District News

Updated as of November 29, 2021 @ 11:46 a.m.

Dear Warrior Supporters:

We are pleased to announce your Winton Woods Warriors football team is headed to Canton, Ohio (birthplace of the College Football Hall of Fame) to participate in the Division II Championship game against Archbishop Hoban on Thursday, December 2, at 7 p.m. These young men have persevered, followed a great coaching staff, and represented Winton Woods City Schools in a positive manner.

In order to show community support, Winton Woods City Schools will be closed on Thursday, December 2, and Friday, December 3, in order for fans to travel to this event, which is four hours away. This is the same process that we followed in our state championship showcase on November 30, 2017.

To assist with our students' academic momentum this semester, the asynchronous learning platform will be used for assignments on Thursday and Friday. Thank you for your continued support of all students attending Winton Woods, a district of destination and, as always, Go Warriors!
 

Anthony G. Smith
Superintendent

At the district’s 28th annual homecoming parade, dozens of parade watchers lined the streets as twelve Winton Woods Middle School students moved with confidence and in sync down Winton Road. It was their first performance as the Winton Woods Middle School step team. The group was started in September by Head Step Coach Amari Scott who wanted to create a space for students to express themselves and collaborate. “This is a sister and brotherhood,” said Coach Scott, who also uses practice time to talk about social skills, how to prepare for high school, and shares history. “Before people had music, their bodies became their musical instruments.”

When Winton Woods City Schools made the district-wide transition from traditional teaching to project-based learning (PBL) in 2016, it was an adjustment for everyone. After seeing five years of success with the Academy of Global Studies (AGS) at the high school, the district felt confident to move forward with a new innovative style of teaching and learning. Now, six years later, it continues to see the fruits of its labor. 

Winton Woods City Schools is excited to introduce a new academic technology learning program called Newsela to its classrooms. The online platform is another excellent resource that will enhance students' academic learning experience. The program offers various articles at different reading levels that are engaging, current, and accessible to every student. Winton Woods Executive Director of Teaching and Learning for Grades K-6 Dr. Adrienne Martin says it has great resources and will be an amazing asset for their teachers and students.

It is an exciting time to be a Warrior! On August 10, Winton Woods City Schools celebrated the opening of its second newly built campus, Winton Woods South Campus, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Warrior community, partners, staff, students, community leaders, and members were present to join in the historic occasion. “Your support made this possible,” said Superintendent Anthony G. Smith to the crowd. “We are excited to begin this new journey. Thank you for loving our students, teachers, and community.” For the first time in Warrior history, both the North Campus, which opened in March of 2021, and the South Campus will be open for the new school year. The South Campus will serve students in first to sixth grade.

It was a hot summer day when Crew head coach Patrick Riester and a handful of dedicated students met at the Winton Woods lake for a “Learn to Row” session. “This is the first time any of them have rowed,” said Coach Riester. Earlier in the week, the crew team held an Olympics Watch Party at the high school for those interested in joining the team or watching the women and men's Olympic teams compete. After watching the best rowing teams in the world, they practiced on rowing machines that were set up and ready at the event. One of those attendees was sophomore Goma Neopany, who also showed up at the lake excited to get out on the water. 

Winton Woods High School class of 2021 Valedictorian Nicolantonio Prentosito can add National Merit Scholar to the list of titles he has earned so far. When asked what it meant to him when he heard the news, he replied, “It means my hard work paid off.” It definitely did as Prentosito was selected amongst the nation’s top one percent of seniors. According to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, approximately 1.5 million juniors are entered based on their PSAT scores and selected on the basis of their skills, accomplishments, and abilities.

With art, one can express themself, whether it’s an experience or about a period of life, it’s vulnerable, sometimes relatable, and allows others to see from a new perspective. Ten Winton Woods High School students from Carol Becci-Youngs’ Winton Woods High School advanced art and AP art classes were recently honored at area contests and art shows.

This year, Winton Woods High School’s graduation class earned over $7 million in scholarships with more scholarship dollars coming in daily. On Thursday, May 14, Senior Honors Night was held in the Winton Woods High School (WWHS) auditorium to celebrate the seniors’ academic success and award scholarships.

Over 300 Winton Woods High School scholars received their diplomas at the 2021 Commencement ceremony held at the Cintas Center. Warrior families, staff, alumni, and students were proud to be with one another to celebrate this momentous occasion. “This graduation ceremony was different. We know it being held in person meant a lot to our families,” said Winton Woods Assistant Principal Princess Crenshaw. “It felt like another step forward in the right direction towards things becoming normal again; after a year, we all feel we overcame together.” The energy was set high for the evening as students entered the Cintas Center. Cheers that were louder and lasted longer followed for students who had reached new heights.

For the sixth year, Winton Woods City Schools was selected as a 2021 Best Communities for Music Education by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation. Every year, districts around the nation are selected based on their top quality programs in the fine arts and like previous years, Winton Woods exceeded expectations. “We have a dedicated group of hard-working passionate teachers who love the students and the community. It makes a difference,” said Winton Woods High School (WWHS) Band Director Danelle Ashbrook. 

And the curtain was drawn for the last time. Winton Woods High School Theater Department said their final goodbyes to their former high school auditorium also known as the David Bell Performing Arts Center on Sunday, April 18. Theater and longtime students who had spent the entirety of their academic career in what is now the former high school were glad they could complete their final show at a building they had come to know and love and call a second home.

“I do not know who I would be without you,” said Winton Woods High School senior and honors diploma scholar Alycia Mcbeil to her Choir Director Beth Miller. “I am going to miss you,” Betisha Pohkrel said somberly to her Guidance Counselor Kim Goins. These and other similar heartfelt words were shared throughout the evening of the Superintendent’s Honors Diploma Scholars dinner. An annual event dedicated to celebrating scholars who received an honors diploma recognized by the state of Ohio for high achievement. Students were also provided with an opportunity to honor their “most influential teachers.” Staff members who have had the greatest impact on their lives and academic career. This year, thirty-nine students were honored for achieving this prestigious academic award.

Three exceptionally hard-working Winton Woods High School students will be collecting more than a high school diploma on May 20. This incredible trio consists of Mya Jackson, Renaud Noubieptie Kamgang, and Nicolantonio Prentosito. They have much to be proud of. The trio has attained a challenging academic achievement by earning enough college credits to obtain an associate’s degree. 

It is no secret that Winton Woods City Schools prioritizes providing nutritious meals for all students. From creating a Nutrition is the Mission meal distribution bus to implementing a new menu of fresh fruits and vegetables for elementary students’ daily snack time. These are a few of many reasons why the department received the No Kid Hungry Emergency Grant from the Children’s Hunger Alliance (CHA) and the GenYouth Covid 19 Emergency School Nutrition Relief grant from the HC Schott Family Foundation. These funds will support child nutrition and meal distribution. Also, for the third consecutive year, the district received the Breakfast Champion Award for demonstrating collaborative and innovative school breakfast practices.

Winton Woods City Schools held its first ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new 7-12 North Campus building on March 8. Students, parents, alumni, community, state and local leaders, and staff were all present to celebrate this exciting historic occasion. The event kicked off with a parade by the “best band in the land” - Winton Woods High School’s marching band, led by Ms. Dani Ashbrook.  Before entering the socially distanced beautifully decorated high school gymnasium, guests were greeted with a specially designed mask that read, “Love our children, schools, and community.”