WEDNESDAY'S WORD
OCTOBER 14, 2026
WARREN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
VISION
MISSION
Students will graduate with the determination to succeed
To provide an engaging, inspiring and challenging
personally, intellectually, and professionally.
learning environment, which prioritizes safety, achievement, and opportunity.
Welcome back, Team WCPS! I hope everyone enjoyed a wonderful Fall Break and had an opportunity to rest, recharge and spend time with family and friends. As we return for the final days of the first quarter, I encourage each of us to remain focused on what matters most— supporting one another, celebrating our students’ progress and making every day count. Thank you for the dedication and commitment you bring to our students and schools. Let's finish the first quarter strong! As we continue our work to strengthen WCPS, listening to the experiences and perspectives of our employees remains an important part of our continuous improvement efforts. During last month’s Certified and Classified Advisory Council meetings, staff shared valuable feedback about what is working well and where additional support and resources are needed. Building on those conversations, over the next three weeks, we’ll share steps we are taking to address common concerns raised during these meetings, along with areas where additional work is underway. Our updates will focus on three key areas: student support and mental health services, school space and facilities, and the resources, technology and communication tools that help you succeed. We begin this week with a priority that impacts every classroom and school: supporting the academic, behavioral and mental health needs of our students. Advisory Council members emphasized the importance of ensuring staff have the resources, guidance and support necessary to meet the increasingly diverse needs of our students. We share that commitment and recognize that creating positive, supportive learning environments requires a collective effort and continued investment in the people who serve our students every day. HOW WE’RE SUPPORTING STUDENTS AND STAFF
We understand the care, time, and energy our staff invest in helping every child succeed. Our district continues to build additional supports so students have access to the services they need and staff feel supported in their work.
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FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT HOW WE’RE SUPPORTING STUDENTS AND STAFF EXPANDING SPECIAL EDUCATION SUPPORT
WCPS opened three additional specialized classrooms this year to provide more opportunities for students to receive individualized instruction and support. Since the first week of school, we have also added 12 special education assistants. These additional team members help strengthen our capacity to support students’ learning, daily routines, and individual needs while working alongside teachers.
STRENGTHENING BEHAVIORAL SUPPORT
For the second consecutive year, our district provided each elementary and middle school with an additional staff member to help address student needs. This investment provides schools with additional capacity to build positive relationships, reinforce expectations, and help students develop the skills they need to participate successfully in the classroom.
EXPANDING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
WCPS continues to partner with Cumberland Health to provide mental health professionals who support students and schools. This partnership helps connect students with care as they navigate emotional, social, and behavioral challenges that may affect their learning and well-being. Our goal is to make support more accessible and strengthen the network of caring adults available to students.
SUPPORTING A CONSISTENT APPROACH TO BEHAVIOR
Our district is using EQUUS as a behavior management system to support staff in addressing student needs. Our goal is to encourage a thoughtful, consistent approach that helps us better understand challenges, respond with appropriate support, and create positive learning environments. This work centers on helping students build skills while supporting staff in their daily efforts.
We know that meaningful progress takes time and that additional support must continue to evolve as needs change. We value the feedback of our school teams and will continue working together to identify needs, strengthen services, and support the well-being and success of students and staff. Thank you for the care, dedication and hard work you bring to our schools each day. Your generosity and commitment to our students and community are just a few of the many reasons it’s a privilege to be part of Team WCPS! Respectfully,
Rob Clayton
WCPS SUPERINTENDENT
BENEFITS
2027 OPEN ENROLLMENT IS HERE!
DUE OCT. 26
Open Enrollment for 2027 is open until October 26, 2026, and participation is mandatory. All eligible employees must log in to KHRIS.KY.GOV during Open Enrollment to either enroll in benefits or waive coverage for 2027. There will be no automatic renewals. Current 2026 health, dental and vision plans expire December 31, 2026. To have coverage beginning January 1, 2027, employees must actively submit a new enrollment during Open Enrollment. If you do not take action, you will be placed in Waiver Without HRA, meaning you will not have health insurance coverage or receive HRA funds for 2027. We know this process looks different from previous years, so please make sure you complete your enrollment to avoid accidentally losing your coverage. Not sure what plans you currently have? You can check your emailed pay stubs or MUNIS Self-Service. You can also reach out to Sherry Stratton, WCPS Benefits Specialist, at sherry.stratton@warren.kyschools.us. Log in to KHRIS.KY.GOV to: Verify your login credentials
Reset your password, if needed
OPEN ENROLLMENT HELP SESSIONS Central Office will offer additional assistance for employees who need help completing Open Enrollment: OCTOBER 14
3–5 p.m.
OCTOBER 15
2–6 p.m. (Department of Insurance onsite)
OCTOBER 20–22
3–5 p.m.
Don’t wait until Open Enrollment begins. Get your KHRIS account ready today!
OPTIONAL BENEFITS: COMING IN MARCH Benefits Resource Group (BRG) will visit each of our schools and buildings in March 2027 to discuss Open Enrollment for optional benefits, including Delta Dental/Vision, Colonial Life Insurance policies, as well as many other benefits, to be effective April 1, 2027.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. CELEBRATION: STUDENT CONTESTS It’s time to get students excited about our annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration! This year’s event will take place Monday, January 11, at 5:30 p.m. at South Warren High School, with the theme “The Dream Lives Through Us.” Please encourage students to participate in the contests! Elementary students may enter the elementary poetry contest, while middle and high school students may participate in the middle and high school essay contest and/or the student art contest. Each flyer includes contest details and prize information. These contests also offer great opportunities for whole-class assignments. Teachers may submit poetry entries on behalf of elementary students if needed. Please share the contest information with your students, encourage them to get creative, and help them submit their entries by Tuesday, November 24. All submissions must be received by the deadline. Art teachers may arrange to have entries picked up after the deadline.
RECRUIT A BUS DRIVER: REFERRAL BONUS
UP TO $1,000
Recruit a bus driver(s) and earn extra cash (up to $1,000 per driver) as the holidays approach! Earn $500 when the person you refer successfully completes all CDL requirements and drives a WCPS school bus for 30 days. ANOTHER $500 BONUS — Earn an additional $500 when your referred bus driver remains employed with WCPS through June 30, 2027. That’s up to $1,000 for each successful bus driver you refer! Apply for a WCPS bus driver position.
SHOW YOUR WCPS SPIRIT!
THROUGH OCT. 28
Looking for a way to show your Team WCPS pride? The WCPS Spirit Store is a great place to shop for district gear and apparel. Whether you're looking for something to wear to school, district events or out in the community, you can find items that help you represent WCPS with pride. The store is open now through October 28, so be sure to browse the available items and find something for yourself or a fellow WCPS supporter! Shop the WCPS Spirit Store.
WCPS TURKEY DRIVE
NOV. 3–17
Help WCPS spread a little kindness this holiday season by donating frozen turkeys or chickens! Donations may be dropped off at the Warren County Board of Education, located at 303 Lovers Lane in Bowling Green, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., November 3–17, 2026. Thank you for helping support our community!
GRANTS & FUNDING
KAST OUTREACH CLASSROOM/SCHOOL GRANTS
$15,000
Any Kentucky Association for School Technology (KAST) member can apply for the KAST Outreach classroom/school grant. You must be a KAST member to apply and membership sign-up is free. The $15,000 classroom grants are designed to support educational technology projects, resources and initiatives that enhance learning and advance the use of technology in classrooms and schools. For more information about the KAST Outreach Grant and application process, view the KAST Outreach Grant application resources. To further support your efforts, contact your Digital Learning Coach for more details or for collaboration prior to submission; the grant deadline is October 31, 2026.
DISTRICT/SCHOOL GRANT APPROVAL FORM Please remember that anyone applying for a classroom grant, school grant, district grant or any other grant must also complete the Grant Approval Form prior to applying (it only takes a few minutes). Complete the Grant Approval Form.
STUDENT SHOWCASE
CHILDREN’S PICNIC TABLES MADE BY WARREN COUNTY ATC STUDENTS
$50 EACH
ATC students are building children’s picnic tables for just $50 each! Support our students and bring home a handmade picnic table for your little ones to enjoy. Order a Children’s Picnic Table.
RECOGNITION & ALUMNI
NOMINATE AN EDUCATOR FOR VIP TEACHER SPOTLIGHT Know a WCPS educator who goes above and beyond for students? Nominate them for the VIP Teacher Spotlight hosted by VIP Bowling Green Magazine! To nominate an educator, email editor@vipbowlinggreen.com with the teacher’s name, school and a brief description of how they make a difference for their students.
WCPS ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT WCPS is seeking remarkable graduates who deserve to be recognized. Their stories can be shared through the Alumni Spotlight nomination form.
HALL OF DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI: 2027 CLASS
DUE DEC. 4
Nominations are open for the 2027 Class of the Hall of Distinguished Alumni. Outstanding WCPS graduates can be nominated through the Hall of Distinguished Alumni nomination form. Nominations are due by December 4, 2026.
OCTOBER
PROFESSIONAL
ACTION OF EXCELLENCE
Demonstrate good judgment and polite behavior. Be competent in your role and willing to meet all the expectations.