SCHOOL ZONE 2-13-14

INCLEMENT WEATHER - TWO HOUR DELAY

It has been quite a few years since our district used the option of a 2 hour delay due to inclement weather.  We believe that a 2 hour delay can be inconvenient for families and disruptive to the school day.  It is our intention to utilize this option only as a last resort, or in the event of an emergency.  If it is necessary for us to use the 2 hour delay option, here are some guidelines for families:  

• Students will be expected to report to school exactly 2 hours after the normally scheduled report time.  School will be dismissed at the normal time. 
• School buses will leave the bus garage 2 hours later, and will follow their established routes.  Students can expect buses to be at bus stops 2 hours later than normal.  
• Some students may experience a delay in pick up depending upon weather and road conditions.  Student safety is our priority. 
• Staff members will be in place to direct traffic following the same procedures used on a normal school day.   

We appreciate cooperation and patience of our families as we work through these difficult weather events.  

VHS INTERNET SAFETY PROGRAM

On Tuesday, February 11 Vermilion High School sponsored programs in coordination with Safer Internet Day.  The day featured a guest speaker from OverDrive, Inc who spoke with students at each grade level about their digital footprint and how Internet activity can impact individual safety now and in the future.  Safer Internet Day (SID) is organized each year to promote safe and responsible use of online technology and mobile phones, especially among children and young people across the world.  The theme this year is “Let’s create a better Internet together”.  For more information, visit www.saferinternet.org

SAILORWAY 2^ND QUARTER ATTENDANCE WINNER

Congratulations to David Mickle, who was the winner of the second quarter attendance challenge at Sailorway Middle School.  David’s name was drawn from the pool of all Sailorway students that qualified with perfect attendance.  He is the winner of a bicycle from Bicycle Bill’s in Vermilion.  We are very grateful for the cooperation of Bicycle Bill’s in helping us offer this special prize for student attendance this year.     

ATHLETIC EVENT RESCHEDULE DATES

The winter weather has been especially hard on our athletic teams, as many events had to be cancelled and rescheduled.  Athletic schedules have been updated on our website, and a complete list of reschedule dates can be easily accessed from our home page.  Despite the weather challenges, many of our teams are having a great year.  We hope you will come out and support our teams.  It’s a great way to beat the winter blues. 

2014-2015 PARCC ASSESSEMENTS

Ohio is among 22 states that are working as a consortium, called the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC), to develop a common set of K-12 assessments in English and math. The assessments will be anchored in what it takes to be ready for college and careers, and will be ready for states to administer during the 2014-15 school year.  Education professionals throughout Ohio are expressing concern about the increase in testing hours.  Below is a table demonstrating the increase at each grade level.    

Comparison of Testing Times - PARCC and OAA/OGT

PARCC ELA/ Literacy and Mathematics Assessments
Grade	Number of Sessions	Total Testing Time	Number of Sessions	Estimated Testing Time*	Net Increase in Testing*
3	3	7 hrs., 30 min	9	8 hrs	30 min
4	2	5 hrs.	9	9 hrs., 20 min	4 hrs., 20 min
5	2	5 hrs.	9	9 hrs., 20 min	4 hrs., 20 min
6	2	5 hrs.	9	9 hrs., 25 min	4 hrs., 25 min
7	2	5 hrs.	9	9 hrs., 25 min	4 hrs., 25 min
8	2	5 hrs.	9	9 hrs., 25 min	4 hrs., 25 min
9	NA	NA	5	5 hrs., 55 min	5 hrs., 55 min
10	2	5 hrs.	5	5 hrs., 55 min	55 min
11	NA	NA	5	5 hrs., 55 min	5 hrs., 55 min
Algebra 1 EOC	NA	NA	4	3 hrs., 50 min	3 hrs., 50 min
Geometry EOC	NA	NA	4	3 hrs., 50 min	3 hrs., 50 min
Algebra 2 EOC	NA	NA	4	4 hrs	4 hrs.

Parents are also expressing concern about the emphasis being placed on standardized tests, student scores on tests, and the impact it will have on our children, especially those who are high achievers.  For more information on the PARCC assessments, please visit http://parcconline.org/ .  We will be following the progress and reporting information as we know more.