The Webster County Board of Education has authorized the sale by seal bid of the following parcel of real property: 
Property located at 10362 State Route 138, Slaughters, KY 42456, Map Number 0SL-005-016. 
Property more thoroughly described in Deed Book 269, at Page 220, of record in the Webster County Court Clerk’s Office. Subject to any and all restrictions and easements of record. 
Sealed bids shall be received until 12:00 p.m., January 28, 2019. Bidding instructions shall be available at the Webster County Board of Education. All bids must follow submittal requirements of the bid instructions provided by the Webster County Board of Education and shall be placed in an envelope with the words “Sealed Bid”, Property Map Number and Name of Person or entity submitting the bid written on the envelope. Bids shall be delivered to the Webster County Board Office in care of Jeff Pettit, Chairman Webster County Board of Education, 28 State Route 1340, Dixon, Kentucky 42409. At 5:30 p.m., January 28, 2019, all bids received shall be opened at a public meeting of the Webster County Board of Education and the amount of each bid recorded. 
The minimum allowable bid will be $35,000.00. The property is being sold as is. The Webster County Board of Education shall have the right to reject any and all bids, or to waive any informality in bid or bids and to accept any bid which may be deemed in the best interest of Webster County Schools and the public.

Judge Executive, Steve Henry, administered the oath of office to two Webster County Board of Education members on January 4th at the Webster County Board office. Sworn in were Tim McCormick, re-elected member, and Cameron Edwards, new member, who filled the seat vacated by Jeff Pettit.

Webster County Board Members:
Mickey Dunbar
Tim McCormick
Venita Murphy
James Nance
Cameron Edwards

Webster County Schools appreciates you!!!

On December 10th, 2018, County Judge Executive, Steve Henry, with the approval of Webster County Fiscal Court, declared the first day of each month in 2019 to be "True Blue" Day in Webster County. All county residents are encouraged to wear blue on the 1st day of each month to promote and show support for the county's True Blue initiative which supports a drug free Webster County. Since its inception in 2017, True Blue has provided Character Counts training in Webster County Schools and organized faith-based and law enforcement groups around the True Blue initiative. True Blue has provided free anti-drug/alcohol/tobacco resources, training and speakers in the community. Webster County residents are encouraged to participate in drug prevention education activities. For more information, contact Donna Bumpus, Coordinator @ donna.bumpus@webster.kyschools.us or 270-639-0383.

The Webster County Board of Education on December 17, 2018, was a bittersweet one. While Rhonda Callaway attended her first board meeting as the new Webster County Superintendent, the board members said goodbye to their board chair, Jeff Pettit, as he conducted his last WCBOE meeting. We thank Mr. Pettit for his eight year service on the board and for his commitment to the students and staff of Webster County Schools. Mr. Pettit praised his fellow board members and administrators for working together to provide the best possible education for Webster County students. He noted, "if we always keep what is best for the students as our top priority we will be doing the right thing." A reception was held in his honor prior to the meeting.

Congratulations to Abby Ranes, WCHS teacher, and Bettye Herald, Annex Food Service Manager, for being named December 1WC Employees of the Month! Thanks for all you do! We appreciate you!

L to R:  Tim McCormick, BOE Member, Abby Ranes, Bettye Herald, Mickey Dunbar, BOE Vice-Chair

Nexus Vol. 3, Dec. 2018

Two Webster County teachers, Renee Pratt, Clay Elementary and Lori Corbin, WCHS Media Specialist, recently joined the ranks of those Webster County teachers who have received their National Board Certification. It is the most respected professional certification available in K-12 education. NBCT requires teachers to demonstrate a deep understanding of their students, content knowledge, use of data and assessments and teaching practice. They must also show that they participate in learning communities and provide evidence of ongoing reflection and continuous learning. We are proud of you! 

    Renee Pratt                                                      Lori Corbin

Webster County Schools has a vacancy for the position of a contract School Resource Officer (SRO). The SRO will be employed by the Webster County Sheriff’s Department and work through a Memorandum of Agreement with Webster County Schools. A marked car will be provided by the Webster County Sheriff’s Department to be at the assigned location and used in official duty during the work day. Applicants may apply on the Webster County Schools website or with the Webster County Sheriff’s Department. 
Applicants must prove qualifying credentials:
• Certified police officer by KY Criminal Justice Academy

Primary Location: Webster County High School & Webster County Middle School; Webster County Elementary Schools on occasion
Salary Range: Hourly per year
Benefits: Not provided
Contractual year: 181 days

Georgiann McCord, Interim Webster County Superintendent, was honored at a retirement reception prior to the BOE meeting on Monday, November 26th. Mrs. McCord is retiring effective December 1st after spending 39.5 years in education. Mrs. McCord replaced Dr. Rachel Yarbrough who retired this past summer. Rhonda Callaway will replace Mrs. McCord as Superintendent of Webster County Schools.

Congratulations to Elizabeth Warren, 5th/6th grade Language Arts teacher at Dixon Elementary and Carol Hill, Providence Elementary Secretary for being named November 1WC Employees of the Month! We appreciate you!

Photo L to R: Mickey Dunbar, BOE Vice-Chair; Elizabeth Warren, Carol Hill, Venita Murphy, BOE Member

“Juuling” is the latest craze among teens that’s raising health concerns. It’s named after a vaping device, the JUUL, which is intended to help adults kick cigarettes. They can be bought at most convenience stores. The JUUL delivers nicotine and looks like a flash drive. It can actually be placed into the USB port of a computer to be charged. Doctors are concerned there is a misconception among teenagers that the device is safe.

A lot of these cartridges are actually marketed as health products. They have ‘healthy’ flavors, things like mango and berry that are associated with high antioxidants. But they’re just flavors. There are no actual health benefits. The CDC has found that these flavors are a big part of the reason teens are latching onto these products. 60 percent of kids believed that pods used in Juuls (a specific brand of e-cigarette) were nicotine free — when the reality is that 99 percent of these products contain nicotine.

“The use of these e-cigarettes like the popular Juul brand is spiking among youth, but parents often aren't even sure what they are and many teens mistakenly believe there are no serious health risks.” View this video from Education Week's website. 

The Kentucky Migrant Fall Academy was held in Louisville, KY November 13-15.  Webster County students attended along with the district's Migrant Coordinator, Robert "Sherrill" Tanner. 

The students had the privilege of interviewing Sylvia Mendez, the keynote speaker for the conference.  Sylvia Mendez is an American civil rights activist of Mexican-Puerto Rican heritage. At age eight, he was denied entry to an all-white school in Westminster, California. She and her family played an instrumental role in the Mendez v. Westminster case, the landmark desegregation case of 1946. Her family’s case paved the way in 1947 for the famous Supreme Court case, Brown v. Board of Education which led to desegregation of schools across the country eight years later. Sylvia Méndez received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011.

L to R: Erick Escalante,Paola Rivera, Sylvia Mendez, Kerem Vazquez  L to R:  Paola Rivera, Sylvia Mendez, Erick Escalante

November 20th
5:30-7:00 
WCHS Annex
Light Meal
Childcare Available

All Webster County teachers participated in Character Counts training on November 6th, 2018. The training was conducted by Jenny Winstead, Sebree Counselor, and Tammy White, Providence Counselor, who are the district's Character Counts trainers.
Character Counts is a mainstay of the district's True Blue Drug Free Community which has provided training and resources for the district and community. 
Character Counts is a nationally recognized initiative that focuses on the six pillars of character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship.
The goal of Character Counts is to ensure WC students receive character education which will hopefully improve the ethical quality of their decisions, and thus their character and lives.

Congratulations to Carly Newton, Sebree SDI Teacher, and Lori Puckett, WCHS Custodial Supervisor, for being selected the September 2018 1WC Employees of the Month!  We appreciate you!

L to R:  James Nance, BOE Member; Carly Newton;  Lori Puckett; Mickey Dunbar, BOE Vice-Chair

This is reminder that ALL students attending Webster County Schools must complete the 2018-19 Online Registration process. Currently only 27% of Webster County School students have completed this process. The Online Registration Link for returning Webster County Students is located on our homepage at www.webster.kyschools.us.

All New Students to the Webster County School District must go to the school the child will be attending and complete initial enrollment information, receive parent portal account information, and finally complete Online Registration.

By completing the Online Registration process prior to Open House, you can utilize your valuable time more efficiently at your child's school.

Each school will be hosting Open House on the following dates and will have computers and assistants available to assist with any final completion of the registration process.

Providence Elementary--August 6th from 5:00 to 7:00, 
Clay Elementary--August 7th from 5:30 to 7:30, 
Webster County High School and Webster County Middle--School August 9th from 4 to 6, 
Dixon Elementary--August 9th from 5:00 to 7:00,
Sebree Elementary--August 9th from 5:30 to 7:30.

If you need assistance or have questions, please contact your child's school. Have a great day!!

The Trojan Cross Country Team captured its 7th straight Class AA Regional title and advanced to state!The Lady Trojan Cross Country Team finished 3rd in the region and advanced to state! WC Cheerleaders are KHSAA Medium Division Sectional Champs and are headed to State!

Congratulations to Leighann Harper, WCMS Math teacher, and Amy Wright, Special Education Instructional Assistant at Clay Elementary, for being named our 1WC Employees of the Month! ! We appreciate you!!

Pictured L to R: James Nance, BOE Member, Leighann Harper, Amy Wright, and Tim McCormick, BOE Member.

Click here to view current Job Openings.

• Oct. 25, 2018. First advertisement in Journal Enterprise and Sebree Banner
• Nov. 1, 2018. Second advertisement in Journal Enterprise and Sebree Banner
• Nov. 12, 2018. Bids due to the Central Office by 12:00 pm
• Nov. 12, 2018. Bids to be opened in public meeting 5:30 pm

                             Advertisement for Bids

                             Request for Sealed Bids

                             Slaughters School Property Map

Reveal your superhero, take the online "BE INCREDIBLE, Reveal Your SUPERhero! Pledge Against Bullying."  KCSS stands on the belief that every student has incredible super skills and talents that make them unique and strong.  By taking the pledge we are working together towards creating a "family-like" culture in our schools and community. www.kycss.org/sswpledge/      

Webster County law enforcement, emergency personnel and school personnel attended Narcan training on October 17th at the Extension Office.
Training was provided by Daviess County Coroner, Jeff Jones.

Narcan Nasal Spray (Naloxone) is an FDA approved nasal form of naloxone for the emergency treatment of a known or suspected opioid overdose. Participants were given information around opioid misuse and overdose as well as how to use Narcan. 

Diane Oakley will be the district's new McKinney-Vento Homeless Coordinator.  She will oversee and coordinate resources for our district's homeless population.

Mrs. Rhonda Callaway was named the new Webster County Schools Superintendent at the WC Board of Education meeting on September 24, 2018. She will assume her duties as superintendent with the retirement of Interim Superintendent, Georgiann McCord, effective December 1, 2018.
Mrs. Callaway has served as the district's Director of Secondary Education, Assessment, and Career and Technical Education for the past four years and, more recently, she was named Deputy Assistant Superintendent.
Mrs. Callaway has worked in four counties in her 25-year educational career which includes experience as a science teacher, middle school principal, alternative school principal, elementary assistant principal, high school principal and district administrator. 
Mrs. Callaway states, "I am humbled to be selected as the next superintendent for Webster County Schools. I look forward each day to work with our staff who goes above and beyond each and every day to do what’s best on behalf of our students. I’m proud to be part of that passion for educating our kids."

Congratulations to Sebree Elementary for being our August “1WC” Attendance Winner of the Month with 97.30%.  Dixon was a VERY close second with 97.13%.  Our district had 96.25 and all schools had over 95% attendance for our first month of school!! Let’s keep it going!

Thank you to the Pennyrile F.A.I.T.H. Riders for their generous donation of $1,320 to support the district's student Backpack Program. Members from the organization presented the check to the district at the Webster County Board of Education meeting on September 24, 2018.  The Pennyrile F.A.I.T.H. Riders are a chapter of the National F.A.I.T.H. Riders. The organization is a motorcycle ministry comprised of many demoninations for the Pennyrile West Kentucky region, and it is affiliated with Grapevine Baptist Church in Madisonville, KY.   Mark Odum is the Director and Jim Lantrip is the Secretary/Ride Coordinator.

Congratulations to Susan Owens, Clay Elementary Principal, and Teresa Kirkwood, Annex Cook/Baker, for being selected August 2018 "1WC" Employees of the Month!  We appreciate you!

Congratulations Sebree Elementary for recently being named one of America's healthiest schools by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation.

America’s Healthiest Schools earned the distinction by successfully meeting a rigorous set of criteria for serving healthier meals and snacks, getting students moving more, offering high-quality health and physical education, and empowering school leaders to be healthy role models. The schools, 81 percent of which serve high-need populations, also receive Healthier Generation’s National Healthy Schools Award at the Bronze, Silver or Gold level, based on the standards they achieve.

Sebree achieved Bronze status and joined Webster County High School and Webster County Middle School who attained Bronze status last year.

SBDM council members and students from all schools paticipated in a Council of Councils on Monday, Sept. 10th, 2018. The Webster County Council of Councils and district administrators met with board members to highlight school and district initiatives and obtain feedback from students and council members around what they feel is going well and opportunities for improvement.
District administrators shared information about the following district initiatives:
*Striving Readers Literacy Collaborative 
*WC Kids to College
*WC True Blue Drug Free Community
*Accountability Update and Graduate Profile
*Facilities Update
*Attendance Data
*Student Mental Health & School Safety
*WCMS APEX Learning Center
*New Industrial Maintenance program at the ATC

Webster County Schools is happy to announce that we have updated not only our website, but also our mobile app (formerly SchoolWay), for push alert notifications (e.g., school closings, emergency alerts, important information, etc.) Our new mobile app is called SchoolPointe Stay Connected which is integrated with our new website. You will no longer receive alerts through SchoolWay app.

To download the new SchoolPointe app please see the instructions listed below:

How to download the mobile SchooPointe Stay Connected App for Webster County Schools:

1) Go to the Apple App store or the Google Play store.

2) Search for the SchoolPointe Stay Connected app icon (see below)

3) Install the app

4) Once installed, you should click on ALLOW to accept push notifications

5) Open the app and search for Webster County Schools

6) Click to install

Got questions? Looking for resources? Interested in getting to know other grandparents raising grandchildren? Join us for a time of fellowship and learning as we explore the joys and challenges of being a “GRAND parent”

When: September 18 from 5:30-7:00
Where: WCHS Annex
What:  *A light meal will be served 
            *Childcare available for children 12 and under 
            *Guest Speaker: Kay Payne, Mental Health Therapist
            *The group will meet the third Tuesday of each month

*Sponsored by WC FRYSC and WCHS Family/Consumer Science

Webster County district administrators, faculty, and staff members kicked off the 2018-19 school year at the WC Opening Day on August 13, 2018. The day's events included breakfast, remarks from Interim Superintendent, Georgiann McCord, reflections from past years' work as well as the instructional focus for this school year. The district received a $502,000 Striving Readers grant which will provide the district with additional resources to implement a more intentional focus on reading and literacy for children in Webster County from birth through 12th grade. 
Staff members also participated in a fun "break out" room teambuilding activity. Teams looked for clues and solved puzzles which ultimately led them to a puzzle piece which was their final clue. Each piece of the puzzle was part of a larger district puzzle which, when put together, represented all of the programs, activities, instructional resources, etc. which comprise the Graduate Profile.

All 2018-19 new staff attended the Webster County "1WC Way" New Staff Day on August 6th.  Welcome to our district!! Thank you to KEA for providing our lunch and to Stephanie Winkler, State KEA President, for attending.  We appreciate you!  

District and school administrators and directors participated in "Together We Can..." Leadership Retreat on July 9-10. Day 1 included a fun team building activity followed by a working lunch at the Olive Garden. Administrators spent Day 2 in a "Leadership Challenge" activity at the district office. The team met with the Board of Education at the Extension Office at 5:30.
Supt. Georgiann McCord shared reflections from retreat activities as well as district highlights from 2014-2018. Deputy Asst. Supt. Rhonda Callaway shared stakeholder feedback from the district's 2030 World Class Vision/Graduate Profile. 
Kim Saalwaechter, Early Childhood/Special Ed Dir., shared about the district's $507,000 Striving Readers Grant to improve literacy  from birth to 12th grade.
DPP Greg Bowles shared about the district's $75,000 McKinney-Vento grant to provide support and resources for the district's homeless students.
Area Tech Principal, Larry Garrity, shared about the $140,000 partnership grant with MCC which will create a new Industrial Maintenance program at ATC.
Carolyn Sholar, Public Info/Community Ed Director, shared information about the $625,000 True Blue Drug Free Communities Grant which will prevent youth substance abuse in the community.
Superintendent McCord also shared information about the district's invitation from the Green River Regional Educational Cooperative to participate in a Gear Up grant to provide additional math and literacy support  for this year's 7th graders which will follow them through the 12th grade.

Congratulations to Nita Johnson and Mike Stone, 2018 "1WC" Employees of the Year!  We appreciate you!

Congratulations to Sebree Elementary for being the 2018 "1WC" District Attendance Winner of the Year with 95.61% attendance for the year. Sebree has been the district winner for the past four years.
Dixon Elementary was a VERY close second place this year with 95.41% attendance for the year. Dixon is the recipient of the Webster County High Attendance Award.

Congratulations New National Board Certified Teachers  
Vicky Jones and Andy Corbin

 
 L-R:  Vicky Jones, Venita Murphy, BOE Member, Andy Corbin

A big "1WC" THANK YOU to the Webster County Economic Development Board for their $250,000 donation to Webster County Kids2College Scholarship Fund. That amount will be matched over time by the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS). Elligible students may use the scholarship funds to attend either Madisonville or Henderson Community College.

Webster County District Administrators and Teachers
Attend Public School Funding Rally in Frankfort

Dr. Rachel Yarbrough, Webster County Superintendent; Georgiann McCord, Assistant Superintendent; Pauletta Yarbrough, President Webster County Retired Teachers; and three teachers, Melissa McBride, Markeata Riley and Linda Gill attended a Public School Funding Rally on March 22nd in Frankfort.

Congratulations Brooklyn Mays for placing 2nd in the 2017 World Archery Tournament (High School Female) & Overall Runner Up  (Female)!  Brooklyn was recognized at the August 28th, 2017 Webster County Board of Education meeting.

L-R:  James Nance, BOE Member & Brooklyn Mays

Congratulations. Donna Bumpus, for being recognized at the August 28, 2017, Webster County BOE meeting on receiving the Robert Strauss Award for Excellence in Prevention Advocacy in Kentucky.

L-R:  Donna Bumpus and Venita Murphy, BOE Member

Congratulations to Olivia Utley, Gracey Kelley, and Rylei Roy for being selected to participate in the 2018
Governor's Scholar program. The Program’s mission is to enhance Kentucky’s next generation of civic and economic leaders. 
The Governor’s Scholars Program is a program for outstanding high school students in Kentucky who are rising seniors. It offers academic and personal growth through the balance of a strong liberal arts program with a full co-curricular and summer residential life experience. In order to participate in the Program, students must be nominated by their high schools and then compete on a state-wide level. Selection for the program is highly competitive, with an application process similar to that of prestigious colleges and universities. Students who are selected attend the Program without charge.

Webster County Schools Coffee and Conversation was held March 26th at the Providence Food Bank. Chip Palmer, Food Bank Director, shared information about the service the Food Bank provides to the citizens of Webster County:

• Open on Tuesday 9-12, Thurs. 3-6, and Saturday 9-12
• Serves over 1,000 people per month
• Distributes 15,000 pounds of food per month
• Can turn one dollar of food into $5
• Averaging 12-15 new households per month

We appreciate the very important service the Food Bank provides to Webster County!!!

The next Coffee & Conversation will be at 7:30 on April 16th at Jeri's in Clay. The public is invited. Coffee and donuts will be served.

Congratulations to K-5 winner, Chloe Pleskach--1st Grader at Dixon, and Middle School winner, Mary Kate Rakestraw--8th grade!