FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK

Welcome to our 2019-2020 school year! I hope your summer was an enjoyable one as we embark on another academic year here at Hayes filled with anticipation, connections, success and so many accomplishments to be proud of. As we look forward to our school year together, I cannot help but feel reflective and grateful. Last year marked many memorable moments and milestones. Delaware Hayes High School was named as one of the top high schools in America by the  U.S News & World Report  Magazine and received the prestigious  National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence  designation this past year. Many of our students scored extremely high on State Assessments and every academic department excelled. Our Performing Arts; choirs, orchestra and bands received "Superior" ratings at state and local competitions throughout the year. Our Visual Arts students placed more pieces in the Governor's Show, our Jr.ROTC cadets placed in the top 10 in the Nation, our Senior class earned nearly $2,000,000 in college scholarships, our student athletes competed for Ohio Capital Conference titles in every single sport.Year five of our "House" system continues to foster connections for our young people, provide leadership opportunities and was the platform to bring students and staff together in the year-long quest for the House Cup. Congratulations to the students and staff in Steamtown House on their exciting win and to all Houses on a very successful year!

Delaware Hayes continues to grow with nearly 1,700 students coming through our doors on Wednesday August 14th. We have a few new faces at Hayes this fall. Our faculty used the summer to take additional classwork, update their teaching credentials and prepare for the upcoming school year. As teaching and learning continues to develop and evolve, our teachers are preparing lessons to meet the needs of learners in the 21st Century. Students are encouraged to bring their own learning devices (laptops, chromebooks, I-pads) to be ready for new and innovative ways to raise student achievement in our ever-changing digital world. We have enough devices for every student and they can be easily checked out from our library. This is an exciting time to be at Hayes! Cell phones will be used only for learning (when the teacher requests that students use them) in the classrooms and stowed away during class time. This will help all students to be more engaged in the learning. Students will be allowed to use their cell phones throughout the building, at lunch, and in study halls. Please help support this change within the classroom as we strive for digital balance and wellness.

I want to thank the entire school community for all of your support and I look forward to leading this wonderful high school for many years to come. I am excited to build upon our traditions and create new and innovative practices that have become the hallmark of Delaware Hayes. As we turn another page together, always remember that my door is always open and I am here to serve you.  I look forward to another great school year together!

Sincerely,

                                                                                               -Dr. Ric J. Stranges