Cridersville Elementary School students cheer during “Celebrating National School Choice Week”, during a kick off celebration promoting “Why We Love Our School,Ӡwith a school assembly in the gym on Monday.
Craig J. Orosz | The Lima News
CRIDERSVILLE — The pre-kindergarten through 4th-grade students at Cridersville Elementary School gathered in the gymnasium Monday morning for a special assembly and announcement.
After the students had gathered, Principal Jason Wolke announced the school would be celebrating “National School Choice Week,” taking place now through Friday. National School Choice Week celebrates and showcases the myriad of educational options available to parents in modern American society.
Cridersville will be celebrating the week with students from each grade drawing posters showing what they think makes their school great, said Elaine Mertz, school nurse and Choice Week event planner. Students will also be able to write essays on the same subject. Winners will be chosen Friday during another special assembly as Choice Week wraps up.
Also, during Friday’s assembly, each child will be given a yellow scarf to wear while performing a Choice Week dance while drones buzz around the gymnasium recording, said Wolke.
Wapakoneta schools Board of Education President Ron Mertz also addressed the children Monday, telling them they attend a great school with the best and most dedicated staff. The students responded in unison with a deafening cry of “Thank you.”
Wolke said Cridersville is the only school in the district celebrating National School Choice week. It gave him and the education board the chance to show the staff and village they were appreciated, he said.
“This is a great opportunity to let everyone know we have the best teachers, providing excellent learning opportunities, for the best kids in the best school district,” he said. “It gives us the opportunity to thank our parents, students and community for the opportunity to educate their children.”
Mertz said when Wolke approached him about the idea of celebrating Choice Week, he was all for the idea.
“We got into the discussion about school choice,” he said. “I believe public schools are the best choice for children. I think it’s not just the mortar subjects; they also teach excellent social skills and respect.”
Reach Bryan Reynolds at 567-242-0362.
