The 1st grading period of 2021-22 is a wrap and it has been great having all our students back in the classrooms together.
In addition to our usual summer projects to prepare the buildings and train staff for the school year, we also enhanced our staff, student, and family support systems. We are excited to introduce you to some of our newest staff members and programs. These improvements to our programs are designed for long-term impact on student success and are research-based strategies for creating a better school climate and improving social and academic outcomes for students.
These programs/positions and related staff training are made possible through grant funding (ESSER and Wellness & Success).
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Behavior Coach - Angela Snow |
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As Behavior Coach, Mrs. Snow will be doing coaching cycles with staff to help further develop their understanding of effective behavior management techniques. She will observe students, collaborate with staff, and assist with resources and interventions to implement for an individual and/or a classroom.
In just a short time she has made an incredible impact at Holmes Elementary helping students learn how to be their best selves by making positive choices in their behavior. We are excited to have her on our team, helping to improve academic/social outcomes for our students and the climate in our schools.
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Instructional Coaches - Shari Murphy and Cherie Dixon |
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Our instructional coaches will contribute to the improvement of student achievement by enhancing teacher understanding and use of research-based knowledge and practices based on both the building and school improvement plan.
Mrs. Dixon (left) and Mrs. Murphy (right) together have more than 50 years experience as classroom teachers! They work with individual teachers to analyze data-based student needs and current teacher practices in order to develop coaching goals. The instructional coaches also provide professional development for groups of teachers. Common coaching activities include observations, conferencing, modeling, and co-planning with teachers. Our teachers are always learning and improving
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School-Based Therapist - Cassandra Findley |
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We are excited to welcome Cassie Findley to our WCS team. Ms. Findley is a Licensed Professional Counselor and comes to WCS with experience in working with children and families. As our school-based therapist, she will be able to provide mental health consultations, crisis intervention services, therapy, diagnostic assessments, and more to support our students and their families. Ms. Findley will provide developmental and interpersonal counseling to assist students in decision-making that supports academic, personal, and social growth. Ms. Findley’s work will fill a vital need for our students and their families and they navigate challenges and we are excited to welcome her to our team.
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Restorative Conference Facilitators -
Cory Hogsett, Jaiden Newbry, and Julie Taylor
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Our Restorative Practices program has grown and we are happy to welcome Cory Hogsett, Jaiden Newbry, and Julie Taylor as our new Conference Facilitators. They will be working with Coordinator Justin Goodman to facilitate restorative conferences with students, staff, and families. The facilitators will also provide mediation services, collaborate with staff in implementing community building strategies and restorative circles, and provide follow-ups and check-ins with students and staff after restorative conferences.
Guiding students through the conflict resolution process will not only improve their interpersonal interactions with others at school, it will lead to a healthier school climate for everyone by helping students learn to resolve small conflicts before they become bigger problems. Learn more about this program in a recent Wilmington News Journal article Mending conflict, directly. Welcome to our 3 new Restorative Conference Facilitators!
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Over the last 12 months a team of WCS math teachers and administrators has been researching new math resources. Our staff and students in Kindergarten through 5th grade are now utilizing “Bridges in Mathematics” . To learn more about this new and exciting resource, visit our website article “New Math Resource”.
Thank you to this dedicated team of educators for your time and efforts to continually improve instruction and student learning at Wilmington City Schools.
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NEW ProgressBook Mobile App! |
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ProgressBook has a new parent/student mobile app available! Just check the document below for instructions on how to find and use the app. Download the app today and stay connected to your child's progress in school.
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Focus on Phonics and Literacy |
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Holmes Elementary is focused on phonics as one of many important parts to the Wilmington School District’s three year plan around literacy. The district’s director of curriculum and instruction shares, “because literacy is a foundational skill for every content area, our new three-year plan outlines a focus on literacy practices across all grade levels. We are taking a close look at both practices and materials to ensure that we are providing the optimal opportunity to grow every reader."
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Nurse Connie Wall Retires |
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Nurse Connie Wall will be retiring this month! Nurse Connie started in nursing as an LPN in 1983. She served Wilmington City Schools as the lead RN at Martinsville Schools for a few years before taking over for Jackie Lundy as the WCS District lead RN in 2003. She has served the Wilmington CIty Schools for 22 years!
Nurse Connie has seen the nursing profession transform over the last several decades. Nurse Connie has been the WCS constant for CPR training, vision and hearing screening, numerous conversations about staff ailments, verification of immunizations, a mountain of public health and ODE paperwork, boo-boo checking, and advocating for student care.
If you see Nurse Connie, congratulate her on her well deserved retirement and thank her for her many years of dedication to the students, families, and staff at Wilmington CIty Schools.
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WHS Alumni Spotlight Series |
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If you know a WHS Alum that is an outstanding citizen and who exemplifies the best of what it means to be a Hurricane, please nominate them for our WHS Alumni Spotlight series.
Get the details here and use the online form linked in the article to make a nomination.
Here are some of our recent spotlights:
Spotlights will be on the District's social media channels and website during the school year.
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Catch up on our recent news and see what else we have been up to at WCS.
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BOE Quarantine and Mask Update |
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On October 25th the Ohio Department of Health released updated guidance for schools regarding quarantine options for cases of exposure at school or a school-related activity. Our WCS Board of Education met on Monday, October 25th, and Thursday, October 28th, and discussed new school quarantine guidance, review recent WCS and county data trends, and discuss our mask requirement.
Please read their BOE October 28th Update (doc) for details on our recent data trends, a new quarantine option, the status of our mask requirement, and our ongoing safety processes.
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Employment: Current Openings |
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We’re hiring! If you are interested in working part of full time and enjoying working with kids, then please check out our current open positions.
Substitute Teachers
WCS is looking for candidates that would like to become a substitute teacher for our schools. This is a great opportunity to support our Wilmington students and schools while earning money at the same time. WCS pays substitute teachers $115.00 per day for a 7 hour work day. You have the opportunity to create flexible schedules by determining how often each week you want to work. To be considered for these positions, you must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Your degree does NOT have to be in education.
Transportation: Drivers and Substitutes
As you may have heard, there is a national shortage of school bus drivers and we are no exception. We are always in need of substitute drivers.
- Substitute Drivers earn $16.00/hour.
- WCS provides all required on-site paid training.
- Flexible training schedules available.
- Many of our current full-time drivers started as substitutes in the District.
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Below you’ll see a handful of projects that have been completed in for the 2021-22 school year. The school year is off to a great start thanks to the hard work of our staff.
- New roof over East End Preschool classrooms
- Flooring update at WMS and Holmes
- Painting, repair, and HVAC maintenance
- Athletic and Main Office renovations
- Food Service summer meal pick-up prep and distribution
- Designing professional development for staff
- CPR/AED training sessions
- Staff training in PAX and Ukeru
- New Playground equipment installed at Holmes Elementary
Thank you to our WCS staff members for preparing WCS for a great school year!
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