Principal's Message

Students, Parents & Guardians –

Welcome back, Wildcats! Summer vacation gave everyone at Miami Whitewater Elementary the opportunity to rest, relax, and
recharge so we can be even better for your kids this school year. I am thankful that you put your trust in our teachers and staff
members to take excellent care of your most prized possession! Have confidence and faith that your child’s safety and wellness is our top priority!

I am thrilled to lead our teachers and support staff in growing your child academically, socially, and emotionally. Education and
working with children is my passion! As the parent of two children, I recognize the importance of a strong home-school
connection. Parents and guardians are every child’s first teacher and I believe that by working together, we can make sure that your child’s academic, social, and emotional needs are met. It’s exciting to see children through their parent’s eyes, so please understand that my office door will be open, and I welcome visitors at any time!

The Southwest Local School District takes great pride in providing research-based curriculum and technology to teachers and
students. Amplify Desmos is our new core tier 1 Mathematics program. Amplify’s platform focused on a problem-based approach that helps students develop deep conceptual understanding, procedural fluency, and application of Math concepts. Abre is an educational software platform for Miami Whitewater parents, guardians, and teachers that delivers a growing number of connected apps designed for schools who use the web to manage critical information and to deliver instructional content.

Our tech team created a single sign-on portal for students, parents, and teachers. Southwest Local students will be 1:1 with technology once again this year. From Kindergarten through fifth grade, our young wildcats will have access to a laptop all day, every day. Our students will use this technology to engage and apply their learning at school, but do not take devices home. There is a statistically significant impact on student test scores in English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, and Science when children have access to technology daily. Please know that while we use technology to supplement and enhance lessons, nothing could ever take the place of the direct instruction your child will receive from our phenomenal teachers! Many of our teachers have been taking advantage of summer courses and professional development to learn how to better utilize technology, implement the Orton Gillingham “Science of Reading” approach, and deconstruct Ohio’s Learning Standards to improve daily instruction.

Last year was our third school year in our beautiful new building. It became abundantly clear from the very first day that Miami
Whitewater Elementary opened its doors that it is truly a unique and special place. This will also be an amazing school year as we work together to ensure your child gets the best education possible. We are providing this handbook to you as a guide and road map to a successful school year. Please take the time to review the handbook with your son/daughter and feel free to contact us with any questions you may have regarding policies, procedures, activities or safety concerns at Miami Whitewater. We need you to take an active role in your child’s education. When we partner with each other it truly provides the best support system for your student.

Thank you for your assistance and I look forward to a wonderful school year!

Truly,
Mrs. Mia K. Neckel
Principal ~ Miami Whitewater Elementary