By Monty Siekerman
A school bell, or maybe a school buzzer, (for kids it may sound more like an alarm) will sound at 8:35 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 15, heralding the start of another school year in Ada. But first, there will be an open house at the school on Thursday, Aug. 10.
For all of the details about workbooks, bus routes, school staff, and more, check out the information below provided by Mrs. Meri Skilliter, superintendent of schools.
ADA EXEMPTED VILLAGE SCHOOLS
2017-2018 OPENING ACTIVITIES AND OPEN HOUSE
You are cordially invited to the Ada Exempted Village School annual Open House on Thursday, August 10, 2017, from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. The first day of school for students will be Tuesday, August 15, 2017, with a full day planned for Grades 1-12.
School will begin each day at 8:35 am for all students. Kindergarten orientation will be held on August 15th & 16th. Kindergarten students will begin school on a staggered start schedule beginning August 17th. Dismissal will be at 3:30 pm for all students, with the exception of town students in grades kindergarten, one, two and three, who will be dismissed at 3:10 pm.
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
Mrs. Robin VanBuskirk, K-12 Principal
Mr. Dan Lee, Assistant Principal
Mr. Ben Thaxton, Assistant Principal
ELEMENTARY STAFF
Secretary: Alane Collins
Kindergarten: Bridgette Jones, Stacey Klingler, Kim Smittle and Meghan Kosier
First Grade: Melissa Gossard, Rachel Ludwig and Heather Etgen
Second Grade: Cindy Boehm, Christa Preston and Kyleigh Tabor
Third Grade: Brittany Daniels, Sherri Burnett and Julie Stavenger
Fourth Grade: Julie Butterfield, Deone Rieman and Susan Stuart
Fifth Grade: Erica Shadley, Julie Burris and Bethany Daft
Sixth Grade: Kim Guagenti, Kristie Reichert, and Kelsie Weber
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, Amber Simon, Jean Stavenger and Judy Williams
Elementary Library Aide: Linda Dysert
MIDDLE SCHOOL 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 Eric Perkins
Math 8: Julie Thaxton
Math 7: Shawn Christopher
Science: Dave Lusk and Christina Bowden
Science 7 & 8: Alayne Schrock
Social Studies: Ken Jochims, Kristin Salyer and Jeffrey Schleeter
Social Studies 8 and 7: Michael Styer
S.T.E.M.: Jeff Hunt
Personal Finance: Ken Jochims
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 are as follows: Kindergarten-$49.00; First Grade-$51.00; Second Grade-$48.00; Third Grade-$54.00; Fourth Grade-$42.00;
Fifth Grade-$58.00; Sixth Grade-$54.00.
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, Kelly Kloeppel, Amy Sheldon, Sarah Staley, Ramona Sumney, Tami Thompson and Angie Wurst
The cafeteria will be in operation on Tuesday, August 15, 2017 and every school day thereafter. Lunches will be $2.00 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 on Thursday, August 10, 2017. (The USDA is an equal opportunity employer.)
MAINTENANCE/TRANSPORTATION Maintenance/Transportation Manager – Michael Lenhart & Assistant Dave Allen
Custodial Staff – Leland Crouse, Jane Donley, Doug Miller, Brock Sumney, Chaise Sumney, and Matthew Waugh
Transportation Staff - Chris Christopher, Jean Conley, Marie Gossman, Janelle Hoschak, Eileen Risser, Sharon Shaw and Judy Williams
BUS ROUTES
Transportation to and from school will be provided for children in Kindergarten thru 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 ten (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 2:00 p.m. during the school year.
Bus drivers and pick-up times are as follows:
Bus 1 – Eileen Risser Approximate first pickup time 7:15 am
Bus 2 – Sharon Shaw Approximate first pickup time 7:15 am
Bus 7 – Chris Christopher First pickup time Apollo 7:20 am
Bus 5 – Marie Gossman Approximate first pickup time 7:15 am
Bus 8 – Jean Conley Approximate first pickup time 7:15 am
The bus transporting the Apollo Career Center students will leave from the Vocational Agriculture Building at 7:20 am 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 am, as doors will be locked prior to this time. We ask for your cooperation in this matter to help keep our students safe.
STAY ALERT ON SCHOOL DELAYS/CLOSINGS
Ada Schools offer text or email alert services in the event of school delays and/or cancellations. 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
Dr. Amy Mullins, President Pro Tem; Ron Fleming, Thomas Dearth, and Matt Gossman. Kim Light serves as Treasurer for the district, Cami Nichelson as Assistant to the Treasurer, and GiGi Fetter is the Executive Secretary in the Central Office.
The Ada Schools website is adabulldogs.org and we invite parents to visit to find a wealth of information including the following: 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. You can follow us on Facebook and/or Twitter as well.
We look forward to seeing you at our District-wide Open House on Thursday, August 10, 2017, and our students as they arrive on the first day of school, Tuesday, August 15th!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Meri Skilliter
Superintendent of Schools
