SCHOOL ZONE 5-28-15

NEW WEIGHT ROOM EQUIPMENT
We are excited and proud to announce that we will be outfitting the new field house with brand new weight room equipment due to a generous donation from Pat O’Brien Chevrolet. The remainder of the equipment needed to outfit this room will be donated by the Vermilion Athletic Boosters. The Boosters also committed to paying for an upgrade to the flooring in this room. I would like to express our appreciation to Pat O’Brien for his amazing donation to this facility. It will be wonderful for our students to have access to new and updated equipment as they prepare for competition. Mr. O’Brien and his dealership exceeded our expectations and are truly committed to helping Vermilion Schools improve. The public will be able to tour this facility and see all of these improvements by mid-July.

The existing weight room equipment will be offered for sale to the public after May 30. If you are interested in viewing the available equipment, please contact Athletic Director Andrew Stillman at 440-204-1701, ext. 361.
 
NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS
As part of our commitment to making the student the focus of every decision we make, we are considering an expansion of our special education services. We believe that a segment of our special education population is currently under-served. Autism is a diagnosis on the special education spectrum that is increasing every year. This leaves many families searching for alternative education programs that have, until now, been outside of our school district. I will be taking a recommendation to the Board of Education at a future meeting to create space within our high school to serve students from ages 14 through 18 who have this diagnosis. We believe that this will help our students and families by not forcing them to travel outside our district on a daily basis. We are at the beginning stages of a five-year plan that will expand our special education offerings and will create many opportunities for students with special needs. More information will be shared in future articles.

SENIOR SCHOLARSHIP AWARD NIGHT
Without exception each group of Seniors graduates has amazing talents and skills. Many community organizations and local residents generously donated more than $122,000 in scholarship funds this year to recognize students for their achievements. The 2015 graduating class is well prepared and highly qualified for advanced education and careers. Whether going on 2 or 4 year colleges, trade schools, technical schools, or entering the workforce, we believe each student will do great things in the future. Our school district remains committed to preparing students for whatever they have a passion to do, and we encourage graduates to give back to their community as they move out of school and into their adult lives.

GRADUATION THIS SUNDAY
Graduation day for Seniors is this Sunday, May 31 at 1:00 PM in the gymnasium at Vermilion High School. The ceremony will also be live streamed for those who are not able to be present in person. Watch our website and Facebook page for more information.

SAILORWAY CLOSING
The City of Vermilion will be paving portions of Sailorway Drive from Douglas Street to Sanford Street throughout the summer months. With the increase in traffic flowing through this area in recent years, this project is a much needed. We are very pleased and grateful that City Council and Mayor Bulan made the decision to improve Sailorway Drive this year. We urge you to be cautious of the work crews when traveling around our campus, and watch for detours and routing changes. Our buildings will be accessible from Sanford Street and State Route 60 throughout the summer months.