(Posted Aug. 14, 2020)
By Josephine Birdsell, Staff Writer
London School District developed graduation requirements at their meeting held on Aug. 4.
High school graduation requirements are set to change across the state in 2023. To graduate students must have competent scores in English language and algebra end of course exams. They also must acquire graduation ‘seals,’ marking academic and participation-based accomplishments. All students must earn one state-defined seal and one locally defined seal to graduate.
The district offers three locally defined seals students can acquire.
The “Community Service Seal” requires students to complete 10 hours of community service.
Students can earn the “Fine and Performing Arts Seal” through engagement with London’s arts programs, including by sending artwork to the governor’s show, performing in marching band or choir for four years, performing in four musicals or plays or performing in a children’s performing arts group.
The “Student Engagement Seal” requires students to earn participation points in London’s extra-curriculars. Students can earn five participation points by participating in sports at the varsity level or by holding an officer position in a recognized school club. Students earn one participation point for every event, such as athletic events or plays, they attend at London High School. Students must earn 50 points during their time at London High School to receive the seal.
The district developed its graduation seals based on guidelines from the Ohio Department of Education, said Lou Kramer, superintendent.
The locally defined graduation seals are up for approval at the district’s next regularly scheduled school board meeting on Sept. 15.
In other news, the district received $8,200 in grant money from the Ohio Department of Education and the Ohio Mental Health and Addiction Services for K-12 Prevention Education for mental health services. The district plans to use the money to expand its high school ‘teen leaders’ substance abuse prevention program and to develop a social-emotional learning curriculum.
“Social-emotional learning focuses on building skills for students to effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions,” district officials said in a press release.
The district also received $7,000 from Brad Gorman of Allscapes for repairs to the stadium field and student parking lots. The district plans to fill in all cracks in the pavement and reseal and restripe the parking lots. The district plans for construction to be finished before classes begin on Aug. 24.
The district is also hosting a public work session focused on the district’s finances and facilities at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 26 in the high school auditorium.
