🎃🍂 Sissonville Elementary’s Great Pumpkin Drop 2026! 🍂🎃
Our Eagles had a FALL-tastic time at this year’s Great Pumpkin Drop! 🎃💥
Students put their thinking caps on and got creative as they worked together to design protective landing systems for their pumpkins. It was the perfect opportunity to put their engineering, teamwork, and problem-solving skills to the test! 🦅❤️🖤
And the winners are… 🥁
🏆 Congratulations to Mrs. Guthrie’s and Mrs. Evans’ classes! Their pumpkins made it through the big drop without a single crack! What an accomplishment!
👏 Mrs. Monday’s and Mrs. Stephanie’s classes were close behind, with only a few minor fractures!
🤣 The remaining pumpkins weren’t quite as lucky and gave us some pretty unforgettable SPLAT moments!
Whether their pumpkins landed in one piece or ended up in pieces, our students had a BLAST! They learned that sometimes the best lessons come from trying something new, thinking outside the box, and learning from what doesn’t go as planned.
A special THANK YOU to everyone who donated materials, helped with preparations, and made this exciting event possible!
From successful landings to spectacular splats, it was a day full of learning, laughter, and lots of pumpkin fun! 🎃❤️🖤
That’s how our Eagles make learning SMASHING good! 🦅
Our amazing cafeteria staff brought some extra Halloween fun to the morning by playing festive Halloween music as students came through to pick up their breakfast! 🎶🦇 With the cafeteria decorated for the season, our students were greeted with a little extra Halloween magic to start their day. Thank you to our wonderful cooks for going the extra mile to make our school a fun and festive place to be! 🧡🖤🎃
Our Eagles of the Month enjoyed a special pumpkin carving event with their parents! It was a fun-filled time of creativity, family bonding, and making wonderful fall memories together. We love celebrating our students and recognizing their hard work with special experiences like these!
Our Helping Hands Club students celebrated our Students of the Month by delivering a special treat to our staff—punch served in festive pumpkin cups!
We love seeing our students spread kindness and appreciation throughout our school community. Thank you to our Helping Hands Club for making someone’s day a little sweeter!
We love seeing our students spread kindness and appreciation throughout our school community. Thank you to our Helping Hands Club for making someone’s day a little sweeter!
A well-earned moment in the spotlight for our third- through fifth-grade teachers...and their hardworking students! 💙
The Kanawha County Schools Board of Education recognized these teachers for having their building’s highest number of students scoring proficient at the end of the 2025–2026 school year.
These teachers helped students build the skills to succeed with engaging lessons. Their students put in the effort and showed what they knew. That’s something to celebrate together.
Each teacher received a certificate and a keychain made by Riverside High School students, a special touch from another group of KCS learners!
The Kanawha County Schools Board of Education recognized these teachers for having their building’s highest number of students scoring proficient at the end of the 2025–2026 school year.
These teachers helped students build the skills to succeed with engaging lessons. Their students put in the effort and showed what they knew. That’s something to celebrate together.
Each teacher received a certificate and a keychain made by Riverside High School students, a special touch from another group of KCS learners!
Our elementary artists have a gallery. Let’s give them an audience. 🎨
You’re invited to explore PRISM, a digital art gallery featuring the creativity and hard work of students at Sissonville Elementary, Mary C. Snow West Side Elementary, and Piedmont Elementary.
Their art teacher, Ms. Alyson, created PRISM to give students a place to celebrate their artistic achievements, and families and the community a chance to enjoy what they’re creating.
Take a little art break with us. Visit the gallery through the link in the comments, look around, and then come back and sign our Facebook “guestbook” with a note of encouragement for the young artists.
New artwork is being added regularly, so there’s a reason to return.
Three schools full of creativity. A whole community invited to enjoy it. 💙
You’re invited to explore PRISM, a digital art gallery featuring the creativity and hard work of students at Sissonville Elementary, Mary C. Snow West Side Elementary, and Piedmont Elementary.
Their art teacher, Ms. Alyson, created PRISM to give students a place to celebrate their artistic achievements, and families and the community a chance to enjoy what they’re creating.
Take a little art break with us. Visit the gallery through the link in the comments, look around, and then come back and sign our Facebook “guestbook” with a note of encouragement for the young artists.
New artwork is being added regularly, so there’s a reason to return.
Three schools full of creativity. A whole community invited to enjoy it. 💙
A proud moment for these teachers...and their students. 💙
Last night, Dr. Potter and the Kanawha County Schools Board of Education recognized K-2 teachers with their building’s highest number of students scoring proficient on iReady or DIBELS at the end of the 2025-2026 school year.
✌️ Some earned that recognition for both assessments!
These teachers brought learning to life through creative, interactive lessons. Their students put in the work and showed what they knew. Both deserve a round of applause. 👏
Each teacher received a certificate and a keychain made by Riverside High School students, a little extra student creativity to help celebrate!
👏 September was busy in our schools. Getting the newsletters out took a few days of October, too.
All eight September feeder-area newsletters are ready to explore! You’ll find classroom discoveries, student and staff celebrations, community connections, and updates on school improvements across KCS.
Starting with the October edition, newsletters will be published on the last school day of each month. That means October’s editions will be out Friday, October 30, 2026.
➡️ Find your feeder area’s newsletter, and take a look at the others, on the KCS website.
🔗 Use the link in the comments to go to the feeder-area newsletter section on our website!
All eight September feeder-area newsletters are ready to explore! You’ll find classroom discoveries, student and staff celebrations, community connections, and updates on school improvements across KCS.
Starting with the October edition, newsletters will be published on the last school day of each month. That means October’s editions will be out Friday, October 30, 2026.
➡️ Find your feeder area’s newsletter, and take a look at the others, on the KCS website.
🔗 Use the link in the comments to go to the feeder-area newsletter section on our website!
Our Eagles of the Month are also members of our Helping Hands Club, and they found a wonderful way to spread kindness throughout our school!
These students delivered beautiful bouquets of flowers to all of our staff members as a special surprise. 💐 Their thoughtful gesture brought smiles to faces and reminded us how powerful a simple act of kindness can be.
We are so proud of these students for demonstrating kindness, generosity, and leadership in our school community! ❤️🦅
Thank you, Eagles, for making our staff feel so appreciated! 🌷
We are so proud to celebrate our Eagles of the Month! These students have been recognized for consistently following our school rules, making positive choices, and giving their best effort in academics. Their hard work and positive attitudes are a wonderful example to others!
As part of our celebration, our Eagle of the Month students enjoyed a fun apple tasting with their parents and families. Students and their families sampled different varieties of apples and completed a fun apple-tasting questionnaire together. 🍏🍎
Thank you to our families for joining us and helping make this celebration so special. We are incredibly proud of all of our Eagles! 🦅❤️
As part of our celebration, our Eagle of the Month students enjoyed a fun apple tasting with their parents and families. Students and their families sampled different varieties of apples and completed a fun apple-tasting questionnaire together. 🍏🍎
Thank you to our families for joining us and helping make this celebration so special. We are incredibly proud of all of our Eagles! 🦅❤️
We are so proud to celebrate our Eagles of the Month! These students have been recognized for consistently following our school rules, making positive choices, and giving their best effort in academics. Their hard work and positive attitudes are a wonderful example to others!
As part of our celebration, our Eagle of the Month students enjoyed a fun apple tasting with their parents and families. Students and their families sampled different varieties of apples and completed a fun apple-tasting questionnaire together. 🍏🍎
Thank you to our families for joining us and helping make this celebration so special. We are incredibly proud of all of our Eagles! 🦅❤️
As part of our celebration, our Eagle of the Month students enjoyed a fun apple tasting with their parents and families. Students and their families sampled different varieties of apples and completed a fun apple-tasting questionnaire together. 🍏🍎
Thank you to our families for joining us and helping make this celebration so special. We are incredibly proud of all of our Eagles! 🦅❤️
College plans. Career possibilities. Real conversations.
Interested high school students will visit the KCS College and Career Fair during the school day today.
✅ For the first time, parents, guardians and community members are also invited tonight from 6:00–8:00 p.m. at West Virginia State University’s downstairs gym.
Come meet representatives from universities and businesses, ask questions and explore what may be next. Your student does not need to be present to attend.
Interested high school students will visit the KCS College and Career Fair during the school day today.
✅ For the first time, parents, guardians and community members are also invited tonight from 6:00–8:00 p.m. at West Virginia State University’s downstairs gym.
Come meet representatives from universities and businesses, ask questions and explore what may be next. Your student does not need to be present to attend.
📖🌟 Growing our practice, one training at a time!
First grade teachers from Sissonville Elementary and Flinn Elementary joined together for professional learning with Dr. Staci Bain. We love having opportunities to collaborate with fellow educators, learn new strategies, and strengthen our knowledge to better support our young readers.
Our students deserve teachers who never stop learning! 🍎❤️
Yesterday, students and staff across Kanawha County Schools wore gold to raise awareness of childhood cancer and show support for children and families affected by it. 💛
We’re sharing a few photos from two of our schools, with thanks to everyone who wore gold for a meaningful reason.
We’re sharing a few photos from two of our schools, with thanks to everyone who wore gold for a meaningful reason.
Our first graders had a very special visitor today… but they didn’t know who it would be! 🤫📖
Our Mystery Reader joined us for a special story, and our students were SO excited to see who was behind the surprise! Their smiles, excitement, and love for reading made this a moment to remember. 💕📚
Thank you to our Mystery Reader for helping make reading extra special! We love filling our classroom with stories, surprises, and a little bit of mystery! 🕵️♀️📖✨
Keep reading, first graders! You never know who might show up for story time!
💛 Going Gold for Childhood Cancer Awareness! 💛
Today, our staff proudly wore gold to show our support for children and families affected by childhood cancer. 🎗️
Gold is the color of childhood cancer awareness, and wearing it is a simple way for our school family to help spread awareness, show support, and remind our students that even small acts can make a big difference.
Thank you to our amazing staff for going gold and shining bright for childhood cancer awareness! 💛✨
🗓️ Calendar Reminder!
Schools and offices are closed, Monday, September 7th in observance of Labor Day. We'll see everyone back on Tuesday, September 8th.
Schools and offices are closed, Monday, September 7th in observance of Labor Day. We'll see everyone back on Tuesday, September 8th.
👟 4,300 pairs of shoes made their way to KCS schools this year thanks to Kids of Kanawha...that is double the number donated last year!
Kids of Kanawha raised the funds to provide shoes to every KCS middle and high school, along with 28 elementary schools. A huge thank-you goes to the local businesses, companies, and individuals who gave to this shoe drive to help make it happen.
Things like this matter. It’s a reminder to our students that people all across Kanawha County are in their corner. Rooting for them and supporting them. We’re so thankful for Kids of Kanawha and for a community that continues to show up for our schools.
Kids of Kanawha raised the funds to provide shoes to every KCS middle and high school, along with 28 elementary schools. A huge thank-you goes to the local businesses, companies, and individuals who gave to this shoe drive to help make it happen.
Things like this matter. It’s a reminder to our students that people all across Kanawha County are in their corner. Rooting for them and supporting them. We’re so thankful for Kids of Kanawha and for a community that continues to show up for our schools.
🚌🚨 Bus number or route number? Start with the letters.
Every KCS route begins with a **two-letter abbreviation** identifying the high school feeder area. The numbers that follow identify the specific route.
🔴 Example route magnets (one from each feeder area) are pictured below.
SA - St. Albans High School feeder area
RH - Riverside High School feeder area
NH - Nitro High School feeder area
SH - Sissonville High School feeder area
CH - Capital High School feeder area
HH - Herbert Hoover High School feeder area
GW - George Washington High School feeder area
SC - South Charleston High School feeder area
This applies to every route in that feeder area, even if your child attends an elementary or middle school.
📍 **The KCS route number tells students which bus to board.**
🚌 **The bus number identifies the physical vehicle.**
➡️ On the right side of the bus, the passenger-door side, the permanent bus number is displayed near the front. Directly behind that number, students will see one or more **white KCS Route Number magnets.**
Every route magnet has a **white background.** The route’s letters and numbers are printed in a color representing the high school for that feeder area. The color is an additional visual cue, but students should match their complete route...both the letters and numbers.
🔢 The permanent bus number must remain visible, which is why both numbers appear on the bus.
👀 What if a bus has several magnets?
That means routes have been combined or the bus is transporting students to another bus. Students should look for their assigned route among the displayed magnets and follow directions from school staff.
Why did KCS make this change?
The bus number stays with the physical vehicle, but the route number stays with the route. If a different bus is needed because of maintenance, a breakdown, or another transportation need, students can continue looking for the same route instead of having to learn a different bus number.
This reduces the number of afternoon changes students, families and staff must track and helps dismissal run more smoothly.
The easiest reminder:
🔵 Start with the letters. Find the white magnet. Match the complete route. 🔵
Every KCS route begins with a **two-letter abbreviation** identifying the high school feeder area. The numbers that follow identify the specific route.
🔴 Example route magnets (one from each feeder area) are pictured below.
SA - St. Albans High School feeder area
RH - Riverside High School feeder area
NH - Nitro High School feeder area
SH - Sissonville High School feeder area
CH - Capital High School feeder area
HH - Herbert Hoover High School feeder area
GW - George Washington High School feeder area
SC - South Charleston High School feeder area
This applies to every route in that feeder area, even if your child attends an elementary or middle school.
📍 **The KCS route number tells students which bus to board.**
🚌 **The bus number identifies the physical vehicle.**
➡️ On the right side of the bus, the passenger-door side, the permanent bus number is displayed near the front. Directly behind that number, students will see one or more **white KCS Route Number magnets.**
Every route magnet has a **white background.** The route’s letters and numbers are printed in a color representing the high school for that feeder area. The color is an additional visual cue, but students should match their complete route...both the letters and numbers.
🔢 The permanent bus number must remain visible, which is why both numbers appear on the bus.
👀 What if a bus has several magnets?
That means routes have been combined or the bus is transporting students to another bus. Students should look for their assigned route among the displayed magnets and follow directions from school staff.
Why did KCS make this change?
The bus number stays with the physical vehicle, but the route number stays with the route. If a different bus is needed because of maintenance, a breakdown, or another transportation need, students can continue looking for the same route instead of having to learn a different bus number.
This reduces the number of afternoon changes students, families and staff must track and helps dismissal run more smoothly.
The easiest reminder:
🔵 Start with the letters. Find the white magnet. Match the complete route. 🔵
Let’s talk all things KCS! Parents and guardians are invited to join KCS Superintendent, Dr. Paula Potter and school leaders for a town hall meeting from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. at the high school in their feeder area.
📅 Monday, August 24, 2026 - Sissonville Feeder Area
📅 Tuesday, August 25, 2026 - Capital Feeder Area and Chandler
📅 Wednesday, August 26, 2026 - St. Albans Feeder Area
📅 Tuesday, September 1, 2026 - Herbert Hoover Feeder Area
📅 Wednesday, September 2, 2026 - George Washington Feeder Area
📅 Wednesday, September 9, 2026 - Nitro Feeder Area
📅 Monday, September 14, 2026 - South Charleston Feeder Area and Ben Franklin
📅 Tuesday, September 15, 2026 - Riverside Feeder Area and Carver
Bring your questions...we hope to see you there!
📅 Monday, August 24, 2026 - Sissonville Feeder Area
📅 Tuesday, August 25, 2026 - Capital Feeder Area and Chandler
📅 Wednesday, August 26, 2026 - St. Albans Feeder Area
📅 Tuesday, September 1, 2026 - Herbert Hoover Feeder Area
📅 Wednesday, September 2, 2026 - George Washington Feeder Area
📅 Wednesday, September 9, 2026 - Nitro Feeder Area
📅 Monday, September 14, 2026 - South Charleston Feeder Area and Ben Franklin
📅 Tuesday, September 15, 2026 - Riverside Feeder Area and Carver
Bring your questions...we hope to see you there!