By Denny Morrison
Our community has a history of tornadoes. What considerations will be taken in the building design to address this?
The design team is very aware of the tornado safety concerns of the community. The most recent guidelines and standards (ICC 500 and FEMA P-361) for constructing a tornado resistant structure will be used on this project, which can include a design for a shelter capable of housing the student population within areas of the proposed new building. In addition to the community shelter, the entire new building could incorporate additional structural enhancements including design for a higher wind speed, improved roof to wall connections, grout exterior concrete block walls solid, laminated exterior windows, and enhanced special inspections.
Warner open house: Warner held an open house for incoming sixth grade students. The band and choir performed. Principal Ted Holop welcomed everyone in attendance and told about Warner Middle School and how middle school was different from elementary school. He pointed out all of the people ready to help the students to be the best they could be. The students then met up with current student leadership students for a tour and to simply alleviate fears of going to a new school. Seventh grade students Ian Drake and Jada McAvenue put together a video project which they showed during the open house. The video gave the parents a perspective about what it was like attending Warner Middle School.
Xenia Preschool: The preschool wrapped up the “Pennies for Patents” drive for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society with students raising $735.65 for this very worthy cause. Last Thursday, the students were very excited to have a visit from President and Mrs. Abraham Lincoln. The children learned about the log cabin he lived in, his childhood, and many exciting facts. They also each received a shiny, brand new Lincoln penny.
Arrowood: There have already been more than 6,900 books viewed on Tumblebooks since the program started in December. Holly Arvin’s class filled up another Pax chart of compliments. The compliments were received in the hallway, during bathroom break, in the classroom and on their way to lunch. They celebrated by eating lunch in the classroom.
McKinley: McKinley students Aydan Solis and Stevie Kleman reached the last level of the multiplication and division test facts. These are used to help motivate students to continue learning their facts. These two students completed 144 problems in less than five minutes. Any student who shows growth of three or more levels before the end of the quarter will earn a pizza party as a reward. McKinley halls were full of twins on Friday as students and staff dressed as twins.
Shawnee: Shawnee students enjoyed their time participating in Jump Rope for the Heart last week. Students were motivated to get active and they were empowered to make a difference in supporting this good cause. A huge thanks to Eric Salter and Shae Washburn for organizing this event for the Shawnee students. Every school year the Dayton Dragons sponsor the MVP program for fourth and fifth grade students. The purpose of the MVP program is to reward students for their outstanding character and for their achievements in school. These students are recognized and given four tickets to a Dragon’s game. This week the Shawnee MVP’s are Alexis Fry, Carli Peters, Willa Dykman, Mirayah Watson, and Miracle Perry.
Tecumseh: Thanks to the student ambassador who are helping with announcements each morning. Guidance counselor Marisa Morrison is providing the leadership with this group of students. They did a terrific job of distributing the Dr. Seuss items for this week. Tecumseh had Cat in the Hat Day on Monday, Fox in Socks Day Tuesday, Wacky Wednesday, Thing One/Thing Two Thursday and Red Fish/Blue Fish Friday.
XHS: Thanks so much to everyone who participated and helped make the 2017 XHS Science Fair such a huge success. The students and science department teacher Britney Amole really appreciated the adults giving time out of their busy schedules to spend time with our future scientists judging their projects. Kudos to Amole for organizing the event and having it run so efficiently. Thanks also to the Honors Spectra students for their hard work on their projects. The annual combined choir and band concert will be taking place Tuesday, March 7, in the Bob Hope Auditorium.
XTAR: T Group Students continue to rotate between their STEAM stations with the addition of Compass Learning Language Arts. Students are working in both small groups and as individuals to complete a variety of tasks. Nine stations have been set up in the classroom. At Station 1, the Meccano Robot, students are doing an amazing job with their construction of their 4-foot tall robot. Station 2 has the Problem of the Day. At Station 3 Code.org continues to challenge the students in computer coding. Station 4 is the Robot Mouse Coding Activity Set. Station 5 is a STEM Challenge. Station 6 is ZOOB Builderz. Station 7 deals with career projects and Banking. Station 8 is How to Think Like Einstein. Station 9 is the Compass Learning Language Arts station.
Hip Hop Dance to Attend Disney World: Xenia residents who attend Xenia High School, Warner Middle School, McKinley Elementary and Greene County Career Center competed in the Jamfest Dance National Competition in Cincinnati where they were awarded the Judges Choice Bid to attend the USASF 2017 Dance Worlds at Disney World. Our nine athletes competed all weekend long and danced their hearts out and it showed. They will be attending 2017 Dance Worlds April 29-May 1 representing Xenia, our school district and Midwest Cheer Elite. The athletes are Alexis McManus, Emily Crossley, Wyatt Spahr, Grace Randall, Makenna Penewit, Shelbie Turner, Brooklyn Ligier, Janell Tarver and Kierstyn Brandenburg. They are coached by Ashley Adams and Mariah Crossley.
