It's August and preparations are underway for the 2016-17 school year. Ada schools provided the following details to students and parents about the coming school year:
School open house
The annual open house Thursday, Aug. 11, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The first day of school for students is Tuesday, Aug.16, with a full day planned for grades 1-12.
School will begin each day at 8:35 a.m. for all students. Kindergarten orientation is Tuesday and Wednesday, Aug. 16 and 17. Kindergarten students will begin school on a staggered start schedule beginning Thursday, Aug. 18.
Dismissal will be at 3:30 p.m. for all students, with the exception of town students in grades Kindergarten, one, two and three, who will be dismissed at 3:10 p.m.
All parents of students new to the Ada school district are urged to contact their respective school office if they have not already registered their child(ren): Grades K-6 (419-634-2341) and grades 7-12 (419-634-2746).
Kindergarten students (and first grade students who have not already done so) must have completed their immunization program before the opening day of school.
State law requires that no pupil shall be permitted to remain in school for more than 14 days unless he or she has been immunized against poliomyelitis, diphtheria, varicella, hepatitis B, pertussis, tetanus, rubeola, and rubella, or is in the process of being immunized.
If a pupil’s parent or guardian objects to the immunization for a good cause, including religious convictions, the child is not required to be immunized, but parent or guardian must present a written statement.
State law also requires:
• All 7th grade students must have a TDAP and Meningitis vaccination prior to the start of the new school year. Proof of vaccination must be provided to pick up schedule.
• All incoming 12th grade students must have a Meningitis vaccination prior to the start of the new school year. Proof of vaccination must be provided to pick up schedule.
• All immunizations are offered at the Hardin County Department of Health.
Building administrators
Robin VanBuskirk, K-12 Principal
Dan Lee, Assistant Principal
Ben Thaxton, Assistant Principal
Elementary staff
Secretary: Alane Collins
Kindergarten: Bridgette Jones, Stacey Klingler, and Kim Smittle
First Grade: Melissa Gossard, Rachel Ludwig and Heather Etgen
Second Grade: Cindy Boehm, Christa Preston, Kyleigh Whitsel, Meghan Harmon
Third Grade: Brittany Daniels, Sherri Burnett, Julie Butterfield, Julie Stavenger
Fourth Grade: Theresa Salyer, Deone Rieman and Susan Stuart
Fifth Grade: Julie Burris and Bethany Daft
Sixth Grade: Kim Guagenti, Kristie Reichert
Art: Kristie Steiner
Physical Education: Jill Laughlin
Title I Reading Intervention: Arlene Allison, Brittany Lee and Debbie Poling
Special Education: Sheila Hughes, Gwen Jochims, Stefani Koontz, Elizabeth Vogt, Cristin St. Laurent
Vocal Music: Scott Henning (grade 6) and Tabitha McPeeks (grades 1-5)
Instrumental Music: Tabitha McPeeks (grade 5) and Jonathan Lischak (grade 6)
Technology Lab: Barth Montel
Teacher Aides: Mary Garver, Valerie Hall, Janelle Hoschak, Amy Stover, Rebecca Maris and Jean Stavenger
Elementary Library Aide: Linda Dysert
Middle and high school staff
Secretaries: Andy Pifer and Angie Hall
English 10, 12, and Communications: Melody Veltri
English 9, 11 and 12AP: David Ames
Reading/Language Arts 8 and Yearbook: Anna Yoakam
Reading/Language Arts 7: William Faine
French: Karen Schaffner
Spanish: Sarah Davis
Math: Rachel Temple, Joshua Klein and Jeffrey Hunt
Math 8: Julie Thaxton
Math 7: Shawn Christopher
Science: Dave Lusk and Christina Bowden
Science 7 & 8: Alayne Schrock
Social Studies: Ken Jochims and Kristin Salyer
Social Studies 8 and 7: Michael Styer
Business: Neal Dumbaugh
Technology: Kurt Klingler
Health and Physical Education: Bob Olwin
Physical Education: Jill Laughlin
Vocal Music 7-12: Scott Henning
Instrumental Music (Grades 7 through 12): Jonathan Lischak
Art and Ceramics: Gary Wells
Art: Kristie Steiner
Vocational Agriculture: Tony Dyer
Special Education: Tyler Craig, Elizabeth Vogt, Sean Anderson and Sheila Hughes
Also serving the school district
Gifted Education: Suzanne Hardesty
School Psychologist: Melissa Fallis
Guidance Counselor 9-12: Erinn Prater
Guidance Counselor K-8: Tracy Breidenbach
Media Specialist: Chanda Smith
Athletic Director: Ken Jochims
School Nurse: Marlene Vermillion
Speech and Hearing Therapist: Sherry Miller
Workbooks
Workbooks for 7-12th grade students will be purchased through the school for those classes requiring workbooks. Middle School and High School fees are determined based on grade and if courses scheduled have fees attached.
Elementary workbook fees
Kindergarten $68; First Grade $42; Second Grade $45; Third Grade $75; Fourth Grade $50; Fifth Grade $53; and Sixth Grade $55. Both the high school and elementary offices will have the complete list of fees. School fees may be paid during Open House.
Cafeteria
Cafeteria Manager - Ann Hersey
Cafeteria Staff: Susan Baughman, Pam Evans, Kelly Kloeppel, Amy Sheldon, Angie Wurst and Rebecca Maris.
The cafeteria will be in operation on Tuesday, Aug. 16, and every school day thereafter. Lunches will be $2 for students in Grades K-5 and $2.25 for Grades 6-12. Students may pay daily as they go through the cafeteria line or have their lunch account debited.
Cafeteria staff will be available at Open House for parents to make a deposit to their child’s lunch account. Students will be advised when their account has a low balance.
Ada Schools will be participating in the Free and Reduced Lunch Program. Forms will be available during Open House and also sent home with elementary students on the first day of school. Information concerning this program will be available at Open House.
Maintenance/transportation
Maintenance/Transportation Manager – Michael Lenhart
Assistant Building & Grounds, Maintenance and Transportation Supervisor – Dave Allen
Custodial Staff – Scott Hall, Leland Crouse, Jane Donley, Doug Miller, Dave Salyer, and Matthew Waugh
Transportation Staff - Chris Christopher, Jean Conley, Marie Gossman, Eileen Risser, Sharon Shaw and Janelle Hoschak
Bus routes
Transportation to and from school will be provided for children in Kindergarten through Grade 6 who live in the following areas within the corporation limits:
A. South of the railroad
B. North of the railroad and east of SR 235; and
C. North of SR 81 and west of SR 235
D. Grades K-12 south of Lima Avenue
Transportation to and from school will be provided for children in Kindergarten through Grade 12 who live outside the Corporation limits. Transportation may be provided to and/or from a babysitter, on a permanent or long-term basis, for Grades K-8.
Students are requested to be ready approximately 10 minutes early on opening day. Students will be scheduled for busing based on their home address. Any changes in pick-up or drop-off must be requested in writing and approved by the transportation supervisor.
Parents are reminded that students will go home their regular way unless a written note is received indicating a change and received prior to 2 p.m. during the school year.
Bus drivers and pick-up times
Bus 1 – Eileen Risser Approximate first pickup time 7:15 a.m.
Bus 2 – Sharon Shaw Approximate first pickup time 7:15 a.m.
Bus 7 – Chris Christopher First pickup time Apollo 7:20 a.m.
Bus 5 – Marie Gossman Approximate first pickup time 7:15 a.m.
Bus 8 – Jean Conley Approximate first pickup time 7:15 a.m.
Bus 6 – Janelle Hoschak afternoon route home
The bus transporting the Apollo Career Center students will leave from the Vocational Agriculture Building at 7:20 a.m. each morning and will leave Apollo when classes are dismissed in the afternoon and return to Ada.
These students must furnish their own transportation to the Ada School each morning. However, they may ride the rural buses home each evening if they wish. Students are to meet in front of the VoAg Building each morning.
Pick up and drop off
Parents driving student(s) to and from school are to drop-off students in the front of the school directly off of State Route 81.
Students will enter through the front doors (north side) of the building. Students should not be dropped off before 8:15 a.m., as doors will be locked prior to this time. We ask for your cooperation in this matter to help keep our students safe.
THE ADA SCHOOLS WEBSITE: www.adabulldogs.org.
Parents will find a wealth of information including the following: text or email alert services in the event of school delays and/or cancellations, district calendar listing various school activities, lunch menus as well as your student’s lunch account balance (password required), bus request form, and many other informational items.
Stay alert on school delays and closings
To sign-up, visit our website and select “Sign-up for text/email alerts” under the quick link column on the right side. If you have problems or need assistance in signing up, call the school offices for assistance.
Board of education members and central office staff:
Tara Griffith, President; Ron Fleming, Vice President; Thomas Dearth, Matt Gossman and Dr. Amy Mullins.
Central Office Staff includes: Dr. Suzanne Darmer, Superintendent; Kim Light, Treasurer; Cami Nichelson, Assistant Treasurer; GiGi Fetter, Executive Secretary.
