Board of Education – I didn’t plan on writing to you. Parents want me to speak out to reporters and the community in public. Students have turned to me for answers on what to do and wear for school. I was there when our teachers voted to strike, and have been allowed to visit them on the lines every day since by my parents. With that being said, I’m not writing on behalf of myself, or my fellow seniors and students, or parents, or teachers. I’m writing for everyone. Just a voice in the crowd.
My father grew up in Reynoldsburg and attended Reynoldsburg cities schools and is a graduate of ’82. I have an older brother who also went through the school system and graduated in class of ’08. I’m a thriving RHS Senior. I have been in the Reynoldsburg school system since first grade. I have attended Graham Road Elementary under Mary Anne Burns; Hannah Aston Middle School under Tina Thomas Manning; Baldwin Road Junior High under Dr. Terrance Hubbard; Reynoldsburg High School – eSTEM Academy under Marcy Raymond and currently Scott Bennett. I have three younger sisters who are also attending schools in our district; one who is a sophomore at Reynoldsburg High School – Bell Early College Academy under Erica Dodson; one who is currently a sixth grader attending Baldwin Road Junior High – eSTEM Academy under Michelle Watts; and one who is just a third grader at Summit Road Elementary – eSTEM School under Melissa Drury.
I’m a 4.0 student, Captain of the Lady Raiders Varsity Soccer Team, Leo Club President, Raiderthon Director, Tactical Lead of Technical Difficulties, but I’m also a younger sister, a big sister times three, a daughter, a student, a friend, an intern, a neighbor, a soon to be graduate and adult, and a community member. A community member who will act by greeting others I meet with acts of friendliness and kindness, taking responsibility for my own actions and how they affect the people and environment around me, being truthful and honest to myself and others in all that I say and do as a sign of respect for myself and others, treating all persons in ways that I would like them to treat me, and recognizing that each person is different and has an individual contribution to make to the community (these points are bulleted on our School website if you didn’t know).
After everything I’ve written so far, do you know who I am? I’m a Reynoldsburg Raider.
I have Mrs. Upperman (first grade), Mrs. Curry (second grade), Mrs. Gibson (third grade), Mrs. Calkins (fourth grade), Mrs. Burns, Mrs. Nash, Mrs. Smoot, Mrs. Patterson, Mrs. Zwick and the rest of the Graham Road Staff to thank for everything they did to help me get through elementary school, get my hand print on the wall (which is located in the glass hallway, next to my cousins and above each of my sisters), and for becoming a Raider.
I have Mrs. Rogers, Mrs. Sosniak, and Mrs. Peacock (fifth grade), Mrs. Phillips, Mrs. Moore, and Mr. Co (sixth grade), Mrs. Thomas-Manning, Mrs. Robinson, Mr. Palmer, Mrs. Morrison and the rest of the Hannah Ashton Staff to thank for preparing me for the tougher classes I was about to face in Junior High, finding my passion for books while being a Library Helper, and helping find the inner Rowdy Raider I am.
I have Mr. Lichtner, Miss Petrie (now Mrs. Angle), Mrs. Bowers, Mrs. Anderson-Ross, Mrs. Segna (seventh grade), Mrs. Crum, Mr. Brown, Mr. Burger, Mr. Ortman, Mrs. Stoll (eighth grade), Dr. Hubbard, Mrs. Evans, Mrs. Robinson, Mrs. Art, Mr. White, Mrs. Harshaw (used to be Steffani) and the rest of the Baldwin Road Staff to thank for everything they taught me, preparing me for High School, letting me hit them with dodgeballs in the annual game of Students vs Teachers, and teaching me the Raider values.
I have Mrs. Ladowitz, Mrs. Wilson, Mr. Gee, Mrs. Mox (Freshmen year), Mrs. Phillips, Mr. Ball, Mr. Hirschfeld, Mrs. Heffron, Mrs. Stewart (Sophomore year), Mr. Coley, Mrs. Stewart, Mr. Timmons, Mr. Murray, Mr. Griffith (Junior year), Mrs. Stewart, Mr. Murray, Mr. Coley, Mr. Timmons, Mr. Ladowitz, Mr. Ridgway (Senior year/current), Mr. Bennett, Mrs. Gengo, Mrs. Woodell, Mrs. Nash, Miss Massa, Coach Arp, Coach P, and the rest of the Summit Campus Staff to thank for my High School career, teaching me life lessons as well as textbook lessons, teaching me integrity, preparing me for the rest of my future education (where ever I may end up), and showing me what being Raider means.
Last but not least, I have the Reynoldsburg Education Association to thank for taking a stand against you. We need this settled fairly. We need compromise and collaboration. We need you to get us our teachers back.
On our school website, it is stressed that…
The Reynoldsburg City School District delivers an innovative, high-quality and cost-effective education to all students. Schools provide hands-on learning experiences in highly personalized environments. Academic programs focus on growing sectors like science, technology, engineering and math while providing a well-rounded curriculum including educational basics along with arts and citizenship. Strong partnerships with universities, healthcare institutions, local and state government agencies and businesses enhance student learning.
It is also stated that…
Reynoldsburg teachers and staff go above and beyond for students and their families. Staff members stay on top of educational innovations, attracting educators from across Ohio to Reynoldsburg to see what's happening in our classrooms. Reynoldsburg employees are passionate about education and focus on every student's success.
And that…
To ensure that every child achieves and progresses by: Customizing education for every student, Developing innovative solutions in curriculum, instruction and assessment to ensure students acquire 21st century skills and knowledge, Having students demonstrate the acquisition of skills in critical thinking, collaboration, problem solving, use of emerging technologies, global awareness and communication, and Rethinking school design to meet today's demand.
Along with…
To ensure a safe, nurturing, healthy school environment by: Creating personalized schools in which students are known, trusted, empowered, connected and honored, Meeting individual student needs with all appropriate and available resources, Maintaining safety in all facilities, Effectively communicating with students, staff, families and community members, and Engaging parents and community members in school decisions and activities.
All I have to say about these direct quotes is that you, our Board of Education, and Superintendent, Tina Thomas-Manning, have not been honoring what our district promises. You need our teachers behind their desks in order to keep these promises and we need our teachers in front of our desks in order to succeed.
To this you may say, “You don’t need a body in front of you, you have computers,” but a computer can’t replace a teacher. A computer can’t teach us how to write while using voice, or have discussions over the Scarlet Letter or Enders Game. A computer can’t help us look in a microscope, or walk out to the wetlands in boots that are two sizes too big. A computer can’t make us sing songs about the quadratic formula for memorization, or stay after school hours with us to give us extra help or retake a test we bombed. A computer can’t demonstrate how bad it was in the trenches during WW1 in our classrooms, or further explain the US government by holding elections and roll playing Congress. We need our teachers back.
A computer can’t conduct a band, orchestra, or choir. A computer can’t do the Spark Pledge, or any of the specialized acts our teachers do to engage students during class. A computer can’t coach on any field, court, track, course, or pool. A computer can’t help us build a robot late into the night during build season. A computer can’t advise clubs like NHS, Leo Club, etc… A computer can’t chaperone a school dance, or organize powder puff football activities. A computer can’t support its students at extra curriculum activities, or take selfies with students at sports events. We need our teachers back.
A computer can’t teach us right from wrong, or pat us on the back for achieving and hug us when we’re in a slump. A computer can’t stand in as a reference on a resume, or write us recommendation letters. A computer can’t hand us our diplomas; can’t hand me my diploma. A computer can’t replace a teacher; can’t replace any teacher. We need our teachers back.
I’m not begging, I’m telling. From 12 years of experience in this school district; I would not be the younger sister, the big sister times three, the daughter, the student, the friend, the intern, the neighbor, the soon to be graduate and adult, the community member, the leader, and the Raider I am today without the great people who have taught me, who teach me this semester, and who will teach me second semester. I’m not begging, I’m telling. From 12 years of experience in this school district; you need to walk into that room today, with listening ears, collaborating mouths, compassionate hearts, and your minds on the students’ needs. I’m not begging, I’m telling. From 12 years of experience in this school district you need to come to a compromise with our teachers. Our teachers are more than teachers to us. They are friends, mentors, people who we laugh with, who we make memories with. I need my teachers. My sisters need their teachers. My friends need their teachers. Future students need our teachers. You need our teachers. We need our teachers.
We need our teachers back – A voice in the crowd.
Paige Van Horn
I’m a 4.0 student, Captain of the Lady Raiders Varsity Soccer Team, Leo Club President, Raiderthon Director, Tactical Lead of Technical Difficulties, but I’m also a younger sister, a big sister times three, a daughter, a student, a friend, an intern, a neighbor, a soon to be graduate and adult, and a community member. A community member who will act by greeting others I meet with acts of friendliness and kindness, taking responsibility for my own actions and how they affect the people and environment around me, being truthful and honest to myself and others in all that I say and do as a sign of respect for myself and others, treating all persons in ways that I would like them to treat me, and recognizing that each person is different and has an individual contribution to make to the community (these points are bulleted on our School website if you didn’t know).
After everything I’ve written so far, do you know who I am? I’m a Reynoldsburg Raider.
I have Mrs. Upperman (first grade), Mrs. Curry (second grade), Mrs. Gibson (third grade), Mrs. Calkins (fourth grade), Mrs. Burns, Mrs. Nash, Mrs. Smoot, Mrs. Patterson, Mrs. Zwick and the rest of the Graham Road Staff to thank for everything they did to help me get through elementary school, get my hand print on the wall (which is located in the glass hallway, next to my cousins and above each of my sisters), and for becoming a Raider.
I have Mrs. Rogers, Mrs. Sosniak, and Mrs. Peacock (fifth grade), Mrs. Phillips, Mrs. Moore, and Mr. Co (sixth grade), Mrs. Thomas-Manning, Mrs. Robinson, Mr. Palmer, Mrs. Morrison and the rest of the Hannah Ashton Staff to thank for preparing me for the tougher classes I was about to face in Junior High, finding my passion for books while being a Library Helper, and helping find the inner Rowdy Raider I am.
I have Mr. Lichtner, Miss Petrie (now Mrs. Angle), Mrs. Bowers, Mrs. Anderson-Ross, Mrs. Segna (seventh grade), Mrs. Crum, Mr. Brown, Mr. Burger, Mr. Ortman, Mrs. Stoll (eighth grade), Dr. Hubbard, Mrs. Evans, Mrs. Robinson, Mrs. Art, Mr. White, Mrs. Harshaw (used to be Steffani) and the rest of the Baldwin Road Staff to thank for everything they taught me, preparing me for High School, letting me hit them with dodgeballs in the annual game of Students vs Teachers, and teaching me the Raider values.
I have Mrs. Ladowitz, Mrs. Wilson, Mr. Gee, Mrs. Mox (Freshmen year), Mrs. Phillips, Mr. Ball, Mr. Hirschfeld, Mrs. Heffron, Mrs. Stewart (Sophomore year), Mr. Coley, Mrs. Stewart, Mr. Timmons, Mr. Murray, Mr. Griffith (Junior year), Mrs. Stewart, Mr. Murray, Mr. Coley, Mr. Timmons, Mr. Ladowitz, Mr. Ridgway (Senior year/current), Mr. Bennett, Mrs. Gengo, Mrs. Woodell, Mrs. Nash, Miss Massa, Coach Arp, Coach P, and the rest of the Summit Campus Staff to thank for my High School career, teaching me life lessons as well as textbook lessons, teaching me integrity, preparing me for the rest of my future education (where ever I may end up), and showing me what being Raider means.
Last but not least, I have the Reynoldsburg Education Association to thank for taking a stand against you. We need this settled fairly. We need compromise and collaboration. We need you to get us our teachers back.
On our school website, it is stressed that…
The Reynoldsburg City School District delivers an innovative, high-quality and cost-effective education to all students. Schools provide hands-on learning experiences in highly personalized environments. Academic programs focus on growing sectors like science, technology, engineering and math while providing a well-rounded curriculum including educational basics along with arts and citizenship. Strong partnerships with universities, healthcare institutions, local and state government agencies and businesses enhance student learning.
It is also stated that…
Reynoldsburg teachers and staff go above and beyond for students and their families. Staff members stay on top of educational innovations, attracting educators from across Ohio to Reynoldsburg to see what's happening in our classrooms. Reynoldsburg employees are passionate about education and focus on every student's success.
And that…
To ensure that every child achieves and progresses by: Customizing education for every student, Developing innovative solutions in curriculum, instruction and assessment to ensure students acquire 21st century skills and knowledge, Having students demonstrate the acquisition of skills in critical thinking, collaboration, problem solving, use of emerging technologies, global awareness and communication, and Rethinking school design to meet today's demand.
Along with…
To ensure a safe, nurturing, healthy school environment by: Creating personalized schools in which students are known, trusted, empowered, connected and honored, Meeting individual student needs with all appropriate and available resources, Maintaining safety in all facilities, Effectively communicating with students, staff, families and community members, and Engaging parents and community members in school decisions and activities.
All I have to say about these direct quotes is that you, our Board of Education, and Superintendent, Tina Thomas-Manning, have not been honoring what our district promises. You need our teachers behind their desks in order to keep these promises and we need our teachers in front of our desks in order to succeed.
To this you may say, “You don’t need a body in front of you, you have computers,” but a computer can’t replace a teacher. A computer can’t teach us how to write while using voice, or have discussions over the Scarlet Letter or Enders Game. A computer can’t help us look in a microscope, or walk out to the wetlands in boots that are two sizes too big. A computer can’t make us sing songs about the quadratic formula for memorization, or stay after school hours with us to give us extra help or retake a test we bombed. A computer can’t demonstrate how bad it was in the trenches during WW1 in our classrooms, or further explain the US government by holding elections and roll playing Congress. We need our teachers back.
A computer can’t conduct a band, orchestra, or choir. A computer can’t do the Spark Pledge, or any of the specialized acts our teachers do to engage students during class. A computer can’t coach on any field, court, track, course, or pool. A computer can’t help us build a robot late into the night during build season. A computer can’t advise clubs like NHS, Leo Club, etc… A computer can’t chaperone a school dance, or organize powder puff football activities. A computer can’t support its students at extra curriculum activities, or take selfies with students at sports events. We need our teachers back.
A computer can’t teach us right from wrong, or pat us on the back for achieving and hug us when we’re in a slump. A computer can’t stand in as a reference on a resume, or write us recommendation letters. A computer can’t hand us our diplomas; can’t hand me my diploma. A computer can’t replace a teacher; can’t replace any teacher. We need our teachers back.
I’m not begging, I’m telling. From 12 years of experience in this school district; I would not be the younger sister, the big sister times three, the daughter, the student, the friend, the intern, the neighbor, the soon to be graduate and adult, the community member, the leader, and the Raider I am today without the great people who have taught me, who teach me this semester, and who will teach me second semester. I’m not begging, I’m telling. From 12 years of experience in this school district; you need to walk into that room today, with listening ears, collaborating mouths, compassionate hearts, and your minds on the students’ needs. I’m not begging, I’m telling. From 12 years of experience in this school district you need to come to a compromise with our teachers. Our teachers are more than teachers to us. They are friends, mentors, people who we laugh with, who we make memories with. I need my teachers. My sisters need their teachers. My friends need their teachers. Future students need our teachers. You need our teachers. We need our teachers.
We need our teachers back – A voice in the crowd.
Paige Van Horn