West Geauga senior David Sprenger was awarded the Franklin B. Walter Award in Columbus on April 12.
Franklin B. Walter Award
West Geauga senior David Sprenger was awarded the Franklin B. Walter Award in Columbus on April 12. One senior from each Ohio County received this prestigious award.
Geauga County Board of Education selected David to receive the honor and attend a luncheon in Columbus. Geauga County Assistant Superintendent Suzanne Allen, and West Geauga High School Principal Jay Bishop joined David and his family at the event.
Kindergarten Screening Information
Kindergarten screening is a process used to help gather important information about incoming Kindergarten students. This information is used in a variety of ways, but most importantly, to help determine the skills children have when entering school. The most-appropriate class placements can be made once this information has been collected and analyzed by the district staff.
Kindergarten screenings for the 2017-28 school year will be by appointment only and will be conducted at the West Geauga Board of Education Office. Screenings will take place on May 22 and 23. Appointments will run every 20 minutes beginning at approximately 8:30 a.m. Call Mrs. Diane Martin at 440-729-5913 to set up an appointment.
Kindergarten staff and school psychologists from both Lindsey and Westwood will conduct the screenings, five students at a time. The screening will take approximately 20 minutes from start to finish. Students will be asked to play games and complete tasks related to early numeracy, early literacy and fine motor skills. Staff will gather data and work with a team to analyze it. The principals will then be involved in class placements.
Families of incoming kindergarteners will receive a letter in the mail in early August communicating the name of the teacher their child has for the 17-18 school year. A welcome back ice cream social will take place before the official first day of school where students will have an opportunity to drop off supplies, meet their teacher and take a ride on a school bus!
Finally, please be mindful that Kindergarten students begin school in a staggered fashion. A portion of the students will report day one, the second portion on day two and all Kindergarten students on day three. More information will be included in the early August letter.
We encourage you to call soon to book your child’s screening appointment. Our goal is to meet with each and every incoming kindergartener. If you are finding these dates to be problematic and/or you have any questions about the process, please don’t hesitate to call Deborah Nanney, principal at Westwood, at 440-729-5990 or Kim Menta, principal at Lindsey, at 440-729-5980. We look forward to meeting your son or daughter and helping him/her begin his/her elementary school career.
WhirlyBall
The West Geauga Educational Foundation recently had an afternoon of fun and friendly competition playing WhirlyBall. Members of the Foundation raise money to fund creative and innovative educational programming for the students of West Geauga that would not be purchased through general operating dollars.
According to Superintendent Rich Markwardt, “The Ed Foundation reviews grant proposals that are written by teachers and provides funding and support for some of the ‘extras’ that are not part of regular departmental or building budgets. The Foundation makes possible the purchase of some exciting elements and equipment that spark student learning.”
Reaching the Summit
West Geauga Middle School students listened attentively as Mr. Tom Finley described his experience as the oldest man in North America to reach the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, East Africa, in 2013. Mr. Finley is a family friend of WGMS teacher Lisa Waxman, who arranged his visit.
As a former teacher, principal, businessman and organizational consultant, Mr. Finley used his communication skills and broad experience to share his adventure with the students. The relationships, challenges and persistence that characterized the climb held valuable lessons for his young audience.
Talty Wins Award for “Pitching In”
By Alli Traci, Whirlwind staff writer
West Geauga’s very own Mrs. Chelsea Talty is the proud recipient of the first annual Richard Pitcher Interact Memorial Award. Mr. Pitcher was a Rotarian from the Chagrin Valley Rotary Club who recently passed. He was instrumental in helping to form many of the local Interact clubs throughout the district. He always was passionate about helping students bring their ideas to life. Interact is a teen service club that is sponsored by Rotary International.
Mrs. Talty received the award at the Interact district conference. The award was presented by Mr. Pitcher’s widow. Mrs. Talty was unaware that this award was even available, but she will proudly display the award, which was an engraved plaque. There was also an award presented to the spouse of a Rotarian, whose husband passed away earlier in the year.
The conference took place at the Sheraton Suites in Cuyahoga Falls and all Rotary members throughout our district were invited to the event. Mrs. Talty is the current advisor for the West Geauga chapter of Interact.
Talty, who received this award for her dedication and passion for the Interact club, said, “I was shocked. I never thought I would be receiving an award. This was my fourth district conference and it was the first time they had ever done anything like it. My next thought was pride, that I was mentioned in the same sentence as Dick Pitcher, as he was an absolutely incredible man.”
Mrs. Talty’s favorite part was when Interact member Grace Carter cried when she received the award. Many people from West Geauga also attended the district conference. Mr. Jim Bohinc from the Chesterland Rotary Club was also in attendance, as well as eight West Geauga students: Austin Maguire, Austin Peko, Ayah Ighneim, Mirielle Korting, Sydney Velotta, Grace Carter, Jack Musser and David Sprenger.
