GREENVILLE – The Greenville City School District is accepting public input regarding the expenditure of federal grant funds through Title I, Title II-A (Improving Teacher Quality), Title IV-A (Student Support and Academic Enrichment), IDEA-Part B (Special Education) and Early Childhood Special Education grants for the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years.
State law requires that prior to the adoption of any policies and procedures needed to comply with this funding, the district ensures that there are public hearings, adequate notice of the hearings, and an opportunity for comment available to the general public.
A hearing for public input will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at Memorial Hall, 215 W. Fourth St. If you are unable to attend, but have suggestions or questions, please email Jim Hooper, Federal Programs Coordinator at [email protected]
We have had a wonderful start to the school year at the Greenville Career Technology Center. Each program is working to ensure that each student has incredible opportunities to assist them with their future endeavors. I am excited about what this school year will bring.
We are pleased to be serving a total of 269 students in our junior and senior programs this school year. In total, 71.5% of our juniors and seniors at the high school are connected with a career technology course or program.
Greenville’s students’ involvement in career technology is not the only good news, the Career Technology Report Cards were released by the Ohio Department of Education. These report cards include six marks for performance within four different components. The four components are averaged to give a final grade. Greenville Career Technology Center received an overall grade of 4.5 out of 5 stars with 9 out of 9 federal indicators accomplished. This is a 1-star improvement compared to last year’s report card.
The first component on the report card is Achievement, and Greenville CTC scored 4 stars (88.9%). This is a 2.7% growth from last year’s percentage. This component represents the total number of students who passed the end-of-course state assessments. These tests measure the knowledge the student has obtained from their career technology program.
The Graduation Rate component is the next of the four components, and Greenville CTC scored 5 stars. This component looks at the overall percentage of students in a career technology program who successfully earned a high school diploma in four or five years. Greenville CTC’s average was 94.5%.
With Greenville CTC scoring a component grade of 4 stars (76.8%), the Career and Post-Secondary Readiness is the third component included on the report card. This is a 9.1% growth from last year’s percentage. The Career and Post-Secondary Readiness component looks at how prepared our students are for future opportunities. This includes those students who may want to further their technical skills in the workforce, military, or college.
The final component is the Post-Program Outcomes. This component looks at the number of students who are employed, part of an apprenticeship program, enlisted in the military, involved in a service program, or enrolled in postsecondary education or advanced training during the six months after graduating from school. For this component, Greenville CTC scored a 5 star (94.5%). This is a 4-star (19.1%) increase.
Thanks to the hard work of our students, staff, teachers, and community, the Greenville Career Technology Center continues to be successful in equipping students with technical skills, industry-recognized credentials, and employability skills. As a team, we will continue to strive for improvement in all areas while preparing our students, present and future, for success.
If you have any questions or would like to know more about the programs offered at Greenville Career Technology Center, please contact Christopher Sykes at [email protected]
Teachers are always looking for ways to improve their craft and collaborate with colleagues. In the last 4 school years, many of our K-4 teachers have participated in at least 100 hours of professional development through book clubs. Together, we have read and studied 5 education-related books that have focused on curriculum, discipline, technology, and child psychology. The K-4 teachers who participated in these book clubs gained a lot of insight into new and different ways of connecting with our students academically and emotionally.
The first book study in the 2022-2023 school year was on the ever-pertinent topic of the Science of Reading. Our book, “Reading Above the Fray” by Julia Lindsey, describes research-based ideas on teaching young students how to read. The participants of this book study were able to relate the material to what they were seeing in the classroom. The teachers use Orton Gillingham as one of their core curriculums, which provides a solid foundation for phonics and reading skills.
Our second book study took place in the spring of 2023. Our book, “What Happened to You?” by Bruce D. Perry and Oprah was an emotional book that made us understand how trauma affects the way children behave. It was a very powerful and thought-provoking book that made us educators think differently about how our past will shape us in the present and future.
During the 2023-2024 school year, we discussed two books, “Glow Kids” by Nicholas Kardaras and “Hacking School Discipline” by Nathan Maynard & Brad Weinstein. “Glow Kids” was an astounding research-filled resource that discussed screen addiction in our student population. The biggest takeaway from it was the relationship between disorders like ADHD, anxiety, depression, increased aggression and the high usage of screen time.
Our “Hacking School Discipline” read was about using restorative justice practices with our students instead of antiquated school discipline tactics. It was a useful read on how educators can help students be more accountable and responsible for their own actions.
Our current book club has just started this January. We are reading and enjoying “Easy to Love, Difficult to Discipline” by Becky Bailey. This book ties perfectly into our school year because Greenville-certified staff members are being trained in Conscious Discipline. Becky Bailey has laid out this book for parents and educators as a manual to turn conflict into cooperation with our students. This book is a guide for adults to model appropriate reactions when their children are not behaving ideally. Becky Bailey includes the 7 powers for self-control, 7 basic discipline skills, and 7 values for living to help ourselves and our children be the best we can be in the everyday setting.
Our Greenville Elementary staff should be commended for taking extra time to learn new and improved ways of helping our student population. These books might not solve all our problems at school, but they instill thoughtful reflection during tough times with students. Good professional development is ongoing, and we will continue to learn through research-based practices and meaningful collaborative discussions between colleagues at our book clubs.
I used to be afraid of socializing because of the thought that they might not like me, but then I realized that I had nothing to be afraid of. Because of the quote “Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game” made me realize that I had nothing to lose, so I went for it, and it worked!
The first day of school was a fresh start that felt more like a fresh wave of terror. The summer’s carefree days seemed like a distant dream, replaced by the harsh reality of navigating the social mind-field of high school. The knot of anxiety in my stomach tightened with each passing hallway. My heart thumped a frantic rhythm against my ribs, a drum solo of dread. Every locker slam, every burst of laughter, felt like a judgment, a verdict on my worthiness. The hallways of the school, once a place of promise and possibility, now felt like a place of nightmare and terror. Every corner, every doorway, seemed to echo with whispers of disapproval, a chorus of “not being good enough.” The faces of my classmates swam before me, a kaleidoscope of potential critics. Their eyes, I imagined they were judging my clothes, my hair, my every move, desperately trying to convey my worth through awkward gestures and smiles. The fear of not being liked, of being ostracized, of being invisible. The desire to fit in, to be accepted, to be part of the group, gnawed at me like a persistent hunger. It was primal fear, a deep-seated need for belonging that felt as powerful as gravity. I realized that the fear of socializing was holding me back from doing things I love. It wasn’t socializing that was scary, but the fear of what others might think.
The only way to achieve my goals was to take risks. Now I am more willing to step outside of my comfort zone and try new things, even if it means risking failure. I have learned the rewards of playing the game. Even if you do not win, it is far greater than the comfort of staying on the sidelines. I will continue to seek out new challenges and opportunities, even if they seem daunting. I know that the fear of striking out is a natural part of life, but it should not stop me from playing the game.
I have explored the power of “Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.” This belief has been a guiding principle of my life, pushing me to embrace challenges and pursue my passion even when fear whispers doubt. Through my experiences, I’ve learned that the greatest rewards often come from stepping outside our comfort zone and taking risks, even if it means facing the possibility of failure. We all face moments of doubt and hesitation, where the fear of failure threatens to hold us back. But the quote reminds us that the journey is just as important as the destination. The lessons we learn from our failures are often more valuable than the triumphs we achieve.
So, I encourage you to embrace the game of life with courage and determination, knowing that even if you strike out, you will gain invaluable experience and grow stronger in the process. The fear of failure is a powerful reminder that the greatest reward often comes from taking risks and pursuing dreams, even if it means facing the possibility of disappointment. So, I urge you to step onto the field of life with confidence and courage, knowing that even if you stumble, you will have the opportunity to learn, grow, and achieve your goal.
High school is an exciting time, filled with opportunities for growth, learning, and social interaction. However, it can also be overwhelming, stressful, and isolating for many students. Unfortunately, depression is a reality that affects more high school students than we may realize.
What Is Depression?
Depression is more than just feeling sad or down for a few days. It’s a mental health condition that can make everyday tasks seem impossible. It’s characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or a lack of interest in activities you once enjoyed. This can lead to changes in sleeping patterns, difficulty concentrating, and feelings of worthlessness or guilt.
Common Causes of Depression in High School Students
Academic Pressure With college looming and grades becoming increasingly important, the pressure to perform can lead to overwhelming stress and anxiety.
Social Struggles Navigating friendships, relationships, and social status during these years can be tough. Bullying, feeling left out, or not fitting in can intensify feelings of isolation and hopelessness.
Family Expectations Many students face immense pressure from their families to succeed, meet high expectations, or follow a particular path. When you feel like you’re not living up to these expectations, it can significantly affect your mental health.
Hormonal Changes Adolescence brings not only physical changes but also emotional fluctuations. These natural hormonal changes can sometimes contribute to mood swings or more serious emotional struggles.
Recognizing the Signs of Depression
It’s important to know the signs of depression, whether it’s for yourself or someone you care about. Some common symptoms include:
Persistent sadness or a low mood.
Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed.
Fatigue or low energy levels.
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions.
Changes in appetite or sleep patterns (sleeping too much or too little).
Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt.
Thoughts of self-harm or suicide.
If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, it’s essential to reach out for help.
Coping with Depression
Talk to Someone One of the most important steps is reaching out for support. Whether it’s a trusted friend, family member, school counselor, or teacher, talking about what you’re going through can provide relief and guidance.
Seek Professional Help Therapy or counseling is a great way to address depression. Mental health professionals can help identify the root causes of depression and provide tools and strategies to manage it.
Stay Connected Even if it feels hard, try to stay connected with friends, family, or extracurricular activities. Isolation can often make depression worse, so being around others can provide a sense of belonging.
Take Care of Your Physical Health Exercise, sleep, and nutrition play a huge role in mental well-being. Even taking a short walk, eating a balanced meal, or ensuring you get enough sleep can improve how you feel mentally.
Avoid Negative Coping Mechanisms It may be tempting to cope through unhealthy behaviors, such as skipping meals, substance use, or withdrawing from loved ones. While these may feel like quick fixes, they can lead to more harm in the long run.
You Are Not Alone
If you’re dealing with depression, it’s important to remember that you are not alone and that there is help available. High school can be a challenging time, but reaching out for support can make a world of difference. Don’t hesitate to seek out resources at your school or within your community — you deserve to feel better, and help is out there.