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RICHMOND – The Edison Local School District is gearing up for the start of classes by hosting its annual Back-to-School Rally this Thursday.
Students and their families are invited to festivities at Edison High School in Richmond on Aug. 6 from 5-7 p.m., where they can meet local and school organizations, receive free school supplies and information, and enjoy inflatable rides and food trucks. Superintendent Bill Beattie mentioned the activity during the district’s last regular school board session and said it will be held in the parking lot of the fieldhouse and conclude with a Meet the Team event featuring fall sports athletes at the Edison Unified Sports Complex.
The rally has been held for more than a decade and attracts about 400 to 500 people each year. Officials added it provided families a chance to obtain free supplies and connect with community agencies to learn about available resources, plus the food trucks and inflatables were added treats. Screwy Louie's of Toronto will offer amusements for the kids while ice cream to tacos will be on hand, in addition to tables helmed by school teams, community groups, military recruiters, and local churches. One new addition is a school bus and parents can learn about transportation safety.
"We will have a bus onsite because [the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce] has regulations and parents can meet with a bus driver for a lesson on how to enter and exit the bus," Beattie said.
Meanwhile, Edison's new school year starts with the first day of classes on Aug. 26 with kindergarten and preschool set for Aug. 27.
Among other action, the board:
— Approved a three-year contract for Tammy Burchfield to continue as principal at John Gregg Elementary with a two-year contract for John Polsinelli as EMIS coordinator, the latter through the Jefferson County Educational Service Center;
— Approved the resignations of Samantha Drysdale as volunteer band assistant as well as Lindsey Leake and Patty Tinney as aides at John Gregg;
— Approved the employment of Debora Bowen and Sarah Pennington as paraprofessional aides at Stanton Elementary;
— Approved Tiffany Moses and Alexandra Ash as part-time van drivers;
— Approved an online learning plan for the new school year;
— Approved student handbooks for John Gregg and Stanton;
— Approved overnight field trips for the FFA to Camp Muskingum on Sept. 27-29 or Sept. 29-Oct. 1; Indianapolis for the FFA Convention on Oct. 21-24; and Columbus on May 6-7;
— Approved a contract with the East Central Ohio ESC to provide an online instructor for an American Sign Language course during the upcoming school year;
— Heard from Beattie, who said staffing was nearly complete with several aides' positions and a special education post to fill prior to the start of classes;
— Heard from Vice President Ron Smyth, who inquired about whether anything could be done with the space that currently houses the former pool at Stanton. Beattie said there were ideas for multiple uses, but it would take funding and officials were reviewing potential grant options;
— Heard from board member Anna Ault, who asked if the board could do a walk-through at the school buildings. She said officials completed one five years ago and some updates have occurred since then. Beattie said some carpeting work was being completed but agreed to do them once the school year begins;
— Set the next meeting for Aug. 25 at 6 p.m. at EHS with new hires and student representatives to attend.