Nicholas County Schools

In preparation for the April 8 solar eclipse, solar glasses have been ordered for all Nicholas County students and teachers. We feel that this is a unique opportunity for our students to experience this rare phenomenon. Teachers are encouraged to prepare a short lesson in preparation for this event. Terrence Beam, Superintendent

Attention Glade Creek Elementary: Glade Creek Elementary will be closed on Friday, March 22, 2024 due to boiler issues. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. All students and staff should stay home.

Good morning. This morning, I was informed that a couple of emails had been received by our employees (allegedly to have come from either myself or Mrs. Whytsell). These are bogus. One asks for cell phone numbers and the other mentions gift cards. They are not from us. We are trying to track down the issue and resolve. I apologize for the confusion. Terrence Beam, Superintendent

This is a reminder tomorrow Tuesday March 19 will be a 3 hour early release for students.

Attention Cherry River Elementary and any other student that rides Bus 152. Bus 152 will not be transporting students tomorrow, Thursday, March 14th. If your child is unable to attend school due to lack of transportation, please send a note with them upon their return to school. Sorry for an inconvenience that this may cause.

CORRECTION Nicholas County Schools will be dismissed three hours early on Tuesday, March 19 for employee staff development. There is no school for students on Friday, March 15 due to a Professional Learning Day.

Nicholas County Schools will be dismissed three hours early on Tuesday, March 12 for employee staff development. Also, there is no school for students on Friday, March 15 due to a Professional Learning Day.

Attention Birch River area: Bus 146 will not be running this morning. This route has been cancelled today. If you cannot attend school, please send a note with your child tomorrow to the schools letting them know this is the reason for your absence. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Sunday afternoon around 2:00, I was contacted about a possible threat that could affect students and staff at Richwood Middle School and possibly Richwood High School. Without breaching confidentiality or compromising the legal process, I feel confident with sharing some information with the public. First of all, and most importantly, the threat has been addressed and is no longer a concern. The buildings were "swept" with a service dog and no threat was found. Secondly, it was NOT a firearms threat. I do not want to state exactly what the threat was because, again, we are going through the legal process with the individual involved. I understand the public's desire for information, but we have protocol to follow. School will be in session tomorrow on a regular schedule. I have instructed the principals of the two schools to meet with their student bodies and remind them of how serious threats will be taken by my office. We do not live in the same world we lived in twenty years ago. ALL threats must be taken seriously, and we will continue to do so. Students that make threats, real or not, will have to answer for their actions. Terrence Beam, Superintendent

There will be no pre k today for Cherry River Elementary students.

Good evening, Due to an unconfirmed safety issue. Richwood Middle and Richwood High School students will not report to school on Monday, March 4. Employees that work at Richwood Middle or Richwood High School will report to school on a two hour delay. The safety of our students is our top priority. We appreciate your understanding during this time.

We are at an exciting time with the construction of the new PK-8 school at Glade Creek. At the February 19, 2024, Nicholas County Board of Education meeting, the topic of naming the new PK-8 school at Glade Creek was discussed. It was decided that we would have a sign built at the elementary school entrance labeled "Summersville Elementary School" and a sign built at the middle school entrance labeled "Summersville Middle School." We are now at the point where we need to choose a name for the entire building. Four possible names have been selected to consider. We want to encourage citizens and students to select the option that they prefer. This will be on our website and Facebook page for one week and will close at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 27. Our intention is to name the new building at the March 4, 2024, board meeting so that the cornerstone for the May ceremony at the Glade Creek site can be completed. Please complete the survey below to let us know your choice. The choices are: Summersville Elementary-Middle School Summersville Academic Center at Glade Creek Summersville Academic Complex Summersville Learning Center https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=S7AZ4AwzekaLrgn7FzdNajRxEKgo86dEuhclRcMmcCBUMURPR0dCVTVNNkg3U1Y5TUc1NDIzRkxBSi4u

I announced last week that I would provide a response to the survey results. First of all, I appreciate the time that was taken by those that commented on the calendar draft. No calendar can meet the needs of all students, parents, or employees but we try to create a calendar that will be approved by the state board of education and still meet the needs of our students. The biggest complaint that I received was about starting school too early and reducing summer vacations. Nobody enjoys summer vacations more than I do but remember that parents' vacations vary. Not everyone's vacation comes at the same time of the year and so finding a preferential starting and ending date that meets everyone's needs isn't possible. The students will have approximately 13 weeks off for summer vacation. Students do not report to school until August 19. Many people were unhappy with school starting on a Monday, but if we started on a Thursday or Friday there would be complaints about not giving them that last few days off before starting school. This year, we are designing our calendar to end the first semester by Christmas. The only way that we can do that is starting where we do. Another concern was the State Fair. Students will start after the state fair, but employees will be working the last week of the fair. Another question was about Professional Learning Days. Those days count as days in schools for students, so they do not affect when school ends. These days were approved by the legislature several years ago to give teachers more time for training and staff development. Most of those days also contain Faculty Senate meetings which are required by state code. We are required to have them in August, October, December, February, April, and June. Finally, many wanted school to start after Labor Day and end at Memorial Day. The only way that would be possible would be reducing or eliminating things like Thanksgiving break, Christmas vacation, and Spring Break. You would have to choose which of those breaks would have to be reduced. Designing a calendar is not simple. There are many rules that must be followed in order to get the calendar approved by the state. Again, I appreciate the input. Terrence Beam, Superintendent of Schools

The regional science fair originally scheduled for tomorrow will be rescheduled to Saturday, February 24th at East Greenbrier Middle School.

Nicholas County Schools will be closed today, February 13, 2024. This is NTIS day 2. Please make sure day 2 in your snow packet is completed. Staff does not report.

Nicholas County Schools will be operating on a 3 hour delay today, February 13, 2024. Breakfast is not served on 3 hour delay. Staff is to report on a 2 hour delay.

Nicholas County Schools policy 2280 Preschool program was put out for comments on February 6, 2024 for 20 days. To review this policy and leave comments, please visit: https://boe.nich.k12.wv.us/page/policy-out-for-comment Comments will not be accepted after 4pm on March 4, 2024

This is a reminder that tomorrow is a state mandated faculty senate, 3 hour early dismissal.

This week is National School Counseling Week. I want to take this opportunity to recognize and thank our school counselors for their undying efforts to help our kids cope with everyday life and its trials and tribulations. School counseling is a vital part of the student's educational experience, and we cannot ignore the important service that these professionals provide on a daily basis. Thank you for all that you do! Terrence Beam, Superintendent

Good morning, I have been looking over the comments concerning the 2024-2025 school calendar. Early next week I will share with you my responses to those comments. I understand most of the concerns, but there are some comments that I can address that will clarify certain things. For example, teachers do not work until the day before Christmas Eve. Their last day is December 20. Another is that school for students would only start 3 days earlier than this year, not weeks earlier and not during the State Fair. There are several of these type things that I will try to address. Thank you for your input. I will continue to consider your input.