Congratulations to the winners of the Black History Month Art Contest! More than two dozen student artists from JCS middle and high schools submitted breathtaking original artwork for this district-wide art competition to recognize the achievements and amplify the voices of Black men and women throughout history. With so much talent on display, choosing the Top 5 proved challenging! The following winners were selected based on their inspiring creations: 1st Place: Melody White (JVA), 2nd Place: Chiara Machesse (JHS), 3rd Place: Brianna Bradford (WMS), 4th Place: Emily Jack (JHS), 5th Place: Noelle Nicodemus (JHS).
💫✨ C.W. Shipley Elementary students embarked on an intergalactic journey of creativity and imagination with the "Out of This World" Art Show! Budding artists from Kindergarten through fifth grade created celestial works of art for a schoolwide art show to coincide with the school's annual book fair this week. Visitors to the book fair will find themselves transported to distant galaxies and lunar landscapes as they fuel their imaginations with tales of adventure, exploration, and discovery. Check out some of the creativity on display in the halls of CWS! 🎨
💵 Thanks to the Office of West Virginia State Treasurer Riley Moore for helping JCS middle school students "Get a Life!" Eighth-graders across the district participated in this interactive, award-winning program to learn about financial literacy. Students developed a family budget, managed an expense ledger, and participated in real-life simulations with the help of community volunteers serving as salespeople, insurance agents, and doctors. Thank you to these local business leaders for supporting our students in this crucial hands-on learning experience!
🤖 The Shepherdstown Middle School robotics club finished the season strong at states! Congratulations to the SMS robotics team "The Shepherds!" on their fifth-place finish at the 2024 VEX State Championship. The team also took home the Builder Award at the March 14 tournament at Fairmont State University. Fellow SMS teams "The Mech Makers" and "The Live Wires" placed in the top 50% of teams statewide at the event. It was a successful end to an exciting season that saw the first-ever regional VEX Robotics competition held in Jefferson County. Way to go, Cardinals!
Join members of the local STEM community and JHS students for our latest STEAMtalks TONIGHT at 6pm!
📚 The Black Men Read Program returned this week to offer supplemental library education for JCS fourth-graders! Wes MacKall visited fourth-grade classrooms at North Jefferson Elementary School to read "Clayton Byrd Goes Underground" by Newbery Honor winner Rita Williams-Garcia. He was one of several community members, professional actors and storytellers, and other black male role models who visited schools across the district this week as part of the nationally recognized program. Created in 2022, Black Men Read is a collaborative effort between artists, educators, and parents focused on building relationships with supportive community members. To learn more about the program, visit https://www.jcswv.org/article/699690.
Students from all four middle schools recently represented JCS at the first-ever West Virginia Middle School All-State Band in Charleston. The event marked the first time middle school band musicians had the opportunity to earn this state-wide recognition. Visit https://www.jcswv.org/article/1386997 for a complete list of attendees!
Congratulations to the JHS Chamber Choir and Pop Singers on their winning performances at the Martinsburg American Classic Choral Festival! The Pop Singers took first place in the Large Mixed Division and first runner-up in the Finals. The Chamber Choir won first place in the Large Choir Division and took the Grand Champion title! Well done, Cougars!
🎨 JCS student artists display their talent at the Jefferson Arts Council's annual Youth Art Show! 🎨 Congratulations to the talented young artists selected to participate in the 2024 Youth Art Show! JCS art teachers submit the best of students' 2D and 3D artwork for the annual event celebrating West Virginia's Youth Art Month. A public reception on March 10 honored the featured artists, and their art teachers were on hand to support their success! The Youth Art Show runs through March 31 at the Firehouse Gallery in Charles Town.
What's even better than eating pie on Pi Day? Smashing it into your principal's face, of course! Ranson Elementary students lined up to give Principal Astorino a pie to the face following a week of learning activities and positive behavior that enabled each grade level to complete a pie chart piece by piece. Once all the charts were full, students gathered for a schoolwide assembly and took turns taking aim. Enjoy your pie, Mr Astorino! 🥧
🌳🌿 Blue Ridge Elementary School fourth graders participate in the Potomac Valley Audubon Society's Virtual Watershed Education Program! 🌿🌳 These young naturalists are learning about our watershed and the importance of protecting it through a series of interactive lessons. To learn more about the Virtual Watershed Education Program, visit https://www.potomacaudubon.org/virtual-watershed/.
What an active and engaging day of professional learning! Elementary art teachers participated in hands-on activities today as they continue to grow as professional educators. It was just one of several district-wide training opportunities JCS was proud to offer staff on this professional learning day as they continue to perfect their skills in our schools and classrooms. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to student success!
As a reminder, there is no school for students tomorrow, Friday, March 8, 2024. This is a professional development day for staff.
The scores have been tallied, and the winners are in! Congratulations to the individual and team champions of the district-wide Math Field Day competition at the high school level. Jefferson High School took the team title in the 9th Grade category, while Washington High School's team won for 10th-12th Grade. Individual first-place winners included Santiago Smith (JHS) for 9th Grade and Megan Brady (WHS) for 10th-12th Grade. The top three individual winners from 4th through 12th grade will now advance to the regional competition on March 11 at WVU Potomac State College. A complete list of district winners may be found here 👉 https://www.jcswv.org/article/1442500
A preschool aide at T.A. Lowery Elementary School has added a personal touch to the school's commemoration of Black History Month by honoring students and staff of color alongside notable figures throughout Black History. Thank you to Ms. Scott for this reminder that Black History Month is also a time to celebrate and amplify Black voices in our present-day community! Read more 👉 https://www.jcswv.org/article/1472237
Shepherdstown Middle School is excited to play host to Jefferson County's first-ever VEX IQ robotics tournament! 🤖 Three veteran teams from SMS and five new teams from Wildwood Middle School will compete with other middle school robotics teams from around the panhandle this Saturday, February 24, in the VEX IQ Robotics Competition: Full Volume. The family-friendly STEAM event is free and open to the public. Learn more here 👉https://www.jcswv.org/article/1471266
First responders serve our community and help people in need, often spending hours away from their families in the process. This week, Washington High School FFA members honored and thanked them by delivering dinner to police stations and firehouses around Jefferson County as part of National FFA Week. Students delivered over sixty meals to staff and volunteers at the Charles Town Police Department, Ranson Police Department, Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, Citizens Fire Company, Independent Fire Company, and Middleway Volunteer Fire Company. Thank you to these local heroes for being the backbone of our community! 💙💛
The Jefferson High School Pop Singers recently rocked out in the Rock 'n' Roll Capital of the World! The ensemble traveled to Cleveland, OH, for the Northcoast Show Choir Invitational, where they made finals and placed fourth overall. JHS was the only school to represent West Virginia in the competition. The group also made a stop at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, where a few students enjoyed an impromptu jam session at The Garage. Rock on, Cougars!
Shepherd University invites high school students and their families (including rising freshmen!) to one of two upcoming dual enrollment information nights on February 22 and March 12. Students will learn how they can simultaneously receive high school and college credits while getting a head start on their college education! Register to attend at https://www.shepherd.edu/admissions/dualenrollment.
#TGIF! Many thanks to Jefferson High School FFA members Morgan Grove, Skye Purdy, Christopher Croson, and Ashlee Study for delivering yummy treats to central office staff to kick off National FFA Week! 😋 This annual recognition takes place each February during Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month to celebrate and highlight the impact of FFA chapters in our schools. We're so proud of all our FFA members around the district for their hard work supporting farming and agriculture in Jefferson County. Thank you!
