District marks successes with kickoff event

Saturday, August 26, 2006 Police will enforce the daytime curfew, the schools superintendent said. By AMANDA GARRETT VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF WARREN — Educators, city and community leaders on Friday celebrated achievements of Warren City Schools and outlined the goals for this year. The district kickoff event held at Mollenkopf Stadium featured performances by the Warren G. Harding Raider Marching Band and remarks by local leaders, including board of education President Robert L. Faulkner Sr. and Mayor Michael J. O'Brien. Superintendent Kathryn Hellweg outlined the five key goals for the upcoming school year in her speech, "Who are we? Who do we want to be?" The goals are: Improving academics, improving attendance and behavior, improving the district's image, preparing pupils and staff for the 2007 transition into new buildings, and continuing the construction work on the new buildings. The district has already made significant progress in academics, Hellweg said, noting that Warren schools moved from academic watch to continuous improvement on the latest state report card issued by the Ohio Department of Education. 'Learning road maps' The district had a great deal of success with the "learning road maps" that it instituted for all kindergarten through eighth-grade pupils, Hellweg said. A team is now working on road maps for ninth through 12th grades and elective courses. The road maps bring the district's curriculum into line with state standards and ensure that all pupils are being taught the same things. The district will be sending a letter to parents next week that outlines the proper code of conduct for pupils. "We have high expectations for our students," she said. "We must have a climate where they can learn effectively." Hellweg called regular attendance one of the "non-negotiables" of proper behavior. The district will be working with community agencies to combat truancy and the Warren Police Department will enforce a daytime curfew in the city, Hellweg said. "Anytime the police see students on the street, they'll pick them up and take them to school," Hellweg said to applause from the audience. The district is also working on preparing pupils and staff to move into new schools buildings in 2007 and the district is continuing to work with the Ohio School Facilities Commission to ensure that there will be a new classroom for each child, Hellweg said. If pupils, staff and the community work together, the district can do great things, Hellweg said. "Only by working together and believing in our students can we achieve our goals," she said. "I would like Warren to be not only an excellent district, but one of the best districts in the nation." agarrett@vindy.com