The Watauga Voice 📣

A portrait of a Caucasian woman with short blond wavy hair stands facing the camera with her arms crossed. She is wearing a black blazer with a light blue blouse and is smiling in front of a brick building.

Welcome to the 2025-2026 School Year!

Dear Watauga County Schools Families,

As we prepare to open the doors for another school year, I want to share how truly excited I am for what lies ahead. Each new year brings a fresh opportunity to learn, grow, and work together in support of our students. Our dedicated teachers, staff, and administrators have been working hard all summer to ensure that our schools are ready to provide a safe, welcoming, and engaging environment for every child.

This year, we will continue to focus on academic excellence, innovative learning experiences, and fostering the kind of community where every student feels valued and supported. I am confident that — with the partnership of our families and the dedication of our staff — we will make this a year of remarkable growth and achievement.

Thank you for the trust you place in us to educate and care for your children. Let's make 2025 - 2026 an extraordinary year for Watauga County Schools!

Sincerely,

Leslie Alexander

Superintendent

Watauga County Schools

On Aug. 12 we welcomed all of our employees back for the annual Convocation program. This year’s theme is "RESOLVE"!

Upon arriving at Watauga High School, everyone was greeted enthusiastically by The Rock Boone's Serve Team! We appreciated them making everyone’s morning brighter with their greetings and goodies, which were also provided to us from Starbucks.

Everyone enjoyed the Health and Benefits Fairs, which had many wonderful tables manned by local organizations. Thank you to all who organized and helped make these resources possible. Thank you to the WCS school nurses and Human Resources department for all of their planning and hard work. We also appreciate everyone who donated exciting door prizes! Many employees left feeling extra excited with the items they won. It was wonderful to see colleagues and friends celebrate with them!

Helping to kick off the morning were WCS music educators who performed the National Anthem beautifully while the audience sang along.

Inspiring and reflective speeches were given by

•Student Representative Athena Elliott

•Board of Education Chairman Dr. Gary Childers

•Principal of The Year Mr. Ricky Ward

•Teacher of the Year Mrs. Gina Holste

•Superintendent Dr. Leslie Alexander

We are ready for a great school year together!

Three adult females stand together in an auditorium. They are smiling at the camera and are wearing the same black t-shirt with bold red letters reading "VC STRONG TODAY AND EVERY DAY". Between the words "VC STRONG" which are at the top of the shirt there is a white outline of the state of North Carolina. On the bottom of the shirt are the words "TODAY AND EVERY DAY"

Staff members (all adult females) are pictured sitting in an auditorium in the foreground of the photo. In the front row are a woman with dark hair pulled back with glasses and bright pink lipstick. She is smiling enthusiastically with her teeth. On the right is a woman with blonde hair half up into a bun who is smiling with her mouth closed. In the second row are a woman with glasses and short brown straight hair, a woman with long light brown wavy hair and an older woman with grey hair and glasses. Other people are seen mingling in the background.

A photo taken from above in the commons area of a high school shows a group of staff members conversing with those who had community tables set up.

Seven adult women stand together behind a table with information about school lunches. Also on the table are a bouquet of flowers in a vase and a woven basket.

Pioneer Fans: Please take note of and be aware of the new WHS Athletic Event policies (effective Aug. 11, 2025).

We look forward to seeing many members of our community showing up to support our Pioneer athletes this school year!

Key changes include:

Open Gate Metal Detectors at all football, basketball and volleyball athletic events
Clear Bag Policy
No Outside Food and Drink

A graphic flyer detailing authorized and prohibited items this school year at WHS athletic events. Under authorized items are graphics of a clear tote, small clutch purse and a medical kit. Under prohibited items are graphics of a backpack and large purse and a graphic of a drink cup and a burger to represent outside food or drink.

A flyer containing information about Watauga High School's new athletic event policies. At the top left is a photo of Watauga High School football players running toward the camera. One is carrying a "W" flag and the other is carrying the American flag. At the bottom quarter of the flyer there are three circles with graphics. The first is of two adults (male and female) walking through a metal detector. The second is of a clear athletic event bag with a "W" on it and the third is of a disposable drink cup and a burger with a slash through it.

Current Plans for Watauga County Schools

K-8 Schools:

K-8 principals will be implementing "away for the day" processes. Each school will communicate with families regarding specific instructions.

WHS/WIA:

The high school will be implementing "away for the period". Specific instructions were communicated to students and families.

On the evening of Aug. 5 at Watauga High School, Watauga County Schools and the Watauga Education Foundation co-hosted an important community event. Keynote speaker was local pediatrician Dr. Scott St. Clair.

Prior to the formal presentation in the auditorium, attendees had the opportunity to visit community tables that were set up in the lobby area of the school. WCS and WEF appreciated AppHealthCare, Children's Council of the High Country, Western Youth Network and Youth Villages having representatives present to connect with attendees and provide resources.

Dr. St. Clair gave a presentation about the impact of technology, specifically personal devices, on youth mental health. Some of his presentation included findings and information shared in the book "The Anxious Generation" by Jonathan Haidt.

Following Dr. St. Clair's presentation, Dr. Alexander provided an update on the recent legislation regarding student cell phone policies for NC public schools. She shared that the policy will be "away for the day" for K-8 schools and "away for the period" at Watauga High School and Innovation Academy.

After Dr. Alexander's presentation concluded, a Q&A session moderated by WCS Director of Communications/Community Relations Ms. Bailey Little was held using questions submitted by the audience.

The auditorium portion was recorded and is available on the WCS YouTube channel.

Watch Video of Presentations and Q&A Session

Dr. St. Clair pictured during his presentation.

A woman with blonde short curly hair and glasses stands at a podium while giving a presentation. There are two small plants on opposite sides of the podium which has "Watauga High Pioneers" written on it in WHS blue.

Dr. Alexander pictured during her presentation.

A group of five adults stand in the lobby of a school and smile at the camera. From left there is a woman with long wavy grey hair and wide legged jeans with a light grey Watauga Education Foundation t-shirt, next to her is a man with jeans and the same shirt. He is bald and has a dark beard. Next to him is a woman with a grey and white striped shirt and blue dress pants. She is bald. Next to her is a woman with short curled brown hair and bangs. She has on a floral dress that is dark blue with pink, white and orange flowers. Next to her on the right end of the group is a woman with shoulder length straight blonde hair. She is wearing the same grey Watauga Education Foundation t-shirt and white pants.

Some of the Watauga Education Foundation board members pictured before the program started.

From Left: Amie Platt, Mike Clifton, Hunter Varipapa, Kim Shockey and Shonda Burns.

Start Your Child's School Year Off Strong

Parents and Families,

Here are some tips to encourage your child to take responsibility for their learning and become more independent, organized, and productive. Watauga County Schools stands ready to partner with you to ensure your child's success this school year. Please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s teacher or school staff if you have any questions or need additional support.

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The Watauga Voice 📣

Covering news and updates across our schools and district

Welcome to the 2025-2026 School Year!

Current Plans for Watauga County Schools

Start Your Child's School Year Off Strong

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Communicate quickly and effectively with interactive newsletters.

Back-To-School Edition 2025-2026 Back-To-School Edition 2025-2026

Welcome to the 2025-2026 School Year!

Welcoming Back WCS Staff Welcoming Back WCS Staff

New WHS Athletic Guidelines New WHS Athletic Guidelines

WCS Cell Phone Policy 📱 WCS Cell Phone Policy 📱

Current Plans for Watauga County Schools

Watauga County Schools and Watauga Education Foundation Host Community Event Watauga County Schools and Watauga Education Foundation Host Community Event

Pictures from the Event Pictures from the Event

Start Your Child's School Year Off Strong Start Your Child's School Year Off Strong

Start Your Child's School Year Off Strong

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Communicate quickly and effectively with interactive newsletters.