Inspirational messages drawn in chalk greeted many new and returning staff and students.
August 18 was the first day of classes for Westerville City Schools students in grades 1-12. Enrollment for the 2016-2017 school year is currently hovering around 15,000 and expectations are high for a spectacular season of teaching and learning. Children are returning to buildings that have been cleaned and polished and, in some cases, renovated.
As a new option for families this year, fees can be paid online by credit card. Simply go to www.wcsoh.org and click on EZPay under the Resources section. The deadline for payment is October 1, 2016.
Westerville South High School has a new leader. Principal Mike Starner is a Columbus-area native who has spent his entire 22-year education career in Central Ohio. He taught social studies in the Hilliard City Schools for 11 years and subsequently completed five years as an assistant principal at both Hilliard Davidson High School and Hilliard Bradley High School. From Hilliard City Schools he joined the South-Western City School District as principal of Grove City High, a position he held since 2010.
Pupils, parents and staff at Fouse and Alcott elementary schools; Genoa Middle School; and Westerville Central High School were greeted on the first day with sidewalk chalk messages of welcome and inspiration. Volunteers from a neighborhood outreach group called Companis, founded by John and Jill Beck, visited these buildings Wednesday evening to create the art and were pleased that Mother Nature smiled on the project by not washing it away with rains of late.