School PR / Kurt D. Moore

Kurt D. Moore

Storyteller | Writer | Communications Director

Grant Middle School unveils STEM Lab

Parents and community leaders got their first look at Grant Middle School’s state-of-the-art STEM Lab during a ceremony held recently at the school. The lab, already in use by classes, focuses on science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills increasingly in demand by employers.

Marion City Schools to offer Harding students support after graduation

The Marion City Schools District and its partners are preparing to embark on a new program dedicated to helping students succeed after they graduate from high school. Presidential Pathway, part of the Diploma Plus Acceptance initiative, will offer college and career counseling to Marion Harding High School graduates throughout the year after they graduate. The support will be provided by a team of Harding guidance counselors, GEAR UP advisors and staff from Marion Technical College and The Ohio State University at Marion.

Loss of son spurs anti-drug message

When Mount Vernon resident Dave Culbertson’s son Greg died of a heroin overdose in 2009, such deaths weren’t making the headlines. There weren’t words attached like “epidemic.” It did appear in the newspaper that week, however, as Culbertson did what was then unheard of and included the drug overdose as the cause of death in Greg’s obituary. He decided that wasn’t the end of his speaking out about the dangers of heroin abuse.

Marion Mentors 21 seeks volunteers

Marion Mentors 21 coordinator John Shank calls it “21st century mentoring.” What he’s after are mentors who will dedicate time to mentoring Marion City Schools students – long-term if possible. It’s mentoring dedicated to helping the school district help students achieve.

MCS to use technology to address soft skills gap

Funding from an innovative state grant will enable Marion City Schools to harness technology to teach students soft skills. The Straight A Fund Governing Board recommended awarding a $623,605 Straight A Innovation Fund Grant to partners Rushmore Academy, Harding High School and the Mahoning County Educational Service Center. The grant will cover costs of working with the Kent State University Research Center for Educational Technology to create an educational simulated workplace model.

GPS program gives students an early college start

Graduate Pathways to Success is a program that lets high school students experience college for free. They can take college classes starting their ninth grade year. Ohio’s College Credit Plus program lets any college-ready student in middle and high school take college classes. The difference with Graduate Pathways to Success, an early college program, is that students receive extra coaching and support along the way.

11th June 2018

Muriel Summers inspires MCS on Convocation Day

Muriel Summers, an educator known worldwide for her influence on student leadership, began to tear up as she talked about her own fourth-grade teacher. She remembered Miss Rose fondly for taking time each day to express her love to students. “I can’t tell you too much about what she taught me,” Summers said while speaking at Marion City Schools’ Convocation Day on Tuesday. “But I can tell you how she made me feel. I spent my life trying to make her proud. “Can one person make a difference? She did for us and you can for the children whom you serve.”

Serving students a Thanksgiving stuffed with love

As students and teachers wrapped up the last day of class before Thanksgiving, schools throughout the district paused to give thanks on Tuesday. At Garfield Elementary, it was a day set aside for family and the community. After all, it’s tradition, and Thanksgiving’s meant for tradition and family. So fourth-grade teacher Tina Barnes and the cafeteria workers and parent helpers got to work.