WCSM Back to School Week concludes with focus on academics, music and student support at St. Marys

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WCSM’s Back to School Week at St. Marys City Schools concluded Friday with conversations highlighting Quiz Bowl, choir, literacy instruction, school leadership and student support programs.

St. Marys Social Studies Chairman Chad Doll joined members of the high school Quiz Bowl team to explain the academic competition, which he compared to a team version of “Jeopardy.” Four students compete at a time, answering questions covering academic subjects along with current events, sports and popular culture.

Doll said the team practices throughout the year and will compete at major tournaments hosted by Wright State University-Lake Campus and The Ohio State University at Lima. Several returning varsity members said the program has helped them expand their knowledge, work under pressure and prepare for their futures.

Choir director Audrey Lambert and senior Kaden Neal discussed the district’s vocal music program. Lambert teaches three middle school choirs, three high school choirs and after-school ensembles at both levels.

Approximately 100 St. Marys High School students are participating in choir this year, including 25 seniors. All three high school choirs advanced to the state level last year, with the Symphonic Choir receiving the highest rating. Neal, who also participates in band, plans to study music education after graduation.

Literacy coaches Melanie Rose and Kerri Goodwin discussed the district’s efforts to strengthen reading and writing instruction from kindergarten through eighth grade. Grant funding has helped St. Marys obtain new instructional materials and provide additional training for teachers.

The district is also placing greater emphasis on writing across all subjects. Students begin by learning how to construct complete sentences before progressing to organized paragraphs and more complex written explanations. Rose and Goodwin encouraged families to support that work by regularly reading and discussing books together at home.

Primary School Principal Laura Koenig and Intermediate School Principal Amanda Wendell discussed efforts to create welcoming schools, maintain communication with families and teach students to be respectful, responsible and resourceful. Koenig is serving her first year as principal after nearly three decades in education, including 28 years with St. Marys City Schools.

Middle School Guidance Counselor Kendra Solomon also discussed the Positive Peer Advocates program, which is open to students in grades six through eight. Members promote kindness, positive mental health and suicide awareness while serving as leaders among their classmates.

Friday’s broadcast also included St. Marys administrator Elizabeth Johnson, who emphasized the teamwork required among teachers, administrators, support staff and families to help students succeed.

WCSM’s Back to School Week was broadcast from St. Marys Memorial High School and made possible by Minster Bank, CJ’s HighMarks, Johnson Mechanical and Kogge Plumbing and Heating, Joint Township District Memorial Hospital, Bud’s Chevrolet, Leugers Insurance, T&T Auto, Moran Refrigeration and Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken.