It’s hard to believe, but August is already here, and we are quickly gearing up for the start of the 2021-2022 school year. I hope everyone has had a relaxing and enjoyable summer and is ready to dive back into learning. I know our staff is excited to return to the classroom for what we hope will be a more normal year.
While school doesn’t officially start until Sept. 7, many of our students and staff have already begun preparing. Our offices are once again open during normal school hours. Please feel free to stop by or call should you have any questions leading up to the first day of school. Additionally, nearly 60 elementary students began a summer reading program Aug. 2 to help them get back into the swing of learning. If you’re anything like me, fall sports practices starting are a welcome and sure sign that the school year is on its way. Our middle and high school students started practicing at the beginning of August and we are looking forward to another year of exciting sports seasons.
We ended last school year with a lot of exciting news regarding new campus facilities. I’m happy to report that the finishing touches are being put on our stadium renovations. It will be ready just in time for our football game with Leipsic this Friday. A new parking lot in front of the high school and an access road to St Rt 12 are being paved this week. Additionally, as you return to campus, you’ll notice the building pad for our K-8 building and construction will ramp up over the next month. Similarly, the footers being dug and poured this week for our Fieldhouse. Please feel free to check out the progress on these various facilities, but we ask that you be careful. As you can imagine, there is a lot of heavy equipment moving around, and changes to our traffic flow are being made on an as-needed basis.
COVID-19 will remain a challenge this year, and I know many of you have questions about what that means for the start of the school year. As you all know, the situation is very fluid. We will continue assessing the information as it becomes available to make the best decisions for the health and safety of our students and staff. As of this writing, and provided there is no government mandate regarding masks between now and the start of the school year, Liberty-Benton plans to highly recommend masks, but will start the school year with a mask-optional policy. Masks are required on school buses, however, per an order of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). No matter your decision on mask-wearing, we ask that you be respectful of others’ decisions. We will remain vigilant with our COVID-19 safety protocols, including cleaning and sanitizing high-touch areas and following social distancing whenever possible. We encourage everyone eligible (available to those ages 12 and up) to be vaccinated. Remember, we are all in this together!
I can’t wait to see all of you Sept. 7, and know that with your continued support, it’s going to be another great year. And more importantly as always …… Go Eagles!
With Gratitude,
Mark Kowalski