District News and Notes
May 2023
Here’s the latest from around the district…
There is an agenda item to approve the NCOESC contract for the 23-24 school year. There are slight increases in special needs preschool and typical preschool along with a small increase in health services.
Recommendation for BEE Safe to have a school resource officer full time at our facility for the 23-24 school year.
This is a three year contract with the option to opt out if 90 days notice is given.
The SRO would only be for the school year and not the summertime.
The SRO will be utilized in a variety of ways for student success including: in school intervention support in academics and SEL lessons in cooperation with the school counselors.
Supporting leadership activities in our SAIL, SEAL and HS Jacket Leadership
Supporting the HS/MS Principal and School Counselor on initiatives and discipline intervention.
This person would be armed.
Grants
I applied for the Attorney General's Technology Safety Grant back in February and we learned in April we will be receiving $20,000.00 in grant money to update our bus and handheld radios and service. This will increase our connectivity with the EMS, Sheriff's office and other safety personnel on a more reliable network.
We will continue to receive the Mental Health Services Grant for the 23-24 school year along with services from our clinical counselor
Graduation
Graduation is Sunday, May 28 @ 2 p.m. in the high school gymnasium.
High School
Teachers
May Staff Meeting
The final staff meeting for the 22-23 school year will cover several topics including the exam schedule, the seniors’ last day of school, and end of the year checkout procedures.
Students
Testing
State OSTs and EOC exams were completed last week. The testing sessions were very successful with no technical issues and all make-up tests were administered for students who were absent during the regularly scheduled test sessions.
Graduation
This year’s graduation ceremony will once again be held in the main gymnasium as it has in past years. Mrs. Depinet and Mr. Kramer are working on some improvements to the ceremony in terms of technology and the overall presentation.
Recent/Upcoming Student Events
The FFA Banquet takes place here at Hopewell on the evening of May 7.
Junior/Senior Prom – the prom is taking place the evening of Saturday, May 13. This event will take place in the Osceola Theater at Tiffin University.
The Student Council will be sponsoring and organizing the end of the year Clash of Classes for students in grades 6-12.
The sophomore class is holding a car wash and bake sale on Saturday, May 13, starting at 9 am. This will take place in the junior high gym parking lot.
The A Cappella Showcase is scheduled for Saturday, May 20 at 7:00 pm here at New Riegel. This event will include performances by Jacket Company and PreAmp.
The Music Department’s banquet is scheduled for the evening of May 21, and will be held in the auditeria.
The Clay Target Team awards night will also take place on May 21, between 4 and 6 pm at the Carey Conservation Club.
OHSAA
Mr. Johnson and Mr. Lininger recently attended an informational meeting from the OHSAA about referendum items up for vote this year. One item that was back on the ballot after narrowly failing by just 13 votes last year was the issue of allowing a student to participate in a team sport that is offered by a neighboring district assuming their home district does not offer that sport. We recently learned that item was the only item that failed in the OHSAA referendums for 23-24 school year.
SBC Meeting
I will be attending the last SBC Executive Council meeting for the year on May 10.
At this time there are notable items to act on although it is assumed that the OHSAA referendum items will be popular topics of discussion.
Elementary
Staff Meeting: The May staff meeting will consist of grade level teachers sharing strengths and needs for the upcoming classes for next school year. Data from assessments, RTI and much more will be passed onto new teachers.
Encore Celebration: Students and families attended a celebration of the Arts on 4/23/23 from 4 to 7 pm. Families enjoyed food trucks, displayed artwork, a ceramic art project, e-sports demonstration, music/band performances and laser tag. Families had very positive feedback and hope to see this event continue next year.
Book Fair: The PTO hosted our last Book Fair on May 1st and 2nd. Students and their families had the opportunity to browse and purchase new books.
Testing: All testing is complete. Students in grades K-5 completed the NWEA for ELA and Math. Students in grades 3-5 also completed the OST for ELA and Math. Students in 5th grade completed the OST for Science. Family reports will be sent home in June showing results.
Right to Read Week: This year’s theme was “On Your Mark, Get Set, Read!” and took place during the week of May 1st. Students experienced guest readers, Force & Motion presentation, free books and prizes for reading recognition.
Fun Day: The PTO, ABC and principal’s fund will be sponsoring an end of the year Fun Day on Wednesday, May 24th. Students will enjoy inflatables, exotic zoo assembly, homemade ice cream and other fun activities. Each grade level will wear class shirts of their own colors.
Chalk Walk: The high school art students will display their chalk artwork on the sidewalks around the school. Elementary students will view each and provide feedback to determine winning artists on 5/16/23.
Field Trips:
5/8/23 3rd Grade
Bellevue Mad River
Hayes Presidential Center
5/18/23 4th Grade
Seneca Caverns
Garlo Nature Preserve
5/18/23 5th Grade
Camp Wilson, Bellefontaine
5/19/22 Kdg
Back to the Wild
Miller Conservation Farm
5/22/23 1st Grade
Columbus Zoo
5/23/23 2nd Grade
Columbus Zoo