SCHOOL ZONE 3-7-13

SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

Spring is always a busy time for our schools.  Here are some of the fun and exciting activities that are happening in the next few weeks:

Reading Celebration Week March 4 through 8 at Vermilion Elementary School, with the theme of “Reading is Our Thing”.   Every classroom had fun activities that were focused on the importance of reading.  Several classrooms had visiting “readers” who came in to share books and read to the students.  Last week students were able to purchase books from the book fair during parent-teacher conferences.

Friday March 8, 2013 is the last day for VHS students to schedule classes for the 2013-2014 school year.  If your child has not been scheduled, please contact the student services office at 440-204-1701, ext. 306.  Sophomore students at Vermilion High School will be taking the Ohio Graduation Test the week of March 11.  Students in grades 8, 9, 11 and 12 will be on a 2 hour delay during testing week.

Every year there is much excitement and anticipation for the Vermilion High School musical.  This year’s show “Little Shop of Horrors” will be presented March 21, 22 and 23 at 7:30 PM.   The VHS track team will sponsor a spaghetti dinner on Friday, March 22 prior to the show.  We hope you will join us for a great performance.

SAFE SCHOOLS; HEALTHY STUDENTS; STRONG COMMUNITY NIGHT 

Are you interested in learning more about bullying prevention?  Interested in ideas to keep schools safe?  Want to see how distractions affect your ability to drive?  Vermilion High School will sponsor an evening of activities for parents, students and residents to enjoy fun and informational activities to promote understanding about how the affects of substance abuse, bullying and issues of mental health are related to school safety.  Some of the programs and activities planned for the evening will include:

• Information about the Olweus Bullying Prevention program that is in use throughout the school district. 
• An ODOT driving simulator that will demonstrate the results of distracted driving
• Information about mental health issues that may lead to school violence. and prevention strategies available to students, parents and community members.

School safety and drug prevention is very important in our schools.  We invite you to join us to learn more about how together we can keep our schools and community safe. 

EMPLOYEES OF THE MONTH

The following employees were honored for the month of February.  Please visit our website to learn more about these outstanding employees.  

VHS employee of the month is Mr. Zachary Brock, who was nominated for the inspiring way he brings out creativity in students through writing and use of technology. He revamped the media journalism class and developed the new Sailor News Network featuring video announcements, book reviews, electives, news, special projects and upcoming events.  Mr. Brock also created an after school gaming club that attracts over 35 Mindcraft participants.  Mr. Brock came to Vermilion from southern Ohio in 2007 to teach English/language arts. He is always willing to go above and beyond to help his students and is a technology whiz! 

SMS employee of the month is 5^th grade Intervention Specialist Meeghan Costanzo.  Mrs. Costanzo is in her second year at Sailorway and has quickly established herself as a calming influence for her students.  She is caring and empathizes with all students, yet holds them accountable for their academics and actions.  Mrs. Costanzo is a Vermilion High School graduate and currently resides in Vermilion with her husband.  

Mrs. Lisa Dobinson, Reading Intervention teacher, is employee of the month at Vermilion Elementary School.  Mrs. Dobinson supports struggling readers in second grade with small group instruction.  She closely monitors student progress and individualizes interventions.  Her classroom is lively and fun and students thrive in the environment utilizing technology and many creative learning strategies.  She has established a “lunch bunch” as a motivator for students to improve their fluency scores.  Students keep track of their own learning through graphing and are proud of their achievements.  Mrs. Dobinson embraces the philosophy of “whatever it takes” in helping her students find success in reading.  She models her love of reading daily and works hard to instill that love in all her students.   Mrs. Dobinson assists the classroom teachers by providing additional intervention strategies and materials to help all readers.  Last summer, Mrs. Dobinson organized and led a summer reading program.  This school year, she is teaching the after school “Success Camp” for third grade students.  Mrs. Dobinson is positive and extremely energetic.  Her friendly demeanor helps to make VES a great place to learn and to work.