News

WCSD Makes Major Milestone: Meets State’s Performance Standards

The Warren City School District has reached a major milestone in its work to offer students a high-quality education.

For the first time in more than 20 years, none of the district’s five schools falls into any of the federal designations defined by the Ohio Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) plan. Meaning, none of Warren’s schools is designated as underperforming or needing state support for educational purposes. 

State Support Team Region 5 Director Michele Moore, in a letter to the school district, cited Warren’s intentional and systematic focus on continuous improvement as a key factor in reaching this significant achievement.   

“This intentionality has led to all of the schools being identification-free for the first time in 20-plus years. As a mid-size Urban school, this is especially commendable,” Moore wrote.  

Ohio has identified schools in improvement status since the early 2000s with the passing of the No Child Left Behind Act. ESSA provides each state with flexibility to designate and serve schools in need of support.

“Our District has moved all five schools’ data out of an underperforming status due to the commitment and dedication of the entire Warren City Schools community,” stated Superintendent/CEO Steve Chiaro. “Our work is nowhere near completion and is ongoing with our goal of making continued strides and success for all children academically and social emotionally.”

In January, the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW) released the latest ESSA designations. Based on federal accountability indicators, there are close to 400 schools across Ohio that are designated as underperforming.

“When we received confirmation that all of our district buildings were free from federal and state adverse academic designations, I sat back and took a deep breath,” said Patti Limperos, President, Warren City Schools Board of Education.

“I have had a front seat to all the work and dedication that our teachers, administrators, and support staff have poured into our students. Climbing this mountain, with always moving educational performance targets, has been a challenge.

“As a longtime parent, and member of the board of education for over 16 years, it was a defining moment to realize that as a school district, we finally accomplished the goal that was set over 11 years ago.”

Ms. Limperos credits Superintendent Chiaro’s leadership as key to the district’s success.

“Creating a team around him, that guides the work of the district, allowing our teachers to effectively implement the mission and vision of the Warren City Schools has been crucial,” she noted.

She said that under Mr. Chiaro’s guidance, the district has expanded its educational reach, not only locally but nationally by partnering with districts across the nation, sharing best practices and pivoting to make necessary changes to improve academic achievement.

“The rich diversity of our district challenges us to ‘meet each child where they are at’. We provide not only the academic component for our students, but also the social emotional, health and wellness, and connections with our community partners, that is so necessary for them to be successful,” she said.

“While we celebrate this achievement, we know that we are not done. There is still much work to do, and we will continue to strive and encourage our students to reach for greatness. Thank you and congratulations to everyone! Go Raiders!”

School + Family = Fun, Positive Learning Experience for Lincoln students & parents

The first round of the “Lincoln Level Up Math Event” at the Lincoln PK-8 School brought parents, grandparents and other relatives to the school on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, for some quality learning time.

The first round was for 1st graders and their families. Additional sessions are planned for 2nd graders and kindergarteners.

Students in grades K-2 are helping the school host the series that has family members learning about critical curriculum standards and playing Math games with their children during their visits. 

Lincoln PK-8 students demonstrate what the ‘R’ stands for in the WCS’ acronym

Students in grades 3-5 at the Lincoln PK-8 School earned an afternoon of fun with their classmates by being respectful.

That’s what one of the Rs in the WARREN City Schools’ acronym stands for.

It’s was all part of their PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) Board Game Incentive Day. Dozens of students gathered in the school’s cafetorium to participate.

Several WGH students awarded ‘Governor’s Merit Scholarship’

Several Warren G. Harding High School students are the recipients of a “Governor’s Merit Scholarship.”

That means, they are among the highest-achieving high school students in the State of Ohio. The Harding High School recipients are:

  • Renn Rohrer
  • Nathan James
  • Caleb Gardner
  • Mia Jones
  • Camille Richardson
  • Dobry Dupont
  • Lauren McCormick
  • Sarah Bell
  • Cqarter Knupp
  • Faith Code

The Governor’s Merit Scholarship program provides up to $5,000 a year in financial assistance to high school seniors who are identified as graduating in the top 5 percent of their class.

The scholarship launched in December 2023. Through the program, $20 million is to be disbursed the first year to qualifying high school students in Ohio.

Special Board of Education Meeting

A special board meeting will take place Saturday, January 13th at 10:00 am. The meeting will be held at the Warren City Schools Board of Education, 105 High St. NE, Warren Ohio 44481. This meeting is open to the public. All participants must follow social distancing and Covid-19 protocols.

Public participation (via email in advance) will be considered at wcsboard.participation@neomin.org, questions, comments and concerns must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. the day prior to the meeting.  Submission must include name and address.

WGH alum/social media influencer talks success, skills of his trade

When you have a dream or goal, and want to accomplish something, the most important thing you can do is take that first step, explained Warren G. Harding High School alum Dontrell Allen.

“Do something. Take that first picture. Create that first video. Start. If you set your mind to doing what you want, you can accomplish it,” Allen told Harding’s WSCN (Warren Student Communication Network) class.

Allen, who has millions of social media followers, took some time out of his busy schedule on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024, as a successful social media influencer to visit his alma mater and the class he spent so much time in as a student at Harding.

He and the students discussed creativity, social media opportunities, growth and influences.

WCS BOE names 2024 officers; sets meeting dates

The Warren City Schools Board of Education named Patricia Limperos as board president during the board’s annual organizational meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024.

Regina Patterson was named board vice president.

The board welcomed new member Dr. Alisha Alls. She, along with recently re-elected longstanding board members Patricia Limperos, Patrick Flanagan, Sr. and Julian Walker were sworn into office by the Hon. Judge James A. Fredericka.

The board set its 2024 meeting schedule. Unless otherwise noted, the meetings will be held at 6 p.m. at the following locations:

  • Jan. 30, Jefferson PK-8 School
  • Feb. 20, Lincoln PK-8 School
  • March 19, McGuffey PK-8 School
  • April 16, Willard PK-8 School
  • May 14, Administration Building
  • June 11, Administration Building
  • June 28, Noon, Administration Building
  • July 16, Administration Building
  • Aug. 6, Administration Building
  • Aug. 27 at Warren G. Harding High School
  • Sept. 24, Warren G. Harding High School
  • Oct. 22, Warren G. Harding High School
  • Nov. 19, Warren G. Harding High School
  • Dec. 10, Warren G. Harding High School
Dr. Alisha Alls
Patricia Limperos, Board President
Patrick Flanagan, Sr.
Julian Walker

The following committee appointments were made:

  • Athletics: Mr. Walker and Mrs. Limperos
  • Financial Advisory: Mrs. Limperos and Dr. Alls
  • Board Policies and Guidlines: Mr. Flanagan and Mrs. Patterson
  • Legislative Liaison: Mrs. Limperos and Dr. Alls
  • TCTC Board Representative: Regina Patterson

7th-Grade Girls Go Red for STEM Event

Students across Warren’s four PK-8 schools recently donned their red for STEM Goes Red for Girls.

Science teachers and administrators selected 7th graders from each of the the district’s four PK-8 schools to attend the STEM ((Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) event held at the Northeast Ohio Medical University.

At the event, students attended sessions in First Energy Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Basic Work Tool Identification; and Heart Anatomy, Physiology and Health. The also visited the Vendor Fair where they learned about pacemakers, CPR, and much more!

Students were excited that they were able to bring home their own stethoscope from the event. They learned to listen to their heart sound at the event.

During lunch, students were able to sit with women who are professionals in various STEM fields in which some students could have developed an interest. 

One Lincoln 7th grade student said, “The fact that most of the mentors told me to keep believing in what I want to do with my life. They really helped me when they said that the way I think is really impressive.”