Superintendent’s Corner

By Casey Wright

As we get ready to celebrate the holiday season, I want to take a moment to reflect on the many accomplishments and highlights from November at Nordonia Hills City Schools. Our schools showcased a strong commitment to learning, service and collaboration, from honoring our veterans to participating in community outreach efforts. Here’s a closer look at the events and achievements from across our district:

District-wide accomplishments

Amber Vojtush recognized: Amber Vojtush has been recognized as the Ohio Middle Level Association’s Parent of the Year, highlighting her dedication and significant impact as a parent within our community. Her passion has strengthened the connections between home and school, fostering a positive atmosphere that encourages student success and wellbeing. This well-deserved accolade reflects the profound difference that a committed parent can make in shaping a thriving educational community.

Veterans Day events: Schools throughout the district held Veterans Day assemblies, breakfasts and ceremonies, offering students opportunities to connect with veterans and learn from their experiences. These events showcased our collective respect and gratitude for their service.

AI Summit: The district held an AI Summit featuring keynote speaker Drew Dudley. Dudley encouraged staff to recognize the potential of artificial intelligence in education. The event also included workshops that provided staff with tools to effectively integrate AI into their teaching practices.

Community partnerships: Our partnership with the Nordonia Chamber of Commerce continues to expand, creating opportunities for students to engage with local businesses through job shadowing, internships and career fairs. 

Nordonia High School

  • Field trips: AP Chemistry students visited Hikma Pharmaceuticals, gaining insight into real-world applications of their studies. Health careers students toured the Akron School of Nursing, participating in hands-on activities that brought their classroom learning to life.
  • Proud Knight lunch: This event celebrated students who embody the qualities of character, integrity and school spirit, recognizing their contributions to a positive school culture.
  • Athletics: Fall sports teams excelled in competition and academics, with a collective GPA of 3.834. Girls Cross Country led the way with a GPA of 4.211.

Nordonia Middle School

  • Monster Dash food drive: Students collected over 1,400 pounds of food, far surpassing their initial goal. The event combined teamwork, generosity and fun, highlighting the school’s dedication to supporting local families in need and fostering a culture of service.
  • “Knight Way Right Way” recognition: Students who demonstrated the school’s Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports pillars of integrity, accountability and leadership were celebrated in a special recognition event. 
  • Fall social: Students enjoyed a fun-filled afternoon at the fall social, a popular event combining a school dance with athletic competitions. Activities like the Point Break tournament encouraged camaraderie and healthy competition.

Lee Eaton Intermediate School

  • Friendsgiving lunch: Teachers and students shared a meal, building a sense of gratitude and community within the school.
  • Mental health support: The Signs of Suicide program was introduced to sixth-graders, focusing on raising awareness and promoting mental health resources.

Rushwood Elementary

  • Giving Tree project: The annual Giving Tree initiative collected hats, gloves, scarves and socks for students and local families. This project embodies the school’s dedication to supporting those in need during the holiday season.

Northfield Elementary

  • Attendance initiatives: Staff worked closely with families to address attendance challenges, providing support to ensure students have access to a consistent and enriching educational experience.
  • Appreciation events: Students participated in “Tootle Tuesday,” writing notes of gratitude for staff as part of Educational Support Professionals Day.

Ledgeview Elementary

  • Turkey donation drive: Families donated surplus turkeys, which were distributed to others in need, demonstrating the power of community generosity.
  • Book Fair: Every student, including preschoolers, received a free book courtesy of the PTA. The event also featured an ice cream social.

I want to thank our students, staff and families for their commitment and contributions that ensure Nordonia remains a vibrant, successful district. Together, we are preparing students to thrive academically and personally while fostering a strong sense of community.