Wednesday's Word - September 16, 2026

WEDNESDAY'S WORD

SEPTEMBER 16, 2026

WARREN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

VISION

Students will graduate with the determination to succeed personally, intellectually, and professionally.

MISSION

To provide an engaging, inspiring and challenging learning environment, which prioritizes safety, achievement, and opportunity.

PLC Day is Friday — let's make the most of it.

Team WCPS, Our first Professional Learning Community (PLC) Day of the 2026–27 school year for both certified and classified staff members is coming up this Friday, September 18. PLC Days give us a valuable opportunity to step away from our day-to-day responsibilities, learn from one another and spend time focused on the work that matters most: supporting our students.

Please take a moment to review the PLC Day plan and come prepared to engage, share ideas and learn alongside your colleagues. I encourage everyone to be intentional with this time and to make the most of the conversations and connections that help us grow together as a Team WCPS. Congratulations to our students and staff for meeting our districtwide attendance goal with an outstanding 96% attendance rate in August! This achievement reflects the strong commitment of our students, staff, and families to make every school day count. Thank you for setting a powerful example and tone for a successful school year! To recognize and celebrate reaching our attendance goals for both students and staff, everyone is invited to wear spirit gear during the entire week leading up to fall break!

Remember, your CENTEGIX badge can be used to activate an emergency alert when needed. If you are in any WCPS building or facility after hours, even if it is not your assigned school or work location, please wear your CENTEGIX badge and Warren County Public Schools ID. This is a major investment in your safety and I encourage you to wear it at all times.

Perhaps just as important, wearing your badge helps identify you as a WCPS employee and allows emergency responders to quickly identify staff members in the event of an actual emergency.

Thank you for the time, care and commitment you bring to our schools each day. I am grateful for all you do for our students and look forward to the learning and collaboration that will take place on Friday.

As always, thank you for what you do to shape the lives of our remarkable students!

Respectfully, Rob Clayton WCPS SUPERINTENDENT

UNITED WAY CAMPAIGN

THROUGH SEPTEMBER 25

This year alone, WCPS has received more than $100,000 in United Way grants supporting early childhood education and college and career readiness. As previously mentioned, the district has received more than $1 million in United Way funding in recent years, making a meaningful difference for our students and schools.

Our United Way campaign is underway through September 25, 2026. Schools are competing for fun incentives based on the highest percentage of faculty and staff who donate.

LITTLE LEARNERS BUS

KINDERREADY

COLLEGE & CAREER READINESS

CURRENT LEADERS

WINNING SCHOOLS RECEIVE

FIRST

FIRST

SECOND THIRD

Cumberland Trace Elementary Briarwood Elementary Warren East High

SECOND THIRD

Grilled lunch — burgers, sides, desserts Pancake and bacon breakfast Dessert bar

N E W T H I S Y E A R : U N I T E D WAY J E A N S D AY S

Anyone who donates to our United Way campaign will receive four stickers to use on four designated Jeans Days. Your FRYSC or building leader will have the stickers available. To participate, employees must wear their United Way sticker on each designated Jeans Day.

Make your pledge through the online campaign form, and watch a brief video highlighting how United Way has made a difference in the lives of our WCPS students.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

WE NEED YOU! BUS DRIVER R EF ERR A L B ONU S $500 REFERRAL BONUS

UP TO $1,000

ANOTHER $500 BONUS

Earn $500 when the person you refer successfully Earn an additional $500 when your referred bus driver completes all CDL requirements and drives a WCPS remains employed with WCPS through June 30, 2027. school bus for 30 days.

That's up to $1,000 for each successful bus driver you refer. Apply for a WCPS bus driver position.

KENTUCKY SAFE SCHOOLS WEEK — TAKE T HE PL EDGE

Kentucky Safe Schools Week is this week, and the focus is “Strong Roots, Strong Schools. We Grow Together.” It emphasizes the critical need for constant vigilance and proactive measures in maintaining secure learning environments across the Commonwealth. This dedicated week aims to empower schools to strengthen their safety initiatives through targeted activities and discussions. The goal is to raise awareness about school safety and empower students, teachers, parents and the wider community to take proactive steps in creating a safe and nurturing learning environment for everyone. I encourage you to take the Kentucky Safe Schools Week Pledge.

TAKE YOUR TE ACHING TO THE NEX T L EV EL: NBC COH OR T

Teaching for 3+ years? Join our National Board Certification (NBC) Cohort.

FINANCIAL IMPACT $2,000 annual stipend plus a rank change upon certification — together worth up to $7,120/year for a 10-year educator.

COST WCPS covers 1 of 4 components ($475). Your out-of-pocket cost: $1,500 ($75 registration + $475 × 3 components).

SUPPORT Monthly coaching with district mentor Amy Yates, NBCT. APPLY Apply to the NBC Cohort by September 25, 2026. Accepted candidates notified October 2, 2026.

GRANTS & FUNDING

K AST OUTRE ACH CL ASSROOM & SC HOOL GR ANT S

$15,000

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. To further support your efforts, contact your Digital Learning Coach for details or collaboration prior to submission.

F I R S T : D I S T R I C T / S C H O O L G R A N T A P P R O VA L F O R M

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.

BRIGHT IDE AS GR ANTS (BIG)

DUE OCT. 2

The WCPS Education Foundation is proud to announce that applications for the Bright Ideas Grants program are open now through October 2, 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.

BENEFITS

PA R T I C I PAT I O N I S M A N DATO RY

2027 OPEN ENROLLMENT IS COMING OCTOBER 5–26, 2026

Open Enrollment for 2027 is October 5–26, 2026, and participation is mandatory. All eligible employees must log in to KHRIS.KY.GOV during Open Enrollment to either enroll in coverage or waive coverage for 2027.

If you do not take action during Open Enrollment, you will be placed in Waiver Without HRA and will not have health insurance coverage or receive HRA funds for 2027.

GET READY NOW — BEFORE ENROLLMENT OPENS

Verify your KHRIS login credentials.

02 Reset your password, if needed.

03 Be ready to go when OE starts.

Don't wait until Open Enrollment begins — get your KHRIS account ready today!

01

SEPTEMBER

RESPECTFUL

ACTION OF EXCELLENCE

Act in a way that shows care for all people.