SIDNEY — “Fairlawn Family First” is the theme for the new school year as Fairlawn Local School students return to the classroom on Monday, Aug. 22.
“I am excited to get school started and build on Fairlawn’s already excellent reputation!” said Superintendent Jeff Hobbs. “Making the learning process fun is our challenge, but the terrific veteran staff along with an excellent core of new folks will make Fairlawn the place to be.”
Hobbs is beginning his first year as superintendent for the district. He replaced Steve Mascho who retired in February.
Also new to the staff is John Stekli, principal for grades kindergarten through eighth-grade. Karen McRill is the new elementary school counselor and special education liaison.
Sgt. Scott Atwood will be the full-time resource officer for the district. In the past, the position was part-time.
April Sommer is joining the staff as the elementary intervention specialist. Dustin Woods will be teaching social students and language arts in the fourth- and fifth-grades.
Luciano Tacuri is the new Spanish teacher. Mira Stratton and Stevie Smith are para professionals.
The school is implementing Positive Behavior Incentive Programs in grades kindergarten through sixth and seventh through 12th grades.
The K-6 program will be based on appropriate behavior, academic expectations and overall positive attitude.
The 7-12 program will be based on attendance, academic achievement and disciplinary infractions.
Both systems, said Hobbs, will have incentive levels and will help build expectations for the students.
A King’s Island trip incentive will be based on attendance, he said.
The district is also beginning its one-to-one laptop pilot program in the seventh-grade. Each student, he said will be able to take the computer home at night. The goal is to implement the program in grades 7-12.
“We have increased our technology teaching all the way down to the kindergarten level to raise the level of awareness,” said Hobbs. “We use iPads at the lower elementary levels and have laptop carts available for our middle school students.”
The district will hold professional development days for teachers on Aug. 19, Oct. 24 and Nov. 21. Students will not be in school those days.
Parent-teacher conferences are planned for Nov. 21-22. Thanksgiving break will be Nov. 23 to Nov. 25, with classes resuming on Monday, Nov. 28.
Christmas break is planned for Wednesday, Dec. 21, through Friday, Dec. 30. The first day back at school will be Monday, Jan. 2, 2017.
Spring break is planned for Thursday, April 13, through Monday, April 17, 2017. Graduation will be Saturday, May 20.
The last day of school for students will be Wednesday, May 24.
