Author: shankv

WCS’ STEM program goes mobile with new traveling classroom

Warren City Schools on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, rolled out the district’s new Mobile STEM Lab with a preview of the classroom on wheels.

The mobile lab, which offers hands-on science, technology engineering and math education, is set to begin traveling among Warren’s five school buildings. 

It is housed in a 38-foot Freightliner chassis designed to bring hands-on, technology-rich learning experiences directly to students across the district. This state-of-the-art Mobile Stem Lab, made available through grant funding, is part of the district’s ongoing commitment to expanding opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education for all learners.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to expand STEM experiences to students throughout the school district and to build upon the existing STEM programs we already have in place,” said Danielle Miller, Supervisor of Technology, Warren City Schools. 

The Mobile STEM Lab features a 3D printing farm, a dedicated instructional area equipped with a 55-inch Interactive Smart Panel, and nine computer workstations, including a wheelchair-accessible workstation and lift to ensure inclusivity for all students. The lab will allow students to participate in engaging, age-appropriate lessons in computer science, robotics, 3D printing, and other emerging technologies.

By bringing advanced technology directly to schools, the Mobile STEM Lab expands access to innovative, hands-on learning and fosters creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration among students. Lessons and activities are designed to connect  learning to real-world applications, introducing students to potential career pathways in engineering, computer science, and technology innovation.

“The Warren City School District is excited to offer this outstanding learning opportunity to our students, like none other in our region,” said Superintendent/CEO Steve Chiaro. “We expect our Mobile STEM Lab to motivate and inspire learning in science, technology, engineering and mathematics for students of all ages across the district.”

Photos by Katie Statema 

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WARREN – For years, the Warren City School District has served thousands of students and their families through the district’s Raider Pantry Program.

What started as one pantry at the Willard PK-8 School, launched by then principal/campus leader Michelle Chiaro, over the years has blossomed into pantries at all of the district’s five schools. This week, the staff at Willard will saw a vision come to life as the school extended the program from campus to community.

The district’s new Mobile Food Pantry rolled into Trumbull Homes on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. Several members of the school staff assisted dozens of individuals stopped by the pantry on wheels and took the opportunity to choose food and other items available to them at no cost. The pantry will be stationed in front of the community center.

“This is a trial run for us,” explained Shaina Shardy, school community liaison at Willard. “We’ll see what works and what we need to work on and spend some time in the community taking suggestions from our families about what they need and what items would benefit them.”

The pantry was stocked with non-perishable food items, fresh produce, and toiletries made available to the school district through various donations. The vehicle has been made available through donations from Community Bus Service, the United Way of Trumbull County and the Cafaro family.

“United Way is proud to help bring healthy food directly to the neighborhoods of students and their families. By funding this mobile pantry, we’re breaking down barriers to access and ensuring every child has the nourishment they need to focus, learn, and thrive, both in and out
of the classroom,” said Christine Cope, President and CEO, United Way of Trumbull County.

Shardy, who sees the needs of the community first hand, has wanted to take the service to the community for a long time. She said the pantry on wheels was developed in response to the growing need for food assistance among local families and has been designed to deliver fresh nutritious food directly to neighborhoods in need.

“Everything is free and open to all families in need,” she said. “We prepare bags and boxes for families, but it’s hard sometimes for the students to carry those home. Sometimes parents will pick them up at the door, but not everyone can get to the school. This way, we can take supplies to our families. It’s something that’s been wanted and I believe needed for a long time.”

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Four Harding students-athletes are among the preseason contenders for the WKBN Big 22. 

They are Rai’twan Hill, Matt Richardson, James Jones and Zay’vion Smith.

This year marks the 20th season for the WKBN Big 22 high school football award.

At the end of the season, 22 of the best high school players from the 57 local teams are recognized. They are chosen by the head coaches and members of the local media.

Learn more about each contender:

• Rai’twan Hill

• Matt Richardson

• James Jones

• Zay’vion Smith

This Year’s Nomination Deadline Is Nov. 15

WARREN – The Board of Directors of the Warren City Schools’ Foundation and the Committee of the Warren High Schools’ Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame is accepting nominations for the Class of 2026.

“Outstanding graduates” will be inducted at the 34th Annual Awards Dinner in Spring 2026 at Warren G. Harding High School. The nomination deadline is Nov. 15.

The honorees will be those graduates who have made significant contributions in their fields, as well as society, the state or on a global scale. Each nominee must be a graduate of one of the three Warren public high schools:  Warren High School, Warren G. Harding High School or Warren Western Reserve High School.

Anyone who knows a well-qualified or deserving graduate who has been out of high school for at least 12 years may fill out a nomination form available at the Board of Education Office.

To nominate an outstanding graduate:

• Pick up a nomination form at the Board of Education Office, 105 High Street NW, Warren, Ohio 44481.
• Download the NOMINATION FORM HERE and, once completed, bring it or mail it to Alumni Hall of Fame, 105 High Street NW, Warren, Ohio 44481.
• Complete the NOMINATION FORM ONLINE and submit it electronically through the Warren City Schools’ website at  warrencityschools.org under Alumni Hall of Fame.

Warren City Schools, in collaboration with the United Way of Trumbull County, will host the district’s first Rooftop Rally on Friday, Sept. 26, at the Student Recreation and Wellness Center.

The rootop will give spectators the best seat in the house when the Harding Raiders host Erie McDowell. The $25 ticket includes pre-game tailgate food and beverage provided by AVI Foodsystems starting at 6 p.m., and game entry. All proceeds will go to support Warren’s Raider Pantry Program.

Tickets are limited and may be purchased through Friday, Sept. 19, 2025, via this link: https://fundraise.givesmart.com/form/E0_agw?vid=1l975l.

Warren City Schools Superintendent/CEO Steve Chiaro’s Sept. 10, 2025, message.

Hundreds of students and their families flocked to the Warren City Schools Student Recreation and Wellness Center on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, to recognize students who met the district’s standards for excellent attendance in the 2024-2025 school year.

Watch the Tailgate Party Video for highlights.

The district hosted its first Attendance H.E.R.O.’s Tailgate Party prior to the
home football game as part of its 2025-2026 attendance campaign, “Attend
Today, Succeed Tomorrow!”  The party, which featured bounce houses, DJs, a photo booth, food and various activities, is among several events and activities included in the district’s ongoing effort to encourage daily attendance as a lifestyle, and where needed, encourage improvements.

Every student who meets the district-wide monthly, quarterly, and/or year-long standards for excellent attendance is designated an Attendance H.E.R.O.: Here, Everyday, Ready, and On Time. Students can earn a monthly H.E.R.O. designation by missing no more than one day and by having
no more than one tardy in a month. The district is asking the community to help reinforce this expectation and encourage all students to not only be an Attendance H.E.R.O., but to also support the Attend Today, Succeed Tomorrow! campaign.

“The  ‘Attend Today, Succeed Tomorrow’ slogan was selected because we know that success in general, and academic success in particular starts with showing up,” explained Dante Capers, Associate Superintendent, Student Services, Student Wellness and Success.

“We’ve been building on our efforts to improve attendance over the years, and this year we are working to increase awareness and engagement outside of our school buildings. We know that attendance is key to
early reading proficiency, and we must ensure that our families and stakeholders understand that as well.” 

To explain it further, nationally, students are 6.7 times more likely to not read at their grade level if they are chronically absent. In contrast, they are 9 times more likely to graduate on time if they have never been chronically absent.

Capers said the school district has realized the positive impacts of encouraging family and community involvement. He added that higher rates of chronic absenteeism has been an issue among many school districts nationally since the pandemic.

Last year, more than 900 Warren City Schools students met the district’s excellent attendance milestone.

The Warren G. Harding Raiders Girls Flag Football Team had an opportunity to be one of four teams to represent their sport at the Cleveland Browns stadium during halftime of the pregame against the Los Angeles Rams.

The Harding team, in its second year of play, took the Cleveland field on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025.

Last year, the team wrapped up its first season with a 6-2 record, earning its way to Cleveland after qualifying for the fourth annual Northeast Ohio Girls Flag Football Tournament at Huntington Bank Field.

The 20-plus member team, coached by Justin Blair and Matthew Sheely, was among 16 teams competing for a girls’ flag football championship.

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A large donation of school supplies from Wheatland Tube/Zekelman, United Steel Workers, Schad Refractory, and Atlas Environmental Management will ease the way for many WCS students and families this year.

The donation includes dozens of backpacks stuffed with various items, notebooks, pencils, crayons and more.

A team of business leaders – Jose Arroyo, Colin Morgan, Rachel Cyphert, Mackenzie Sullivan, Raymond Heckathorn and Donald Fowler – brought the supplies, in bags and boxes stuffed to the brim, to the Board of Education Office on Monday, Aug. 18, 2025 – just in time for the start of the 2025-2026 school year. The donation coincided with the first day of school for students.

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The Warren City School District kicked off the 2025-2026 school year on Monday, Aug. 18, by welcoming students to class.

District staff – including teachers and administrators – and community leaders and volunteers met students at the school doors to encourage them, with some saying, “Have a great first day and a great year!”

Many students were greeted with handshakes and high fives. It has become a tradition for community members to join ranks with school leaders to gather on the first day of school as part of an ongoing effort to rally in support of the students.