WEDNESDAY'S WORD
SEPTEMBER 30, 2026
WARREN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
VISION
MISSION
Students will graduate with the determination to
To provide an engaging, inspiring and challenging
succeed personally, intellectually, and professionally.
learning environment, which prioritizes safety, achievement, and opportunity.
Team WCPS, thank you for showing up for others. Team WCPS, What a great way to head into Fall Break! Congratulations, Team WCPS, on another successful United Way campaign. Together, we surpassed last year’s total, raising more than $19,500 to support United Way and the important work it does throughout our community. Our partnership with United Way also continues to directly benefit WCPS students and families. This year alone, WCPS has received more than $100,000 in United Way grants supporting early childhood education and college and career readiness. In recent years, our district has received more than $1 million in United Way funding, making a meaningful difference for our students and schools. Of course, a little friendly competition makes giving back even more fun! Congratulations to the schools with the highest percentage of employee participation and the winners of our districtwide incentives:
1ST PLACE
2ND PLACE
3RD PLACE
Warren East High School
Briarwood Elementary
Cumberland Trace Elementary
Grilled Lunch
Pancake and Bacon Breakfast
Dessert Bar
Our commitment to serving the community extends well beyond this campaign. I’m also proud to share that WCPS earned the Team Fundraising Award for Over the Edge, benefiting the Barren River Area Child Advocacy Center. Most importantly, thank you to everyone across Team WCPS who continues to give, participate and show up for others. Whether supporting United Way, raising funds for the Child Advocacy Center or serving our students and families in countless other ways, you demonstrate that our impact extends far beyond the walls of our schools. That spirit of service is another reason I’m so proud to be part of Team WCPS. Finally, I hope each of you has a wonderful Fall Break! You have worked incredibly hard to make the opening weeks of this school year successful, and I hope you enjoy some well-deserved time to rest, recharge and spend time with family and friends. Thank you for all you do for our students, one another and our community. Respectfully,
Rob Clayton
WCPS SUPERINTENDENT
Open Enrollment is mandatory: Oct 5–26
No automatic renewals. Enroll or waive in KHRIS, or lose 2027 coverage.
SEE PAGE 2 →
BENEFITS
WEDNESDAY'S WORD · SEPT 30
MANDATORY FOR ALL ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES
2027 Open Enrollment Is Coming!
OPEN ENROLLMENT
Oct 5–26 2026
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.
No action = no coverage.
Current 2026 health, dental and vision plans expire
If you do not take action, you will be placed in Waiver
December 31, 2026. To have coverage beginning
Without HRA, meaning you will not have health
January 1, 2027, employees must actively submit a
insurance coverage or receive HRA funds for 2027.
new enrollment during Open Enrollment.
We know this process looks different from previous years, so please make sure you complete your enrollment to avoid accidentally losing your coverage.
Get ready now!
Open Enrollment Help Sessions
Before Open Enrollment begins, log in to KHRIS.KY.GOV to:
Central Office will offer additional assistance
1
for employees who need help completing Open Enrollment:
Verify your login credentials
2
Reset your password, if needed
3
Be ready to go when OE starts
Oct 6–8
9 a.m.–2 p.m. Fall Break · By appointment only
Oct 13–14
3–5 p.m.
Oct 15
2–6 p.m. Department of Insurance onsite
Oct 20–22
3–5 p.m.
Not sure what plans you currently have? Check your emailed pay stubs or MUNIS SelfService. You can also reach out to Sherry Stratton, WCPS Benefits Specialist, at sherry.stratton@warren.kyschools.us.
Don’t wait until Open Enrollment begins. Get your KHRIS account ready today!
KHRIS.KY.GOV →
GRANTS & FUNDING
WEDNESDAY'S WORD · SEPT 30
DUE THIS FRIDAY
FINAL ANNOUNCEMENT
OCT
Bright Ideas Grants
2
The WCPS Education Foundation is proud to announce that applications for the Bright Ideas Grants (BIG) program are open now through October 2, 2026.
2026
The BIG program promotes excellence and creativity through initiatives and programs that excite young minds. Students identify what is needed at their school and develop a plan to bring their ideas to life. The goal is to spark academic success while developing a strong culture and sense of community within our schools. These student-generated ideas — including student decisions about the project budget and implementation — showcase our district’s commitment to leadership and innovation. Please encourage students at your school to apply and turn their bright ideas into action! APPLY FOR A BRIGHT IDEAS GRANT →
Questions? Contact Allison Mefford, Education Foundation Director, at allison.mefford@warren.kyschools.us.
KAST Outreach Classroom/School Grants Kentucky Association for School Technology
Any 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, view the KAST Outreach Grant application resources.
GRANTS UP TO
$15,000 DEADLINE
Oct 31, 2026
To further support your efforts, contact your Digital Learning Coach for more details or for collaboration prior to submission.
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 FORM →
ANNOUNCEMENTS
WEDNESDAY'S WORD · SEPT 30
UP TO
WE NEED YOU! BUS DRIVER REFERRAL BONUS
$1,000
Recruit a bus driver and earn extra cash as the holidays approach!
PER DRIVER
$500
+ Another $500
Earn $500 when the person you refer successfully completes all CDL requirements and drives a WCPS school bus for 30 days.
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 BUS DRIVER POSITION →
RECOGNITION 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.
SEPTEMBER
RESPECTFUL
ACTION OF EXCELLENCE
Act in a way that shows care for all people