WILMINGTON — After months of working behind the scenes to prepare for the 2015-16 school year, Director Bennie Trail invited area superintendents, administrators, and staff members to gather for the ribbon-cutting ceremony and official opening of the Southern Ohio Learning Center (SOLC), located on the Laurel Oaks Campus in Wilmington.
Believing that education is a cooperative process involving administrators, teachers, students, parents, and community, the Southern Ohio Educational Service Center (SOESC), Blanchester and East Clinton Local, and Wilmington City Schools began working together sharing resources and designing programs and services so that all students could experience positive learning opportunities resulting from teamwork, effective leadership, and mutual support.
“It’s been an honor to work with the academic leaders in our school districts who remain steadfast in their commitment to doing what’s best for their students,” said SOESC Superintendent Tony Long, “and we are confident we have a staff in place that will foster both academic and personal growth in the lives of our students.”
SOLC students are good kids who come from different backgrounds and have encountered negative school experiences before coming to the SOLC, and while the students do learn differently and uniquely, they are capable of contributing in positive ways and want to succeed just like any other student.
“Often times we have to encourage and teach our students to believe in themselves and help them develop the appropriate methods to communicate for themselves,” said Trail. “These lessons will prove invaluable in the students’ future.”
The SOLC also serves students with disabilities and unique learning needs and provides a highly trained, sensitive staff committed to nurturing and providing students with the skills necessary to successfully transition into the least restrictive environment, both socially and educationally.
Information for this article was provided by Diana Miller, who coordinates communications for several area schools.
