District Bi-weekly Newsletter | July 28, 2022 | Volume 3, Issue 1
Welcome to the first edition of the Eastland-Fairfield Bi-weekly Newsletter for the 2022-23 school year! For families new to the district, we're so excited to be joining our EFCTS family. For our returning students and families, welcome back! Every other week, this newsletter will be sent with news, events, photos, and important dates with our high school and adult programs. We hope you enjoy keeping up with all the exciting things happening at Eastland-Fairfield!
Dr. Kim Miller's Blog
Dr. Kimberly Pietsch Miller is the superintendent and CEO of Eastland-Fairfield Career & Technical Schools.
With Opportunities and Education, For All
A colleague recently sent me a link to a podcast on the topic of special schools for advanced or gifted students. The podcast tackled some very complex social issues including class systems, race, and cultural norms. The podcast included interviews with a variety of people as well as the hosts’ input on the topics being discussed.

Toward the end of the podcast one of the interviewees, who was talking about the quality of public education in her city, made a statement that really summed up what we should be about in public education, and honestly, in our country. She submitted that if we truly want to improve our world, our communities, and our schools, we have to care about all children as much as we care about our own children. 

That is truly powerful if you think about it.
Around Eastland-Fairfield
Welcome Mr. Rodney Harris, the newest assistant principal at Eastland Career Center
Eastland-Fairfield Career & Technical Schools has announced that Rodney Harris has been selected as Eastland Career Center’s newest assistant principal.

Harris retired from the U.S. Marine Corps in 2016 as a master sergeant. He continues to train instructors for the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) and has been hand-picked to facilitate speaking engagements for the Marines in locations around the world. He most recently served as assistant principal at Canal Winchester High School.
EFCTS Pair Pulls in Runner-Up Finishes at SkillsUSA Nationals
[Pictured: Liam Otten, New Albany, Cyber Security]
{Pictured: Rowan Toole, Reynoldsburg, Welding}
Students from seven different Eastland-Fairfield Career & Technical Schools programs competed at the highest level in Atlanta, Ga. over a four-day period and came away with much to be proud of.

Rowan Toole and Liam Otten left Atlanta with silver medals, finishing second nationally in their respective events, to highlight a week’s worth of strong showings at the 2022 SkillsUSA national convention. Toole, a rising senior from Reynoldsburg enrolled in the Welding program, placed second in the nation in the sheet metal competition. Otten, a rising senior in the Cybersecurity satellite program at New Albany High School, took second in the country in the internetworking category.

Congratulations to of our students that represented EFCTS at SkillsUSA nationals!
Teaching Professions Features Host of Top-10 Placements
Students from the Eastland-Fairfield Career & Technical Schools Teaching Professions satellite program geared up to travel to the nation’s capital for a four-day stay at the Educators Rising national conference. Between individual and team competitions, 16 students from the program traveled to compete and 11 placed in the top-10, nationally. 

The Educators Rising national conference was held between June 24-27 at the Washington Hilton in Washington D.C. The theme students and staff rallied behind this year was Shaping the Future. Four students personally adopted that theme by participating in the first signing day, committing to becoming a teacher in the future. Recent graduates Reagan Petersen (Gahanna Lincoln), Anna Rice (Gahanna Lincoln), Mary Kate Gebhart (Gahanna Lincoln), and Elizabeth Valdez (New Albany) all took part in this Educators Rising first.

For the full story and results, click the button below.
Culinary Students Bring Home Top-5 Finishes from FCCLA Nationals
Four students from the Culinary Arts program at Eastland Career Center represented their lab and Eastland-Fairfield Career & Technical Schools with success at the 2022 Family, Career, Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) national conference in early July. Two students from New Albany High School earned top-5 placements and all four placed inside the top 25 of their respective categories.

Recent graduates Lahna Nelson and Daniella Rank, both from New Albany High School, placed inside the top 5 in their events. Nelson competed in the Baking and Pastry category and placed second in the country, overall. Rank, a national champion in 2021, placed third overall in her second year competing in the Culinary Math Management event.

Faith Horton, a recent graduate from Pickerington North High School, placed 14th in the Leadership category. Amarra Haines, a rising senior from Whitehall-Yearling High School, took 23rd in the Hospitality, Tourism, and Recreation event.

The FCCLA national conference was held in San Diego, Calif. between June 29 and July 3. 
Congratulations to our Adult Programming Graduates!
Our high school students weren't the only learners that graduated this year! Eastland-Fairfield would like to congratulate all of our adult learners that completed their respective programs this summer. Through our Aspire program, 10 individuals earned their High School Equivalency (formerly known as GED). Twenty individuals completed our challenging 10-month Basic Police Officer Training program to enter the peace officer profession. Our adult medical assisting, dental assisting, welding, and HVAC programs launched the careers of more than 40 people after they completed their programs.

Congratulations to all of our graduates, and thank you for trusting us with your futures!
Pictured: Aspire graduates ready to receive their diplomas.
Pictured: Our Basic Police Officer Training graduates are now ready to enter service.
Pictured: Medical Assisting was one of four programs launching the careers at this year's adult graduation.
Upcoming Events
AUGUST
8-9 - New Teacher Orientation
10 - Professional Development Day (first day back for staff)
11 - Back to School Night! (4-7 p.m. at your student's career center)
15 - First day of classes (juniors/Firefighting, only)
16 - First day of classes (returning seniors/seniors in 1-year lab, only)
17 - All students return to class

Poll Question
If there is one planet that you wish you could explore in our galaxy, which one would it be?
Venus
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn
Pluto (yes, we're calling it a planet)
Other
Check out the results plus a new poll question in the next edition of the District Newsletter!
Last edition's results
What is your favorite music streaming app?:
Spotify: 31.9%
Apple Music: 17%
YouTube Music: 10.6%
iHeart Radio: 8.5%
Amazon Music Unlimited: 8.5%
Sirius XM app: 12.8%
I listen to AM/FM radio: 10.6%