Superintendent’s Weekly Wrap-up: Feb. 20-27, 2015
State Superintendent Reports to State Board of Education on Governor’s Budget Proposal (Theme 3) - State Superintendent Dr. Richard Ross, Department of Education (ODE) legislative liaison Jessica Voltolini, and school funding director Aaron Rausch lead discussions on three themes of Governor Kasich's proposed budget.
Theme 3 - Quality Choices for Students and Families
Community School Reform
- Requires every sponsor to be approved by ODE and have a sponsorship agreement with the department.
- Ties a sponsor’s ability to sponsor charter schools to the current sponsor evaluation system.
- Prohibits a sponsor evaluated as ‘poor’ from continuing to sponsor schools.
- Other community school reforms include: prohibits sponsors from selling services to a community school it sponsors; requires community schools to contract with independent fiscal officers, attorneys, accountants and audit firms; provides ODE authority to establish quality application criteria for schools that apply to the department for sponsorship; and, repeals law permitting a management company from appealing a community school’s decision to terminate its contract.
Community School Levy - Allows for community schools sponsored by an ‘exemplary’ sponsor to gain access to local levy dollars if approved by the voters of the district.
Community School Facilities – Establishes a $25 million facilities fund for community schools to access dollars if that school is sponsored by an ‘exemplary’ sponsor and serves unique unmet needs of students. It doubles the per-pupil funding for community school facilities from $100 to $200.
School Choice – Increases the amount of the EdChoice Scholarship from $5,000 to $5,700 for high school. It revises the bottom 10% rankings to more accurately reflect the buildings eligible for the EdChoice Scholarship. It provides $23.5 M. FY16 and $31.5 M. in FY17 to continue the income-based EdChoice expansion to students at or below 200% FPL in grades 2 & 3.
Adult Diploma Program (for adults 22 and older without a high school diploma) – Establishes a funding formula for the current five pilot programs and provides $5 million in FY16 and $10 million in FY17. It creates a second round of planning grants (up to $500,000) for up to five new pilot sites at community colleges or technical centers.
Source: Hannah News Service
Legislative Update
Senate
Senate Bill (SB) 3 - This legislation would make changes to the law regarding the amount of time spent on student testing. SB 3 also provides relief from mandates for all districts and relief from additional provisions of the law for high-performing districts.
Senate Bill (SB) 59 - Addresses the use of state-appropriated funds by operators of community schools.
House
House Bill (HB) 2 - Community (charter) school accountability.
House Bill (HB) 7 - This bill would prohibit student scores on the new PARCC assessments for this school year from being used to make promotion or retention decisions or to grant course credit.
House Bill (HB) 25 - Would require the State Board of Education to adopt rules regarding the sale of beverages and food during the regular school day in connection with a school-sponsored fundraiser.
House Bill (HB) 70 - Would authorize school districts and community schools to initiate a community learning center process to assist and guide school restructuring.
House Bill (HB) 74 - Addresses the administration of state primary and secondary education assessments.
Source: The Ohio School Boards Association
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL
Future Focus Friday - As part of our HS Postsecondary Action Planning to: Help more students pursue postsecondary education through local college access programs, financial aid advising, scholarship and grant availability advising, career guidance, and other services, HTHS celebrates Future Focus Friday as part of our District Wide Action Plan. HTHS and the district supported this effort by wearing a shirt that proudly proclaims their college alma mater, or apparel supporting the college one is currently enrolled. All students were encouraged to participate. Future Focus Friday was celebrated on Friday the 27th. HTHS appreciates the district support and TEAM effort regarding this action step.
HTHS Assessment Schedule - Regardless of the inclement weather, snow days, recent delays and sickness, HS Assessments for Ohio's New Generation Assessments have been administered each possible opportunity without conflict. The HS Team is in constant review and communication of the changing Assessment Schedule. To date, the 9th Grade English Assessments are well under way and close to follow are Algebra & Geometry (9th grade only), American History & Government, Physical Science, & OGTs: March 16 - 20.
HAMILTON MIDDLE SCHOOL
8th Graders Work on High School Scheduling - At the Parent Teacher conference night on February 26, HS guidance staff visited the MS for a scheduling meeting with 8th grade students and parents. After a presentation on entering the high school, students and parents were able to complete scheduling paperwork and prepare for their high school careers.
HAMILTON INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL
Physical Education Challenges Students - Intermediate School Gym classes are undergoing their state standards physical testing. Each kid is tested in a distance run, push-ups, sit ups, vertical jump, standing broad jump and the sit and reach flexibility test. See Mr. Eaton's web page for final results
H.I.S. Helped NCH - The students and staff at HIS collected 480 items to donate to Nationwide Children’s Hospital for the January community service project. The donations made were books and art supplies. Thank you to everyone who donated items. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.
HAMILTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
HES Students Take New State Assessments – On Wednesday and Thursday, 3rd grade students took Ohio’s new Performance Based Assessment (PBA) in math. These new assessments are commonly referred to as PARCC. Students spent 75 minutes each day taking the tests, and teachers were pleased with the effort that students gave. Attendance was also near perfect on these two days. At the end of April, students will take the traditional spring Reading Ohio Achievement Assessment (OAA) and the new PARCC End of Year (EOY) math assessment.
Professional Development Day – Before all of the snow and freezing weather, HES teachers spent a day receiving professional development on a variety of topics. All teachers attended a session presented by a representative of our primary reading resource Core Knowledge. After this session, each teacher chose four additional breakout sessions to attend from eleven possible topics. HES faculty and staff taught the breakout sessions.
The philosophy behind this was that we wanted to use experts that are available in the building on specific areas to present to their peers. This has proven to be a very positive form of professional development. Our employees are much more effective in presenting within the context of our building than an outside vendor. Mr. Tyler and Dr. Conley were very pleased with the willingness of the teaching staff to learn and share their expertise.
HAMILTON PRESCHOOL
ALL SKATE - One of our favorite family events of the year is the roller skating party at United Skates of America. For many students, this is their first time skating and they give it their best effort. The night is filled with music, a visit from Dora, and skating with friends from school. It is times like these when you realize how special our families are!
Right to Read Week Themed Days!
Monday, March 2, 2015 - Wear A Crazy Hat!
Tuesday March 3, 2015 (SPRING PICTURE DAY) - Green Eggs and Ham for a special treat!
Wednesday, March 4, 2015 (TORNADO DRILL @ 9:50am) - Wear your Crazy Socks!
Thursday, March 5, 2015 - Pajama Day!
Friday, March 6, 2015 - Family Day at COSI!
DEPARTMENT OF TECHNOLOGY
Tech Safety Tips for Parents – The website Parenting Squad consists of a community of parents, experts, and authors who contribute varied and helpful opinions and tips for parents to use as a resources to help their children. One article focuses on Technology Safety Tips that could be helpful to some parents -- especially the “not-so-tech savvy parents” of tweens and teens. While we cannot necessarily endorse all the tips, some of them may be helpful and could provide a level of online safety necessary to protect your children.
DEPARTMENT OF ATHLETICS
Rangers Earn Mid-State League Honors - As the Varsity Boys and Girls Basketball and Wrestling seasons near their end, MSL officially announced post-season awards. Listed below are the MSL award winners from their respective winter seasons:
MSL 1st Team:
Josie Kasprzak - Senior - Girls’ Basketball
MSL 2nd Team:
Kylor Coogan - Senior - Boys’ Basketball
Lauren Longbrake - Junior - Girls’ Basketball
Ethan Whitmer - Senior - Wrestling
MSL Honorable Mention:
Shea Mercer - Senior - Boys’ Basketball
Brooke Wilhite - Junior - Girls’ Basketball
Jason Schaal Award
Jerica French - Senior - Girls’ Basketball
Varsity Boys Basketball Ends Regular Season on Winning Note - The Rangers came out on Thursday's Senior Night with a bang, scoring 25 points in the first quarter off of four 3's from senior Kylor Coogan. The second quarter was a little more even but the Rangers entered halftime with a solid 42-19 lead over Liberty Union.
The seniors led the way in the second half with Kylor scoring another 10 points and Shea Mercer dropping in eight. Two of Mercer's points came off of an impressive inbound play as Jaylen Booker lobbed the ball from out of bounds and Shea threw it down with a two-handed ally oop!
Kylor Coogan finished the game with 31 points on 11/17 shooting (65%) and Shea Mercer followed with 11 points on 5/6 shooting (83%)!
The Rangers finished the regular season with a 9-13 record and 6-9 in the league. HT's tournament opponent will be decided on Saturday night as Mifflin plays at New Albany. HT will take on the winner of that matchup on Friday, March 6.
7th and 8th Grade Boys Basketball End Season as MSL Runners-up - The 7th and 8th Grade Boys finished their season on Tuesday night in the MSL championship games at Teays Valley East. The 7th graders lost the championship game to Liberty Union while the 8th graders lost to host Teays Valley East on a buzzer beating half-court shot. With the loss, both teams were runners-up in the tournament. Congratulations to 7th grade coach Dustin Gaver and 8th grade coach Matt Schutte, as well as all the players on a very successful season!
UPCOMING EVENTS
See what’s happening in our district this week!
Remember to “Like” us on Facebook & “Follow” us on Twitter.