KEY ACTION  Norwayne Local School District Superintendent Kevin Leatherman highlighted improvement projects across the district, including installation of the new scoreboard at Community Stadium.

KEY DISCUSSION  A new scoreboard made possible by donations from Barry Romich, Dwight Schar and Mike Jarrett was installed at Community Stadium. Leatherman said he and the athletic director tested it to make sure it is "working and functional."

Also completed is the resurfacing of the playground and south parking lot at Norwayne Elementary School.

Summer Sports Diaries:Blake Bowen and Shelby Vaughn

OTHER DISCUSSION  Preliminary state testing results show Norwayne students have doubled the amount of indicators met on state standards. Detailed documentation will be available when report card data is released to the public by the state.

The district is moving "back in the right direction," Leatherman said. "There is still work to be done."

The district's STEAM initiative also is headed in a positive direction from its inception in the Norwayne District "a couple of years ago, Leatherman said, noting "(It) continues to grow."

The program began with eighth-grade robotics and seven participants and has expanded to Norwayne High School, where two classes are available to a current total of 24 students. Of the 24, nine are young women, he said, demonstrating their growing involvement in engineering.

"We've doubled the amount of eighth-graders (in the program)," Leatherman said, noting Norwayne students already have placed high in local and state robotics competition.

STEAM Playlab:Construction continues on Wayne County Children's STEAM Playlab, summer 2023 opening eyed

STEAM programming is now also available to fifth-grade students, and an extracurricular program, with various scheduling options to be established for accommodating parents' schedules, will begin this school year for third- and fourth-grade students.

While seventh- through 12th grade STEAM is focused primarily on robotics, the lower grades, three-seven, enjoy a variety of STEAM activities, including coding, 3D printing, soldering circuits and using laser engravers.

Maker carts full of STEAM supplies and activities are another avenue for students exploring careers and different pathways, Leatherman said.

UP NEXT  Regular session, 6:30 p.m. Aug. 22, Norwayne High School library, 350 S. Main St., Creston; new staff reception at 5:30 p.m.