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Schools to pursue another bond issue

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At the Board of Education Meeting Jan. 9, our board of education voted to move forward with a bond issue to replace both the current middle school and high school.

The Ohio School Facilities Commission did an assessment of Warner Middle School (built in 1962) and Xenia High School (built in 1976) and recommended that both buildings be replaced because of the extent and cost of numerous building issues.

The assessments cited: A lack of fire suppression systems, leaking roofs and water-damaged ceilings, rusted and collapsed pipes with failing shut-off valves, aging and unreliable heating systems, numerous issues with ADA compliance, inadequate wiring and electrical systems, classrooms that were too small and poorly configured, and several other problem areas that need costly repairs, updates, or replacement. The state estimated that the cost of repairs and renovations totaled more than two thirds the cost of building new up-to-date schools and has offered to pay more than $28 million to help replace the buildings, contingent upon the passage of a bond issue to fund our local share.

Hall of Honor Nominations: Just a reminder that nominations for the 2017 Class of the Xenia Schools Hall of Honor are being accepted until Friday, Feb. 3. Nominees should be graduates of XHS who have achieved remarkable success in their career or anyone who has made a significant contribution to education in Xenia. The Hall of Honor Banquet will be held Saturday, April 22 at Tecumseh Elementary School.

Arrowood: Arrowood has selected its January all stars. Students were selected for being hard workers as well as respectful students. Congratulations to Michael Travis, Kayla Raynor, Jackie Barringer, Albert Adams, Kameron Williams, Madelynn Ladd, Brayden Tremblay, Malania Stookey, Aiden Perez, Madisyn Day, Abbey Tuck, Madelyn Shaw, Lucas Williams, Ava Hundley, Kendrix Davis, Tierra Brown, Kaydence Keeton, Jazlyn Groce, Bryceten Hall, Justin Nelson, Sierra Reed, Tommy Michael, and Kelcie Long.

Cox: Congratulations to fifth-grader Allyson Merriman. She was the winner of the hometown Christmas Art Contest. Her artwork is on display on the billboard located at State Route 42 heading toward Wilberforce. Awesome job. Stephany Vogelsong received a grant entitled Focus on Fine Motor. All of the children in kindergarten will be using Magnatiles, Snap, and Pop Beads, Bristol Blocks and Lacing Cards to help strengthen their fine motor skills and increase their engineering skills while building. Thank to the Xenia Community School Foundation for funding this grant.

Shawnee: Shawnee’s Students of Character for January are Ariana Gillem, Wyatt Walton, Simon Freeman, Conner Parker, Liam Massey, Lucy Cushman, Eli Bunch, Arie Dancy, Serenity Tolbert, Cadence Hazelbaker, Madelyn Hoerstring, Benny Lewis, Jojo Guyton, Cassie Garrett, Chris Ferris, Larissa Butler, Serenity Wallace, Juanita Beasley, Noah Martindale and Miracle Perry.

These students displayed good manners to their classmates and teachers. Last Friday, Shawnee held a Donuts with Dad event. This was a great event to get fathers and positive male role models into Shawnee to show our appreciation to them. There were almost 500 students and fathers who showed up. The event was made possible by the sponsorship of the PTO and Faith Community United Methodist Church.

Tecumseh: Tecumseh held its award assembly for the first semester. The student ambassadors planned the assembly. Their insights were very valuable. Many parents and grandparents provided a lot of positive feedback. Tecumseh, like all of our buildings, is really digging down into the data. This analysis is causing changes to occur. For example, due to looking closely at the data, tutoring groups are changing. I love the collaborative efforts to help our students.

XHS: This weekend Sophie Ensey (clarinet), Tim Stahl (clarinet), Mackenzie Coonrod (flute/piccolo), Megan Miller (flute) and Gabriel Gonzales (alto saxophone) are participating in the BGSU Honor Band. Congratulations. The PBRS Program is having a positive impact.

First semester 2015-2016 there were 126 out of school suspensions. This year there are 68. Reductions in in-school suspensions occurred as well. This is terrific. Juniors will take the ACT Wednesday, April 19. During March and April, after-school tutoring will occur. These practice sessions are open to everyone. The XHS Science Fair is Friday, Feb. 24. Judges are needed. Please contact Britney Amole at [email protected] if you can help.

XTAR: The X Group began its morning by reviewing last week’s Problem of the Day, Trail Mix. As students finished, they did the SETgame.com daily puzzle. Then, students completed their edge-to-edge bird drawings. Next, the students began reading The 7 Habits of Happy Kids by Sean Covey and the students answered five questions in their journals. The book consists of short stories designed to teach powerful principles they will use for the rest of their lives: Responsibility, vision, respect, teamwork, and balance. Finally, the students worked on two logic puzzles, Neighbors and Classmates, and practiced two analogy pages.

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By Denny Morrison

Denny Morrison is superintendent of Xenia Community Schools.