Superintendent’s Message – June 2013
On behalf of the Wayne Trace Board of Education, congratulations go out to the seventy-one members of the Wayne Trace Class of 2013. High school graduation has always been an important rite-of-passage in our great country, and the next several years following graduation are critical years in the lives of our young adults. As noted in last month’s newsletter, thousands of jobs just in the state of Ohio are currently unfilled due to a lack of properly trained and skilled employees. Many of these jobs require employees who have advanced computer skills, making it critical that men and women acquire the skills and training needed to compete for these positions. This year’s graduates will have the opportunities over the next several years to get the skills and training needed to fill these demanding, and often times high-salary positions. With that said, let’s all do our very best to encourage our young people to pursue higher education and to take this opportunity very seriously. College students who attend class on a regular basis are much more likely to earn a degree and develop the skills needed to be gainfully employed for years to come.
Speaking of computer use, much effort has gone into the long-range planning concerning our direction with technology. Our eight tech coaches, representing all three buildings and under the leadership of Mrs. JoEllen Sisson, have studied this topic at great length throughout this year and much of the previous year. Based on research and feedback from other districts, and based on the belief that so many students already have access to computers at home, we are steering away from the 1:1 concept and are now leaning toward the mobile lab program. What this means is that students will essentially have a computer to use in every classroom during the school day, but they will not take the computer home with them at night. Like all decisions, we will constantly evaluate the effectiveness of the mobile lab program to determine if we will continue to its use in future years.
In further curriculum news, we are very pleased to announce the formation of an on-line learning lab to be housed in the JH/HS building starting with the 2013-2014 school year. In response to the ever-expanding on-line options available and the increasing interest from students, we believe such a learning environment is a necessary component of the 21st century school building. Among the many offerings available include ACT prep classes, credit recovery classes, AP classes, and perhaps even summer school and other make-up courses. Students enrolled in this program are full-fledged Wayne Trace students who are, or could become, eligible for co-curricular and extra-curricular activities. Students and parents interested in this option are encouraged to contact Mr. Dave Alt in the high school office.
Congratulations go out to our performing arts department for several nice concerts to close the school year. Band and choir concerts at the JH/HS, along with spring programs at our elementary schools, all brought out very nice crowds. Directors Mr. Robbie Lucas, Mrs. Marie Moore, and Miss Sharon Spinner along with musical accompanist Mrs. Joni Wenninger continue to bring fine music education to our students. Thanks also go out to the Wayne Trace Performing Arts Association for their continued financial assistance in the areas of music, performance, and drama.
I have the great honor of announcing the Staff Hall of Fame Class of 2013. First revealed to the public at May’s board of education meeting, Mr. Jerry Cox and Mr. Terry Miller will be inducted as the newest members of this prestigious group. Mr. Cox, Mr. Miller, and members of each of their families will be invited to participate in a formal ceremony prior to the start of a 2013 home football game. More information will be advertised as we get closer to this event. Once again, members of the committee would like to thank everyone who nominated a worthy staff member for this honor.
In closing, I’d like to express my gratitude to the Wayne Trace community for what I believe has been another excellent year serving as your superintendent. Educating our young people and teaching them to become productive citizens is a team effort with constant communication needed between school and home. For our young people to be successful, everyone must work together for the same goal.
As always, if you have questions or concerns about your child’s educational experience at Wayne Trace, feel free to contact your building principal or superintendent.
Go Raiders!
Sincerely,
Stephen Arnold, Superintendent