ORWELL — Welcome back, Grand Valley! There was a buzz of energy going around the school the first day back at Grand Valley. Maybe it was the excitement of the students seeing each other again for the first time in three long months, maybe it was the electric hum of the 66 new computers the school had received or maybe it could be the joyful music coming from the new choir director’s room. Whatever the reason, Grand Valley would like to welcome to the high school our new technology and the new choir instructor.
This past summer 66 new computers were purchased by the administration for Grand Valley Local Schools.
“The state of Ohio is requiring new technology for schools,” superintendent William Nye said.
“In the high school we have 44 computers,” said high school principal Stephen Sisko.
Twenty-two new computers were designated each for the high school computer labs and to the study hall.
“The money came from student activity money, principal building budget and the annual budget,” Nye said.
With the new computers recommended and installed by the school’s computer technician, Mark Brewster, the computers are approved according to the new guidelines provided from the state of Ohio. With the outdated models replaced, the labs have adapted to a minimum of three towers, instead of the regular personal towers. This provides efficiency while multiple computers are in use.
“The type of computers we have chosen are very economical and more user friendly,” stated Brewster.
The total cost was $16,000. In the long run, for students at Grand Valley, the source of new computer technology creates a better educational environment with on-site resources.
The new technology has updated the school and will make things easier on the students and the computer technician. There will be fewer towers to fix when the time comes and fewer things to maintain until then.
The new choir director, Corey Fowler, attended Lakeview High School and is a graduate of Kent State University, where he was past president of the KSU Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association. He has made great strides to keep the high school and middle school choral programs flowing from the transition of previous teacher to new teacher as smooth as possible.
“I’m trying to incorporate more accountability for the things learned in class by some kind of assessment,” Fowler said. “I have some big shoes to fill.”
On Oct. 21 the choir will be performing at the annual Fall Preview. The Fall Preview involves both the Grand Valley High School choirs: the Concert Choir and the Sound Review Show Choir. Prior to the concert the Grand Valley Choir Boosters will host a Grand Apple Pie Contest and Auction starting at 5 p.m. The concert itself will start at 7 p.m. with the Concert Choir singing a varied repertoire of music selections from the 17th Century all the way to the present day. After an intermission the Sound Review Show Choir will perform their show, “’60s Celebration,” which includes songs like “Born to Be Wild,” “Bridge Over Troubled Water” and “Dancing in the Street.”
We’re looking forward to the new teaching styles that Fowler has to offer and what he will do for the choir. It will be an exciting school year for us; we’re looking forward to the outcome.
