Wood County Board of Education Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Three West Virginia Schools Named Blue Ribbon Schools For 2021

Elementary schools in Beckley, Nitro and Parkersburg have received recognition as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2021.

The recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. Achievement gaps in education refer to the disparity in academic performance between groups of students. The achievement gap shows up in grades, standardized-test scores, course selection, dropout rates, and college-completion rates, among other success measures.

A total of 325 schools nationwide received the award this year.

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona made the announcement Tuesday. The West Virginia schools named as National Blue Ribbon Schools were:

Beckley – Crescent Elementary School, Raleigh County School District.

Nitro – Rock Branch Elementary School, Putnam County Schools.

Parkersburg – Criss Elementary School, Wood County Schools.

“This year’s cohort of honorees demonstrates what is possible when committed educators and school leaders create vibrant, welcoming, and affirming school cultures where rich teaching and learning can flourish,” said Cardona. “I commend all our Blue Ribbon honorees for working to keep students healthy and safe while meeting their academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs. In the face of unprecedented circumstances, you found creative ways to engage, care for, protect, and teach our children. Blue Ribbon Schools have so much to offer and can serve as a model for other schools and communities so that we can truly build back better.”

In its 39th year, 9,000 schools have received approximately 10,000 awards from the program.

The program recognizes schools in one of two performance categories, based on all student scores, subgroup student scores and graduation rates.

Exemplary High-Performing Schools are among their state’s highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.

Exemplary Achievement Gap-Closing Schools are among their state’s highest performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school’s student groups and all students.

The First Year: Grant Provides Mental Health First Aid Trainings

You may have heard about the August 2015 Philippi school shooting that never was. A state trooper and a pastor talked a boy who had taken his class hostage into surrendering his weapon. No one was harmed.

In a way, the experience was a success – an affirmation that school violence can be prevented. At least that’s the hope of Project AWARE, a federal grant awarded to three West Virginia counties last year. This is the first year of implementation.

“Many times we don’t know what to do after we find out the child is struggling so bringing that awareness and acknowledgement of different resources that are there to help and know how to get them there,” said Ingrida Barker. Barker is assistant superintendent of secondary education for McDowell County, one of three West Virginia counties to receive the grant.

The theory behind the project is that the first step to preventing school violence is connecting students and communities to mental and behavioral health services (meaning counseling, therapy – both group and individual – and medication or hospitalization) before a “problem” becomes a “crisis.”

One of the main initiatives of the grant is Mental Health First Aid, which trains teachers, administrators, counselors and community members on how to recognize the signs of addiction or mental illness.

“Mental Health First Aid can be compared to CPR for mental health. And this is an 8-hour public education program that’s targeted towards folks that aren’t mental health professionals,” said Paula Fields, the coordinator of the Project AWARE grant for the WV Department of Education.

In class, participants learn about depression and mood disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma, psychosis and substance use disorders. Participants are then taught how to apply the Mental Health First Aid five-step action plan to a potential crisis situation: First assess, then listen. Give reassurance and information. Encourage appropriate professional help. Encourage self-help.

“I think we are seeing the awareness of mental health issues and seeing the level of acceptance change,” said Barker. “Because whenever people think about a mental health issue, they think of it in a negative light. We can say everyone struggles with something. “

Barker says that in McDowell County, Project AWARE is not only teaching skills, but changing the social stigma that still often surrounds mental illness.

McDowell has been able to bridge the gap by providing services through partnerships with community health centers – mostly on an outpatient basis – and Marshall University which provides two graduate student counselors to facilitate group therapy.

Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, with support from the Benedum Foundation.

W.Va. School Removes Bible Verse from Gym, Shirts

Wood County school officials have removed a Bible verse from Parkersburg South High School’s gymnasium and the school wrestling team’s website.

The team’s use of Philippians 4:13 drew a complaint earlier this month from the Wisconsin-based Freedom from Religion Foundation. The verse states, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Wood County Superintendent Pat Law says the verse has been removed from the team’s website, which linked to the school’s website.

The verse also was painted above the doors to the wrestling room in the gym and appeared on the team’s T-shirts. Law says the verse in the gym was painted over yesterday.

The foundation’s attorney, Patrick Elliott, says public schools can’t endorse religion.

Parkersburg South Teacher Responds to Suspension Over Facebook Post

Editor’s Note: Dave Mistich is graduate of Parkersburg South High School and was a student of David Foggin while enrolled there.

A Parkersburg South High School teacher has been suspended following a Facebook post he made regarding the school’s Gay-Straight Alliance student club.

Wood County Schools Superintendent Pat Law tells the Parkersburg News and Sentinel that David Foggin was suspended on Tuesday for four days.

Law says the Wood County school board will decide whether the suspension is paid or unpaid, or whether to make any changes.

The newspaper says Foggin posted an image on Facebook of a poster advertising the club’s meetings, along with a comment stating, “We are also considering a drunks-t totaller club, drugged/sober club, smokeless tobacco vs smokes club, street racing, and deer poaching clubs.”

In the midst of growing attention to the situation, Foggin made this post Tuesday:

Foggin owns and operates a side business selling guns and ammunition south of Parkersburg in Belleville, W.Va.

When asked to comment on the controversy and suspension, Foggin responded to a text message from West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s Dave Mistich with the following:

“As a former student u can truthfully write the interview urself. U know my love of my students and my stance on equality and fair treatment. If a student need someone to turn to for any situation they face in their life, I hope they know the staff at pshs is always there for them. I also feel their parents/guardians should be aware they are seeking guidance and they maybe trained, licensed counselors should be involved.”

Parkersburg South High School principal Tom Eschbacher declined comment Wednesday afternoon and referred questions to the Wood County Board of Education’s central office.

A secretary for county superintendent Dr. Pat Law said their office could not provide additional comment due to the fact that Foggin’s suspension is under investigation.