Dec.
The main focus for our Virtual Schoolhouse “School Improvement” efforts are to make sure that school improvement team members, students and families understand the premises on which the school improvement planning process is based, and the direct connection between these processes and increasing student achievement. This is done by creating opportunities in Professional Development areas which includes Academic Strategies for staff and students that increase our ability to teach and learn using the “Teach Like A Champion” model.
Our Professional Development efforts are based on the premises that our student achievement will increase when:
· There has been an analysis of the needs of the students as revealed by the data.
· Efforts and resources are focused towards the most pressing student academic needs as shown by the data-driven needs assessment.
· The school improvement plan includes measurable long-term goals and short-term objectives as well as aligned strategies, activities, milestones, professional development plans, and budgets.
· There is regular monitoring of the plan to maintain the focus and ongoing modification of the plan as new data become available.
· Progress towards goals and objectives is recognized and celebrated.
Nov.
Nov -19th
We have ordered the Learning Links Assessment. It is now planned that we complete the assessment beginning November 26.
Thank you for updating the colorful displays of student work in the classrooms and in the hallways.
Our only review for the year for SIG ( School Improvement Grant) is scheduled for December 10, 2012. All the information for this needs to be uploaded to the Indistar system by November 30. Please continue to cooperate as we are gathering the necessary information for this review.
What do give thanks for?
We hope you enjoy time with your family over the five day Thanksgiving weekend!!!!
Dr. Ken Schmiesing
Nov -5th
Ogt’s wrapped up this week. Thanks for the nice effort from all those in involved, especially the organization from Mr. Anderson. This is the final week of 1st quarter. Please continue to encourage students to have a strong finish so that we carry over to the 2nd in a positive fashion. We have ordered the Learning Links Assessment. It is hoped that we can wrap up this assessment by the middle of the week. Thank you for the colorful displays of student works in the hallways. It looks like a wet week with hurricane winds. We’ll double check the Calamity List in case we experience flooding or power failure. With the Browns and Cavs winning this week we are off to a good start. We hope your week is a good one!
Dr. Ken Shmiesing
Dear All,
As we go into our second five day week in a long time, there is
a lot to accomplish. Our reading ambassadors will be
notifying you of the reading projects planned. Mr. Anderson is
planning a literacy evening for parents and will be asking for
your input as well. Focus should be on improving literacy and
math skills and the good news is that there will be funding
through Rttt for teacher incentives which will focus on
student growth and attendance. It is imperative for teachers
to continue to send me your exemplary lesson templates. We
have created a new walkthrough form which evaluators will
use as they visit your classroom.
–Vivian Garfunkel
Oct.
Dear All,
Last week, I talked about "new beginnings." Even though we are just at the beginning of a new school year, a lot has happened already! Our office and staff have been busy applying for several grants. Last Friday, in the nick of time, we submitted a grant to partner with Starting Points for 21st Century activities. Ms. Hicks showed her leadership abilities in grant writing and she, with the rest of the team, did an excellent job putting this grant together! Even though it is uncertain that we will be granted this partnership, the process granted us a wealth of experience, which we are putting to use already. Our application for before and after school day care will be submitted next week. One of the responsibilities when awarded grants is to report to staff, parents and stakeholders so please know that we will continue to report the news from awarded grants.
Vivian Garfunkel
Oh my! Have we made it halfway through the 1st Quarter already? October features the 3rd Grade OAA during the first week and the 11th and 12th Grade OGT at the end of the month. Thank you for the decorations and the colorful displays of student work in the classrooms and in the hallways. We did submit all our information for the SIG review September 24. Our Transformational Specialist said that we did an awesome job! Thanks for your continued efforts.
Enjoy the long weekends!
Dr. Ken Schmiesing
Sep.
Dear Staff,
The theme for our first weekly letter is "New Beginnings". I felt that it is appropriate for the following reasons:
1.Note our new format using constant contacts
2. It is the beginning of the school year
3. It is the beginning of many exciting projects and leadership opportunities for staff
4. It is the beginning of the New Year for our Jewish staff.
5. It is the beginning of a new column ABC's of Differentiation.
Our school year "began" without a hitch and that is thanks to our principal, Dr. S and his support staff. Though we did not receive the 21st Century grant, several staff members are involved in applying for other grant opportunities. Hopefully, it will be a new beginning for a partnership with Starting Point and after school child care among others.
Tutoring begins when we return to school on Wednesday. Teachers who are tutoring need to recruit students. The students must sign in daily. Please submit your tutoring logs at the end of each month. Please accompany the students you have for tutoring to the cafeteria at 3:15 for their snack. Tutoring sessions should conclude by 4:30. Please escort your students out the front door when your session has ended.
- Reggie Ray will be training at Virtual Schoolhouse on September 19 and 24. Sheldon Van Deventer will be training at Virtual Schoolhouse on September 25.
- The new entrance and exit for the K-3 Schoolhouse Academy students has worked out better than expected. Thanks for all your help and patience in making this happen.
- We welcome Dave Gilbert back to Virtual Schoolhouse! Dave will be heading up our Blended Learning centers. His first day will be September 24.
- Our new Transformational Specialist from ODE is Danielle Butler. We are working on her schedule. She is presently scheduled to visit on Friday mornings.
- Interim grades (Only D’s and F’s) need to be submitted to Mr. Groble by September 25. These progress reports are sent home with the students on Friday, September28.
- Cooler weather is upon us.
Enjoy the long weekend! (Can the Browns beat the Bengals?)
Dr. Ken Schmiesing
June
June 4,
Dear Staff,
Wonderful news to start your week! I just got an email stating that we were awarded the TIP Grant which is the Teacher Incentive Plan that supplements our RttT grant. I have not had a chance to read the guidelines but wanted to share this wonderful news with all of you. We did not receive as much money as we asked for, but every little bit helps. On Wednesday after we review the budget, we will let you know how the grant money will be allocated.
Professional Development..
Special ed staff and several content area teachers completed the e-literacy workshop, which was a total of 12 hours of face to face instruction and 6 hours of online follow-up. Staff enjoyed the opportunity to interact and collaborate with each other, and the skills learned were able to be applied immediately in the classroom. The special ed staff also completed an online 5 webinar sessions addressing behaviors of sped students. We are proud that our special ed staff is up to date with current academic and behavioral techniques.
- The High School Graduation program was wonderful! Thanks to everyone who helped in making this great.
- We have the Kindergarten and 8tg Grade Graduations coming up on Tuesday, at 10:00 and 1:30 respectively.
- Our Field Day for Grades K-9 will be held on Wednesday.
- Report cards are to go home with the students on Wednesday.
- Summer School begins Monday, June 11.
- Remind students that if they enroll by June 30, they receive a free uniform. Enrollment is on-line this year.
- This Thursday and Friday we do have 2Excel providing the in-service from 9:00 until 11:00. For those who have attended some of the Urban League sessions, we have been made aware of the great sessions they have experienced. We are looking forward to the workshops this Thursday and Friday.
Enjoy the beautiful weather!
Dr. Ken Schmiesing
May
May 11,
Happy Mother’s Day to all those who fill the loving role of being a mother.
We are definitely on that last push to the end of school. Only about 15 days remain with students in our classroom this spring.
Please join us for our upcoming Graduation ceremonies.
May 31 @ 6:30 High School Graduation
June 5 - Kindergarten Graduation
June 5 - 8th Grade Graduation
Enjoy the beautiful weather!
Dr. Ken Schmiesing
April.
April 23rd,
Helping students achieve is the cornerstone of our work as parents, teachers, and school employees. We're proud of our work and our students work as well. We especially want parents to come to the school, and more importantly, to come to their child's classroom, to see for themselves what we are doing. We've planned a number of events and activities to emphasize this team effort. The Science Fair is May 2, May 3 is our Portfolio Exhibition evening, The Geography Fair is going to be on May 15, and the Talent Show is going to be May 24. It is important that we encourage parents to become more involved and better informed about their child's progress.
We have been asking for your input on professional development ideas. Please take the time to think of initiatives to assess skills and interests and seek professional development activities/ lectures that matches your needs, or that will help you to identify training and development objectives. This way we will have your input on what you would like as and employee.
April 3rd,
Are you ready for Spring Break? We hope the weather cooperates so that you are able to enjoy your break. We wish safe travels to those who are travelling.
OAA’s begin the week of April 23, 2012. The Pep Rally is set for April 20 at 10:00.
Only 36 days of school remain after Spring Break. Rest up so that we are ready to finish strong!
Have a great break!
Dr. Ken Schmiesing
Mar.
Mar 15th,
Congratulations to all our academic award winners! I believe the count of center-based students was at 72 making the honor roll for the 2nd nine week grading period. Our home instruction students on the honor roll number 48 students. We had two students gain perfect attendance awards for the first semester; they are Feliciano Harris and David Harrison. Congratulations to all our award recipients.
OGT’s began Monday, March 12. Mr. Anderson shared the prizes students can earn by attending all the test sessions which they are required to attend. The cheerleading squad kicked off our pep assembly for the OGT’s. Their new uniforms looked sharp!
Dr. Ken Schmiesing
Mar 5th,
Our Junior High School and Ms. Suzanna Bear were featured on the Channel 5 News Sunday afternoon. This went along with the weatherman, Jason Nicholas, being at Virtual Schoolhouse last week. Way to go Suzanna!
OGT’s begin Monday, March 12.Continue to encourage our students to do their best on these tests and to attend their testing sessions, so that they can pass the tests and receive rewards for attending.
This Friday, March 9th is now an all-day staff in-service. It is now a non-student day.
Spring is less than a month away! Hope you didn’t have to deal with the snow this morning.
Dr. Ken Schmiesing
Feb.
Feb 27th,
OGT’s beginning Monday, March 12.Continue to encourage our students to do their best on these tests and to attend their testing sessions, so that they can pass the tests and receives rewards for attending.
March 9th is now an all-day staff in-service. It is now a non-student day.
Good luck to our basketball team playing at Lutheran East High School Saturday at 1:00.
Spring is less than a month away!
Dr. Ken Schmiesing
Feb 13th,
We welcome Penny Willis to our staff, as she is the classroom aid in Mrs. Glusauskas’ 2nd Grade class. Please help us welcome her to the Virtual Schoolhouse.
No snow days yet? I heard the groundhog saw his shadow in our sunny weather, so they say six more weeks of winter. Stay tuned, I believe colder weather is on tap for this coming weekend.
The basketball season has begun. Our games are played on Saturdays at Lutheran East High School. These are nice facilities. Good luck to Ms. Arra and Mr. Anderson with this year’s team.
We continue to hear good things from Ms. Green, who is visiting classrooms as a coach from the State Support Team and Cuyahoga County ESC. Thank you staff, for the extra work you have done to help our students.
President’s Day weekend is a long 4-day weekend, February 17 through 20.
Have a great week!
Dr. Ken Schmiesing
Feb 2nd,
6.1.9 Inappropriate or Banned Electronic Articles
• The School recognizes that many students travel to and from school on their own and for safety concerns need to be in contact with their parents/guardians. However, beepers, pagers, cellular phones, radios, tape, MP3, and CD players, electronic games, and/or similar devices is not to be used, seen or heard except for a clear emergency purpose or as part of an officially approved school course of instruction or activity. They disrupt classes and distract others from learning and their use/presence is prohibited. Violations of this section will result in confiscation of the electronic device by school staff and/or administration. Inappropriate use of electronic devices may result in further disciplinary action up to and including expulsion.
Although the School will do all that it can to ensure a safe storage place for such items, they are still considered inappropriate and banned electronic articles and the School will not be held responsible if the electronic article ends up missing. Parents/guardians who need to contact students at school are reminded to call the school office and a message will be given to your student.
o 1st Violation: Cell phone/electronic device will be confiscated and kept in the office until a parent or legal guardian come to retrieve the item and signs off on the cell phone/electronic device policy;
o 2nd Violation: Cell phone/electronic device will be confiscated and kept in the office for up to 5 days until a parent or legal guardian come to retrieve the item and signs off on this cell phone/electronic device policy; and
o 3rd Violation: Confiscation for no less than 30 days
o Inappropriate use of electronic devices may result in further disciplinary action up to and including expulsion
Jan.
January 27th,
We welcome Ilana Friedman, 4/5 Intervention Specialist and Lori Matty, HS Self Contained Intervention Specialist to our staff as we begin the 2nd Semester. Please help us to welcome these two individuals.
Report Cards are scheduled to go home with the students today.
This warm weather is not akin to our having snow days. Be patient, winter has a couple more months in store for us.
Have a great weekend!
Dr. Ken Schmiesing
January 6,
Welcome back. I hope you came back refreshed and ready for the new year. Just a quick reminder that our OAA/OGT kick off begins next week. Middle and high school staff participated in a training; How to Engage students in lessons to prepare for the OAA/OGT. Per our grant requirements we need to show students involved in lessons using higher order thinking skills. Staff participated in sample lessons and were introduced to the website ohiorc.org and reading quest. They will devote minimum one day per week doing a strand in their content area using lesson format we discussed. OGT success portal was presented by Mr. Groble. Elementary staff your turn will come.
