Nikolai Beaver was recognized during the May 18 Wellsville school board meeting as Daw Elementary School’s sixth-grade Student of the Month. (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt)

WELLSVILLE – Wellsville Local School District principals wrapped up the year with positive notes.

Principals Shelbie Householder, Garfield Elementary; Erin Clemmer, Daw Elementary; and Allison Scott, Wellsville Jr. Sr. High School, recognized their final Students of the Month for the 2025-2026 school year during the May 18 school board meeting.

Students of the Month for May at Garfield include second-grade students Luca Dalrymple and Brea Williams, who were both recognized for being wonderful examples of what it means to be star students with positive attitudes and great personalities.

Daw Elementary May Students of the Month are Nikolai Beaver, sixth grade; Emma Reese, fifth grade; Colt Galloway, fourth grade; and Anabella (Ella) Randolph, third grade.

Nikolai was recognized for following the Public Behavior Intervention Supports (PBIS). He is described as being a smart, responsible, problem solving and safe student who works hard in school, tries his best and is polite.

Emma was described as respectful to students and staff, hard working in class, and coming up with creative ideas.

Colt was described as a leading example of how a student should conduct themselves in the classroom, always eager to learn and involved in class.

Ella was described as a kind, caring student who stays on track, sets a good example for her peers and respects others.

May Students of the Month for Wellsville Jr. Sr. High School are Eli Reese, jr. high; and Chleoe Wilcox, sr. high.

Eli was chosen for his academics, leadership, character and citizenship. He is a quiet student who is always on task, helpful to others and has great academic goals set for himself.

Chleoe was chosen for her character. She always steps up to get things done and is willing to serve her school and a desire to lead.

Householder told the board that overall, it was a fantastic school year and there was a lot to be proud of at Garfield Elementary School.

She noted that there was a great family turnout at the awards assembly held on May 18 where several students were recognized for their achievements over the duration of the school year including four students recognized for perfect attendance, kindergarten students receiving their completion certificates and Brea Willams announced as recipient of the Principal’s Award. There were an additional 75 awards presented to kindergarten through second-grade students.

Clemmer told the board that teacher Danette Frischkorn, Daw Elementary, was awarded The Arthur S. Holden Science Teacher Award of Excellence, a prestigious award given by the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation to outstanding science teachers across Ohio.

She also told the board that Jenna Stoddard’s third-grade class published a book on how to survive the third grade. Several students read what they wrote in the book at the board meeting.

New hires for Daw Elementary are McKenna Rawson, third grade; Camryn Jackson, fifth grade; and Ian Lanney, physical education for Garfield and Daw Elementary schools.

Kyle Exline, assistant principal and athletic director, Wellsvile Jr. Sr. High School, said the softball team finished 5-14 with six games decided by three runs or less and that the trophy case renovation should be completed by graduation and that River Valley provided the students with free sports physicals.

Regarding academics and testing, Householder said Garfield students finished the school year at the 64th percentile in math and 61st percentile in reading, which is above the national averages for both, which indicates that Garfield students are outperforming a majority of same grade students nationwide.

She also noted that multiple classrooms at Garfield exceeded growth projectiles from fall to spring, with some classrooms reaching over 115% to 135% of projected growth and median growth percentiles in the upper 60s and 70s. Several classrooms had 60% to 75% of students meet or exceed projected growth targets.

Householder said looking ahead to 2026-2027, priorities include continue strengthening of literacy instruction, increase vertical alignment efforts across grade levels, the use of Spring MAP data to identify specific instructional areas needing additional support, to continue strengthening explicit instruction practices, focus on targeted interventions and enrichment opportunities and use fall benchmark date to identify students need and respond with timely instructional support.

Scott told the board that the jr. sr. high school has been utilizing its Ohio State Test scores and NWEA MAP scores to develop and enhance the master schedule, curriculum maps, scopes and sequences and assessment practices.

She noted the jr.. sr. high school will be offering new classes to students in the 2026-2027 school year, including STEM, strategic entrepreneurship, sport literature, personal finance, astronomy, CCP American Literature and Film, CCP College Writing I and II and career explorations for the seventh- and eighth-grade students.

Joining the staff at the jr. sr. high school are Dustin Brown and Joshua DePasquale, both science; Colton Novak, Math; William Lowe, Band and Choir; Sara Crable, intervention specialist; and Brianna Sullivan, licensed social worker.