Pulaski County Public Schools

Congratulations to the following Cougar football players for their recognition on the All-River Ridge District and All-Region 4 teams.

This is a reminder that tomorrow, Monday, December 6, 2021 is an asynchronous virtual day for all of Pulaski County Public Schools. Thank you.

The CTE/STEM program at Pulaski County High School offers students the chance to learn skills that allow them to leave high school ready for the workforce. Students also learn skills that prepare them for life after high school, as well as skills that allow them the opportunity to explore their creative sides. The Agriculture Program, led by Mrs. Carley Pavan-Ballard, is one of those classes. Recently the class has been hard at work creating Christmas decorations and making apple butter. The apples were collected from trees located on the PCHS campus along the Sensory Trail and then the apple butter was a combined effort with the Culinary Arts Program. The greenery used in the decorations was collected from the trees that were cut down to make way for new construction on the backside of the PCHS campus. The ideas for the ornaments and decorations came from the students. Ag students will now take these items and offer them for sale at the first ever Pulaski County Winterfest, scheduled for Saturday, December 4, at Randolph Park. The event will run from noon to 6 p.m. and will feature Christmas trees, wreaths and tons of other offerings from local vendors. Visitors to the event can also pay a visit to Santa Claus, who came into town yesterday for the Pulaski Jaycees Christmas Parade.

The CTE/STEM program at Pulaski County High School offers students the chance to learn skills that allow them to leave high school ready for the workforce. In some of those programs, students can earn state licenses or certifications that will dramatically increase their starting wages. One of those programs is the welding program, led by Mr. Bobby Petty. With Christmas upon us, his class has been involved in several projects, including one where they are welding snowflakes out of horseshoe nails. Seen here with Mr. Petty are junior Danielle Bolling and senior Darius Conner with some of their finished products. Be sure to tune in to the 6 p.m. news tonight on WDBJ7 as reporter Janay Reece paid the class a visit earlier this morning.

The PCHS JV Lady Cougar basketball team has been rock solid for several years. The 2017-18 season ended with a record of 22-0. In the 2018-19 season, the JV squad lost one game. It was the season opener against Carroll County and the team only had five players. The next day, several key eighth graders moved up and the team finished out the season with 21 straight wins to finish 21-1. The 2019-20 season saw them drop two games to a very strong Salem JV squad, but they ended the season 15-2. Last year, the JV squad finished 7-0 in the COVID season. Tuesday, they opened the season with a commanding 48-19 victory over Abingdon. That means that over the course of the past four seasons, JV girls basketball has a record of 65-3, plus the win from Tuesday. Meanwhile, our Lady Cougar varsity squad has earned a trip to the state title game in two of the past three seasons. Will this be the year? Time will tell.

Thursday, November 18, the Culinary Arts II and Culinary Specialization classes visited the Virginia Western Community College Culinary Department in Roanoke. The tour was led by Chef James Zeisler, Program Head, Culinary Arts. The department is housed in the renovated historical Lincoln theater, located near Center in the Square. Much of the original building is still intact, as it was an important anchor in the Gainsboro African American neighborhood. Duke Ellington appeared at this theater in the 1920’s. Virginia Western invested $6 million in the new kitchens. Included is high tech kitchen equipment, computerized cameras to allow for close up demonstration as well as a refrigerated room dedicated to meat fabricating and instruction. There is a specific classroom for artisan bread making as well chocolate, since both require temperature and humidity control. There is a Euro kitchen influenced by the European style, where all cooking stations are designed around a central island. All the main kitchens are connected through pantries and storage rooms. The curriculum offers both degrees as well as multiple certification programs. Students could get a degree in culinary arts, baking and pastry, or hospitality for hotel management. At the conclusion of the tour, the students were invited to create their own pizza.

Pulaski County Public Schools will hold an asynchronous virtual day on Monday, December 6, 2021 so that faculty, staff, and students are available to participate in the memorial service for Mrs. Debbie Griffith, a long-time educator with our school division. We ask that our Pulaski County community continue to keep her family and friends in your thoughts and prayers over the coming days.

Congratulations to our Class of 2022 nominees for the Most Valuable Cougar Award. The Most Valuable Cougar Award is the most prestigious award bestowed upon a member of the Pulaski County HIgh School senior class. The nominees were chosen by their fellow classmates and each nominee is an outstanding representative of the Class of 2022. These students will serve as ambassadors for the student body during our senior year. This year, the candidates are (from left) Elija Rollins, Skyy Semones, Gwendolyn Puckett, Kimberly Lyons, Brooke Arnold, Arushi Arora, Carrie Blankenship, and Allen Queen. We will be posting more photos later.

The following information is for anyone who plans to attend any sporting events this winter at Patrick Henry High School.

Where are all the Pulaski County art students?

Come enjoy the music of the season with the PCHS Choral Department.

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Pulaski County Public Schools continues to mourn the loss of our long-time Dublin Elementary School employee, Mrs. Debbie Griffith. Our condolences go out to all her family, friends, colleagues, and students. Central office staff and additional counselors will be available for students and faculty at Dublin Elementary School beginning Monday, November 29, 2021. Parents, if you would like for a counselor to speak with your student, please contact the school at (540) 643-0337.

On behalf of Pulaski County Public Schools, we want to wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving.

The CTE/STEM Program at Pulaski County High School offers students the chance to learn skills that allow them to leave high school ready for the workforce. One of those programs is the Early Childhood Education Program. Students in this program learn the skills needed to work in preschool settings, day cares and other programs that help develop and encourage our youngest students. Wednesday, the youngest students at PCHS dressed as turkeys for Thanksgiving and took a walking parade around the CTE/STEM building to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving.

Pulaski County Public Schools has been devastated to learn of the tragic death of Mrs. Debbie Griffith. Mrs. Griffith was a 17 year employee of the school division where she worked with the Pre-K program and most recently as an administrative assistant in the office at Dublin Elementary. She was a gentle and kind person who worked tirelessly to help the children and families she served. She will be missed beyond measure. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family, friends, and the Dublin Elementary School faculty and staff.

Congratulations to Lady Cougar basketball seniors Taryn Blankenship and Ally Fleenor. Both of these athletes signed their National Letters of Intent this afternoon to play basketball at the college level. Taryn will be playing for Concord University. Ally will be playing for UVA-Wise. We are always proud to see our student-athletes make it to the next level. CONGRATULATIONS!

The CTE/STEM program at Pulaski County High School offers students the chance to learn skills and earn their license in many different career fields, most even while still in high school. Cosmetology is one of those fields and has a long history of success at PCHS.

Looking for a great gift? Plan on going to a lot of Pulaski County Winter/Spring sporting events? Here's your best deal. Get an All-Sports pass today!

Many field trips and student events are scheduled for the upcoming holidays. Enjoy the convenience of paying online by signing up for SchoolCash Online today: https://pcva.schoolcashonline.com/