Thursday was the Welcome Back program for the Greene County School District staff at the high school auditorium.
The day started with a free breakfast and a business vendor fair, with over 14 local businesses and organizations participating, to let teachers and staff know what is available in the community. Then during the program, Bringing Optimism and Opportunities to Students and Teachers (BOOST) Committee member Chris Deal talked about their organization that supports what teachers need and want in the district by raising over $400,000 in seven years at the annual BOOST Bash.
“One thing that teachers don’t hear enough is ‘Thank you.’ We recognize as one of the organizations that tries to support everything that you do is that what you do day in and day out is incredibly important. The thanks that we express, we try to do it but goodness knows we could never do it enough for everything you do for our students, for our schools, for our community, so thank you!”
Remarks were also made by Greene County School Board President Bonnie Silbaugh, who did her own version of Tonight Show Host Jimmy Fallon’s “Thank You Notes” accompanied by High School Vocal Director David Heupel on piano. She ended her presentation with a personal “Thank You Note” to everyone.
“Thank you to our teachers, and our staff, and our administrators, and our parents, community for putting up with me as your school board president for the last couple of years, I’ve really enjoyed it. And I want y’all to have a swift and educational 2024-2025 school year.”
The crowd also heard updates and outlooks for the school year by each of the building administrators, including Superintendent Brett Abbotts, who had this to say to all staff.
“We have faced a lot of challenges within Greene County and every year we seem to overcome them, come out just a little bit stronger, (and) have a good learning moment from that as well. For our new teachers and those new to Greene County, you really have joined the right team at the right time. And believe me when I say there is a heck of a lot of talent that is sitting in this room. Over the past few years we truly have moved some mountains and we’re ready to do it again.”
Other highlights of the program included emcee Kevin Paulsen giving recognition to the full school board, years of service for staff, and watching a 2023-24 Year in Review video that was produced by Ram News.