Week in Review 03/07/2025

As personnel season approaches, Upshur County Schools is preparing to make crucial staffing decisions for the upcoming year. This period involves evaluating staffing needs, reviewing performance, and making fiscally responsible choices while adhering to established personnel rules.

"Personnel season is always a challenging time," said Superintendent Christine Miller. "We need to carefully consider our budget while ensuring we have the right staff to support our students and achieve our educational goals."

The district relies on data-driven decision-making to balance financial constraints with staffing needs. By analyzing performance data and other key metrics, administrators can make informed choices about staffing and resource allocation.

Upshur County Schools remains committed to maintaining open communication with all stakeholders, ensuring transparency and trust throughout the decision-making process.

Upshur County Schools is excited to announce improvements to its K-12 enrollment webpage, aimed at making the process of enrolling a student more user-friendly and efficient. These enhancements are part of the district's ongoing efforts to streamline administrative processes and provide better service to families.

The updated enrollment webpage features a more intuitive design, with clear instructions and easy-to-navigate sections. Parents and guardians can now complete the enrollment process online with greater ease, thanks to simplified forms and step-by-step guidance. "We wanted to make sure that enrolling a student is as straightforward as possible," said Matthew Sisk, Director of Safety & Technology. "Our goal was to reduce the time and effort required for families to get their children enrolled in school."

The Upshur County Schools Attendance Committee held its monthly meeting to discuss strategies for improving student attendance. The meeting brought together counselors, principals, CIS (Community in Schools) coordinators, and directors in a small group setting to review attendance data and develop action plans.

The committee focused on identifying students who are close to becoming chronically absent and discussed ways to keep them engaged and attending regularly.

One of the key strategies discussed was the use of attendance magnets, which are designed to encourage and motivate students to attend school consistently. The committee also shared helpful resources and best practices for supporting students and families.

"We believe that by working together and sharing resources, we can make a significant impact on student attendance," said Mrs. Kasey Baisden. "It's about creating a supportive environment where students feel valued and motivated to come to school."

The meeting concluded with a commitment to continue monitoring attendance data and implementing targeted interventions to support students at risk of chronic absenteeism. The committee will reconvene next month to review progress and adjust strategies as needed.

Sarah Wills, Treasurer of Upshur County Schools, has distributed a list of vendors and anticipated purchases for the 2025-2026 school year to all central office administrators. This document aims to facilitate better planning and budgeting across departments.

"We believe that transparency and early preparation are key to effective financial management," said Wills. Administrators appreciate the timely distribution, which allows them to align budgets and make informed decisions.

This initiative is part of the Treasurer's office's broader effort to enhance financial transparency and accountability within the district.

• Enhanced test preparation

• Confidence building

• Focused study

• Time management skills

• Supportive enviroment

• Testing strategies for success

From March 4-6, Buckhannon-Upshur High School juniors participated in an intensive SAT Bootcamp presented by the SAT training program, Master Prep, at West Virginia Wesleyan College (WVWC). This three-day event was designed to equip students with the skills and strategies needed to excel on the upcoming SAT School Day on April 16.

During the bootcamp, students received valuable tips and support from experienced instructors. The program covered a range of topics, including test-taking strategies, time management, and subject-specific review sessions. The goal was to help students build confidence and improve their performance on the SAT.

"The bootcamp was incredibly helpful," said one junior. "I feel much more prepared and confident about taking the SAT next month."

The SAT Bootcamp is part of Buckhannon-Upshur High School's ongoing efforts to support students in their academic pursuits and ensure they have the resources needed to succeed. By partnering with Master Prep, the school aims to provide high-quality preparation opportunities for all students.

As the April 16 SAT School Day approaches, Buckhannon-Upshur High School juniors are now better equipped to tackle the exam and achieve their best possible scores.