Willard PK–8 highlights student ambassadors, social-emotional learning and rising attendance

Willard PK–8 on Tuesday showcased a student-led rollout of schoolwide social-emotional learning initiatives, a new student ambassador program and attendance incentives during the Warren City School District Board of Education meeting.

The presentation, delivered by Principal Carly Porter and her administrative team, described four building goals—explicit instruction, curriculum and pacing, attendance, and embedding CHAMPS and the STOIC model into classrooms—and said the goals are now being linked to student voice through a student ambassador program created this year.

Porter said the ambassador selection required an application, two teacher recommendations, a minimum 2.5 GPA and good standing on attendance and behavior; candidates then interviewed with a committee. The ambassadors, students in grades 3–8, helped record short videos showing how social-emotional learning is used in everyday lessons.

Nut graf: School leaders said the combination of explicit academic routines and a focus on social-emotional skill-building is intended to raise daily attendance and classroom engagement. Willard staff described several classroom practices—frequent elicited responses, learning-target recitation and consistent routines—that they credit with increasing student participation.

Administrators described how the STOIC framework is shared with staff through a Teams channel with weekly posts and linked CHAMPS pages. Skyler O'Neil, one of the building principals, said staff post classroom-adaptation ideas to the channel and teachers use that peer feedback to refine instruction.

Teachers and students outlined concrete attendance strategies: grade-level attendance meetings in teacher-based teams, postcards sent to target students, incentives such as candy rewards for perfect K–2 attendance and monthly homeroom contests for upper grades. An administrator said the school’s attendance is up this year compared with last year.

Students spoke on camera in short videos shown at the meeting. A sixth grader, Karma, said, “It impacts my learning because I feel like when I’m at school, I’m learning my best.” Teachers gave examples of explicit-instruction techniques—choral reading, frequent response checks and daily learning targets—and said those approaches help keep students engaged.

Willard also announced extracurricular and facility updates: a newly completed sensory room intended to support students with diverse needs, and a Destination Imagination fifth-grade team, the Misfit Pencils, which won the state competition March 29 and will compete in the global finals May 22–25 in Kansas City. Nina Vaughn, the team advisor, was introduced at the meeting along with the students.

The presentation closed with recognition of retirees: band director Mrs. Feeney, Dean of Students Mr. Schmucker, Mrs. Miller and plant manager Kathy Bridal were all named and thanked for their service. Principal Porter and board members also acknowledged an extensive list of community sponsors and volunteers—among them Friendship Baptist Church and Northmar Church—for daily greetings and mentoring programs.

Board members and the superintendent responded with praise. Board President Frank (spoken on the record during the meeting) called the presentations “beautiful,” and several board members highlighted the importance of student voice and family engagement for improving attendance and learning.

Looking ahead, Porter said the school will continue the ambassador program and the building’s SEL priorities next year, and administrators said they expect the initiatives to reflect on future school report cards.

Ending: The Willard presentation was part of the superintendent’s report at the April 15 meeting; board discussion moved next to committee reports and a series of routine district votes.