Event helps Southern Local students prepare for year
Southern Local staff members, from front to back, Monica Plunkett, Kenadee Pipkins and Wendy Ketchum printed class schedules and answered questions from many students during Southern Local Schools’ Back to School Bash. (Submitted photo)
Zyna Simpson watched as her grandchildren, Kaizen and Katarina, looked over the many free books offered during Southern Local Schools’ Back to School Bash on Monday. Southern Local students of all ages and their families also received free school supplies and information from various organizations about services available to them. (Submitted photo)
Raegen Martin, a kindergartener at Southern Local Elementary School, was among many children who enjoyed playing with large bubble wands during Southern Local Schools’ Back to School Bash. (Submitted photo)
Southern Local teacher Andrew Vulgamore, left, and Columbiana County Sheriff’s Deputy and School Resource Officer Jeff Haugh grilled thousands of hot dogs for the many attending Southern Local Schools’ Back to School Bash on Monday. (Submitted photo)
Southern Local staff members, from front to back, Monica Plunkett, Kenadee Pipkins and Wendy Ketchum printed class schedules and answered questions from many students during Southern Local Schools’ Back to School Bash. (Submitted photo)
Zyna Simpson watched as her grandchildren, Kaizen and Katarina, looked over the many free books offered during Southern Local Schools’ Back to School Bash on Monday. Southern Local students of all ages and their families also received free school supplies and information from various organizations about services available to them. (Submitted photo)
Raegen Martin, a kindergartener at Southern Local Elementary School, was among many children who enjoyed playing with large bubble wands during Southern Local Schools’ Back to School Bash. (Submitted photo)
Southern Local teacher Andrew Vulgamore, left, and Columbiana County Sheriff’s Deputy and School Resource Officer Jeff Haugh grilled thousands of hot dogs for the many attending Southern Local Schools’ Back to School Bash on Monday. (Submitted photo)
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SALINEVILLE - Many families gathered on the grounds of the Southern Local Schools' campus Monday evening to receive school supplies and enjoy some outdoor fun as they prepared for the start of a new school year.
Through the involvement of many staff members, volunteers and various organizations, Southern Local Schools' Back to School Bash returned to the front lot of the campus.
Many students lined up to tables filled with book bags, notebeooks and children's books by staff, members of Salineville Church of Christ and others.
Also filled was an area where hot dogs were grilled by School Resource Officer Jeff Haugh, teacher Andrew Vulgamore and others and snow cones served up by members of Salineville Assembly of God.
There also were several community organizations offering information about services and support they can provide to families.
Among them were staff from the Wellsville Carnegie Public Library, who also invited children to create buttons bearing Southern Local logos or various cartoon characters, and the MercyHealth Kikel Mobile Dental Clinic, who offered free dental screenings and bags of toothbrushes and other oral hygiene supplies to visitors of all ages.
Eric Sampson, director of Indian Academy, shared information about the school district's cyber-school program, which is open to children in kindergarten through 12th grade.
He explained an adult must be present to keep the younger pupils on task while they are receiving virtual instruction.
Not limited to Columbiana County, the online school has served youth from Youngstown to Bellaire, Sampson noted.
He added that in addition to core subjects required for graduation, the program allows students to learn more about certain subjects that interest them through elective courses.
Sampson said parents and students choose the school for a variety of reasons.
He noted some parents find it best suits the special physical or emotional needs of their children, while some advanced students appreciate being able to work at a more accelerated pace that gives them more time to pursue other goals such as work or college degrees.
Sampson said each student must put in five hours and 20 minutes each day, but they may be completed any time within a 24 hour period.
He added staff from Indian Academy also offer tutoring to any student at the Williams Collaboration Center, which is home to the Southern Local Central Office Staff and Utica Shale Academy, and other public places.
Many older Southern Local students could be found in the junior-senior high school office, picking up their class schedules and inquiring about changes.
But the event also was a time for fun, with children expending lots of energy with several bounce houses, games and the campus' front playground.
Megan Schrum of Salineville was among many parents who praised the event.
"I think it's great. They give out school supplies for the kids and I think everybody has a great time."
Another parent, Rich Alfieri of Lisbon, said, "It has a nice feeling of community and it's a nice little hoo-rah for them (the children) before the school year starts."
Superintendent Mary Alice Sigler said, "The Back to School Bash is a wonderful example of what makes Southern Local such a special community. It takes so many people working together -- our staff, local churches, community organizations, volunteers and families -- to make an event like this possible. We want every student to begin the school year feeling excited, supported and ready to succeed."
Sigler added, "I am incredibly thankful to all who gave their time and resources to support our students and families. Seeing our campus filled with children and families enjoying time together is a great way to begin another school year."