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.