News
WCSD Recognizes Lincoln & Willard for Their Accomplishments in Attendance
Two PK-8 schools with the Warren City School District were recognized during the annual staff convocation on Thursday, Aug. 15, 2025, for their attendance numbers in 2024-2025.
Lincoln PK-8 School received the “Daily Attendance Making Gains” award for having the highest increase in daily attendance and the “Daily Attendance Building Champion” award for the highest daily attendance by students. Willard PK-8 received the “Daily Attendance Leader’ award and the “Showing Up For Kids” award.

The award presentations were part of the district’s kick off to its new 2025- 2026 attendance awareness campaign, “Attend Today, Succeed Tomorrow!”.

The are rotating awards, meaning they will move from school to school based on each building’s attendance numbers.
“This slogan was selected because we know that academic success starts with showing up,” said Dante Capers, Associate Superintendent of Student Services, Student Wellness & Success.
This school year, the district is partnering with the Stay In The Game! Network and the Cleveland Browns Foundation whose mission
involves connecting members and stakeholders to work together to campaign, connect, and convene with experts to dramatically improve student attendance.
So, in addition to the district campaign slogan, students, families and community members will see branding, posters, and more from the Cleveland Browns and the Stay In The Game! Network around each school and throughout the community.
What will this partnership mean for Warren City Schools?
- Improved strategy in our existing work to reduce absenteeism
- Increased communication and engagement to raise attendance awareness and to recognize students
who are meeting that expectation - Collaboration with other districts and experts to identify strategies to reduce absenteeism
- Engaging community partners in our attendance awareness efforts
What’s next?
- Awareness raising with families through communication channels and connecting this week at the
Celebration on the Square. - “Perfect Start” attendance challenge to promote perfect attendance for the month of August.
- Recognizing last year’s students with exceptional attendance at the “HERO”s Tailgate Party at the
September 5th home football game. Mark your calendars and join us! - Monthly recognition of our schools that are leading the way with student, staff, and daily attendance.
What is an Attendance H.E.R.O.?
- This is our district-wide standard for excellent attendance. A H.E.R.O. is a student who is 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. Join us in setting an expectation and
encouraging your students to be Attendance H.E.R.O.s!







WCS CONVOCATION 2025-2026: District Leaders Welcome Staff, Officially Kicking Off the New School Year


Warren City Schools Superintendent/CEO Steve Chiaro on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025, led district and community leaders in welcoming school employees to the 2025-2026 during the annual Convocation at Mollenkompf Stadium.

The event, a longstanding tradition in the Warren City School District, gives time for districtwide updates and direction.
The WCS Food Service Department’s Back to School Sessions set the tone for a successful year
Warren City Schools Food Service employees kicked off the 2025-2026 school year discussing expectations and strategies for building a healthy and positive workplace culture.

The department, during two professional development sessions, discussed establishing a productive work environment and using five guiding principles to build a positive staff culture. These standards create a supportive and efficient workplace where every team member can thrive:
- Show up ready to work.
- Express yourself professionally.
- Respond with respect.
- Value teamwork.
- Exceed expectations.
As Staff Culture Builders, we strive to connect with each person on a personal level. If that doesn’t come naturally, resources like The 4 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace can help foster stronger, more meaningful relationships:
- Words of Affirmation – Using verbal praise, compliments, or written notes to express appreciation and encouragement.
- Quality Time – Giving someone your full attention, such as one-on-one conversations or team activities, to show you value them.
- Acts of Service – Helping lighten someone’s load by assisting with tasks or providing support when needed. 4. Tangible Gifts – Giving thoughtful items or tokens that show you know and appreciate the recipient’s preferences.
In the second session which served as the Food Service Department’s Back to School meeting, building a healthy and positive workplace culture was a key topic. Guest presenter Lucien Blackwell of RBC Financial Services emphasized that culture must be conducive to success and is something you can feel in the workplace. He reminded staff that effective communication is about understanding and alignment, with only 10% being the words spoken and 90% the way they are expressed.
The session closed with a powerful message: Rules without relationship always equal rebellion.


WCS Superintendent/CEO Steve Chiaro welcomes new teachers to the district for the 2025-2026 school year
Warren City Schools welcomed several new teachers to the district during a new teacher orientation on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025.
Superintendent/CEO Steve Chiaro spent time with the new employees, giving them the opportunity to become more familiar with the Warren City Schools family, community and buildings, and to spend some time with their peers.
The orientation was held at the WCS Student Recreation and Wellness Center.
More than 40 new staff members heard from department directors within the district, learning about state and federal programming, business operations, Curriculum and Instruction, employee benefits, and much more.
Building Administrators shared insight related to their specific building operations and took part in a Q&A with new hires.
Following the orientation, staff toured the new Student Recreation & Wellness Center before an orientation with the Warren Education Association.
‘Behavior Queen’ Amie Dean discusses the 3 C’s of education: Helping children feel connected, capable and calm
While visiting Warren City Schools on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025, Amie Dean “Behavior Queen” met with the district’s educational assistants to discuss trauma sensitive classrooms, understanding what trauma could be and how children communicate, understanding behavior, de-escalation, the why and how, and strategies to meet the 3 C’s: helping children feel connected, capable and calm.

Warren City Schools welcomed “Behavior Queen” Amie Dean to the district on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025. During four sessions with various district employees, Dean discussed, among other topics, creating a positive school community.
Dean, M.ED., B.A., a former special education teacher, has worked in education since 1993. She has experience teaching at all levels, and has taught both special and general education.
Much of her focus is her passion for the “problem” students of the world, according to her website. These include the “students who are disrespectful, defiant, broken, and shut down” and have been a part of her every day for 30 years.
Amie Dean ‘Behavior Queen’ brings experience, strategies to WCS professional development day
Warren City Schools welcomed “Behavior Queen” Amie Dean to the district on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025. Dean discussed, among other topics, creating a positive school community.
The day’s four sessions encompassed staff from food service, maintenance, transportation, security liaisons, and educational assistants.
The first session with the Food Service and Maintenance Departments focused on building relationships and teamwork, creating a productive work environment, leadership roles in tough conversations and promoting peace, even during conflict.
The second session, with transportation and security liaisons, addressed responding verses reacting, and de-escalation tips for adults.
The final two sessions were with educational assistants with focus areas of trauma sensitive classrooms, understanding what trauma could be and how children communicate, understanding behavior, de-escalation, the why and how, and strategies to meet the 3 C’s: helping children feel connected, capable and calm.
Dean, M.ED., B.A., a former special education teacher, has worked in education since 1993. She has experience teaching at all levels, and has taught both special and general education.
Much of her focus is her passion for the “problem” students of the world, according to her website. These include the “students who are disrespectful, defiant, broken, and shut down” and have been a part of her every day for 30 years.
See you at the Square! WCS Back to School Celebration Set for Wednesday, Aug. 13!
Families and community members are invited to join us on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025, for the school district’s annual Back to School Celebration in Downtown Warren at Courthouse Square.
The fun runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Students, parents, teachers and school administrators will gather to celebrate the start of another successful school year in Warren City Schools. Refreshments will be provided and the event will feature games, raffles and entertainment.
Learn to Swim Fall & Winter 2025
Warren City Schools and the American Red Cross have teamed up to offer swim lesson for children between the ages of 3 and 14.
Registration is open now.
Download the Flyers and Registration Forms here:
PLEASE: Complete ALL FinalForms Before School Starts on Monday, Aug. 18, 2025
Opening day of school is just around the corner and to better meet the needs of our students we ask that parents/guardians complete all FinalForms by Monday, Aug. 18, 2025.
If you have trouble logging in, please contact your child’s school.
Scan the QR CODE for easy access:

Rooftop Rally
Join us for our Rooftop Rally event on Friday, September 26 at 6:00 PM at the Warren City Schools Student Recreation and Wellness Center! Enjoy tailgate refreshments and rooftop viewing as we cheer on the Raiders against the McDowell Trojans. Tickets are $25 per person, and all proceeds will support Warren City Schools pantries and programs.