Schools are ready to welcome students

By CANDY BROOKS

ThisWeek Staff Writer

Published: August 21, 2008
Edition: Worthington
Section: News
Page: 01A



Approximately 9,602 students are expected to take their seats in Worthington classrooms next Wednesday, the official first day of the 2008-09 school year. While 9,429 had registered by this past Monday, assistant superintendent Paul Cynkar expects the numbers to swell to the projected enrollment number when everyone -- especially preschool and kindergarten students -- signs in.

Last year's enrollment was 9,567.

"I would say we are right on target," he said.

Enrollment is expected to be up slightly at the elementary and middle schools, but down by 111 in the high schools. That follows the trend of a decade ago, when numbers were down in the elementary schools.

Also following is the location of the enrollment decline. A decade ago, numbers were down in elementary schools on the west side of the Olentangy River. Now, enrollment is down at Worthington Kilbourne High School.

In a few elementary schools, there will be some overflow.

Brookside and Liberty elementary schools will offer only full-day kindergarten this year. Half-day students will be sent to other schools.

There are also expected to be overflow students at Worthington Hills. Some who moved into the area since last school year will be sent to Bluffsview.

Also, new students moving into the McCord Middle School area will go to Perry Middle School, and new students at Kilbourne Middle School will be assigned to Worthingway Middle School.

As openings occur, students will be transferred back to the schools in their neighborhoods.

Three new principals will greet students next week.

Mary Rykowski, who comes from the Hilliard district, is he new principal at Evening Street Elementary.

Jim Carpenter, from the Wooster area, takes the reigns at Worthington Estates.

Julie King, also from Hilliard, will be the new assistant principal at Thomas Worthington High School.

Mary Ziemke also takes over as the new director of the United Methodist Children's Home campus.

Superintendent of schools Melissa Conrath said she is excited about some new programs that start this year, and about the continued reform and renewal planning that will continue at all grade levels.

The renewal process involves all principals and staff looking at what is being offered at the schools and how that can be changed to better prepare students in the 21st century.

The Phoenix School, an alternative middle school located in the Perry Middle School building, moves into its second year. Last year's seventh-graders will move on to the eighth grade, and a new crop of seventh-graders will be added.

There will be 75 eighth-graders and 84 seventh-graders, who were selected from a lottery of 120 names who applied last spring.

Conrath is also excited about the continued preparation for the International Baccalaureate program at Slate Hill Elementary School.

At the high schools, several programs that were proposed by staff will take off this year.

The International Business Academy at Worthington Kilbourne attracted only a few students, but they will find it to be a high-quality, rewarding experience, the superintendent said.

"The concept is a powerful one," Conrath said.

The Linworth campus will also move ahead with new technology that was scheduled for next year, and the credit recovery program at Kilbourne and Thomas is expected to attract students who might otherwise fail classes.

Those students will have opportunities to regain those lost credits during computer-centered, after-school programs.

Technology is also expected to make great strides in the district this year, as all of the computers in the elementary schools have been replaced.

Instead of the aging MacIntosh computers they left behind, elementary students will be greeted with brand new PCs when they return next week.

New software has also been purchased, he said.

Also on the agenda this year are new labor contracts with the Worthington Education Association and the Worthington Classified Association.

Talks between the teachers' union and the Worthington Board of Education are proceeding, and the teachers will begin the school year working under last year's contract.

Talks with the classified workers unions will begin this fall.

The board is seeking contract agreements that are "sustainable, affordable, and fair," Conrath said.




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