Welcome to the Kirtland Schools’ Key Communicator e-newsletter. We hope to use this tool as a two-way form of communication to share the good news going on in our classrooms, and also provide you with facts in the event of negative situations. We hope you will act as informal communications liaisons with the community and let us know what you’re hearing so we can proactively provide you with the facts of what’s happening in your schools. Thank you for your support!
KIRTLAND LOCAL SCHOOLS UPDATE September 20, 2023 The Board of Education meeting on September 18, 2023, started with recognizing two of our students for their great accomplishments. Cole Nowacki won first place in Ohio in the 4-6 grade division of the American Statistical Association’s Ohio Data Visualization Poster Competition. He was awarded a certificate, a monetary award and his submission was forwarded on to the National Data Visualization competition where students from all 50 states compete. Cole won first place in the National competition in the 4-6 grade division! Naomi Blankenship has qualified for and is going to Nationals for the Invention Convention competition. She will be part of the 2024 national competition at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, MI. Congratulations to both Cole and Naomi! Mr. VanArnhem gave the superintendent report and he highlighted the following: According to the U.S. News & World Reports's Best High Schools, KHS ranks No. 1 among high schools in Lake County, No. 20 among 146 high schools in the Cleveland area, and the top 11% of public high schools statewide. The State Report Card came out on 9/14/23. KES recognized our local first responders on 9/11 for their bravery and service to our community.
Mr. VanArnhem also described how Friday was such a great day that exemplified what makes the district and community so special. In the morning, the high school football players and cheerleaders greeted elementary students and opened car doors as they arrived at school. The Walkathon was held in the evening on the new track with a large number of students and families participating to raise money for the elementary school. At the game on Friday, the community welcomed 2012 Kirtland High graduate Jonathon Davis back after a year serving in Iraq. Then a ceremony was held to dedicate the POW/MIA chair in the stadium. The 8th graders joined in for a “mass band” and they sounded amazing. Our youngest Hornet cheerleaders and football players were on the field with the band as our team ran out on the field. Lastly, the football team looked great and had a big win in front of a large crowd with a very energetic student section. Superintendent Recommendations: The Board voted to renew the MOU for our Student Resource Officer with the Kirtland Police Department (KPD). Mr. VanArnhem spoke very highly of Officer Bauckman and the district’s great relationship with the KPD. Seven policies had a final second reading and three had a first time reading. (They can be found on our website.)
___________________________________________________________________________ The Kirtland Local Schools are known for academic excellence and strong community support, and have been recognized nationally and statewide for educational achievement. The district also maintains a long tradition of distinction in a variety of extracurricular activities. The Board of Education provides open and thoughtful fiscal management of the community’s investment in the school district’s high quality educational program by ensuring every dollar spent benefits students and the community. The Kirtland Local School District is located in Lake County and serves the City of Kirtland and most of the Villages of Kirtland Hills and Waite Hill, and small portions of Willoughby and Chardon Township. Board notes and agendas can be found on the website at www.kirtlandschools.org. |