Perrysburg Schools Spotlight - May 2017 Edition

We hope you enjoy our monthly eNewsletter, spotlighting excellence in our programs, students and employees!
Four students (2 boys, 2 girls) from each elementary school were selected to be a Junior Builder. The students had to complete an application, get at least three staff signatures and parent/guardian permission to be considered for the program. The Junior Builders visit the school site regularly, and recently served as tour guides during the public open house of the new school that will open in the fall for grades 5 and 6.

“It was exciting to read through each application and learn why the students wanted to participate,” shared HPI Principal Scott Best. “It was evident that the students put a tremendous amount of thought into their responses, making it difficult to choose.”

“The students have learned so much about their new school from the ground up,” shared parent Tiffany Nicely. “It is such an amazing opportunity to be part of the building process. It has given my daughter ownership of her new school, making it not seem so big and intimidating. She has made a lot of new friends and has learned how a building is constructed. Such a neat program.”



Derrek Welch, a 5th Grader at Woodland Elementary School, is a polite, courteous, kind young man who is always conscientious and takes note of ways in which he can help students and teachers. Derrek particularly enjoys Physical Education class, playing and watching sports, and working out with his Dad.

“Derrek is a selfless leader who exemplifies The Jacket Way,” shared Sam Cotterman, Physical Education teacher.

We’re so proud of you, Derrek!

District Autism Team

Katie Bacon, Justin Badik, Lynne Barefoot, Emily Bartholomew, Scott Best, Scott Buker, Carrie Butler, Amanda Colvin, Samantha DeWood, Jessica Faust, Amy Gutkoski, Ashleigh Hamilton, Christina Harper, Megan Helman, Jennifer Hooper, Julie Jagodzinski, Sara Jones, Virginia Jones, Kim Keyer, Adrienne Korczynski, Robin Laird, Chelsea Massaro, Valerie McConkey, Jennifer Miller, Jill Morse, Brittney Murphy, Jeff Quinn, Carrie Sanderson, Nicole Schlagheck, Sarilyn Sintobin, Miranda Steel, Sara Stockwell, Jennifer Stoffel, Christina Temple, Adrienne Vaughan, Amanda Wallace, Brian Whitner and Danielle Wilhelm.

The District Autism Team (DAT) is comprised of 38 individuals from across the school district, including administrators, general education teachers, intervention specialists, related service personnel, school psychologists, school counselors and paraprofessionals. Sara Jones, Ed.S., NCSP, School Psychologist, leads the team. DAT meets throughout the year to plan activities and trainings for the district to help increase awareness, acceptance and education about students with autism.

“They have worked so hard on putting together the resource fair for families, the Jeans day awareness and other disability-centered advocacy,” shared Sara Stockwell, Executive Director of Pupil Services. “They put in a ton of time outside of the school day to present these opportunities for our families and students.”

This school year, the DAT coordinated:
• A resource fair for families of students with disabilities to learn more about community resources,
• Jeans Days – Just Educating About (the) Needs (of) Students) – in celebration of Disability Awareness Month (March) and Autism Awareness Month (April) that raised $2,245 for a Living Classroom at the Perrysburg Heights Community Center that support some of our high school students' transition to adulthood through development of independent living and job skills,
• A book study for faculty and staff members of “There's a Boy in Here” by Judy Barron,
• PHS art students created Autism Awareness-themed posters that will be displayed in businesses throughout downtown Perrysburg, and
• Autism Awareness night at a basketball game – working with the PHS National Honor Society – where they raised over $1,300 for Autism Society of Northwest Ohio.

Thanks so much District Autism Team for all you do for our students, families and community!


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