Members of the community, local businesses and the school joined together to welcome teachers and staff back to Smith-Green Community Schools Thursday, the first full day for teachers. At right is keynote speaker, Megan Kelly, director of the Allen County Court Great Kids Make Great Communities program.

It’s that time of year.

Over 200 showed up to welcome teachers and staff at the Business Education Community Welcome Back Breakfast at Smith-Green Schools Thursday morning, which was the first full day for teachers. The first full day for students is Monday, Aug. 18.

School board president Tanya Young welcomed the crowd, which was representative of the business, community and school populations.

Student Nicole Pippenger explained the mission of the HANDS Foundation, a philanthropic organization managed by students in the various Whitley County school districts in conjunction with the Whitley County Community Foundation.

Keynote speaker Megan Kelly talked about how “Great Kids Make Great Communities,” a program sponsored by the Allen County Superior Court system. Kelly referred parents and teachers to a book on disciplining children called, “Say Yes to No,” and urged everyone to attend a seminar in October which will feature the author, Dr. David Walsh.

“It’s a fun listen,” Kelly said. “We’re not bad parents; we’re doing the best we can with what we have.”

The seminar  - hosted by Great Kids Make Great Communities - will be held  Oct. 1, at 6:30 p.m. at Park Hill Training Center, New Haven. For more details go to www.greatkidsallencounty.org.

Young urged parents and members of the business community to get involved with the school.  She referred those in attendance to  DonorsChoose.org, a site where parents, businesses and others can browse school projects from area schools and grade levels and make a donation or offer to assist with a specific project.

Smith-Green Community Schools superintendent Carol Kaiser introduced a dozen new staff members for the 2008-9 school year.

New staff includes:

Elementary: Loree Grimm, first grade; Rob Tomlinson, fifth grade; and Erica Allen, extended day kindergarten and sixth grade language.

Middle school/high school: Phil Brackman, high school math; Trisha Brooks, HS English; Heather Heironimus, high school/middle school special education; Sam Riesen, HS/MS social studies; Jennifer Homan, HS English; Phil Allen, HS/MS agriculture and FFA sponsor; and Jason Schwiebert, HS biology and integrated physics and chemistry.

Others include Max Shelmadine in the maintenance/grounds department and Matt Hosted as manager of corporate technology.

NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHERS - From left are Rob Tomlinson, Erica Allen and Loree Grimm.

NEW SGCS STAFF - In front, from left, Jennifer Homan, English; Trisha Brooks, English; Heather Heironimus, special education; In back: Phil Allen, agriculture and FFA advisor; Phil Brackmann, math; Max Shelmadine, Sam Riesen, social studies. Not shown: Jason Schwiebert, biology and integrated chemistry and physics; and Matt Hosted, technology.

Tom Cormany chats with school board president, Tanya Young, at the BEC Welcome Back Breakfast Thursday.

 Story and photos by Buscovoice.com.