Dear Kent Parents, Students, and Friends,
With the beginning of a new school year comes an excitement about what awaits our students in the classrooms. I extend my heartiest words of welcome to each and every student, family, and staff member in Kent! This year, take advantage of every opportunity we offer to visit us!
For many details about the start of our new school year, please feel free to navigate our excellent Web site at www.kentschools.net for all of the information you need about your children’s programs and school buildings. In Kent Schools, we have made a strong commitment to technology as a tool for communicating with our parents and for teaching our students.
Traditionally, I introduce new Kent administrators in this August/September letter. We welcome the following new administrators to Kent. First, I would like to introduce Abbey Bolton, who has been appointed to the position of Davey Elementary School Principal. Prior to coming to Kent, Abbey served as an elementary principal in the Southeast Local Schools and assistant principal in the Streetsboro City Schools, both districts of Portage County. She currently is working on her doctorate in educational administration at Kent State University.
Next, I welcome to Kent Justin Gates, the new Principal at Stanton Middle School. You might call this appointment a “homecoming” for him, as he once served our school district as an intervention specialist for Stanton and Davey students with special needs. Most recently, Justin was the middle school principal and special education coordinator for the Barberton City Schools. Interestingly, Justin’s wife, Carrie Gates, also is a teacher and speech pathologist at Stanton Middle School and Davey Elementary School. Justin currently is working on his doctorate in educational administration at Kent State.
Finally, I welcome to the board office Tom Larkin, new Assistant Superintendent and Personnel Director for the Kent Schools. Of course, those who know Tom in the community recognize his past work for us as Stanton Middle School Principal and Roosevelt High School Assistant Principal. Interestingly, Tom’s wife, Amy Larkin, is a math teacher at Roosevelt High School. Tom currently is working on his doctorate in educational administration at Kent State.
On a different note, at our convocation for all staff on August 23, 2010, we acknowledge Kevin J. McFarland, our 2010 recipient of the Dr. Emilio D. Ferrara Community Service Award. Previously, Kevin and his family were honored by the Kent Board of Education at its May regular meeting. Kevin’s posthumous award recognizes his community service and 10 years of work as a custodian for Kent Schools. Kevin died suddenly this past school year, and his involvement in the community will be sadly missed.
In this letter, I also honor Greg Starc, a Roosevelt teacher of students with special needs, who suddenly passed away this summer. Greg’s 27 years of commitment to Kent children will be sadly missed. There is a part of Kent Schools that will never be the same without him. We always will remember both Greg and Kevin. Their legacy lives on in the students they served.
Have a great school year,
Dr. Joe Giancola
Superintendent