Anticipation and excitement are building for the Warren County School System, as students return to school Friday.
Director of Schools Grant Swallows said he is excited about the hope of the new year. Swallows said last year, students had to adjust to a lot of changes especially with the cell phone policy. This year, Swalliows said there are no major changes.
“The excitement that we generated last year and the good things we generated last year, we’ll just continue on,” Swallows said. “And what I always say to our kids is that our goal is to create an atmosphere to where they’re going to learn first and foremost. But we’re going to create an atmosphere where they feel like they’re welcomed and wanted.”
Swallows said he hopes to build a culture of engagement between the schools and families. Swallows said he understands there may be some nervousness as students return, but the district sees the new year as another opportunity for students to thrive.
Swallows said the central office and teachers have been patiently awaiting the new year’s start all summer. Although teachers may not be in the building every day during the break, they still spend time preparing for the next group of students to arrive.
Swallows said the message to teachers at the Thursday’s professional development day was based around engage and facilitate growth for the students. He said it is important to empower the teachers to do so.
“I could go back right now and tell you every teacher I ever had and the impact they had on me,” Swallows said. “That’s why I believe in public education. That’s why I work in public education. So inspiring our teachers, or reiterating to our teachers the impact they have on every kid is just amazing.”
Swallows said he understands every school system is judged on test scores and academics. He said student success is very important, but it is not the only goal.
Swallows said the other primary focus is career exploration. Swallows said the school system aims to give students some opportunities to try out post secondary opportunities.
“We give them an opportunity to be exposed to that before they leave high school,” Swallows said. “Because what we don’t want them to do is to say, ‘I want to do this job,’ get a degree and get out, get some extra training, get a job and decide that’s not what they want to do.”
Swallows said he hopes parents know how grateful the school system is to teach their students. He said he hopes they are in an atmosphere where they are exposed to success both in the classroom and in extracurricular activities.