New DCHS Soccer Field Named in Honor of Coach K

November 11, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

The Board of Education is honoring DCHS Tiger and Lady Tiger Soccer Coach Dylan Kleparek by naming the new high school soccer field for him. It will now be known as the “Dylan Kleparek Coach K Soccer Field”.

Fourth district member Kate Miller made the motion during Thursday night’s regular monthly meeting of the School Board. Sixth district member Jason Miller offered a second to the motion and it was adopted unanimously.

Coach K, as he is affectionately known, helped start the high school soccer program several years ago and has been it’s only head coach for both boys and girls teams since.

Kate Miller said naming the field for Coach K is a fitting tribute.

“Over three years ago this board voted to build a soccer field at DCHS. Prior to that these teams had no field of their own. They had to use the football field or practice field. I am pleased to report that after many hours of hard work and lots of people involved we have a soccer field and it is beautiful even though it is not completely done. Without a doubt the soccer field and program would not be where it is today without the work and dedication of Coach K. He was instrumental in starting the program. He has been the only high school coach of the girls and boys teams and has been involved in the community in the rec league program. If you know or have ever played for Coach K you know how competitive he is. He always wants to win and hates to lose and he coaches his players this way. But first and foremost he coaches his players to be good students, good people, and respectful individuals. Tonight I would like to make a motion that we name the soccer field the Dyan Kleparek Coach K Soccer Field,” said Kate Miller.

Meanwhile in his monthly report on personnel, Director of Schools Patrick Cripps reported that Jennifer Roller has been granted a leave of absence as requested.

Ann Kinsley has been transferred from a substitute position to Educational Assistant at Northside Elementary School.

Jill Lane has resigned as an Educational Assistant at Northside Elementary School and Erin Turner has resigned as an Educational Assistant at Smithville Elementary School.

November 11, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

Is political ideology regarding race being taught in the local school system?

At least one parent apparently thinks so and he addressed the Board of Education with his concerns during Thursday night’s regular monthly meeting.

“I want to discuss what types of lessons are happening in our school system,” said Mark Steff, parent of a middle school student.

Steff said he decided to speak out after learning recently that one of his child’s lessons for an RLA or Reasoning through Language Arts assignment came with a follow up video “that was purely opinion based for the first minute and 20 seconds claiming that everything is racist”

Steff never described the teaching as “Critical Race Theory” but said it was political ideology that should not be taught in school. In a prepared statement, Steff said “I fail to see how this helps our children. School is for learning facts and not ideologies. I do not want either side of the aisle being taught in school,” said Steff.

“How many parents do not know what is going on in our school system currently?. The only way I knew about this lesson was the fact that my child was on quarantine and mentioned it to me,” Steff continued.

“I emailed the teacher about this and copies of the email have been handed out to the school board members. I will not out of respect for this teacher say who it is but the email chain clearly shows that the teacher knows this is an issue and admitted to it. Further on the email claimed that other parents have voiced concerns over what is being taught in the class and alternate lessons have been given”.

“Why is this teacher sending out information that is known to cause an issue? If the teacher knew it was a problem then why was the video attached in the first place?”

“Children in school take what our teachers say as fact when it comes to learning new information. Many of them never question a teacher and accept what has been said as fact. When the facts start to introduce harmful ideologies such as systemic racism this is where it becomes a problem”.

“I do not think this is an isolated issue within the DeKalb County School System and I hope more parents speak up about these types of issues”.

“I do want to take the time and thank all of our teachers for the hard word they put in everyday to help the future of our community and country”.

“Thank you for allowing me to speak today,” concluded Steff.

Neither Director of Schools Patrick Cripps nor any member of the School Board responded to Steff’s comments during the meeting but afterwards Director Cripps told WJLE that the school district is only following the curriculum approved by the state board of education and that when this issue with Mr. Steff arose he tried to contact State Department of Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn. Cripps said she has not yet responded.

“The item in question was approved as part of the approved curriculum by the state board of education and state textbook commission. They vetted it and the teacher just taught exactly what was in the curriculum,” said Director Cripps.

“I contacted the commissioner by email and I tried to call her with the concerns that were brought up. I have yet to have a response from her. We will look into it but from what was taught, the item he (Mr. Steff) brought up, it was part of the state approved curriculum” added Director Cripps.

November 11, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

Smithville Elementary students wore their red, white, and blue Wednesday, November 10 to pay tribute to veterans.

Music teacher Max Patterson has been working with the students to help them learn several patriotic songs, and on Wednesday groups of students were recorded singing in order to create a video to honor the veterans.

PreK  students recited the pledge, while kindergarten kids  sang and performed movements for The Army Goes Rolling Along. First grade students sang My Country ‘Tis of Thee, while second grade students sang 2 songs, the Star Spangled Banner and America the Beautiful. All of the videos were compiled to create one video to honor veterans on Veterans Day.

Students also learned about the importance of Veterans Day in their classrooms, and drew pictures and wrote messages to the veterans. Some of these are included in the video as well.

The faculty, staff and students of Smithville Elementary would like to express their sincerest gratitude to all veterans.  They greatly appreciate their sacrifices and their service to our country.