The countdown to the new school year has begun, with students returning on Monday, August 18. Now’s the time to start getting ready! Below are some important updates to help you prepare.

• August 18

  • First Day for Students

  • Kindergarten Orientation: Students will attend an orientation session with their families during the day. Your school or teacher will reach out with specific details.

• August 19

  • First Full Day for Kindergarten

• August 20

  • First Day EPIC Head Start

• August 26 & 27

  • Pre-K Staggered Start: Your school or teacher will reach out with specific details.

• September 1

  • Labor Day (JCS schools and offices closed)

Click here for a full district calendar

In compliance with House Bill 2003, adopted by the West Virginia Legislature during the 2025 session, JCS students are prohibited from using personal electronic devices during the instructional day. Upon students’ arrival at school, and continuing through dismissal from school, cell phones and other personal electronic devices are required to be out of visible sight and powered off.

What is a Personal Electronic Device?

Any portable device capable of wireless communication or computing, including but not limited to cellular phones, tablets, laptops, smartwatches, earbuds or earphones, and portable gaming systems not provided by a county board of education.

What is the instructional day?

The instructional day is the time from the start of the first instructional period to the end of the last instructional period, including transition times between classes.

What if I need to contact my student?

You can call your student's school and leave a message for your student. Each school will develop and publish a protocol for receiving and delivering messages to students.

Bus routes for the 2025–26 school year will be available online starting Monday, August 4. Visit www.jcswv.org/myschoolbus to find your student’s bus information and complete any required transportation forms. Beginning August 11, our friendly JCS transportation staff will begin calling families to answer questions, offer support, and help ensure a smooth first day of school.

All students will get new Chromebooks for the 2025–26 school year. To support a consistent learning experience, students should use only school-issued devices and not bring personal laptops, iPads, or other devices to school. Different grade levels will receive devices that match their needs:

• Grades K–2 will get touchscreen Chromebooks

• Grades 3–8 will get Chromebooks with more memory

• Grades 9-12 will get Chromebooks with more memory and larger screens

Before students can use any Jefferson County Schools technology—including Chromebooks, school computers, and online learning platforms—they and their parents will be required to read and sign the Acceptable Use Policy (AUP). Students will also need to complete a short internet safety training as part of the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA).

The AUP outlines how students should use school technology in a safe, responsible, and educational way. Key points include:

• Technology is for school use only.

• Students must follow school rules when online—no harmful or inappropriate behavior.

• Activity on school devices and networks may be monitored.

• Internet access is filtered to block harmful content.

• All users receive training on safe technology use.

• Parental consent is required for sharing limited data with approved apps.

The AUP helps protect students' privacy and ensures their data is only shared with trusted educational services, like Google or Microsoft. No student data is sold or used for marketing, and all rules follow federal privacy laws like FERPA and COPPA.

Aim for strong attendance this year by missing fewer than 5 days a semester to stay on track and set yourself up for success. Help us “Strive for less than 5” to keep absences low and make every day count!

Beginning August 1, schools in West Virginia will no longer use seven artificial food dyes in their meals. These dyes, found in many snacks and drinks, are being replaced with natural colors.

The Jefferson County Health Department is hosting an immunization clinic Saturday, August 2, and Saturday, September 13, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The immunization clinic is open to all students; pre-registration is required. West Virginia Code requires all rising 7th and 12th graders to have the Tdap and Meningococcal (MCV4) immunizations for the upcoming 2025-26 school year. Please ensure your student's immunizations are current. You can schedule an appointment with your primary care physician or reach out to the Jefferson County Health Department  at (304) 728-8416 for assistance.

The West Virginia Department of Education is asking families of students who receive special education services to complete the Parent Involvement Survey. Your feedback will help improve services and support across the state. Families should have received a postcard with details, including a 7-digit Survey ID needed to access the survey; please refer to that document for additional information. If you’ve lost or misplaced your Survey ID, you can request it using this online form and your ID will be provided within minutes. For further assistance, contact 304-472-5697.

AlphaBEST offers after-school programs that spark curiosity and creativity. Students can explore art, robotics, coding, drama, sign language, world languages and cultures, plus homework help, snacks, and fitness activities—all led by caring, high-quality staff. Check the flyer below for more details or visit AlphaBEST.org/jeffersonwv. For questions, email customercare@alphabest.org.

AlphaBEST Education (in English and en español)

Summer might bring a different routine, but JCS families still have access to free parent coaching resources. Get expert guidance and practical tools throughout the year with ParentGuidance.org. Learn more and sign up at https://cookcenter.info/coaching.

Jefferson County Schools FFA students had a strong showing at the 97th Annual West Virginia State FFA Convention, held July 8–12 at Cedar Lakes Conference Center in Ripley. Members from middle and high school FFA chapters across the district took part in leadership workshops, competitions, and service projects—and came home with top awards and new honors. READ MORE>>

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