More Students, Higher Goals For Southwest Local Schools On First Day Back

Tuesday marks the start of the 2018-2019 school year at Southwest Local School District.

Students arrive for the first day of school at Whitewater Valley Elementary School. Photo via @SLSDWVE on Twitter.

(Harrison, Oh.) - Back to reading, writing, and arithmetic. Tuesday is the first day of classes for Southwest Local School District.

Enrollment at the rapidly growing school district is up by nearly 400 students this year from last year, when it had 3,876 students. The biggest increase is at Crosby Elementary School, which is projected to have 107 more students this year.

In a State of the Schools address earlier this month, district administrators said the district has a goal this year of having 100 percent of students involved in some extracurricular activity. Other goals include school safety, improving its state report card, getting a 100 percent graduation rate, and giving back through three community outreach programs.

School families are also adjusting their daily schedules a bit this year. Class sessions will run from 7:20 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. at Harrison Junior School. At William Henry Harrison High School, classes will begin at 8:10 a.m. and continue until 3:00 p.m.

Whitewater Valley Elementary students are being welcomed back to class by a new principal. Mia Neckel replaces Andy Lohbeck, who has become the district’s Director of Operations. Neckel has been an educator in the school district for 22 years, most recently serving as Title 1 coordinator and instructional coach.

“I am unbelievably humbled by the opportunity and am excited to join such a wonderful team of students, parents and staff members,” states Neckel. “It is my intent to keep many of the strong Whitewater Valley Elementary traditions in place while continuing to support and enhance the good work that educational leaders, such as Mr. Lohbeck, have established.”

It’s a Back to School party at WVE! Thanks to the our community partners from Lifespring, Church on Fire, and all the others who provided the music and high-fives as students arrived this morning. #WeAreWildcats @MKNeckel @mycfm @lsmyouth pic.twitter.com/4UW1sFYRh3

— Whitewater Valley El (@SLSDWVE) August 21, 2018