📅 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!
Special congratulations to Robotics Team A: Bionic Bulldogs for winning the innovation award at today’s competition! 🏆 This award is given to one team that created a unique modification to their robot to help them succeed in completing challenges. In order to win the award, students from the team had to imagine and build the modification, as well as document and explain the process step-by-step in their engineering notebook. BULLDOG PRIDE! 🐶🐾
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! 💙💛
Third, fourth, and fifth grade students had the privilege of experiencing a wonderful performance by the West Virginia Dance Company yesterday. Thank you, West Virginia Dance Company, for providing our students with the opportunity to learn more about the art of dance with a school time performance at Pinch Elementary!
Last week, our school proudly hosted a Veteran’s Day program to honor the brave men and women who have served our country. 💙❤️
A heartfelt thank you to all veterans for your courage, dedication, and sacrifice. We were honored to recognize our guest of honor, First Sergeant Michael Fairon Proctor, and proud of both our fifth grade keynote speakers and student performances from kindergarten and second grade, who delivered inspiring messages that reflected gratitude, respect, and patriotism. ✨
The program also featured a powerful solo performance of “God Bless the U.S.A.” by one of our talented staff members which made the ceremony even more special. 🎶🇺🇸
Your service—and the words of our young leaders—remind us all of the true meaning of honor, commitment, and community. 🌟
#VeteransDay #ThankYouVeterans #BulldogPride
Thank you to all of the men and women who have served our country! ❤️🤍💙
Our school’s Food Pantry is here to support families in our community!
🍎 Families in need:
If you could use a little extra help with groceries or household essentials, our pantry is open and available to you — no questions asked. Please reach out to 304-348-1943.
🛒 Families who wish to donate:
We are always grateful for donations! Donations can be dropped off at the school office or sent to school with your child.
Together, we can make sure every family in our school community has what they need. 💛
This honor is provided by Common Sense Education, part of a national nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in a world of media and technology.
For more information about Pinch Elementary, go to https://pinch.kana.k12.wv.us/o/pinch. To learn more about the criteria Pinch Elementary met to become recognized as a Common Sense School, visit https://www.commonsense.org/education/recognition-schools.
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.
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
Our students have been learning how to be smart, safe, and kind online! 💻✨
We’re celebrating the importance of using technology responsibly — showing respect, protecting privacy, and making positive choices in our digital world.
Let’s work together to help our Bulldogs become responsible digital citizens and build healthy digital habits!
👉 Check out helpful family tips and activities here: https://www.commonsense.org/system/files?file=pdf/2023-09/kids-and-tech-video-series.pdf
#DigitalCitizenshipWeek #BeKindOnline #ElementaryTech #SafeSmartKind
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. 🌄
🔗: https://5il.co/3qi3h
Content includes:
🚗 A trip to Safety City
📅 Important October events and reminders
🛠️ Two Roofing Project Updates
... and more!
