Fairview Fast 5
District News from the Fairview Park City Schools
We have had a great start to the 2023-2024 school year. Seeing staff engage students in high-quality learning activities in the classroom, feeling the sense of community displayed at athletic competitions, and welcoming parents and guardians to open house events make the start of the school year special.
In this month’s issue of the Fairview Fast Five, you will hear from students who participated in leadership development training last spring, learn about the district’s efforts to improve student and staff safety, understand more about the components of the district’s new strategic plan, and read how the Fairview Park City Schools shaped the career of a distinguished alumni from the FHS Class of 1972.
The Ohio Department of Education released local report cards today. We are excited to share that based on our results in the five component areas, the Fairview Park City School District has achieved an overall 5-star rating, the highest overall rating possible.
These report card results are due to the incredibly hard work and perseverance of our students, teachers, administrators, staff, and families. As we celebrate these results, we will continue to build on our strengths while addressing opportunities for continuous improvement.
We also want to remind everyone that these results are just one benchmark we use to measure the quality and rigor our students deserve and our community expects.
Thank you for your continued support and commitment to the Fairview Park City Schools.
Sincerely,
Keith Ahearn
The beginning of this school year also brings new goals and areas of improvement for the Fairview Park City School District.
In August of 2023, the Board of Education approved the district’s new strategic plan, which had been in development since November 2022.
“A strategic plan is all about continuous improvement,” Superintendent Keith Ahearn explained. “When you have a plan that sets out measurable goals, it focuses the work that you do as a district at continuous improvement. A strategic plan, if it’s done well, should reflect a shared vision for all of the stakeholders in the district.”
Sometimes, being a strong leader means having a strong idea and vision for the future. As a group of Fairview High School students recently discovered, leadership can mean much more than that.
Last school year, approximately 40 students participated in LEAD with an IDEA, a training program provided to students at FHS in conjunction with the Effective Leadership Academy (ELA).
“LEAD with an IDEA was created to guide students through a series of interactive discussions focused on inclusivity, diversity and empowerment, leading to the development of a school-wide student lead plan for change,” Jessica Vaughn, talent manager with ELA expressed.
The Fairview Park City School District (FPCSD) continues to make important improvements to keep students and staff safe during the school day.
Over the past few years, FPCSD buildings have received numerous safety and security upgrades. The recent building construction project in 2020 featured numerous safety upgrades at buildings, including doors and entryways. In the fall of 2022, the FPCSD purchased upgraded cameras, communication systems, and extra entryway protection.
In January 2023, the FPCSD announced a new visitor management system to know and track exactly who is in the school buildings. Most recently, this August, the district rolled out its newest safety and security program - implementing the Raptor Emergency Management System.
Join us this year for Homecoming weekend! Celebrate the traditions and history of Fairview High School all weekend long, with events starting on Friday, September 29. Click on the button below for more information about all the weekend's activities!
Friday, September 29:
- Athletic Hall of Fame Rededication Ceremony
- Homecoming Parade
- Homecoming Football Game
Saturday, September 30:
- FHS volleyball game recognizing the 1985 state champion volleyball team
by Grace Bostwick, junior
Since 1931, Fairview High School and its associated staff have had the honor of seeing countless students walk these halls for the last time and encompass a future ahead of them for decades. However, the numerous success stories of our beloved alumni have remained unaccounted for until now and are finally starting to be brought to light. With each student transformed into an inspiring adult, they pave a path of legacy for current students, calling FHS home as our past alumni have.
I have had the privilege of interviewing Kevin G. Nealer, an FHS graduate from 1972. Nealer is an alum of Case Western Reserve University Law School, Class of 1978. Currently, he is head of a globalist practice of the Scowcroft Group in Washington D.C.
Nealer worked in aid and joint response for several political figures and departments at a national level. Nealer created strong relationships with President Ronald Reagan’s National Security Team members and was involved in many foreign relations policy discussions and laws, including the Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act of 1986, a notable highlight of his career.
Part of Adams’ philosophy is to create an athletics environment where students can explore new opportunities and develop skills at every level, from middle school to JV and varsity.
“There are opportunities to truly explore who you are and what we can provide,” Adams expressed. “Our goal is always to create a safe environment for students to explore themselves, but to explore those important traits: working with a team, setting goals, experiencing conflict, overcoming adversity, and sportsmanship. I encourage you to give it a shot.”
“If it is not what you like, at least you tried and explored and discovered it wasn’t for you,” Adams added. “Some aspects are common throughout all the sports - maybe you’ll find the right sport for you.”
