SCHOOL ZONE 10-31-13

VHS HALL OF FAME NOMINATIONS

Vermilion High School is seeking nominations for the Hall of Fame Class of 2013.  The application and nomination details are posted on our district website.  November 15 is the deadline to submit applications for consideration this year.   The recognition ceremony will be held in late January. 

ANDROID VERSION OF POWERSCHOOL AVAILABLE

We are pleased to announce that PowerSchool for Parents and PowerSchool for Students mobile apps are now available for Android devices.  Features include real time access to your child’s information in PowerSchool, including attendance, grades, assignments, school announcements and many more.   To learn more and view a video tutorial, please see the article posted on our district website. 

OHIO’S THIRD GRADE READING GUARANTEE

With the Ohio Achievement Assessments for third-grade reading just completed, parents of struggling readers may be wondering how the Third Grade Reading Guarantee will affect their child. The Ohio Department of Education’s three-minute “Third Grade Reading Guarantee” video can be a great resource for you.  The video explains the intensive help that each child will receive and why early reading is so important. Ohio Achievement Assessment results will be sent to parents in the near future.  These results will contain a short letter explaining what you can expect and ideas to help your child be a successful reader.   The video can be found on the Ohio Department of Education website at http://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Early-Learning/Third-Grade-Reading-Guarantee .  A link to the video can also be found on our district website.

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

Please join me in congratulating the following employees who were chosen for our Spotlight this month.   

Vermilion Elementary spotlight employee is physical education teacher Ms. Stacie Smith.   Mrs. Smith is being recognized for her dedication to our district.  She is always willing to be involved in district-wide initiatives to help the school achieve its goals.  She is flexible with her schedule and frequently steps up to help when extra hands are needed.  Mrs. Smith has incredible patience with elementary students. She believes in the importance of physical activity for children and creates exciting and detailed lesson plans to help her students understand why physical fitness is important for them now and as they grow older. 

Spotlight employee at Sailorway Middle School is Mrs. Joy Sigrist, English/language Arts and social studies teacher in 6th grade.  Mrs. Sigrist is being recognized for her sunny disposition and approach to teaching.  She always goes above and beyond to take care of her student's needs, while also holding them to the highest standards of achievement.  She is a great asset to our 6th grade team.   Mrs. Sigrist  believes that the most important aspect in teaching is to connect with the students.  She tries to incorporate humor into her teaching and make sure everyone has some fun.  She is dedicated to mastery of each concept and encouraging students to continue practicing until they succeed. 

The VHS employee spotlight this month is Counselor Cara Habermehl.  She was chosen for her emphasis on improving student relationships.  Mrs. Habermehl feels strongly that upperclassman can and should make a positive impact on students who are new to VHS.  This year she reintroduced the "Link Crew" program, in which upperclassmen are trained to be mentors for younger students.  During the summer Mrs. Habermehl trained 40 juniors and seniors who volunteered to be Link Crew members.  Link Crew’s proven high school transition program trains these student mentors to be positive role models.  The upperclassmen leaders welcome new students and make them feel comfortable as they enter high school. They guide 8th and 9th graders to discover what it takes to be successful in high school and help to facilitate student achievement. 

For more about our spotlight employees, please visit our website:  www.vermilionschools.org