Through the Classroom Door: October 2011
Scott McKenzie's Blog Page
Biting back the nip in the air
Posted 10/31/2011 at 7:59:41 AM by Scott McKenzie [staff member]
Crisp
fall days may settle in with a warmth of nostalgia: vibrant colors of
the leaves crackling underfoot recall memories of seasons past.
Yet
the nip in the air will soon be strong enough to send many indoors to
hunker down for the winter. Cabin fever will set in for many folks and
children are likely to show signs of restlessness.
Yet
there is a cure! You can take charge of your family’s exercise routine
so it does not fall prey to shorter days and colder temperatures.
There
are many health benefits to staying active year round and the impact on
children is profound. There is a significant amount of research in our
field that suggests exercise is good food for the brain.
In addition to making a positive impact on student achievement, regular exercise helps combat childhood obesity, too. Children who are overweight tend to miss school 4 times
as much as normal weight kids, can face low-self esteem and develop
other serious health-related issues such as heart disease and diabetes.
Roughly 18 percent of children in Ohio are obese. The state’s Department of Health’s recently released “A Report on the Body Mass Index of Ohio’s Third Graders” indicates more than 30 percent of our children are classified as overweight or obese.
We can all benefit from staying fit. Exercise alleviates anxiety, improves concentration and helps fight disease. The “Healthy Habits” information on Athletics section of our website is a great, motivational resource for students and their families.
Or, the following sites are full of great ideas:So,
instead of balking at the cold temperatures, bite back at the nip and
head outside or modify your routine to exercise indoors. Don't let the
cold chase away your appetite for a walk, from a class at the Groveport
Rec Center or a romp in future snow.
P.S. You can get started by joining us for the Ensign Entourage walk-a-thon
at 10 a.m. Nov. 12. Students at Groveport Madison High School are
nearly half-way to their goal of raising $2,500 for a teacher fighting a
rare form of cancer.
Reply Posts
Open doors...
Posted 12/10/2011 at 9:16:33 AM by Scott McKenzie [staff member]
I have always believed that the school buildings in Groveport Madison belong to the community. If the gates to the football field and track were locked, then I will need to rectify that problem. Thank you for bringing this to my attention. --Scott
Locked Out!
Posted 12/7/2011 at 9:16:06 AM by [anonymous visitor]
I absolutely agree with the points made in this post. Regular exercise is a crucial element to living a "full" and balanced, life.
Having stated this, I want to address an issue that I have with the district. I have been a residence of Groveport for 20 years, and I have been blessed by my proximity to the Groveport High School. For years, I have been allowed access to the running track at the school. It has become a necessity for me. Recently, I noticed that the gates granting access to the track have been, intermittently, locked. This morning, I went to the high school for my run and, again, the gates were locked. Was this done by accident? Or will this become the policy of the school (district)?
I am concerned because the running track has afforded me a safe environment to get my daily exercise. I have been respectful of the grounds. I police the area- picking up trash, and reporting any abnormalities that I may see.
Please let me know if the community will continue to have access to the running track.
Thank You,
Darnel W.
Time will tell
Posted 10/27/2011 at 9:21:05 AM by Scott McKenzie [staff member]
Election Day is almost here.
Voters
in our district will be asked to consider Issue 16, an operating levy,
during the Nov. 8 General Election. If approved, the measure will keep
the district’s operations in the black.
Community and parent volunteers have been working endlessly to communicate the need for Issue 16.
Campaign chairwomen Jeannie Henkel and Terri Christensen are
spearheading the efforts that have involved hundreds of people and a
number of grassroots initiatives.
The goal: Educate voters about the facts.
I
cannot thank these leaders enough for their tireless contribution. They
have given hours upon hours of time that could have been spent with
their family and friends in the name of the Groveport Madison Schools.
Issue
16 asks voters to renew a levy currently on the books and approve an
additional 4.3 mills. The issue would cost the owner of a $100,000 home
an additional $12 a month, if approved.
Specifically, Issue 16 will:- Keep our “Excellent” district moving in the right direction.
- Eliminate the need to reduce staff due to financial reasons.
- Put an end to the Student Activity Fee that parents pay every year at the beginning of the school year.
- Increase the district's ability to purchase technology for students.
- Maintain
our exemplary educational programs like all-day, every-day
kindergarten, advanced high school classes, current level of special
education offerings and literacy programs.
Voting is a privilege. Please take the time to learn the facts and how Issue 16 will keep Groveport Madison moving like a well-oiled machine.
Traveling the open road
Posted 10/24/2011 at 11:12:15 AM by Scott McKenzie [staff member]
A
big yellow bus on the road says SCHOOL better than almost anything
around, even better than a crusty PB&J in a brown paper sack.
It’s hard to miss them and I will tell you that’s for good reason.
Officially
known as Federal Standard No. 595a or Color 13432, “National School Bus
Glossy Yellow” is one of the easiest colors of the spectrum to see at
dawn and dusk. The deep yellow is also a good contrast to the bold black
lettering emblazoned on a bus’ side.
National
School Bus Safety Week is observed each October so it’s a good time to
take pause and recognize the men and women who climb aboard these iconic
vehicles each day. Too often unsung heroes, the drivers who take the
wheel each morning and afternoon have a big job.
Millions
of children find their way to school each day on a school bus. In
Groveport Madison, we carry thousands of students each day along our 77
bus routes across the district’s 42 square miles.
The
yellow hue we know so well today made its debut as the official paint
color in 1939 after a national summit was convened to discuss
manufacturing standards. Safety of children became a driving force at
the conference as well and 44 rules and regulations addressing both
topics were ultimately adopted.
The
folks who operate our transportation facility, work hard day in and day
out to make sure our buses are in tip-top shape to haul our students to
and from school. They continually inspect these buses and study best
practices to make sure they are operating as safely and efficiently as
possible.
School
buses are updated and outfitted with new technology just as other
vehicles, but the “look” of them hasn’t changed as dramatically since
the early twentieth century.
Horse-drawn
compartments and long, open buggies with curtains at each seat were
replaced by steel-bodied vehicles. Very much like our companions on the
road today, these buses were complete with curved roofs and glass
windows that could be individually adjusted.
From
stem to stern, the color of the bus, its flashing lights and mechanical
red stop sign are universally known on our open roads. Easily
recognizable, there is no confusion to other cars about the precious
cargo inside.
And
in Groveport Madison, we’re eager to see each passenger upon arrival as
they bound down the deep steps into school.... often with that peanut
butter and jelly in a sack lunch.
Onward and Upward
Posted 10/21/2011 at 9:27:29 AM by Scott McKenzie [staff member]
It’s been quite a week.
There
is no way around the fact an unfortunate situation at Groveport Madison
High School brought a fair amount of media attention our way. A fight
inside the school was videotaped in front of a group of students and
then shared online.
This type of behavior is not tolerated and I have never minced words about that. The students involved violated our “Guide to Positive Student Behavior” and have been disciplined accordingly.
Principal Aric Thomas has shared an Open Letter
to that end, but also points to the greater scope and what we are doing
to foster a safe environment at the school. He shares the great strides
we have made as a system to reduce the number of incidents we have had.
We
are deeply committed to creating a safe place for our students to spend
each day. We will take cues from situations like this week’s to learn
from and become better at who we are and what we do.
I
am proud the high school staff and students are working together to
host a High School Safety Forum. Fellow students, parents and community
members are invited to attend the 6 p.m. conversation on Nov. 1 in the
school’s library to identify additional ways to keep improving.
It
does sadden me that the irresponsible actions of some can overshadow
the powerful contributions hundreds of others make ... every day.
We were rated an Excellent district by the state of Ohio and Treasurer, Tony Swartz just received an award
from the national Association of School Business Officials for
financial reporting. These things do not happen by accident. They happen
through diligence, dedication and a lot of hard, purposeful work.
As
I reflect on the week and put pen to paper to make a list of other
types of things that immediately come to mind, I am moved by the
generosity, kindness and ingenuity of our district.
Earlier
this week, I talked about the initiatives for Breast Cancer Awareness
Month and Make a Difference Day (see below). While timely, that doesn’t
scratch the surface of all of the philanthropic things our students are
organizing in schools throughout the district.
There is the story about “Ensign’s Entourage”
where students are raising money to help a beloved teacher who is
battling a very rare form of cancer (read more here). Then there are the
84 boxes of food that have already been donated this year to the
Groveport Madison Food Pantry. The high school hosts three blood drives a
year and during the holidays the National Honor Society will help up to
a dozen families with clothing, food and gifts. The list could go on
and on ...
Mr.
Thomas says, “We are one district with one purpose for every student,
every lesson, everyday! ...” and that “Being a Cruiser represents the
excellence of our past, our present and our future!”
My
list of “Good Deeds” is so much more representative of who we are than
what happened this week. What I’ve noted is the Groveport Madison that
will always challenge itself to be better tomorrow than it was today.
My list tells the story of a school district that is one for all and all for one. Please pass it along!
Paying it forward
Posted 10/17/2011 at 8:37:18 AM by Scott McKenzie [staff member]
October is all about building community and Groveport Madison is making a mark.
Breast
Cancer Awareness initiatives and Make a Difference Day activities have
encouraged students and staff in our community to “pay it forward” this
month.
Students
at Groveport Madison High School incorporated a “Pink Day” into Spirit
Week to raise funds for breast cancer research and members of the
National Honor Society are gathering donations for a raffle that will
contribute to the cause.
The Junior High raised more than $500 in a Teachers vs. Students basketball game to help fight breast cancer (the pictures say it all). Others have taken on the cause personally as fighters and survivors or in support of those in battle.
That’s not all.
The district has partnered with the City of Groveport and McGraw Hill Companies to help homeless children for Make a Difference Day.
The national initiative that drives millions of volunteers across the
country to help those in need is sponsored annually on the fourth
Saturday of October by USA WEEKEND Magazine.
Sadly, there are a number of local families who need our help but we are rallying in support with a Kids Helping Kids! drive. More than half of the children in the Groveport Madison Schools are economically disadvantaged.
“Kids
Helping Kids!” donations can be made in any building through Wednesday.
The items that make the biggest difference for homeless families are:- Shampoo/conditioner
- Toothpaste/toothbrushes
- Bar Soap/Lotions
- Brushes/Combs
- Twin Sheets/Blankets
- Gift Cards: Kroger, Walmart
- Bath/Kitchen Towels
- Laundry Powder
- General Cleaners
- Toilet paper
- New brooms/mops
- New Pillows
- New Toys
- Crib Sheets
- Diapers: sz. 4, 5, 6
- Baby Wipes
Collections,
which started at the beginning of the month, will be packed from 2-4
p.m. this Saturday afternoon at the high school. The items will go to
the local Homeless Families Foundation and YMCA Family Shelter.
The
ambition our students have displayed this month is impressive. The
impact is profound. The lessons learned will last a lifetime.
Humbled by heroes
Posted 10/13/2011 at 12:27:13 PM by Scott McKenzie [staff member]
It was the sign on a road that made me stop and think.
In big, bold letters at a Madison Township firehouse there it was: “National Fire Prevention Week.” A simple proclamation, it gave me a tremendous sense of humility.
I paused and thought about the people inside and one word came to mind: Hero. And then another: Selfless.
What couldn't be further from the truth? Firefighters are true heroes.
As I think about the importance of educating folks about fire safety and the support we give the initiative in our schools, I can only marvel at what these people do each day. It is truly humbling.
Whether in Madison Township, Central Ohio or on the other side of the country, thousands of men and women put their lives on the line for us, day-in and day-out, minute-by-minute.
Life can change in a flash and they have given an oath to be there for us, the perfect strangers we are, at any moment in time. There are very few professions where those have answered such a calling.
Firefighters are first responders in a time of crisis. Few questions asked, they are there to help.
When they are not dispatched to an emergency, they build safe and welcoming communities through all of their “behind the scenes” work. They inspect buildings, assess fire codes and teach children to adults how to prevent fires or best respond should one ignite.
Just this year, as school resumed from summer break, they were here, helping the district ensure safety in our buildings as we worked to upgrade our alarm systems in a few of our buildings. They collaborated with us to find the best solution to prevent harm until we could install the new systems.
Firefighters are our safeguards; the heroes we don’t thank often enough.
So, with this, I tip my hat. It’s not a shiny red helmet, but my appreciation is strong.
Time is of the essence
Posted 10/10/2011 at 8:04:40 AM by Scott McKenzie [staff member]
Ever feel like you just need a little more time... that the day could use just a few extra hours?
If so, you’re not alone.
Most of us would do well with more time, yet sometimes priorities can be shifted in times of frenzy. So, here I am offering a few tips to make one of Groveport Madison’s most important days this fall a little easier.
Nov. 8 is Election Day and the Board has placed a request for your support on the ballot. Issue 16 is a renewal of a measure approved in 2009, coupled with the request for an additional 4.73 mills.
There is plenty of time to be sure your vote counts on Nov. 8, so don't let a busy schedule get in your way.
Thanks to some “early voting” initiatives at the state level, ballots can be cast in a number of ways. Aside from reporting to assigned precincts on Nov. 8, voters can either request absentee ballots (without explanation of why going to the polls isn’t possible) or vote at the Board of Elections on Broad Street between now and Election Day.
These opportunities are just what someone grasping for more time needs! Regardless of how or where you cast your vote, please remember Issue 16 is a request for day-to-day needs.
Issue 16 will generate an additional $4.1 million a year to maintain existing programs and set in place the structure to continue our significant progress through classroom instruction and student support. Of those additional funds, $3 million will be used to make up the gap that the loss of state revenue caused at the end of last school year.
Specifically, Issue 16:
- Keeps our Excellent School District moving in the right direction!
- Eliminates the need to reduce staff due to financial reasons (like Canal Winchester and Pickerington did recently).
- Puts an end to the Student Activity Fee that parents pay every year at the beginning of the school year.
- Increases the district's ability to purchase computers for students.
- Protects homeowner property values by maintaining an Excellent School District!
Please take time to learn the facts about Issue 16. If passed, it would cost the owner of a $100,000 in property about $12 a month to help sustain our excellent school system.
Simply, put Groveport Madison needs you!
Building blocks and school
Posted 10/7/2011 at 12:13:13 PM by Scott McKenzie [staff member]
A quick search of Google News shows more than 1,700 stories about bullying in schools appeared in the media in the past 24 hours.
Just last night, the Fox 28 news team presented a story in its 10 o’clock hour that said 8 million students last year reported being taunted and teased at school. It’s being called an epidemic.
We take bullying very seriously in Groveport Madison Schools and meet it head on with with a “zero tolerance” policy. Our student handbook, "Guide to Positive Student Behavior," explicitly states bullying is prohibited on school property or at a school-sponsored event and is not condoned if it happens online or by texting.
All students sign the handbook in acknowledgment of the rules and are expected to conduct themselves with respect to others in an appropriate, nonviolent and non-disruptive manner. Those who disregard that direction will be disciplined.
When we talk about preparing students for the future we mean so much more than basic academics. We develop programs that shape minds for the future yet also build character for life-long, meaningful relationships.
Character education is an important part of Groveport Madison Schools. We work in partnership with the teacher, the parent and the student to help every child learn the knowledge and skills essential for success in school and life.
We talk a lot about providing a 21st century education, which means far more than providing instruction utilizing the latest-and-greatest technology. Committing to the principles of 21st century learning means we will create a system that promotes the development of a child academically, emotionally, socially and physically.
Students at Middle School North and the Junior High are involved in the Renaissance Program, a national initiative that was developed to assist schools in motivating and encouraging students by recognizing and rewarding them for their academic achievements, good attendance and positive behavior. Respect, responsibility and citizenship are three of the seven pillars of character that are expected.
Groveport Madison High School Principal Aric Thomas adopts a “character word of the month” and clearly defines behavior expectations. The most recent was “attitude” to which he tells students: “Attitude makes the difference and can positively affect your day, or negatively destroy it. I hope that your attitude is aligned to make you successful.“
Our elementary schools are no different.
A “Kids of Character” award is new this year to Glendening Elementary. Students and staff focus on a positive character trait each month in an effort to recognize positive, thoughtful behavior.
If we start young we can provide the right building blocks for our youth. If we nurture the development of meaningful relationships, we can make a difference and create a place where bullies can’t be found.
P.S. It is important to pay attention to the signs of bullying. If your child -- or you know of a child -- who exhibits some to these behaviors, please talk with the principal.
Warning signs include:
- Lower self-esteem
- Feelings of fear
- School phobia and absenteeism
- Nightmares and sleeplessness
- Depression and anxiety
- Thoughts of suicide
A yardstick of sorts
Posted 10/3/2011 at 12:57:13 PM by Scott McKenzie [staff member]
Students aren’t the only ones to receive report cards.
The district receives a report card each year from the Ohio Department of Education that measures student performance over a year’s time. Tomorrow marks the start of the proverbial marking period for Groveport Madison Schools.
Third graders across the district will take the reading section of the Ohio Achievement Assessments. Tuesday’s test is the first in a series of assessments we will administer this year.
We’re eager for a great start. The district received an “Excellent” from the state for the first time ever on the 2010-11 Local Report Card, which is the equivalent of an “A.”
Students in grades three through 12 will take statewide assessments across a number of subjects during their schooling: science, math, social studies, writing and reading. The rest of the tests are given in the spring, unless a high school student needs to retake a portion of the Ohio Graduation Test for his/her diploma requirements.
Third-graders are tested twice in reading; once in the fall and again in the spring when a math assessment is given. The reading test is given twice as part of Ohio’s Third Grade Guarantee which helps districts ensure students are reading at grade level by the end of the year.
Parents can support our efforts by sending children to school well rested and well fed. The tests are designed to measure how well a student has learned what’s been taught, so it’s also important to relieve anxiety because the tests aren’t used to measure intelligence or capability.
Likewise, the Ohio Achievement Assessments are a measurement of our ability to teach our students what they need to know. There is no need to “cram” during class (or at home) the few days before the test because we have built a solid foundation.
The assessments provide a yardstick by which we can measure our progress. The data we glean from results help paint a picture that shows where we need to make adjustments or improve our approach.
Our curriculum staff and teachers constantly evaluate our courses of study. Furthering student achievement by implementing best practices in teaching methods is critical to our success... and we are committed to do what it takes to get another A.
P.S. There is a wealth of information about the Ohio Achievement Assessments on ODE’s website. Practice tests and descriptions of the various sections of the tests help define expectations.