Jonathan Ln
Newark, OH 43055

I absolutely enjoyed my stay at Newark High School! I am a recent graduate, and currently studying to be a teacher at Ohio State because of the influence from my high school teachers. To put it in perspective, I always grew up telling myself I’m going to be a high school dropout, which started even before I started my freshman year. That was due to my major depression and anxiety issues that I had, and because I never had a teacher/administer tell me I have potential. My sophomore year was a very difficult year for me, and was on the verge of never going back (had nothing to do with school) until my Councilor (Mr. Johnson) took me out of class to talk to me about life. Keep in mind, I’ve never spoken to him before and took time to get to know me. From there on out, he inspired me and changed my perception of life to what it is today. He got me out of my quiet, shy shell into talking to literally anyone. That was when I formed many relationships with all of my teachers and classmates and loved life. I went from having straight C’s in the beginning to straight A’s my senior year, getting a scholarship to college, and making the deans list almost every semester in college studying to be a TEACHER. If you would have asked me where I would be after high school when I was 13, I would probably say I would be dead. The Newark high school staff has changed my life in so many ways, and I know some of my classmates I graduated with would say the same thing.

I have had a child in this school every year since 2009, and this has been the worst year ever. My son has been bullied by his teacher. His 4th grade teacher, and the dean of students were standing in the office talking about my child out in the open for all to hear. Another parent called to let me know. The new staff is highly unprofessional. They do not keep lines of communication open, and matters that should have been handled privately we're not, they were addressed in front of my child, leaving him feeling very defeated. during PTC with my child present my child was called a lier, told he was a cheater, and that there were things on his permanent record, told that he ruins/takes time from her family because she has to take her work home. She said that he is disrespectful, and doesn't make eye contact when she speaks to him, and that the dean agree (proof they talked about him). I do expect my child to behave, and to be respectful, but he has been through a lot this year at school, and home. He has past trauma, and deals with ADD/ADHD, which makes eye contact hard, and he tends to shut down, but they do not seem to take those things into consideration. Nor do they feel the need to contact me for help. I was just unloaded on all at once. I addressed this with the new principal, and was assured that his teacher would be talked with, and she will be contacting me. NOTHING! my son hates school, and no longer looks forward to going. I used to love this school, but now I am so thankful that this year is almost over, and I will no longer have to deal with my poor kid not wanting to go to school because he feels hated by the adults that should be making him feel safe.

The dean of students Mr. Myers is amazing and very helpful! He and another teacher Mrs. Stoll really pushed to have my son tested for a learning disability. My son is now a year later getting good grades and enjoying school more than ever! I will be forever grateful for them believing in my son and getting him on the right track!