Molnar's Community Update

We made it through our first full week of the 2024-2025 school year! It was a fantastic week of learning and getting into new rhythms for the new year. Please note that there will be no school this coming Monday, September 2nd, due to Labor Day!

In today's update, I would like to highlight the awesome work and achievements of our staff and board member, Dr. Messer. I truly believe that we are blessed with the best staff around! First let's start with a quick highlight of our Newborn Visits with Literacy Coach, Breanna Carden, and myself.

Do you know anyone who recently has had a newborn and is an Amherst resident? Let us know! Our Literacy Coach, Breanna Carden, and I would love to stop by with gifts, including a plush teddy bear, a book, and information about subscribing to Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, which mails free, high-quality books to children from birth to age five. Our short visit is just a special way to welcome your little Comet into our incredible community!

I am pleased to share that one of our very own, Kim Haney, has been selected by the State Board of Education of Ohio as Regional State Board District 2 Teacher of the Year! As you know, Kim goes above and beyond with her program and it's wonderful that she is receiving the recognition she deserves for all of her accomplishments. We are beyond blessed to have her here with us in Comet Nation and are thankful for her hard work and dedication to our students and the Medical Health Technology program at Marion L. Steele High School! Join me in taking a moment today to congratulate Kim on this great honor. Please see the attached press release below for more information.

I am also pleased to share that not one but two of our staff members have been selected to be Ohio Teacher Leader Liaisons! Congratulations to Literacy Coach Natalie Hostutler and Kim Haney on this wonderful accomplishment. This outstanding news will allow Natalie and Kim to gain knowledge and skills related to trust-building, communications, feedback, and the use of data. They will also learn about state government roles and processes related to education. Natalie and Kim, alongside their other OTLL colleagues, will collaborate with the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce to engage in two-way communications and feedback about current and future education topics. We are thrilled that Natalie and Kim were selected for this role and know they will be a great asset to all the work they will accomplish over the next two years. Join us in congratulating Natalie and Kim today!

I am also thrilled to share that our Technology Innovation Specialists Amanda Sears and Beth Schwartz were selected to present at the EdTech Leaders Alliance Conference on October 22 at the Nationwide Hotel & Conference Center. The conference provides an opportunity to learn and collaborate with leaders in EdTech from all over Ohio and beyond. Attendees will participate in different engaging workshops, innovative sessions, and dynamic keynote addresses that instruct them on the heart of making a difference in education.

Amanda and Beth will present on the following topics while at the conference:

• The Bumps Bruises and Celebrations in Creating a Makerspace (Beth)
• Using Trendy Tech to be an Instructional Designer (Beth)
• Empowering Education Through Equitable and Inclusive Tech Tools (Amanda)
• Addressing Emotional Intelligence With Innovative Technology (Amanda)

We are so excited for them to represent Comet Nation and know that those who participate in their sessions will benefit from their knowledge, creativity, and expertise.

Congratulations must also go out to Dr. Amanda Messer, who sits on our Board of Education and has received multiple STAR awards from the Ohio School Board Association(OSBA)! STAR stands for Service, Training, Aptitude, and Recognition. These are distinct awards given to a very select group of individuals who show their commitment to public education and their role as a school board member.

Dr. Messer was awarded the STAR Award for Training at the Spring Conference, and we just learned that she will receive the 2024 OSBA Aptitude Award at the upcoming fall conference. I want to thank Dr. Messer for all her hard work and dedication to Comet Nation. She is a true asset to our district and embodies our mission to educate, equip, and empower all Comets.

Powers PTO will host their first meeting on Wednesday, September 11th at 6:00 p.m. in the cafetorium at Powers. Future meetings will be held on the 2nd Wednesday of each month. Meetings may be held at different local spots throughout the year, so follow us on Facebook (@PowersElementaryPTO) and/or Twitter (@PowersPTO) for updates!

If you need more incentive to join, the classroom in each grade with the highest membership by September 30th will win a DONUT PARTY!

The Nord PTO will host their first meeting on Monday, September 9th at 9:00 a.m. at Nord School. Future meetings will be held on the 2nd Monday of each month. Your $5.00 per staff member/family membership dues help kick off our fundraising for the year as well as give you a voice! Follow us on Facebook (Nord PTO) and/or on Twitter (@NordPTO) for updates!

If you need more incentive to join, the PTO will be raffling off a 30oz Stanley cup! To be entered into the drawing, you must join PTO (pay membership dues) by Friday, September 20th.

The AJH PTO will host their first meeting at AJH on Friday, September 13th at 9:30 a.m. Future meetings will be held on the 2nd Friday of each month at 9:30 a.m. Your $5.00 per staff member/family membership dues help kick off our fundraising for the year as well as give you a voice! Follow us on Facebook (AJH PTO) and/or on Twitter (@ajhpto) for updates!

If you need more incentive to join, the classroom in each grade level with the highest participation by September 27th will win a DONUT PARTY!

The Amherst Schools - A Community of Excellence

mike_molnar@amherstk12.org

440-988-4406

The mission of the Amherst Schools is to educate, equip, and empower all students to choose their path and make a positive impact in our community and beyond.

Follow me on Twitter @TheCometSuper

Please visit our district website to stay connected with news updates, events, and more!