SCHOOL ZONE 10-23-14

BUS ROUTES TO NEW ELEMENTARY WILL NOT CHANGE

As reported in last week’s Photojournal, we would like to continue to assure parents, guardians and caretakers that any student in kindergarten through grade 3 currently riding a school bus to Vermilion Elementary School will continue to be eligible for transportation to the new school through the end of this school year on May 29, 2015.   Our current policy states that students living within one mile of a school building are not eligible for school bus transportation.  New bus routes will be established for the 2015-2016 school year using a 1 mile radius from the new building.  Information about transportation eligibility changes will be communicated to parents and guardians as early as possible.    

INFECTIOUS DISEASE INFORMATION

The recent increase in news and information about Ebola has sparked conversation and controversy throughout our community, including in the schools.  The news seems even more unsettling when it affects facilities or communities that are close to home.  I would like to assure the entire community that our staff will continue to monitor news and information sources like the Centers for Disease Control and Ohio Health Department, as well as local health agencies.  We will follow all guidelines and take every precaution to protect staff and students.  Factual information about this disease is posted on our website.  We will continue to update the information as it is provided to us by reliable sources. 

VHS PARENT UNIVERSITY

The VHS School Counseling Department is beginning a new informational program called Parent University.  This group will meet periodically throughout the year for informal discussion in areas that relate to our students. The first session will be held October 23 from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM at Vermilion High School in the Digital Learning Lab (Room 807).  The topic for the first session will be academic issues including grades, transcripts, and the college application process.  There will also be a short discussion about PowerSchool for parents.  This is an important outreach to help high school parents stay in touch with the issues their children are facing, and learn more about how to be involved in the decision making process.  We hope that many of you will be interested in taking advantage of this opportunity. 

ACT PRACTICE TEST

Your child can find out how to improve his or her score on the ACT.  A practice ACT test opportunity is available on Saturday, November 8 at the Educational Service Center of Lorain County, 1885 Lake Avenue, Elyria.  The test will be given from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM.  This is an opportunity for students to experience an actual ACT test without the results being reported to VHS or colleges.  Following the test, students are permitted to keep the test booklet and will receive a solution key.  A few days after the test students receive a complete analysis of their score, with notes about the areas of weakness so they can focus improvement efforts.  The cost is $30.00 (checks payable to ESCLC Endowment) and the deadline to register is October 31.  Registration forms are available in the School Counseling Office.

3-D PRINTERS – A NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR CLASSROOMS

The 3-D printer uses a digital 3-D design file for any object and prints the object by laying down successive layers of a material until the object is complete.  3-D printing is being used today in many industries.  This technology will continue to grow and will have uses in many industries around the world.  U.S. News and World Report in their July 21 edition, that 3-D printing has become surprisingly affordable for schools.  A variety of printing materials are available, but most teachers choose a low-cost plastic filament.  While the process sounds expensive, printers are available for as little as $500.00.  Our technology and administrative teams have been discussing this with teachers, and it is our intention to make these printers available to teachers at Sailorway and Vermilion High School no later than second semester this year.  This is in keeping with our emphasis on providing our students with the best education opportunities so that they can be competitive as they move into colleges and careers.