Ohio's Options for a High School Diploma - Industry Credential list now available - One option for an Ohio high school diploma is for a student to earn an approved, industry-recognized credential and a workforce readiness score on WorkKeys. The Ohio Department of Education has developed a two-step process to identify industry-recognized credentials that students can use for graduation.
Ohio Department of Education Assessment Updates - Jim Wright, Director of the Office of Curriculum and Assessment, reported that the passage of HB 367 at the end of the last legislative session included four major changes that impact this committee.
1. Originally, this year’s 3rd graders who scored 394 and above would take the new PARCC test in the spring, and others would have taken the OAA. HB 367 dictates that “all” third-graders will take the OAA in the spring. ODE is working with districts to make sure they have the proper tests.
2. Regarding the high school graduation science requirement, this year’s 9th grade students will take the physical science test this year or the biology test next year. Students who are 8th grade and below this year will be required to take the biology test. This year’s 8th graders should take the science test that most closely relates to the content they are learning.
3. Starting in 2017, of the two credits required for social studies, one-half credit will come from world history.
4. Increases from one to multiple nationally standardized assessments that measure college and career readiness that ODE will select. Of the ODE selected assessments, schools will chose one to administer to students in the “spring” of their junior year.
Committee members asked for clarification around the 8th and 9th graders and the science tests for graduation requirements. Jennifer Felker, Associate Superintendent, noted that an FAQ has been drafted and will be continually updated. See the Graduation Requirements Committee report for more information and see the full FAQ on the ODE website here.
Graduation Requirement Links
What’s Happening with Ohio’s Graduation Requirements? – ODE
New High School Graduation Requirements: Beginning with the Class of 2018
What It Takes to Earn an Ohio Diploma: Graduating Classes of 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
ODE Report Recommends Ways to Reduce Student Testing - Testing serves an important purpose for monitoring and improving student learning. The Ohio Department of Education is committed to improving testing efficiency and reducing the testing burden on students while maintaining accountability in our schools.
The department made public Thursday afternoon a new, legislatively mandated report on testing in Ohio schools.
The report follows weeks of information gathering and analysis by department staff members. The department surveyed districts, spoke with stakeholders and analyzed testing data, looking at the tests schools are giving, the purposes they serve and how much time students spend taking them.
The report proposes that Ohio:
- Limit the amount of time a student takes tests at the state and district level to 2 percent of the school year and limit the amount of time spent practicing for tests to 1 percent of the school year.
- Eliminate the fall third grade reading test but provide a summer administration of the test for students who need it.
- Eliminate the state’s requirement that districts give math and writing diagnostic tests to students in first through third grade.
- Eliminate the use of student learning objectives as part of the teacher evaluation system for teachers in grades preK-3 and for teachers teaching in non-core subject areas in grades 4-12.
- Revise the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment to make it easier for teachers to administer.
Many of these recommendations would require legislative action.
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL
Maintenance and Custodial Support – During a cold winter break, HLS Maintenance and Custodial Staff teamed up and prepared HTHS, including all other district buildings, for the successful return of all staff and students to the successfully functioning and well ran school building. A special thank you goes out to HLS maintenance and custodial staff for heading this effective and efficient effort, making HLS a safe place to teach and learn.
HTHS 2nd Semester – High School Students began their new semester courses last week. Some of these courses include Business, Personal Finance, Music, Arts, Healthy Living and Eating, Physical Education and Weight Training. Grades were posted for first semester courses on Friday, January 9th. The Ohio Core Electives Graduation Requirements Include:
| Health | 1/2 unit |
|
Physical Education Community and Career Service Project
|
1/2 unit 1/2 unit |
| Electives | 5 units |
HAMILTON MIDDLE SCHOOL
High School Credit at HMS - For the second year in a row, students at the Middle School have been able to earn High School credit in classes, other than Algebra 1. Mrs. Telfer teaches Personal Finance to 8th grade students and Ms. Miller teaches Health. Both classes enable students at HMS to earn credits that are required for high school graduation. For the first semester, over 75 students successfully earned at least half a credit toward graduation!
HAMILTON INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL
Mrs. Enright Was Nominated And Is Ohio Lottery’s January’s Educator Of The Month - I would like to nominate Mrs. Enright as the January Teacher of the Month. Mrs. Enright does an awesome job with the Intermediate School Art Program. As a person with some Art background, it is awesome to see the types of things, methodology, history, technique, etc., the kids learn in the Intermediate Art Program. These are items that I was not exposed to until the college level. The things she manages to get kids to understand and produce are outstanding. Her effectiveness is on display with the students’ artwork she works diligently to display in the specials hallway. I often hear kids talk about Art as the subject they most look forward to in the school day and I think recognizing Mrs. Enright is a great way to highlight this phenomenon. Mrs. Enright also brings the same level of creativity to liven up something as routine as the student morning announcements each morning. Mrs. Enright is very deserving of the title of Star Teacher! - H.I.S. Staff Member
Congratulations Mrs. Enright for being the Ohio Lottery’s Educator of the Month!
Jasmyn Hurley Was Nominated And Is Ohio Lottery’s January’s Student Of The Month - I would like to nominate Jasmyn Hurley as January’s Star Student. Jasmyn is a hard worker and a role model for her peers. She is always on task, asks for clarification when needed, and has been in attendance every day. She is well liked by her peers and has never been know to complain or disrupt the learning of others. Jasmyn continuously completes all assignments, and when she happens to finish early, she can often be seen reading her library books. Though she is quiet, Jasmyn is always respectful and willing to participate in class. It is a pleasure to have Jasmyn in class! - H.I.S. Staff Member
Congratulations Jasmyn for being the Ohio Lottery’s Student of the Month!
HAMILTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Buckeye Monday for Ali - For the National Championship game, the Elementary Building Climate Committee sponsored Buckeye Monday for ALI. Teachers paid to wear jeans and buckeye gear to school on Monday with all proceeds going to provide assistance for a special young lady and her family. Ali Schutte was recently diagnosed with a form of cancer that will require her to undergo chemotherapy over the next 18 months. Ali attends Hamilton Preschool and her two sisters are students at the elementary. The elementary staff raised over $900 while showing their buckeye pride. If you would like to make a donation please click the link below to the family's Go Fund Me account.
http://www.gofundme.com/j8cw5o
Canned Food Drive - This holiday season, the elementary school along with our local Community Partners participated in a canned food drive. The items collected were used in food baskets for families who are experiencing difficult times or were donated to local food pantries. As part of our character education initiative, our word for the months of November and December was “responsibility.” What a wonderful opportunity for our students to exhibit responsibility by contributing a canned food item to this worthy cause!
HAMILTON PRESCHOOL
Second Progress Reports - All Preschool students have received their second progress report for this school year this week. Scores reported are reflective of assessments and instruction given over the past nine weeks. It is hard to believe how fast this year is going. As you review your child’s progress report please notice where they are having struggles and success.
If your child earned a:
0 - these are skills not yet mastered - work on these at home.
1 - they are working towards mastery and need a little more help.
2 - they have mastered this skill - we still practice.
N/A - these skills are taught but not assessed at this time (age 4 and up)
Please continue to work with your child at home and we will continue to monitor their progress in the classroom. Each progress report shows continued growth. It is important that your child succeed in these preschool skills to help them be better prepared for Kindergarten. The Preschool/Pre Kindergarten skills taught and assessed are based on the Ohio Early Learning Standards.
Again, the students are working hard and growing everyday. WE ARE SO PROUD OF THEM!
OFFICE OF ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMS
Student Awards - Congratulations to Jovan Durr, Nathan Byus and Shaolin Smith for excellent academic achievement during the first semester. Jovan has completed 5.0 credits and Nathan and Shaolin completed 4.5 credits so far this school year.
An attendance award goes to Jordan Diamond. She has met or exceeded her time and work requirements during the 2nd 9 weeks. Congratulations to all! Their hard work and effort towards school is greatly appreciated!
DEPARTMENT OF TECHNOLOGY
High School CAD Lab Technology Makeover – Mr. Loy’s High School CAD students returned from break to a newly upgraded lab. New computers and bigger monitors were installed, which also included a major upgrade to the CAD software that the students use in their coursework.
High School students interested in technical fields such as engineering or construction can get a great head start by completing courses like Engineering Graphics and Fundamentals of Technology. Subjects like mechanical and architectural drawing, design/build fundamentals, and project planning are explored with the help of computers and the CAD software. “The AutoCAD software is ubiquitous in industry, that’s going to give our kids an advantage at the next level”, stated Mr. Loy.
DEPARTMENT OF ATHLETICS
Rangers Football Senior Deric Phouthavong Verbally Commits to Bowling Green State University - Hamilton Township senior wide receiver, Deric Phouthavong, has verbally committed to play football for BGSU. Deric helped the Rangers win the MSL Championship the past two seasons and reach the OHSAA State Playoffs for the first time in twelve years this past fall. Deric caught 66 passes for 1,051 yards and earned All-Ohio honors. Congratulations and good luck to Deric as he continues his career with the Falcons!
Varsity Girls’ Basketball Defeats Bloom-Carroll - The Varsity Rangers Girls’ Basketball team celebrated a victory over Bloom-Carroll Tuesday night by a score of 49-33. They were led in scoring by Josie Kasprzak with 14 points and Lauren Longbrake with 10 points. The following Rangers also contributed to the scoring efforts: Devyn Stevens with 7 points, Chase Gray-Still with 5 points, Zadei Edwards with 5 points, Brooke Wilhite with 4 points, Katie Moore with 3 points, and Ali Belcher with 1 point. This brings their overall record to 5-5.
Varsity Wrestling Defeats Bloom-Carroll in MSL Dual Action - The Rangers traveled to Bloom-Carroll and came away with a 60-9 victory over the Bulldogs on Thursday, January 15th.
Ethan Whitmer took the team lead in Technical Fall pins by grappling to his 3rd of the year and Wyatt Koehl recorded his 5th crushing pin. Also scoring for the Rangers were Johnny Miller, Robert Marquez, Basil Hopper, Anthony Madden, Wayne Tucker, Paul Hopper, Andrew Moeller and Ryan Robison.
Middle School Wrestling Takes 4th Place at Highland Invitational - Congratulations to the Rangers MS Wrestling team as they took 4th place at the Highland Invitational on Saturday, January 10th.
Leading the way for the Rangers Romeo Gabriel who finished 1st, John Havier and Jeff Mendenhall who finished 2nd, and Gasper Havier and Corey Thanthanavong who finished 3rd. This was a great job by all wrestlers in a strong team outing.