BRIDGEPORT, W.Va (WDTV) -Friday afternoon Morgantown’s West Virginia Academy will be throwing it’s Third Annual Fall Fest. The event will take place at the Mon County Event Center, located at Mylan Park. For an event that officially marks the conclusion of the school year’s first term. WVA is the state’s first public charter school and has been recognized for their excellence both locally and nationally; and this afternoon they look forward to giving back to the community that’s helped establish them as one of the best schools throughout the wild and wonderful. The event will feature plenty of fall festivities such as games, pumpkin carvings, and even a scarecrow contest. Leaving school officials like, Heidi Treu, hoping to not only help celebrate the fall season, but also showcase their students in a big way.

” The biggest thing is that we want community members to see what we learn throughout the term. This is a chance for the students to show off . They create games of everything that they’ve learned from science to history, to even math stuff is in there. We like them to show off, but also to have some fun. We’ve got some Scarecrow’s; we’ve got some food. We’ve got some activities obviously, our Book Fair, everything like that. So, it’s really exciting.”

Although this afternoon’s event is completely free, there’s still ways to give back to the educators that put so much in to students everyday.

” Everybody knows that teaching is hard and it is day in, day out, really working hard. This is kind of their reward at the end of the term to get excited to see the kids in a new light. To have fun with the students at the very end of a long term. So, all of the proceeds go directly to our teachers. It goes to our Faculty Senate and just teachers. It’s not for administration or anything else and this is all their idea. They brought it in and anything that you see here when you purchase; it goes directly back into their pockets and in the classrooms.”

Apart of what makes fall fest special for those at WVA is the chance is gives to celebrate their students. Showing them how much they are appreciated and admired.

” It’s the growth of the students, we really have seen our students step up as leaders not only in the community, but in the school. It’s been wonderful to see them grow for these past three years and we can’t wait to see our first graduating class next year and see what they become. It has been really rewarding for me. We have had scarecrows in different areas of the building. Students have been opening doors and getting scared because the older kids like to put them on for the younger kids and scare them. So, I think they’re just excited to see the whole event and come and play. Last year it was very successful, lots of treats, lots of fun activities; and we expecting the same this year.”

Copyright 2024 WDTV. All rights reserved.

Mike Monaco and Kirk Morrison will be on the call once again for this week’s West Virginia game against Oklahoma State on ESPN2 at 4 p.m. EST. This is the same broadcast duo that called the Backyard Brawl last month.

If you like offense, this game is likely going to be right up your alley. Oklahoma State does have one of the best running backs in all of college football in Ollie Gordon II although he’s yet to hit his groove. The Cowboys’ passing attack is one of the best in the country with a very experienced Alan Bowman at quarterback and some receivers that have produced at a high level throughout their careers such as Brennan Presley, Rashod Owens, and De’Zhaun Stribling.

West Virginia’s defense has had issues through the first month of the 2024 season defending the pass, allowing over 250 yards per game, but so has Oklahoma State. As a matter of fact, the Cowboys are allowing a full 20 yards more through the air than WVU. Bryan Nardo’s defense hasn’t been able to stop a thing ranking 15th in the Big 12 in pass defense and 16th (dead last) in run defense.

Buckle up folks, this one could feature a ton of yardage and points.

MORE STORIES FROM WEST VIRGINIA ON SI

WVU Reveals Uniform Combo for Oklahoma State Game

Fans Predict Outcome of WVU’s Trip to Oklahoma State

College Football 25 Simulation: West Virginia vs. Oklahoma State

Bowl Projections for West Virginia Entering Week 6

West Virginia University Extension’s Energy Express program has been awarded a $50,000 Sparking Early Literacy Growth grant, a statewide initiative to enhance literacy instruction for elementary-aged children. The grant was made possible by the West Virginia Public Education Collaborative and the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation.

This funding will kickstart the creation of the Energy Express Literacy Leaders program. The Literacy Leaders program will engage up to 10 site supervisors who are certified teachers in an action research project that focuses on supporting and extending early elementary-aged students’ learning through a literacy activity plan.

“This grant will allow us to review and enhance our high-quality programming and instruction, as well as foster deep learning and creative exploration, thereby closing academic and opportunity gaps,” said Melissa Calabrese, director of Energy Express.

Throughout the grant cycle, Energy Express site supervisors will participate in monthly meetings and enroll in literacy education graduate coursework through WVU to become certified reading specialists. This initiative aims to empower site supervisors, deepen their understanding of effective literacy instruction practices, and foster community engagement and service learning within Energy Express.

Participants also will conduct a research project based on the Energy Express curriculum, looking at specific lesson plans. They will examine the plans to pinpoint activities that are effective and promote literacy, while also suggesting solutions to improve upon the current methods, to create the best possible learning environment. Each participant will cover a specific area of the lesson plan– like writing or art– and present their findings at the annual Energy Express conference next summer.

“Our site supervisors are already extraordinary teachers throughout West Virginia, and with support from this grant, they will become certified reading specialists, not only benefitting Energy Express participants but also their students during the school year,” said Calabrese.

Teachers must have their application endorsed by a school administrator or fellow teacher who will support their professional growth. Throughout the grant, this person will serve as a “thought partner” to exchange ideas and findings. This partnership will facilitate discussions and encourage feedback and research within and beyond their home schools.

Participants in this first cohort will share their findings during the June 2025 kickoff meeting with all Energy Express site supervisors and AmeriCorps members. They can then bring these insights to colleagues in their school to enrich the learning environment.

Energy Express is committed to addressing educational disparities in West Virginia. During the 2022-2023 academic year, only 44% of fourth graders in West Virginia achieved proficient reading levels, highlighting the urgency of comprehensive literacy interventions. This summer, Energy Express is hosting 48 sites in 26 counties, helping an estimated 2,000 children maintain and increase their literacy levels during the summer.

Energy Express is offered in various counties at select locations. To learn more about the program, visit extension.wvu.edu/energy-express. Contact your local WVU Extension office for more information about sites in your area.

If you want to learn more about WVU Extension, visit extension.wvu.edu or follow @WVUExtension on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Instagram.