West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind

🚨GAME DAY ALERT! 🚨

The Black Bears take on Lighthouse Christian Academy (LCA) at 4:30 PM TODAY, September 30th!

🎥Can’t make it? Catch the action LIVE on Facebook!

Let’s Go, Black Bears! 🐻

#GameDay #WVSDB #SoccerGame

about 1 month ago, Alyssa Hansrote

Skylar Lanham Soccer Photo. A female soccer player stands with her hand on her hip and holds a neon yellow soccer ball in front of a blue background.

As of September 30, 2025, the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind are accepting applications for the following vacancies:

Professional Interpreter I, II
Substitute Bus Driver
Substitute General Maintenance/Painter
Substitute General Maintenance/Plumber II
Substitute General Maintenance/Security

To apply, please visit - https://www.applitrack.com/wvde/onlineapp/default.aspx?choosedistrict=true&applitrackclient=47369

about 1 month ago, Sondra McKenery

CTE Teacher watching student with power tool use with We Are Hiring banner

What an incredible 2025 Fall Conference! 🍂

The 2025 Fall Conference at WVSDB brought together DHH and VI professionals from every corner of West Virginia! Attendees shared ideas, built lasting connections, and discovered new ways to support students and each other. 💛

Thank you to everyone who planned, attended, presented, and brought this incredible event to life! Your dedication made the 2025 Fall Conference a truly memorable and inspiring experience. 🤩

#2025FallConference #WVSDB #DHH #VI

about 1 month ago, Alyssa Hansrote

Nora Stevenson presenting for the DHH conference session.

Debbie Adams presenting for the Interpreter conference session.

VI conference attendees learning how to play goalball.

A female presenter is presenting for the VI conference session.

Rachel Lanham presenting for the DHH conference session.

An overview of DHH conference attendees.

A HUGE shoutout to MTech’s Country Roads Blazin’ BBQ and the James Rumsey Institute’s Chef Express for serving amazing food at our 2025 Fall Conference! 🔥

We’re proud to highlight the talent and hard work of Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs across West Virginia! 🌟

What an unforgettable way to showcase CTE in action! 🙌

#CTE #WVSDB #FallConference2025

about 1 month ago, Alyssa Hansrote

A black food truck with the name "Country Roads Blazin BBQ" written on the side of it.

A white food truck with a picture of a frying pan and a tagline that says, "Feed the Future."

Fall Conference attendees lined up to order their food from the James Rumsey food truck.

Conference attendees ordering their meals from CTE students outside of the food truck.

An overview of the line of conference attendees lining up to order their food from the James Rumsey food truck.

Conference attendees lining up to order food from Country Roads Blazin' BBQ food truck.

Strikes, Sprinkles, and Smiles! 🤩

Thanks to the amazing support of the WV Lions Club, our Residential students enjoyed a fun-filled adventure packed with laughs and plenty of treats. 🍦

Students started the evening at Hanging Rock Ice Cream, enjoying delicious treats. The fun rolled on from there at the bowling alley, where friendly competition filled the lanes. 🎳

These outings aren’t just about having a good time; they help our students try new experiences and make lasting memories outside the classroom. 💛

#WVLionsClub #WVSDB #ResidentialLifeAdventures

about 1 month ago, Alyssa Hansrote

A female student wearing glasses and blonde hair smiles for the camera as she holds her ice cream cone.

Students flash the "peace" sign while at the bowling alley.

A female student wearing glasses and dark, curly hair smiles at the camera.

Students enjoying themselves at the bowling alley.

A female student looks down as she scoops her ice cream to eat. There is a game of checkers sitting in front of her.

Students seated at a wooden picnic table eating their ice cream.

Two male students seated side by side on a wooden bench with a game of checkers in front of them.

A male student seated at a wooden picnic table looks down at his ice cream cone.

Students seated in wooden rocking chairs while they enjoy their ice cream.

As of September 23, 2025, the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind are accepting applications for the following vacancies:

LPN - 210 days
Substitute Bus Driver
Substitute General Maintenance/Painter
Substitute General Maintenance/Security
Substitute LPN

To apply, please visit - https://www.applitrack.com/wvde/onlineapp/default.aspx?choosedistrict=true&applitrackclient=47369

about 1 month ago, Sondra McKenery

Around the World in One Day! 🌎

Thanks to Mr. Bailes’s invitation, our students explored amazing cultures and traditions worldwide at the International Fiesta celebration. 🎉

A favorite moment was seeing Mrs. Youssef proudly represent her home country, Egypt, and share its rich heritage with everyone. 💛

#InternationalFiesta #WVSDB #GlobalLearning

about 1 month ago, Alyssa Hansrote

A female student smiles at the camera as she wears Egyptian attire.

Two female students' side by side and smile for the camera.

A male student and Mrs. Youssef pose for a photo while wearing Egyptian attire.

Students mingling with vendors who are set up at the celebration.

An overview of the event with informational tables set up.

Students mingling at a vendor table that is set up.

🌟 Happy Service Personnel Day! 🌟

Today, we shine a spotlight on the amazing Service Personnel who keep our schools running smoothly. From greeting students with a smile to preparing delicious meals, keeping classrooms and hallways sparkling, maintaining our buses and grounds, and lending a helping hand wherever it’s needed, you are the heartbeat of our school family. 💙

Join us in saying THANK YOU to these everyday heroes! 👏

#ServicePersonnelDay #WVSDB #EverydayHeroes

about 1 month ago, Alyssa Hansrote

Service Personnel Day in black-colored font in front of a bright, yellow-colored background. There is a yellow school bus on the right-hand side.

Today, we welcomed the Graphic Design CTE students from Monongalia County to campus! 🎨✨

Under the guidance of Ms. Tonia Fry, these talented students are designing and installing a historical mural for our newly renovated Blue & Gold Building. During their visit, they presented their creative ideas to Superintendent Burch, measured the mural space, and enjoyed a delicious lunch prepared by our ProStart culinary team, Appalachia Provisions. 🍽️

We can’t wait to see their vision come to life. Stay tuned for updates on this amazing collaboration! 💛💙

#CTE #WVSDB #Collaboration

about 1 month ago, Alyssa Hansrote

Group of students standing on the steps of the Blue and Gold Building entrance with Ms. Fry and Superintendent Burch.

Students gathered around a conference table during their presentation.

Superintendent Burch discusses mural ideas with students as they are seated at a conference table.

Superintendent Burch shows students a blueprint of the upcoming Memorial.

Students measure the length of a wall using a measuring tape.

Superintendent Burch gives a tour of the Building Maintenance and Operations classroom.

📚✨ Reading Buddies in Action! ✨📚

Our middle school students teamed up with Mrs. Shoemaker's elementary class for a special Reading Buddies activity. Together they’re exploring "El Deafo" by Cece Bell. The older students showcased their favorite parts of the book through art, dramatic skits, and read-aloud. 🎭

Books have a special way of connecting us, and watching our students inspire one another reminds us why stories matter. 🌟

#ReadingBuddies #WVSDB #ReadersInspireReaders

about 2 months ago, Alyssa Hansrote

Group photo of elementary and middle school students together. The elementary students are holding up their blue "El Deafo" books.

Mrs. Shoemaker stands at the front of the classroom with a female student and a female ASL interpreter.

Nathan, a male student stands at the front of the classroom as he acts out part of the story using ASL.

Timber, a male student stands at the front of the classroom while he signs using ASL.

Mrs. Shoemaker holds a book while Khloe, a female student signs from the book using ASL.

Tristian, a male student stands in front of the class acting out a portion of the book. A female ASL interpreter stands beside him.

Zain, a male student stands in front of the class while using ASL.

Steshka, a female student stands in front of the class as she acts out the story using ASL.

Khloe and Allyssa, two female students stand at the front of the classroom while acting out their favorite part of the book.

As of September 16, 2025, the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind are accepting applications for the following vacancies:

LPN - 210 days
LTS Teacher - CTE Building Construction
Professional Interpreter I, II
Residential Care Specialist - evening shift (male)
Substitute Aide
Substitute General Maintenance/Plumber II
Substitute LPN

To apply, please visit - https://www.applitrack.com/wvde/onlineapp/default.aspx?choosedistrict=true&applitrackclient=47369

about 2 months ago, Sondra McKenery

🔥Game Day! 🔥

Come out and cheer for the Black Bears tonight as we take on the Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (VSDB) Defenders! ⚽

📅 When: Monday, September 15, 2025
⏰ Kickoff: 5:30 PM
📍 Where: WVSDB

Can’t make it in person? We’ve got you covered. Watch the action live on Facebook! 🎥

Let's Go Black Bears! 🐻

#GameDay #WVSDB #SoccerSeason

about 2 months ago, Alyssa Hansrote

It’s time to Discover YOUR Potential with Discovery P.O.I.N.T.! 🌟

Join Discovery P.O.I.N.T., where you can explore one of our five CTE Academies, build new skills, and earn certifications like ServSafe.

✨ October Session Bonus:
Choose your adventure - participate in a Youth Hunt with WV DNR or celebrate White Cane Day in Beckley!

➡️Open to West Virginia DHH & VI students in grades 6–12.
📅 Deadline: Registration closes Sunday, September 14, 2025.

🔗: https://www.wvsdb2.state.k12.wv.us/forms/discovery-point-registration

#DiscoveryPOINT #WVSDB #DHH #VI

about 2 months ago, Alyssa Hansrote

Discovery P.O.I.N.T. advertisement. Photos of culinary students in front of a blue and green-colored background.

How awesome is this?! 🤩 Our Career Academy for Postgraduates (CAP) students created amazing locker signs for the WVSDB soccer team. ⚽️ Daevon, one of our CAP superstars, personally hung them on each player’s locker as a surprise! 🎉 We’re so lucky to have such incredible teamwork and collaboration between WVSDB and CAP students! The Black Bears soccer team is on the road tonight as they take on Lighthouse Christian Academy (LCA)! 🐻 #CAP #WVSDB #TeamCollaboration

about 2 months ago, Alyssa Hansrote

Daevon, a CAP student points to a paper jersey with a black bear on it as it hangs on a blue-colored locker.

Daevon, a CAP student holds out his arms to show the display of jerseys hanging on a row of blue-colored lockers.

Adventure Awaits! 🌲

Is your child ready to explore, learn, and grow? Boy Scouts allows students to earn merit badges, build leadership skills, and participate in exciting outdoor adventures. 🏕️

📅 Interest Night
When: Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Where: Blue and Gold Student Union

Join Scoutmaster Andy Mackert and our Troop Leaders to learn more!

➡️Parents are welcome.

Don’t miss this chance to see what Scouting can offer your child. 🌟

about 2 months ago, Alyssa Hansrote

What an amazing day at the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (WVSDB)! We were honored to welcome Mr. Justin Perez, who shared the art of Visual Vernacular. 🌟 ➡️Visual Vernacular is a powerful way of storytelling that brings stories to life using gestures, facial expressions, and body movement, without the need for spoken or signed words. We were also thrilled to welcome our friends from Mrs. Richardson's ASL class at Hampshire High School (HHS) to experience this magical performance alongside us. ✨ It was an inspiring reminder of the power of communication and connection! 🤩 #VisualVernacular #WVSDB #StorytellingMagic

about 2 months ago, Alyssa Hansrote

Mr. Justin Perez performs in front of the stage in the MPR with a large smart board behind him.

Students seated on the floor give a “thumbs up” to Justin Perez, who is standing in front of the audience.

Justin Perez watches a male student as the student acts out emotions.

Justin Perez helps a male student act out a lion

Justin Perez kneels down and observes a group of male students who are using Visual Vernacular.

Justin Perez stands on a stage with his hands out in front of him. A large smart board is behind him with a dog on it.

Students stand up from their yellow-colored chairs and put their arms on the air during an activity.

A group of students act out a scene during an activity. A female student points to the ceiling and smiles.

A female student stands with Justin Perez as they act out throwing an invisible ball back and forth to one another.

🌟 Step Into Your Future at WVSDB! 🌟

Discovery P.O.I.N.T. at WVSDB offers Deaf/Hard of Hearing (DHH) and Visually Impaired (VI) students the chance to learn new skills, explore potential career paths, and participate in activities crafted for their success.

Program Highlights:
➡️Hands-On Learning: Explore one of five Career & Technical Academies and gain real-world skills.
➡️Peer Connections: Meet and collaborate with other DHH and VI students.
➡️Youth Hunt: Outdoor adventure and wildlife exploration with WV DNR.
➡️White Cane Day: Celebrate independence and accessibility in Beckley, WV.

Discover possibilities designed just for you! 🤩

🔗 Register TODAY! https://www.wvsdb2.state.k12.wv.us/forms/discovery-point-registration

#DiscoveryPOINT #WVSDB #DHH #VI

about 2 months ago, Alyssa Hansrote

Mr. Haza - Music Instructor helps a student learn the keys on a musical keyboard.

As of September 9, 2025, the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind are accepting applications for the following vacancies:

LPN - 210 days
LTS Teacher - CTEBuilding Construction
Professional Interpreter I, II
Residential Care Specialist - evening shift (male)
Substitute Aide
Substitute Cook III
Substitute General Maintenance/Plumber II
Substitute LPN

To apply, please visit - https://www.applitrack.com/wvde/onlineapp/default.aspx?choosedistrict=true&applitrackclient=47369

about 2 months ago, Sondra McKenery

2 individuals at interview table with We Are Hiring banner

🔥 It’s Game Day! 🔥

At 4:30 PM today, September 8th, Moorefield High School (MHS) is stepping into Black Bear Territory at WVSDB… and we’re ready to defend our home turf! ⚽

Join us at WVSDB to cheer loud and proud, or catch every play on our Facebook Live stream if you can’t be there in person. 🎥

Let’s go, Black Bears! 🐻

#LetsGoBlackBears #WVSDB #WVSDBSoccer

about 2 months ago, Alyssa Hansrote

Raiden Haywood. A male soccer player wearing a blue and gold jersey stands proudly with his hands on his hips. "Haywood" is behind him in yellow-colored font.

Introducing the 2025 WVSDB Soccer Team! ⚽ The 2025 season kicks off on Monday, September 8th, at 4:30 PM against Moorefield High School (MHS) at WVSDB. Let's go Black Bears! 🐻 #SoccerSzn #WVSDB #BlackBears

about 2 months ago, Alyssa Hansrote

2025 WVSDB co-ed Soccer team group photo with team members and coaches standing in front of a soccer net.