Saturday, October 31, 2015

Have a Safe and Happy Halloween

I just wanted to take a minute to say Happy Halloween.

I have very fond memories of Halloween growing up. My parents always worked to make it a fun celebration. I know many of the students at the elementary school and the middle school got to celebrate yesterday with Halloween parties in their classrooms.

There is a Halloween parade at the South Shore shopping Center from 12pm – 1pm, and the community trick-or-treating from 6pm – 7:30pm. I also understand some churches and local businesses are offering special treats today. You’ll have plenty of opportunities for your children to wear their costumes, collect some candy, and see their friends.

I hope the weather stays nice for you and remember to stay safe. The CDC published a great article on staying safe while having fun over Halloween. Please take a minute to read it; I promise it’s really short.



Please have fun this weekend and enjoy this time with your kids. 

Here's a picture of me at about 4 years old in my cowboy costume ready to go trick-or-treating. Don't worry, there is nothing wrong with your screen, it is a black and white photo. 


Tuesday, October 27, 2015

SALT Fest 2015 Was a Success

October 15th the community was invited to join our middle school students for SALT Fest 2015. I just want to take a minute to thank and congratulate all those that made this event and all the SALT events a huge success.

For those of you that don’t know, SALT was created in 2014 and stands for Saving A Life Together. Staff, volunteers, and students work together to organize programs and events that bring awareness and information to the students regarding drugs. The goal being to create community and empower the students to stand up against drug use.

I know as a parent, a part of you wants to keep your child in a bubble and be there to help them make the right decision when they are faced with one like experimenting with drugs. The reality is that we can’t always be there. We need to provide our children with the information and resources to make the right decisions on their own.                                                                                       

SALT incorporates character building principles with fun and energetic programming to educate
students and help them develop the perseverance needed to make positive decisions. A big part of this is teaching the students the benefits and power that comes from making good decisions and being a positive force in the world.


I am grateful to Josh Budka for leading the charge, all the volunteers that came together to help with SALT Fest, and all the students and parents that took the time to attend. If you haven’t already, please take a minute to like Salt Vls on Facebook. You can look at pictures from SALT Fest 2015, pictures from other SALT events, and be aware of upcoming events. 

Thursday, October 22, 2015

SCHOOL ZONE 10-22-15



SUBMIT YOUR HALL OF FAME NOMINATIONS NOW
Nomination forms are now available on the school district website, www.vermilionschools.org , or at Vermilion High School. Completed nomination forms should be returned to Timothy Lamb, Principal, Vermilion High School, 1250 Sanford Street, Vermilion, OH 44089 no later than Monday, November 16, 2015. The induction ceremony for award winners will be held on Saturday, January 23, 2016 prior to the VHS Varsity basketball game. To be considered as a candidate for induction to the Hall of Fame, nominees must have graduated five (5) or more years prior to nomination. A candidate who is not an alumni must be an individual (i.e. teacher, administrator, coach, advisor, staff or volunteer) who through personal endeavor, leadership and/or sacrifice over a period of years, has made an extraordinary contribution to the success of Vermilion High School or Vermilion Local Schools. Employees will first be considered as candidates five years after ending service with Vermilion Schools.  Criteria considered for selection of Hall of Fame candidates include secondary and post-secondary achievements, professional or lifetime accomplishments, recommendations and community involvement. While high school performance is important, it is not solely determinative. The committee gives special consideration to those who successfully unite noteworthy accomplishments in school and life. All nominations are welcome.

PEER LEADERSHIP CLASS
One of the electives at Vermilion High School is a class titled Peer Leadership.  The class is an extension of Teen Leadership Corps, a high school community service class.  The goal of the program is to teach students how to be active leaders among their peers and in their communities.  Each year students are encouraged to develop and implement community service projects and fundraising activities.  Coming up on October 28 the class will sponsor “Dope is for Dopes”, a presentation featuring inmates from the Grafton Correctional Institution.  The inmates involved in the “Dope is for Dopes Program” speak on a variety of subjects. All are aimed at encouraging today’s youth to avoid drugs, as well as other forms of criminal activity.  The message is clear:  Stay in school, work hard, and display only honest and positive behavior.  The presentation is meant to help students understand how their choices impact their future, and gear them towards positive, rather than negative, activities.  The program is being organized by the 8th period Peer Leadership class to coincide with Red Ribbon Week, a national campaign that focuses on drug prevention, awareness, advocacy, and resources. 

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT TRAINING
The VHS Workforce Development Program will once again partner with a team from the Ohio State Regional Branch in Sandusky for a program call "Real World - Real Money".  This two day program is designed to help students develop vital financial management skills. On the second day the group offers 15 booths that students visit to complete a skills for living project involving banking, financing, and budgeting money.  Booths will be manned by professionals who are assisting with this program, along with some of our own staff members.

SCHOOL SAFETY PLAN
For the past several weeks members of our District Crisis Team have been working with Homeland Security personnel to make changes to our School Safety Plan, as required by recent legislation.  After the plan is final, it will be uploaded to the Homeland Security website for use by law enforcement, fire departments and other agencies.  This comprehensive plan will provide these agencies with all of the information necessary to assist our administrative personnel in the event of an emergency.
 
SENDING SNACKS TO SCHOOL
With the holiday season rapidly approaching, our Principals would like to remind parents to be mindful of food allergies when sending snacks to school.  One of the top allergens to avoid are peanuts, but we have a growing population of students with gluten allergies.  To assist parents with planning for class parties, a list of allergy-free snacks is available on our website.  Click on the Parent tab to download or view the Snack-Free list compiled by SnackSafely.com.

NOW HIRING SUBSTITUTE WORKERS
We continue to be challenged by our ability to attract individuals who are interested and available to fill in as substitutes for our classified staff.   We are looking for substitute bus drivers, food service workers and custodians.  If you are interested in a flexible, part-time work schedule, please apply by visiting our website, www.vermilionschools.org .  Click on the “employment” tab on the left side of the page. 

Monday, October 12, 2015

SCHOOL ZONE 10-8-15



COLLEGE FAIR TONIGHT AT LCCC
Want to learn more about finding the right college?  We encourage parents and high school students to attend the FREE Lorain County College Fair on Thursday, October 8 from 6:00 to 7:30 PM in the Lorain County Community College Ewing Activities Center, 1005 N Abbe Rd, Elyria.  More than 120 colleges, universities and military academies will be represented at this event.  A special breakout session titled, "Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Financial Aid" will be available to help parents learn more about financial assistance available to help with college.  For more information, or to view a list of groups that will be represented, visit http://www.lorainccc.edu/Community+Services/College+Fair.htm

WOOLLYBEAR ACTIVITIES
On behalf of our student support groups, we would like to thank the Vermilion Chamber of Commerce and Dick Goddard for once again providing a great Woollybear weekend.  The weather was beautiful, attracting many visitors to our community.  The festival offers an opportunity for many of our school groups to raise funds by parking cars and selling pop and water on the parade route.  We truly appreciate the opportunity to participate in this wonderful community event. 

PARENT CHAT
We would like to encourage parents of school age children to participate in a special program called “Parent Chat”, on Saturday, November 21, 2015 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Sawmill Creek Resort.  The day will include conversations about social media, school success, parenting, street smarts and activities for children 5 years and older.  Participants will be treated to a free breakfast, with giveaways, drawings and free materials.  The event is hosted by the Erie County Family & Children First Council, Sandusky County Family & Children First Council, Erie County Health Department, Sandusky County Health Department, Fremont City Schools, Fremont Recreation Center, Bayshore Counseling Services, Firelands Counseling Services, and Big Brothers Big Sisters.  Register by calling 419-626-5623 or 419-334-6395, or register on Facebook:  Parent Chat of Erie and Sandusky Counties. 

PSAT TEST COMING SOON
October 14, 2015 is PSAT Test Day.  This preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test is an assessment administered to 10th and 11th grade students that helps them prepare for the redesigned SAT test, college, and a career. Cost is $15.00.  Students should register in the VHS School Counseling Office. For more information about the test, please visit https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt-psat-10 .