First Lady Justice
Friends With Paws celebrates therapy dog at Calhoun County Middle High School
MOUNT ZION, WV – First Lady Cathy Justice announced today that one of the state’s newest therapy dogs through the Friends With Paws program is thriving and doing incredible work at Calhoun County Middle High School.
Coco is a male Chocolate Labrador Retriever and was celebrated during a Pup Rally held at the school. Representatives from the First Lady’s Office, along with students, faculty, staff, and several other local leaders, were in attendance.
While Coco is the 29th dog placed through the program, a total of 38 Friends With Paws therapy dogs have been placed throughout the state.
"We are thrilled to celebrate Coco at Calhoun County Middle High School," First Lady Cathy Justice said. "Therapy dogs like Coco offer so much more than just a friendly face—they provide comfort, reduce stress, and create a calming environment for our students. These dogs are making a real difference, offering support when it's needed most, helping children feel safe, and encouraging emotional well-being. Coco will be a cherished companion and an important part of this school's journey toward a brighter, healthier future."
The Friends With Paws program places certified therapy dogs in several schools across the state, providing companionship and comfort for students in need of a boost.
Therapy dogs are specially trained to provide comfort and support to people in various tense environments. They can help people feel at ease, improve their mood, relieve anxiety, and remove social barriers. Therapy dogs are highly trained and certified to show their ability to work in stressful environments, ignore distractions, and provide therapy to people with diverse backgrounds and circumstances.
"Coco fosters meaningful relationships and provides comfort to both students and staff, showing us that compassion and connection can profoundly enhance our school community," Michael Fitzwater, Superintendent of Calhoun County Schools, said.
Following today's assembly, students and staff had the chance to spend extra time with Coco.
"Calhoun Middle High School believes that every child deserves a safe and nurturing environment to thrive,” Michelle Paxton, Principal at Calhoun Middle High School said. “Therapy dogs, such as Coco, provide unique emotional support, and we are excited to see how this initiative can positively impact our students at Calhoun Middle High School.”
The Friends With Paws program is a partnership between the Governor’s Office, West Virginia Communities In Schools (CIS) Nonprofit, and the West Virginia Department of Education. Therapy dogs are placed in schools within CIS counties where students are disproportionately affected by poverty, substance misuse, or other at-risk situations, and are in the greatest need of a support animal. The dogs serve as a healthy and friendly outlet for these students to address trauma and other social-emotional issues.
“Coco has made an incredible impact at Calhoun Middle High School,” Assistant Superintendent of Calhoun County Schools Jeannie Bennett-Yoak said. “His presence brings joy, comfort, and a sense of calm to our students and staff alike. We are immensely grateful to First Lady Justice, her dedicated staff, Ultimate Canine, and Communities in Schools for providing such a valuable resource. The bond Coco has formed with our school community is truly uplifting and has significantly enhanced the emotional well-being of everyone here.”
Attention Parents!
Join our Early Learning Empowerment Workshops—a must for any parent eager to set their child up for success in school! Let’s unlock your child’s potential together and give them the tools they need to thrive. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to empower your child’s future!
Date:September 23, 2024
Time:11:00 AM
Location: Calhoun Middle High School
Join us for an exciting: Pup Rally in support of Coco on Monday, September 23, at 11:00 AM! This fun and lively event will feature a special appearance by First Lady Justice, who will be joining the celebration to show her support.
This rally is a fantastic opportunity for the community to come together, meet Coco, and enjoy a day of festivities. Don’t miss out on the chance to participate in this event full of enthusiasm, and let’s rally behind Coco!
Come out and be part of the excitement! Let’s make this Pup Rally one to remember!
A message from Superintendent Michael Fitzwater:
Today, Governor Justice has proclaimed it Service Personnel Day! I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to each of you. Thank you for your hard work and dedication. Your care for our students truly makes a difference in their lives.
You play a crucial role in shaping their futures, and we want you to know how much we appreciate everything you do. Your impact is immense, and we are so thankful for you!
Win a Blackstone Grill this June!
Join our 3-5 Year Old Kindergarten Readiness Program and earn an entry each time you attend a group session! Or, enroll in our Early Learning Empowerment Workshop and receive an entry upon completing the workshop.
The more you participate, the more chances to win! Don't miss out—help your child get ready for kindergarten and be entered for a chance to win a top-of-the-line Blackstone Grill!
Hello. We are pleased to inform you that students who took the WVGSA in spring 2024 will receive an email at their K12 email account. This email will containing an access code & link to the online Family Portal where you can see your child’s results. Also, there is a link to an individual student video score report, customized specifically for your child.
Students will be reviewing the information in class and for your convenience, we are also sending printed versions home. I encourage you to go online and review the information there. The site has more information and resources about the assessment.
If you have any difficulty, please contact your child’s school for assistance.
Enroll in our Kindergarten Readiness Program and get a chance to win a Food Saver!
Prepare your child for a bright future while also entering for a chance to win this amazing kitchen tool. Sign up today!
We are no longer using the Stop It App. Instead, we will be using See Something, Send Something.
The WV Department of Homeland Security has established the See Something, Send Something app as part of the Governor’s school safety initiative and general community awareness.
Join our Kindergarten Readiness Group on Saturday, September 14, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at Arnoldsburg Elementary School for a celebration of grandparents. Bring your grandparents along and let them experience what we learn each month, with a different theme every time.
🌟 Good evening, everyone! 🌟
We’re excited to share some great news! Thanks to the Federal COPs grant we received in 2022, we upgraded our security systems to ensure a safer environment for our students & staff. This includes new security cameras, PA system, and an alert system for weather & safety announcements. 📸🔊⚠️
Tomorrow, Sept. 4th, our dedicated staff will be participating in training on this new system and practicing emergency drills in the schools ensuring we are prepared and ready to keep our school community safe.
Thank you for your continued support as we work together to create a secure and nurturing environment for our students! 💙 #SafetyFirst #CalhounCountySchools
🍎 Kindergarten Readiness Theme: APPLES! 🍎
Join us this month as we explore our exciting theme of APPLES! We'll be learning through fun activities, games, and crafts all centered around this delicious fruit. Whether you're a returning family or new to our groups, we’d love to see you there. Come out and see what we do to help our children get ready for Kindergarten!
When & Where:
Tuesday at Pleasant Hill Elementary starting at 4:30 PM
Friday at Arnoldsburg Elementary School starting at 1:00 PM
We can’t wait to see you and your little ones!
Cruise in to Calhoun Gilmer Career Center!
Reminder: No School on Monday, September 2, 2024.
Good evening. Calhoun County Schools will now provide daily phone notifications to households that have absent students. We will begin notifications, starting tomorrow, August 26, 2024. Thank you and have a wonderful evening.
Attention Pre-K Parents!Join us next Thursday at 9 a.m. in the AES library for our first Early Learning Empowerment Workshop of the year!This hour-long session is designed to help you support your child’s early learning journey. We’ll be meeting monthly, so mark your calendars and don’t miss out on this valuable opportunity to connect and learn.
📚🍽️ Your Go-To Resource for School Menus! 🍽️📚
Healthy eating is essential for our children's growth and development. To help you stay informed, we’ve made it easy to find our school menus right at your fingertips! 🥗✨
Check out the latest menus and discover the importance of nutritious meals by visiting this link: [School Menus](https://boe.calhoun.k12.wv.us/documents/document-folder/menus/525094). Please note that menus are subject to change, so be sure to check back regularly for updates.
Let’s work together to provide our kids with the fuel they need for success! 🍎💪 #HealthyEating #SchoolMenus #NutritionMatters
📚 Last year, I set out on a mission to revamp our student handbook, and I couldn't have done it without your valuable input! 🙌 I reached out for suggestions on Facebook, in meetings, and more, striving to create a handbook that is easy to read, comprehensive, and informative. Thanks to all who shared their ideas! 💡 Remember, this is a working document, so things are always changing and being added. What do you think? Is there anything you feel needs to be included? Your feedback is crucial as we continue to make this resource better for everyone. Let’s keep working together! 💪 #StrongerTogether #CommunityInput #CalhounProud A very special thank you to the team that made my vision a reality! A couple of them have worked countless hours to bring the handbook to life. ~Mrs Bennet-Yoak
Link: https://5il.co/2u0e4
🌟 Check out our latest highlight from the "Stronger Together" handbook! Today, we're shining a spotlight on some of our amazing Partners in Education who are dedicated to supporting families and kids in our community. Together, we can empower our students and create a brighter future. 💙 Calhoun Proud! #StrongerTogether #PartnersInEducation #CalhounProud
📢 Important Announcement: School Closure
🚨 There will be no school at Arnoldsburg Elementary tomorrow, August 22, 2024, due to a power outage.
🚌 Staff is required to report to Calhoun Middle High School.
🌟 Hey everyone! 🌟 Check out this sneak peek from our handbook! 🎉 We're excited to share valuable information that will help you stay connected and informed. Don’t forget to download our app for real-time updates and more! 📲👇
Let’s make the most of our school year together! ❤️ #StayConnected #CalhounProud
