and Seniors (2024-2025 school year) who live within the FBI Pittsburgh Division’s area of responsibility in Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The dates and locations for the 2024 Fall Program are below: FBI Beckley, WV Teen Academy; October 8, 2024 FBI Charleston, WV Teen Academy; October 9, 2024 FBI CJIS (Clarksburg, WV) Teen Academy; October 15, 2024 FBI Pittsburgh, PA Teen Academy; October 17, 2024 FBI Wheeling, WV Teen Academy; October 29, 2024 FBI Martinsburg, WV Teen Academy; November 13, 2024 The FBI’s Teen Academy program in Pittsburgh and West Virginia allows a diverse group of high school students the opportunity to develop leadership skills and to investigate the world of law enforcement. Active explorations of fitness and forensic science grow students’ minds and bodies while age-appropriate lessons on topics such as violence prevention, sextortion, and hoax threats teach them how to stay safe. FBI staff, including special agents, intelligence analysts, and professional staff, lead discussions and interactive sessions focused on the work we do, how we do it, and, most importantly, why we choose this work in service of all Americans. Any student with an interest in leadership and service is welcome to apply for this free opportunity. An interest in a law enforcement career is not a pre-requisite. Please visit the following link to view a sneak peek of our Teen Academy program and to download an official application, which includes an essay requirement. When you click on the city of your choice, make sure you click on the link to download the file, complete the application on your computer, and return via e-mail to the POCs listed below. FBI TEEN ACADEMY APPLICATIONS - FALL 2024 Application dates vary. See the site above for more information. Pittsburgh applications should be sent to: fatrovato@fbi.gov Beckley, Charleston, Wheeling, and Martinsburg applications should be sent to: wnbarnhart@fbi.gov Please contact me with any questions you may have. Regards, Whitney Whitney N. Barnhart Community Outreach Specialist FBI Pittsburgh – Charleston Resident Agency E-mail: wnbarnhart@fbi.gov Desk: 304.346.2432 Cell: 412.334.1979

Below are links to our Fall Schedules Varsity Football- https://www.wvssac.org/schedule-display/?team=0151&sport=Football&endpoint=schedules&program=Senior&class=all&cache= JV Football- https://www.wvssac.org/schedule-display/?team=0151&sport=Football&endpoint=schedules&program=Mid%2FJr&class=all&cache= Cross Country (Boys and Girls)- https://www.wvssac.org/schedule-display/?team=0151&sport=CrossCountry%28B%29&endpoint=schedules&program=Senior&class=all&cache= Volleyball- https://www.wvssac.org/schedule-display/?team=0151&sport=Volleyball&endpoint=schedules&program=Senior&class=all&cache= Golf- https://www.wvssac.org/schedule-display/?team=0151&sport=Golf&endpoint=schedules&program=Senior&class=all&cache=

Thanks to all the staff, students, and stakeholders who helped make a great first two days back to school!

Acceptable Use Policy - https://5il.co/2tja1 Wirt County Schools has updated its acceptable use policy (AUP). The last two pages of the AUP must be signed and submitted before students can use school devices and networks. While WCHS students can also get a copy of this with their beginning of the year paperwork, reviewing this policy now and sending in the signed portion with the student on day 1 can help us get devices to students quicker. ***This is especially important for Juniors and Seniors taking college classes, as they will have training on these and need a device for the first day.

Parents of Seniors and students who will need medication at school, please see information from Nurse Kelly!

WCHS Open House information Wednesday, August 14, 2024 3:00 - 6:00 pm Parent/Student Meeting at 5:00 pm in the auditorium