Mercer County Schools

📢 Mercer County Schools is on the move again! While attending the JASON National Conference, our dedicated educators had the opportunity to present and share their expertise on a national stage. 👏 🔹 Dr. Ernie Adkins, Assistant Superintendent, and Rhonda Rogers, Title I Supervisor, presented “STEM Certification: Building Systems of Excellence,” highlighting our district’s strategic approach to developing strong STEM programs. 🔹 Kaila Hardin and Donna Sizemore, Technology Integration Specialists, shared insights on “Becoming a JASON Coach,” helping other educators learn how to lead innovative, inquiry-based learning in their own districts. We are proud of our team and the work they’re doing to lead, inspire, and elevate education across the nation! 🌟📚💻 #MercerProud #JASONLearning #STEMExcellence #EducationLeaders #MCPSInnovation

July Summer Food Service Program Schedule

🚀 Shaping the Future Together at the 2025 JASON Learning National Conference in Leesburg, VA! Several Mercer County Schools educators and leaders are proudly attending this inspiring event, including teachers, administrators, technology specialists, and Board of Education member Jim Bailey. 👩‍🏫 Today, Dr. Ernie Adkins and Rhonda Rogers led the breakout session “STEM Starts Early: Motivating Young Learners.” 🧭 Superintendent Ed Toman co-presented “Adventures in STEM: The JASON Argonauts” alongside Joseph Flanigan, a Princeton Senior High School graduate and one of Mercer County’s very first JASON Argonauts! Also representing Mercer County: ✅ Superintendent Ed Toman ✅ Assistant Superintendents Dr. Ernie Adkins & Rosemary Mitchell ✅ Board Member Jim Bailey ✅ Director of Technology Brent Murphy ✅ TISs Donna Sizemore & Kaila Hardin ✅ Director of Special Education Emily Huddle ✅ Special Education Teachers Srene Lokay & Cathy Bailey ✅ Title I Supervisor Rhonda Rogers We’re proud to help lead the national conversation on STEM education, equity, and innovation in the classroom! 🌟 #MercerProud #JASONLearning #STEMStartsEarly #InclusiveSTEM #FutureReady

This past week upcoming Glenwood 5th grader Samuel Presley and 2nd grader Caroline Presley explored West Virginia's Stonewall Jackson State Park and Resort! Since it was record high temperatures, they balanced indoor and outdoor fun. They enjoyed the lake, lobby library, some chess, the pool, and of course the S'mores by the famous fire pit! Samuel's review is that this is his favorite WV State Park💙💛

🌊 Summer Learning Spotlight: Natalie Farmer (Melrose), Trenton Riffe (Timberwood), & Charleigh Bailey (Melrose) visited the Georgia Aquarium! They learned about ocean habitats, whale sharks (the largest fish!), and how marine life helps balance the ecosystem. #SummerLearning

🌞 Summer Learning Spotlight Chloe Gore (10), upcoming 5th grader at Bluefield Intermediate, and Greyson Gore (5), upcoming 1st grader at Bluefield Primary, explored Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg! From sea life at Ripley’s Aquarium to dino facts at The Island, these two made learning an adventure! Did you know the Smokies are the Salamander Capital of the World? 🦎 #SummerLearning

🌞 Summer Learning Spotlight 🌊 Addyson Brinkley, a rising freshman at PikeView High, recently explored Murrells Inlet on a Saltwater Eco Tour while visiting Myrtle Beach, SC! She learned about the saltwater marsh estuary, observed local crabs, and helped pull a sample dredge into the touch tank! #SummerLearning

Come join us for the last day for the MCS Express Food Truck in beautiful Bramwell!

🌊 Summer Learning Spotlight 🌊 Addisyn Bailey, a rising sophomore at BHS, explored both Niagara Falls State Park in NY and Presque Isle in PA! She discovered that 600,000+ gallons of water pour over the Falls each second—and 4 of the 5 Great Lakes feed into them before flowing into Lake Ontario! 💧🗺️ #MCSLearns #SummerAdventures

At the June 23rd Mercer County Board of Education meeting, Layla Belt, student from Bluefield Primary School was recognized for her outstanding accomplishment of reading over 900 books during the school year! Way to go, Layla!

At the June 23rd Mercer County Board of Education meeting, Tabitha Mays, Kids Program Coordinator for Mountaineer Food Bank was inducted into the 110% Club. She is a passionate and dedicated leader in the fight against childhood food insecurity. She played a key role in creating the Extra Mile Program, an innovative initiative that delivers shelf-stable food, fresh produce, milk, eggs, and meat directly to the homes of food-insecure students using DoorDash drivers. In just two years, the program has delivered over 317,000 pounds of food and has expanded from Mercer County to Clay County, demonstrating its success and impact. Tabitha’s work earned her team one of only five Save the Children innovation grants awarded nationwide. Beyond the Extra Mile Program, Tabitha works across the state to support food access programs, always focused on ensuring no child goes hungry. Her approach is solution-focused, grounded in compassion, and powered by strong partnerships with schools, funders, and community organizations. Tabitha is known for her commitment, humility, and strength. She handles every challenge with professionalism and positivity, always showing up when needed. Her work has transformed lives and removed significant barriers for students across West Virginia. Mercer County Schools is deeply grateful for Tabitha’s efforts and proudly recognizes her as a true change-maker and a deserving member of the 110% Club.

🚨Big news! Mercer County is headed to the national stage! 🚨 Superintendent Edward Toman, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Ernie Adkins, Elementary Supervisor Rhonda Rogers, and Tech Integration Specialists Kaila Hardin & Donna Sizemore will present at the JASON Learning National Conference next week! 👏📚💡 We’re proud of our leaders as they showcase how Mercer County is using STEM and innovation to transform learning! 🌟 #MCSLeads #JASONLearning #STEMEducation #ProudToBeMCS

Summer Learning Spotlight Landon Lester and Landon Palmer, rising seniors at PikeView High School, represented Mercer County with pride at the 86th session of American Legion Mountaineer Boys State! 🇺🇸 Held at historic WVU Jackson’s Mill—the original and only home of this prestigious program—ALMBS brought together 230 student leaders from across the Mountain State for an unforgettable week of government-in-action, leadership training, and civic engagement. From legislative sessions and mock elections to court proceedings and law enforcement simulations, these “Men of Tomorrow” got hands-on experience running city, county, and state government. They didn’t just learn about leadership—they lived it. We’re proud of these young men and excited to see where their leadership journey takes them. The future starts NOW! 💪🔥 #ALMBS #SummerLearningSpotlight #LeadershipInAction #MenOfTomorrow #MercerProud

Tomorrow, Friday, June 27th is your last chance to experience the MCS Express Food Truck! They will be set up at the historic Bramwell Train Depot from 11:00-12:30. Come on out!

Future Mercer County scholars Nash and Elouise Henkes had a wild time at Twin Falls State Park! After chasing waterfalls and conquering the trails, these curious cousins hit the Nature Center, where they learned how rattlesnakes say “back off!” with their rattlin’ tails. Summer adventures = learning fun! 🐍🌲💦 #SummerLearningSpotlight #MercerExplorers

Come on out to Montcalm Volunteer Fire Department to see us!

We’re so proud of Mercer County’s JASON Argonauts! 🌍 Finn Caudill (BHS), Miles Munique & Jennifer McClanahan (PSHS) explored Oregon’s ecosystems, used AI for conservation, & tackled real-world science problems. What an amazing adventure! #MercerProud #ArgosForEarth

🌞 Summer Learning Spotlight 🎭 James, an incoming 3rd grader at Straley Elementary, continued his summer tradition by attending the WV Renaissance Festival! 🏰 From jousting knights to royal parades and medieval music, James soaked up the magic and history for the fourth year in a row! ⚔️👑 #MCSAdventure #SummerLearningSpotlight

🌞 Summer Learning Spotlight 🐾 Seth Black (BHS) and Piper Black (incoming BMS) spent the week diving into history and nature in Florida! 🇺🇸🏖️ They explored the rich past of St. Augustine and wrapped up their trip with a powerful visit to Catty Shack Ranch in Jacksonville — a rescue for wild and exotic animals. Watching the big cats being fed was a definite highlight! 🐅💥 #SummerLearningSpotlight #MercerExplores #MCSAdventure

🌞 Summer Learning Spotlight 🌊 Kennedy Honaker (4th grade, Straley Elementary) and Meagan Honaker (1st grade, Princeton Primary) spent their summer exploring history and marine life at Fort Fisher State Historic Site and the Fort Fisher Aquarium in Kure Beach, NC! 🏰🐠