Diploma Presenter

It is hard to believe that graduation was just over a month ago.  One of my favorite Kilbourne traditions is the fact that graduating seniors have the option of selecting someone from their Kindergarten - 12th grade educational career (teacher, coach, counselor, etc.) to present them with their diploma at graduation.  As someone who has been selected to present students with their diploma, I cannot even begin to express how much this opportunity means to the staff members.

This year I had the honor of presenting 6 students with their diplomas.  (L to R) Front: Lauren Hedges, Jordann Dierksheide, and Talia Damron and Back: Joey Cipicchio, Alex Brothers, and Andrew Davis.  It was a thrill to be able to give each a hug and offer my congratulations as I presented each student with their diploma.  It was a memory I will cherish!

Joey, Alex, Andrew, Lauren, Jordann, and Talia~ Congratulations on your graduation!  It meant so much to me that I had the opportunity to share in your graduation day.  Each of you has so much to offer to the world.  You are smart, talented, dedicated, compassionate, driven, engaging, and ready to give your best in the pursuit of your dreams.  I am thankful that I had the chance to work with you over the last four years.  You give me such hope for the future and I hope you will always know that you are special to me.  Thank you again for allowing me to present you with your diplomas.  With Love, Miss Abbott

Resume

Hopefully you are balancing being productive with having fun this summer.  If you are wondering what you should be doing this summer, one of the items that I hope you have on your "To Do" list is to create or update your resume.

It is important to compile a detailed list of:- all of your activities including clubs, community groups, and sports- awards received - it is helpful to know the award name, who it was from and reason for the recognition- community service commitments with hours- employment with hours

You can do this informally on a sheet of paper (just don't lose it!) or you can use a resume template.  The format isn't as essential as having an organized, accurate list.

Adding to and keeping this list updated is an important step for students of every age because when you sit down to start working on your college applications they are going to ask you over and over again to list out these types of items so having a complete list is key. I also hope it goes without saying that not only should the list be complete, but it should also be ACCURATE! Do NOT make up activities, awards, or other involvement that you did not participate in and did not earn!

1500 Posts

After posting last night's post about college essays I realized that it was my 1500th post.  That is crazy.  I started this blog at the start of the 2007-08 school year and it has certainly been a labor of love.  I still can't get over the fact that I have posted information 1500 times though.  That seems like a lot.  I hope it has been helpful.  I appreciate each of you who reads this blog regularly.  It meant a lot to me this year to be at various events such as at a track meet when a parent whose student isn't in my part of the alphabet let me know that she was referred to follow my blog from another parent.  It is nice to know that my efforts to update this site have been helpful.  And then, another one of my parents recently wrote a note and mentioned my blog as one of the reasons she appreciates me.  Little do these parents realize how much their words have meant to me.  So, thank you to each of you who regularly reads this blog.  It helps me to know that my random idea to find a way to provide information to students and parents on a regular basis was a good idea and that my 1500 posts were not a waste of time.  So today I am just enjoying the fact that this is 1501 and I'm still counting.

And, to all of the Kilbourne dad's who follow my blog - Happy Father's Day!  I hope you have a great day!

College Essays

For the soon to be (technically now) seniors, have you started thinking about your college essays?  I realize
that it is early in the summer, but thinking about who you are and what you might talk about in your essay to highlight those aspects of you takes a lot of time.  It is definitely to your advantage to begin brainstorming and thinking about your essays now.

I saw this article which talks about three different books that are currently available for download at great rates.  I have downloaded all three so that I can read them during the summer, but I suspect many of you might also like to take advantage of this opportunity as well.  One of the books is available for free and the other two are just 99 cents each so it is definitely a value.  If you have no idea what you plan on writing about in your essays, I'd definitely suggest downloading these books to help get you started.

Summer School

I am so excited that I have finally made it through my extended days and have reached summer vacation too!  :-)  

But I also wanted to remind you that many of my students need to be taking summer school.  The first term of summer school begins tomorrow and runs until June 27th.  The second term of summer school runs from July 7 - July 24th.  

This year summer school will be held at WKHS. 

Worthington Summer School offers credit recovery classes online through e-school.  These classes will be held at WKHS and there will be teachers available to help students stay on track.  Students will be required to attend the e-school course 3 days per week and can work from home for the rest of the time.  Students can choose a Monday, Wednesday, Friday schedule or a Tuesday, Thursday, Friday schedule.

Worthington Summer School also has traditional teacher taught classes for Math, Physical Education and Health.  These options require daily attendance (Monday through Friday).

Worthington summer school information is available at http://www.worthington.k12.oh.us/domain/180.  The cost is $50 and, if students successfully complete their class, then the $50 will be refunded meaning it is ultimately free.  

The registration forms and fees will need to be submitted to the Worthington Education Center on E. Wilson Bridge Rd.  Details are on the website. 

People frequently ask if they have to take summer school through Worthington and the answer is no.  You can complete your summer school through any accredited school.  This means you can use surrounding districts or online programs.  If you decide to use a different school for summer school, please be sure you are signing up for summer school and not enrolling permanently, make sure that they are accredited, and make sure you bring in a copy of your transcript after you complete the course so that we can add it to your Worthington transcript.

Please be sure to sign up right away if you are going to take classes during summer school!

Run Fast!

A special good luck message to one of my students, Maggie Barrie.  I had the chance to go to OSU yesterday to watch Maggie compete in the 100 and 200 meter dash during the Ohio High School State Championships.  It is such a huge accomplishment to make it to the state meet of any sport.  With track and field it is an exciting time, but it can also feel a little lonely when you are there without your teammates alongside you, but Maggie handled it well.  She looked awesome and advanced to the finals for the 200 which will be run in a few short hours today at OSU.  Good luck Maggie!  We are all so proud of you!

State Champions!

Congratulations to the entire WKHS Girl's Lacrosse team on their thrilling victory over Indian Hills to Win the 2014 State Championship!

It has been several days since the Kilbourne girls lacrosse team won their state championship and I am still bursting with excitement for them.  I am so proud of "my" athletes who are now state champions!  

Addy, Maggie, Grace, Miriam, and Abby -Congratulations! All of your hard work and dedication over the past season was leading up to this moment. Enjoy the celebration and take pride in your accomplishments! And, of course, always know that I am proud of you!

In addition to the team winning the State Championship, Miriam Bassani also earned individual honors when she was named an All American! This is a huge recognition and I am so happy for her.  (This picture is Miriam trying to grab a piece of the turf to save as a part of her memory of this special state championship day.)  Congratulations Miriam - this is so impressive and you deserve the recognition and honor you have received!