Lincoln County Schools

Homecoming Information

August 19, 2025

Dear Parent or Guardian,

This letter is to inform you that cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease have been reported among students in Lincoln County Schools. Please review the following information for a description of the illness, how it is spread, and what you should do if your child develops hand, foot, and mouth disease.

What causes hand, foot, and mouth disease?
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a common illness of infants and children caused by a virus. It occurs mainly in children under 10 years old but may occur in older children and adults as well. It is most often seen in the summer or fall, though cases occur year-round. It is not related to foot-and-mouth disease in animals and is only transmitted from person to person.

What are the symptoms of hand, foot, and mouth disease?
Symptoms of hand, foot, and mouth disease include tiny blisters in the mouth and on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and buttocks. The illness may also include fever, sore throat, or cold symptoms. Mouth blisters may make eating or drinking difficult. An infected person may have none, some, or all the symptoms.

How serious is hand, foot, and mouth disease?
For almost all children the illness is mild. Symptoms are the worst in the first few days but are usually
completely gone within a week. Early in the illness some children become dehydrated because of fever and mouth pain. Parents with infected children who are having severe symptoms, as well as people with weakened immune systems who are exposed to hand, foot, and mouth disease, should contact their health care provider.

How does a person get hand, foot, and mouth disease?
The virus is found in the fluids from the nose, throat, skin blisters and stool of an infected child. Another child becomes infected when hands, food, or toys contaminated with the virus are put into the mouth.

How long does it take to come down with hand, foot, and mouth disease after a person is exposed? It usually takes 3-6 days after exposure for symptoms to begin.

When is a person with hand, foot, and mouth disease contagious?
A person is most contagious during the first week of illness, but the virus may be shed in the stool for weeks.

How can I help prevent the spread of hand, foot, and mouth disease?
• Wash hands well and often with soap and water, especially after wiping a nose or changing a diaper.
• Cover coughs and sneezes and put used tissues into a trash can.
• Clean, rinse, and sanitize toys regularly at childcare and after contact with saliva.
• Prevent sharing of food, drinks, and personal items that may touch the mouth, such as eating utensils, toothbrushes, or towels.

What is the treatment for hand, foot, and mouth disease?
Relief of any fever or pain is the only treatment available for hand, foot, and mouth disease. To prevent
dehydration, those with fever and mouth pain should drink plenty of fluids.

If my child develops hand, foot, and mouth disease, must s/he stay away from childcare or school?
No, as long as s/he does not have fever or any other symptoms that would require exclusion.

Happy First Day of School.
Just a few school bus reminders:
1- Students shall arrive a the bus stop at least 5 minutes before the scheduled arrival of the bus. The student need to be where the bus driver can see them and also safely away from traffic in a designated location.
2- Students shall wait for the drivers signal before crossing the roadway or boarding the school bus.
3- Students will be bringing home bus enrollment information, please complete and return to the driver. This is the information that the Transportation Department uses to call parents if the bus is late or not doing the normal route.
4- Parents/Guardians shall be responsible for providing or designating supervision for ALL PRE-K through 3 GRADE students at all bus stops until the bus arrives for both pickup and delivery.
5- Students shall not wear headphones, earpieces or use any electronic devices, including cell phones while loading or unloading from the school bus.

By working together, we can ensure that the students of Lincoln County have a safe and enjoyable ride to and from school.

Lincoln County school calendar magnets for the 2025-2026 year will be available at the schools during open house and at the beginning of the year. These will contain QR codes for full calendars, school menus, and parent absence excuse forms as well as important dates for the year. Be sure to grab one while they last!

This is a reminder that the last Summer Food Box pickups are today, Wednesday, August 6, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM, at your selected location:
• Harts PK-8 – Main entrance
• Lincoln County High School – Loading dock near the football field
• Midway Elementary – Cafeteria entrance (same as evening pickups)
• West Hamlin Elementary – Student drop-off area in the back

Please be sure to arrive on time, as boxes must be picked up during this scheduled window.

It has been our pleasure to help ensure that your children had access to nutritious meals throughout the summer. We appreciate the opportunity to serve your family and support our community.

Wishing you a great start to the new school year!

🎒 Lincoln County Family Support Center Back-to-School Bash 🎉

Join us for a fun and helpful community event as we get ready for the new school year!

📍 Location: The Nancy in Hamlin

📅 Date: Friday, August 8th

🕚 Time: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Hosted by the Lincoln County Family Support Center, this Back-to-School Bash will feature:

✅ FREE school supplies

🌭 FREE hotdogs

💉 Mobile vaccine clinic by the Lincoln County Health Department

🎒 90 brand-new backpacks available for giveaway

📚 Local resources and info

Come out, grab some supplies, enjoy some food, and get ready for a great school year! Help us spread the word — we hope to see you there!

For additional information contact:

Maddie Stanley, Administrative Assistant/Community Outreach Coordinator

Lincoln County Health Department

304-824-3330

Notice of Speech, Language, Hearing, and Vision Sweep Screenings

Lincoln County Schools – Stuff the Bus School Supply Drive
See dates and locations below:

Monday 8/4:
Board Office 6:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Midway Elementary 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Tuesday 8/5:
Board Office 6:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Harts PK-8 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Wednesday 8/6:
Board Office 6:00 AM- 11:00 AM
West Hamlin @ Dollar General 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Thursday 8/7:
Board Office 6:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Yawkey Dollar General 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Friday 8/8:
Board Office - 6:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Hamlin DG Market - 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Parents, please see the flyer below for information to participate in the WVDE Parent Involvement Survey: