Calhoun County Schools

Reminder

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT We have been asked to let you know that the National Guard will be at DHHR at 10 AM on Sunday, November 2nd, to give out food boxes! At the DHHR lot! 1 per car

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Calhoun Families Gather for a Fun-Filled Pumpkin Patch Night Calhoun County, WV— On October 23, the Calhoun Middle/High School Baseball Field transformed into a vibrant celebration of fall and family as nearly 500 children and their families attended the annual Parent Family Engagement Night at the Pumpkin Patch. This beloved event was made possible through a collaborative effort between Calhoun County Schools, Save the Children, Communities In Schools, and Title I. Together, these organizations created a welcoming space where families could learn, play, and connect. Attendees enjoyed a wide range of activities designed for all ages, including: - A story walk featuring the seasonal favorite, Skeletons for Dinner - A pumpkin picking station - A creative art booth for seasonal crafts - Games, door prizes, and a festive costume contest In addition to the fun, families participated in informational sessions focused on student success and well-being. These included: - Attendance Matters: Missing School = Missing Out — highlighting the importance of consistent attendance - Student Services Overview — offering parents insights into how to support social-emotional learning at home and access resources available at school, such as special education services, contracted therapy, counseling, and support from Communities In Schools (CIS) facilitators The evening also featured a special visit from Smokey Bear in recognition of Fire Safety Month, delighting children while promoting important safety messages. The event’s success was made possible by the generous support of community vendors, volunteers, and local businesses who donated supplies, pumpkins, and prizes. Their contributions helped create a memorable experience for families and reinforced the importance of community partnerships. "When families, schools, and community organizations come together, children thrive — and that’s exactly what this night was all about," shared one event organizer. One student attendee remarked, "I loved picking out my pumpkin and making sensory bottles with my family. It was the best night ever!" Events like Pumpkin Patch Night highlight the vital role of family engagement in education and the power of collaboration in nurturing Calhoun County’s youngest learners. For more information about upcoming events or how to get involved, please contact Calhoun County Schools or visit https://boe.calhoun.k12.wv.us/.

🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️ Calhoun County XC Team Shines at Single A Regionals! 🌟 Our Red Devils showed up and showed out at the High School Regional Meet held at Wirt County on 10/25/25! Every single member of the cross county team is headed to states! 🎉 🎉❤️🖤🖤❤️ 👟 Girls Results: • Paige Sterns – 3rd place (22:46) • Gabi Smith – 6th place (25:48) • Carissa Sands – 8th place (26:15) • Khloe Cobbett – 12th place (27:30) 👟 Boys Results: • Jackson Clawson – 7th place (18:58) • Levi Sillaman – 9th place (19:48) • Eli Ferrell – 12th place (20:28) • Zac Smith – 14th place (20:48) 🔥 Huge congratulations to these athletes for their hard work and determination. Let’s go Red Devils! Next Friday our team travels to Huntington, Wv for the state meet. ❤️🖤 #CalhounXC #StateBound #RedDevilPride #CrossCountry Media: back row : L-R Jackson Clawson, Levi Sillaman, Zac Smith, Eli Ferrell Front row: L-R Gabi Smith(2 time state qualifier), Khloe Cobbett, Carissa Sands, Paige Sterns

Hello! Please join us for our annual Parent Family Engagement Night at the Pumpkin Patch on Thursday, October 23, 2025, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., at the Calhoun Middle High School Baseball Field. Bring the family for a fun evening featuring a Story Walk of ‘Skeletons for Dinner,’ pumpkin picking to take home, snacks and drinks, a costume contest, games and door prizes, an art station, a Social Emotional Learning station, a special guest, informational vendors, and an attendance session on how attendance supports student success. We look forward to seeing you there! Immediately following the event, stop by and cheer on the Calhoun Middle School football team! Thanks to generous donors, admission is free!

Buses are dismissing from Grantsville right now at 3:08. Students will be home shortly.

📣 Calhoun County Schools Special Education Newsletter – Fall Edition 🍂
We’re committed to supporting every child’s success! This edition includes:
✅ Child Find – Learn how we identify and support students with disabilities ages 3–21.
✅ Eligibility Committee & IEPs – Understand the process and your role as a parent.
✅ Spotlight on Dyslexia & ADHD – Learn how these conditions are supported in schools.
✅ Parent Tips for Home – Strategies for routines, communication, emotional support, and resources.
✅ IEP vs. 504 Plan Comparison – Know the difference and what’s best for your child.
📞 Need help or have questions?
Contact the Special Education Office at 304-354-7011 ext. 310 or email jlbennett@k12.wv.us.
📄 Alt Text for Accessibility:
Page 1: Overview of Child Find, parent roles, EC meetings, IEPs, and disability supports.
Page 2: Tips for supporting children with disabilities at home and a comparison of IEPs vs. 504 Plans.
🔗 Learn more and access resources: ParentGuidance.org

Bus 21 on Route 33/119 is delayed due to a tree on a power line. There’s no estimated time right now, but we’ll update once the route is clear.

Bus 17 will be transporting students from Bus 23. Also, Bus 24 will be transporting students from Bus 10 this evening. Please note that there may be a time difference in drop-off times this evening.

📣 Calhoun County Schools Student Services Team is Here for You! 💙
We are proud to partner with Communities In Schools, Westbrook Health Services, Minnie Hamilton Health System, and Brother Up to support our students and families.

🛠️ Our Services Include:

Attendance Support
Social Emotional Learning & Developmental Guidance
Individual & Group Counseling
Preventive Education
Behavioral Analysis & Plans
Advocacy
Intervention & Trainings
FAFSA Assistance
Linkage & Referrals
Intellectual & Academic Testing
Health Care
Suicide Prevention & Erin's Law
Clothing, Food & Hygiene Closet
Parent Trainings
Prevention Education
Volunteer Training

📞 Important Numbers:

Emergency: 911
MHHS Behavioral Health: 304-354-9244
Westbrook Health Services: 304-927-5200
Children’s Crisis Line: 1-800-579-5844
State Police (Report Incidents): 304-558-7778
WV Children’s Crisis & Referral Line (HELP4WV): 1-844-HELP4WV (1-844-435-7498)
Child Abuse & Neglect Hotline: 1-800-352-6513
Suicide & Crisis Support (24/7): Call or text 988
💻 Online Resource for Parents/Caregivers: https://parentalguidance.org

👥 Meet Our Team:

Jeannie Bennett-Yoak, Assistant Superintendent/COO Student Services – jlbennett@k12.wv.us
Dr. James Mullins, Psychologist – jemullins@k12.wv.us
Patricia Homberg, Dean of Students, CMHS – phomberg@k12.wv.us
Cheri White, Executive Secretary – cheri.white@k12.wv.us
Brittany Parsons, Coordinator of Student Services/Lead CIS Facilitator – brittany.parsons@k12.wv.us
Destiney Montgomery, Psychosocial Coordinator at MHHS – destiney.montgomery@k12.wv.us
Amy Cottrell, Counselor – amy.b.cottrell@k12.wv.us
Brandi Hardway-Sampson, Counselor – brsampson@k12.wv.us
Kevin Boak, CIS Facilitator at CMHS – kboak@k12.wv.us
Carrie Collins, CIS Facilitator at PHE – carrie.collins@k12.wv.us
Jessica Hardway, CIS Facilitator at AES – jessica.hardway@k12.wv.us
Jo Lynn Wilson, CIS Facilitator at CGCC – jlnwilso@k12.wv.us
Nekka Poore, Title I Aide at AES – nekka.poore@k12.wv.us
Tiffany Mace, Title I Aide at PHE – tiffany.mace@k12.wv.us
Trudi Anderson, Nurse BSN RN NCSN – tm.anderson@k12.wv.us
Autumn Lilly, Nurse RN CCHP – autumn.lilly@k12.wv.us

💬 We’re here to help. Reach out anytime!

Building Strong Partnerships for Early Childhood Development Join Us for a Collaborative Event This event aims to foster collaboration among early childhood agencies and develop strategies that empower families and support positive development. Join Us for a Collaborative Event Building Strong Partnerships for Early Childhood Development Join Us for a Collaborative Event This event aims to foster collaboration among early childhood agencies and develop strategies that empower families and support positive development. Don’t miss out on this opportunity! September 19th time: 10-12 Where: Pleasant Hill Elementary School, Don’t miss out on this opportunity! Welcome and Introductions Parent Q&A Closing Remarks   Door prize Educational learning items for each child under 5 Contact: Debra Smith, ECC 304-354-6022 d.smith@k12.wv.us

Start of Year Family Engagement Survey, 2025-2026

Your child’s school and Save the Children would like feedback regarding how well the school welcomed and communicated with families. (Your school received support from Save the Children this past year.) Filling out this survey will help your school and Save the Children learn what worked for you and your family and what we could do better. The information you share may help us serve your community better in the future and may help us get resources to provide your community more programs. We believe the risk from filling out this 5-minute survey to be very small. We will do everything we can to keep any information identifying you confidential. If you have any further questions about this survey, please contact the U.S. Program’s Monitoring and Evaluation Team at USPDataReports@savechildren.org. Completing this survey is voluntary and there is no penalty to you for not completing the survey.


If you have more than one child at this school, please answer with your youngest child in mind.

English: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KVBJBCF
Spanish: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LV7TB6P

After school, we will begin on Tuesday, September 2, 2025. Transportation may be provided along the main routes. Please complete the registration link to enroll your child. https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fforms.office.com%2Fr%2FYGXPBRTzyE&data=05%7C02%7Cjlbennett%40k12.wv.us%7Cceb2e7b60aa04b72e20608dde596119b%7Ce019b04b330c467a8bae09fb17374d6a%7C0%7C0%7C638919154876827340%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=7shR8sPaflX8bKes1VJvS27daK%2BXcS0TTD%2BHgin9zH4%3D&reserved=0

Please be aware, Bus 21 is running 15-20 minutes late due to a mechanical issue. Thank you for your understanding.

School Calendar Dates for 2025-2026

*All Dates and Information are subject to change*

September 1, 2025 - Labor Day - No school
October 13, 2025 - PL/Faculty Senate - No School for Students
October 16, 2025 - End of 1st Term
October 23, 2025 - Report Cards Go Home
October 28, 2025 - P/T Conferences 4-7pm - Elementary Schools
October 30, 2025 - P/T Conferences 4-7pm - Middle/High School
November 10, 2025 - OS Day - No School for Students
November 11, 2025 - Veteran’s Day - No School for Students
November 24-28, 2025 - Thanksgiving Break - No School
December 22, 2025 - End of 2nd Term and First Semester
December 22, 2025 - PL/FS - No School for Students
December 23, 2025 - January 1, 2026 - Christmas Break
January 2, 2026 - Professional Meetings - No School for Students
January 6, 2026 - Report Cards Go Home
January 19, 2026 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - No School
February 13, 2026 - OS Day - No School
February 16, 2026 - PL/FS Day - No School for Students
March 17, 2026 - End of 3rd Term
March 24, 2026 - Report Cards Go Home
March 24, 2026 - P/T Conferences 4-7 pm - Elementary Schools
March 26, 2026 - P/T Conferences 4-7 pm - Middle/High School
March 30, 2026 - April 3, 2026 - Spring Break - No School
March 30 - April 3, 2026 - Spring Break - No School
April 6, 2026 - PL/FS Day - No School for Students
May 11, 2026 - OS Day - No School
May 12, 2026 - Election Day - No School
May 22, 2026 - Graduation - CMHS
May 25, 2026 - Memorial Day - No School
May 29, 2026 - End of 4th Term and 2nd Semester

We apologize for the inconvenience this morning. There was some confusion with substitute drivers, and unfortunately, Bus 11 did not run. We were not aware of this issue until after it had already occurred.

Students who ride Bus 11 will be excused from school today. Thank you for your understanding.

Welcome back, Calhoun County Students! Dear Students, Parents, and Families, It is my pleasure to welcome you to a brand-new school year here in Calhoun County Schools! Our teachers, staff, and administrators have been working tirelessly over the summer to prepare classrooms, plan lessons, and create opportunities for a year filled with learning, growth, and success. To our amazing students welcome back! We can’t wait to see your smiling faces, hear your laughter in the hallways, and watch the excitement you bring into our classrooms each day. This is your time to shine, to explore new ideas, and to challenge yourselves to achieve even more than you thought possible. To our dedicated parents and families thank you for your ongoing support and partnership. Your encouragement, guidance, and involvement are a vital part of our students’ success, and together, we can make this a year to remember. Let’s make 2025–2026 a year filled with curiosity, creativity, and community. Here’s to a safe, productive, and inspiring school year for every student in Calhoun County! Here’s to making this our best year yet! #CalhounPride #BackToSchool #GoRedDevils #GoEagles #GoStingers Sincerely, Michael Fitzwater Superintendent, Calhoun County Schools