High Points of the Valley (Graphic Illustration)

* As the school year begins in Wood County, new principals will be leading some schools, including Kurt Echard at Jackson Middle School and Jeanna Plumly at Madison Elementary School. Teachers are well prepped, after July’s Teaching and Learning Academy and board members got a detailed update on the building’s design, materials and vision for the new Lincoln Elementary … there is a lot of positive momentum. Here’s to a successful year, full of progress, for students and the school district.

* Zachary Knicely, John Kelley and Karen Sacry graduated Monday from the Wood County Family Treatment Court program. That is an enormously commendable step. “These are three parents who have shown what it takes to change a life, not just their own, but the lives of their children,” said Wood County Circuit Court Judge Jason Warton, who is also the Family Treatment Court judge. In a process Wharton called “hard … not a quick fix or a magical solution,” these three worked to face their challenges. That takes courage and strength. “It was while I was in treatment that I was accepted into Family Treatment Court,” Sacry said. “That is when my recovery started and my life changed. At the next visitation with my children I explained to them that I was in treatment so I could get better so I could be a better parent for them. I promised them I would do whatever it took to fix our lives as a family so they could come home with me and we would never have to go through this again. I meant that with every fiber of my being.” What a wonderful option to provide for those willing to do that kind work. Congratulations, to all of you.