Superintendent's Message

Superintendent's Message

Message from Superintendent

Superintendent

A Message from the Superintendent 

Mr. Todd Whiteman - Superintendent 


Dear Foxfire Community Member,

Welcome to the 2022-23 year at Foxfire Schools. The 2021-22 school year was a refreshing return to normalcy as we came out of the pandemic. The return to fully in person education was something that all stakeholders desperately missed. I am extremely proud of how the students, parents and our staff adapted on the fly to embrace the challenges we have had to overcome the past two years.

 The pandemic has created some major gaps in the educational system across the country. The loss of daily structure has not only created learning gaps but also student behaviors and mental health.  Student mental health, adaptive behaviors and core values are at the forefront of today’s youth. Despite the new challenges and barriers in today’s schools we are 100% committed to fighting these battles to ensure that we develop the whole child. Foxfire provides a multitude of embedded services to address the non-academic barriers our students face which includes a full time school resource officer, licensed social workers, mental health counselors, drug/alcohol counselor, family counseling, school nurse, student services –transitions coordinator, and career readiness coordinator. The goal is to create strong personal connections and personalize each child’s educational plan. Every member of our community is a critical stakeholder in the education of our students and their future. We need your collaboration, partnership, and support in meeting the needs of our youth and community.

After evaluating where we are, we have revamped our curriculum to meet our students where they are today. I encourage each of you to check out our portrait of a graduate and our 5 year educational vision. We live in the Netflix, YouTube and Tik Tok generation that demands we must give our students a highly engaging, connected educational experience. Our K-8 students will have a STEAM and life skills curriculum focus, where students are active learners in the process. . The high school focus will continue to evolve our Project Based Learning as well as career readiness pathway. PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) will be the behavior intervention system that will drive the bus as we help children grow and develop appropriate people and behavioral skills.

 We are extremely proud to be recognized as “The Model Drop Out Recovery School District'' by the U.S. Department of Education and promise to build upon the tradition and culture we have established.  We pride ourselves on Developing the Whole Child and providing innovative personalized instruction. We specialize in teaching at–risk youth by eliminating/reducing non-academic barriers and connecting our students to pathways, resources, and community connections. 

The 2021-22 school reports have been enclosed along with pertinent information for this school year. This calendar is just one vehicle that we use in communicating important information to you. We will also utilize the strong partnerships we have developed with WHIZ TV and Radio, WYBZ, as well as the Times Recorder, Progress Book, Twitter, Parent Engagement Nights, Parent –Teacher Conferences.

You can also utilize our district website that is updated daily to gain information, updates, and announcements by visiting www.foxfireschools.com. Parents, we welcome and expect you to play a vital role in your child’s education and future. Together we can accomplish more. I am proud, excited, and eager to begin a new and exciting school year. If you have any questions or concerns please stop and see us at 2805 Pinkerton Road Zanesville, Ohio 43701 or call us at (740) 453-4509.

Yours in education, 

Mr. Todd Whiteman - Superintendent
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