Back to business as usual in Orrville’s school district
Orrville schools, like many school districts, have emerged from the pandemic in good shape.
For many school districts, the start of the 2022-23 school year represented a return to business as usual, as much as possible. That’s true in Orrville, particularly at Orrville Middle School, where Assistant Principal Sly Slaughter said efforts made a year ago to get past the COVID-19 pandemic should pay off this year.
“Last year our teachers and students worked very hard to focus on academics amid a pandemic in which guidelines were changing almost weekly,” Slaughter said. “Throughout the school year, we asked a lot of our teachers, students and parents, and we are proud of the way they responded to everything that was going on. We kept the focus on the most important element of our district, the students.”
The pandemic isn’t over, and COVID may be here to stay, but at places like OMS, people have learned how to manage things. While a learning environment is probably a great place to adapt and adjust to a challenge such as that brought about by the pandemic, the newness of it all made everyone think on their feet, and policies changed on the fly.
Orrville, like many school districts, seems to have emerged in good shape. Lessons were learned and now are being applied.
“Like many other schools around the county and country, we are looking forward to emerging from the pandemic,” Slaughter said. “It has been a slow process, but our teachers, parents and students have done everything we have asked of them and have been very productive. As we go through this school year, we will get back to focusing on instruction and making school as close to normal as we can. That means working to get students back on track academically, socially and emotionally.
“Our district goal this school year is to get back to focusing on instruction and helping our students be the best they can and become successful in and out of school.”
Slaughter said OMS started its year with its Back to School Bash, sponsored by the PTO. The middle school will look forward to its usual choir and band shows, after-school dances, and character education celebrations. It will host a Veterans Day assembly with community veterans and conduct its year-end field trips.
“We look forward to a great school year filled with fun activities and great learning experiences,” Slaughter said.
Elsewhere around the district
Those headed to college but wondering how they’ll pay for it can attend a financial aid informational meeting on Sept. 28 at 5:30 p.m. at the high school library. Parents of students headed to college can get answers about such things as filling out FAFSA applications and the student loan process.
Orrville’s football team will hold its Youth Night on Sept. 23, homecoming on Oct. 1 with the annual homecoming game and Senior Night one night earlier. The weekend will be highlighted by the Homecoming Masquerade on Oct. 1 from 7-9 p.m. The cost is $10 for individuals or $15 for couples. Guest forms are available in the high school office or on the OHS website.
Orrville Elementary School welcomed the following to its staff for the 2022-23 school year: Madison Eyler, fourth grade; Kevin Indermuhle, intervention specialist; Megan Malcuit, kindergarten; Emily Meredith, multiple disabilities; Joe Miller, fourth grade; Honoree Pouly, music; Angela Rossiter, guidance counselor; Sarah Seese, first grade; Rheanna Vura, kindergarten; and Hannah Wortman, first grade.
Select Orrville High School sporting events will be available for streaming on the school channel at www.youtube.com/c/OrrvilleAthletics/videos. Available games can be viewed live or as archived events.