SCHOOL ZONE 3-12-14

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINTER ATHLETIC COMPETITORS

Several of our winter sports teams and individual athletes have had outstanding success this season.  The VHS Boys Bowling team finished the State tournament in the top 8 finishers, losing to the #1 Seed team in the State finals.  The Girls Bowling team finished 3rd in the State, and bowler Madison Shreve was chosen for the Honorable Mention All State award. She is one of the top 15 bowlers in the State. Senior Mike Repko finished 2nd in the State Wrestling Tournament. 

The Varsity Boys basketball team hit their stride late in the season, and will compete in the Regional Finals at BGSU tonight.  All-Northeast Lakes District Basketball announced Division II players for the year.  Vermilion athletes named to the team were:  First team: Cameron Kuhn; Special mention: Kyle Nader; Second team girls:  Hannah Bartlome.  Both Cameron Kuhn and Hannah Bartlome set career scoring records for boys and girls basketball this season.  It has been an exciting winter for the Sailors.  Congratulations to all of these fine athletes. 

SMS NATIONAL HISTORY DAY

Sailorway Middle School students celebrated National History Day on Wednesday, March 5.  Using the nationwide theme of “Rights and Responsibilities in History” the SMS students researched their topic and created poster board projects to demonstrate what they learned.  A team of guest judges were invited to choose the winners of the local contest. 

7^th Grade Winners Are:

Group Exhibit:  1st Place: Break out your Torches, There’s a Witch in Town! - by Shane Troyano, Hannah Newsome, and Julia Kopacs; 2nd Place: Ending Segregation - by Racquel Friend, Tiffany Bartlome, and Martina Dudukovich; 3rd Place: Jackie Robinson- by Riley Schnieders, Morgan Bennett, and Chloe Mowry

Individual Exhibit: 1st Place: George Washington Carver- by Dale Saunders; 2nd Place: Jack Kevorkian- by Shelby Whitman; 3rd Place: The First Amendment- by Kennedy Hughes 

Group Website:  1st Place: Battle of Blair Mountain- Elizabeth Albrethsen, Maddie Colahan, Macy Urig, and Grace Keller; 2nd Place: The First Amendment- Luke Pena and Mark Morris; 3rd Place: The Cruelty Behind the Cuteness- Nina LeBlanc and Syla Raynes

Individual Website:  1st Place: Endangered Species Act of 1973 by Maya Dayhuff; 2nd Place: The Story of Native Americans in the 1830’s by Alayna Morgan; 3rd Place: Jack Kevorkian by Sarah Lowery

Documentary:  1st Place: The Underground Railroad- by Sam Herron, Seth Hurd and Reese Miller; 2nd Place: Tuskegee Airmen- by Sam McCurdy and David Dotson; 3rd Place: The Declaration of Independence by Rachel Frisky and Rachel Bender

Performance:  1st Place: Susan B. Anthony by Sydney Stovicek, Kelsey Osborn, Ellen Mickle, and Joey Sheets; 2nd Place: Newsboys by David Mickle

Paper:  1st Place: Cesar Chavez by Mary Stark

6^th Grade Winners Are:

Group Exhibit:  1^st Place- Kara Jones, Alexis Herchler, Emma Bartlebaugh; 2nd Place- Rachel Miller, Cheyenne Kurowski, Gracie Frey, Liberty Oliver, Clara Smith; 3rd Place- Macy Boger, Kara Shockley, Abigail Stipe

Individual Exhibit:   1st Place-Tylin Van Douser; 2nd Place-Lauren Wood; 3rd Place-Cody Shaw

Paper:  1st Place - Ruby Michalec

Documentary:   1st Place - John Flynn

Group Website:   1st Place - Jenna Herchler, Jessica Wilson; 2nd Place - Jack Rini, James Wade, Jonah Collins, Shelby Camera; 3rd Place-Justice Bletsch, Brandon D’Egidio, Jonah Kreger

Individual Website:  1st Place - Ashley Lukachko; 2nd Place-Ethan Thomas; 3rd Place - Matt Dittmer

SECURITY MEETING – OPEN TO THE PUBLIC 

We will be holding a meeting to review procedures, policies and security measures that are available in our school building and school district.  This meeting will be an opportunity for our community to listen to what we currently have in place and to listen to your thoughts and ideas about improving security.  The meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 16 at 6:30 PM.  This is a very important topic that becomes more relevant as tragedies occur.  We can never over-emphasize the importance of keeping our buildings secure. 

UPCOMING PROJECTS

A lot of exciting work is planned in the coming months that will provide a facelift for the middle school and high school.  We are very fortunate that bidding for the various phases of our plan have been coming in below estimate, allowing us to complete some much needed repairs.  One of the projects that we would like to complete is updating in the Vermilion High School auditorium.  The auditorium is a great asset to our community.  Many top quality drama and musical productions are performed by outstanding VHS students and staff each year.  Many of our graduates have gone on to successful careers in the music and entertainment industry.  We are seeking individuals or businesses that may be interested in assisting with financing an upgrade of this facility in exchange for naming rights. Your donation will allow us to dedicate dollars to other building improvements.  If you are interested in discussing this possibility, please contact me. 

TECHNOLOGY UPDATE

When we started the Reinvention Plan and one-to-one initiative, iPods were provided for all students in grades K through 5.  These have been wonderful devices to enhance and improve learning.  However, with changes in technology, and improved electronic learning opportunities, we find that it is necessary to offer students at this grade level with an iPad beginning next year.  At the end of this school year we will offer the iPods, with power cord and case, for sale to interested community members first.  The cost will be $30.00 each.  A short training session will be made available for parents or children that are interested in learning more.  A formal announcement of the dates of the sale will be made later this year.