Clements named new principal at Greencastle Middle School

Thursday, May 25, 2023
Celina Clements

When Celina Clements takes over as principal at Greencastle Middle School in a few weeks, she’ll be new to the school, but coming into a community where she already feels comfortable.

As a Monrovia resident and current Mill Creek West Elementary School principal, Clements is quite familiar with Greencastle Community Schools.

“I know it’s an honor to be at Greencastle,” Clements told the Banner Graphic. “I know everyone takes pride in the community and has high expectations. I’m grateful that they feel I can fill this role, and I will do the best that I can.”

Clements was approved as the new principal during Monday’s meeting of the Greencastle School Board, and will formally take on her new role beginning July 1.

She replaces Becky McPherson, who was hired at GMS a year ago and since promoted to GCSC assistant superintendent.

“I want to say thank you. I’m really excited to join,” Clements told the school board. “I’m excited to carry on what Becky started. Thank you for giving me this opportunity. I’m planning to continue the excellence that you guys are expecting and build the students up for high school.”

Having spent eight-and-a-half years as principal at Mill Creek West, Clements has been in education for 21 years.

She is married with three children, one already out of high school, one graduating from Monrovia High School this week and another coming into her junior year at Monrovia.

She noted that considering athletic events between the two schools and Greencastle’s downtown restaurant and social scene, the family has spent plenty of time in the town over the years.

“I live close by,” she said. “We always come and frequent Greencastle for the restaurants. First Fridays are always enjoyable, so we’ve always been around Greencastle.”

Though officially simply the GMS principal these last two months, McPherson has been balancing her new and old duties since being named assistant superintendent in late March. She told the board during her monthly report that she is excited not to have to balance the two anymore.

In her assistant superintendent role, McPherson has been focused on curriculum, and noted Monday that three pallets of material had arrived for the new CKLA Amplify elementary reading curriculum.

“I know they (teachers) are anxious to get that in their hands so they can get that ready for next year,” McPherson said.

That’s not the only change coming, though, as McPherson also noted that math teachers in grades six through nine will be receiving training on their new curriculum, while McPherson will be attending fab lab training with several teachers in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Also of note is that the Indiana General Assembly has added a requirement that the second semester of sixth-grade social studies be in civics. McPherson said she met with middle school social studies staff to review plans for this change.

During his own report to the board, Supt. Jeff Gibboney noted other adjustments due to legislative action, such as teachers having to prepare the lists of books in their classroom for parents to review.

Aimed at banning “harmful materials,” Indiana House Bill 1447, signed into law this spring, allows parents to review lists of books available in classrooms and file objections to those they believe are inappropriate.

Teachers must have their lists of books available for review by July 1.

In a less controversial law change, Gov. Eric Holcomb also signed a bill eliminating book rental fees at schools. Gibboney said the corporation is still trying to figure out exactly what this means in terms both of local fees and reimbursement from the state.

“We’re still kind of operating in arrears to wait on some guidance from the Department of Education,” Gibboney said.

In other news:

• Gibboney also noted the continued progress of the building projects at the middle school and high school.

“If you drive in front of the school, you can notice the shape of the building starting to take shape,” noting the work that has been done to connect Greencastle High School to McAnally Center.

He noted that at GHS, the builders are close to turning half of the second floor back over to the corporation, then commencing work on the other half.

The plan is to do as much work in those areas during the summer as possible.

He also noted that science labs at both GHS and GMS should be in use when the fall semester starts, with the GHS kitchen and cafeteria back in service shortly thereafter.

Security gate arms will also be installed in the GHS parking lot this summer.

“Overall things are moving along very well, and we’re very excited about that,” Gibboney said.

As he commonly does, Gibboney expressed his gratitude for the patience of the staff and students during a challenging school year with the construction.

Board member Ed Wilson had similar comments, noting that he sees it first hand when he’s in the schools in his capacity as assistant chief of the Greencastle Police Department.

“Thanks to all the staff,” Wilson said. “I’ve been in and out of the schools all year, and everybody has kept their tempers down.”

• The board approved the permanent addition of baseball and softball as middle school sports.

GMS fielded teams in both sports in a trial run this year, with Athletic Director Bryce Rector and the coaches keeping an eye on the athletic fund. It was determined that the programs can continue.

• The board recognized the following students of the month for May — GHS: Brylynn Tucker; GMS: Emily Hunsinger; Tzouanakis: Kynlie Coons; Deer Meadow: Lillian Kolling; Ridpath: Alessa Gibson.

• The board accepted four donations: $5,000 from the late Lonnie Lawhorn to GHS athletics, $2,000 from Walmart to GHS track and field, $1,300 from the GMS PTO to the eighth-grade Holiday World field trip and $1,000 from the Dalton Charitable Trust to a GHS student pursuing a career in trades, nursing or cosmetology.

• The board approved a number of personnel items:

Resignations: Grace Rice as Deer Meadow first-grade teacher and Megan Pettit as Tzouanakis Tiger Cub Club afterschool program site coordinator.

Hires: Will Wortman, GHS English and theater teacher; Jorden Froderman, GMS special services teacher; Kylie Holley, GHS science teacher; Paige Puccerella, Tzouanakis Tiger Cub Club afterschool program instructor

Summer school teachers: Donovan Wheeler, English; Noah Wilson, government/economics; Kevin Kendall, credit recovery Edgenuity; Annette Munoz, band; Brian Hammett, Math; Amy Weliever, fab lab; Matthew Williams, fab lab; Wendi Evens, Brooke Lewis, Emily Dickey, Jessica Stockton, Jennifer Schlatter and Jenny Riggle - jump start; Stephanie Brown, Doreen Workman, Kelly Brown and Jessica Draper - jump start aides.

Summer bus cleaners: Doreen Workman, Andra Dickerson, Candice Pelfrey and Laurie Ferguson.

Substitutes: Dana Calvert and Terry Tincher, custodians; Melanie Sheldon, teacher.

Extracurricular activities: Alison Nevins hired as GHS Champions Together coach, Kaleb Camacho approved as GHS fall athletic event coordinator, Cody Mitchell hired as GHS boys’ assistant soccer coach, Scott Monnett hired as GHS girls’ soccer head coach, Samantha Call approved as GHS girls’ soccer assistant coach, Trent Ross approved as GHS girls’ and boys’ tennis volunteer assistant coach, Tyler Scott approved as GHS football assistant coach, Brody Whitaker approved as GHS boys’ basketball assistant coach, Scott Hamilton hired as GMS cross country head coach, Kylie Thompson hired as GMS cheer coach; Evan Crow hired as GMS boys’ soccer coach; Kristen Wells hired as seventh-grade volleyball coach.

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: