Putnam County Schools - Achieving Excellence

History is on display at Buffalo High School! Check out these awesome and restored pieces of art and Bison history! Both works were created using the BHS gym floor from 1984. A big thanks to all the volunteers who worked hard to preserve the original gym floor from the old Buffalo High School as well as PCS maintenance for helping to install these beautiful pieces. Amazing! 🦬 #PutnamProud

Buffalo Elementary first-grader, Ella Grant, was crowned Miss West Virginia Elementary America Second Grade this past weekend! Ella will represent her school and state in the national pageant which is schedule to take place this June in Little Rock, Arkansas. Even though she is in first grade, she competes in second grade, because she would represent the national title next school year if she would win. This system emphasizes community service, good character, and promoting the “BRAVE” anti-bullying platform, which stands for "Building Respect and Values of Everyone." Congratulations Ella! We are excited and proud to have you represent your school, county, and state! Good luck in June! 👑 #PutnamProud

Bus Route Update for Tuesday, February 23, 2021 Several bus routes will be unable to run tomorrow, Tuesday, February 23, 2021. Students will receive an excused absence if their bus does not run. Students unable to attend school and/or complete assignments the same day due to a bus not running, lack of internet, power, or unforeseen circumstances, will be provided extended time to submit assignments once the internet or power is restored or circumstances warrant additional family support and resources. Below you will find routes that buses will be unable to run tomorrow, Tuesday, February 23, 2021. Buffalo/GW Area: Lime Kiln Road Bowles Ridge Road Low Gap Road Spring Branch Road Homebrew Hollow Cross Creek Road past Gritts Road Steel Ridge Road Poca Area: Bowles Ridge Road Fishers Ridge Road Matthews Road Winfield Area: Poindexter Road off of 5- & 20-Mile Road Means Road Evergreen Road Hurricane Area: Sycamore Road Trace Creek Buff Creek Hereford Road Sugar Camp Road

Join Putnam County Schools and the AASA In Celebrating Public Schools Week February 22-26, 2021! AASA is pleased to join its partner, Learning First Alliance, in celebrating Public Schools Week. While school may not look like it used to, PCS remains committed to providing access to high-quality public education to every student and to educators who continue to make us #PutnamProud and #PublicSchoolProud! Learn more about Public Schools Week here: https://aasa.org/psw/

Open Registration for Free Putnam Pre-K! The Putnam County Collaborative Pre-K Program’s registration for their free 4-year-old Pre-K Program at Putnam County Schools is open and taking applications from families. Families may register their child on the Putnam County Schools website by following the below link: https://www.putnamschools.com/o/pcs/page/prek--9 Families will simply click “Sign-Up” to begin the registration process by filling out a questionnaire. If internet access is unavailable, families may call Putnam County Schools at (304)586-0500 ext. 1133, ext. 1178, or ext. 1122 for assistance. Children must reside in Putnam County and turn four before July 1, 2021, to be eligible. Apply today for the free Putnam Pre-K Program! More information about Putnam County Pre-K can be found at www.putnamschools.com or by contacting Putnam County Schools at (304)586-0500 ext. 1133, ext. 1178, or ext. 1122. #PutnamProud

After receiving information this evening from the Putnam 911 Center regarding road closures and evaluating the extent of power outages throughout Putnam County, Putnam County Schools will be operating on a two-hour delay tomorrow, Monday, February 22. Several bus routes will be unable to run tomorrow. Students will receive an excused absence if their bus does not run tomorrow. Students unable to attend school and/or complete assignments the same day due to a bus not running, lack of internet, power, or unforeseen circumstances, will be provided extended time to submit assignments once the internet or power is restored or circumstances warrant additional family support and resources. Below you will find bus routes that will be unable to run tomorrow, Monday, February 22, 2021. Buffalo/GW Area: Lime Kiln Road Bowles Ridge Road Low Gap Road Spring Branch Road Homebrew Hollow Cross Creek Road past Gritts Road Steel Ridge Road Poca Area: Bowles Ridge Road Fishers Ridge Road Matthews Road Buck Lick Road Winfield Area: Poindexter Road off of 5- & 20-Mile Road Means Road Evergreen Road Hurricane Area: Sycamore Road Trace Creek Buff Creek Hereford Road Sugar Camp Road

PCS CLOSED 2/19/21 All Putnam County Schools will be closed Friday, February 19, 2021. There will be no remote instruction.

PCS CLOSED 2/18/21 All Putnam County Schools will be closed Thursday, February 18, 2021. Students and school staff will not report. There will be no remote instruction.

The regular Board of Education Meeting scheduled for February 15, 2021, and postponed to February 17, 2021, has now been rescheduled for Monday, February 22, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. as a result of inclement weather and power outages at PCS Central Office.

PCS CLOSED 2/17/21 All Putnam County Schools will be closed Wednesday, February 17, 2021. Students and school staff will not report. There will be no remote instruction.

PCS CLOSED 2/16/21 Update: All Putnam County Schools will be closed Tuesday, February 16, 2021. There will be no remote instruction.

***Employee Update - PCS OFFSITE REMOTE INSTRUCTION 2/15/21***

PCS ONSITE REMOTE INSTRUCTION 2/15/21 Following a briefing with the National Weather Service in Charleston this evening at 8:00 p.m. and after evaluating existing conditions throughout Putnam County, all Putnam County Schools will be operating on an Onsite Remote Instruction Day tomorrow, Monday, February 15, 2021. Students will not report to school but will begin remote instruction 2 hours late. Professional and service personnel will report to their school locations (2) hours later than their normal arrival time. Employees are to follow the Onsite Remote Instruction Day Protocols provided by their supervisor. If there were to be a change regarding employees (from Onsite to Offsite Remote Instruction), an announcement would be made around 7:30 a.m. tomorrow, specifically for PCS employees.

UPDATE - PCS CLOSED 2/12/21 Putnam County Schools will be closed, Friday, February 12, 2021. Due to current severe weather conditions and extensive power outages in various parts of the county, all Putnam County Schools will now be placed on a Full Closure with all schools being closed. There will be no remote instruction for students today, Friday, February 12.

PCS OFFSITE REMOTE INSTRUCTION 2/11/21 All Putnam County Schools will implement Offsite Remote Instruction for Thursday, February 11, 2021. Students and staff will report remotely. *Due to power outages in various parts of the county, some students and some teaching staff may not have power. In these, instances, students will not be counted absent.

As we begin to see winter weather advisories affect our region, we would like to outline three potential scenarios Putnam County Schools will implement during inclement weather events. PCS Inclement Weather Procedures for Schools If a Two-Hour Delay is called: • Each school will open (2) hours later than the normal hours of operation. • Professional staff and service personnel will report to their school locations (2) hours later than their normal arrival time. • Each bus route will be delayed by (2) hours using the 2020-2021 bus schedules that have been in place since September 2020. • Students will report on a (2) hour delayed schedule per school level. • WVVS students will follow the daily schedule in place. If an Onsite Remote Instruction Day is called: “Onsite Remote Instruction = Students Remote – Staff Report” • Professional staff and service personnel will report to their school locations (2) hours later than their normal arrival time. Bus operators and bus aides will report to their assigned schools utilizing the same procedures in effect for the 2020-2021 school year when Putnam County Schools have been operating remotely. • Buses will not operate for any students. • No students will report to school. This includes those students who previously reported when PCS was in remote status. However, remote instruction will begin for students two hours late. • Families should review their child's Schoology account for school bell schedule and further instructions. • Curbside meal service will be offered at each school utilizing the same hours in effect for the 2020-2021 school year when Putnam County Schools has been in remote status. Buses will run main roadways only for meals that have been requested by families. • WVVS students will follow the daily schedule in place. If an Offsite Remote Instruction Day is called: “Offsite Remote Instruction = Student Remote – Staff Remote” • Students will not report to schools. Remote instruction will begin two hours late. • Teachers will begin instruction 2 hours late from home/remote location. • WVVS students will follow the daily schedule in place. Families can find information regarding their student’s schedule(s) in the event of a remote instruction day due to inclement weather on Schoology as well as their school’s website. For further questions on PCS’ inclement weather procedures and scenarios, please contact your student’s school.

⭐️ Hometown Receives Grant to Boost Workplace Wellness! ⭐️ Hometown Elementary is pleased to be selected as one of only 20 workplaces statewide to receive a $1,000 grant to support workplace wellness. These grants are made possible by Active Southern West Virginia and WV Division of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease. By receiving this award, Hometown Elementary will be better able to support the health and well-being of our staff through creative wellness initiatives such as yoga and mindfulness activities. As part of the grant, an employee from Hometown Elementary will also receive certification in CDC Work@Health Employer Training. This 6-week evidence-based course gives participants the tools and education to develop and sustain a workplace wellness program for years to come. Hometown Elementary Staff will also participate in yoga and mindfulness activities as part of this grant, working with Moxie Fitness located in Hurricane, WV. To learn more about workplace wellness grants through Active SWV visit www.activeswv.org. Way to go HES! 🐝 #HESLeaders #PutnamProud

Putnam County Schools is now accepting applications for School Bus Operators! For more information, please call: ☎️ 304.586.0500 ext. 1103 Interviews will begin next week! 🚌 #PutnamProud

🐝Congratulations Putnam County Schools 2021 Virtual Spelling Bee Winners and Participants!🐝 PCS held its 2021 Spelling Bee virtually this year using Scripps National Spelling Bee’s new online platform. With the highest scores of the group, Evan Taylor of Conner Street Elementary and Caitlin Carroll of Scott Teays Elementary were named Co-Champions of the Putnam County Schools 2021 Virtual Spelling Bee! Cole Whittington of George Washington Middle was named PCS Spelling Bee Alternate! Both Co-Champions received Kindles from Spelling Bee sponsor - Putnam County Libraries! Evan and Caitlin will now advance to the Gazette-Mail Virtual Spelling Bee in March. PCS would like to thank Putnam Libraries, wish Evan and Caitlin the best of luck at the next level of competition, and congratulate all of our student spellers on their academic achievement! #PutnamProud

National School Counseling Week highlights the unique contributions of school counselors within U.S. school systems and their tremendous impact on students’ academic success and social/emotional health. We join the ASCA in honoring the contributions of school counselors, who are more important now than ever before. Thank you, PCS School Counselors! #schoolcounselors #NSCW21 #PutnamProud