Category: News

Congratulations to these Embrace, Empower & Inspire Award winners, Latoya Spetnagel (Secretary at Crossing Elementary) and Gage Volbert (School Counselor at Washington Elementary).

“As school staff members we have to meet the basic needs of students before we can meet their academic needs. When a first grade student was in tears about his favorite pair of high top tennis shoes needing new laces, Latoya went above and beyond to assist him. After trying packing tape and everything in between, Latoya decided it was best to quickly run to the store, buy a new pair of shoe laces, and have the high tops ready to go for recess. Latoya did not get to experience the pure sense of joy and being cared for as the first grade student ran back to class and proudly announced, “She bought me new laces!” The student went from silent tears streaming down his face to pure joy. “Do small things with great love.” That is exactly what Latoya does everyday, with every student, without exception.”

“Mr. Volbert has made us feel welcome at Washington since before the school year even started. With a new kindergartener coming in with severe anxiety, he has always been someone our child is excited to visit and talk to about her feelings. Mr. Volbert has also gone above and beyond to support our family as we navigate resources to help our child not only at school, but at home too. He truly cares and has dedicated so much of his own time to helping us. We are so lucky to have such a wonderful guidance counselor caring for the mental and emotional wellbeing of our little girl. Mr. Volbert has embraced our family and made us feel heard and empowered. We are thankful for him making such a difference in our daughter’s life, and he is beyond deserving of this award.”

These staff members go above and beyond the expectations of the Hilliard Way and truly make a difference in our district. If you know a staff member that goes above and beyond their way to make a difference, you can nominate them for next month’s award by clicking HERE!

Each year Ruling Our Experiences (ROX) provides the opportunity to learn about the world of work by inviting a female community professional to engage with the group. This year, they invited Kelsey Lensman as the guest speaker. Kelsey graduated from Ohio State in Sports Medicine with original plans of attending physical therapy graduate school. During her senior year, she felt a pull on her heart that she had a different mission. After a life-changing year of training to step on a bodybuilding stage, she realized we are all more capable than we could ever imagine. This led her to start her own company EmpowHER, which is a company that works 1on1 with women all across the country in their health and fitness, as well as EmpowHER Events, which are all women’s strength-events for women of all ages and skill levels to step out of their comfort zone together. She is a 5x bodybuilding competitor, and 3x powerlifting competitor, and competes in many other fitness competitions to push her limits. She is currently preparing for Mission48 where she will compete in 48 fitness competitions in 48 states in 48 days to raise money for charity. She is the host of The Arena Podcast with Kelsey Lensman.

The Hilliard City School District is in the process of adopting a new K-5 English Language Arts resource called Wit & Wisdom. During the next two weeks, the Board of Education and the community will have the opportunity to preview this new resource. We invite all families and the community to preview Wit and Wisdom and if so desire, use the Feedback Form to provide feedback. Clicking on this link will provide a preview for our families. A sample display of the curriculum resource by grade level will also be available at Central Office on March 13-17 and 20-24. Visitors may come in person to preview the samples between the hours of 9:00am-11:00am and 2:00-4:00pm.

The Business Professionals of America (BPA) students in Business Academy 1 and 2 classes have been busy working on business-related individual as well as team events and competing with others across Region 15 (Hilliard and Dublin to Zenia to Sidney, Ohio). This is the largest BPA region in Ohio.

We are extremely proud of our students’ accomplishments. The Small Business Management Team from Business Academy 2 (Brody VanDyke – senior from Hilliard Darby, Oliver Conley – senior from Hilliard Davidson and Anthony Sullivan – senior from Hilliard Davidson) placed first in the region and then took 3rd place at the state level on March 9, presenting their contest in front of a panel of business professionals. This qualifies the team to compete nationally in Anaheim, California at the end of April. These young men have worked hard and represented Hilliard and the HUB well. So proud of them. Congratulations!

Dallas Hyslop, sophomore from Hilliard Bradley, also competed at the State level after he placed first in Region 15 in the event of Personal Financial Management.

Aiden Terek (junior from Hilliard Davidson) placed second in the Individual Presentation Management event.

Zak Armor (junior from Hilliard Davidson) also competed in Business Law and Ethics as well as Fundamental Accounting.

These students have all stepped out of their comfort zones and shown many characteristics of leadership, developed confidence, connected with peers and adults, have been allowed to pursue their business-related interests and strengths, participated in experiential learning opportunities, and been able to be innovators using critical thinking and problem-solving techniques. These skills have proved very valuable as they showcase them against others throughout the state of Ohio.

All Business Academy 2 students are participating in job shadowing and internship experiences this semester. This is their first step into the adult business world as they learn networking, confidence, reliability, and responsibility skills as well as new occupational skills that they will pursue as they further their formal education.

Mrs. Ley’s 3rd-grade class at Beacon Elementary recently read an article in Scholastic News titled “Speaking Up for Our School,” which led to a conversation about how the students in the class can be change makers at Beacon. Students generated a list of 8-10 needs for change at Beacon, and one idea rose to the top. The students agreed that the fence surrounding our playground is not safe, and they would like to help make a change for our school community. The students also shared their idea with IDS, Kara Ripp, who has already done great things for change at Beacon and wanted her to partner with them in their mission. The group did research on their concern, did interviews with teachers in the school, and created a plan to improve the fence.  They then presented their work to Central Office Administrators, voicing their concerns and asking how they could partner with Beacon to be change-makers at their school. The students put a lot of hard work and time into their excellent presentation!

After a 2 year hiatus, Hoffman Trails brought back the Spelling Bee. Over 50 students in fourth and fifth grade participated. These students got a list of words in December to practice so they could prepare for the Spelling Bee. We are so proud that these students were determined and brave enough to get in front of an audience of third, fourth, and fifth-grade peers, staff members, and family members. Varshini, a fifth grader, won the Bee by correctly spelling the word parathas. There were lots of cheers and applause for her victory.