WELLSVILLE – Wellsville Local Schools principals are focusing on education with fun for students while they prepare to wrap up the 2025-2026 school year.

Student recognition continues to be important to the district as the principals honor students each month at the school board meetings.

April students of the month for Garfield Elementary are first graders Nico Mason and Za’Kari Banks.

Nico was recognized for being an excellent student and friend who participates in class and offers to his peers in any way that he can. Za’Karu was also recognized as an excellent student and friend who always participates in class and tries her best to get better by going above and beyond engaging in lessons.

April Daw Elementary students of month are sixth grader Koleigh Foden, fifth grader Skyelynn Valentine, fourth grader Lyric Santiago and third grader Thomas Lewis.

Koleigh was recognized for being a wonderful example for her peers and being kind, funny and creative. Skyelynn was recognized for being a great example of a leader in her classroom and for being responsible and kind to her peers and teachers. Lyric was recognized for always being sweet to her classmates and teachers and anyone else lucky enough to be around her and also as a hard worker who is always on task. Thomas was recognized for consistently showing what it means to be an excellent learner and a kind friend who works hard, stays focused and always tries his best.

April Wellsville Jr. Sr. High students of the month are Bryson Mathess at the junior high and Daniel Coil at the high school. 

Bryson was recognized for maintaining Honor Roll status and approaching each classroom task with unwavering focus and dedication. Daniel was recognized for consistently modeling academic integrity and always being willing to participate.

The principals updated the school board on the schools’ current academics including testing and absenteeism.

Garfield Principal Shelbie Householder told the board the preschool students started to complete the NWEA MAP Growth and Fluency Benchmarks at the end the end of April with the teachers focusing on the lowest scoring instructional areas which were Informational and Literature. The scoring areas across all grade levels are foundational skills and vocabulary.

The school also held the Scholastic Book Fair with all items buy one-get one free, and school visit for incoming kindergarteners from East Liverpool HeadStart and Kiducation.

The school held a Books and Bingo Family Night and has prepared for the start of kindergarten registration.

Families were invited to the school twice to enjoy ice cream sundaes with the students.

Householder said the school has lots of field trips and fun events for the students to enjoy from now until the end of the school year.

Daw Elementary Principal Erin Clemmer said that chronic absenteeism for the month has decreased this year from last year with chronic absenteeism at 20.2% currently, which is down from 30.2% last year. The third-grade class attendance rate is at 93%, the fourth grade at 95%, fifth grade at 94%, sixth grade at 94% and the building average is at 94%.

Clemmer thanked the community volunteers who give of their time and resources. Volunteers include Kelly Grimes, Tiger’s Den and for FCA: Karen Elliot, Tina Smith, Lisa Ferguson, Cindy Zelasko, Nancy and Bill Taft, Linda Ensinger, Dan Williams, Jimmy and Teri Drago, Eddy Murphy, Gwen Murphy, Gail Grimm, Mary Ellen Reed, Sherri Swogger, Ed Swogger, Gary Althiser, Amanda Wilson and Glenda Mike.

Wellsville Jr. Sr. High Principal Allison Scott said the school completed the ELA OST test with a 100% completion rate and are working through Math, Science and History with results to be released May 12 for Math, Science and History and May 20 for ELA.

The school began NWEA testing on April 28 and will have an update on progress and goals to present at the May Board of Education meeting.

The Jr. Sr. High School as a building is currently at a 92% attendance rate which is an overall one percent increase.

Attendance rates by grade are seventh grade at 93%, eighth grade at 91%, ninth grade at 91%, 10th grade at 92%, 11th grade at 94% and 12th grade at 87%.

Scott noted that according to the Ohio Attendance Dashboard, the current chronic absenteeism rate is 22.3%, and the school’s goal is 26.1%.

The prom was held on April 25.

NWEA MAP testing runs from April 28 through May 5.

May 5 will be the 3.75 Honors recognition.

The Spring Fling will be held on May 8.

The Academic Awards Assembly and the sixth-grade orientation will both be held on May 11.