2023 SLS Year in Review
As we approach our holiday break and the end of another calendar year, I am very excited to share with you the Southeast Local Schools Year In Review. This short summary will be followed up by a more formal State of the Schools Address in the Spring.
Southeast Local Schools have made tremendous strides in the past 12 months. I have tried to highlight some of the positive accomplishments that have been made to benefit our amazing students and staff and ultimately our community as well.
Safety - we added over $500,000 in safety enhancements
Door Ajar Alert System - on every exit door in the district
Safe School ID visitor check
Digital Security Cameras K-12
3 School Resource Officers shared with Waterloo and Rootstown (we had two in the past)
We received over $600,000 in grants for safety and food service
Created and trained a Threat Assessment Team
Over 40 new digital radios to improve in building and between buildings communication
Mental Health and Wellness - we continue to put a focus on student mental health and wellness throughout the district by renewing our partnership with our Behavior Coach and Social Worker. We have many programs and initiatives to help support our students which can be reviewed on the main page of our website under Mental Health and Wellness
Behavior Coach - continued to contract a coach to help develop behavior plans and strategies for appropriately managing their behavior
Social Worker - continued to employ a social worker to work with our students and help connect our families to resources available to them throughout the county
Smart Lab - student sensory rooms have been updated
Academics
153 Open enrolled students in and 75 open enrolled students out
New career tech program (carpentry) and increased industry credential options
Curriculum Purchases - updating curriculum throughout the district. The most recent updates have come in the areas of Science (grades 3-12) and Social Studies (grades 6-12)
On the District Report Card two highlights include a 97% graduation rate and a rating of 4 stars which is a state ranking of “Exceeds State Standards”
Targeted Interventions (Primary/Intermediate)
English Learners District Plan
Gifted District Plan with increased student services
Teacher Summer Academy for staff
Established an MTSS Team
Public School Works - online training to help staff meet compliance standards
Communication Platforms - we added the following to enhance communication
Final Forms - online system for parents to complete required forms
New School Website
Parents pay online - parents can now pay for fees and lunch accounts through the website
Technology
320 Chromebooks were purchased this summer and 1000 in last two years
Purchased 97 Viewsonic Boards (interactive learning tool) in past 12 months (k-12)
New advanced computer lab with 30 machines at the middle school
60 new Document Cameras
New digital mixer and lapel microphones for HS auditeria sound system
Buildings and Grounds
Purchased two boilers and one Chiller in the Elementary School
Primary Playground revamped with a new piece of equipment
Also have Exciting updates to our athletic facilities including:
New stadium sound system
All-weather track
SHS Gym Floor Finished
LED lights installed in SMS and SHS gymnasiums
Rolling American Flag at center court at the high school gymnasium
Upgraded sound system in the high school gymnasium
Baseball and Softball fields added drainage, grading and resurfacing
New Shot Put and Discus Areas completed
Board Office (roof, siding, sign)
High School Roof
Transportation
3 New Busses (keeping our fleet one of the newest in the area)
2 additional vans
Bus digital radios (to improve communication)
4 new bus cameras
Food Service
*Grant was earned to improve and update equipment which includes
2 combi ovens 1 for High School 1 for Middle School
2 pass through warmers 1 for High School 1 for Middle School
2 breakfast carts for High School
2 tablets for breakfast carts at High School
2 reach in display coolers for High School
Software for Nutrition Analysis and menu/production records for all schools.
New Lunch Adoption Program to help need families
High School will be adding a salad bar and breakfast carts
New walk in cooler and freezer at Elementary School
Scanning program with printer and scan card stock for High School breakfast carts
Software for Nutrition Analysis and menu/production records for all schools.
New cutting boards, knives, scoops, spatulas, tongs, spoodles and salad bar containers with lids.
Extracurriculars
First ever female wrestler to qualify for the state tournament (Lauren Carver)
First ever golfer (Taylor Blazek) to qualify for the state tournament
First female cross country runner (Julia Wheeler) to qualify for the state meet in over a decade
Band and Choir earned state awards
Largest participation in school play history
Football team qualified for the state playoffs
Community Outreach - we hosted evening meetings for parents to gain valuable information
Parent Information Night organized with our Parent Mentor Christina Hemberger
Gifted Parent Meeting
Greenleaf Family Center Presented Mental Strength - signs, symptoms, when to seek help and where to go
Sextortion - presented by the James family
Community Service - we are so fortunate to partner with many community organizations to provide students with opportunities to volunteer
Including our first ever Southeast Service Day
SHS student and staff participated in the first ever Service Day - volunteer in beautification projects throughout the community
PLA Students volunteering at Center of Hope
NHS students volunteering to fill Birdie Bags
Student volunteers for the Haven of Rest
LEO Club wrapped gifts for “Very Merry Christmas”
Increased Student Leadership Opportunities
Leadership Seminars scheduled off campus for our Juniors and Seniors
Link Crew on campus leadership opportunities for our Juniors and Seniors
Crossbones leadership opportunities for our 8th graders
Student Council for grades 5-12
Increased Gifted Services
We have increased staff professional development in the area of gifted to provide more gifted services for our students
Moving forward
Standardized assessment district-wide (more consistent data points and comparisons)
Increased literacy interventions (more tailored for each student’s needs)
Increased parent involvement (SMS PTO, Superintendent Advisory Team - parent advisory group (if interested please send an email of interest to me at rodunn@sepirates.org) )
Paving projects this summer
New Phone system throughout the district
Drone lab
The Science of Reading Professional Learning
Pirate Learning Center - transforming the high school library into a 21st century learning area
New Makerspace - a 21st century design and learning center
New Elementary School Sign
We have accepted an invitation and will begin participating next year in the Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference (MVAC)
Generosity
Thank you to the generous support of our taxpayers, PTO, Lions Club, SPACE, Academic Boosters, Music Boosters, and Athletic Boosters