<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4Rw97o_1GxRORgD00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4Rw97o_1GxRORgD00" width="1000" height="750" ><figcaption>Christine Young, the district's Military Families School Liaison, reads an explanation of the Missing Man Table, which pays tribute to those who served in the military but did not return. (AWFP photo by Karen Gerhardinger)</figcaption></figure>The Generals’ blue and white is getting a dash of red, olive drab and purple this week as Anthony Wayne Local Schools hosts events to celebrate active duty military, veterans and their families for Veterans Day.Thanking and supporting military families is a year-long endeavor throughout the district, Superintendent Kevin Herman told the school board during its Nov. 9 meeting. And, to answer board member Mike Stamm‘s September question on how the district teaches the U.S. Constitution, Herman invited representatives from each of the schools to share how they cover patriotism, democracy, military service and supporting those who serve.“This is Military Family Appreciation Week,” Herman said, noting that junior high social studies teacher Christine Young – who leads the district’s Purple Star Generals program to support military families – recently impressed superintendents throughout the region when she presented details about all of the programming that takes place in the district.The Monclova Primary School’s fourth-grade patriotic music program will be live streamed Thursday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. so that deployed family members – and families living afar – can enjoy the show, said Principal Betsy Murray. The fourth-graders also create a square for an annual freedom quilt, and all students create dog tags or hearts with a thank you to give to family members who serve.Waterville Primary fourth-graders will perform at the Veterans Appreciation Breakfast and Resource Fair, organized by the American Red Cross, the University of Toledo, and the Lucas County Veterans Service Commission. Principal Dr. Jamie Hollinger said the Purple Star Generals – students who have family members who are active duty or veterans – are educating their peers this week about the Armed Forces with videos and announcements. A districtwide collection of hygiene items allowed Waterville students to pack the items with hand-written cards for deployed family members.Whitehouse Primary School students also collected items to send oversees, said Principal Brad Rhodes, and this Friday students will welcome veterans for a lunch at the school. All students are encouraged to interview a veteran or active duty member. Recently, fourth graders toured the 180th Fighter Wing. Students participate in a mock council with Whitehouse Village Council to learn how governments operate. And, on Nov. 10, students walked to Veterans Memorial Park, where Whitehouse American Legion member Wayne King shared the story of Ariel Bradley, who as a 9-year-old spied on the British for Gen. George Washington. Students then went on a search for clues at the memorial to answer questions about different conflicts.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2F2wUJ_1GxRORgD00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2F2wUJ_1GxRORgD00" width="1000" height="750" ><figcaption>Whitehouse Primary School fourth graders listen to Don Atkinson and Wayne King talk about the Veterans Memorial Park and what it means to serve. (AWFP photo by Karen Gerhardinger)</figcaption></figure>Fallen Timbers Middle School Principal Matt Smith recalled how, when he was a principal in Swanton, he learned about Anthony Wayne’s efforts to support families of military personnel.“Anthony Wayne has turned into the district that does it best across the state,” Smith said.The middle schoolers will hear from active duty and retired personnel this week, with a focus on careers in the military. Also on the lineup: writing letters to the troops and collecting items to send abroad.Junior high social studies teacher Kate Karchner said seventh-graders do activities related to the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights, while eighth graders learn the concept of federalism. For Veterans Day, students place flags outside with the name of a veteran to commemorate and send cards to veterans in area hospitals. A historian is also set to present a “life of a soldier” through the years.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2G505G_1GxRORgD00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2G505G_1GxRORgD00" width="1000" height="750" ><figcaption>Camden Bartolet (front) and Holden Ankenbrandt look for clues to answer questions on the Korean War. (AWFP photo by Karen Gerhardinger)</figcaption></figure>“What we do here blows everyone out of the water,” said high school principal Jon Burke, explaining that before he came to the district, he saw how Anthony Wayne serves as a model for other schools.Last year’s flyover by the 180th during a home football game for Military Appreciation Night and a spring military signing for students are among the activities held at the high school. But smaller acts, such as having Purple Star Generals’ adult liaisons write letters of encouragement to students who have military families makes a big impact, Burke said.High school students learn about the Constitution and the U.S. government daily, he added.“We’re teaching democracy and what it means to have the voice to vote,” Burke said. Patriot Day, named for Sept. 11, 2001, occurred before high schools students were born, and is part of Ohio’s curriculum. With so many military veterans and active personnel in the community, the school also regularly hosts these men and women to come in and share more about their experiences and their careers, he said. The Military Wall of Honor pays homage to the many graduates who have gone on to serve over the years – so many that the wall is running out of space.“That’s a unique problem to have,” Burke said.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=38geFO_1GxRORgD00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=38geFO_1GxRORgD00" width="750" height="927" ><figcaption>Madelyn Hayes and Rory Kennedy check out the memorial for first responders at Veterans Memorial Park. (AWFP photo by Karen Gerhardinger)</figcaption></figure>During the meeting, the board also:-Listened to Board President Jeff Baden provide an update on the search for a new superintendent, as Herman plans to retire in August. The Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA) was hired to handle the process, and will have the job posted from December through January. The OSBA will facilitate a community and stakeholder session on Wednesday, Jan. 20 to gather input from parents, staff and the community on qualities and characteristics they would like to see in a new superintendent. Interviews will take place after this session, with a new leader likely named by the end of February. This process is open to all internal and external candidates, Baden said. -Heard about Walking Wednesdays, in which Herman will meet members of the community to tour the buildings from 6 to 7 a.m. and answer questions. The next dates are Nov. 11 at the high school, junior high and middle school; Dec. 2, Monclova; Dec. 16, Waterville; Jan. 6, Whitehouse; and Jan. 20, high school.-Heard that Herman and Assistant Superintendent Kevin Pfefferle have been visiting every building to cook breakfast for staff to share appreciation for the work they put into achieving a top 5 on the state report card.-Approved the 2028 calendar recommended by the teachers’ union.-Approved special education model policies and procedures.-Approved a trip for 10 DECA students to travel to California in April for the International DeECA competition, with Penta Career Center covering the cost of transportation, hotel and conference fees.-Approved the $120 membership fee for the Anthony Wayne Community Chamber of Commerce.-Thanked staff members who have announced upcoming retirements, including Monclova nurse Fay Birkemeier, high school math teacher Carol Rea, payroll and benefits manager Cindy Brahier, and bus driver Kim Whitten.-Approved supplemental and limited supplemental contracts, including new track and field head coach Brett Strickland.-Noted that the Toledo Opera received a grant and will be working with students in grades 7-12.-Heard Baden speak about the board’s role when listening to community members during the public comment section of the meeting. That time is designed for the board to listen to the community rather than respond, he said, at at times the board cannot reply without getting further information or to prevent from sharing confidential information. Baden also spoke about receiving anonymous emails, which makes it difficult to ask follow-up questions to resolve issues.</div></body>

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The Generals’ blue and white is getting a dash of red, olive drab and purple this week as Anthony Wayne Local Schools hosts events to celebrate active duty military, veterans and their families for Veterans Day. Thanking and supporting military families is a year-long endeavor throughout the district, Superintendent...

Anthony Wayne honors military veterans

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The Generals’ blue and white is getting a dash of red, olive drab and purple this week as Anthony Wayne Local Schools hosts events to celebrate active duty

Anthony Wayne honors military veterans

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