SOESC CONNECTION

Fall is in full swing, and October brings another month of opportunities to learn, collaborate, and support the students and educators across the Southern Ohio ESC region.

Every day, our work takes many forms, from partnering with districts and providing resources to helping educators grow and creating opportunities for students to succeed. Together, these efforts reflect our commitment to the values that guide SOESC: Champion for Children, Ambassador of the ESC, and Be Well.

As the school year continues, we’re proud to work alongside our district partners, colleagues, and communities to support education and make a lasting impact.

Wishing everyone a wonderful October filled with meaningful connections and continued success! 🍁

We are excited to celebrate Sherrie Burchett as our September MVP of the Month!

Sherrie’s nominations highlight the compassion, creativity, and dedication she brings to her role as an Early Childhood Intervention Specialist. She is committed to helping young learners thrive by recognizing each child’s individual needs and finding meaningful ways to support their growth and development.

As Sherrie has stepped into her role, she has embraced new experiences with an open mind and a willingness to learn. She has built genuine connections with children and their families, approaching each interaction with patience, understanding, and care. One nomination shared how Sherrie navigated a challenging situation during a home visit with wisdom and compassion, turning a potentially difficult moment into an opportunity to strengthen her relationship with the family.

Sherrie’s work reflects the Three SOESC Principles: Champion for Children, Ambassador of the ESC, and Be Well. She advocates for her students, builds trusting relationships with families and colleagues, and brings a positive, supportive spirit to those around her.

We are grateful for the heart, flexibility, and commitment Sherrie brings to her work and the difference she makes in the lives of the children and families she serves.

Congratulations, Sherrie, on being our September MVP of the Month! 🖤

Who will be our next MVP?

Help us continue celebrating the incredible people who make Team SOESC special by nominating a colleague for our next MVP of the Month!

🗳️ Submit your nomination: https://bit.ly/SOESCMVP

🍂 Move More Challenge: Every Bit of Movement Counts!

Looking for simple ways to add a little more movement to your day? The SOESC Move More Challenge is ongoing, and there’s still time to participate! Whether you’re taking a short walk, stretching between tasks, or finding small ways to stay active throughout the workday, every bit of movement counts.

No gym membership or major time commitment required. The goal is simply to move a little more and sit a little less in ways that work for you.

Find ways to move throughout your day:

• Take a short walk during lunch or a break.

• Stretch for a few minutes between meetings or tasks.

• Park a little farther away when you can.

• Set a reminder to stand up and move throughout the day.

• Take a quick movement break with your favorite song.

• Step outside for a few minutes when your schedule allows.

🎉 Move More & Be Entered to Win!

Want to participate? Track your movement and submit your activities for a chance to win a wellness prize!

Your documentation can be as simple as keeping track of your walks, stretches, movement breaks, or other physical activities. You don't need to do anything elaborate. Just find what works for you and keep moving!

Submit your activities to:

Guy Chambers
gchambers@soesc.org

📅 The challenge closes November 30, 2026. Be sure to submit your activities before the challenge wraps up!

October is School Safety Month in Ohio, and this year, the Ohio School Safety Center (OSSC) is highlighting something we can all make part of our everyday lives: kindness! Inspired by the United States of Kindness movement, this year’s initiative encourages schools across Ohio to celebrate the small and meaningful ways kindness helps create safe, welcoming, and supportive learning environments.

Through the OSSC’s Kindness Challenge, schools can earn points by participating in activities that bring kindness to life, including creating kindness walls, writing encouraging notes, recognizing staff, sharing daily kindness challenges, and developing student-led projects that promote compassion and inclusion. Schools are also encouraged to get creative and submit their own acts of kindness!

Schools that earn 250 points can be recognized as one of Ohio’s Kindest Schools, and those earning the most points may also be named a School Safety Month Champion at the Ohio School Safety Summit in June 2027. Schools can submit their activities and acts of kindness through the OSSC’s Kindness Tracker, following the initiative’s guidelines for documenting participation.

Sometimes, the smallest gestures can have the biggest impact. A kind word, a thoughtful note, or a simple act of encouragement can help someone feel seen, valued, and supported. This October, schools across Ohio have an opportunity to turn those everyday moments into something even bigger by building connections, strengthening school communities, and creating a culture where everyone feels they belong.

Because kindness is more than a thoughtful gesture. It’s one way we can all help make our schools safer and more supportive places to learn and grow.

Explore the Ohio School Safety Center’s School Safety Month resources for challenge details, activity ideas, and participation requirements.

Staying informed is an important part of keeping our schools and communities safe. Please take a moment to review the posted safety notice and familiarize yourself with the information provided. Thank you for helping us stay informed, prepared, and committed to creating safe, supportive learning environments for everyone!

The SOESC Teaching and Learning Team is offering Youth Mental Health First Aid Training at no cost on Thursday, October 22, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the SOESC Wilmington office. This training helps participants build the knowledge and confidence to recognize signs of mental health challenges and provide support to young people.

The course includes a required two-hour, self-paced online assignment that must be completed before the in-person session. A few seats are still available! Staff members interested in participating should contact their supervisor to reserve a spot.

Register Here or contact Kim K. Adams at kkadams@soesc.org with questions. Please share this opportunity with school staff who may benefit from this valuable professional learning experience!

For more information regarding hiring please contact Superintendent, Curt Bradshaw at cbradshaw@soesc.org | 937-382-6921 x 1026

The upcoming SOESC governing board meeting will take place on

October 27- 7:00 pm at the Southern Ohio ESC: 3321 Airborne Rd. Wilmington, OH 45177.

For more information on our governing board, please visit soesc.org/GoverningBoard