Here's the latest from around the district...
23-24 Calendar
At December's board meeting, a calendar hearing was held as required by policy. A question came up to consider changing the traditional graduation day of Sunday of Memorial Day weekend to that Friday before for the 2023-2024 school year.
Outdoor Learning Space
We are meeting with the landscaper in December regarding our outdoor learning space. It will be a path from the north elementary doors to the pollinators area planted a couple of years ago. The space will include classroom pods with a variety of natural seating options for the entire staff to use. In the years ahead, all grade levels will be able to place specific activities in the particular pods.
Holiday Giving
Many of our organizations were busy giving their time to the community this holiday season. The Elementary student council is sponsoring a family for the holidays again this year. The family for this year has come across hard times and is finding it difficult to provide Christmas presents for the two boys, ages 5 and 7. They also rang the bell for the Salvation Army on 12/12 and visited Elmwood Assisted Living at the Shawhan, Walmart, and Autumnwood Care Center.
Kindness Club will be taking over the Sponsor a Resident program at Good Shepherd Nursing home for the holidays. They are working to bring a little extra cheer to the residents at Good Shepherd Nursing home by fulfilling their holiday wishes. They also will be visiting Good Shepherd Nursing Home and spreading Random Acts of Kindness to local police, firefighters, and community members on 12/14.
The Kindness Club is also looking for sponsors to assist a young boy whose holiday wish is to have an “End of Chemo Party”. His family can not afford to do so, and they are looking to help. A sponsor for the venue has already been secured but the family needs help with food, decorations, and a cake. Mrs. Boehler is in charge of the elementary student council and kindness club. Please contact her directly if you are interested in donating.
Thank you to the PTO and volunteers who worked the Christmas bazaar at the school.
New Riegel SADD, under the direction of Mrs. Depinet, raised $1105.42 for domestic violence awareness with their t-shirt sale and sponsorship of the December 2nd basketball game. They also collected six large boxes of donated items for the local shelter in Tiffin.
The New Riegel High School Student Council under the direction of Mr. Johnson is sponsoring a Holiday Hustle 5K. Registration is starting at the school at 7:30 a.m. with the race beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 17.
Academics
Third Grade Reading Guarantee: We have 69% proficient on the fall OST results, which is almost double compared to the state average.
Semester exams will start on Monday, December 19, with the last day of the semester being Wednesday, December 21.
Retakes for state end-of-course tests are taking place now. The first sessions took place on December 6, and the remaining sessions will take place on December 12, 13, and 14.
The course guidebook is being developed for the 23-24 school year and scheduling will occur as it typically does in February.
Athletics
The HS gym floor is due to be sanded and painted this summer so please keep an eye on the master calendar when planning events at the school in June and July.
We are awaiting the approval of the plans from the State of Ohio regarding the track building. Once the plans are approved, work will begin on the building.
Facilities
We did receive a grant from the ODE's school bus program to purchase a new school bus. The grant is for $65,000.00.
Drainage pipes have been installed to the pond behind the bus garage by the property line by A and D excavating. We are awaiting the catch basin installation near the JH parking lot. A drainage ditch was also installed by the property line near the white fence line.
Sand for the long jump pit has been installed and covered for the winter.
Treasurer
The FY2024 tax budget review will be conducted before next month’s organizational meeting. The FY21 and FY22 State Audit was completed along with an audit by the BWC on 2021 records.
ALICE Drill
As you know our annual ALICE drill took place on December 9. The drill consisted of a tabletop exercise with scenarios shared over the PA system while the students and staff were in a level two lockdown.
As a reminder, we have three specific lockdown levels:
Level 1 – secured in building - no admittance to or exit from building
Level 2 – secured in classrooms – no movement in hallways
Level 3 - secured in place – no movement within classroom
Board of Education
Darin Nye has been selected by the board of education to replace Beth Kummerer on the board who is resigning on December 27, 2022.
Personnel
Mern Bish was hired as the substitute nighttime adult cleaner
Fundraisers
Cheerleading: Jr. Cheer Clinic, 3pt. Shot Shirts, Soap Sales and Program Ads
Happy Holidays!