Clearwater-Orchard Promotes Positivity As 'Cyclone Strong'

In a world full of negativity and bad news, two Clearwater-Orchard teachers decided to do something positive.

Second grade teachers, Kendra Shrader (Clearwater) and Sierra Summers (Orchard), created a Facebook page to celebrate their school. "Stay Cyclone Strong" was just launched this week and already has over 100 likes.

According to Shrader, the page was designed for people to publicly display their love of the school.

"It is a place where people who support Clearwater-Orchard schools can voice that support." She said, "We wanted to make a fun interactive site so that we can rally together to show everyone how great of an arrangement we have."

The Facebook page posts fun and engaging posts such as the "Cyclone Strong Selfies."

In 2009, the sports rivals Orchard Orioles and Clearwater Cardinals combined to form the O-C Cyclones. 

Later, the school systems merged to form Clearwater-Orchard Public Schools. 

It was agreed that the first two years the high school would be located in Orchard with the middle school being in Clearwater and the next two years they would switch. This arrangement allowed for each town to keep their school. 

Recently, there has been uncertainty in the communities about where the high school should be located going forward.

"The state has been threatening for years to develop county schools," Shrader said, "They see what we are doing now and it works, so they have not forced the issue."

She feels that there is always room for improvement, but they need to continue to make the system work. And keep things positive.

Shrader said, "We have found a way for our students to get a quality education in a safe environment, at the same time allowing both our communities to keep a functioning school."

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