The Wait is Over! ⌛

WVSDB Outreach is kicking off Season 2 of Hands Up, West Virginia! with an all-new, high-energy session tonight, February 3, 2026, at 6:00 PM! Jump into real-world communication with the Deaf community through live American Sign Language (ASL) demonstrations, interactive activities, and a lively Q&A you won’t want to miss. ⛰️

👉 Fully accessible with live captions
👉 ASL & spoken English interpretation provided
👉 Fun, engaging, and welcoming for ALL

Tune in and get your Hands Up, West Virginia! 🤟

🔗: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84540081655?pwd=VVacqExsddUraMXWamTraCGXq4hfMa.1

#HandsUpWV #WVSDB #WVSDBOutreach
4 months ago, Alyssa Hansrote
Hands Up, West Virginia! A blue and gold logo with a set of hands holding up mountains. Text reads "Hands Up, West Virginia! Season 2 Episode 1." The WVSDB Outreach and WVSDB logos are in the lower right-hand corner.
February is Career & Technical Education (CTE) Month! 💼

Did you know?! 🤔

The West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (WVSDB) give Deaf/Hard of Hearing (DHH) & Blind/Low Vision (VI) students the tools to learn and explore through five specialized CTE Academies. 💡

Your future starts here! 🚀

#CTEMonth #WVSDB #CareerReady
4 months ago, Alyssa Hansrote
A male student wearing a navy-colored sweatshirt with the WVSDB Black Bear logo on the back works with a male instructor wearing a yellow-colored shirt with a machine that smooths wood.
A male instructor wearing a yellow-colored shirt, hearing and eye-protective equipment assists a male student who is also wearing hearing and eye-protective equipment use a table saw to cut a piece of wood.
A male instructor and a male student stand on either side of a piece of equipment that smooths out wood.
A male instructor holds a large piece of brown wood as a male student stands across from him using a measuring tape to measure the width of the piece of wood.
Good evening, The West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (WVSDB) will operate on a 2-hour delay on Monday, February 2nd, 2026. Thank you!
4 months ago, Alyssa Hansrote
Good evening, As of today, Friday, January 30, 2026, WVSDB plans for a normal return of students to campus on Sunday, February 1, 2026. We will continue to monitor weather conditions and will notify families promptly if there are any changes. Thank you!
4 months ago, Alyssa Hansrote
Not all heroes wear capes… some drive plows. 🚜

Huge shoutout to our Maintenance and Custodial Teams for battling snow and ice to keep our campus safe and running smoothly. ❄️

Thanks to you, our students and staff can return safely! 💛

#CampusHeroes #WVSDB #BehindTheScenes
4 months ago, Alyssa Hansrote
An orange Kubota tractor with a plow on the front is parked in a parking lot with several buildings in the background. There is white snow that has been plowed.
Throwback Thursday! ⏪

January is Braille Literacy Month, and we’re throwing it WAY back! Check out these throwback photos of students learning, practicing, and typing in Braille. ⌨️

At the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (WVSDB), access means meeting students where they are, in every language, format, and learning style. 📚

#ThrowbackThursday #WVSDB #BrailleLiteracy
4 months ago, Alyssa Hansrote
Three individuals standing side-by-side, gathered around a desk with Braille equipment sitting on top. The individual in the middle is wearing headphones and typing on a Braille writer.
A group of students seated at their desks with a Braille writer in front of each student.
A group of students seated at their desks with a Braille writer in front of each student.
An individual stands to the left while holding a large book, while a seated individual to the right types on a Braille writer.
As of January 27, 2026, the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind are accepting applications for the following vacancies:

LPN - 210 days - evening shift
RN - 220 days - night shift
Substitute Bus Driver (to be certified onsite)
Substitute General Maintenance/Plumber II
Substitute LPN

To apply, please visit - https://www.applitrack.com/wvde/onlineapp/default.aspx?choosedistrict=true&applitrackclient=47369
4 months ago, Sondra McKenery
Braille embossed paper with logo and WE ARE HIRING banner
While snow week keeps us cozy, we’re getting excited for a winter adventure. ❄️

Our Discovery P.O.I.N.T. Adaptive Ski Trip is open to Deaf/Hard of Hearing (DHH) and Blind/Low Vision (VI) students across West Virginia in grades 6–12. ⛷️

✔️ Completely FREE
✔️ Ski clothing provided
✔️ Designed for access

➡️Deadline to register is January 31st, 2026!
https://forms.office.com/r/ZxASXYktSX

This Discovery P.O.I.N.T. opportunity is a collaboration between WVSDB Outreach, WVSDB, and the WV Lions Club Recreation Program.

#AdaptiveSkiTrip #WVSDB #WinterAdventure
4 months ago, Alyssa Hansrote
Two skiers stand side-by-side in their ski gear surrounded by white snow.
❄️Winter Weather Announcement❄️

Due to ongoing winter weather conditions across the state, we will use our remaining traditional snow days for the rest of this week.

➡️We will continue to closely monitor weather and travel conditions and will make every effort to safely return students to campus on Sunday, February 1, 2026.

Any updates or changes will be communicated as soon as possible. ☎️

Thank you for your understanding as we prioritize the safety of our students and staff.
4 months ago, Alyssa Hansrote
White snow with the text "Winter Weather Announcement" in bold, blue-colored font. The WVSDB Black Bear logo is in the bottom, center of the graphic below the text.
The West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (WVSDB) campus will be closed on Monday, January 26th, 2026, due to inclement weather. This will be a snow day for WVSDB students.

Non-essential staff should NOT report to campus. Staff members who are unsure of their status should contact their direct supervisor.

We will continue to monitor weather conditions and will provide updates regarding students’ return to campus. Please monitor our official communication channels for the most current information.
4 months ago, Alyssa Hansrote
An aerial view of the WVSDB campus with the text "campus closed" in bold, blue-colored font. The WVSDB Black Bear logo is in the lower left-hand corner.
Good evening, Due to current weather conditions, the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (WVSDB) will not be running buses on Sunday, January 25th, 2026. We are actively monitoring the weather and will continue to provide updates regarding plans for returning students to campus. Please follow WVSDB closely for the most up-to-date information on Facebook, the WVSDB app, and our website. Thank you for your understanding as we prioritize the safety of our students and staff.
4 months ago, Alyssa Hansrote
Big Wins. Big Partnerships. Big Futures. 🚀

Congratulations to Black Bears Drone Team 1870A and Coach Epperly on earning the Judges Award at their first competition of the season! 🏆

Through our partnership with NASA, we’ve brought drones, rocketry, and robotics clubs back for students to explore and compete. 🌎

#STEMSuccess #WVSDB #BlackBearsDroneTeam
4 months ago, Alyssa Hansrote
A group of students and their male coach stand side by side for a photo. A male student in the front proudly holds up a certificate of recognition.
Students and their male coach are seated on bleachers and smile for the camera.
A male student is kneeling down and wearing safety glasses as he looks towards the drone course.
A male student wearing safety glasses and holding up a remote controller used to navigate his drone through the course.
A male student kneels down as he sets up the drone course.
An overview of the drone course.
A male student stands and holds a remote controller as he concentrates on flying his drone through the course.
The Appalachia Provisions Café is officially open! 🎀✂️

More than just a café, this Career and Technical Education (CTE) simulated workplace gives our Deaf/Hard of Hearing (DHH) and Blind/Low Vision (VI) students real-world experience and career readiness, right here on our WVSDB campus. ☕

A huge thank you to our community and West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) members who joined us to support this exciting milestone.

Together, we’re shaping the future of our students! 🌟

#CTE #WVSDB #HandsOnLearning
4 months ago, Alyssa Hansrote
Two individuals stand on either side holding a red-colored ribbon. Two females stand in the center holding a large pair of scissors preparing to cut the red ribbon.
Two individuals stand on either side holding a red-colored ribbon. Two females stand in the center holding a large pair of scissors preparing to cut the red ribbon.
Two individuals stand on either side holding a red-colored ribbon. Two females stand in the center holding a large pair of scissors to cut the red ribbon.
Two females officially cut the red-colored ribbon, while spectators cheer. The female holding the scissors smiles proudly.
Two students stand side by side while wearing matching Appalachia Provisions t-shirts smile proudly for the camera. The female on the left-hand side has the red-colored ribbon wrapped around her.
Dear Parents and Guardians,

We will follow a normal home-going schedule on Friday, January 23, 2026.

At this time, a return date has not been finalized due to the current forecast winter conditions. We will continue to closely monitor the winter storm and provide updates regarding a potential return on Sunday, January 25, 2026.
The safety of our students and staff remains our top priority as we closely follow this storm. Please continue to watch for updated messages.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our Director of Transportation and Child Nutrition, Mrs. Lori Dawson.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
4 months ago, Alyssa Hansrote
As of January 20, 2026, the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind are accepting applications for the following vacancies:

LPN - 210 days - evening shift
RN - 220 days - night shift
Substitute Bus Driver (to be certified onsite)
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
4 months ago, Sondra McKenery
SLP w student at desk with We Are Hiring! Apply Now banners
Good evening, The West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (WVSDB) will operate on a 3-hour delay on Tuesday, January 20th, 2026, due to projected freezing temperatures. Thank you!
4 months ago, Alyssa Hansrote
Today, we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whose vision of justice and equality continues to guide our work.

We reflect on his vision and recommit to building a welcoming, inclusive environment for our students and our community.

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

#MLKDay #WVSDB #AccessForAll
4 months ago, Alyssa Hansrote
An outline of Martin Luther King Jr. in front of a red, white, and blue American flag. The WVSDB Black Bear logo is at the bottom, center below the outline of MLK.
We’re Cutting the Ribbon! ✂️🎉 Join us for the Appalachia Provisions Café ribbon-cutting as we celebrate a space where Career and Technical Education (CTE) meets community impact, in partnership with the Hampshire County Chamber of Commerce. 📅 January 21, 2026 ⏰ 9:30 AM 📍301 East Main Street Romney, WV 26757 This café is more than a business, it’s a launchpad for student success. Come celebrate with us! 🌟 #RibbonCutting #WVSDB #HampshireCounty
4 months ago, Alyssa Hansrote
Appalachia Provisions Ribbon-Cutting invitation featuring the Appalachia Provisions and WVSDB Black Bear logos.
Good evening, The West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (WVSDB) will operate on a 2-hour delay on Friday, January 16, 2026, due to potential icy road conditions and wind chill temperatures. Thank you!
4 months ago, Alyssa Hansrote
When you’re supposed to warm up… but the photoshoot becomes the main event. 😎

The Lady Black Bears are taking this energy on the road to face Legacy on January 22nd! 🏀

#LadyBlackBears #WVSDB #BasketballFun
4 months ago, Alyssa Hansrote
A group of female basketball players dressed in matching navy t-shirts and basketball shorts sit side-by-side on top of the WVSDB Black Bear logo with basketballs sitting on the opposite side of the players.