It’s National School Counseling Week, and Ohio County Schools is thanking counselor Jennifer Mathieu for her dedicated service to the students of Wheeling Park High School.
Mathieu has been a counselor for 10 years, and she is in her third year of counseling at Wheeling Park High School. She said being a counselor at Wheeling Park High School is quite rewarding.
“I love being able to build relationships with my students,” Mathieu said. “It's important for my students to know they have a safe place and someone they feel they can talk to while at school. I love watching my students succeed and seeing them grow from freshman year to graduation.”
Mathieu is a Wheeling Park graduate. She said Wheeling Park and its students and staff members are important to her.
“There are so many things I love about working at Park,” Mathieu said. “First and foremost, I am WPHS alumni. Being here is like being home. I also love the awesome team of counselors I get to work with.”
Photo: Wheeling Park High School Counselor Jennifer Mathieu is pictured with Patriot student Mya Roberts.
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It’s National School Counseling Week, and Ohio County Schools is thanking counselor Jen Kucera-Short for her dedicated service to the students of Wheeling Park High School.
Kucera-Short has 18 years of experience in education, and she has been a counselor at Wheeling Park High School for 13 years. She said her experience as a student teacher inspired her to become a counselor.
“I decided I wanted to be a school counselor when I was doing my student teaching and realized the need many students had for an extra caring adult in their lives,” Kucera-Short said. “I love working with the students and watching them grow into young adults. It is very rewarding to help support the children during their school journey.”
Kucera-Short is also a Wheeling Park High School graduate. She commended the counseling staff at Wheeling Park, and she believes each counselor is committed to serving the needs of Patriot students.
“As a graduate of WPHS myself, I have loved being part of the professional staff,” Kucera-Short said. “I also love all of my school counseling coworkers. We have a very strong counseling team and work endlessly to help support our students.”
Photo: Wheeling Park High School counselor Jen Kucera-Short is pictured with Patriot student Emma Garrison
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It’s National School Counseling Week, and Ohio County Schools is thanking counselor Abby Kurz for her dedicated service to the students of Madison and Ritchie elementary schools.
Kurz has been an Ohio County Schools counselor for four years. She has been a counselor at Ritchie for all four of those years, and she began sharing time at Madison two years ago. Kurz said she became a counselor because she always had a passion for helping others.
“Being a school counselor allows me the privilege of helping students grow academically and personally,” she said. “My favorite part about being a counselor is what the children teach me. I learn every day how to be more understanding, patient and compassionate. I love having the opportunity to see the world through their eyes.”
Kurz said she is fortune to be a member of the Ritchie and Madison families.
“I couldn't dream of two better schools to work at than Ritchie and Madison,” she said. “The students and staff are so kind and accepting. Everyone works together as a team to help one another. I feel very lucky to be a part of not just one school family, but two.”
Photo: Madison and Ritchie Elementary School Counselor Abby Kurz is pictured with Ritchie Elementary School student Camdyn Gibbons.
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It’s National School Counseling Week, and Ohio County Schools is thanking counselor Gretchen Gill for her dedicated service to the students of Bethlehem and West Liberty elementary schools.
Gill has been a counselor in Ohio County Schools for 19 years. She served at Bridge Street Middle School and Steenrod Elementary School prior to her current role at West Liberty and Bethlehem. Gill truly cares for her students.
“I genuinely love being a school counselor,” she said. “I think the students know that I care about them. I love working with young kids every day and building relationships with them. I love teaching them about healthy choices and consequences and coping skills that they can use for a lifetime. I think it's my job to be there for them and cheer them on through their challenges.”
Gill said she has enjoyed her nearly two decades in Ohio County Schools, and she especially appreciates the students and staff members at Bethlehem and West Liberty.
“I love working for Ohio County, especially my two little schools,” Gill said. “Bethlehem and West Liberty are a lot alike. They have about the same number of students and staff members, and both schools have a small-town, family feel. I love my schools because I really get to know each and every student, and they know me because I am in every class once a week. I think it helps when students need to talk because they feel comfortable with me.”
Photo: Bethlehem and West Liberty counselor Gretchen Gill is shown with Bethlehem Elementary School students Avery White, at left, and Olivia White.
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It’s National School Counseling Week, and Ohio County Schools is thanking Madison Elementary School counselor Jessica Watt for her dedicated service to Cougar students.
Watt has been a school counselor for 19 years, and 16 of those years have been as Madison’s counselor. She said she loves teaching prevention lessons and getting to know all students in their classrooms.
“An important part of my job is taking time to help students recognize when big emotions are barriers to their learning brain and helping students regulate those emotions with calming tools and techniques,” Watt said. “We teach them that when they are in their ‘upstairs brains’ they are the best learners they can be.”
Watt said Madison is a special place where there is a family-like atmosphere. She said one of her favorite things to do at Madison is support the school’s Positive Behavior Intervention Support program that includes assisting students in the school store each morning. Watt said she also shared a unique opportunity with Madison students this school year.
“The most exciting thing I have done this year is work with student council students and Tony M Music on writing a new school song,” she said. “It is an awesome song, and we are so proud of it!”
Photo: Madison Elementary School Counselor Jessica Watt is pictured with her “Check in-Check out” buddy Kyleonna Shaw.
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It’s National School Counseling Week, and Ohio County Schools is thanking Ritchie Elementary School counselor Nick Irvin for his dedicated service to Hornet students.
Irvin has been the counselor at Ritchie for four years. He said seeing students progress is what makes being a counselor rewarding.
“Nothing makes me happier than hearing a teacher tell me a student I have been working with is doing much better in school,” Irvin said. “Not only do I help students every day, but I know they help me grow as a professional as well. I hope to continue making a positive impact on the lives of my students and their families.”
Irvin has spent all of his four years in education at Ritchie. He appreciates the school staff and Principal John Jorden. Irvin said he truly cares for the Hornet students.
“I couldn’t ask for a better school than Ritchie,” Irvin said. “I love all the students and teachers I work with every day. We have some of the best students in the world, and I could not ask for a better student body. Working with students every day is the most rewarding experience I could ask for.”
Photo: Ritchie Elementary School Counselor Nick Irvin is shown with Hornet
student Shawn Renee.
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It’s National School Counseling Week, and Ohio County Schools is thanking Middle Creek Elementary School counselor Pam Fazzini for her dedicated service to Road Runner students.
Fazzini has been Middle Creek’s Counselor for two decades, and she is as passionate as ever about the work she does with her students.
“What I love most about my role as the school counselor is the impact I have on the lives of our students,” Fazzini said. “Sometimes I receive letters from former students thanking me for helping them or teaching them something. When I see parents, they often tell me their child came home with a story regarding something we talked about in our counseling lessons. I think the work we do at Middle Creek to create relationships with our students and their families is important.”
Fazzini said it has been rewarding to see Middle Creek’s counseling program grow and develop into what it is now.
“We are a great team at Middle Creek, and I am honored to be a part of it,” she said. “It makes me proud to know that we work hard each day to do what’s in the best interest of our kids.”
Photo: Middle Creek Counselor Pam Fazzini is shown with Road Runner students Jocelyn Farmer and Ellie Shoaff.
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We would like your thoughts!!! Please take the Ohio County Schools Calendar Survey.
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https://tinyurl.com/OCS-Calendar-Survey
It’s National School Counseling Week, and Ohio County Schools is thanking Elm Grove Elementary School counselor Heather Hines for her dedicated service to Dragon students.
Hines has been employed with Ohio County Schools for 16 years, and she has served as a counselor at Elm Grove Elementary School for 14 years. Hines is enthusiastic in her work as a counselor.
“One hundred percent – It’s for the students,” she said. “Helping children learn, be happy and thrive is such a rewarding way to spend your days.”
Hines said she enjoys working at Elm Grove Elementary School, and she commended Elm Grove Principal Rick Dunlevy and the school’s staff.
“I love our Elm Grove community, and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else,” She said. “We have a very caring principal and the staff, students and their families are wonderful to work with.”
Photo: Elm Grove Elementary School Counselor Heather Hines is pictured with Dragon students David Smith, III, at left and Davey Deever.
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It’s National School Counseling Week, and Ohio County Schools is thanking Woodsdale Elementary School counselor Allyson Kangisser for her dedicated service to Tiger students.
Kangisser has been a counselor at Woodsdale since 2010. She said, as a counselor, her goal is to support students by providing them opportunities to learn about personal safety, relaxation and kindness.
“I want each child to feel safe and loved at school,” Kangisser said. “If they don't feel that way, they should come talk to me or someone they trust in our building. I also think part of my role is to reduce the stigma around mental health. I hope they know it's ok to talk about their feelings and experiences.”
Kangisser said she feels fortunate to work with the students Woodsdale Elementary School. She said she is especially excited for an upcoming event taking place at the school.
“We will be celebrating Kindness Week next week (Feb. 15-18),” Kangisser said. “By exploring kindness, students can give to themselves self-love and self-care. It is so important for children to learn to have respect for themselves and their abilities.”
Photo: Woodsdale Elementary School Counselor Allyson Kangisser is shown with student Ava Wagner.
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Congratulations to Ohio County Schools winners in Monday's Ohio County Math Field Day!!!
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https://www.theintelligencer.net/news/community/2022/02/ohio-county-math-field-day-winners-announced/
It’s National School Counseling Week, and Ohio County Schools is thanking Bridge Street Middle School counselor Brittany Rose for her dedicated service to Red Devil students.
Rose has been a counselor at Bridge Street since 2017. She said she became a counselor because she wanted to work with students on a personal level.
“I get to work with students every day and really get to know them,” Rose said. “It’s not just how well they do in English or if they are struggling in Math. I get to learn about their likes and dislikes and what makes them happy or sad. I get to build relationships with students, and I hope I have a positive impact on their educational journey.”
Rose said she loves working at Bridge Street Middle School. She said the students and staff members feel like family to her.
“I believe we have such a close culture at Bridge Street,” Rose said. “It’s nice leaving my home and coming to a place that feels like home. I truly enjoy being a part of the Bridge Street family and working with such great educators on a daily basis. The dedication and love my coworkers have for their profession is inspiring and it makes coming to work so much more enjoyable.”
Photo: Bridge Street counselor Brittany Rose is shown with Red Devil student Jayden Monto.
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The Woodsdale Elementary School Spelling Bee was well attended today with guest pronouncer Kathryn Ghion of @WTRF7News!!!. Levi Helms placed first in the event, and Zach Minch placed second. Both students will move on to the countywide spelling bee.
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It’s National School Counseling Week, and Ohio County Schools is thanking Wheeling Middle School counselor Gladys Goff for more than a decade of service at Wheeling Middle School.
Goff has been the counselor at Wheeling Middle for 11 years, but she has also served at Wheeling Park High School and Ritchie Elementary School in her 15 years with the school system. Goff said she loves being a counselor, and Wheeling Middle School is quite special to her.
“I love Wheeling Middle School,” she said. “I was a student here. I worked with some of my own teachers when I came here, and today I get to work with families I grew up with. Wheeling Middle is a family I’ve been a part of since I was a child.
“It’s satisfying to work with individual students and help them with social and emotional needs as well as their academics,” Goff said of her role in being a counselor. “I enjoy preparing them for the high school and developing a plan for their future careers and success.”
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Feb. 7-11 is National School Counseling Week, and this year’s theme is “School Counseling: Better Together!” Throughout the week Ohio County Schools will feature our excellent counselors!
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Ohio County Schools had an excellent showing Saturday at the archery tournament held at Belle Vernon Area High School in Belle Vernon, Pa.
Ohio County Archery had two first place winners with Wheeling Park’s Kimber Koehler and Ayden Cutlip claiming championships in their respective divisions.
Patriots Hayley Thompson and Lilly Croft claimed second and third place in the Girls High School Division while Kaylyn Hall placed fifth. Park’s Jaepeth Bays placed third in the Boys High School Division. In the Middle School Boys Division, Bridge Street’s Mason Shores claimed second place, and Warwood’s Jacob Robinson placed fifth.
Ohio County Archery will travel to Magnolia High School on Feb. 12 for the next competition.
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Please take a look at Ohio County Schools face-covering and quarantine guidelines. Our goal is to protect our students and keep them learning in the classroom!!!
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Don't forget to check on menu updates!!!
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Pre-K registration is open!! Follow the link for on-line registration!
https://www.boe.ohio.k12.wv.us/
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Pre-K registration is open!! Follow the link for on-line registration!
http://boe.ohio.wv.us
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