Through the Classroom Door: November 2011
Scott McKenzie's Blog Page
Save the date: Make a list and check it twice
Posted 11/28/2011 at 10:43:11 AM by Scott McKenzie [staff member]
Welcome back!
Here’s hoping you had a great Thanksgiving holiday and are refreshed and ready for the next three weeks.
Winter
break starts Wednesday, Dec. 21 and I will assure you the days will
pass with the blink of an eye. The weeks ahead are filled with concerts,
the start of winter sports, open houses, board meetings and a number of
other activities that will make time fly.
This
is one of the busiest times of year and the hustle and bustle of
activity starts tomorrow with a public health community forum.
Individuals from the Central Ohio Bed Bug Task Force, the Franklin
County Board of Health and Rose Pest Solutions (the district’s pest
control vendor) will be on hand at Groveport Elementary to discuss the
district’s recent experience with bed bugs.
The
meeting, hosted by Principal Todd Boggs, begins at 7 p.m. in the
school’s auditorium. District officials will also share steps taken and
progress made in controlling the bugs which were discovered just before
break in two buildings.
I
share the meeting reminder with you as a pledge to keep you informed on
the developments of this matter. The welfare and safety of our students
is our top priority and I believe it is important you are aware of the
steps we take in creating and maintaining healthy environments.
Detailed
news and calendar information is located on our homepage. You can even subscribe to calendar updates
or download dates to your calendar!
So, make a list of what not to miss. Oh, and be sure to check it twice!!
A time of thanks
Posted 11/22/2011 at 8:30:04 AM by Scott McKenzie [staff member]
It’s the time of year we take inventory of our thanks and I am ready!
The
fall has been a busy one and I have a lot for which to be thankful.
Each year seems to be more lively than the last and this one seems to be
no different, especially with last week’s health alert.
And that is a great place to begin.
The
safety and welfare of our students and staff is always priority number
one. That certainly took center stage last week as we dealt with a case
of bed bugs in one of our buildings and then discovered them in a second
school.
The
collective efforts of our staff members never ceases to amaze me. It’s
really hard to capture in words how well our district comes together in
a time of need. Everyone understands their role in the greater mission
of taking care of the critical issue at hand.
So,
as we stop at nothing to make things right, we will continue our work
to survey our buildings. We are also committed to hosting a community
forum with public health experts to discuss the recent situation and
share the district’s progress in controlling bed bugs in our buildings.
We will meet at 7 p.m., next Tuesday, Nov. 29 in the Groveport
Elementary School Auditorium.
We
are truly fortunate to have such a supportive community... and that
brings me to my next “thank you.” Our community is the backbone of our
school district and we are grateful for all you do to make the Groveport
Madison Schools the “excellent” system it is.
That
excellence is also attributed to the tireless work put forth by our
staff each day. Teachers and non-teachers alike work in the best
interests of our students to be sure they make progress in their
academic growth.
And
speaking of students: The youngsters and young adults put smiles on our
faces each day, reminding us that we are shaping their future.
I
couldn’t be more thankful to have spent a career working with all those
fresh, open minds. You cannot imagine the joy of being a part of their
discovery!
I
am one thankful man, and so I share these words with you: Happy
Thanksgiving, Groveport Madison... may your celebration be as blessed as
mine!
Creating life-long learners
Posted 11/18/2011 at 1:01:16 PM by Scott McKenzie [staff member]
On-the-job training is important to the success of any position.
In
the field of education, we call it professional development and we
encourage everyone from teachers to board members to participate in
opportunities that will expand their knowledge.
We all believe it is our job to create life-long learners in school, at the head of the classroom and in the boardroom.
That’s
right, even those who serve the district in an elected capacity
participate just as teachers and non-teaching staff in online training,
team-building sessions, small learning communities, seminars and
conferences.
In
fact, our board members and a few staff members are fresh from one of
the biggest education conventions in the country. Held at the Greater Columbus
Convention Center, the Ohio School Boards Association has played host
for the past 56 years to a conference and trade show that is attended by
more than 10,000 school board members, district officials and
building-level professionals.
The Capital Conference attracts big names who deliver powerful messages in keynote addresses, too.
Dan
Rather -- a man who needs little introduction -- drew the conference to
a close this week as its signature speaker. Rather spent 24 years in
our living rooms as the anchor of The CBS Evening News and attributes his 60 years in journalism to a solid education.
The
OSBA conference also holds more than 100 breakout sessions and
informational seminars where participants can learn first-hand from
their educational peers. Those who attend spend time examining creative
solutions to issues that face school districts and talk about creating
new approaches to challenges facing public education.
Groveport Madison supports professional development as a whole because it:- Helps sharpen skills
- Develops new skills
- Builds fresh perspective
- Renews energy
Our focus is simple: We want to improve student achievement.
The
more we learn, the more we know, and the more we know, the better we
are able to prepare and advocate for our community’s children. I am
proud to say our district is committed as a whole to growing our
knowledge so we can build on our success.
Navigating a sea of discovery
Posted 11/14/2011 at 7:59:04 AM by Scott McKenzie [staff member]
Launching an Internet browser can be as exciting as a rocket blasting into space, especially for young minds.
A world of discovery awaits on an open screen. A few key strokes and a couple clicks of the mouse bring endless possibilities.
The
opportunity for learning is powerful, yet dangers lurk and temptations
can derail a search for information in an instant... even for the most
well-intentioned.
Officers
Don Stanko and Brian Correll from the Upper Arlington Police Division
will be on hand this Thursday to talk with Junior High parents about
safe navigation in the World Wide Web from 6-7:30 p.m. (in the
auditorium at Groveport Elementary). Highly respected for their Internet
safety expertise, the officers meet year-round with students and
parents throughout school districts and organizations in the Central
Ohio area.
The
Internet is fast-paced and distractions pop up at nearly every turn,
whether by the flashing lights of an advertisement, the honk of a horn
announcing the arrival of an email or the knock on the proverbial door
by someone who wants to chat or instant message. It can be hard for a
parent to keep up.
The
Internet can invite the trouble we fear. There are conversations that
should not take place, bullies who wait for prey and, unfortunately,
people who can hurt children. During their programs, Stanko and Correll
teach students how to avoid trouble and coach parents how to see the red
flags.
The
officers will provide caution to parents and explain that most young
users treat the ‘net differently than the real world because of its
apparent anonymous atmosphere. They will tell students how to curb their
behaviors and offer tools to parents to help build safety barriers
between their child and potential danger.
In fact, Officer Stanko explains in a video
he posted on YouTube that many online solicitations go unreported
because children do not know what to do with the information: They may
be embarrassed, uncomfortable and/or believe a parent may take away
their privileges.
In the safety video Stanko offers these tips:- Ensure the computer is in a central location
- Get to know online friends
- Be
a part of your child’s online experience by discussing what they are
doing and asking about the places they go and people they meet
- Institute
good rules in the beginning … let them know what it is OK do to and
what they are not permitted to do or sites they are not permitted to
visit
Social
media is obviously a hot topic... and will certainly be covered. As
adults, we know its merits, yet we also understand the distractions
sites such as such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter offer if abused.
Parents
and community members should also watch for information on an upcoming
districtwide Bullying and Cyber-Bullying Summit. The session, likely to
be held in January, will be hosted by the district and will feature
experts in the area of bullying prevention, as well as, school district
staff.
While
this week’s program is geared to students and parents at the Junior
High, the tips can be applied to children of all ages. In fact, I
encourage you to attend the session to help you travel the road ahead
and feel safe in front of the screen.
Issue 16: Our Appreciation
Posted 11/11/2011 at 1:16:49 PM by Scott McKenzie [staff member]
The Groveport Madison Schools suffered a difficult loss at the polls Tuesday night.
Issue 16 was not approved by voters.
A difficult defeat to accept, but we cannot dwell on the results.
Issue
16 would have allowed our district to remain in the black. We know we
will have to return to the ballot in 2012 to prevent a significant loss in revenue because our three-year emergency levy is set to expire.
With
that said, we need to take a step back to assess the results, seek
input from our community and determine the best way to communicate the
district’s needs. We must do all we can to continue to provide our
students with the excellent education they receive now. Our
administrative staff will work with GMLEA leadership and our Board to
plan our next steps to continue the support needed for our students and
to keep our organization on the path of continued excellence.
In
the meantime, I would like to thank the Board of Education, our
principals and our teachers, as well as many others who volunteered
their time on behalf of Issue 16. Campaign co-chairs Jeannie Henkel and
Terri Christensen deserve special thanks for their tireless efforts.
Groveport
Madison is blessed to have so many individuals who care a great deal
about children and young adults. I hope that this setback is viewed as
temporary and that your positive commitment will continue to build for
our excellent school district!
P.S.
In a note related to the caring nature of our district, I’m honored to
share with you that the students at the high school who have
made it their mission to raise money for a beloved teacher suffering
from a rare form of cancer have collected almost $2,000 for medical
costs! The fundraising walk organized by Ensign's Entourage kicks off tomorrow at 10
a.m. and I plan to run 10 miles around the track to contribute to the
cause. Please join us!
Issue 16: Big day ahead
Posted 11/7/2011 at 7:42:09 AM by Scott McKenzie [staff member]
Tomorrow is no ordinary Tuesday for the Groveport Madison Schools.
We have a big day ahead of us. It is one that will help tell chart the future of our district.
Tuesday
is Election Day and voters will head to the polls to decide on Issue
16. A renewal of an operating levy already in place, coupled with a
small increase, the ballot measure will cost the owner of a $100,000
home just $12 more dollars a month.
- Issue 16 is about sustaining the district’s excellence and continuing on our path of academic success.
- Issue 16 is about diminishing the need to reduce staff due to financial reasons.
- Issue 16 is about supporting families and putting an end to annual student academic fees.
- Issue 16 is about enabling the district to increase the use of technology.
Issue
16 is about maintaining exemplary educational programs such as all-day
everyday kindergarten, our literacy initiatives, special education
offerings and our advanced high school classes.
A lot is at stake in tomorrow’s election ... for our students, staff and community. Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. and more information is available on the campaign’s website at www.voteforissue16.com.
The future holds great opportunity. Please take the time to vote.
Straight from a Cruiser's mouth
Posted 11/3/2011 at 8:42:06 AM by Scott McKenzie [staff member]
Have you heard what they are saying?
Our elementary principals... about Issue 16, the operating levy the Board of Education placed on Tuesday’s ballot.
If you haven’t, see for yourself on the campaign’s website. They know what they are talking about.
Glendening
Principal Curt Brogan explains Issue 16 is a five-year renewal of a
levy already being collected, coupled with a small increase. The owner
of a $100,000 home would just pay an additional $12 a month, he says.
Groveport
Elementary Principal Todd Bogs boasts that Groveport Madison has the
second lowest millage rate in Franklin County at the current collection
rate of 31.02 mills.
“The
average millage that is collected [for the county] is just over 44
mills,” he said. “Even with the passage of this levy in November, we
will collect 35.75 mills, well below the county’s average.”
Jim
Sullivan, principal of Asbury Elementary, describes the Board’s
rationale for asking the community to consider the measure on next
week’s ballot: to help sustain the strides the district has made in
preparing students.
“For
the first time, the Groveport Madison Schools has attained the
Excellent designation on the state’s report card,” he said, “It is
through the collective efforts of students, parents, staff members,
community members that we have progressed from academic watch to this
excellent rating in just six years.”
“To
help us attain these gains, we have implemented all-day, everyday
kindergarten, adopted a new math series and provided additional staff
training,” he said.
Teachers
and staff have worked hard to move the district forward, and they have
made concessions to keep the district on the right financial path.
Dunloe
Elementary Principal Jane Curry spells out details of the new teachers’
contract the Board unanimously approved this summer, including this
year’s freeze on base salaries and elimination of step increases. She
explains the contributions teachers make toward insurance and the
increases they will make next year in addition to the base salary
freeze.
“We
appreciate the understanding and willingness of the teachers to make
sacrifices at this time,” she said. “This concession by the teachers
allows the district’s administration to use the money for the betterment
of our students. Teachers have continued to help students make
excellent progress and the district to receive an excellent rating.”
The
Board wants to maintain staffing and programs, explains Cyndi Toledo,
principal of Madison Elementary, and it has earmarked the following
funds to support the district’s progress:
- $260,000 will be set aside to maintain and improve aging facilities.
- $300,000 will go to increase technology.
- $240,000
will be used to purchase textbooks and also provide parents and
students the opportunity to participate in affordable online and
distance alternative learning.
- $150,000 will be set aside as a rainy day fund for emergencies which are not budgeted.
- $150,000
will be used to eliminate the yearly student academic fee for students
which will help support our families on limited budgets by absorbing the
costs of consumable materials and supplies.
Sedalia
Elementary principal Dorethia Copas says Issue 16 “keeps our excellent
school district moving in the right direction and diminishes the need to
reduce staff in order to maintain our exemplary educational programs.”
So,
there you have it ... straight from the mouths of a lot of Cruisers.
Issue 16 is an important step forward for Groveport Madison Schools. It
is a vote for excellence. Just take a listen!