Mercer County Schools

🦈 Summer Learning Spotlight!
Zooey Brown, a rising Bluefield Middle student, spent the day at Ripley’s Aquarium’s Junior Aquarist Camp! She worked alongside marine scientists and even swam with rays and sharks in Touch a Ray Bay. A perfect dive into her dream of marine biology! 🌊

🔭 Summer Learning Spotlight!
Eliora Fink-Miller, incoming 9th grader at PSHS, kicked off a 2-week adventure at the Governor’s STEM Institute at Green Bank Observatory! She’s diving into radio astronomy and exploring the universe from right here in West Virginia. 🌌📡

🚀 Summer Learning Spotlight!
Madison Fink-Miller, an upcoming sophomore at PSHS, launched into learning at WV NASA Space Camp this week! She’s exploring the world of rocketry and reaching for the stars. 🌌🛰️ #SummerLearning #STEMExploration #WVNASA

📚 Summer Learning Spotlight 🌞
Meet Daxson Jenkins! He just wrapped up Pre-K at Silver Springs and is getting ready to start Kindergarten at Princeton Primary this fall!

This weekend, Daxson was Very Busy exploring the Very Eric Carle exhibit at the Youth Museum in Beckley. He played and learned through hands-on activities inspired by five of Eric Carle’s beloved books.

Afterward, he took a step back in time with a tour of the Exhibition Coal Mine, where he rode underground and discovered what life was like for early coal miners.

Way to mix fun with learning, Daxson! 👏🎨⛏️

Policy J-11, Homeless Students, is out for comment until July 28, 2025. Please send all comments to Dr. Kristal Filipek at kfilipek@k12.wv.us.
https://5il.co/3l8fh

Meals are available for students at these locations! Meals must be eaten on site.

Summer Learning Spotlight:
Sierra Bailey & Amelia Culver spent the week at 4-H Summer Camp! From hands-on STEM to team-building fun, these campers built skills, made memories, and learned what it means to be a true 4-H’er! 🌱🌟 #SummerLearning #4HCamp

Summer Learning Spotlight 🌞
Reese (starting Pre-K) and Jase (starting 2nd grade) explored Bristol Caverns in Tennessee! Reese learned that caves are cool, dark, and home to bats (not so scary after all!), while Jase can now tell stalactites from stalagmites—stalactites hang tight from the ceiling, and stalagmites might reach it someday! 🦇💡⛰️

🌟 Mercer County Schools continues to lead in STEM innovation at the national level! 🌟 🔹 Superintendent Edward Toman and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Ernie Adkins served on an expert panel titled "Embracing STEM at All Levels," sharing how Mercer County is integrating STEM across classrooms, schools, and communities. We are honored to represent Mercer County and to be recognized as a leader in 21st-Century education! 🚀📚🔬 #MercerProud #JASONLearning #STEMLeadership #EducationExcellence #WVLeads #MCPSInnovation

📢 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.