April 2025 District News

The Hurricane InsEYEder will give you a look into the Hurricane. We hope you'll take a few minutes to catch up and stay connected.

You can catch up on news from our recent regular meetings in the following Board Corner Reports. The next regular Board meeting is April 28, 2025 at 6:00pm and will be held at Denver Place Elementary.

• February 2025 Board Corner Report (doc)
• March 2025 Board Corner Report (doc)

Here's what has been happening around the District in the last month!

If you missed the big news, our Athletics program had 4 students qualify for State!

• Alonzo Woody, Wrestling
• Josiah Puller, Wrestling
• Mia Skinner, Wrestling (the first in this program's history!)
• Izzy Rhoads, Bowling
  
  

We are proud of these young athletes and their accomplishment!

In February, Mrs. McFadden, Mrs. Taylor, and Mrs. Smith celebrated the end of the CKLA Knowledge Unit learning about Kings and Queens. Throughout the unit, students listened to read-alouds about kings and queens and royal families. Both the fiction and nonfiction selections helped build students’ understanding of the responsibilities, lifestyle, and customs associated with royalty throughout history. Many of the fictional rhymes, poems, and stories in this unit were classic, well-loved tales, including “King Midas and the Golden Touch,” “The Princess and the Pea,” “Cinderella,” and “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.”

Students also focused on written communication through drawing detailed pictures and sequencing images from a story. With the use of graphic organizers, students compared and contrasted their own families with royal families. Students identified the story elements, including characters, setting, and plot through drawing. They also practiced sequencing events for the beginning, middle, and end of stories.

One student told Mrs. Smith, "This was the best day ever!". And that says it all.

March was Music in our Schools Month®. At WCS, we are proud to offer an award winning music education program from Kindergarten through 12th grade. Our district has been earned the Best Communities for Music Education designation for the last 7 years straight! From sing-alongs and early instrumentation to our show choir and Marching Band, we infuse music education into the learning process for all our students. We couldn't do it without community support and our oustanding music teachers:

• Connor Hendrickson (Holmes)
• Rachel Landers (Denver)
• Rachel Charlesworth (WMS/WHS)
• Robin Spradlin (WMS/WHS)
• Matt Spradlin (WHS)

Keep an eye on the calendar for opportunities to hear our students perform!

Our WHS FFA Chapter has been busy! Recently, they achieved the following:

• Top 10 Overall Ohio FFA Chapter
• Gold Rated Ohio FFA Chapter
• Top 10 State Finalist - Strengthening Agriculture Division
• Top 10 State Finalist - Growing Leaders Division
• Top 10 State Finalist - Building Communities Division

It's been a busy month at WCS. Here are a few highlights:

• WMS recognized Rocketry Rockstars at the March BOE meeting for outstanding work building rockets in their Flight and Space course. (pictured)
• WHS hosted current 8th grade students for Freshman 101. Students toured the high school, heard from WHS student leaders, attended an Activities Fair, and learned more about becoming a freshman at WHS.
• Our WHS FFA chapter celebrated National FFA Week! We have a very active Vocational Ag and FFA program thanks to WHS teacher, Matt Younker, and his dedicated students.
• WMS and WHS celebrated their Students of the Month!
• The Elementary PTO held a wonderful Father Daughter Sweetheart Dance for Preschool-5th grade. It was a fun-filled, special evening.
• The district recognized National Career and Technical Education month. At their February Board meeting they recognized 2 Laurel Oaks students from WCS - Mia Skinner and Nyla Turner.
• Holmes elementary recognized student leaders at the February Board meeting.

Here is the Hurricane Forecast of upcoming events! Grab your calendars.

Check out our events for April - May 2025 Events (doc). Remember to always double-check the online calendars before heading out to an event in case there are changes to the schedule. Don't forget that Spring Break is March 24th through 28th!

Registration for Kindergarten 2025-26 is officially open! Children who are 5 years old on or before August 1st are eligible for entrance into Kindergarten at WCS for the upcoming school year.

Parents can request a digital packet or pick up a paper packet at Central Office (341 S Nelson Ave).

Our District offers:

• Full day kindergarten with experienced teachers
• Art, Music, Physical Education, Library, and Computer for all students starting in Kindergarten
• Support for students with disabilities
• Speech and Language Pathology support
• Dedicated school counselor
• Engaging curriculum and lessons
• and so much more!
  
  

Our kindergarteners learn more than just their ABCs. They learn how to play and learn collaboratively. Each day they are provided opportunities to learn how to be safe, kind, and responsible, building a better learning environment for all students.

WCS will be hosting Parent Orientation nights for incoming kindergarten parents. Orientation night is designed to give parents an in-depth look into the Kindergarten experience at Holmes Elementary.

• May 1, 2025 at 6:30 p.m.
• May 6, 2025 at 6:30 p.m.
  
  

Register at tinyurl.com/wcskparent-orientation. This meeting is for parents. Our Open House in August will be for both parents and students. More information will follow as the date approaches. Please note that enrollment cannot be completed at our Orientation. Please utilize FinalForms to complete your child's Kindergarten enrollment.

Track our progress and see what we've been up to at WCS in our Hurricane Tracking section.

Our Board has been working hard alongside our District administration to help our schools provide the best education possible for our students. Board Subcommittees provide an opportunity for discussion and brainstorming between district administration and 2 Board members. No action is taken at these subcommittee meetings.

So far this year, our subcommittees have met to have meaningful conversation about the curriculum selection process, facilities planning, policy updates, graduation requirements, staffing plans, and more. Our subcommittee meetings are announced on the Board meeting page and are open to the public.

The Superintendent's Strategic Planning committe has been hard at work to identify strengths, weaknesses, and needs of our school district. Through this work they will determine a path forward for our District so that our students graduate with the skills they need to be successful and contributing members of the community. Look for a community survey coming your way in April!

In our Family Corner we like to share a smorgasbord of resources for parents. (Links and content from external sources are not under the control of the District.)

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Preventing child abuse and neglect can be a collaborative effort between families and communities. For resources and prevention information, visit childwelfare.gov/preventionmonth.

It's not just teens that need to be aware of distractions when they are driving. As parents, it's important that we set the example ourselves and help our kids stay safe on the road. For information, statistics, and talking points for parents and teens, visit nhtsa.gov/road-safety/teen-driving.

In 2022, 956 drivers under the age of 21 were alcohol-impaired when involved in motor vehicle fatal crashes (NHTSA FARS, 2024). It's essential every month, but Prom season is a critical time to have conversations with your teens about this topic. Visit samhsa.gov for tips on talking with your teen about substance abuse and safety.