Superintendent’s Weekly Wrap-up: Mar. 27 - Apr. 2, 2015
Transition to New Assessments: Impact on Report Cards and Educator Evaluation Part 4 - As Ohio transitions to new assessments, many have asked how the next generation of state tests will be integrated into District/School Report Cards and educator evaluation systems. In general, these tests will be integrated into Report Cards with very little change to the overall structure. The number of indicators will increase and the tests feeding into the measures will change, but the calculations used to generate the measures and Report Cards will still be very similar. This segment outlines two of the many changes that can be expected during this transition.
When will Overall and Component grades come out? - Overall and Component Report Card grades will not be published until the 2015-16 Report Card. The 2014-15 Report Card will only include grades for individual measures (such as Performance Index and 4-year graduation rate). The State Board will be finalizing the structure for determining Overall and Component grades.
When will the calculation for the Prepared for Success Component be ready? - Ohio law requires the State Board of Education to determine the grading scale for the Prepared for Success component and the first letter grades won’t be issued until 2016. The 2015 Report Cards will include data to help districts gauge the extent to which students are prepared for college or for a career, and the State Board will be finalizing the structure of the component grade over the next months.
Source: Ohio Department of Education
ODE Gives Guidance on Safe Harbor for 2014-2015 Assessment Results - The Ohio Department of Education (ODE) this week released advice for local schools and educators on application of the "safe harbor" lawmakers created to waive some accountability measures in recognition of the scope of changes schools face with new assessments.
Many implications of the safe harbor enacted in HB487 cascade from the hiatus on issuing districts and charter schools an overall composite letter grade, as well as component grades on the six main sections of the state report cards.
Because those grades won't be calculated based on the results of this academic year's assessments, the 2015 report card won't be used to trigger accountability measures like Academic Distress Commissions, designations of "challenged" district or automatic closing of charter schools. But ODE notes that charter school sponsors can still use their own authority to close schools, and can use grades on individual measures on the 2015 report card, which will still be graded, to make their decisions.
The safe harbor's application for teachers is a little more complicated, as districts and their unions must reach a written agreement on excluding student growth measures calculated from state test results in making decisions on hiring, firing, pay and tenure. ODE also notes the safe harbor is directed at state test results, whereas many teachers' student growth ratings are determined by local assessments.
State test results can still have an effect on teachers' professional development obligations, and can also earn them less frequent evaluations if growth results are high enough, ODE says.
A student safe harbor was created more recently in HB7. ODE notes that because the safe harbor is direct at new assessments, it does not affect current sophomores, juniors and seniors because they take the Ohio Graduation Test.
ODE's full guidance letter on the safe harbor is available here.
Source: Ohio Department of Education
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL
HTHS Teacher of the Month: Mrs. Emily Enyart
"Emily holds her students to high standards and is very thorough in her teaching. It is clear that she is committed to helping her students succeed. She also has a good rapport with her students, who always stop in for help or to say hi during her lunch and her planning period. Emily has been a great mentor to me--I am a better teacher because of her help and guidance!" - HS Staff
"During the spring I always realize how important Emily Enyart is to our math department and to our students. Algebra II is a challenging course for many students and many seniors feel the pressure as graduation approaches. Emily is in constant contact with those students, their parents, and Mr. Miller, giving them grade updates. She constantly encourages the seniors to continue working and is available to give them assistance as needed. If it wasn't for Emily Enyart, several students would not have graduated the past few years. Her dedication to her students is exceptional." - HS Staff
"I recommend Emily Enyart for HTHS Teacher of the month. Mrs. Enyart is extremely knowledgeable and committed teacher. Students speak very highly of her willingness to help." - HS Staff
"I nominate Emily Enyart for HTHS Teacher of the Month. One thing that I've grown to admire about Emily is that she genuinely cares for our students. She recognizes their potential and, considering the high demands of the “real world,” maintains a high standard for all students, requiring them to earn every bit of their success in her class. She has also been a great friend and mentor to me. I can always count on her to be there if I have a question or need some assistance. Emily is very deserving of this honor." - HS Staff
Enyart stated, "I am beyond grateful that someone would think to nominate me for Teacher of the Month. I find myself constantly striving to achieve the high standards that our amazing team has set over the years; you guys definitely keep the bar high! I truly feel blessed to be a part of the HTHS family. When people ask me, 'why high schoolers?!' the first thing that comes to mind is the relationships you can build with them. I love watching the students develop into their maturity, I love watching them learn and discover their passion, and I truly enjoy providing as many tools as I can to help my students achieve both of these. (Not to mention I love math and enjoy passing that on them!)"
"As for my day, I get to school as early in the morning as my kids will let me, and I set up for the day. While I understand the stigma that is often attached to mathematics, I spend my day trying to make it as intriguing and worthwhile as possible for my students. I want them to see relationships and understand the reasoning of why things are happening; I want them to think beyond the step-by-step routines. I set high standards for my students that I expect them to achieve, and I push them the best I can to do so. I work through my lunch (and planning of course) so that I am able to pick up my son from his preschool. It's hard to leave 'on time', there is always so much more work that could be done!"
"Again, I want to thank anyone who may have thought of my name as being a valuable asset to this team - it's a goal of mine every day!!!"
HAMILTON MIDDLE SCHOOL
Shamrocks for MDA - The National Junior Honor Society raised $557 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association during the month of March selling shamrocks to students and staff. This money will go directly to a young person afflicted with Muscular Dystrophy to attend camp in central Ohio. The AIM classes competed for a cupcake and ice cream party to be held right before Spring Break for buying the most shamrocks. The celebration goes to Mrs. Telfer's AIM class. Second and third place winners will receive a cookie and juice party. Those winners are Mrs. Schuller and Mrs. Knorr's AIM classes. A big thank you goes to everyone for their help and support.
HAMILTON INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL
Fifth Grader Prepare For The Battle Of The Books - Battle of the Books is a reading motivation program. Several students from the 5th grade have accepted the challenge of reading the 10 B.O.B. books throughout the next few months. The goals are to encourage and to recognize students who enjoy reading and to broaden their reading interests. It also encourages teamwork and strategy because students compete in the “Battle of the Books” in teams of 4. Students will work with their coach, Mrs. Smith, throughout the year to prepare for the competition in May. A BIG thank you goes to the Hamilton Intermediate PTO for providing funding for the books for the students to read!
6th Grade Students Have Great Success At Ohio Model United Nations Conference - This past weekend, 12 students from Hamilton Intermediate School participated in the Jr. Ohio Model United Nations conference, which was held at the Hyatt Regency downtown. Jaylynn Aspell, Endia Berger, Erica Bush, Callie Cutlip, Gabby Dotson and Cael Shaw represented the nation of Indonesia. Heidi Kondrath, Eshanti Lynch, Carrinna Muncy, Ridge Pickens, Elijah Taylor, and Isaac Wilson represented the nation of Hungary. The students have been preparing for this conference since October by writing resolutions and speeches about a problem their country is facing. Students presented the speeches and a cultural dance from their country this weekend. Both groups were chosen to then present in front of the General Assembly (just 40 out of 150 groups receive this honor). In addition, Isaac Wilson received the Outstanding Leadership award for his leadership while at the conference. Congratulations to all students for their hard work and success at the conference!
HAMILTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Student of the Month - 1st grade student Jaxson Hampp was selected as the HES Student of the Month for March. Jaxson’s teacher, Ms. Wancheck, had this to say: “Jaxson Hampp was nominated for Student of the Month for being responsible, hard-working, and incredibly kind. He is very empathetic and absolutely loves to help others. Jaxson is able to manage his first grade responsibilities at home and at school. He consistently completes his homework, and he always comes prepared to try his best. Jaxson is a model student with a lot of integrity.”
Teacher of the Month - Physical Education teacher Bill Mylar was selected as the HES Teacher of the Month for March. The anonymous staff member who nominated Mr. Mylar had this to say: “I would like to nominate Mr. Mylar for staff member of the month. He is always positive with the students, and they enjoy having him for class. He and Mrs. Archer always plan activities that support academics and are very enjoyable for their students. Mr. Mylar is part of the Math Improvement Committee and does an excellent job of including school curriculum into Physical Education class.”
HAMILTON PRESCHOOL
Egg Hunt - The students had a great time looking for eggs filled with treats and candy in their classrooms. This is always fun activity for the kids before Spring break. Thanks to Hamilton Preschool Boosters and Preschool families for their generous donations for this event.
Happy Spring - The Preschool Staff wishes everyone a wonderful and safe Spring Break. We have many more fun learning experiences planned for the end of the year!
- Week of April 13, 2015 - Scholastic Book Fair
- Thursday, April 16, 2015 - Parent Teacher Conferences
DEPARTMENT OF ATHLETICS
Varsity Track and Field Hosts Hamilton Booster Invitational, Opens Season with Strong Finishes -- The Varsity Boys’ and Girls’ Track and Field teams hosted 12 teams on Tuesday evening for the annual Hamilton Booster Invitational. Congratulations on a great start to the 2015 season! The Boys’ team placed first in the team standings while the Girls’ team finished second. Individual winners are listed below:
Girls
- Mckenzie Long -- 100m, 4x100 and 4x200
- Shanell Hayes -- 4x100, 4x200
- Zadei Edwards -- 4x100, 4x200
- Aaliyah Solis -- 4x100, 4x200
- Trinity Palmer -- Pole Vault
Boys
- Jacob Long -- 100m, 4x200
- Khari Berger -- 4x200
- Thomas Wilson -- 4x200
- Wesley Payne -- 4x200
- Aaron Johnson -- Discus
Boys’ Tennis Opens Season with a Victory - The Boys’ Tennis team traveled to Logan Elm on Tuesday evening and came away with a 4-1 victory. Winners for the Rangers included Austin Mylar (1st Singles), Joelou Watson (2nd Singles), Shamael Chaudhary/Zach Harmon (1st Doubles), and Erick Juarez/Andy Perna (2nd Doubles).
Softball Opens Season with Win - It was a team effort on Monday as the Varsity softball team battled to get the 8-6 win against Whitehall in extra innings. Karly Wade kept Whitehall hitters off their toes striking out six of Whitehall's batters with Billie Kirk behind the plate calling the game. Chase Gray-Still, Kennedy Wade, Brittany Haughn and Bailey Moore made great defensive plays during the game. Offensively, it was a team effort with the Rangers scoring eight runs on seven hits.
UPCOMING EVENTS
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