Inside The Rock

Listen to this fascinating conversation with Interim Superintendent Chris Baldwin and family physician, Dr. Annette Fearnot about how the COVID-19 vaccine impacts kids as young as 16 and what parents need to know when deciding on getting their child vaccinated.

On this episode of Inside the Rock, our Teresa Layton speaks with Dr. Annette Fearnot about the importance of getting the regular vaccines for our children and preteens (finally, something not related to COVID, right?!)!

On this episode of Inside the Rock, Interim Superintendent Chris Baldwin speaks to Joel Bruns and John Moore, the teachers who help Westfield High School students turn their passions into businesses in the Shark Tank Club. This is an awesome conversation that shines a light on the brilliance of our Shamrocks and the excellence of a WWS education!

On this episode of Inside the Rock, Interim Superintendent Chris Baldwin discusses the decision to remain on the hybrid plan with Jim Ginder of the Hamilton County Health Department, WWS Nurse Coordinator Teresa Layton, WMS Principal Mike Hall and WHS Principal Alicia Denniston. There is lots of insight into what goes into the decision and how many factors are considered and we hope you gain new perspective on the decision.

As we continue to highlight our school board members, this week's interview comes from the school board's vice president, Rebecca Ogle. Listen as she talks about how she loves giving back to the community and how she brings her keen sense of finances to Westfield Washington Schools.

Our next school board interview is with Bill Anderson, current board secretary. We have a great conversation about how growing up with a family of educators shapes his approach to WWS, his achievements on the board and his desire to make this an efficient school district.

Our next interview for School Board Appreciation Month comes from Jimmy Cox, the recently-sworn-in board member and newly elected board president. Listen as we talk about his background, his education and his goals for the schools.

January is School Board Appreciation Month so we will be getting to know the WWS members a little bit more! Listen and learn a little more about each board member, their education, their family and what they are looking forward to getting accomplished in Westfield Washington Schools.This week, we interviewed one of the two new members, Mike Steele, district 3 representative.

As Dr. Sherry Grate prepares to transition to her new role and to the life of grandparenthood, WWS leadership sent her well wishes and shared some of their favorite memories of her.I'm not crying... YOU'RE crying!

Every students wants to know that they are being seen, heard and valued. That's exactly why Kurt Frederick, Mark Ewing and others in WWS created the Neighborhood Project. On this episode of Inside the Rock, Dr. Grate took a deep dive into this project to understand how Westfield High School is getting to know their students and their culture on a more personal level.

In school, we're used to high-achieving students getting attention and low-achieving students getting attention. But, how much achievement could those kids in the middle have with a few more academic tools in their toolbox? That's exactly what AVID focuses on and Westfield Washington School introduced it to our district this year. Listen as Dr. Sherry Grate talks to the AVID teacher, instructional coach and a student about the benefits and impact of Advancement Via Individual Determination.

In this heartwarming episode of Inside the Rock, Dr. Sherry Grate talks with the two people who are engine behind The Shamrock Project, a program for our special needs students to help them transition from high school to independent living.

With COVID-19 driving our social media use through the roof, Superintendent Dr. Sherry Grate and Parent University's Ashley Knott have a great discussion about how to be mindful with our internet usage and how to engage with your family outside of your devices.

Westfield High School Students Sarah Weglarz and Peighton Isley have jumped onto Hamilton County's C.L.A.S.S. campaign to help promote proper mask wearing in schools to increase the chances that they get to experience all of the great things that come along with the senior year experience. Both of them join Dr. Grate to discuss what they are doing for the C.L.A.S.S. campaign and what it's like being seniors in a global pandemic.

Dr. Grate and Tom Hakim, principal of Westfield Washington Elementary School, has a fun and lively conversation about the importance of a principal and how he brings his creativity to his approach to education and leadership.

In celebration of School Principals Month, Superintendent Dr. Sherry Grate had a great conversation with Dana Dietz, principal of Monon Trail Elementary School. Listen as they discuss her time at Monon Trail Elementary, connecting with students and what it's been like to lead a school during a pandemic.

Dr. Sherry Grate and newly-named WHS principal Alicia Denniston have a great conversation about Denniston's the road to becoming the WHS principal and her bold vision for the future of all Shamrocks who pass through those doors.

Superintendent Dr. Sherry Grate speaks with Mike Hall, principal at Westfield Middle School, about the silver linings and lessons learned during this unique school year. They also take some time to discuss what a full return to class might look like.

This week, Dr. Sherry Grate talks with Maple Glen's principal, Mary Beth Riley as well as long-time MGES teacher and current virtual instructor Sarah Fritzsche about how Maple Glen has thrived during this school year like no other. They talk about lessons learned, how the young learners are taking to the hybrid model and what it will look like when students are in-person 4 days a week!

Westfield Washington Schools superintendent Dr. Sherry Grate and Marci Derado, Director of Student Support Programs discuss how BAC will be effected by the updated hybrid plan, additional benefits parents can expect from the program and much, much more!