October, 2009
Dear Kent Parents, Guardians, Students, and Friends,
In Kent Schools, we care about your children’s safety and their growth as young citizens. To meet student needs in these two areas, we are focusing our efforts this fall on a variety of advising and counseling efforts to educate students on our expectations about school safety. High standards of safety will ensure a better learning environment for all.
On our opening day for staff, our convocation speaker, Dr. Cathy Hamilton, shared her expertise on three levels of connecting with our students: their safety, their emotional needs, and critical thinking. To engage in critical thinking, our students’ other needs must be met. I want you to be sure that all three levels will receive our attention in 2009-2010.
With the beginning of a new school year come the privilege and responsibility of announcing “what’s new” in Kent Schools. At our teacher convocation on August 24, we introduced 17 new teachers to staff. Today I introduce our new administrators to the community.
I welcome the following new administrators to Kent. John Schwartzhoff joined the board office staff in August as my assistant and Interim Personnel Director. Brian Bachtel is our new Director of Career and Technical Education at Roosevelt. Julie Troman, who has served as both a classroom teacher and Stanton Assistant Principal, is the new Principal at Holden Elementary. Sandi Goodrich, who has taught at Walls Elementary for many years, is now the Principal there. Finally, two long-time Kent teachers have just begun their careers in administration with appointments as Dean of Students: Kathy Scott at Stanton Middle School and Mary Lynn Bush at Roosevelt High School. I heartily congratulate all of these fine educators!
On a different note, at our convocation for all staff on August 24, we acknowledged Paul Sellman, our 2009 recipient of the Dr. Emilio D. Ferrara Community Service Award. A graduate of the Kent City Schools, Paul has served 30 years with the Boy Scouts of America in Kent, including serving as Cubmaster of Pack 3253, Scoutmaster and treasurer of Troop 253. Previously, Paul was honored by the Kent Board of Education at its May regular meeting. Congratulations to this proud Kent community member and employee!
I hope you enjoy all of our fall activities. As always, I am open to your suggestions. I am here to serve you and the Kent community as a whole. You may call me at 330-676-7610.
Sincerely,
Dr. Joe Giancola
Superintendent