Perrysburg Schools Spotlight - September 2016 Edition

We hope you enjoy our monthly eNewsletter, spotlighting excellence in our programs, students and employees!

Last school year, Toth Elementary School Intervention Specialist Jessica Faust piloted the “Buddy Bees” program. Ten students, a blend of typical students and students with special needs, stayed after school for 90 minutes once every two weeks for some structured socialization time together in a familiar setting – their classroom and playground. “I heard about what Jill Morse was doing at the Junior High School with their peer buddy program, so I contacted her to see how I could incorporate a similar program at Toth,” explained Ms. Faust. She and her classroom’s paraprofessionals stay after on their own time to offer this opportunity for students. Ms. Faust aims to grow the program this year.

Students go on scavenger hunts, play charades, made snow cones and even ended last year by tie-dying T-shirts together. “It’s wonderful to see our students forming genuine friendships with their typical peers, and the typical students learn to be helpers and good role models,” stated Ms. Faust. “And the kids love staying after! That morning they come in saying: ‘Today is Buddy Bees!!!’”

Carsten Terry

Carsten Terry received The Bradley Hart Service & Citizenship Award at the end of the 2015-2016 school year at the 5th grade awards ceremony. This award is presented to a student who does what is asked of them, who is empathetic and compassionate to peers and a student you can count on to do the right thing.

Carsten listens to directions, participates and always gives her best effort. The thing that makes this young lady stand out is how she treats others. She is always kind. You always hear her use her manners, and she treats others with compassion. In particular, she has gone out of her way to learn sign language so she can communicate with another student in her class. Every time she sees him, she talks to him. Her positive attitude and warm smile is something special.

We’re very proud of you, Carsten!

Alicia Fry

Last spring, Alicia Fry, PHS Social Studies Teacher, was notified that she was selected to be part of a group of 15 social studies teachers (mainly from northwest Ohio) to visit Germany. The study abroad trip was arranged and funded by an organization called Atlantik-Brücke, a nonprofit organization with a mission to develop a bridge between Germany and the United States.

Ms. Fry spent June 5-12 in Germany, specifically in Munich, Dresden and Berlin. “Our agenda was jam-packed, but it provided me with a once in a lifetime opportunity to explore Germany and I look forward to sharing my experience with my students this year and beyond,” she said.

Some of the highlights of the study trip included:

• Touring the George C. Marshall Center, the European Center for Security Studies
• Visiting the Zugspitze—the highest mountain in Germany (2,962 meters above sea level)
• Guided tour of BMW by Helmut Kas, the Head of BMW
• School visits in Dresden and Berlin
• Meeting with Members of the German Parliament (German Bundestag)
• Tour of the Berlin Wall Memorial

“My personal favorite was the classroom visits in Dresden and Berlin because we had a question and answer session with teachers and students,” Ms. Fry said. She explained the visit taught her that the best measure of atonement a country can seek is to progress in education, foreign diplomacy and tolerance for all humanity.

This school year, she looks forward to enhancing her lessons on WWII and the Cold War by including pictures, souvenirs and stories she acquired on the trip. “Moreover, I hope to instill a desire in my students to travel, study abroad or even simply get to know exchange students in order to learn more about other countries and cultures,” said Ms. Fry.

To suggest a program, student or employee for an upcoming Spotlight, please contact Rachel Zickar at [email protected].