Across the district, Carmichaels Area staff members are ushering in the new year with anticipation and preparation. As the smell of freshly waxed floors coats the halls of our alma mater, the scent of fall is on the horizon. Desks ready themselves for the next students to take their place in another year of learning. Buses await their maiden voyage of the 2025-26 school year.
Within the district, some leadership changes are taking place, with Mrs. Amy Todd serving as Interim Superintendent, and Mr. Gary Syriac stepping up as the new Director of Buildings and Grounds.
In the elementary, the music department is excited to welcome Miss Cynthia Hayhurst, who will bring the delight of rhythm and song to students in grades Pre-K to 5.
The district’s Pre-K program is filled for the school year, but the school’s partnering Blueprints program still has openings. Families are invited to contact Kris Krivanek, the Program Manager for Early Learning, at 724-225-9550 for more information. Pre-K and Kindergarten orientation will take place August 8th.
Mrs. Marissa Sacco, Elementary Principal, is looking to continue many of the engaging activities that took place last year, including the first grade “March Madness” book challenge. High school seniors read a variety of books to young students and “I did the championship round,” Sacco says. “It was really a lot of fun.”
She also credits the elementary staff for a successful “Learning Night” for students and families. The evening featured educational games in every discipline, providing an opportunity for intergenerational connection.
Across campus, Carmichaels Middle/High School is a scheduling storm, with administration working diligently to match students with their class preferences.
Mrs. Lisa Zdravecky, High School Principal, shares that among these options are over 15 Advanced Placement and College in the Classroom courses through Carlow University. These classes provide students with three, transferable credits that are accepted by a number of universities. Additionally, four new college courses– Zoology, Government, Economics, and Literature– will be joining the ranks of engaging offerings.
Students can extend their education beyond the classroom at the Greene County Career and Technology Center starting in tenth grade. These students are equipped with training in numerous technical fields, with many earning OSHA certifications by the end of their time in the program.
Carmichaels also prepares students for their future careers with on-campus offerings. The rigorous EMT training program allows students to dive into the fundamentals of medical care, and provides them with the opportunity to become certified paramedics by the end of the year. Since this past school year, five students have already passed their Psycho-Motor and Practical exams, with many more still working toward this qualification.
In-school, clubs represent interest areas from each of the four core subjects and broaden from there. From fabrication to finance, from the stage to the screen, students can branch out within many areas of study and develop passions for future careers or lifelong pursuits.
Student-led clubs are just as important as structured programs, and success is flooding in from these offerings. Merciful Mikes Christian Club, a student-led faith and service organization, will celebrate its 5th anniversary this school year, and many other clubs pioneered by young learners will also be growing and celebrating their voices within the school.
Middle school principal Mr. Dan Poland shares a positive outlook for the upcoming months: “Everything really picks up after the Fourth of July. We’re excited for the new school year…it’s a good little school we’ve got.”
Now, more than ever, our “little school” is ready to take on another year.
