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)
Check out our building project video
https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/1059843421
March is National Reading Month, and across the country, next week is Read Across America Week! So to help promote this, WGS will be having special themed dress up days March 3rd-7th! Please see the attached flier!
WGS Spotlight! Mrs. Lashmett's and Mrs. Melanson's second grade students have been working extremely hard and have ALL successfully mastered their cursive writing!
WGS Spotlight! Congrats to Jake Williams, who won the State Elks Hoop Shoot! He will go to regionals next month!
Today is February 14 - yes Valentine’s Day but also National Donor Day.
National Donor Day was established in 1998 by the Saturn Corporation and its partner, the United Auto Workers Union. With support from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the day aimed to educate the public about the life-saving importance of organ, eye, tissue, marrow, platelet, and blood donations. The choice of Valentine’s Day was symbolic, highlighting the ultimate act of love: giving someone a second chance at life. (https://responsumhealth.com/blog/national-donor-day-february-14-2025/)
Next Wednesday - Feb. 19, 2025, WHS Student Council is hosting a Blood Drive. If you would like to donate blood please reach out to Mrs. Miller (cmiller@winchesterschools.net) or Mrs. Barnett. (lbarnett@winchesterschools.net).
Thank you.
To send our love and support to our friends and family in the Pikeland school district area, we ask everyone to please wear red tomorrow, Thursday February 13th.
STATE BOUND!
Congratulations to our eighth grade boys basketball team, your 2025 Sectional Champions! They are headed to state on Saturday!
Feb. 11th: BBQ Pulled pork on bun, chips, green beans, fruit and milk.
Feb. 12th: Toasted Ravioli, marinara sauce, mixed veg., fruit and milk.
Congratulations to our 8th grade boys team on their Regional Championship victory! Let's Go Cougars!
Winchester CUSD 1 will be dismissing at 12:30, February 5th, due to inclement weather. All athletic events and practices have been cancelled. After School Teen Reach Program is also cancelled.
