The 2022-2023 school year is upon us and we’re excited about how it’s shaping up so far.

Over the summer a variety of facility projects took place including the start of the installation of air conditioning for better air quality at Whittier Early Childhood Center, Emerson Primary, Longfellow Primary, and Northwood Intermediate. We were lucky to be able to use Covid relief money to fund this large project. Whittier Early Childhood Center saw the biggest facility changes with the grading of the playground to prepare for an addition to the playground. This project also included shifting the parent parking area, which will now be in the front of the building. Another larger project took place at Sidney Middle School where the carpet was removed and floors were refinished. Roof replacements, brick tucking, and other smaller projects also took place in an attempt to keep our aging buildings safe.

The new school year will bring with it some new staff including three new administrators at Sidney Middle School. We welcome Gregg Johnson as principal, Jesie Geuy and Chris Lucius as assistant principals. Former Longfellow Principal Mike Moore is shifting to take over Jacket Virtual Academy (JaVA), so Michelle Link will take over as principal at Longfellow Primary.

Because the district is seeing growth in preschool enrollment numbers, Whittier Early Childhood Center is looking to utilize the additional classroom spaces in the basement that housed Latchkey for the past three years. As a result, Latchkey will be moving to the former Parkwood building on Russell Road. That building will also house JaVA.

We’re looking forward to a great school year ahead and appreciate all of our families for supporting their child’s education.