Gilmer County High School

Attention Parents and Guardians of Gilmer County Schools Students,
We are excited to share that the Gilmer County High School Volleyball Team will be participating in the WV State Volleyball Tournament today and tomorrow. If the team wins both matches today—scheduled for 1:30 PM and 8:00 PM—Gilmer County Schools will plan for a four-hour early release on Thursday, November 13th.
This adjustment is necessary due to staffing limitations and to ensure we have transportation available for the volleyball game. If both games are won today, parents will receive a confirmation phone call this evening as a courtesy, allowing time to make arrangements for your children.
Again, if the Volleyball Team wins both competitions today, Gilmer County Schools will have a four-hour early release on Thursday, November 13th.
Thank you for your understanding and support—and Go Titan Volleyball!

📣 Pep Bus Information for Tomorrow from earlier all-call: The pep bus will depart from GCHS at approximately 11:00 AM. Students will eat lunch prior to departure. The estimated return time to GCHS is 5:00 PM, unless the Lady Titans advance. If the Lady Titans win, the pep bus will remain in Charleston for the second game, which begins at 8:00 PM. The return time in that case will be approximately 11:30 PM. 🍎 Food and snacks will be the responsibility of each student. 🎟️ Students who ride with a parent may submit their ticket stub to the office to receive an excused absence. Go Lady Titans! 🏐

Happy Veterans Day from GCHS! 🇺🇸 Today we honor the brave men and women who have served our country. Thank you for your courage and sacrifice! #veteransday #thankyouveterans

Come cheer on our GCHS Lady Titans as they head to the State Tournament! Tomorrow at 12:00 PM: The team will depart from GCHS, travel down Walnut Street, through Main Street, past the nursing home, turn around at GCES, and then head out Route 5 toward Burnsville. Let’s line the streets and show our Lady Titans all the love and support as they head to states! #GoGilmer #StateBound

It's your week at-a-glance!

As a reminder, there will be no school on Monday or Tuesday.

🎉 ALL THE WAY TO STATES! Check here for game, pep bus, and t-shirt information!🎉

The GCHS Lady Titan Volleyball Team is heading to the WVSSAC Class A State Tournament on Wednesday, November 12, 2025! The Lady Titans will take the court at 1:30 PM, with a chance to advance and play again at 8:00 PM that evening.

To cheer them on, GCHS will run pep buses for students to attend all Lady Titan games that day. Seating priority will begin with seniors and continue by grade level through 6th grade, depending on bus availability.

🎟️ Tickets: $11 per game
🚌 Pep Bus Cost: $22 (covers both potential games)
💵 Payment Due: Cash only by Friday, November 7
If the team does not advance to the second game, students will be refunded $11 the following week.

👕 Show your Titan Pride!
State Tournament t-shirts are available for order through the end of the day Friday, November 7 — no late orders accepted!

Youth Sizes: $15
Adult S–XL: $15
2X: $17 | 3X: $18 | 4X: $19 | 5X: $20
Shirts will be ready for pickup on Tuesday evening, November 11.

Let’s pack the stands and show our Titan Pride! ❤️💙
#gogilmer #TitanVolleyball #StateBound

A link to the t-shirt order form can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/GCHSVBShirts25

Starting today, Thursday, November 6, 2025, Gilmer County High School will begin offering free evening dinners for all students. Meals will be packaged and served near the main entrance as students exit each wing.

Examples of meals include Turkey Lunchables, Rice Krispy Treats, and milk — a great option for students participating in after-school activities.

This program is provided at no cost to families, just like our breakfast and lunch programs. We’re grateful to be able to offer this opportunity to support our students and community. 💙❤️

#GoGilmer #GCHS #CommunityStrong

Gilmer will host the Regional Volleyball Championship on November 5 at 6:00 PM, taking on St. Joseph Central! Let’s pack the gym and show our support—wear your blue and help make it a Blue Out night! 💙🏐

Hey everyone, get ready for a spooktacular day at school tomorrow! Don’t forget to bring your A-game costume and join in the fun. For all the details and guidelines, check out this link:

https://tinyurl.com/GCHSHalloween25

Let’s make it the best costume day ever. See you tomorrow! #gchshalloween #ghoulmercounty #gogilmer

🎨🧡 Our 7th grade students enjoyed a cozy Paint & Sip celebration!

Hosted by Hardman’s, Mrs. Wine, Ms. Ramezan, Mrs. McGowen, and Mr. Fox, this fun event recognized students for their hard work during the first nine weeks.

Students spent the afternoon painting pumpkins and sipping hot chocolate — the perfect fall reward for their effort and creativity! 🍂☕🎃

Glenville State University, Gilmer County High School and Gilmer County Elementary School are working in collaboration to hold a county Veterans Assembly on Friday, November 7, 2025 at 9:30-11:00 a.m. at the GSU Waco Center. We would like to invite all Gilmer County Veterans to join us in honoring your service to our Country. A charcuterie brunch board created by Foodie Momma (compliments of United Bank of Glenville and Calhoun Banks) will be provided to Veterans in the Waco Center Vantage Box from 8:00-9:30 a.m. prior to the Assembly. Any Veteran wishing to attend can RSVP by calling GCHS at 304-462-7960 or emailing pknicely@k12.wv.us. We want to open the Assembly to the Gilmer County community to join in honoring our Veterans.

This year’s Guest Speaker will be Colonel Jonathan M. Townsend, United States Air Force. Colonel Townsend is the Director, Department of the Air Force Continuity of Operations, Secretary of the Air Force Office of Administrative and Management, Pentagon, Washington D.C. He is responsible for contingency planning, continuity training and crisis relocation for the Secretary of the Air Force, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Chief of Space Operations, and key Headquarters of the Department of the Air Force personnel. He also oversees the daily operations, maintenance, and readiness of critical relocation sites and equipment in support of the Headquarters Department of the Air Force Continuity of Operations mission.

Colonel Townsend enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1998 and served as an Air Traffic Controller before earning his commission from Officer Training School in 2002. As a senior Airfield Operations Officer, he has served in various leadership and staff positions across five major commands as well as four deployments, in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQI FREEDOM, and INHERENT RESOLVE. He commanded the 78th Operations Support Squadron at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, and the 441st Air Expeditionary Squadron at Kobani Landing Zone, Syria. Prior to his current assignment, Colonel Townsend studied at the Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, before serving as the Operational Training Infrastructure Plans and Policy Branch Chief, Directorate of Training and Readiness, Headquarters Air Force, Pentagon.

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

* Bronze Star with one oak leaf cluster
* Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
* Air and Space Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters
* Air and Space Achievement Medal
* Meritorious Unit Award with one oak leaf cluster
* Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award with four oak leaf clusters

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION

* Airman First Class – September 1998
* Senior Airman – January 2001
* Staff Sergeant – August 2002
* Second Lieutenant – December 2002
* First Lieutenant – December 2004
* Captain – December 2006
* Major – November 2012
* Lieutenant Colonel – September 2017
* Colonel – August 2023

Colonel Townsend is originally from Glenville, WV, and is a 1994 graduate of Gilmer County High School as well as a 1997 graduate of Glenville State College. He and his wife, Tara, who is also from Gilmer County, currently reside in Fairfax Station, VA, and are the parents of three daughters: Brenley, Madison and Brooke.

On November 6th there will be a Health Occupations Expo at the Glenville State University Waco Center. There will be several vendors there who will be able to discuss various jobs that are available in the health-related fields. Any Junior or Senior interested in going to this needs to pick up a permission form to attend in the office. Please note, you will need to have a teacher verify that you have expressed interest in a health-related field to be able to attend. Permission forms need to be returned by the end of the day on Tuesday, November 4th.

📣 Schedule Update for GCHS Families: Due to GCHS hosting the Regional Volleyball Tournament this Thursday, Parent-Teacher Conferences will be rescheduled to Thursday, November 6th, from 4:00–6:00 PM We appreciate your understanding and flexibility as we make this change to help with parking and event management during the tournament. Thank you for your continued support!

📣 Middle school girls basketball parents! There will be a parent meeting this Thursday, October 30th at 5:00 PM at the high school.

Coaches will hand out paperwork, and Coach Frashure will review rules, expectations, and answer any questions you may have. 🏀

On Saturday, the GCHS Marching Band closed out the 2025 season at the Soaring Sounds competition in Beckley, WV! 🥁🎶

They brought home some impressive awards:
• 2nd Place Overall Band (D2)
• 2nd Place Percussion
• 3rd Place Guard
• 🥇 1st Place Drum Major

Way to represent, Titans!

Keep up the good work GCHS students and parents! We are right on track for meeting our goal this year!

🚨 Did you know? Students who miss 10% or more of the school year are considered chronically absent.
That’s just 2 days a month! It’s a total of 4.5 days during the first 9 weeks!

Don’t let your child fall into the chronic category! Let’s work together to reduce absences and boost success.

Every day students are here is a step toward their goals! 🎓

#StayInSchool #EveryDayCounts #AttendanceMatters #CISWV #EveryStudentEveryDay

🎃👻 GHOULMER COUNTY GAMES & GHOULS NIGHT! 👻🎃

Join us for a spooky celebration packed with eerie excitement — dancing, games, and Halloween fun for everyone! 🕸️🦇

📅 October 29
📍 GCHS Gymnasium
🎓 Grades 6–12
⏰ 7:00–9:00 PM

Come dressed to impress (or scare)! It’s going to be a fang-tastic night! 🕷️🧡 #gogilmer #lovemyWVschool