PARKERSBURG, W.Va. (WTAP) -
Parkersburg High School Principal Kenny DeMoss has been chosen as West Virginia’s Principal of the Year by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).
DeMoss will represent the state at the NASSP National Principal of the Year Institute in September in Washington, D.C.
In his words: “It’s been a long road: a lot of ups and downs and very rewarding times in Wood County.”
But DeMoss says that, in more than 25 years as a teacher, coach and administrator in Wood County Schools, the “ups” have far outnumbered the “downs”.
“It’s really a tribute to the staff and students that I work beside,” DeMoss said Wednesday. “They’re the ones who have the buy-in and believe in what our goals and missions are. There’s a reason why test scores are going up and other things are improving.”
Those accomplishments have earned him the award, and the eligibility to be named National Principal of the Year.
DeMoss, like other school administrators, is emerging from navigating the storm that is the pandemic. But he says the sometimes-virtual, rather than in-person, learning, was itself a learning experience for students.
“It may not be remote, but the platforms are there to use,” he says, “because it is 21st century technology and skills we’re using. It’s great for students to be able to use that, so they’re prepared for college or the job site.”
The NASSP National Principal of the Year program recognizes outstanding middle level and high school principals who have succeeded in providing high-quality learning opportunities for students as well as demonstrating exemplary contributions to the profession.
Each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Department of State Office of Overseas Schools, and the Department of Defense Education Activity select one middle level or high school principal to represent their state.
From these state winners, three finalists are named as contenders for the National Principal of the Year award. The NASSP National Principal of the Year is selected from among the finalists.
https://www.wtap.com/2021/06/16/phs-principal-is-west-virginia-principal-year/
The West Virginia Higher Education recently approve several temporary changes to help students qualify for the merit-based Promise Scholarship.
For 2021 graduating seniors, the standardized testing deadline to qualify for the Promise Scholarship has been extended from August 2021 to October 2021.
For 2021 graduating seniors receiving the Promise Scholarship for the first time in 2021-22, the test requirements have been lowered:
SAT
SAT composite score – 1080 (regularly 1100)
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score – 510 (regularly 530)
SAT Math score – 510 (regularly 520)
ACT
ACT composite score – 21 (regularly 22)
ACT English score – 19 (regularly 20)
ACT Reading score – 19 (regularly 20)
ACT Science score – 19 (regularly 20)
ACT Math score – 19 (regularly 20)
Students graduating in 2021 and 2022 will now qualify for super-scoring to achieve the minimum standardized testing scores required to qualify for the Promise Scholarship. Students can take their top scores from sub-sections of different SAT and ACT tests they’ve taken and combine them for a higher overall score.
Please disregard the last message you received today about Summer School. What was sent to you Saturday is correct. The one today was sent out by mistake. Again A-K, PE, Drivers Ed, and all bus riders are to meet at 830 in the auditorium. L-Z meets at 12 in the auditorium. Summer school last 3.5 hrs each session. Thanks.
On behalf of the Administration at PHS, we would like to say thank you to all staff, students, and parents for being very versatile, and having perseverance these last 15 months.
As we get ready for summer school, all summer school students have been accepted EXCEPT FOR Driver’s Education. Those students accepted for Driver’s Ed were called. If you did not receive a phone call for driver’s education saying you were accepted, then the class is full. Summer school starts Monday, June 14th. All students need to report to the 2nd floor Auditorium at 8:AM for a small meeting. From the meeting, all teachers will take you to the class space you will be using. Summer school ends at 11:30. Breakfast and lunch will be available.
During the summer months, if you have business to complete with someone here, please call ahead of time. Staff will be limited due to vacations and staff development, and we want to make sure we can help you when you arrive. Please email me at kdemoss@k12.wv.us if you have any questions and I can point you in the correct direction. Take care and have a safe and relaxing summer break!
This is an important message from PHS: The National English Honor Society will have a used book sale on Saturday June 19th in the PHS Cafeteria from 9:00-2:00. Funds raised will be used to help promote literacy within the community. For More information, please email Linda Hindman at lhindman@k12.wv.us.
This is an updated message from Friday about Summer School:
Due to the high demand of summer school requests at Parkersburg High School, it has become necessary to divide summer school into two daily sessions.
There will now be a morning session from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm, and an afternoon session from 12:00 pm to 3:30 pm.
Students with last names beginning with A-K, ALL students taking Driver’s Ed or PE, and ALL STUDENTS WHO RIDE A BUS, should report to the morning session at 8:30 am, starting Monday, June 14th, in the auditorium.
Students with last names beginning with L-Z should report to the afternoon session beginning at 12:00 pm, starting on Monday, June 14th. In the auditorium.
Students will be provided with a grab and go lunch that may be picked up after the morning session, or before the afternoon session.
On behalf of the Administration at PHS, we would like to say thank you to all staff, students, and parents for being very versatile, and having perseverance these last 15 months.
As we get ready for summer school, all summer school students have been accepted EXCEPT FOR Driver’s Education. Those students accepted for Driver’s Ed were called. If you did not receive a phone call for driver’s education saying you were accepted, then the class is full. Summer school starts Monday, June 14th. All students need to report to the 2nd floor Auditorium at 8:AM for a small meeting. From the meeting, all teachers will take you to the class space you will be using. Summer school ends at 11:30. Breakfast and lunch will be available.
During the summer months, if you have business to complete with someone here, please call ahead of time. Staff will be limited due to vacations and staff development, and we want to make sure we can help you when you arrive. Please email me at kdemoss@k12.wv.us if you have any questions and I can point you in the correct direction. Take care and have a safe and relaxing summer break!
With the 2020-21 school year wrapping up, I would just like to say “Thank You!”
Thank you to everyone: Students, parents, teachers, staff and community members. Thank you to everyone who has helped others get through this often challenging and frustrating year, and thank you to everyone for your patience and resilience.
Even as we head into summer break, Wood County Schools is hard at work finalizing preparations for our summer programs which are set to begin later this month. These eight programs are unlike anything we have offered before and are sure to be engaging and fun for students at all grade levels. More than 1,500 students are enrolled and more than 200 teachers and staff have been hired to help make these programs a success. Wood County Schools’ summer offerings have been called a model for the state, and we intend to show everyone why we deserve to be called the best school system in West Virginia.
I want everyone to have a wonderful summer and a well-earned break. Most importantly, though, I want everyone ready for this fall. Throughout all of our challenges, we have learned and we have grown, and it is time for us to put that hard-earned knowledge to work for our students. We want to provide all of our kids with the best possible opportunities in first-class facilities staffed by top-level teachers and caring adults.
So as we say goodbye to the 2020-21 school year, let us look forward to the wonderful things we can accomplish together in the months and years ahead.
Thank you everyone, and have a great summer!
Attention Graduated Seniors! Here is a message from Interstate Studio concerning Graduation Pictures:
We wanted to give you a heads up that the company we upload our graduation pictures to for families to view and order and have shipped to home, just switched over to a new payment processing center. Currently there is a glitch in their system not allowing people to check out. They are working on the problem and hopefully it will be resolved soon.
We apologize for this inconvenience and will send an update once it it resolved!
Interstate Studio
614-636-2570
Graduation is outside. No tickets required. Graduates be in the auditorium at 4 dressed and ready to go with the mask I gave you. No masks are required for spectators but are recommended. Handicapped parking assistance will be available at the main gate of the stadium. Handicap seating is available on the front row of the bleachers and we will also put you on the field as well. We look forward to a great evening this evening starting at 5 o’clock with gates opening at three. Those employees helping out with graduation this evening need to be there at 2:45 to hand out graduation programs and to help assist with parking. Those staff members walking in with the graduates please be in the cafeteria by no later than 430. We will see you this evening. Thank you!
Whether inside or out, Saturday's graduation will be broadcasted live on CAS and our PHS Facebook account. We are excited to be apart of congratulating our seniors .
Here is the link where family members, friends, neighbors, etc. can watch the graduation ceremony live. https://youtu.be/t8w6F8XooI4
CAS Cable will be live streaming the event on Facebook as well. https://www.facebook.com/cascable
For those that have CAS Cable as their provider, they can also watch graduation on Channel 45.
If you can, please share these links with your students, seniors, on your social media pages, and any other avenue you may see fit so that anyone can watch the live event.
Exciting news from Wood County Schools! Off Campus Learning Options are now available for the fall. Learn more at woodcountyschoolswv.com.
Have a loved one graduating this weekend? Watch it livestreamed at woodcountyschoolswv.com compliments of CAS Cable. Choose MENU and then GRADUATION LIVESTREAM.
woodcountyschoolswv.com
Hello this is Kenny DeMoss, Principal of Parkersburg High School with an important message for all 9th- 11th grade students and parents. Starting tomorrow, Friday, May 28th, and also on Tuesday, June 1st, iPad collection will occur in first period class only for those students that are physically coming to school; brick and mortar in person instruction students. For all the rest of the 9th or 11th graders who are virtual or distance learners, you will turn your iPads in on June 4th to the library. So again, June 4th in the library for distance and virtual learners and everyone else who's coming to school you will turn your iPads in starting tomorrow and on Tuesday. There is no school here on Monday due to the holiday weekend. All 9th - 11th grade students need to make sure they bring in the charger block and cord that was given to them with their iPad or there will be a charge for that. If you have any further questions give us a call at 304-420-9595. Thank you have a good evening.
Graduation Practice day 1 is at 8:30 today in the Field House. Please be on time and wear a mask!
Student email address and password are needed to complete the survey.
https://wveis.k12.wv.us/device-and-internet-access-survey
On-campus students in grades 9-11 will turn their iPads and chargers in Friday, May 28th or Tuesday, June 1st to their first period teacher. If you don't have a first period teacher, return them to the library.
Off-campus learners will turn their iPads and chargers in June 4th or June 7th. Return them to your first period teacher or to the library if you don't have a first period.
Please make sure your iPad is charged when you return it. If the charger is not returned with the iPad, you will need to pay $25 in the admin office.
Remember no parking in the horseshoe or drop offs this morning do to Senior Color Day! Live coverage of color day will start at about 10am with the parade for those unable to attend! Staff is more than welcome to bring out their classes to watch the raising of the Senior Flag and to hear the Senior song at 10am. #classof2021
Don't forget to complete you paperwork if you are planning on taking a dual credit course next year. Early College Scholarship Application Deadline for Fall 2021 consideration is due by Tuesday June 1, 2021.
https://www.wvup.edu/future-students/high-school-students/early-college/
Good evening, this is Parkersburg High School with some important reminders for Senior Week:
• Tuesday, May 25th is Senior's last day. All make up work, textbooks, and technology should be turned in. If you have a locker, please clean out your locker, and place your lock back on your locker, locked up with the door open.
• The only reason a Senior should be in the building after the 25th is for business reasons such as paying debts, etc.
• Senior Color Day will be Wednesday the 26th starting at 10:00 o'clock. You may line up in the horse shoe starting at 8:30AM. No one will be allowed to park in the horseshoe that day except for Seniors. Only licensed vehicles that can be driven on the road are permitted in the parade; this includes any trailer that is pulled.
• Color Day is for Seniors only; no other students are permitted to participate.
• We will start Color Day off by gathering at the flagpole at 10:00 o'clock for the Senior song and the raising of the Senior flag.
• The parade will go down Washington or Ave. around the Park and back.
• The Senior chill n’ grill will begin after the parade is over.
• Masks are suggested to be worn by those not vaccinated, but are not required since we will be outside.
• All vehicles will be checked upon entering the horseshoe; no water balloons or water guns are allowed. Unnecessary items will be confiscated.
• The Chill N’ Grill will last no longer than three o’clock; Color Day and the Chill N’ Grill are not required to attend, but are highly suggested due to the long standing tradition.
• The first day of graduation practice is Thursday, May 27th at 8:30 am in the Field House.
• if you are planning on walking at graduation, practice is required. Please do not be late! A mask is required to be worn while we're inside.
• On the first day of practice you will sit up in the Fieldhouse bleachers until we put you in order.
• We will be done with practice on both Thursday and Friday by no later than 11:00 o'clock.
• Graduation practice takes as long as you cooperate; if you show up on time and you listen, you will get out sooner.
• Graduation will be at 5:00 on Saturday, May 29th. Seniors will be required to report to the auditorium at 4:00 dressed and ready to go that day.
• There will be many things handed out at graduation practice this week. Parents please make sure you ask to see those items.
• We will do everything we can to have graduation outside even if it means dealing with a little bit of rain.
• If graduation is outside masks are recommended for those who have not received the vaccine.
• There will not be a ticket requirement if graduation stays outside.
• If graduation is inside, there will be a minimum of five tickets given to each graduate, masks will be required, and it will also be televised on our Facebook and CAS cable whether it's inside or out for those unable to attend.
• I know there are many other questions you probably have and many of those questions will be answered at graduation practice. Please ask your graduate questions daily, but all of the important information I've just given you is what's vital to start off with this week. Most importantly, Seniors please remember that even though you are out of school on Tuesday you are still technically a student of Parkersburg High School until you graduate on Saturday. There can be no disruption of our school at anytime so please make sure you understand that when it comes to planning your days. Any disruption or poor behavior that is caused can result in failure to participate in Color Day, suspension, and/or failure to walk at graduation.
• For those student athletes still participating in sports after graduation on the 29th, you're still considered a student and must abide by the student code of conduct until your sport is concluded.
We look forward to a great graduation week from Color Day to practice to Graduation. If you have any questions you can give us a call at 304-420-9595