The Spartan
Winter Weather Closure Information
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Dear Wayne Local Families:
As we are in the middle of the Christmas season and prepare for a well-deserved break, I want to take a moment to reflect on one of the key pillars that define the educational experience at Wayne Local Schools: Relevance.
At the heart of the 3 R’s—Relationships, Rigor, and Relevance—is the belief that education must have a meaningful connection to the lives of our students. Relevance ensures that what we teach today becomes the foundation for our students’ success tomorrow. It bridges the gap between classroom learning and the real world, empowering our students to see the “why” behind their education.
We strive to offer lessons and experiences that go beyond textbooks, engaging students in critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration. From real-world projects in science and technology to practical applications in math and social studies, our educators work tirelessly to make learning purposeful. When students see how their studies apply to their futures—whether in college, a career, or their community—they are more motivated, more engaged, and better prepared for success.
Of course, relevance thrives when it’s paired with strong relationships. When our teachers know their students—their interests, strengths, and goals—they can tailor lessons to meet their needs. Likewise, rigor ensures that the education we provide challenges students to reach their fullest potential, equipping them with the skills to adapt and thrive in a dynamic world.
As we celebrate the Christmas season of giving, I encourage all of us to focus on the relevance of our own connections—within our families, schools, and community. By nurturing those connections, we model for our students the importance of meaningful engagement in all areas of life.
On behalf of everyone at Wayne Local Schools, I wish you a joyful and restful Christmas Holiday Break. Let’s continue working together to make our students’ education both meaningful and impactful as we head into the New Year and make 2025 the very best year ever!
Best Wishes,
Sam Ison
Superintendent, Wayne Local Schools
Proven Leader in School Finance
Since becoming Wayne Local Schools Treasurer in April 2023, Carolyn Huber has used her 28 years of school finance experience to create processes and improve efficiencies. Her background includes finance office roles at Xenia, Sycamore, West Clermont, and Loveland schools. Mrs. Huber has consistently earned awards for excellence in financial reporting from the Association of School Business Officials and the Government Finance Officers Association.
Student Fee Collection Simplified
Under Mrs. Huber's leadership, the student fee collection process has been simplified, improving efficiency for both families and the district. Mrs. Huber said, “School fees have become very common in public schools in Ohio as a means to offset some of the cost of consumable instructional materials, like workbooks, art supplies, technology subscriptions, and lab materials.”
A flat fee per school building, introduced for the 2024-25 school year, simplifies communication with families and streamlines fee tracking and collection for the district. The fee amount was determined based on the average of previous fees along with comparisons with other Warren County school districts.
We asked Mrs. Huber what inspired her to pursue a career in school finance. Here’s what she shared.
“I initially planned to pursue a teaching career, but I felt a stronger inclination toward accounting when I started college after high school. Paying for college on my own, financial challenges led me to pause my education and my mother (a payroll clerk herself) suggested that I apply for an accounts payable position in a neighboring school district. Inspired and encouraged by the talented school treasurers I worked with, I returned to college and earned a bachelor’s in business administration while working full-time and raising three children. This journey allowed me to combine my aptitude for numbers with my passion for public education and to contribute to the success of our students and public schools.”
Neuropasock Innovation by Students Recognized at Competition
This month, Waynesville High School’s entrepreneurship students showcased their creativity and ingenuity in the FlexFactor competition, presenting a range of unique, student-led projects to judges from the Warren County Career Center, Sinclair Community College, and WLS. The FlexFactor program is a dynamic, project-based learning initiative that leverages students’ interests to explore next-generation technologies, entrepreneurship, and career pathways.
Funded by the Department of Defense, FlexFactor is an eight-week program designed to immerse high school students in the realm of advanced manufacturing, sparking interest in STEM-related fields. All products created in FlexFactor, have to incorporate a FHE (Flexible Hybrid Electronic). WHS offers this opportunity within the entrepreneurship class and through a partnership with Sinclair, empowering students to tackle real-world challenges and develop entrepreneurial solutions.
This fall, juniors Abby Buck, Jackie Wright, and Lola Dubard earned the top prize with their innovative product, Neuropasock. Neuropasock is a compression sock with a FHE to detect improper nerve function. The FHE will send information to a tens unit, which will send electrical impulses in the sock, to improve nerve function.
As the Fall 2024 champions, Abby, Jackie, and Lola will advance to the regional competition in April, where they’ll face off against other top high school teams from across the area at Sinclair. They are excited to showcase their invention on a larger stage and represent Waynesville Junior/Senior High School.
Student Artists Showcase Their Outstanding Work
The Waynesville Winter Art Show showcased the incredible work from students in grades 6-12 who have spent the semester developing their artistic skills in various classes including mixed media, Intro to Art, 2-D, Graphic Design, Photography, Advanced Art, Advanced Placement Art, Textiles and Civil Engineering. Throughout the semester, students created a variety of projects exploring different materials and experimenting with new techniques. They also gained valuable experience of learning how to display their art for others to enjoy.
Jr./Sr. High Art Teacher, Senior Advisor, and Yearbook Advisor Ms. Kristen Elton, said, "Thank you to all the parents, staff, and community members who came out to support our young artists. We are incredibly proud of their growth as artists and excited to see even more of their talent on display at the upcoming Spring Art Show!"
Spartan Spirit Makes a Difference for Local Families
The Junior and Senior High School Student Councils came together to sponsor this year’s Annual Spartan Food Drive, with all donations going to The American Legion Post 615. Elementary students also contributed to the drive. The Legion will use these contributions to create holiday food baskets for families in the Waynesville community.
This year, we introduced a special challenge: packing "ready-to-go bags" with all the items needed for the baskets. “The response was incredible! Students worked individually, in groups, and as entire classes to collect and pack items, resulting in nearly 200 fully packed bags—plus an impressive surplus of food to help stock the Waynesville Food Pantry,” said Ms. Lindsay Smith, Senior High School Student Council Advisor and Freshman English Teacher. The Junior High School Student Council was led by seventh-grade ELA teacher Ms. Nancy Lukasavage.
On the final day of the drive, Legion volunteers arrived with a moving truck to pick up the donations. Ms. Smith added, “With so much food to transport, our amazing teachers donated their time and vehicles to help deliver everything. The Spartan Wrestling Team joined the Student Council at The Legion, forming an assembly line to unload the food, while Leo Club members stayed afterward to assist with sorting.”
This incredible effort, fueled by the kindness and teamwork of our Spartans, will make a significant impact for families in need this holiday season. Thank you to everyone who donated, packed, unloaded food, and helped make this year’s drive a success!
Recently the Dayton Daily News shared an article about ways to improve youth mental health in our region as well as the barriers to kids feeling their best.
What mental health involves
WLS Director of Student Services and Special Education Kevin Wright said school-based mental health initiatives are critical in helping students stay healthy, focused, and successful. Mental health involves more than the absence of illness. “It includes a sense of well-being, positive emotions, and the ability to handle life’s challenges, stressors, and adversity,” he added.
The link between mental health and academic success
Schools provide a safe and accessible environment for students to receive support. Early intervention can address issues like withdrawal, difficulty concentrating, or disruptive behavior, helping students get back on track. Educators are often the first to notice changes in students and are key in connecting them to resources, recognizing the important link between mental health and academic success.
“With one in five people experiencing a mental health condition, early support in schools can make a significant difference. By promoting awareness and taking action, educators and schools can ensure students are prepared to thrive both in the classroom and in life,” said Mr. Wright.
Some of the ways WLS are supporting student well-being include:
1. Strengthening our Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports (PBIS) framework designed to improve school climate, promote positive behavior, and enhance academic and social outcomes for all students.
2. Implementing Sources of Strength Program K-12, with support from 1N5. Sources of Strength is a comprehensive, evidence-based mental health and suicide prevention program designed to empower young people and build resilience. It focuses on leveraging the power of peer connections and trusted adults to promote positive mental health, reduce stigma, and prevent risky behaviors such as substance abuse and suicide.
3. Addressing the need for school-based mental health services with support from MindPeace Cincinnati. Our partnership with MindPeace will help us to identify the unique mental health needs of our students and to select community partners to provide quality, affordable, integrated and aligned school-based therapy services.
Together, these efforts highlight WLS's commitment to fostering a supportive and nurturing environment for all students. By prioritizing mental health, building resilience, and promoting positive connections, we’re paving the way for students to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
More to come on all of these initiatives...
