Through the Classroom Door: March 2011
Scott McKenzie's Blog Page
How do you spell relief?
Posted 3/31/2011 at 7:47:21 AM by Scott McKenzie [staff member]
Go ahead, run from your worries.
There is vast research that shows running relieves stress.
I just came across an article that reminded me of the science behind what I have always found to be true when I -- an avid runner -- hit the road. I almost always feel better when I have returned from a run if something has been weighing heavily on my mind.
Running -- and exercise in general -- decreases stress hormones, provides distraction, boosts energy, helps a person feel refreshed, improves overall health and even builds a resilience to stress.
Not only does exercise alleviate anxiety, it opens the mind and allows one to think more clearly. It also improves concentration and memory. So, naturally, in this field of mine of preparing students for the future, I see exercise as an opportunity to help increase performance in school.
In Groveport Madison, we have taken on a special focus this year of discussing the merits of exercise. Stress relief is indeed a benefit. Increased student performance is another. National research on student achievement show the fitter a child the better the performance on tests and exams.
Exercise also helps combat the growing severity of childhood obesity, which can topple achievement and a child’s potential. Children who are overweight can show absentee rates four times higher than normal-weight kids which means they miss out on important learning opportunities.
We understand our responsibility to help our youth take advantage of what lies before them.
Our district and Board of Education is committed to sharing information with our students and families that might help them live healthier lifestyles. We can educate children about developing good exercise and eating habits by incorporating these kinds of discussions in classrooms and providing healthier options in the meals we serve.
We can also model healthy habits ... and hit the gym, or, like me, take to the road.
So, go ahead, run. Run as fast as you can from your troubles. You won’t be able to hide, but you can let the exercise set your mind at ease while you serve as a positive role model.
The competitive edge
Posted 3/28/2011 at 8:20:21 PM by Chris Bowser [staff member]
A little bit of competitive spirit goes a long way.
Our students at Sedalia Elementary showed their grit and
came out big victors.
They won a Radio Disney Dance Party by being among the top
20 schools in Ohio to participate in the “Get Active Get Fit!” fitness challenge
sponsored by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. More than 180 schools across
the state were involved.
Students were required to “get active and fit” for at least
15 minutes every day for a minimum of 40 of the 55 days of the challenge. They
logged their activity, which could include anything at home or school from
playing soccer to jumping rope to walking the dog. The students certainly embraced
the understanding of endless possibilities for fun!
The dance party earlier this month was a fantastic reward
for the students; they felt like Superstars! The school also won a $500 gym
equipment package for being among the top five schools to sign up first for the
competition.
In my eyes, the true prize was found in the effort our kids
put forth. Throughout the challenge, the students learned how to work
collectively as a team toward a common goal ... and they also worked a little
muscle.
I am always eager to see opportunities encouraging physical
activity. The Board of Education has worked hard this year to focus on health,
fitness and nutrition. Helping our students understand the importance of
general wellness is vital to future healthy bodies and healthy minds.
My hat goes off to Principal Dee Copas, gym teacher Dave
Anthony and the rest of the staff at Sedalia for setting such a positive
example for their students and families. They have shared such a powerful
lesson by encouraging healthy and active lifestyles.
Job well done. That is reason to dance!
It's here
Posted 3/24/2011 at 10:56:03 AM by Chris Bowser [staff member]
Spring has sprung...
Officially, that is.
According to the Farmer's Almanac, this Sunday was the first
day of spring. We've adjusted to daylight savings time and are celebrating
longer days. The weather is beginning to turn and there is usually a little
more energy in the air.
Up next: Spring Fever, a
seasonal fling that brings with it advantages and disadvantages.
While Spring Break is not for
another month, a lot of us will be itching to spend more time outdoors. That's
a good thing.
Attention spans can be tested
though and that does have its challenges. The spring testing season is upon us
in full force.
High school students took the
Ohio Graduation Tests a week ago and the Ohio Achievement Assessments are right
around the corner the first week of May for students in grades 3-8. That means
focus in school needs to be at full attention.
The tests are administered to
show a student's knowledge and depth of understanding. The tests are aligned
with Ohio’s academic content standards by grade level.
At this point in the year, we
have to help students keep their strength to build upon the accomplishments
made.
Our teachers and aides have
plenty in their "warehouses" to keep students busy and engaged. We
work hard to develop curriculum and lesson plans that keep the minds of our
students active.
Our staff is trained in
developing techniques to adjust their approach and/or materials to meet varying
needs, whether circumstantial like Spring Fever or longer-term with students
who need a modified plan of attack.
Our goal is to make learning
enjoyable -- even when the spring thaw feels like a gravitational pull away
from school.
**Side note: If a child seems
restless at home, don't let them plop in front of a television for what might
seem like a peace-keeping solution, send them outdoors to burn off pent-up
energy. Encourage as much time outside as possible. Keeping the TV off at home
actually increases the attention span at school.
Preventative Measures
Posted 3/21/2011 at 10:00:28 AM by Chris Bowser [staff member]
We all know what the weather
experts say about March: In like a lion, out like a lamb.
In a month where weather can
change on a dime, it's fitting we are in the midst in Ohio of Severe Weather
Awareness Week. As a result, we will exercise tornado drills in our buildings
to be sure we are best prepared should we experience such a threat.
Tornadoes can strike at
anytime. Data from the Franklin County Emergency Management and Homeland
Security office show there have been 27 tornadoes in the county since 1950.
Student safety is paramount.
Safety drills of all kinds are designed help us in the case of a real event.
We take special measure to
practice drills to be sure we are prepared should disaster strike. For example,
all of our buildings have participated in lockdowns for readiness in the event
of an intruder and we conduct fire drills once a month in all schools.
Our leadership staff and
other key members have been trained, as required by law, with various response
techniques based on the National Incident Management System guidelines. NIMS
is a comprehensive approach to incident management, with the theory that if we
all speak the same language (how we react) we eliminate as much confusion as
possible in a crisis situation.
Specifically, it is intended
to:
- Be applicable
across a full spectrum of potential incidents, hazards, and impacts, regardless
of size, location or complexity.
- Improve
coordination and cooperation between public and private entities in a variety
of incident management activities.
- Provide a common
standard for overall incident management.
We take our charge of caring
for our community's children seriously. We are quite committed to making sure
we are at the ready to protect when a sense of calm can change at a moment's
notice.
Shifting through the numbers
Posted 3/17/2011 at 12:18:37 PM by Scott McKenzie [staff member]
Gov. Kasich released his biennial budget yesterday and the pundits are analyzing the impact of the sweeping proposal.
The document is mammoth, submitted at more than 800 pages.
The specific impact to Groveport Madison Schools is not yet clear. Many of the budget calculations need some type of explanation or clarification.
The budget first goes to the House then will make its way to the Ohio Senate. It will be debated by the Assembly with pieces and parts removed and others added. It will not be a short process. The two-year plan is not intended to go into effect until July and will go though various iterations until it is signed into law.
Kasich has charged himself with the responsibility of eliminating the state’s $8-billion deficit. The biggest changes will be seen by local governments, education and health-care providers.
It seems that the suggested reductions for school districts are deeper than they first appeared, though not as big as some projected. The overall projection of the amount that the state will fund our district next year, even though not completely clear, looks much lower than last year’s.
I will keep you informed as we continue to work through the numbers, and work to balance our budget once specifics are known. Regardless of the final amount of the next 2-year budget from the state, we will make decisions based on the best interests of our students.
Testing season rolls in
Posted 3/14/2011 at 7:56:55 AM by Scott McKenzie [staff member]
Today marks the start of some of the most important tests our students will take in high school.
The spring administration of the Ohio Graduation Tests is in full bloom with a different subject area offered every day this week. Students must pass all five portions of the OGT in order to earn their diploma.
Students take the tests for the first time in the spring of their sophomore year. Those who do not pass all sections in 10th grade have additional opportunities every summer and fall through their senior year to retake portions of the test.
The high school will run on a modified bell schedule this week with testing in the following order:
- Monday - reading
- Tuesday - math
- Wednesday - writing
- Thursday - science
- Friday - social studies
The Ohio Graduation Tests help ensure students develop the knowledge and skills they need to be successful in the work force and further schooling. The tests are aligned with Ohio’s academic content standards. (State tests are offered at all levels. The spring administration of the Ohio Achievement Tests, for students in grades 3 through 8, starts the first week of May.)
The Ohio Department of Education offers a wealth of information on a special OGT section of its website that includes a handy guide with more strategies and sample questions for students and parents.
Students understand the importance of the test. Many have diligently taken OGT prep courses and/or review classes and are ready for the week ahead.
With that said, here are some tips to help ease the anxiety at home.
General approach for parents
- Be sure your children get a good night sleep and plenty of rest.
- Make certain they eat breakfast each morning.
- Boost confidence by praising past academic accomplishments and offer encouragement.
Specific testing strategies for students
- Remember the OGT has three kinds of questions: multiple-choice, short answer and extended response.
- Preview the test to help budget time. You will have up to two and a half hours to answer the questions.
- Read the directions and entire question. Be sure to clearly understand what the question is asking for; try to answer the question without looking at the choices, then choose the answer that matches best.
- Circle key words in questions, passages and charts to help guide responses.
- Answer all questions.
- Use all the time given. If there is time left at the end of the test, be sure to proofread and correct answers. However, don’t keep changing a response; usually the first choice is the right choice.
Whether the OGT or an achievement test later this year, the resulting scores are one of the yardsticks by which our district is measured. Our students have shown marked success. While there is always room for improvement, the district earned an “effective” rating on the most recent Local Report Card, which is likened to a “B.”
My thanks go to all of the teachers and parents who have worked hard to support the educational endeavors of our students. As our high schoolers forge ahead this week, we know they have been armed with the best preparation.
Removing a hand from the cookie jar?
Posted 3/10/2011 at 6:48:34 AM by Scott McKenzie [staff member]
A wise person once said, "you are what you eat."
Translated, if you are a healthful eater, you likely feel good about yourself and have a fair amount of energy. If you feel sluggish a good deal of the time and are often tired, your diet may be the culprit.
In the spirit of National Nutrition Month, I challenge you to assess your intake to determine if it's part to blame for your slow down. If you eat right and model good habits, your children will follow in your footsteps.
With childhood obesity rising in epic proportion, we're facing an epidemic. It's up to us -- the adults -- to help fix the problem. In schools, we can help educate children about healthy habits, incorporating discussions in classrooms and lesson plans.
We also make a concerted effort to ensure the district’s food service provider (currently Chartwells) offers balanced meals and healthy choices to students for breakfast and lunch. And, we are sure to follow National School Lunch Program guidelines.
At home, you can encourage your children to share what they’ve learned at school, and help them apply their knowledge to their lifestyles.
Connecting health back to school is in the numbers. Data show in general, the fitter a child the better the performance on tests and exams. Concentration levels and attention span also tend to be better. Children who are overweight children tend to miss school 4 times as much as normal weight kids.
Chartwells and the USDA list several links on their websites to get you started in changing habits:
Involve your children in menu planning. Ask them to pick a dinner one night a week and give them parameters for the meal. Children who are involved in meal planning are more likely to have a greater appreciation of what's served. Many will even become more adventuresome if they have a hand in what's happening.
In this case, it might be a benefit to have too many cooks in the kitchen.
Working together in lock-step
Posted 3/7/2011 at 5:25:17 PM by Scott McKenzie [staff member]
Hand-in-hand, step-by-step, the education of a child is a collaborative effort.
Teachers and students work together in classrooms and parents and children work together at home. Faculty work in partnership at the same time at various levels behind the scenes to develop lesson plans and courses of study.
There are also the quiet providers, those who help because they know there is a need. These mentors give their time without expectation of reward. Some are adults while others are older students.
Regardless of the age, they provide guidance and support, hoping to make a difference. Often unsung heroes, they understand accomplishments may come in bits and pieces, not always in significant strides. The circumstances upon which their help is needed varies. Sometimes the students need more help with class work, others might need an open ear, or someone for moral support.
Regardless of the need, the impact can be powerful. That's the case this year with a Groveport Elementary kindergartner Tre Valentine and his "buddy" from the high school. In this instance, Tre’s teacher noticed earlier this year he seemed despondent and withdrawn.
After meeting with Tre’s mother and sharing concerns, his teachers learned his father had been hospitalized for a severe illness and unable to speak. Upon the discovery, Tre was partnered with the high school mentor. Since their relationship began, Tre’s performance in school has improved dramatically and his teachers report he is doing remarkably well.
Tre’s buddy isn’t the only mentor at Groveport Elementary. The guidance counselors at the high school have successfully partnered several students with younger students, and parents and community members work with students throughout the district.
The benefits mentors provide are not always as immediately tangible as exhibited by our friend Tre at Groveport Elementary, but the impact is typically profound for the mentee, school or district and adult. Some examples are:
- Development and strengthening of meaningful relationships
- Display of commitment, leadership and positive role modeling
- Rise in student attendance, performance and achievement
- Fostering of school pride
- Increase involvement by community members
Hand-in-hand, step-by-step a mentor provides more than most children with whom they work know they need. Whether the mentor is an older student or beyond school days of their own, the partnership created is the reward -- and that is worth shouting from the rooftops.
Moving forward
Posted 3/3/2011 at 11:19:07 AM by Scott McKenzie [staff member]
The Board of Education and Groveport Madison Local Education Association reached an agreement this week on a contract for the district’s teachers.
The road traveled was longer than expected, but delivers progress. The former contract expired on June 30, 2010. The new contract became effective Tuesday and runs through the last day of June of this year.
Both parties will return to the table shortly to begin talks on a successor contract.
The Board and GMLEA leadership agreed to a shorter contract at this point because of the uncertainty at the state level regarding school financing.
I’m sure, that all involved agree the many issues percolating at the state level that will impact the fiscal status and operations of school districts will need to be sorted out before substantial discussions can begin.
Gov. John Kasich has expressed a desire to make significant cuts to education to help stave an $8-billion deficit. As a result, schools are expected to see a loss in funding anywhere from 10-20 percent. (See more about how that might impact Groveport Madison in my blog entry titled, “A bitter pill...")
Senate Bill 5, which yesterday passed the Senate and now goes on to the House for vote, has also muddied the picture. It suggests, in part, an overhaul of bargaining practices and a minimum contribution of 20 percent to health insurance by public employees.
The contract was approved unanimously by the Board on Monday and ratified last week by the GMLEA. (The teacher’s association is made up of 392 teachers, librarians, school nurses and others who are required by law to hold a license or professional certificate.)
Through the agreement, members will receive a 1.25 percent pay increase on base salary. Members will also make larger contributions to their health insurance through an increase in premium costs and changes to the insurance plan’s design.
Negotiations for a new contract will begin around April.
Reply Posts
Dear Baseball Program
Posted 3/31/2011 at 10:46:31 AM by Scott McKenzie [staff member]
Thank you for your comment. I am sorry you are frustrated by the process. I would be happy to discuss the situation with you. Please feel free to call my office as I am not certain how to contact you. Or, send me an email with your name and I will discuss with the athletic director. Thanks -- Scott
Baseball Program
Posted 3/29/2011 at 10:44:02 AM by [anonymous visitor]
Just to let you know, your baseball program at the High School is very lacking in the coaching position! I have a son who is a senior this year & was cut for no good reason. I will be contacting the OHSAA about this. You can contact Mike George for more info!