Monroe County schools, districts announce what's new for 2024-25

MONROE COUNTY — A new school year means changes. Local schools share news of new staff, building upgrades and curriculum changes.

Here's a roundup of the new things students and parents can expect to see this year. St. Mary Catholic Central High School opened Monroe County's 2024-25 school year this week. All other schools will open soon, most on Sept. 3.

Monroe Public Schools

Monroe Public Schools' elementary buildings have newly aligned common start and end times for the first time this year. Monroe Virtual School's secondary program has moved, and Orchard Center High School has expanded hours.

New school day hours for elementary buildings are:

Arborwood North: 8:38 a.m.–3:35 p.m.

Arborwood South: 8:43 a.m.–3:40 p.m.

Custer 1: 8:43 a.m.–3:40 p.m.

Custer 2: 8:38 a.m.–3:35 p.m.

Manor: 8:38 a.m.–3:35 p.m.

Raisinville: 8:38 a.m.–3:35 p.m.

Monroe Virtual School students in grades 7-12 are moving from Riverside to the east wing of Orchard Center High School. Orchard has a new expanded school day (7:43 a.m.–2:31 p.m.) to allow students to earn more credits and receive more support from staff.

Improvements were made this summer at Monroe High School and were funded by the 2020 bond. Work involved restrooms, cafeteria, office areas, HVAC and mechanical upgrades, painting, carpeting and lighting.

"The MHS gym will have air conditioning for the first time," said Wendy Krouse, MPS' community engagement coodinator.

Previous Coverage: First day of school reported for 27 Monroe County districts, schools

Airport Community Schools

A new health center at Wagar Middle & Junior High School is slated to open in September.

Family Medical Center of Michigan, in partnership with Airport Community Schools, will offer primary health care and mental health services to local children through the Jets Community Health Center. Services will be available year-round to people ages 4-21, even during the summer months and school breaks. Patients do not need to be students of the district.

Medical services will be provided by a nurse practitioner, physician's assistant or physician. Mental health services will be offered through a licensed counselor or social worker. This facility was paid for through a grant from the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services.

Meagan Rupert, a previous English teacher for the district, was named district librarian. Eriks Apelis, a former district principal, was named director of educational services. Jonathan Scharf, a former AHS math teacher, was promoted to AHS assistant principal.

Summerfield Schools

August Ost was recently named the new superintendent of Summerfield Schools.

Ida Public Schools

"We are adding geothermal heating and cooling to our high school and middle school. We have also built a road near the elementary school that will help with traffic flow and aid in pick up and drop off," said David Eack, superintendent.

Dundee Community Schools

Dundee High Schools' counseling department is now the Student Services Center. Raleigh Atkinson is the student advancement coordinator. Nancy Scharboneau is the student service coordinator. Jami Carson is the sudent service administrative assistant.

New staff members include Alicia Webber, math teacher; Natalie Keener, English interventionist; and Mackenzie Kruszka, English teacher.

Gibraltar School District

New staff members include: Austin Damron, high school teacher; Amy Maglio, district psychologist; Kiley Elbaor, Chapman Elementary School teacher; Peyton Miller, high school teacher; Emily Ingram, Parsons Elementary School teacher; Alyssa Tocco and Brandon Ballantyne, high school teachers; and Gabrielle Blake, teacher at Parsons.

St. Mary Catholic Central High School

New staff members include: Bridget Beattie-Smith, college counselor; Joe Boggs, director of mission and ministry; Claudia Chavarria, Spanish teacher; Danielle Emery, academic interventionist; and Rod Flint, academic support.

Erin Johnson was promoted to director of student services.Building upgrades include new lighting and an upgraded internal communication system.

Meadow Montessori School

The school is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.

Meadow has a new STEM building that will debut the first week of school.Two new teachers will begin. Delilah Jordan-Terry will teach in Children’s House North, and Jessica Felder will take on the lead position at the middle school. Presley Feezell is the new director of secondary education.The upper elementary has added Montessori Model UN to its course work this year. A special presentation is scheduled for February.

Holy Ghost Lutheran School

Lukas Setzler is the new middle school math and science teacher for grades.

New air conditioning units were installed in all classrooms. 5-8. Additional Classical Education curriculum will be added to all grade levels. Financial Literacy and Career Exploration/Community Involvement opportunities will be available for grades 7-8, said Jayne Diroff new principal.

Karen Durham is the new dean of students.

More: Playdates with Principals planned throughout August for preschoolers and kindergarteners

Triumph Academy

“We are excited to share that we are School of Excellence award winners through National Heritage Academies,” said Nicole Graves, principal.

St. Charles Catholic Academy

The school launched the new program — Friendzy.“This is a Biblical Social Emotion Learning program focused on social emotional character development, friendship skills, self-awareness and problem solving,” said administrator Beth Lechy.New equipment was added to the playground.

St. Patrick School

The school has increased enrollment.“We are looking at 140-plus students this year, which is a 10% increase from last year,” said Charles A. Lenze, principal.

Monroe Catholic Elementary Schools

The search is on for a new principal. In June, Kyle Kubik, executive principal since 2019, announced he had taken a job as senior director of Catholic education for the Diocese of Toledo. A newly created school counselor position has been filled. An elementary interventionist also will be hired.

New staff members include Kelly Montei, middle school English teacher.

Last year, MCES announced it would no longer use the St. John Campus, which resulted in a redistribution of grades. St. Michael Campus will now serve infants through second graders. St. Mary Campus will serve grades 3-8.

Previous Coverage: Monroe Catholic Elementary Schools to stop using St. John campus after this school year

New Bedford Academy

New Bedford Academy has new carpeting in the main hall, new gym lights and a new public address system.

Jen Walters is the new principal.

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Trinity Lutheran School

Tracey Hackbarth, previously a first grade teacher, is the new principal at Trinity Lutheran School.

Kate Delmotte, a former kindergarten aide, is now the kindergarten teacher. Former preschool teacher Holly Robinson is now a first grade teacher. Previous kindergarten teacher Carolyn Charogoff will teach second grade.

Zion Lutheran School

Kindergarten has expanded to five full days.

— Contact reporter Suzanne Nolan Wisler at swisler@monroenews.com .

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Monroe County schools, districts announce what's new for 2024-25