Big Walnut Local Schools Superintendent Angie Pollock is reminding district residents that this year’s “State of the Schools” event has a new format.

During last week’s school board meeting, Pollock said: “State of the Schools will be interactive this year. We’ll have model classrooms set up, and stations on increasing student enrollment, finances and communications.”

District director of academic achievement Jen Young said the 2015 State of the Schools will feature one classroom from each of the district’s seven buildings, with students from those buildings participating in the event.

“This will give members of our community an opportunity to see what happens in the classroom,” Young said. “We will also have an ‘Academic Avenue’ with student-led booths to see what’s happening in their world.”

State of the Schools will be at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 5, in the Big Walnut Middle School gymnasium.

Pollock also encouraged residents to volunteer to host an in-home “Coffee Chat.”

The chats are small gatherings attended by Pollock and other district administrators where district stakeholders can ask questions and express concerns about the school district’s challenges.

“This is a way to not only share information with members of the community; it also opens up two-way communications,” Pollock said.

Pollock said anyone interested in hosting a Coffee Chat should contact the district central office at 740-965-3010.

A Coffee Chat at 9 a.m. today at the Sunbury/Big Walnut Chamber of Commerce offices in Sunbury is open to the public.

Chamber of commerce executive director Deb Jackson said attendees can learn about the district and the direction in which it’s moving, can ask questions and can provide feedback on the district.

“Whether you are a longtime resident or a brand-new addition to the area, we are pleased to have you as a member of our Big Walnut family,” Jackson said. “Please feel welcome to attend our Coffee Chat with Angie Pollock. Your participation and feedback is critical to our school’s success.”

The Sunbury/Big Walnut Chamber of Commerce is located at 39 E. Granville St. in Sunbury.

Pollock said she is also willing to speak to larger groups. Call the school district central office for further details.