Mercer County Schools' Families: We want your input on the 2026-2027 School Calendar. Please fill out an informational survey by October 10th. Link to survey: https://forms.office.com/r/XEjsZV7V7K
Last week, Ms. Fields and Mrs. Sara’s class at Glenwood explored the world of squirrels! 🐿️ Students worked in pairs to research different squirrel types and write informational paragraphs about their findings. They then followed a step-by-step video to draw a squirrel, bringing creativity into their learning.
Each team presented their research to the class—an important skill that helps students learn how to organize information, share it clearly, and build confidence speaking in front of others. Learning how to research and present findings will serve them well in every subject and beyond the classroom.
#LoveMyWVSchool #ResearchSleuths
Each team presented their research to the class—an important skill that helps students learn how to organize information, share it clearly, and build confidence speaking in front of others. Learning how to research and present findings will serve them well in every subject and beyond the classroom.
#LoveMyWVSchool #ResearchSleuths
📢 FAFSA File-It Event – One-on-One Help!
Mercer County Schools will host a FAFSA File-It Event for high school seniors and their parents on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at the MCTEC Seminar Center.
✅One-on-one financial aid appointments are available between 3:30 PM and 6:30 PM.
**Please note the date in the school calendar for this event is incorrect. This event will be on October 21st.
Mercer County Schools will host a FAFSA File-It Event for high school seniors and their parents on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at the MCTEC Seminar Center.
✅One-on-one financial aid appointments are available between 3:30 PM and 6:30 PM.
**Please note the date in the school calendar for this event is incorrect. This event will be on October 21st.
🎓 Instructional Moment Monday
“The Power of the Pause”
High schoolers are often juggling homework, sports, jobs, friendships, and planning for the future. It’s easy to rush through assignments or conversations just to get them done. But one of the most powerful tools you can use—both in school and in life—is the pause.
In class: Before answering a question, pause for a second. You’ll be surprised how much better your answers sound when you give your brain a quick chance to organize your thoughts.
In life: When you’re upset or stressed, pausing before you react can prevent regrets. It gives you a moment to think, “What’s the best way to handle this?”
In the future: During job interviews, college essays, or even important conversations, a pause shows confidence. It tells others you are thoughtful, not rushed.
👉 Challenge this week: Practice the power of the pause at least once a day—whether it’s before speaking, before reacting, or before hitting “send” on that text.
“The Power of the Pause”
High schoolers are often juggling homework, sports, jobs, friendships, and planning for the future. It’s easy to rush through assignments or conversations just to get them done. But one of the most powerful tools you can use—both in school and in life—is the pause.
In class: Before answering a question, pause for a second. You’ll be surprised how much better your answers sound when you give your brain a quick chance to organize your thoughts.
In life: When you’re upset or stressed, pausing before you react can prevent regrets. It gives you a moment to think, “What’s the best way to handle this?”
In the future: During job interviews, college essays, or even important conversations, a pause shows confidence. It tells others you are thoughtful, not rushed.
👉 Challenge this week: Practice the power of the pause at least once a day—whether it’s before speaking, before reacting, or before hitting “send” on that text.
🌟 Parents, let’s stay connected! 🌟
This morning, an invitation was sent to all parents who haven’t signed up yet for Rooms. Rooms is the best way to keep in touch with your child’s teachers and stay on top of important updates. 💬🍎
✅ Already signed up? Great—log in today and send your child’s teacher a quick hello!
📩 Haven’t signed up yet? Check your email for today’s invite and get connected.
🔧 Need a little tech help? No problem! Just email your name, your children’s names, and your cell phone number to:
📧 mercerroomstechhelp@groups.k12.wv.us
Let’s work together to keep the communication flowing and our students thriving! 🚀✨
This morning, an invitation was sent to all parents who haven’t signed up yet for Rooms. Rooms is the best way to keep in touch with your child’s teachers and stay on top of important updates. 💬🍎
✅ Already signed up? Great—log in today and send your child’s teacher a quick hello!
📩 Haven’t signed up yet? Check your email for today’s invite and get connected.
🔧 Need a little tech help? No problem! Just email your name, your children’s names, and your cell phone number to:
📧 mercerroomstechhelp@groups.k12.wv.us
Let’s work together to keep the communication flowing and our students thriving! 🚀✨
Mercer County Schools held a Title I Parent Engagement meeting today at the Chuck Mathena Center. Parents heard from district leaders about how Title I funding, the Third Grade Success Act, and i-Ready are supporting higher achievement in Reading and Math. They also learned how to access i-Ready resources at home, shared feedback on our Parent Engagement Policy, and provided input on the district’s Strategic Plan.
A big thank you to the parents who joined us today—your partnership is vital to student success! 💙📚 #LoveMyWVSchool
A big thank you to the parents who joined us today—your partnership is vital to student success! 💙📚 #LoveMyWVSchool
Bus 625 (formerly 672) is running about 40 minutes behind this morning, Friday, September 26th. This affects Timberwood, Montcalm Elementary and Montcalm High.
Today, Mercer County ninth graders joined freshmen from Wyoming and Monroe counties at Bluefield High School to hear from nationally recognized speaker Dr. Adolph Brown. Dr. Brown shared his inspiring story of resilience and encouraged students to commit to graduating high school—reminding them to enroll, enlist, employ, or become an entrepreneur, “even if” they face obstacles along the way.
Thanks to GEAR UP SWV, students will continue this commitment by signing a Class of 2029 Commitment to Graduate banner at their individual schools. #LoveMyWVSchool
📚 Today, our Elementary and Title I Supervisors — along with Princeton Primary’s Principal Kelli Stanley and Oakvale’s Principal LaCosta Hodges (aka Mercer County Literacy Leaders) — dove deep into literacy at the WVDE Roll Out.
As part of WVDE’s “Ready, Read, Write, West Virginia” initiative, our schools are implementing LETRS / Science of Reading strategies to strengthen early literacy instruction.
WVDE and Marshall University’s Region VI Literacy team visited Princeton Primary and Oakvale to see these strategies in action and talk with staff about how they’re transforming reading instruction.
Together, we’re committed to ensuring every student in Mercer County has a strong foundation in reading — so they can “read to learn” for life.
#LiteracyMatters #ScienceOfReading #WVDE #ReadyReadWrite
As part of WVDE’s “Ready, Read, Write, West Virginia” initiative, our schools are implementing LETRS / Science of Reading strategies to strengthen early literacy instruction.
WVDE and Marshall University’s Region VI Literacy team visited Princeton Primary and Oakvale to see these strategies in action and talk with staff about how they’re transforming reading instruction.
Together, we’re committed to ensuring every student in Mercer County has a strong foundation in reading — so they can “read to learn” for life.
#LiteracyMatters #ScienceOfReading #WVDE #ReadyReadWrite
Our Elementary Supervisor Amber Riffe, Title I Supervisors Rhonda Rogers and Pamela Clark, along with Athens Principal Shelley Weiss and Silver Springs Early Learning Center Principal Emily Smith (aka the Mercer County Numeracy Navigators) are attending the WVDE Regional Roll Out today. They’ll be diving deep into the Unite with Numeracy initiative — bringing back strategies, tools, and inspiration to further strengthen math instruction across our schools. #LoveMyWVSchool
✨ Teamwork makes the dream work! ✨
Central Office staff had the opportunity to learn from Mike McClanahan of Ad Valorem, LLC in today’s session, “Overcoming the Dysfunction of a Team.” These monthly trainings help us grow stronger together, building trust, communication, and collaboration so we can better serve Mercer County Public Schools. A valuable day of learning and connecting! 💙📘
Central Office staff had the opportunity to learn from Mike McClanahan of Ad Valorem, LLC in today’s session, “Overcoming the Dysfunction of a Team.” These monthly trainings help us grow stronger together, building trust, communication, and collaboration so we can better serve Mercer County Public Schools. A valuable day of learning and connecting! 💙📘
It’s National GEAR UP Week!
Today, Bluefield High School 9th graders are sharpening their skills at the GEAR UP SWV Mastery Prep Boot Camp. Let’s get ready to conquer the SAT and build a strong foundation for the future!
#NationalGEARUPWeek #GearUpSWV #FutureReady #SATPrep #LoveMyWVSchool
The Network 2025–2026 is off to a strong start! Yesterday evening, teachers reflected on how we’re already connected and how we’ll keep building those connections while sharing helpful resources all year long.
Huge thanks to Amy Harrison, Alysha Lester, Jozette Cooper, and Leigh Ann Owens for an excellent session on the ins and outs of teacher tech platforms.
Whether you’re brand-new or nearing retirement, you’re welcome in The Network! Have questions? Reach out to Amber Riffe (amber.riffe@k12.wv.us) or Angie Groseclose (agroseclose@k12.wv.us).
Huge thanks to Amy Harrison, Alysha Lester, Jozette Cooper, and Leigh Ann Owens for an excellent session on the ins and outs of teacher tech platforms.
Whether you’re brand-new or nearing retirement, you’re welcome in The Network! Have questions? Reach out to Amber Riffe (amber.riffe@k12.wv.us) or Angie Groseclose (agroseclose@k12.wv.us).
✨ The Mercer County Board of Education proudly recognized our three Orange Frog Happiness Advantage trainers — Dr. Kristal Filipek, Emily Huddle, and Amber Riffe. 🌟
The Mercer County BOE recognized Melrose Elementary's custodian Carl Lester as part of the 110% Club
🎉👏 Congratulations to the Mercer County Technical Education Center for being named one of the Top 5 Career & Technical Education Centers in West Virginia!
They were recognized at the 2025 CTE Administrators’ Conference at Stonewall Resort. 🌟
WV State Superintendent Michele Blatt shared,
"These schools and districts set the bar for excellence in Career Technical Education, proving that CTE is a driving force in preparing students for both college and careers. Their commitment to their students and the greater community is exemplary, and I congratulate them on these achievements."
We are incredibly proud of MCTEC’s commitment to student success and the community! 💙💛
#LoveMyWVSchool #MCTEC #CTEExcellence #FutureReady
They were recognized at the 2025 CTE Administrators’ Conference at Stonewall Resort. 🌟
WV State Superintendent Michele Blatt shared,
"These schools and districts set the bar for excellence in Career Technical Education, proving that CTE is a driving force in preparing students for both college and careers. Their commitment to their students and the greater community is exemplary, and I congratulate them on these achievements."
We are incredibly proud of MCTEC’s commitment to student success and the community! 💙💛
#LoveMyWVSchool #MCTEC #CTEExcellence #FutureReady
Bus 659 is running 15 minutes late this morning, Monday September 22nd. This affects Bluefield Primary, Bluefield Intermediate, Bluefield Middle and Bluefield High.
💡⚽ Special shout-out to the Princeton Fire Department for lending a hand for PSHS Soccer! Thanks to their help, we were able to change out bulbs and ballasts to keep our fields shining bright for our athletes and fans. We appreciate your support and teamwork! 🙌
#CommunityPartners #PSHS #PrincetonFD #Teamwork
🌟 Day 2 of The Orange Frog Happiness Advantage brought the rest of our Central Office team together at the Seminar Center!
Once again, we thank Dr. Kristal Filipek, Emily Huddle, and Amber Riffe for guiding us through this journey. 💡🐸✨
Together, we’re learning that happiness fuels success—and we can’t wait to spread that energy across Mercer County Schools! 💙
#LoveMyWVSchool #HappinessAdvantage
#MercerCountySc #OrangeFrog #HappinessAdvantage #DynamicDistrict
Once again, we thank Dr. Kristal Filipek, Emily Huddle, and Amber Riffe for guiding us through this journey. 💡🐸✨
Together, we’re learning that happiness fuels success—and we can’t wait to spread that energy across Mercer County Schools! 💙
#LoveMyWVSchool #HappinessAdvantage
#MercerCountySc #OrangeFrog #HappinessAdvantage #DynamicDistrict
Mercer County Schools will host a FAFSA File-It Event for high school seniors and their parents on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at the MCTEC Seminar Center from 3:30-5:30 p.m. #LoveMyWVSchool
