Monroe County Schools

Reminder: There will be a volunteer training tomorrow, May 5th, at 6:00 at Mountain View School. This training is required for any individual to volunteer in the classroom, attend field trips, class parties, etc.

Monroe County Shines at the West Virginia State History Bowl Tournament! On Thursday, April 30th, Monroe County participated in the 17th annual West Virginia History Bowl. The tournament was comprised of 24 teams-two from each of the eight regions and eight from the “play-in” tournament. Peterstown and Mountain View Team two both qualified through the play-in tournament. Peterstown finished in the top 14 and Mountain View team two finished 7th. Meanwhile, Mountain View One took first place in Region One and finished as the State Runner-Up! Huge Congratulations to all three teams!! Peterstown Team: Mia Jackson, Zoey Hodges, Chloe Jackson, Mariah Smith Mountain View Team two: Allona McDaniel, Collin Bailey, Addison Kleinfelter, Rory Wade Mountain View Team One: Raegan Bostic, Lila Samsel, Max Houck, Jaxson Weikle Special thanks to Monroe County History Bowl alumni Cole Thomas and Maddie McMillion for their guidance and support throughout the season! And Mrs. Hill and Mr. Mills for your dedication to the program! Great job, Monroe County!

Monroe County FFA Students Explore Ireland Through Agriculture, History, and Culture

Students from the Monroe County FFA Chapter recently returned from an immersive educational tour of Ireland, where they experienced firsthand the country’s rich agricultural traditions, historic landmarks, and vibrant culture.

The group began their journey in Dublin, with an early visit to the coastal village of Howth. Overlooking the rugged Irish Sea, students viewed Ireland’s Eye, an uninhabited island with Viking roots and historic Martello towers. In Dublin, they explored St. Stephen’s Green, crossed the River Liffey, walked Grafton Street, and toured Dublin Castle while learning about Ireland’s complex history.

While in the capital, students also witnessed ongoing fuel protests, as farmers and truckers demonstrated the impact of high fuel costs—estimated at nearly $12 per gallon—on their livelihoods.

Historic and cultural exploration continued with visits to St. Patrick’s Cathedral, founded in 1191, and Trinity College, home to the famed Book of Kells, a 9th-century manuscript of the Gospels. Students also toured EPIC: The Irish Emigration Museum and experienced traditional Irish music and dance.

Traveling beyond Dublin, the group visited the Irish National Stud Farm in Kildare, known as the “Home of Equine Royalty,” and passed through the Golden Vale, one of Ireland’s most fertile agricultural regions. Stops in Kilkenny included Kilkenny Castle and Butler House and Gardens, offering insight into Ireland’s medieval and Georgian history.
Agricultural education was a central focus of the trip. At Highland Orchard, a fifth-generation organic farm, students learned about sustainability, value-added production, and direct marketing. At Lynch Dairy Farm, they observed robotic milking systems and discussed differences between Irish and U.S. agricultural regulations.

Additional farm visits included sheep, beef, and vegetable operations, where students participated in hands-on learning such as feeding lambs, planting crops, and analyzing grazing and herd management practices. Farmers emphasized conservation, sustainability, and the responsibility of land stewardship.

The trip also included iconic Irish landmarks such as the Cliffs of Moher, the Burren limestone landscape, and historic castles including Cahir Castle and Bunratty Castle. On the western coast, students explored Connemara’s Glengowla Mines and visited Kylemore Abbey.

A highlight for many was a visit to DK Connemara Oysters, where students learned about aquaculture and even sampled fresh oysters.

The trip concluded in Galway City, where students explored Eyre Square, the River Corrib, and Galway Cathedral, before returning to Dublin for their journey home.

Throughout the experience, Monroe County FFA students gained valuable insight into global agriculture, cultural heritage, and the importance of adaptability in modern farming.
“This trip has been incredible,” one participant reflected. “It’s given us a new perspective on agriculture and the world beyond our community.”
The Monroe County FFA Chapter traveled alongside the Greenbrier East Chapter, strengthening connections while sharing an unforgettable international experience.

We would like to thank all of the adult chaperones, Michelle Ballard, Dr. Scott Womack, Teresa Allen, Lorrie Broyles, Karl Reese and Advisor Mr. Shawn Hill, along with all of our supporters and donors. We would also like to mention Mr. Roy Cooper, Willowbend Agriculture Innovation Center , Dr. Scott Womack, and all of the others who supported us through fundraisers and donations. Without you this trip would not have been possible. Lastly Mr. Hill and all of us would like to thank our parents and families for allowing us the opportunity to experience this once in a lifetime opportunity to study Agriculture abroad.
Monroe County FFA hopes this is the first of many studies abroad. Plans are already being formulated for our next Study Abroad opportunity. While no date has been set it can most likely be expected in the Spring of 2028. If you wish to donate to our next adventure or FFA in general please reach out to Mr. Hill at JMTC. Call 304-753-9971 or email whill@k12.wv.us or just stop by!

Does your child need a sport's physical? The School-Based Wellness Center offers free sport's physicals that can be scheduled now by calling the Wellness Center at your child's school. These physicals are valid for one year from completion. You can find the documents online through WVSSAC or have it sent home with your child to complete prior to their appointment. We are proud to partner with Monroe Health Center and sharing the goal of keeping your child in school while meeting your healthcare needs.

May 1,2026 is National School Lunch Hero Day. Please join us in recognizing the vital role our cooks play every day- nourishing students, supporting learning, and making a difference for every child who walks thru the cafeteria doors.

Can they build it?  Yes, they can!!   Mr. Riffe’s 6th grade science classes at PMS just completed a unit on force and motion, engineering and energy.  They built V8 engines, remote controlled cars and water bottle rockets.  When fun and science collide (and the occasional remote controlled cars)… 🧪 🚀 🚗

The Monroe County Board of Education recognized the James Monroe Archery Team for their State Championship win during their April 21st board meeting.

The Monroe County Board of Education recognized the James Monroe Girls Basketball Team for their State Championship win during their April 21st board meeting.

Yesterday evening, Peterstown Elementary honored their Masters of Multiplication, but what exactly does it mean to be a Master of Multiplication? Third-grade students worked to master their multiplication facts by taking fact fluency tests. Each test consisted of 25 facts, listed in a random order. Students had to pass with 100% accuracy in 2 minutes or less. Students could not move onto the next test until the previous one had been passed, and they could not retest on the same day. Yesterday evening, we celebrated the 16 third graders who accomplished this feat to become Masters of Multiplication.

Yesterday evening, Peterstown Elementary honored their Masters of Multiplication, but what exactly does it mean to be a Master of Multiplication? Third-grade students worked to master their multiplication facts by taking fact fluency tests. Each test consisted of 25 facts, listed in a random order. Students had to pass with 100% accuracy in 2 minutes or less. Students could not move onto the next test until the previous one had been passed, and they could not retest on the same day. Yesterday evening, we celebrated the 16 third graders who accomplished this feat to become Masters of Multiplication.

The students at the Early Head Start would like to thank local first responders for visiting them and sharing information about their jobs!

The Greenhouse at Mountain View School has been busy growing beautiful, fresh veggies. We would like to thank the amazing cooks for cleaning and prepping the vegetables so that the students could enjoy fresh greens and onions as part of their salad at lunch.

Don't forget!

It’s a smelly job but someone has to do it!  The “job” was dissecting frogs and the “someone” were 8th grade students  at Peterstown Middle School.  Thank you Mrs. Richardson for the engaging activities you do with your students and thank you Monroe County citizens for these opportunities funded by the levy.  

The James Monroe High School Baseball team will be hosting a Military Appreciation Night on May 1st at 5:30 during the home game against the Midland Trail Patriots. Also a shoutout to students in the Business Department at James Monroe Technical Center for creating the graphic for this post!

The 1st Annual Monroe Masterworks Performance and Art Exhibit will be held at James Monroe High School on May 21, 2026 from 6:00pm-8:00pm. Come out and support our students!

Congratulations Mrs. Cottle 👏👏👏👏 Nellie Cottle Selected for the STEM Pioneers Teacher Corps Nellie Cottle, a STEM teacher and Technology Integration Specialist at Peterstown PK8 in Monroe County, was selected as one of 9 teachers in WV to participate in the STEM Pioneers Teacher Corps. The NSF National STEM Teacher Corps Pilot Program is a partnership between Penn State, WVU, and the College of NJ. 27 teachers were selected to participate, 9 from each of the three states. Members were selected through a rigorous, multi-step process. From a pool of 73 applicants across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and West Virginia, candidates submitted comprehensive applications and letters of reference from professional colleagues. The project team at each partner institution — Penn State, The College of New Jersey, and West Virginia University — reviewed applications and conducted interviews for applicants in their respective state. The program is made possible by a $5 million grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) National STEM Teacher Corps. The group chosen is comprised of educators who have demonstrated excellence in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) teaching, a commitment to professional growth and the potential to serve as leaders in elementary STEM education within their schools, districts and communities. The NSF National STEM Teacher Corps Pilot Program is an initiative aimed at enhancing STEM education across the United States by recruiting, training, and supporting highly qualified teachers. Elementary educators are at the forefront of STEM education, uniquely positioned to build foundational STEM skills and identities in young learners. By engaging students in authentic science and engineering practices, K-5 teachers create environments where all children can explore the natural world, develop problem-solving skills, and foster curiosity essential for future STEM learning and careers. Recognizing elementary educators as critical STEM teachers prepares a scientifically literate public and a strong STEM workforce to address complex community and national challenges. "Elementary teachers are uniquely positioned to shape how young learners see themselves in science and engineering, yet they are too often overlooked in conversations about STEM education,” said CSATS director Kathy Hill. “The STEM Pioneers Teacher Corps changes that. Through this partnership with West Virginia University and the College of New Jersey, we are recognizing 27 outstanding educators who are already doing exceptional work and providing them with the support, resources, and professional community to become leaders in elementary STEM education across the Mid-Atlantic region." Over the course of four years, members will engage in an intensive and comprehensive professional development experience. Each summer, members will travel to attend a five-day, in-person institute focused on cutting-edge science and engineering content and pedagogy, with all travel expenses covered by the program. Throughout the year, they will participate in monthly virtual professional development sessions and implement the provided curriculum and resources in their classrooms. Beyond their own professional growth, members will serve as leaders and advocates for elementary STEM education by co-leading workshops for fellow educators, hosting annual STEM events for their school communities, and presenting at state and national conferences as well as to local school boards and preservice teachers. Members will attend a national convening in Washington, D.C., hosted by NSF. To amplify their impact, members will build a professional social media presence highlighting the importance of K-5 STEM education and will collaborate with educators beyond the program to promote science learning across their schools, districts, and regions.

Due to a motor vehicle accident on Route 219 near Broyles Cemetery Road, the following buses will be delayed by 15 to 30 minutes this afternoon: Bus 203, 208, and 222

Monroe County Schools is hosting a Community Carnival on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at James Monroe High School from 10am-1:00pm. There will be numerous food trucks and activities for the kids. Join us and see what Monroe County Schools has to offer!

📣 Spring Health Reminders for Families 🌷 As we head into warmer weather and the final stretch of the school year, here are a few important reminders to help keep our students and staff healthy: ⸻ 🏫 When to Send Your Child to School vs. Keep Them Home Please keep your child home if they have: • Fever (100.4°F or higher) • Vomiting or diarrhea • Significant cough, fatigue, or not feeling well enough to participate • Suspected contagious illness (flu, strep, etc.) While we do have a School Wellness Center, if you know your child is sick, please do not send them to school first. This can expose other students on the bus, in the classroom, and in the cafeteria. 👉 Instead, call ahead and schedule directly with the Wellness Center so we can: • Ensure a provider is available to see your child • Reduce exposure to other students and staff ⸻ 💧 Hydration & Warmer Weather With warmer days ahead, please remind your child to drink plenty of water daily. Hydration helps prevent headaches, fatigue, and more serious complications. ⸻ ☀️ Sunscreen Reminder School staff cannot apply sunscreen, as it is considered a "medication" and may cause allergic or skin reactions. 👉 Please apply sunscreen at home before school on warm, sunny days. ⸻ ⚠️ Important Health Update: Flu-Related Rhabdomyolysis (Rhabdo) We are seeing multiple cases again this year of rhabdomyolysis (rhabdo) associated with or following the flu. Rhabdo is a condition where muscle tissue breaks down and can affect the kidneys if not treated. Watch for these symptoms at home, especially after flu or illness: • Severe muscle pain (often in legs) • Trouble walking or weakness • Dark-colored urine (tea or cola colored) • Extreme fatigue 👉 If your child has these symptoms, seek medical care right away and keep them home from school. ⸻ 📚 Looking Ahead: School Requirements for Next Year As the school year wraps up, now is a great time to prepare for next year: Immunizations Required: • PreK, Kindergarten & New Students: DTaP, Polio, MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B (age-appropriate doses) • 7th Grade: Tdap + Meningococcal (MCV) • 12th Grade: 1 Tdap + MCV booster (total of 2 MCV doses) Health Exams Required (within last 12 months): • PreK, Kindergarten, 7th & 12th grades • Any new enrollees ✔️ Well-child exam ✔️ Dental exam Thank you for partnering with us to keep our schools safe, healthy, and strong through the end of the year! 💙 If you have questions, please reach out to your school's nurse by calling your child's school or Jessie Thomas Monroe County School Nurse at (304)772-3094x322