Indian Lake Community,
During the summer of 2023, the administrative team created the theme “Adjust Your Sails” for the 2023-24 school year. The tagline was meant to encourage staff and students to use their R-Factor skills (summarized below) to respond to events beyond their control. At the time, no one knew just how important it would be to “Adjust Our Sails” over the course school year. The ILS district tragically lost a student to an automobile accident in December and another student in January. Then, on March 14, almost exactly 4 years to the day after the COVID pandemic closed all public schools in Ohio, an EF-3 tornado hit a heavily populated area, leaving 3 community members dead and 85 Indian Lake students homeless. Tragedy hit again in late June when a recent graduate passed away.
Although the Laker family faced unprecedented challenges during the 2023-24 school year, the staff, students, and the entire community pulled together demonstrating extraordinary compassion and unmatched resiliency. It is what makes ILS such a special place! Folks pulled together to support the families and friends of our beloved students whose lives ended way too soon. Additionally, to the countless people who volunteered or made donations to the tornado recovery efforts, we want to express our sincere appreciation. Your selfless giving spirit is both humbling and inspiring.
Despite the aforementioned adversity, there were many successes in 23-24. Students again demonstrated growth and surpassed the state average in all but one tested area on the State Report Card and graduation rates remain over 95%. Volleyball, Competition Cheerleading, Boys Basketball, and Softball each won Central Buckeye Conference league titles and the Lakers won the CBC All Sports Trophy for the first time in school history! Numerous FFA students earned state and national awards while Chorale received a Superior rating, which is the highest honor in the state.
With the theme “Together We Sail,” we will strive to continue the momentum in 2024-25. Our residents understand that providing a well-rounded education is the cornerstone of a great community and we sincerely appreciate your support in this endeavor. Our approach is grounded in the “Lake Effect,” which aspires to create a positive culture where all students can thrive by developing foundational social emotional learning skills through a framework called the R-Factor. The program teaches children and adults discipline-driven behavior to respond appropriately to events resulting in the positive outcome they desire (E+R=O). This enables us all to be the best version of ourselves and supports the growth of the whole child through the human development process. We also support student mental health and physical well-being in a school based health clinic located at the middle school. The clinic is funded by Community Health and Wellness Partners. Additionally, students can access emotional support from Sadie and Roxie, certified Canine Good Citizen dogs who spend their days at ILS. Finally, to maintain a safe and secure facility, an agreement with Washington Township Police Department provides a full-time school resource officer.
The school district strives to emulate the unique blend of tourism, manufacturing, agriculture, and rural life found in our community. All students have a personal, school-issued Chromebook and staff is engaged in professional development to learn the benefits and dangers of Artificial Intelligence and how the tool can be utilized for lesson planning and to prepare students for the future. Science of Reading (literacy) is also at the forefront of current staff training. Additionally, the high school will offer a new Informational Technology Career Tech program starting in the fall of 2024. ILS already provides a variety of classes beyond the basics including college credit plus, an agribusiness and business satellite program through Ohio Hi Point Career Center, college and career readiness, graphic design, CAD (computer animated design), robotics, traditional shop classes, welding, and family and consumer sciences. Finally, with the understanding that a driver’s license is key to working in a rural community, a driver’s education program will be offered starting in 24-25.
ILS gets strong results at a good value to our taxpayers. A silver lining of the tornado is that insurance covered most of the cost to replace large roof sections on the elementary and high school that were damaged during the storm. Additionally, insurance paid for a new floor in the high school gymnasium. ILS is also exploring plans to build a bus maintenance facility which will help protect long-term capital expenditures. Thanks to a solid master plan, the Board of Education has consistently maintained the facilities so that they will serve the community well into the future. The ILS staff is honored to serve our students and we appreciate your collaboration and support.
Best,
Rob Underwood