The State of the Schools Address is an annual event held at Mentor High School, where community members, business owners, and some students are invited to hear about the accomplishments, investments, and future plans of the Mentor District. At the State of the Schools address, Superintendent Craig Heath explained and emphasized the importance of the “Framework for the Future” initiative by having students, community members, and staff explain their experiences with each outcome detailed in the framework. 

Outcome 1: Expand Student-centered Experiences

“Educators are empowered to design and facilitate student-centered opportunities aligned to the Mentor Schools Learning Model that yield desired outcomes for all students.”

To explain this outcome, Aria, a 2nd-grade student at Sterling Morton Elementary, read the book “A Ticket for a Cricket.” By reading, Aria demonstrated critical thinking, reading, and writing skills. Aria then stated that reading allows students to “learn more things about books.” 

Along with Aria’s demonstration, Mr. Heath showed examples of hands-on activities at other schools throughout the district, such as 3rd graders dissecting squids. Students are able to meet curriculum standards while keeping it fun and extending learning opportunities.

Outcome 2: Nurture College and Career Pathways

“Students have access to learning opportunities that prepare them to be college and career ready.”

To explain the significance of CTE programs, firefighter Ryan Skelly stated that CTE programs are “not just any course, there are expectations that come along with the curriculum that make the class more challenging and rewarding.”

As of last year, 16% of students applying for a CTE program were placed on the waitlist, with only 2% this year, and 57% of students got their first choice last year, and now, 80% of students get into their first choice program. In the past few years, $2.2 million has been spent on new spaces in the school for CTE programs such as the construction building, culinary space, aviation, digital, cyber security, and sports medicine. 

The Mentor district actively attempts to show off career opportunities and provide experiences in those fields for students through introductions to careers in elementary schools, exploration of those careers in middle school, and then real-world experiences in high school.

Outcome 3: Encourage Well-being

“Mentor Public Schools will provide a safe learning environment where students can grow academically, physically, socially, and emotionally.”

Some aspects that encourage well-being that the district focuses on are a sense of belonging, anti-bullying, kindness, and compassion. To exemplify this outcome, 8th grader Mary McMahon’s video responding to the prompt, “create a video conveying the power of kindness, demonstrating why it is important to them, and showing how it can affect their schools and communities.” This video was made to win 2 tickets to Super Bowl LIX, which Mary won.

“A school community cannot thrive without kindness,” Mary stated.

Another example of well-being in the Mentor district are the two school resource officers hired at the beginning of the year. Read more about them in the article Officers in the Halls. The district is attempting to hire at least two more officers by the end of the year in order to increase the safety and well-being of students and staff members. Future initiatives in the district will also attempt to focus on student discipline.

Outcome 4: Cultivate Strong Community Partnerships

“The Mentor Schools community will grow relationships with businesses and organizations to expand mutually beneficial opportunities that foster well-rounded learning experiences for all.”

Some of the initiatives taken by the district to strengthen these relationships are the Cardinal Cafe, the family resource center, and Make a Difference Day at the middle schools. Paddy Coyne, a 9th grader, went on a trip to the zoo with kids with autism for his Make a Difference Day experience.

“The experience opened our eyes to what other people go through,” Paddy stated. “We’re all just people.”

His sentiment is shared by the district through community feedback opportunities, a Guiding Coalition, and community partnership hubs. 

Outcome 5: Maximize District Efficiency and Efficacy

“Mentor Public Schools will operate at peak capacity by providing the knowledge, skills, and resources necessary to reach desired student outcomes.”

To explain this outcome, Chief Financial Officer for the district Bill Wade explained the upcoming levy and how the district would benefit if the levy is passed by the community. Mr. Wade explained that the resources are funded through property taxes, are carefully managed, and we, as a district, are spending more than we are taking in. According to Mr. Wade, while a deficit is not uncommon for a district, it is becoming larger and larger each year and will continue to be harder to bridge if action is not taken. 

Mentor Moments

One aspect of the district that Mr. Heath was adamant about focusing on is Mentor Moments. Mentor Moments are accomplishments and successes that have occurred in the district and community that positively impact students, staff members, and the community. Some of the “moments” mentioned were Senior parking spots being painted, food markets, military commitments, the Laketran bus design contest, and state competitions across numerous athletics and extracurricular activities. 

The entire framework, mission, vision, and blueprint can be found here, and the video of the State of the Schools Address can be found here.