School Zone 9-19-13

BUSINESS ADVISORY MEETING

For the past few years we have met with business owners to share new ideas and listen to ideas and concerns.  This year I would like to invite all business owners to meet on Tuesday, October 8 at 8:00 AM at the Administration office, 1230 Beechview Drive.  We are truly interested improving our service to businesses.  We have some new ideas about ways we can collaborate with Vermilion businesses, including streamlining the fundraising efforts of our support groups and offering free advertising for local vendors.  I will be discussing future school district plans, and ways the Ohio Report Card impacts your business and our entire community.  I hope all Vermilion businesses will consider sending a representative to this meeting. 

EVENTS POSTED DAILY ON FACEBOOK

Are you a fan of Vermilion Schools on Facebook?  If not, you should be.  Facebook is a wonderful tool that we use daily to post reminders of school events, athletic team scores, student awards and achievements and other important school news.  We also use it to remind residents of community activities that are sponsored by our local non-profit organizations. If you are using Facebook and would like to stay in touch with our schools, please consider “liking” our page.  Search for us at facebook.com/vermilionschools . 

STUFF THE VAN FOR THE FOOD PANTRY

Vermilion High School is sponsoring a food drive at the home football game this Friday.  If you are attending the game, please bring a canned or non-perishable food item to the game and help us stuff our vans!  All donations will be given to the Vermilion Food Pantry.  Non-perishable items include powdered milk, cereal, oatmeal, pancake mix, powdered baby formula, baby food, peanut butter, pasta, canned meats, canned fruits, vegetables or soups.  Thank you for helping us fight hunger in Vermilion. 

                                                                            

VERMILION SCHOOLS IN TOLEDO BUSINESS JOURNAL

We were delighted to be featured in the September issue of the Toledo Business Journal.  The article was very complimentary of our project to consolidate our facilities onto one campus at no additional cost to taxpayers.  Both the City of Vermilion and Vermilion Schools are being recognized statewide for innovative and forward-thinking ideas.  We are hopeful that this recognition will help attract new businesses and residents to Vermilion. 

PARENTS:  PLEASE UPDATE YOUR STUDENT INFORMATION ONLINE

We still have quite a few parents that have not updated emergency contact information for their child.  Your contact information is very important in the event your child is injured.  It is also used to keep you informed about severe weather events and other important school announcements.  Please make it a priority to complete the update at https://studentinfo.vermilionschools.org/ .  Username and password information can be obtained from your child’s school office, or by contacting the Administration office at 440-204-1793.  

LUNCH MENUS

We have had a number of requests for school lunch menus.  The menus are available on our district website and paper copies will be available in the school offices very soon.   The menu is also printed in the Photojournal weekly.

SCHOOL ZONE 9-5-13

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS

A link to download, view or print the schedules for all of our athletic teams is posted on our district website, www.vermilionschools.org .  The bottom of the home page features our school event calendar for the year.  Most of the event dates for the school year are already posted, but please check back often for updates.  Your attendance at school events is a great way to join with your community as we support positive activities for students.  Please consider attending some of our many athletic, music or drama programs this year.

OHIO IMPROVEMENT PROCESS

All schools in Ohio are required to develop plans in accordance with the Ohio Improvement Process.  The goal of the Ohio Improvement Process is to improve district-wide instructional practices and student performance.  There are seven principals that district must strive to achieve when creating an improvement plan.  They are:

1.   A focused plan that aligns vision, mission, and philosophy.

2. The process is continuous and the plan is a dynamic document.
3. The process relies on quality data interpretation.
4. All leadership teams use a collaborative, collegial approach.
5. An efficient communication approach ensures all stakeholders are informed of progress.
6. The process produces one focused, integrated plan that directs all work and resources.
7. The process expects substantive changes in student performance and adult practices as a result of implementing, monitoring and evaluating the process and plan.

In years one and two each district was required to identify critical needs and develop a plan for improvement.  Last year was the first year for implementation and monitoring of the Plan.  This year the OIP team will further monitor the plan and evaluate its success. 

The Ohio Improvement Process Plan is designed to evolve as the needs of students and the district change.  The purpose of OIP is to shift the focus from single individuals to teams that can function as purposeful communities, distribute key leadership functions, align work system-wide while focusing on data-based district goals and ensure effective leadership is exercised at all levels of the system. 

Members of Vermilion’s District Leadership Team this year are Jim Balotta, Amy Hendricks, Abby Abernathy, Heidi Riddle, Donna Rini, Pat Graves, Brian Zeller, Beth Lambert, Heather Shoop, Jessica Schutrum, Bonnie Meyer, Julie Youskievicz, Matt Malear, Michele Stoffan, Sid Jordan, Shelly Innes and Lynda Adkins.  We would like to thank everyone that has given their time for the past 4 years as we created and implemented our improvement plan. 

EMPLOYMENT OF SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS AND SUPPORT STAFF

New this year our school district has joined with North Coast Shared Services Alliance (NCSSA) as our new service provider for substitute teachers and support staff.  Rachel Wixey and Associates is the contract provider that will handle applications and hiring of substitutes for Vermilion Schools.  They are now accepting applications for teacher substitutes and for support staff substitutes that include custodians, food service, food service monitors, educational aides, playground monitors, and clerical.  If you are interested in applying for teacher or support staff substitute positions for Vermilion Schools, please contact Rachel Wixey & Associates at 877-977-9499.   NOTE:  Bus Driver and bus monitor substitutes will still apply for employment through the Vermilion Schools website.  If you are interested in becoming a bus driver or monitor, please visit the employment link at www.vermilionschools.org .

REACHING ALL TYPES OF LEARNERS

Today educators are aware that there are many different types of learners.  In today’s media-savvy world, the old style classroom with the teacher as a lecturer is no longer a valid model for education.  We know that we must vary instruction so that we can offer students many opportunities for success.  Differentiated instruction seeks to help those students with specific learning challenges.  A greater challenge is to provide opportunities for typically developing students who find it difficult to focus in a traditional classroom environment.  In Vermilion we are constantly looking at ways to alter classroom dynamics and make instruction relevant to our students.  For example, the new elementary building will feature open classrooms that foster shared learning opportunities.  Another example is our Workforce Development program.  This program strives to focus specific students on career opportunities through job-focused training and internships.  I invite you to view a Ted Talks video in which speaker Cameron Herold discusses challenging students to be entrepreneurs.  Mr. Herold suggests the kinds of unique ideas that educators can use to challenge students.  The video can be found at http://www.ted.com/talks/cameron_herold_let_s_raise_kids_to_be_entrepreneurs.html.  To learn more about the Workforce Development program, please contact program coordinator Tim Lamb at 440-204-1700, extension 130.