From the original Star-Spangled Banner to Arlington National Cemetery and presidential memorials, several Centerville-Abington Junior High eighth graders say they’ll remember their trip to Washington, D.C., for years to come.
Several of the 74 young participants addressed the school board during its May 8 meeting, expressing gratitude and wishes that future students can take that trip too. Twenty-five chaperones assisted.
Bo Shadle said the War of 1812 flag was his favorite item during his Smithsonian visit since he’d learned about it in school.
Jerry Rains remembers the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall and said it was “awesome” to see the National Archives’ Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights and Constitution.
Reese Marshall made connections with class instruction, such as linking the Lincoln Memorial with Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” at that site and the Jefferson Memorial with the Declaration of Independence.
Portia Cate recalls the precision she witnessed at Arlington National Cemetery, and Clark Thornburg appreciated the charter buses’ comfort.
Students were praised for respectful behavior and continuing to discuss the sights they witnessed.
Curriculum
CJHS might spend $56,391.55 for new English/language arts materials for 280 students.
Indiana Department of Education now requires schools’ curriculum to be on the High-Quality Curricular Materials advisory list following the Science of Reading. CJHS’ current English curriculum doesn’t qualify. After teachers reviewed and piloted two materials, they and Principal Tiffani Thornburg recommend McGraw-Hill Study Sync, which complements its social studies and science curriculum.
The cost per student per year for five years will be $40.28. It costs less than the alternate, Amplify.
In addition, Superintendent Mike McCoy presented curriculum materials costs for Rose Hamilton Elementary, Centerville-Abington Elementary and CJHS for the board’s consideration and then submission to IDOE. The state reimburses only a portion of the district’s curriculum costs.
Votes on both will occur at the board’s next meeting, which is 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 21, in the administration building, 115 W. South St.
In other business
- The board approved the agreement to contribute toward hiring a director of employer engagement to secure work-based learning opportunities. All Wayne County public school districts and Seton Catholic are contributing toward the position to meet Indiana’s new diploma requirements. It’s a partnership with Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce. McCoy called it a monumental task to get students placed in internships across the county.
- Employee appreciation has been shown during Teacher Appreciation Week, Bus Driver Appreciation Day, School Lunch Hero Day and National Nurses Week.
- Board members Brad Lambright, Andy Wandersee, Renee Westover and Todd Duke each attended school improvement meetings for one building. Topics ranged from changes in handbooks and homeroom interventions to testing data and accountability in study halls.
- Donations: Buffalo Wild Wings, $250 to Centerville Senior High School Business Professionals of America; Blackbaud Giving Fund, $100 to Centerville-Abington Elementary.
Personnel
- Departures: Mary “Catie” Lainhart, part-time RH art teacher; Abigail Coffey, CSHS consumer science teacher; George Sowers, CJHS Bulldog Connection Lab supervisor
- Transfer: Sarah Chasteen, RH secretary/treasurer
- Pending hire: Willadean Short, CSHS daytime custodian
- New hires: Tammy VanLieu, junior high cafe cashier. Summer school: Madison Dishmond, Chasity Walton, Jessica Anderson, Alyssa Davis, Cathy Stainbrook, Brittany Schober, JoAnna Derr, Amber Wert-May
- Rehire: Avery McCoy, summer groundskeeper
A version of this article appeared in the May 14 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.