David Gilbert will assume the duties of principal at Springmill STEM Elementary for 2017-2018 as the school expands to include both kindergarten and first grade.
Springmill, located at 1200 Nestor Drive, also will house the district’s pre-kindergarten program. Those classes previously were located at the Spanish Immersion School. Gilbert, most recently the principal of Mansfield City Schools’ Hedges Campus, is a graduate of Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pa. He received a master’s degree in education administration from Cleveland State University in 2009.
Gilbert succeeds Gabe Costa, who had served as principal of both Springmill and the Spanish Immersion School last year.
Springmill STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) Elementary opened last August with two kindergarten classes. Two first-grade classes will be added this year. The district plans to add second grade in 2018-2019 and third grade in 2019-2020, completing the building as a K-3 school. The school is the only one in Richland County designated by the Ohio Department of Education as a STEM school. Only 42 schools in the state are recognized by ODE as STEM schools.
In March the ODE STEM Committee determined that Mansfield City Schools showed evidence that Springmill “will offer a rigorous, diverse, integrated and project-based curriculum” while “emphasizing the role of science, technology, engineering and mathematics…”
Curriculum Director Stephen Rizzo said the STEM Committee recognized the importance of integrating STEM practices into everyday kindergarten lessons. The same approach will be applied in first grade, he said.
While following the same core curriculum as the district’s other elementary schools, Springmill incorporates scientific inquiry and emphasizes personalized learning and teamwork skills in each of its classrooms.
Students also will make regular visits to the state-of-the-art science and math galleries in the Springmill Learning Center, located in the other wing of the building.
Springmill’s complete roster of teachers and support staff will be announced before the start of school in August. For information about enrolling children in kindergarten or first grade call the school at 419-525-6348 or the district’s Raemelton administration building at 419-525-6400, ext. 56471.
Source: Mansfield City Schools
