Dear Eastern Elementary Families:
The start of the school year is here!
This is my 19th year in education and 8th year as Elementary Principal here at Eastern. Prior to becoming a principal here at Eastern, I spent 5 years as a classroom teacher in grades 4, 6, and 8. I feel truly blessed to have the opportunity to work in this wonderful community and with our awesome children on a daily basis.
In the spring of 2023 the Eastern Local School District was awarded a grant for school safety. You will notice modifications in both the elementary and high school main entrances. These modifications will allow for increased security for students. These modifications are currently under construction and expect to be completed in the coming week.
Students in grades 3-5 were given the Ohio State Assessments in April and May of 2023. The results of the assessments are not finalized, but it appears Eastern Elementary will once again be at the top of Pike County. Finalized Results should be released in September of 2023. Initial results show Eastern Elementary scored at or above the state average in 6 of the 7 tested areas. We look forward to seeing the finalized results and celebrating these results with our students, families, and staff.
Eastern Elementary has made some staffing changes moving into the 2023-2024 school year. We would like to welcome Virgina Wheeler (Keppler) home. Virginia graduated from Eastern in 2015 and will be teaching grade 4 intervention. Virginia is returning home after spending 4 years at Western Local teaching grades 5 and 6 intervention. Other changes include Mrs. DIxon moving from grade 3 to grade 2, Mrs Lloyd moving back to kindergarten after teaching 1st grade last year, and Mrs. Weaver returning to grades K-2 intervention.
We will continue to use the elementary gym area door #23 for all am drop offs. This area will have staff on duty starting at 7:15am. No exceptions unless prior arrangements are made. Pick up will be conducted in “flights” at different times and locations like previous year. We ask that all parents stay in their car and create a line just like previous school years.
I would like to encourage all families to connect to the Seesaw Learning program that our school will once again be using. This “app” provides a way for your child’s teacher to communicate with you as well as post pictures of activities taking place throughout the school year. I will also be using this program to send school wide messages when information needs to be distributed to families. This program is super easy to use, can be a way for you to help monitor your child's progress, and see many of the great things taking place at Eastern Elementary.
Lastly, our District will continue offering an after school learning program during the 23-24 school year beginning later in the fall. This program will be used to help students who may need extra support to master their grade level reading and mathematics expectations. More information will be distributed about this program in the coming weeks.
Today is a Great Day to be an Eastern Eagle!
Sincerely,
Matthew E. Hines
Eastern Elementary Principal