They met the Big Guy!
Students and their families had a blast getting into the holiday spirit last night at the KCS Office of Exceptional Students Sensory with Santa Thursday night.
We all had an absolute BLAST! Thank you to everyone who came out and made this night so special.
During our 8:00 p.m. weather briefing with the National Weather Service, we were advised there is a 50/50 chance of snow beginning around 3:00 a.m.
🚨 As of now, Kanawha County Schools is planning to operate on a normal schedule tomorrow.
We will continue to monitor conditions overnight and into the early morning. If a change to the schedule is needed, an alert will be sent around 5:00 a.m.
📲 No alert in the morning = normal school day.
The KCS Office of Exceptional Students is hosting a Sensory with Santa Night on Thursday, December 4th, from 5:00–6:30 PM at the Edison Staff Development Center in South Charleston!
This event is open to all students with disabilities and their families, and the night has been designed with comfort, joy, and accessibility in mind so every child has the chance to participate. 💙💚❤️
There are SO many fun things planned — and of course, Santa will be there for a calm, sensory-friendly holiday experience. 🎄🤗
🗓️ 2026-2027 KCS Calendar At a Glance 👌
We meant to share next year's calendar highlights this morning, but the vibes were immaculate , despite the snow — and we didn't want to mess with the vibes.
📚 So, for some nighttime reading enjoyment — Your 2026-2027 KCS School Year Highlights are below!
👀 Ready to download and get it on the fridge? 🔗👇
📅 The 2026–2027 KCS School Calendar Is Official!
Thank you to everyone who reviewed the four proposed calendar options and shared feedback during the open comment period. Nearly 1,500 comments were submitted, and both KCS and the Board of Education are extremely appreciative of the community’s input.
After careful consideration, the KCS Board of Education approved Version 2 for the 2026–2027 school year.
✨ Key Dates:
➡️ First Day of School: August 19, 2026 (Wednesday)
➡️ Last Day of School: May 28, 2027 (Friday)
We’re sharing the full calendar graphic below. Tomorrow, we’ll also post an easy-to-read highlight version with important dates such as holidays, Professional Learning Days, and Spring Break.
Thank you for helping shape the school year!
Starting tomorrow morning, KCS Transportation will begin texting parents/guardians directly about any bus number or route changes. If your child’s bus is affected, you’ll receive a text—no sign-ups or apps required.
📲 What to know:
• All parents/guardians of current bus riders will receive a welcome message tomorrow morning
• You can reply STOP to this message to opt out
• If you receive a bus change in the future, it will come directly via text
• Bus changes will still be posted on the KCS website—click the “Bus Changes” link at the top of our homepage
• If you don’t receive a text tomorrow and your child rides a bus, please call KCS Transportation. They’ll provide a quick form to get you enrolled.
We hope this makes staying up-to-date on bus changes easier and more convenient for families. Thank you for your continued support of KCS! 💙💛
🏆 As cool as the other side of the pillow 🏆
Fall sports season is wrapping up, and KCS athletes are finishing strong across the board — including two state titles!
🔥 AAA Cross Country State Champion
Huge congratulations to Maysen Fletcher, a sophomore at Herbert Hoover High, for winning the 2025 AAA State Championship with a time of 18:16.36! What a race. What a moment. 🥇🏃♀️💨
As a team, the Huskies also earned a spot on the podium — finishing their 2025 campaign as State Runner-Up! 👏💪
🏐 AAA Volleyball State Champions
The Herbert Hoover Volleyball Team made history today, bringing home the school’s first-ever volleyball state title after a hard-fought 3–2 win over Shady Spring. The Huskies showed heart every step of the way. 🏆🐾
💙❤️ And a shout-out to more KCS teams who competed on the state level this fall:
• Capital, GW, and Sissonville in the State Golf Tournament ⛳
• Nitro’s Men’s and Women’s Soccer — both AAA State Runner-Ups ⚽
• GW Women’s Soccer — AAAA State Runner-Up ⚽
🏆 The fall action is not over just yet — several more KCS teams will be vying for a state title over the next few weeks!
Athletics are just one of the many experiences that make Kanawha County Schools such a special place for students — and we’re proud of every single athlete who competed this season.
Thank you to all of the men and women who have served our country! ❤️🤍💙
We’re excited to invite students and families to a special sensory-friendly holiday event designed just for them!
📅 Thursday, December 4, 2025
⏰ 5:00 – 6:30 PM
📍 Edison Staff Development Center
157 2nd Avenue, South Charleston, WV 25303
Enjoy cookies, hot chocolate, games, and crafts in a calm, welcoming environment where every child can experience the magic of the season. Families can also connect with helpful resources about IEPs, 504 Plans, preschool services, therapies, and more.
KCS is forming a Student Leadership Team — a diverse group of middle, high, and career/technical school students ready to make a difference!
Each school will select 1–2 students who will:
💡 Lead projects that build belonging, wellness, and school pride
💬 Share student perspectives and ideas
🤝 Serve as ambassadors for their school community
See your school administrator for an application — due Dec 1!
🔗 Learn more about this new program on the KCS website
👉 https://kcs.kana.k12.wv.us/article/2539016
After tonight’s 8:00 p.m. briefing with the Charleston National Weather Service, we’ve learned that the forecast has been downgraded — ground temperatures are warm, and the chance of snow sticking is low.
As of now, Kanawha County Schools plans to operate on a normal schedule tomorrow, Monday, November 10.
If the forecast changes overnight and a schedule change becomes necessary, we’ll send an update between 6:00–6:15 a.m. via callout, text, email, and on our social media pages.
The October edition of the KCS Monthly Newsletter is now available 👇
🔗: https://5il.co/3ruj2
Content includes:
🔬A forensics lesson at SCHS
📅 Important November events and reminders
🛠️ HVAC Levy Project Updates
... and more!
If you’d like to help, please contact your local school—or the school you wish to support—to ask what items are most needed and where donations can be dropped off. Thank you, Kanawha County, for always supporting students. 💛
Like being called “Mr.” or “Ms.” by everyone in the room? ☕🍎
You might just be the substitute teacher we’re looking for!
Join KCS and help keep learning going strong while having fun along the way.
🔗: Apply Today ➡️ https://bit.ly/KCSSubs
We’re so proud to share the incredible achievements of two Kanawha County Schools students currently attending the Mountaineer Challenge Academy!
💪 Cadet Kaliee Peters, a St. Albans High School student, earned the Academic Most Improved Award — a testament to her hard work and commitment to growth.
🎖️ Cadet Ka’Lea Burkes, a Capital High School student, was selected as Assistant Platoon Leader for 1st Platoon — a role that reflects her leadership and drive to succeed.
Both students embody the determination and resilience that define our KCS family. Congratulations, Cadets Peters and Burkes — we’re proud of you! 👏❤️💛
The KCS Office of Exceptional Students is excited to host a Trunk or Treat for all students with disabilities and their families! 🧡
📅 Date: Thursday, October 16th
📍 Location: Capital High School
🕔 Time: 5:00 – 6:30 PM
Come out for an evening of fun, candy, and community! 🍬✨ We can’t wait to see your costumes and celebrate together.
There will be no school for students on Monday, October 13th — it’s Parent/Teacher Conference Day! 🍎
Parent/Teacher conferences are a great opportunity to connect one-on-one with your student's teacher, learn more about how they’re growing, and hear ways you can support their success at home.
If you haven’t already, reach out to your student’s school or teacher to schedule your meeting. Every conversation helps strengthen the partnership that makes learning possible! 💬✨
🌟 Academic Support for Everyone
Every student deserves the tools to succeed.
Kanawha County Schools has launched a new webpage — Academic Support for Everyone — highlighting the ways we help students stay on track and graduate with their classmates.
From social and emotional learning and personalized education planning to mentoring, tutoring, career readiness, and dropout prevention — this page is your one-stop resource for student success.
If you’re a parent or guardian who simply wants to explore the built-in supports already woven into the KCS curriculum, this page also offers a great overview of what all students receive as part of their education.
Whether your student needs additional support, a mentor, or guidance for life after graduation, KCS is here every step of the way. 💙💚❤️ You can find the page by clicking the link below, or by going to the KCS website ➡️ click menu on the homepage ➡️ look under the Parents/Guardians section ➡️ click on Academic Support Opportunities.
🔗 Explore all available supports (including a list of certified KCS tutors):
https://bit.ly/KCSAcademicSupport
(This page will continue to grow as new programs and supports are added or expanded!)
In 2021—on Pearl Harbor Day—the West Virginia Department of Education and Common Ground Partners proudly recognized the first class of Purple Star Schools and Districts across the Mountain State. What began with 130 schools and 3 districts has now grown to 315 schools and 17 districts dedicated to supporting military-connected students and families. 💜
Kanawha County Schools is honored to be among them as a Purple Star District, continuing our commitment to helping students thrive—no matter where their family’s service takes them.
The Purple Star Award is one of many ways the Common Ground Partnership helps make West Virginia one of the best places in the nation to live, work, and raise a family. 🌄
