Independence High

School Counseling Week is a timely reminder of the quiet, essential work happening in our schools every day.

This week, we recognize and thank our school counselors for the critical role they play in supporting students’ academic growth, social-emotional well-being, and future planning. Counselors are often the first to notice when a student is struggling—and the steady presence that helps them navigate challenges both inside and outside the classroom.

From individual student support and crisis response to academic advising and career guidance, your work matters more than most people realize—and it truly changes lives.

If you see a school counselor today, take a moment to thank them.

Thank you to our school counselors for your compassion, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to students. Our schools are stronger because of you.

Congratulations to Ronan Thomas, former Independence Middle School student and current Independence High School student, on achieving a perfect score on the writing portion of the General Summative Assessment. This exceptional accomplishment reflects Ronan’s strong writing skills, dedication, and commitment to academic excellence. We are proud to recognize his hard work and celebrate this significant achievement, along with the continued support of his family and educators. We look forward to his continued success at Independence High School and beyond.

Head Football Coach, John H Lilly of Independence High School surpassed Coach Jerome Van Meter for the most Raleigh County high school football wins. Coach Van Meter's record stood at 180 wins in Raleigh County. On August 28th, 2025, Independence High School defeated Herbert Hoover, giving Coach Lilly 181 Raleigh County high football wins as a head coach. Coach Lilly now has 190 wins.

Raleigh County Schools is proud to celebrate Beckley Stratton Middle, Park Middle, Independence Middle, Independence High, and Woodrow Wilson High for receiving PBIS Bronze Medals in recognition of their achievement of Bronze status! We are incredibly proud of the dedication and commitment shown by all administrators, staff, and students who worked hard to earn this honor. RCS will continue partnering with schools as we strive for 100% PBIS Bronze status across the district by the end of the 2025–2026 school year. This year, we are also excited to begin rolling out Tier 2 PBIS practices as we move toward Silver status. Congratulations to everyone involved—your hard work truly makes a difference!

Due to inclement weather and today’s remote learning day, please see the attached memo from Superintendent Dr. Starcher of the location change for
the RCBOE’s scheduled meeting for today, December 9, 2025 at 4:30 PM.

We also ask that the principals of the schools for the LSIC Presentations and Student Recognitions to please notify the staff, students, parents and businesses
and let them know it will be rescheduled at a later date.

December Attendance Challenge!

November Elementary Schools Calendar

November Secondary Schools Calendar

Parents, please become familiar with our attendance policy. When your child is absent, a medical excuse, legal excuse, or parent note is required for it to be excused. Without an excuse, it is unexcused. (10 parent notes allowed per year.)

⚠️ Once a student misses 18 days in a school year (excused or unexcused), they are considered chronically absent and may not be eligible for extracurricular clubs and activities. Student athletes must attend at least 1/2 day or have medical excuse/legal excuse to participate in practices or games for that day.

Semester Exam Incentive:
A: ≤ 4 unexcused (≤ 9 total)

B: ≤ 3 unexcused (≤ 9 total)

C: ≤ 2 unexcused (≤ 9 total)

D: ≤ 1 unexcused (≤ 9 total)

F: All failing students must take the exam.

Thank you for supporting strong attendance at IHS!

IHS 2025 Graduation Update for Seniors: Due to the forecast of rain and inclement weather, we are moving our graduation ceremony indoors to ensure the safety and comfort of all attendees. Graduation Details: Date: Saturday, May 31 Time: Ceremony begins at 10:30 AM Location: Raleigh County Convention Center Student Arrival Time: Please have your senior arrive by 9:30 AM Graduation Practice: Date: Friday, May 30 Time: 10:30 AM Location: Raleigh County Convention Center Important Notes for Practice: Arrive by 10:15 am Students do not need to wear their cap and gown for practice. A Senior Cookout (students only) will follow immediately after practice at the IHS football field. Additional Information: Tickets are NOT required for parents/guests to attend the ceremony. Thank you for your flexibility and support as we celebrate this important milestone for our seniors! Go Patriots!

Raleigh County Schools would like to congratulate our newest National Board Certified Teachers. We are proud of you and appreciate the work you do each and every day for our students.

Mystery Attendance Day!

Please join us tonight for Night of the Arts. Student work of all types will be showcased along with student performances throughout the evening. Light refreshments will be served. You will be amazed at the talent of our RCS students.

Please join us Monday evening for Night of the Arts. Student work of all types will be showcased along with great entertainment.

🚨 9th Graders, don’t miss this FREE opportunity! 🚨 GEAR UP SWV is taking you and a family member, older sibling, or mentor on an exclusive Marshall University college tour—for FREE! 🎓 ✨ Spots are limited, so sign up now and start planning your future! 🔗https://forms.gle/gQkveysjAqxg9WxV7 ⬇️ #GEARUPSWV #GEARUPWORKS #GEARSWVRCSD

🎉 Celebrating Our Raleigh County School Counselors! 🎉 This week, we honor the heart and soul of student support—our Raleigh County School Counselors! 💙✨ From offering guidance and encouragement to helping students navigate challenges, our counselors make a lasting impact every single day. Their dedication to student success, well-being, and growth does not go unnoticed! Join us in thanking these incredible professionals for all they do. Leave a 👍 or a kind word in the comments to show your appreciation! 💬❤️ #NationalSchoolCounselingWeek #RaleighCountySchools #ThankYouCounselors

Governor’s Schools of West Virginia will offer free summer programs for grades 7 to 11. This program covers many areas, including arts, humanities, mathematics, science, and technology. Please keep an eye out for upcoming applications.

RCS would like to thank everyone who participated in our #getyourselfietoschoolRCS contest last month! We really enjoyed seeing all the happy faces of our students headed out the door to school! 😊 We would also like to congratulate our winners! They are Evelyn Glazzard from Mabscott Elementary, Christian Bailey from IHS, and Dayton Ballew from SSMS. Each of these students received a certificate and a gift card! Congratulations!!! Again, thanks so much for your participation, and be watching for more contests in the future! #GetYourSelfieToSchoolRCS

Nominations for the RCS December "Difference Maker" is now open. https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=S7AZ4AwzekaLrgn7FzdNaicNGH79w9hKp2z-8qTtzV1UQVpTVDBGQU00SjhYMjRGMUxIWE1FSDVETS4u

📚✏️ ATTENTION RALEIGH COUNTY PARENTS! 🏫🎒 School attendance is more than just showing up—it’s a step toward success, a chance to learn, and an opportunity to grow! We believe every day in class counts, and we need your help to spread the message! Let’s show our community what it means to be present and ready to learn! We’re launching the #GetYourSelfieToSchoolRCS campaign! 🏆✨ Parents, we invite you to snap a picture of your child headed off to school in the morning and share it with Raleigh County Schools using the tag #GetYourSelfieToSchoolRCS to enter a chance to WIN an exciting prize! 🎁🙌 The pictures will be posted on the Raleigh County Schools Facebook page (limit 1 per student per day), and the contest will run through November. A winner will be chosen at random for the elementary level as well as for the middle and high school levels. It’s simple: 📸 Take a picture of your student on their way to school. 📲 Share the photo using #GetYourSelfieToSchoolRCS. ✅ Let’s make sure EVERY student has the chance to shine this school year. Together, we can promote good attendance and celebrate our amazing students. Ready, set… #GetYourSelfieToSchoolRCS! 🏫🎉