Winchester

WGS spotlight! Our own Jake Williams is heading BACK TO NATIONALS! He is competing in the Hoop Shoot competition in Chicago against other kids across the country! We are all rooting for you Jake!

Thank you to all of our School Bus Drivers. 🚍 If you are interested in becoming a Bus Driver here are the steps: Steps for New Bus Drivers Complete an application form and have approval of the Superintendent. 1. Complete an 8-hour bus driver initial class offered through a Regional Office of Education. Bus Driver Training for classes in our region School Bus Driver Permit Training for statewide listing 2. Complete a 4-hour EDLT course. Drivers must have completed the required Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) from a training provider registered with FMCSA before being scheduled for a skills test. 3. Complete physical/drug test at MOHA MOHA (217 479-9071) is located at 1000 West Morton Avenue, Jacksonville (in Spfld Clinic Urgent Care) and appointments are required. Physical forms are available from the Transportation Supervisor or Board Office, and must be taken with you. 4. Complete fingerprinting at SOS approved vendor Pathway (217-479-2300) is located at 1905 W. Morton Avenue in Jacksonville. Forms obtained from the Board Office must be submitted in advance. Cost is $60. 5. Letter of Intent Applicants may be required to present a letter of intent, signed by Superintendent, at the Drivers License Facility. 6. SOS Application Applicants will be required to have a completed School Bus Driver Application, with an original signature of Superintendent on the Certification in order to begin the testing process at the SOS facilities. These forms are available for download here. The written Passenger Endorsement Test and School Bus Test can be taken at any Drivers License facility. Once these are completed, you may begin the behind the wheel training with our Transportation Supervisor. The final step is the driving test, which is taken in Quincy or Springfield.

NOTICE OF DATE CHANGE The date of the May 2025 meeting of the Board of Education, Community Unit School District No. 1, Scott, Morgan and Greene counties, has been changed. This meeting will now be held at 6:30 PM on Thursday May 8, 2025 in the Winchester High School Home Economics room at 200 West Cross Street, Winchester, IL.

Kindergarten Pre-registration today!

Winchester High School - March 2025 Students of the Month chosen on the charistic Integrity. Mallory Pratt and Caden Meyer ~CONGRATULATIONS~

Thank you to all of our Paraprofessionals in the District. You do so much for so many. It does not go unnoticed. You are appreciated. THANK YOU!

WGS Spotlight! Gavin Hamman has achieved a HUGE milestone! He has achieved the 200 point club for A.R.! We are all super proud of you!

Congratulations to our WGS students of the month for March! March focused on Courage! Archie Wahl, Gracelynn Sims, Kinsley Davidson Paisley Smith, Bryson Burrows, Lilli Fox Kylar Coon, Mackenzie Bigham, Daxton Littig

Mrs. Heather Lashmett's 2nd Grade Class - finding their special spot to read in the Library with Mrs. Kerri Day.

WGS was rockin it in preparation for our IAR state tests next week! WHS students and the drum line came over to help get everyone ready to "Rock the Test!"

World Down Syndrome Day 3/21/25 Wear 💙💛 (blue and yellow) or crazy socks.

The Winchester CUSD 1 Board of Education has selected Mr. Jeff Abell as the district’s next Superintendent of Schools. Mr. Abell who will begin his tenure on July 1, 2025, is currently the Superintendent of the Griggsville-Perry CUSD 4. The selection of Mr. Abell is the result of a statewide search conducted by the Board of Education. For the past three months, the Board has conducted a thorough and thoughtful candidate selection process in selecting its next superintendent. “We are pleased to welcome Jeff as the new superintendent of Winchester School District 1," said Board of Education President Steve Moore. "His experience as a superintendent makes him well-equipped to lead our district. He shares our commitment to continue to provide outstanding educational opportunities for our students." As a veteran educator, Mr. Abell has experience in improvement of student learning. Mr. Abell, a Bluffs native, has deep roots within Scott County - serving as a teacher, athletic director and coach at both Bluffs High School and Winchester High School. He had served as teacher, coach and athletic director at Winchester High School from 2008 until 2017. At that time, he received his administrative licensure and went on to become Principal at Northwestern High School, and then at Meredosia-Chambersburg before becoming Superintendent at Griggsville-Perry in 2022. “I am honored to have been selected as the next leader of the Winchester School District. I spent nineteen years teaching and coaching in Scott County and I am very excited to have the opportunity to return to a District in which I have such a deep personal connection” said Mr. Abell. Mr. Abell will replace Dr. Kevin Blankenship, who has served as superintendent since 2019 and will retire in December 2025. Mr. Abell and Dr. Blankenship will work collectively together to allow for a smooth transition during a very busy and exciting time for the school district.

Mrs. Shelly Brennecke's Reading Lab class went to read to the preschoolers during Dr. Seuss Week.

We want to thank everyone who purchased a heart; t-shirt; bracelet or who just made a donation during our ♥️'s for Samara campaign in February. Samara and her family were very appreciative and truly blessed by the generosity. The charitable donations are helping with travel expenses for the many trips to St. Louis. So again - Thank you.

Dear Parents, Please see the attached document and 5Essentials survey link for our parents. This is an annual survey the state of Illinois conducts for all our schools. https://5il.co/3apmp https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois/

Congratulations to Tansyn McDaniles & Landon Wahl - They were chosen as WHS February Students of the Month on Mindfulness.

Spring Picture Day is coming to the Winchester Elementary School on Tuesday, March 25th. Order forms will be coming home in the near future. If you want to order online, you can go to inter-state.com/order and use the order code: 93538GT.

4th and 5th graders at WGS engages in a SEL teamwork communication cup challenges with Mrs. Pinkerton.

Congratulations to our February Students of the Month! February was focused on Friendship. Students of the Month: Salem Dutton, Taylor Murphy, Keely Barber Chase Lovekamp, Riley Holmes, Bryer Eddinger Addison Garrett, Lillian Dahl, Ainsley Freeman (not pictured)