Perrysburg Schools Spotlight - April 2017 Edition

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



In 1989, local inventor, businessman and philanthropist Ford Cauffiel created Students for Other Students (SOS) (www.gotutor.org), a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising money from foundations, corporations and individuals for the promotion, operation and funding of peer tutoring programs in school districts to pay students to tutor other students.

In the Perrysburg High School SOS tutoring program, we have 45 tutors helping over 40 students. The students who tutor get paid, but they put a lot of time and effort into helping their fellow classmates. We also have some National Honor Society students volunteering their time.

Any student can apply to tutor for the subject(s) of their choosing, with the approval from their current teacher in that given subject. There is then a training meeting for all accepted tutors prior to the onset of the program. Tutors can also decide what days they can be available and how many days a week they would like to help.

The tutoring sessions take place from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. in a classroom supervised by a teacher. The number of participating students varies by year, but is usually around 30 students. This year, we have over 40 PHS students who have gotten help at some point throughout the year. PHS SOS has had over 45 tutors throughout the year. Some students tutor the entire year, while others help during only part of the year, due to other after school activities such as sports and clubs.

The program is ongoing, so if they run low on available tutors, they continue to recruit more tutors in order to help all students in need of assistance. Most of the students are getting help in math, but PHS SOS finds tutors for other subject areas as needed. Students often get help completing their homework, but the tutors also help participants organize, prepare for tests and learn good study habits.

“I'm very proud of what the students are doing,” stated Marny Mazzarella, Mathematics Teacher, PHS, who has been supervising the program for three years. “It is a joy to see our students helping each other in such a positive way. Not only do the students who are getting help benefit, but the tutors gain a valuable teaching experience that could help shape their futures. I am honored to be coordinating this program. I love to see the tutors come back year after year to help their peers.”




Maggie Merriman is one of our students who embodies The Jacket Way. Teachers and staff feel Maggie is very respectful and always greets peers and adults with genuine interest.

She is extremely ready and responsible as a member of the safety patrol. She is always on-duty punctually in wind, rain, sleet and snow!

Maggie is also responsible and ready as a member of our student council. She always offers to help and has the intuition to know when her help is needed.

We’re so proud of you, Maggie!

Orchestra Director

Musical Co-Director

Perrysburg Junior High School

J. Patrick Barrett, Orchestra Director and Musical Co-Director at Perrysburg Junior High School, graduated in 2013 from The Ohio State University with a dual undergraduate degree in music education and flute performance. Through the PJHS Theatre Program, Mr. Barrett has served as Music Director and Pit Conductor for Thoroughly Modern Millie (2014), Pit Conductor for Seussical (2015), Music Director and Pit Conductor for Bye Bye Birdie (2016) and Pit Conductor for this year’s acclaimed The Little Mermaid.

Though he excels in his role at PJHS, Mr. Barrett’s passion for music extends well beyond his classroom. He has served as Pit Conductor for Perrysburg Musical Theater’s productions of, Music Man (2014), Shrek (2015) and The King and I (2017). At Toledo Rep, he has directed, played keyboard and performed in four shows since 2014. He also performed in Toledo Opera’s chorus for Tosca in 2014.

Patrick Barrett served as OMEA District 14 Junior High Honors Orchestra’s Guest Conductor in 2014. He began with Toledo Symphony Youth Orchestra and Symphonic Orchestra Director from 2015-2016 and is now Symphonic Orchestra and Concert Strings Director. At The University of Toledo, he served as the Symphony Orchestra Interim Conductor in 2016. He also currently serves as the Interim Conductor of Perrysburg Symphony Orchestra.

“Watching Patrick teach, perform and conduct is inspiring,” shared Betsy Cranston, Orchestra Teacher. “The passion he has for his craft and the drive he has as an educator is unparalleled. I feel fortunate to be able to work side-by-side with a musician of his caliber each day. Perrysburg Schools has a real gem in Patrick!”


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