Happy New Year

 I know the title of the blog sounds a little misleading because we are only in August, however, we are at the beginning of a brand new school year and that should make you happy. There are so many things to be excited about this school year. First of all we have just finished our orientation evenings and they were a great success. We are going to begin the school year with around 550 students.  This is by far the most students we have had to start a school year in a long time. I believe the community and the associate schools are really seeing the great things that Vantage has to offer, both for a terrific jump start to a career path or the college route. Both of the evenings went by so smoothly and quickly. I want to thank the supervisors and administration for making this evening run like clockwork. The several conversations I had with parents and future students was really encouraging. Everyone is ready to get the new school year off and running.

Several other things that I am excited about is that we are making masks optional, so it will be nice to see so many new faces (including the seniors faces from last year). Our lunch room will be organized like it was prior to Covid but we will only have four students to the round tables instead of eight. We will be doing all the cleaning and sanitizing like we did last year in hopes that this will keep us in school and safe. I have spoken to several instructors and academic teachers and they are ready to get the year started. I am excited to see what are new STEM class will be like and all the things Mr. Joyce has planned for that class. 

We will also have a few new faces around the building this year. Our new Senior English teacher is Mr. Casey McConahay and I hear he is thrilled to be here and ready to get rolling. Mrs. Brooke Webster will be teaching our English intervention classes and I am hearing great things about her. We also have a new In School Suspension coordinator, Mrs Cicely Gasvoda. Hopefully the only time you meet her is during lunch time as she walks around and meets all the new students. In our maintenance department, Kyle Hammons has moved up the head of maintenance and we also hired Zach Weber to take Kyle's spot. Finally our newest staff member is Tillie. Tillie was here on and off last year but will be here about two days per week. Tillie is a mini-Golden Doodle therapy dog. Mrs. Farr has raised Tillie and several other therapy dogs and is excited about bringing Tillie to school this year. When I spoke to Mrs. Farr the other day, they were going school shopping for Tillie and getting her a Vantage t-shirt. Tillie will be here to spread smiles and joys to our students, both in the classrooms and in the hallways. If you see her, please feel free to go up and introduce yourself. Tillie is more than willing to meet you and share some love with you. If you have any questions about therapy dogs, please feel free to stop Mrs. Farr and talk to her about it. 

Well next Wednesday we will welcome in the new Juniors and then on Thursday the Seniors come back. I hope everyone is rested up and ready to make this a great year and one in which all of you learn and accomplish so much. Thanks to all of you who chose Vantage and to your parents and guardians for trusting us with your child's education. We promise you a challenging and fun school year. Happy New Year!