The Perry Local Schools community has a very good reason to celebrate! Outstanding achievement and success marks the beginning of this 2009-2010 school year. Our schools have received a rating of “excellent” for now the seventh year, which is extraordinary in Ohio. This was accomplished in a year in which our district poverty rate continued to increase, and there was a new growth factor, also known as “value added”, component included on the state’s report card. Only a nominal number of school districts have equaled Perry’s consistent academic accomplishments, and no other school district in our comparison group (as determined by the state) has managed to maintain such an outstanding state report card. We are grateful for the leadership provided by our board of education, the engaging lessons and activities that our teachers deliver on a daily basis, and the support of our entire community. We are all working to ensure that students experience success as a result of their time spent in the Perry Local Schools.

 

Several academic areas have seen positive changes as we begin this new school year. We have now fully implemented all-day, everyday kindergarten, which will provide an even better chance for our students to experience success, because of the additional foundational educational activities. At the other end of the spectrum, we continue to work with local colleges and universities in order for students to earn as many college credits as possible while they are still in high school. Additionally, there is now a SmartBoard in every K-5 classroom throughout the district. The addition of this technology allows for our teachers to better engage students, while often bringing the outside world right into the classroom. These are just a few of the many good things that are happening throughout the district this year. They are all being implemented in order to provide opportunities that are meaningful to our students in order to increase their level of success.

 

Once again, we wish to thank our entire community for continuing the pride, excellence, and tradition of an “excellent” school system.

 

Sincerely,

 

John Richard