WIN groups are working at Buckskin; athletes recognized at board meeting; musical this weekend
Student athletes pictured (l-r) with school board members on March 23 are Audrey Giffin, Ava Hawkins, Madison Knowles, Jillian Arthurs, Hunter Lytle, KC Foster, Cale Flowers, Natalie Stroud, Cullen Beatty, Dalton Rowland, Owen Sykes, and Hunter Skaggs. The school board members are (l-r) Rachel Fraley and Eric Zint on the left side and Charley Roman, Sandy Free, and Eric Wise on the right side.
By Angela Shepherd
GEVS
A program introduced at Buckskin Elementary at the start of this school year is proving to be a very good thing, according to information provided by the school’s principal and some of its students at Greenfield’s school board meeting on March 23, held at Rainsboro Elementary.
Back in October of last year, Buckskin Elementary Principal Randy Closson introduced the board of education members to a new thing at the school, What I Need (WIN) groups. While the groups were new at the time, students and educators have now had several months with the program.
On Monday, Closson shared data with the board of education showing that the groups are working and that students are getting the particular instruction they need right where they are. The graphs presented showed a marked rise in proficiency in both math and English language arts.
A group of fourth and fifth graders provided a presentation, which they created, Closson said, to tell board members all about the program and their experiences in it. One student told attendees about how he did not used to like writing at all, but that has since changed with his experience in the program. Closson said he has seen students gaining confidence as they are building their skills.
In October, Closson said the idea was introduced by Lindsay Williamson, a math specialist at Buckskin. The rest of the team includes English language arts specialist Alanna Eikenberry, teacher Kelly Bolender, teacher Mackenzie Henson, teacher Carianne Webb, and long-term substitute teacher Tammy Elliott. This program was chosen as a way to improve early literacy and gap closing.
The basic idea behind it is that fourth- and fifth-grade students are placed in various groups depending on their particular educational needs at the time. As they evolve, their group assignments can be modified so that their instructional needs are met. Basically, educators look at what each student individually needs and they get them that instruction.
In other business, student athletes were recognized at the board meeting. Those were: girls swimming – FAC champions - the whole team: Ren Bateman, Delaney Bland, Isabelle Clevenger, Claire Crago, Audrey Giffin, Melody Greene, Ava Hawkins, Madison Knowles, Jolena Lucas, Avery Murphy, Kaitlyn Simmon, Jillian Arthurs, Laura Barber, Isabella Horton, and Allison Shope. Individual accomplishments were: Jillian Arthurs - FAC champion and district qualifier in 400 freestyle relay, and district qualifier in 200 freestyle relay; Laura Barber - FAC champion and district qualifier in 100 freestyle, FAC champion and district qualifier in 400 freestyle relay, district qualifier in 200 freestyle, and district qualifier in 200 freestyle relay; Isabella Horton - FAC champion and district qualifier in 400 freestyle relay; district qualifier in 100 butterfly, and district qualifier in 200 freestyle relay; and Allison Shope - FAC champion and district qualifier in 400 freestyle relay, district qualifier in 200 freestyle relay; boys swimming – FAC champions and sectional champions - the whole team: Payton Alexander, Cale Flowers, Jack Judkins, Hunter Lytle, Isaac Mincey, Braylon Murray, Cade Raike, Jacek Valler, Todd Warren, Jr., Bryce Barber, Ethan Eakins, Eyan Hill, Julian Swan, and Cole Walker. Individual accomplishments were: Bryce Barber - FAC champion and district qualifier in 200 medley relay, district qualifier in 200 individual medley, and district qualifier in 100 breaststroke; Ethan Eakins - FAC champion and district qualifier in 50 freestyle, FAC champion and district qualifier in 100 backstroke, FAC champion and district qualifier 200 medley relay, and district qualifier in 200 freestyle relay; Eyan Hill - district qualifier in 500 freestyle, district qualifier in 200 individual medley, and district qualifier in 200 freestyle relay; Julian Swan - FAC champion and district qualifier in 200 medley relay and district qualifier in 200 freestyle relay; Cole Walker - district qualifier in 100 butterfly, district qualifier in 200 freestyle, FAC champion and district qualifier 200 medley relay, and district qualifier in 200 freestyle relay; girls basketball – FAC league champions - team members are Kylie Adams, Lila Banks, Becca Bergstrom, Brooklyn Bolender, Allie Burgess, Brieann Cummins, Brylee Douglas, Kalliegh Freeze, Emma Posey, Colena Ring, Mckenzie West, Larah Henson, Leah Lovett, and Paisley Pryor. Individual accomplishments were: Larah Henson - FAC All League, Honorable Mention All District (District 14 Coaches Association), and 2nd Team All District (Ohio Prep Sports Media Association); Leah Lovett - Honorable Mention FAC and 2nd Team All District (District 14 Coaches Association); Paisley Pryor - FAC All League, 1st Team All District (District 14 Coaches Association), and 1st Team All District (Ohio Prep Sports Media Association); boys basketball – Jordan Bell - Honorable Mention FAC, 3rd Team All District (District 14 Coaches Association), and 3rd Team All District (Ohio Prep Sports Media Association); Hudson Lovett - Honorable Mention All District and Special Mention All District (District 14 Coaches Association); boys wrestling – Isacc Shermin-Morgan - district qualifier; Dalton Rowland - district qualifier; Carlos Gonzalez - district qualifier; Jack Spencer - district qualifier; Owen Sykes - district qualifier; and Hunter Skaggs - district qualifier; girls wrestling – KC Foster - FAC Champion, district qualifier, and state qualifier; Lexie Burns - FAC Champion and district qualifier; girls bowling – Natalie Stroud - FAC All League; and boys bowling – Cullen Beatty - FAC All League.
In other meeting matters, student advisory council member Savannah Collins reported about student involvement in a science fair, her own high-scoring feat in Quick Recall, the current preparation going on as various tests (ACT, ASVAB, AP state) are being taken or will be taken, and that the upcoming musical (“The Wizard of Oz” on March 27-28) being performed in the new gym, which is due to ongoing renovations in the auditorium.
Superintendent Quincey Gray said on Saturday prior to the musical from 4-7:30 p.m. G3 (Grow Greater Greenfield) is hosting Tunes and Stews in the cafeteria. She said all the money raised through the event will go toward a school project, which one G3 has yet to determine.
Consent agenda items approved included the McClain FFA trip to El Reno, OK for the annual National Land and Range Judging Contest, mowing contracts for Buckskin and Rainsboro elementaries, and resignations. Those resignations were: McClain science teacher Margaret Dettwiller for retirement, McClain librarian Gretchen Foltz for retirement, McClain military science instructor John Wilson, and Rainsboro cafeteria staff member Teresa Rose. All the resignations are effective following the end of the current school year.
Employment recommendations approved by the board were: Bridgette Henson - eighth grade math teacher; Haley Sweeney - aide, cafeteria, secretary, bus monitor; Mikel Pritchard - boys track assistant; Nick McNeal - spring and summer weight room assistant, jr. high track; Bradley Rowland - dramatics assistant; certified substitutes Brooklyn Baldwin and Jennifer Maynard; Summer Tiger Bites help - Melissa Trent, Jennifer Bunner, Brook Sykes, Trisha Hurley, Tracey Cokonougher, Laura Schoettle, Jamie Mankin, Pat Watkins, Melissa Cornell, Racheal Roman, Ava Hawkins (student), and Isabelle Clevenger (student); summer student maintenance help - Kalliegh Freeze and Josh Smith; and summer maintenance help - Nikkiah Smith and Racheal Sowers.
The next regular meeting of the Greenfield Exempted Village School District Board of Education is scheduled for April 20, 2026 at Greenfield Elementary at 7 p.m. in the cafetorium. To keep updated on what is going on in the Greenfield Exempted Village School District, go to the district website at greenfield.k12.oh.us or go to the district’s social media pages. The individual buildings also have Facebook pages. For any questions regarding the district’s fiscal matters, you can call treasurer Brad Barber using the following number, or email him at brad.barber@greenfieldmcclain.org. The district’s central office may be reached by calling 937-981-2152.
Below, are the Buckskin students who did a presentation to the board of education on WIN groups. They are (l-r) fourth graders Eli Knisley and Quincy Stratton, and fifth graders Karsyn Massie, Hazel White, and Emmitt Webb. They are pictured on March 23 with school board members Rachel Fraley and Charley Roman on the left side and Sandy Free, Eric Zint, and Eric Wise on the right side.
A group of fourth- and fifth-grade students at Buckskin Elementary provided a presentation on WIN (What I Need) groups to Greenfield's board of education at its meeting on March 23.
