It's a new year and a new semester. We have a lot to catch up on so keep reading! In this newsletter:

• Board News
• 2024-25 Academic Calendar!
• District News
• Upcoming Events
  
• Family Corner
  

Many people don't realize that school boards operate on a calendar year and not a school year. Each January, school boards hold an organizational meeting where they swear in any newly elected members and select their President and Vice President for the calendar year. They also have a list of items they approve to allow the Board and Administration to operate for the year.

Our newest Board members, Bill Davis and Bill Liermann, were sworn in at the Board's organizational meeting on January 4, 2024. The Board President for the year is Marty Beaugard, Sr. and the Vice President is Bill Davis. The 2024 Board Meeting schedule was set at the organizational meeting and is posted on our website.

• Regular meetings are generally on the 4th Monday of the month. If the 4th Monday falls on a holiday or when school is on a break (Spring or Winter break), then the meeting is held on the Monday prior to the break/holiday.
• Special meetings are announced in the Wilmington News Journal.

For Board member information, meeting schedule and documents, and Board policies visit wilmingtoncityschools.com/boe.

Photo L-R: Carrie Zeigler, Marty Beaugard (President), Bill Davis (Vice President), Bill Liermann, Brian Shidaker

Minutes from the November and December Board meetings are available online at wilmingtoncityschools.com/board-of-education. You can catch up on our more recent Board activites below:

January 22nd and 26th (doc)

January 26, 2024 - Special Meeting Press Release (pdf)

The next Regular Board Meeting is February 26, 2024 at Holmes Elementary.

Please see our 1/26/2024 Press Release regarding our Levy Update. The Board held a special meeting on January 26, 2024 to review a draft of the updated 5 year forecast based on new information from the Auditor's office and the Chief of Budget and School Funding.

The Board has approved the 2024-25 Academic Calendar! See the attached pdf below for all the important dates for the next school year at WCS.

In December, 48 WMS students attended Project Trust camp. They spent their time making memories, building new friendships, and enjoying time together! Our middle school campers were fantastic throughout the camp. They were open-minded, showed willingness to participate in the activities, and built awesome connections with each other. WMS Teacher, Holly Young, shared, "I can't say enough about the high school counselors who came to camp! They brought lots of energy, laughter and tons of fun to camp. They made lasting impressions on our middle schoolers! "

There will be another Project Trust camp in the Spring. We're excited to see the positive impact these students will have at their school in 2024 and beyond.

We're so proud of our WHS students for continuing the White Gift tradition and for serving their community. This year, 150 meals were delivered to families and to the Clinton County Homeless Shelter. Thanks to the following businesses and organizations for supporting this 45-year-old tradition of giving: Fiesta Veracruz, People's Bank, Alma's Attic, R+L Carriers, Groves Tire and Service, Greater Tomorrow Health, Thompson Farms, First Christian Church Women's Ministry, Clinton County Leadership Institute, and Kroger.

Monday, January 15th, our schools were closed in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In the days leading up to and following 1/15, students throughout the District read stories, delved into history, asked questions, had discussions, and learned more about Dr. King's focus on resolving conflict with kindness and love, not hatred and violence. Visit thekingcenter.org to learn more about this pivotal figure in our history.

WCS Parents, we need your help with a couple of things as we get into the winter months.

• Verify/update your contact information in FinalForms so that we can let you know about any school delays, closings, and early releases.
• Have a plan and discuss it with your kids. Decide on your childcare plans in the event of a delay, cancellation, or early dismissal.

Remember, the district covers 161 square miles and road conditions can vary widely from one corner of the district to another - from city streets to remote township and county roads. We also have acres of parking lots and sidewalks to clear before we can safely open our schools in bad weather. In the event that we need to delay/close school or release early, we'll let you know as soon as we can.

Thanks for helping us keep our students safe.

Check our February 2024 Events (doc) and grab your calendar! Please remember to double check the building calendars on the website before heading out in case there are updates.)

• January was National Human Trafficking Prevention Month - Check out 10 things you can do to help stop human trafficking
• February is Black History Month. Learn more about at blackhistorymonth.gov. You may also enjoy an article from the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage titled Facing History: Lessons from the Potter's Wheel.

Our Annual College Credit Plus information session will be held on February 1, 2024 at 5:00 PM in the Wilmington High School Auditeria. Parents/students interested in participating in the CCP program for 2024-25 should plan to attend. Please see our Annual CCP Notice (pdf) for program information.

The following articles from other sources are provided for our WCS families and community. Links and content from external sources are not under the control of the District.

Ohio will hold their Primary Election on March 19, 2024. The last day to register to vote is February 20th. Early/Absentee voting begins on February 21st at your local Board of Elections.Visit voteohio.gov for the following:

• Register to Vote
• Update your voter registration
• Locate your Early Voting location (Board of Elections) and the dates/time for early voting
• Find your election day polling location