Our pollinator garden is in bloom! Thanks to a grant received from the Hampshire County Community Foundation, students have been adding to our pollinator garden since October. In the garden students planted both annuals and perennials, wildflowers, and herbs. We were also able to put down rubber pavers in the middle of the garden so students can walk among the flowers and check out the garden up close. We are now seeing the flowers bloom and pollinators visiting daily!
about 2 years ago, Cassandra Park
A male student sits in front of the pollinator garden.
A male student holds a cup with a small plant growing in it that he brought from home for our pollinator garden.
A male student holds up 4 peat pots he just planted seeds in.
A female student carries a rubber paver to place in the middle of the garden.
An older elementary student assists a younger student with digging a hole in the garden with Ms. Margie Orth, OT, looks on.
A male student holds up a plant and a shovel before heading to the garden.
Staff assist a female student to put seeds into peat pots.
A male student holds a shovel while sitting in the middle of the pollinator garden.
Two male students pull grass and look for trash in the garden.
Dr. Allyson Degrassi, professor at Shenandoah University and WVSDB parent volunteer, visited with the elementary students to celebrate the letter T for Turtles during their ABC Countdown. Dr. Degrassi talked about different kinds of turtles and brought many different activities, including painting clay turtles, decorating cookies, and coloring sheets with a variety of turtles.
about 2 years ago, Cassandra Park
Dr. Degrassi speaks to the elementary students while presenting a PowerPoint presentation titled Turtle Talk! Mr. Roy Wilson provides ASL interpretation.
A female student adds small details with paint to a clay turtle.
A female student stands next to her painted clay turtle while other students paint in the background.
A male student shows off the clay turtle he painted.
Two small clay turtles painted by an older elementary student. The top turtle is painted gold. The bottom turtle has a green shell and brown body.
A tactile coloring sheet Dr. Ally brought for our students who are blind to color. She traced the outlines of the picture with puffy paint to create raised lines.
For the second half of their ABC Countdown to Summer, elementary students participated in more fun activities, including pizza for P, rockets for R, ukulele for U, and water for W, and played with a parachute to be "very" active for letter V. Our water activities coincided with WVSDB's school-wide field day.
about 2 years ago, Cassandra Park
Ms. Biddle gives directions to a female student using the stomp rocket while others look on.
A female student jumps on the stomp rocket to launch it while others look on.
Ms. Terri, an aide, assists a male student with stepping on the pad to launch the stomp rocket while Ms. Margie Orth, the OT,  watches.
An older male elementary student guides a younger male student in placing his foot on the launch pad for the stomp rocket.
Mrs. Gilbert, an aide, assists a female student with pushing the launch pad for the stomp rocket.
A male student holds the ukulele he made.
A male student plays the ukulele he made.
Elementary staff and students hold on to the sides of a parachute and try to keep a ball moving to be "very" active.
Elementary students and staff hold on the the edges of a parachute as they raise and lower it to keep a ball moving on top.
Elementary students began their annual ABC Countdown to Summer on April 21. Each day, an activity was planned that began with a letter of the alphabet. For the first half of the Countdown, students participated in activities with chalk for C, dinosaurs for D, energy for E, gardening for G, Happy Summer Birthdays for H, ice cream for I, and Mentos for M.
about 2 years ago, Cassandra Park
A male student draws with chalk on the sidewalk
A female student draws with chalk on the sidewalk.
Ms. Renee Fawley, OT Assistant, helps a male student draw with chalk on the sidewalk.
A male student hops on numbered circles drawn in chalk on the sidewalk.
Two male students add ice to an ice cream maker while an aide holds a bucket of ice.
A male student wearing a party hat sits at a table with a decorated cupcake.
WVSDB elementary students traveled to South Branch Potomac Lanes in Moorefield on May 17 for the final PBIS event of the year. Students used their earned Bear Bucks to pay for their admission which included bowling, arcade games, and a pizza lunch.
about 2 years ago, Cassandra Park
A female student chooses a ball from the ball return.
A female student holds her bowling ball with both hands.
A male student celebrates a win while playing an arcade game.
A male student and a female student play air hockey.
A male student gets assistance from an aide as he rolls his bowling ball down the ramp.
A female student prepares to roll her bowling ball.
A male student holds onto his entry ticket to the PBIS activity.
An older female students assists a younger male student as he prepares to roll his ball.
A male student eyes the pins as he prepares to roll his ball.
A female student and her teacher wait as her ball rolls toward the pins.
Here are some wonderful pictures from the graduation of the Class of 2023 last week. We will sure miss these black bear graduates. We know that they will make their paw prints on the world. #BlackBearsForever #BlackBearPride
about 2 years ago, Christine Lewis
Your valedictorian entering the MPR as the graduation ceremony begins
The salutatorian entering the MPR in cap and gown with colors, representing
Another female graduate, entering the MPR prior to the ceremony in cap and gown
A graduate and CTE completer in cap and gown with chords, representing accomplishments, entering the MPR prior to the ceremony
I graduate in cap and gown entering the ceremony
Hey, Senior, with the assistance of a classroom aide entering the MPR, I’m walking down the aisle to take your seat prior graduation in cap and gown
Another age of scoring, one of the seniors that will be graduating to her seat by walking down the aisle in the MPR
Supt., Mr. Clayton Burch giving the opening remarks in the ceremony
Dean of students/principal, Melanie Hesse, addressing the attendees and introducing the valedictorian
The valedictorian on the stage, giving his speech to the audience. He’s standing on the podium.
The Boy Scouts ended the school year by providing for birds on campus by installing houses around campus. Our honorary scout Mr. Burch, WVSDB superintendent, joined our scouts and assisted hanging the birdhouses. Later in the evening our troop enjoyed pizza provided by the charter organization, the Romney Lions Club. On Wednesday the individual scouts received certificates for commitment to the troop and one another. #BlackBearScouts2023
about 2 years ago, Christine Lewis
Scoutmaster and the truth stand around the car and get tools ready to hang a birdhouse while the other troops are in the background at the tree where the house is going to be home
A picture of one of the scouts sending with their special yes Supt., MIRVs in front of a tree
The troupe members working together to hang a birdhouse
Scout looks at the tree and holds up a four leaf clover that was found
Let’s count master drills a hole for the nail in the tree, while another scale holds back on the bar house
A group of skills send around the cart that is carrying the bird houses in the picture
A picture of the Scouts sitting down to eat pizza that was provided by the charter organization of the lions club
The truth standing around, looking at bird houses to put up on trees
A picture of the assistant scoutmaster, and a scout,  They take a selfie
discount master, and the assistant scoutmaster running themselves in the MPR to give out certificates
Check out live coverage from Prom, the Track Tournament, Superintendent Burch getting dunked in a dunk tank at Field Day, a salute to our 2023 Graduating Senior class, plus all of your favorite Bear Necessities segments. Have a great summer! https://youtu.be/zWfYTWRwFAs
about 2 years ago, Melanie Hesse
This evening the residential staff hosted an end-of-the-year picnic for all of the residents and to say goodbye to the class of 2023. The memories of this school year and each senior's journey will forever be fiercely part of WVSDB. We will miss these smiling faces. #BlackBearFamily2023 #Memories 2023
about 2 years ago, Christine Lewis
A picture in the photo booth under the white orange of all the seniors that attended the pinic
A picture of the class of 2023 standing around their senior cake that is blue and gold, trimmed with white icing and dogs on it in graduate caps
One more picture of the senior class, standing behind the table with the cake on it
One of our seniors in a top hat, standing behind, and RCS with a fake time hanging out in the front under the photo arch
Air grill, master RCS in front of the grill, giving thumbs up to the camera with one of the seniors also giving thumbs up in the background
The health and fitness guide seated with funny glasses with one of the senior standing behind him with 2023 glasses on
The nurse, with a funny glasses, standing behind one of our seniors under the photo arch
A residential staff member standing under the photo arts with two of our seniors
Whenever seniors standing outside, holding her graduation bear
another senior standing on the patio in front of the back doors, holding her bear
It's Senior Week at WVSDB! We will have Signing Day on Thursday at 2:00 to celebrate our seniors who plan to attend college or enter the workforce next year. Then on Friday at 10:00, we will have our graduation ceremony. All are invited to participate in both events which will take place in the MPR in the Sevigny Building. If you cannot attend in person and would like to join virtually, please use the following form to receive a Zoom link: https://forms.office.com/r/26vnbFyDLQ
about 2 years ago, Melanie Hesse
Ms. Amy's class collected items for the Hampshire Center senior living community for a community service project. Last week, the students and staff took their donations to Hampshire Center, visited with the residents, and handed out the donations that were collected! Thank you to everyone who donated
about 2 years ago, Melanie Hesse
Two students smile for the camera
4 students pose for the camera
Ms. Amy and her class pose for the camera
A female student poses for the camera
An aide helps two male students hand out items.
An aide helps two students hand out items
A student and an aide smile for the camera
Two students and an aide smile as they hand share a coloring book with a resident.
Pile of donated items from soaps to snacks.
The residents and staff have been enjoying the beautiful evenings outside on campus by socializing with one another and planting flowers along with designing flowerbeds near the dormitory. #MakingMemories2023 ##BlackBearFamily2023
about 2 years ago, Christine Lewis
To residence stand around a light pole and get ready to dig with a shovel. The circle flower bed.
One resident aligns the bricks to make the circle flower bed
Residence. Look at the bricks, in order to make a pattern of a
Two residents through mulch around the base of the tree
Staff and residents plant flowers in the circle flower bed
The freshly painted square, flower bed in front of the dormitory with flowers and decorations
Hey bucket, full of newly planted flowers in front of the walkway of the dormitory
The new Lee completed circle flower bed around the light post in front of the dormitory with flowers
The completed mulch and birdfeeders, along with the birdbath under the tree out front of the dormitory
A Resident planting flowers and hoeing the ground at the Square flower bed in front of Keller Hall
Reminder: Community Memorial Forum Date: May 18, 202 at 6:00 Location: Sevigny Building Multi-purpose Room (MPR). Family, friends, and community supporters are welcome to join ZMM Architect Services to provide insight and ideas for the Administrative Building Memorial. Call the school if you have questions: 304-822-4800 ASL Interpreting will be provided at this in-person event. If you are not able to attend and would like to send suggestions, please email wvsdb@k12.wv.us.
about 2 years ago, Melanie Hesse
Community Memorial Forum Flyer. Details in the post.
Over this past weekend, the Boy Scout Troop held a camp out overnight. The scouts painted birdhouses to hang around campus, put up tents. stacked wood, learned how to make a campfire, made s'mores, told ghost stories, created scary faces and made breakfast over a campfire the next morning. #Makingmemories2023. #blackbearscouts
about 2 years ago, Christine Lewis
Yes, girl standing in the field next to a sign that says welcome Boy Scout troop 1870
To scouts stand behind a group of painted Bird houses
A picture of the painted Bird houses sitting on the ground
Two different scout stand behind five painted for houses
A picture of a tent in the field that the boys  erected
Yes, girl sits on a bucket and Myers the campfire stack of wood before it is lit
The scoutmaster shows the scout  how to light the fire
The scale sit around a campfire before it’s lit
The campfire let’s with the scout sitting around it
The scale to make funny faces at one another, while they watch the campfire
WVSDB Prom 2023 was a Night Under The Stars for our students with magical memories to have for a lifetime. Our students twinkled and shined in the formal attire. Here are some pictures that capture the day of preparation and a beautiful evening of dancing and fun. #MakingMemories2023.
about 2 years ago, Christine Lewis
And RCS helps style a Residents hair prior to the prom
He staff member pens, flower, one to a pound of a tux
a resident in a three piece suit prior to Prom
A resident in dress attire with a teal vest
A gentleman in a black suit wearing a pink shirt standing in the dorm hallway
A young man in the dorm in his formal blue suit
a resident smiles at camera just batter having her hair curled in long ringlets prior to putting on her dress
A resident getting help with her makeup
A resident gets hair style by our seamstress hairstylist
A female resident poses for picture in a lavender flowing dress with a purple cape
Reminder: There will not be a homegoing tomorrow. Buses will run on a normal, full-day schedule. If you have questions, contact Melanie Hesse at mhesse@k12.wv.us.
about 2 years ago, Melanie Hesse
Last evening the WVSDB Boy Scout Troop #1870 visited a local farm to learn about egg production, meet the family pig, go for a hike, visit a campsite, and have a campfire with s'more's and refreshments. Thank you to the Eglinger family members for their hospitality. #BlackBearScouts.
about 2 years ago, Christine Lewis
A scaled nails in front of a group of chickens inside the chicken house
the group meets pickles the pig
A scout looks at a bunch of eggs before putting them in they stored in carton
The owner of the farm holds a chicken and talks to the group
Scout leader is telling and interpreting about cows, and the reason for the shoot
Let’s get leader demonstrates how cows are loaded into the shoot for vaccination
discount member walks through the shoe to see how it operates
A group of cows behind the gate
The scale master helps a Skills hold his marshmallow over the fire to toast it
Skip through as a bale hay, over the fence to feed the cows
A BIG CONGRATULATIONS to Alyssa Freeland, winner of the Golden Horshoe for WVSDB!
over 2 years ago, Melanie Hesse
Alyssa
Fun times with friends in the evening at WVSDB in the Spring are the best memories and learning experiences that the residents may have. #BlackBearFamily2023
over 2 years ago, Christine Lewis
If a resident with a crawdad on her shoulder
A group of residents hold out their hands while worms and crawdads crawl over them
A resident riding his bike around the track
another resident getting ready to ride his bike
do you female resident sitting in the grass practicing a cheer
Female resident riding a tricycle around the track
Our high school resident is playing in the creek. Some of them have decided to sit in the creek.
Residents playing in the creek and laughing
I want angle view of one resident on the bank of the creek with the group for residence over their shoulder at the bottom of the hill, standing around the creek
A group of residents & friends in the local pool
Reminder: It's prom week! There will not be a homegoing on Friday. Students will attend a full day on the regular Monday-Thursday schedule.
over 2 years ago, Melanie Hesse