Perrysburg Schools Spotlight - September 2017 Edition

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


The Perrysburg Orchestra program continues to be one of the best orchestra programs in the state. Our Strings on Fire! (SOF) Summer Lesson Program provides selected and trained PHS orchestra students the opportunity to teach private lessons to younger students under the direction of Michael Smith, PHS Orchestra Director. Many of these high school students are interested in pursuing a career in music. This lesson program is a great opportunity to provide an outstanding learning experience to all students involved. The instruments taught include violin, viola, cello, bass and harp. The cost is $75 per student. The program includes six 30-minute lessons followed by a recital and reception.

“The SOF Summer Lesson Program is a great way to encourage high school students who are interested in a career in music to gain valuable experience teaching younger orchestra students,” shared Mr. Michael Smith, PHS Orchestra Director. “This summer, 17 high school students were certified SOF instructors and 44 5th, 6th and 7th grade students took lessons from these instructors. I can’t think of a more important summer program to excite students to practice and teach music!”

“The SOF Summer Lesson Program was an extremely valuable experience because, as a teacher, I gained knowledge in the role of private instructor that otherwise I would not have ever had,” shared George Willis, SOF violin instructor, 10th grade. “It is also a valuable experience for the student, as they have developed as musicians more than they would have if they did not participate in the program. The students also will be in a better position to do well in their school orchestra next year. I have enjoyed the program very much and will definitely participate again next year.”

“I was nervous about teaching for the first time, but I’m really glad I did it,” shared Elaine Park, SOF cello instructor, 11th grade. “I felt so much pride at the recital to see how much progress the kids made.”

The SOF Summer Lesson Program concluded on July 31, 2017 with a recital featuring 5th, 6th and 7th grade Perrysburg orchestra students performing musical selections they practiced over the summer. Pictured are the SOF High School teachers and many of the students who participated in the SOF Summer Lesson Program. A big thank-you to Jeff Bucher at Citizen Advisory Group and Rex and Mindy Russell at Big Daddy Graphics, who donated T-shirts for the participants!



Kylee is a second grader at Frank Elementary School.

“Kylee was a wonderful role model and friend in my first grade classroom,” shared Michaela Straw, her teacher last school year. “She was always willing to help others and worked really hard toward her goals. Her compassion and attitude toward school were truly amazing, and I feel very fortunate to have had her in my class!”
Kylee is involved in the Fort Meigs swim team, Perrysburg summer softball, 2017-2018 Frank Big Buddy Program, Girl Scouts and does triathlons. For her birthday party this year, she asked her guests to bring donations for the Humane Society in lieu of gifts!

Pictured with Kylee are the donations she received for the Humane Society.



Amy Boros, M.Ed., teaches 6th grade Science at Hull Prairie Intermediate School. She has experience in classroom teaching at the elementary, middle school and collegiate levels; educational classroom technology; grant researching, authoring and evaluation, as well as educational consulting in mathematics and science. She is beginning her 23rd year in education, and her 9th year in Perrysburg Schools.

“Amy is a phenomenal teacher,” shared Scott Best, Principal, Hull Prairie Intermediate School. “She finds new and creative ways to keep her students engaged in their learning. Additionally, Amy loves to collaborate with her colleagues. This enables her to stay current and better meet the needs of her students.”

Amy Boros created and implemented an after school Girls STEM club at Perrysburg Junior High with community partnerships from Owens-Illinois and NASA. At the school building level, she serves on the Leadership Team, RtI (Response to Intervention) Team and Science Curriculum Team. At the school district level, she serves on the Leadership Team, RtI Team, OIP (Ohio Improvement Process) Team, Math Curriculum Adoption Team and Elementary Science Curriculum Team.

She was recently awarded the following grants:

• School Prairie - Toledo Zoo & Aquarium awarded this grant to install a native prairie area on the school grounds of Hull Prairie Intermediate School as well as the accompanying education for employees. (The initial grant to the zoo is through the Ohio EPA).
• Total Eclipse of the Prairie - Perrysburg Schools Foundation awarded this grant for the purchase of 900 solar eclipse-viewing glasses for students to safely view the total eclipse on August 21, 2017.

In addition, she has authored two scholarly articles recently accepted for publication in Science and Children Journal as well as Science Scope Journal. She has also presented at the local, state and national level on Science and Math education topics.

Amy Boros lives in Perrysburg with her husband, Greg, and three very active children who all love going to Perrysburg Schools!


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