The final school bells for the start of the 2018-19 school year will be ringing this week, Aug. 27 and Sept. 4 for local students.
Sidney Christian Academy Schools
A new school leader will be greeting Christian Academy School students when they return to class Wednesday, Aug. 22. An all school orientations is planned for Monday, Aug. 20, at 6 p.m.
Dick Dray was hired as the new head of school. He replaces Superintendent Mary Smith who has retired.
Other new staff members are Amy Roth, Spanish, Steve Marcum, Bible and spiritual development, and Kendi Day, kindergarten.
A new Spanish class has been added to the school’s curriculum.
The school will be celebrating its 40th anniversary during the school year.
Versailles Exempted Local Schools
The first day of school for the 2018-19 school year for Versailles students is Monday, Aug. 27. The district’s school day is from 8 a.m. to 3:05 p.m.
Meet Your Teacher Night for kindergarten through fourth-grade will be held Aug. 23 from 6:30 to 7:30p.m.
Two new staff members will be welcomed to the district. Kristi Borchers is the new reading intervention teacher for the school district. Taylor Bergman is a new high school teacher and will be working with the FFA program.
The district started a Business-School Partnership with area businesses called Pathways to Careers.
“We are appreciative of the cooperation and relationships being developed and excited about the opportunities for students to gain knowledge and experience with the incredible companies in the area,” said Superintendent Aaron Moran.
During the summer, work was completed for an additional 112 parking spaces in the lot on the east side of the building.
“The playground and swing area mulch is being replaced with terra soft product that will be safer for our students. With help from the Friends of Hole Field, field boxes on the home and visitor’s sides are being installed. Some cosmetic improvements on the visitor’s side seating is also occurring,”said Moran.
“The district has worked diligently on making the school a safe place for everyone. We have installed panic buttons around the building, all classrooms have quick door locking mechanisms to secure rooms, we have added an application for phones and laptops that allows quick communication to all staff in case of an emergency. We maintain a full time school resource officer in the building.
“We have also worked with an outside agency to increase our mental health services for any student in need. Before the school year begins, in cooperation with the Darke County Sheriff’s Department, the district will hold an active shooter training for all staff,” Moran said.
Minster Local Schools
The first day of school for Minster Local Schools students will be Tuesday, Sept. 4. Open houses are planned for Aug. 28-29. On Aug. 29, classroom open houses will be held for kindergarten and first-grade students from 6 to 6:20 p.m. and for second- through sixth-grade students from 6 to 8 p.m. A sixth-grade parent meeting will be held Aug. 28 at 5:30 p.m.
Class meetings will be held Aug. 29: seventh-grade at 5:30 p.m.; eighth-grade at 6:30 p.m.; and ninth-grade at 7:30 p.m. Students in grades 10 to 12 may walk through the renovated building on Aug. 29 between 6 and 8 p.m.
“The junior/senior high school renovation project continues with phase 1 completed this summer,” said Superintendent Brenda Boeke. “The office has been relocated to the media center and the media center is now where the office was. This will allow for a secure entrance.
“The band, industrial technology and vocational agriculture classrooms have been renovated. The gym received a new coat of paint. All HVAC, plumbing and electrical is also in the process of being upgraded. The renovation project continues with phase 2 this fall as classrooms will now be updated with new lights, paint and flooring. The final phase will take place next summer when the kitchen is upgraded.
“Special events planned for the year An open house showcasing the renovation project will be planned for next fall. Please be patient with us as the renovation project continues throughout the year,” she said.
The district is welcoming several new staff members for the 2018-19 school year.
Melissa Utrup is the new junior/senior high school guidance counselor. She previously held the position of intervention specialist at the junior/senior high school and started her role as guidance counselor this summer. Bret Buchanan is an intervention specialist. Buchanan is a first year teacher who completed his student teaching with Minster last fall.
Also new to the high school is Alison Borchers. She will be the high school math teacher coming to the district from Tippecanoe High School. Joining the elementary staff is Brian Stephey, who brings his elementary teaching experience from Troy City Schools to Minster as a third-grade teacher. He replaces Kim Schwieterman who assumes the role of Title I/Intervention Support teacher.
