Welcome back to the 2016-2017 school year. Upper Scioto Valley has made great effort over the past four years, since I’ve been privileged to serve as superintendent, to provide the best education and to create more opportunities for success for our students.
Schools are placed under scrutiny and need to be accountable to their constituents. In return, the school needs the support of parents and community to continue improving us an institution and as a safe, nurturing environment.
We’ve provided an extended school year this summer for 52 of our students, to help them reinforce their learning and to prevent what is referred to as “summer loss”. This is when some of what was learned the past and forgotten is spent reviewing at the beginning of the school year. This now allows the teacher and students the ability to gain more academic achievement, since review time should be at a minimum.
We’re also replacing the roof, which we’ve needed to do, and this will keep us “dry” while also providing additional insulation, reducing energy costs.
We’ve been beneficiaries of a 21st Century Grant, Straight A Grants, and a Martha Holden Jennings Foundation grant, to provide broadened student exposure for careers, schooling, and social opportunities. What is most exciting is that these grants are awarded to schools, based on the possibilities of achieving excellence, and are highly competitive. Less than 10% of applicants achieve these, and USV, by promoting excellence through these creative opportunities, now has created greater chances of success for our youngsters.
Along with all of this, with the continued efforts of our teachers and support staff, I believe we will have a productive school year.
We return our administrative team of treasurer, Ms. Gratz, MS/HS principal Mr. Hurley, and elementary Mr. Schneider, along with Ms. Hopton in curriculum through the ESC, Mr. Snow with custodial and maintenance, Ms. Lasure in Transportation, and Mrs. Daring as Cafeteria supervisor and food service director. Mrs. Moots will again be our full time EMIS coordinator, and Kalee Shepherd will assist Mrs. Gratz on a part time basis. Jane Shepherd is the superintendent’s administrative assistant, and we are transitioning Mr. Mike Kis (pronounced Kish) from associate superintendent, to superintendent, effective February 1, 2017 at which time I’ll be retiring. This is Mr. Kis’s first superintendency and he is eager to learn and will be a welcome addition to USV.
Again welcome to the 2016-17 school year and I look forward to USV continuing our role as an educational leader.