Upper Arlington Schools reopened the turf field at Marv Moorehead Memorial Stadium on Oct. 10 after an independent assessment found no conditions warranting continued closure, according to the district.
The district temporarily closed the field after receiving concerns about injuries occurring over a short period. It brought in the Motz Group, the field's original installer, and Firefly Sports Testing, an independent athletic field testing company, to assess conditions.
Firefly conducted nine player-interaction tests at 10 predetermined locations over two days. All 10 locations met established performance ranges for vertical deformation and rotational resistance, measures related to shock absorption and athletes' movement on the field. The assessment found nothing that warranted continued closure.
The field reopened Oct. 10.
Similar testing on the UAHS and Tremont practice fields produced comparable results, according to the district.
Five-star streak continues
Hunt also reported that Upper Arlington earned its fifth consecutive five-star overall rating on the Ohio state report card. The district is one of 61 out of more than 600 districts statewide to hold that top mark.
Upper Arlington received five stars for the fifth year in a row in Achievement, Progress, Gap Closing and Graduation. The district's overall Performance Index score increased for the fifth straight year. Upper Arlington also met or exceeded expectations on 41 of 44 component ratings at the district and building levels.
Safety Week set for Oct. 18-24
Andrew Theado, director of safety, partnerships and innovative programs, outlined plans for the fourth annual UA Safety Week, running Sunday, Oct. 18, through Saturday, Oct. 24. The district is partnering with the City of Upper Arlington, the Upper Arlington Police Division and the Upper Arlington Fire Division.
Each day will include an email to parents and guardians along with age-appropriate announcements and activities on different safety themes. Students in grades 3 through 6 will hear from internet safety expert Jesse Weinberger during the week.
Weinberger will also lead a parent session on Wednesday, Nov. 4, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Upper Arlington High School Performing Arts Center. The session will cover practical resources for talking with children about technology, online safety and responsible digital habits.
Other board business
The board recognized 10 Upper Arlington High School seniors named National Merit Semifinalists. The Class of 2027 members scored in the top 1% nationwide on the PSAT/NMSQT and can now compete for nearly $26 million in scholarships.
Deputy Superintendent Stephanie Siddens presented 11 policies and two bylaws for first read as part of periodic policy review and legal updates.
A Coffee & Conversation event focused on the facilities master plan and swing space for Issue 7 is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 23, at 9 a.m. at the Bob Crane Community Center.
