Pickett Schools Prioritize Safety With ParentSquare App
Pickett County Schools transitioning to the ParentSquare app to improve communication and ensure student safety. Technology Supervisor and School Safety Coordinator Ethan Holt said the district identified a communication issue with its previous system that prompted the search for a new platform. Holt said the decision to switch was driven by his responsibilities in school […]
Pickett County Schools Fosters Positive Learning Culture
Pickett County Schools implementing a positivity-focused culture to improve student performance and teacher retention with support from the top down. Director of Schools Melissa Robbins said the district is prioritizing a positive atmosphere where students and staff are more prepared to learn and work when they feel excited to be in the building. Robbins said […]
Pickett Schools Report Strategic Student TCAP Growth
Pickett County Schools reporting measurable student growth across multiple subjects following the release of recent TCAP testing data. Director of Schools Melissa Robbins said the district focused on tracking the progress of specific student groups as they transitioned from one grade level to the next. Robbins said the school system achieved its primary goal for […]
School Officials Addressing Absences; Upper Grade Worst
Pickett County school officials implementing new strategies to reduce chronic absenteeism as nearly a quarter of the student population missed significant time last year. Director of Schools Melissa Robbins said absences become chronic when a student misses more than 18 days. . Robbins said the district identified the issue through state data and internal attendance […]
Pickett Schools Pass Budget With New K-8 Roof, Bathroom Work
Pickett County Schools reporting a successful conclusion to the academic year. Director of Schools Melissa Robbins said the district is seeing positive momentum as students and staff finish the year with strong performance indicators. Robbins said the school board passed the budget for the upcoming school year, which includes funding for major infrastructure needs and […]
New State Fiscal Guidelines Will Help Schools Like White
New guidelines designed to help local school systems maintain fiscal responsibility fit well within what local systems are doing already. The Comptroller’s Office offers 10 steps to plan responsibly, meet legal requirements, and build long-term financial stability. White County Director of Schools Kurt Dronebarger said as decreased enrollment numbers in public schools lead to less […]
Pickett High Absenteeism Forces Closure Thursday, Friday
Pickett County Schools will close for the remainder of the week due to rising illness. The school system announced that classes are cancelled for Thursday, February 19, and Friday, February 20. “Upon consultation with health care professionals, high absenteeism, and to mitigate the spread of sickness, Pickett County Schools will be closed Thursday (2/19) and […]
Pickett Schools Approve Calendar Featuring Slight Change
Pickett County Schools has approved a school calendar for the 2026–2027 and 2027–2028 academic years. Pickett County Director of Schools Melissa Robbins said the school system’s calendar committee met last month and presented its proposal. The first day of school will remain the first Monday in August, with the final day scheduled for late May. […]
School Restroom Renovations Slowed, Director Concerned
A slight delay has slowed the completion of renovations to the Pickett County High School restrooms. Pickett County Director of Schools Melissa Robbins told the School Board a contractor had to find a subcontractor to install HVAC wiring, delaying the finish. Shipping delays in tile material also a concern. Robbins said the HVAC wiring has […]
Pickett Schools Designated As “In Need Of Improvement”
The Pickett County Schools designated as “In Need of Improvement,” putting the district in the bottom five among school systems statewide. This designation is based on performance indicators such as student achievement and student growth. Director of Schools Melissa Robbins said the designation is not what the school system was hoping for, or what they […]
