Before classes began, the school implemented parking spot painting for senior students, which allowed seniors to come and repaint parking spots in the school parking lot, adding a little school spirit and personalized flavor to the blacktop.
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WILMINGTON, OHIO — Classes at Wilmington City Schools are now underway, and thus far it’s been smooth sailing for the district’s first two weeks and the new projects that have begun implementation this year, according to district officials.
A new CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) contract with bus drivers allowed for extra days for drivers to run routes in the days leading up to the first day of classes, and meet with eventual students on their routes, allowing for a smoother transition on the first day of classes.
“They were able to run their routes,” said director of business operations for Wilmington High School, Curt Bone, at Monday’s Wilmington City Schools Board of Education meeting. “They were able to contact more kids and families. They worked out some more of those issues before school started. So that was very beneficial.”
Bone also suggested that some of the plans implemented reduced the number of phone calls made with the transportation department in the first days of classes.
“Usually, in the middle of August, it’s nonstop one after another,” said Bone. “So we’re able to contact a lot more parents and talk to them directly, doing that.”
To further curb traffic at elementary schools in the district, the student resource officer spent the first three days of school, plus the Monday following over at Holmes Elementary, directing traffic. Other plans were discussed to further decrease backups on the first days of school, including changes in start and stop times at dismissal, which according to Bone, has been a great success and decreased dismissals from 25 minutes to 15 minutes.
Before classes began, the school implemented parking spot painting for senior students, which allowed seniors to come and repaint parking spots in the school parking lot, adding a little school spirit and personalized flavor to the blacktop.
“It’s been a great family and school engagement project,” said principal Samatha Woodruff. “It was great spending time with family members that came out to either help or watch as students were painting their parking spots.”
Inside the classroom, new cell phone policies have, according to staff, seen an uptick in student engagement. The new rule states that cell phones must be used only before school, during lunch, and after school, and that students may not have cell phones out during class hours, according to the Wilmington High School student handbook.
New schedules have introduced a “flex-class” on Thursdays, in which students learn important skills, including how to compose professional emails, set goals, and work on community building activities and more.
Student readiness programs have also been implemented as part of a workplace development program, provided by the Expanding Opportunities for Each Child Grant, which will allow for the possible hiring of a career coach down the road, to help students as they look towards life after graduation.
This year will also see the Clinton County Health District providing nursing care for ill or injured students with a one-year contract in place.
The Wilmington City Schools Board of Education is set to meet again Sept. 23 at Holmes Elementary at 6 p.m. All members of the public are encouraged and welcome to come.
