At Monday’s Board of Education meeting the board passed out Outstanding Kids of Character Pride Certificates to several students. Honored were: Donna Cook, Xenia High School; Tyra Goins, Warner; Nate Fellie, Arrowood; Tori McPherson, Cox; Jaxen Lewis, McKinley; Kylie Hart, Shawnee; Gunnar Stephan, Tecumseh; and Christopher Motzel, preschool. The board also recognized Elite All-American Cheerleaders Madeline Huffman, Kaylee Lair, Kaylah Cunningham, Makayla Poplin, and Calli Jones for being invited to participate in the Citrus Bowl in January. Kudos also to eighth grade Where Everybody Belongs (WEB) leaders Goins, Kobey Fite, Ian Delaney, and Whitney Fussell as well as advisors Karen Nolen and Dana McClain for presenting on the importance of the new WEB Program at Warner.
Xenia Preschool: Preschool Intervention Specialist Heather Malone recently received her Master Teacher certification. This certainly takes a lot of time, hard work, and commitment. Preschool student enrollment numbers continue to grow and we will be adding an additional classroom teacher to handle our growing numbers in the program.
Arrowood update: Arrowood staff and students really showed their true colors on Sept. 11. Everyone dressed in red, white and blue. Last week Arrowood had a Fall Buccaneer Bash for PBiS.
Tecumseh news: Leigh Meeks’ students are participating in the 2015 Wyland National “Water Is Life” Mural and Art Challenge. This contest celebrates the oceans, lakes, rivers, streams and wetlands. Subject matter for the mural may include but is not limited to the environment, marine eco-systems, climate change, conservation, biodiversity, habitats, human impacts, world culture, sustainable industry, exploration, technology, adaptation, and marine biology. Tecumseh is 1 of 100 schools selected to proceed to the next portion of the contest. The classroom has already won a free canvas mural.
Warner update: On Thursday evening, WMS held its annual Interim Fair. Parents and students picked up their interim reports, MAP reports, and other helpful resources as well as conferences with their teachers. Thanks to the Warner Parent Advisory Council. Families were treated to free hot dogs, chips, cookies and lemonade. Charlene Landis, coordinator of cafeterias, ordered the food and arranged for delivery. Dixie DeBorde, cafeteria manager extraordinaire, donated her time to cook hot dogs for the families. The custodians set up tables and our maintenance crew moved picnic tables to the courtyard and mowed.
Pam Graetz made the signs. The entire staff and the NJHS and Leadership students welcomed families at the door. In honor of Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance, the Blue Crew hosted a book drive. Students participated in Hat Day, had an opportunity to eat lunch in the library, and hosted a photo booth at the school dance. The highlight of the week was a “Change War.”
All money and books donated will be used to purchase books for children in need. Teachers and Blue Crew advisors Mary Black and Michelle Phillips, helped to facilitate this project. Amanda from the Church of the Nazarene came in and set up the WMS Buc Store this past week. The church even donated money to stock the store. Parent volunteers Brian Neary and Kristina Long will run the store on Friday mornings.
PAC officers are Kristina Long, president; Apryl Taylor and Trisha Linebaugh, co-vice presidents; Melissa Nearly, secretary; and Anna Russel, treasurer. Students in Lisa Dillon’s and William Ryan’s life science classes have been learning about mollusks and their physical characteristics. Students dissected squid and were able to identify several physical features on the squid’s exterior such as the gills, siphon, pen, beak, esophagus and ink sack.
High school happenings: Constitution Day was last Thursday and John Miller’s government classes celebrated by doing something “Constitutional.” Students were asked to dress colonial, create a project, or bring in something related to the Constitution. The event was capped off by the appearance of Thomas Paine. Miller even did a rap called the “Constitution Shuffle.”
The day was capped off with a review of the material within the constitution. Spanish classes are observing Hispanic Heritage Month from through Oct. 15. This past Friday, the science department held its annual “Density Day” in the auditorium. During the week, the chemistry, physics and spectra teachers combined classes to teach their students all about density through a series of fun and interesting science demonstrations. Students were highly engaged in thinking and talking about science.
Kudos to Donna Cook who was selected to receive the Honda-OSU Math Medal Award for the Class of 2016. Her selection was based on academic performance in math through the end of her junior year. She will be recognized at a special breakfast Oct. 31 at GE Aviation in Cincinnati.
Third round of grant applications: The Xenia Community School Foundation still has approximately $2,500 to distribute to teachers for this school year. You can submit applications for a grant until Nov. 10. The board of directors will vote on the grant committee’s recommendations at the November board of director’s meeting.
Health and Benefits Fair: The XCS Wellness Committee is sponsoring a Health and Benefits Fair 2-5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29 in the high school cafeteria. You can sign up for your flu shots and biometric screening provided at your one stop shop Xenia Community Schools Health Fair.
