SCHOOL ZONE 8-14-14

NEW TEACHER ORIENTATION

We would like to thank the members of the Vermilion Chamber of Commerce for once again hosting the new teacher luncheon on August 19.  This is an important way to help our new teachers feel more connected to the community.   Throughout the year we try to encourage our staff to visit our local vendors whenever possible. 

WELCOME SUZANNE WILSON

Our new treasurer, Suzanne Wilson, has been transitioning to her new duties a few days each week.  She will officially take over the role of treasurer on August 25.  Suzanne comes to us with many years of experience working in districts of our size.  She is a hard worker and we are happy to welcome her to our team.  We believe that she is a great fit for our organization. 

VISION FOR OUR DISTRICT

This will be my seventh year as Superintendent in Vermilion.  I feel very blessed and grateful for being given the opportunity to make changes in our schools.  It has always been my goal to constantly improve and make schools better.  In order to accomplish that goal I believe that we need to be constantly evolving, planning and setting forth a road map for our success.  As a result of this evolution of change, our team has created an academic plan for excellence.  The following will be posted in every classroom and in prominent places through the entire district:

Commitment: The student is the focus of every decision we make.

Mission: Make every student college and career ready through personalized instruction.

Vision: Inspiring students to be leaders and lifelong learners.

Values:   Personalization, High Expectations, Innovation, Communication, Relationships

Values Defined:

Personalization:

Vermilion Local Schools are committed to providing a personalized education for each student. In a blended learning environment, student academic progress is closely monitored and instruction is modified to meet individual student needs. This is accomplished through individual instruction, small group centers or stations, a co-­teaching environment and on-­line learning experiences. Students are provided intervention and enrichment based on their learning strengths and weaknesses.  This allows for students to reach their full potential and to meet the high expectations set by the Vermilion Local School District.

High Expectations:

Each student has clearly defined rigorous standards that prepare them for college or a career after high school.

Innovation:

An environment that fosters creativity

Communication:

All administrators, certified and classified staff will foster effective communication by returning phone calls and emails within 24 hours. The district website, facebook and twitter will be updated daily in order to efficiently promote events and activities that are taking place throughout the district.

Relationships:

Our administrators, teachers and staff will form caring relationships with students to gain a greater understanding of them as individuals in order to better educate them. 

I will share more details and information about how this plan is progressing in future School Zone articles.

SCHOOL ZONE 7-17-14

LOCATION FOR FUTURE BOARD MEETINGS

Due to the sale of the Administration building, the location of future Board meetings will be changed.  The August regular meeting will be held at Vermilion Elementary School, located at 935 Decatur Street.  Starting in September, Board meetings will be held in the Vermilion High School auditorium, 1250 Sanford Street.  Meetings are held on the second Monday of each month at 7:00 P.M. unless otherwise announced.  Dates for our upcoming regular meetings are:  August 11, September 8, October 13, November 10 and December 8. 

LOCAL CONTRACTORS HELP KEEP OUR PROJECTS ON TRACK 

Herk Excavating and Sattelight Electric are two of our local contractors working on the various construction projects.  Both of these companies are doing an outstanding job. Their crews have put in extra time, they treat the project like it was their own home, and take pride in everything they do.  These businesses have gone above and beyond, staying late and working weekends, if necessary, to make sure the job is done well.  We are very happy and proud to have them as part of this project.  Please visit our facility Facebook page for updates on the project.  This will allow you to see update pictures of the project as it moves forward. 

TREASURER SEARCH

The Board of Education has been working extremely hard looking for a suitable replacement for our outgoing Treasurer.  There have been a number of outstanding candidates, and the Board has met on several nights to insure that they are listening and doing their best to find a candidate that will fit in well with our community. 

SALE OF ADMINISTRATION OFFICE

You may already know that the Administration office was sold to Open Door Church.  This was part of the Reinvention Plan that was conceived in 2009.  It has been our intention to consolidate facilities and reduce operational costs.   We feel very fortunate that we have been able to sell our buildings to organizations that will repurpose them for the benefit of the community.  I encourage you to call me if you have any thoughts or concerns regarding the sale of these properties. 

INVENTORY REDUCTION

As a result of our continuous consolidation efforts, we will be offering miscellaneous furniture and equipment to our community on a date in the very near future.  Keep watching our website and Facebook page for announcements.  These items have reached their useful life in our school district and will no longer fit into our classrooms or offices.  Many of the items may be of value for home or small business use and we would like to see them returned to the community. 

SCHOOL ZONE 7-3-14

SAFETY MESSAGE

The day after school ended we saw a sudden influx of contractors who are involved in completing the new construction and renovation projects going on at Vermilion High School, Sailorway Middle School and the new elementary school.  In addition, the road crews involved in repaving Sanford Street are storing some materials on our site.  While we are limiting access to all of our buildings for students and staff, there may be some children and families in the area using the athletic fields.  If you are traveling through the area of Sanford Street, Douglas Street or Sailorway Drive, please be extremely cautious and keep an eye out for construction vehicles or people walking in the area.  Safety of everyone is our top priority.  We appreciate your patience while these projects are ongoing. 

SUMMER SCHOOL SUCCESS

More than 70 high school students are participating in online summer education opportunities this year.  Some of these students are making up credits, and others are completing credits so that they can move into advanced level courses during the school year.  The online courses are completed by the students with assistance from licensed teachers that are available to answer questions and provide instruction when necessary. 

SUMMER READING FOR HONORS COURSES

Students who will be enrolled in honors, advanced placement or PSEO courses for next year are reminded to check the summer reading requirements on our district website.  It is important that students complete these assignments before the beginning of the school year.

VALLEY VIEW AUCTION

The required public auction for the former Valley View School is scheduled for Monday, July 7, 2014 beginning at 12:00 noon.  Registration will begin at 11:30 AM.  Please see our website for more information.

DON’T FORGET TO REGISTER FOR KINDERGARTEN

Children who will be 5 years old by September 30, 2014 are eligible to attend Kindergarten for the 2014-2015 school year.  Parents can register on-line by logging into the district website at www.vermilionschools.org . To access the registration application, click on the “Parent Information” tab, then scroll to “New Student Registration” and follow the directions for the online pre-registration process.  The application can be completed using any computer with access to the Internet.  Computers are available at Vermilion Local School's Administration Office at 1230 Beechview Drive, or Ritter Public Library. 

SCHOOL ZONE 6-5-14

CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES

I know the entire community joins me in congratulating our Senior class members who will be participating in their commencement exercises at VHS on Sunday, June 8 at 1:00 P.M.  Participating in the graduation of our Senior class always renews my confidence in the talent, skills, confidence and manners of the young people who will soon be poised to be the next leaders of our citizen states and country.  We have some very fine students this year and we wish them all the best as they move on to higher education and careers. 

SUMMER PROJECTS

A number of projects are happening in and around our schools this summer.  Construction on the new elementary school will be ongoing through the summer and fall months.  Our crews will be very busy getting the buildings ready for occupancy in August.  Renovations to the high school and middle school will begin next week and continue throughout the summer.   In addition to the building work, the City of Vermilion will be completing road construction projects in and near the area of our schools.  We ask that residents travel cautiously in these areas.  Throughout the summer the athletic fields will be used by various groups for summer baseball, softball and soccer programs.  We ask that participants park only in the designated parking areas, and not on the grass.  Cars parked on the grass can create ruts and uneven areas that are dangerous for children who are playing there.  Please help us keep our fields safe for everyone by using the VHS, stadium or Sailorway parking lots only.

RELAY FOR LIFE

Congratulations to all of the teams that came out to support Relay for Life that was held at VHS stadium last weekend.  The weather was wonderful this year and it was a very successful event for our community. 

SUMMER SCHOOL

Registration is ongoing for the 2014 Summer School opportunities.  Students attending Vermilion High School and all neighboring districts are eligible to enroll in summer school.  The first day of class will be Monday, June 16, with the last day to complete work of Thursday, July 3.  All Classes will be held at the Vermilion Academy located at 1230 Beechview Drive, Vermilion, OH 44089.  Classes are scheduled Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 12:00 Noon.  Cost for students who attend Vermilion High School is $75.00 for 1/2 credit and $150.00 for full credit.  Students from other districts will pay $80.00 for 1/2 credit and $160.00 for full credit.  For complete details, and to download the registration form, please visit our website, www.vermilionschools.org