Seven years at Slate Hill have been 'blessing,' Girard says

When Jennifer Wene stepped down as the first principal of Slate Hill Elementary School seven years ago, some people thought the school would never be quite as good.

They were wrong, said Worthington Board of Education member David Bressman.

Dan Girard stepped up and carried on the tradition begun by Wene and counselor Kathy Moore nearly two decades ago, he said.

"Dan's done a great job at Slate Hill," Bressman said as he congratulated Girard on being named athletic director at Thomas Worthington High School.

Girard, a 39-year-old product of Worthington Schools who has spent his entire career here, will move on next fall to run the athletic program at the school from which he graduated in 1989 (see story in ThisWeek sports section).

But part of him will remain with the students, staff and families at Slate Hill, where he contributed his enthusiasm, his high energy and a vision for all children that they can learn and grow.

That worked well at Slate Hill, which is known for its character education, its diversity, its record of high achievement, and for being the first Worthington school to take part in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program.

Moore started the character education program in the 1990s, and its effect has been long lasting. Slate Hill students not only celebrate the character trait of the month, they live it.

It is not unusual to see students hugging each other and otherwise being supportive, the principal said.

"This is an amazing learning environment," Girard said. "The kids are diverse, smart and happy."

Enrollment ranges from 486 to 510. With 15 to 25 percent of students transient, the number changes often.

Slate Hill is also diverse ethnically. Approximately 20 languages are spoken there during any school year.

And the families are among the poorest in the district. Approximately half qualify for free or reduced price lunches.

That has never held students back academically. The school has traditionally scored high on standardized achievement tests.

Now they are taking on a program often thought of as being offered in only elite schools throughout the world.

The I.B. program is a highly rigorous program that encompasses all aspects of the child and uses learning strategies that encourage children to use inquiry to gain more knowledge and create a deeper understanding of topics.

One of the hallmarks of the program is foreign language classes for all students. Beginning next year, all Slate Hill students will learn Spanish from a full-time Spanish teacher at the school.

The school is still going through the process of becoming an I.B. school, but Girard is confident the process will be completed with the hard work and dedication of the staff that started it three years ago.

Girard will be glad when the process is complete, and Slate Hill is the district's first I.B. school.

"Hopefully, they will let me participate," he said.

He assures everyone that he is not going far. He and his wife and three children live in Worthington, and don't plan to leave.

Girard attended the University of Maine on a football scholarship after he graduated from Worthington High School. He also has a master's degree in sports administration.

In Worthington, he has taught at Bluffsview Elementary, Worthingway Middle School, and Worthington Estates Elementary. He was director of the United Methodist Children's Home school for two years.

But it was at Slate Hill where he found his school family, he said.

"The people are amazing," he said. "It's been a blessing."

Taking over as the third principal at Slate Hill next fall will be Kenneth Pease, who is currently principal at Finland Elementary School in South-Western City Schools.

He was selected following a process that involved staff, parents and administrators.

Pease applied specifically for the Slate Hill position after learning about the school, said Worthington coordinator of human resources Trent Bowers.

"He's committed to leading its I.B. program and helping the staff move forward," Bowers said.