This past spring, the Galion City School District announced the addition of a new Civil Air Patrol (CAP) program for students in grades six through nine. Now that the new school year is underway, the district would like to introduce the details of the program to the community. This program allows the district to put action to the words expressed in the district’s mission statement as well as incorporate the “Portrait of a Tiger” initiative which depicts eight personal characteristics our staff and students strive to live up to each day.
The initiative states, “The Galion City Schools will prepare students with a rigorous education that enables them to be contributing members of the community. We provide a supportive, social-emotional, safe, and respectful environment that cultivates learners of tomorrow. Our guiding principle is, ‘Believe in yourself, achieve your greatest potential, and succeed in all aspects of life.’”
The Galion City Schools District also embraces the old adage that “it takes a village to raise a child.” Superintendent Dr. Jeff Hartmann commented, “We believe it takes the entire community to train, develop, and equip our young men and women to be successful, contributing members of society. The more time, commitment, and opportunity we give them will ultimately be rewarded by their success as they take our place in society by not only becoming contributing members of our community but also future leaders in the world.”
The goal is to shape a more civic-minded student body and community through volunteer service, excellence, and respect, in addition to the characteristics taught through the “Portrait of a Tiger.”
Civil Air Patrol Squadron 802 is based in the high school conveniently located next door to the middle school, which allows students to travel between buildings. The program will grow as students progress through grade levels. Eventually, it will be available to all students through grade 12. This will give students more opportunities and more resources to be highly successful in the civilian and military world.
“We will train students in those values and discipline their mind, body, heart, and soul and reinforce skills to cope in stressful situations, to think more ethically-minded and give them opportunities to succeed in the program,” said SMSgt. Brian Kentosh, who is leading this new program. “We are volunteers serving America’s communities, saving lives and shaping the future.”
Programs that are offered include emergency services, aerospace education, and cadet programs.
CAP background information
The Civil Air Patrol’s formation began during the earliest days of World War II, this vigilant organization of citizen airmen has been committed to service to America. Founded on Dec. 1, 1941, to mobilize the nation’s civilian aviation resources for national defense service, CAP has evolved into a premier public service organization that still carries out emergency service missions when needed — in the air and on the ground.
As a Total Force partner and auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, CAP is there to search for and find the lost, provide comfort in times of disaster, and work to keep the homeland safe. CAP has more than 64,000 members who selflessly devote their time, energy, and expertise toward the well-being of their communities while also promoting aviation and related fields through aerospace/STEM education and helping shape future leaders through CAP’s cadet program.
CAP’s missions for America are many, and today’s adults and cadets perform their duties with the same vigilance as its founding members — preserving CAP’s 82-year legacy of service while maintaining its commitment to nearly 1,500 communities nationwide.
For more information about programs at the Galion City School District, visit galionschools.org
Submitted by Galion City Schools.
