Youth are invited to participate in the 2027-2028 Federal Junior Duck Stamp Program and Art Contest! The program is a dynamic art- and science-based curriculum that teaches wetland and waterfowl conservation to students in kindergarten through high school.
This art contest is an opportunity for students to share what they have learned about waterfowl and habitat conservation through the curriculum or through their own study and observation. Students from across the United States submit their artwork and conservation messages to their state, territory, or district competition.
Any K-12 student attending public, private, or homeschool may participate! Prizes and ribbons are awarded to winners of each age group, and all students receive a certificate of participation. Best-of-Show winners from each state advance to the national contest. The winning artwork from the national art contest serves as the design for the Junior Duck Stamp, which the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service produces annually. One hundred percent of the revenue from the sale of Junior Duck Stamps goes to support recognition and environmental education activities for students who participate in the program.
**Please note the website currently references 2026 but will be updated soon and the participation rules remain the same - wanted to send out a notice now for teachers to be aware. I will send another notice at the beginning of the new year.**
If you have questions, please feel free to reach out to Jennifer_Hill@fws.gov or 304.876.7441.
All entries must be received by COB ET March 15, 2027, to the West Virginia State Coordinator.
Transportation Update Friday, October 9, 2026: Bus 87, Bus 57, Bus 93, serving East Fairmont High School, East Fairmont Middle School, Barnes Learning Center, East Dale and East Park will not run AM and PM routes.
Transportation Update for October 8, 2026: Bus 57 and Bus 87, serving East Fairmont High, East Fairmont Middle, East Dale Elementary, and Barnes Learning Center, will not run AM and PM runs.
One of our partners, The City of Fairmont, is in the process of updating the city’s Comprehensive Plan. The Comprehensive Plan is a state requirement and is a long-range vision for land use, housing, transportation, economic development, public spaces, and more. This plan will serve as a roadmap to guide decision-making and investment over the next 10 years. We are currently in the first phase of the project. In this phase the City along with our consultant firm, Evolve, will draft a shared vision that is verified by lived experiences and supported by data. Public input is a huge part of that data.
Marion County Schools Board of Education members issue letter to the WV Legislators and an invitation to the November 17, 2026, 6 PM meeting to discuss support for public education in WV.
The WV National Guard announces its Trick or Treat on October 23, 2026, 6 to 8 PM, at MARION COUNTY NATIONAL GUARD ARMORY, 201 ARTILLERY DRIVE, FAIRMONT, WV.
The West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) partnered with WSAZ News Channel 3 and The Bryce Tate Memorial Foundation for a Student Safety Town Hall event that featured Adam Tate (Bryce Tate's Father) and industry professionals to discuss the potential dangers associated with student use of digital media. The video is available on the WVDE YouTube page at https://youtu.be/Qs1Cj-6YEWE?si=WP-m0xKDxSaJ4MqO.
Transportation Update for October 2, 2026: Bus 80, serving East Fairmont High, East Fairmont Middle, and East Dale, will not run AM and PM routes.
Transportation Update for October 2, 2926: Bus 26, serving Fairmont Senior and White Hall, will not run AM and PM routes.
Transportation Update for October 2, 2026: Bus 70 and Bus 99, serving North Marion High, Mannington Middle, Blackshere, Fairview Middle, Fairview Elementary, and Barrackville, will not run AM and PM routes.
Transportation Update for October 1, 2026: Bus 80 and Bus 103, serving East Fairmont High, East Fairmont Middle, and East Dale, will not run AM and PM routes.
Transportation Update October 1, 2026: Bus 26, serving Fairmont Senior High School and White Hall, will not run AM and PM routes.
Transportation Update for October 1, 2026: Bus 99, serving North Marion High and Barrackville, will not run AM and PM routes.
What: 5th annual WAI Mountain State Chapter GIRLS IN AVIATION DAY✈️🔧
When: SATURDAY OCTOBER 3, 2026, 11am to 2pm🔧✈️
WHERE: new location, old North Central WV Airport Terminal, 2000 Aviation Way, Bridgeport, WV, 26330
Our theme this year is "A Day in the Life of an Airport"! We just found out we have UH-60M Black Hawk 🚁 helicopter flying in courtesy of the WV Army National Guard, as well as static displays from the ✈️WV Civil Air Patrol and Fairmont State University’s Aviation Center of Excellence; and the North Central WV Airport is bringing out their vehicle fleet including fire, fuel, and snow removal. Many other companies and educational institutions will be set up around the terminal to explore and have activities. The event is FREE & there are lots of giveaways!
Everyone must pre-register, including kiddos & adults. Pre-register now at the QR code or here: https://tinyurl.com/s9e6seey Please see attached flyer, share, & follow our FB event page for all updates: https://www.facebook.com/share/1ELPfn1Pgq/
Transportation Update for September 30, 2026: Bus 57, serving East Fairmont High, East Fairmont Middle and East Dale, will not run AM and PM runs.
Transportation Update for September 30, 2026: Bus 19, serving Jayenne Elementary, Watson Elementary, and West Fairmont Middle School, will not run AM and PM runs.
National Fire Prevention Week is October 4–10, 2026. This year’s theme is “Charge into Fire Safety™: Safe Charging Is a Superpower" highlights safe charging practices for phones, tablets, laptops, toys, e-bikes, scooters, and other devices powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. Spread awareness with these tips to "charge into fire safety."
The West Virginia Parent Teacher Association (PTA) will award three, $500 scholarships to graduating seniors in 2027. Students planning to attend a vocational school, college or other institution of higher learning are encouraged to apply. There is no limit to the number of applicants from each school. Applications must be received by February 1, 2027. Visit the West Virginia PTA scholarship page for eligibility requirements and application information at https://westvirginiapta.org/programs/#scholarships
Transportation Update September 29, 2026: Bus 108, serving Fairmont Senior, West Fairmont Middle, and Watson, will not run AM and PM runs.
Parent-Teacher Conferences Announced for 2026-2027: The involvement of families in our schools is vital to a student's success socially, academically, and developmentally. During the first weeks of October, schools throughout Marion County will begin opening their doors to host the first parent-teacher conferences of 2026-27 as listed below. We encourage each family to attend this event and review their child's attendance and beginning of the year benchmark assessments data as well as see the classroom, resources, and expertise offered through our team.
If you have a child in grades Kindergarten through 3, you will also find out information and be able to ask questions regarding House Bill 3035 (March 11, 2023) and how it applies to your child's progress in math and reading. All Marion County Schools use the multi-tiered system of support to provide differentiated and individualized instruction to our students with additional support provided by the classroom teachers and assistants, Title I teachers, interventionists and other resources.
Thank you.
