Dear Kent Community Members,

 At this time of year, the Ohio tests for students in grades 3 through 10 are our main focus. Specifically, the Ohio Achievement Assessments (OAA) are administered to elementary and middle school students in grades 3 through 8, and the Ohio Graduation Test (OGT) is administered to high school students in grade 10, along with grades 11 and 12 for students who have not passed all sections.

 The OGT was taken recently by Roosevelt students during the week of March 7-11, this year, and the make-ups were administered during the week of March 14-18. Older students who did not pass all sections of the OGT in tenth grade must continue to take particular subtests.

 In order to provide the best possible testing environment for our Roosevelt students, we continued the practice of “late starts” during the week of March 7-11. Specifically, all 10th graders arrived all week at 7:35 AM and completed each subtest by 10:15 AM. On those days, our first regular period began at 10: 20 AM for all students who were not taking the test.

 To provide the best possible testing environment, we used regular classrooms instead of large-group rooms, where a large number of students may affect the concentration of individual students. Small class size and a total building focus on early-morning testing before other students arrive are two of the strategies we have used to maximize our test results.

 The OAA exams are scheduled at the end of April this year. Third-grade students through eighth-grade will take their tests from April 25 through May 5. Final make-ups for these students occur between May 6 and 12.

 As all parents know, plenty of sleep and a good breakfast and lunch are required for the development of children. Imagine how equally important it is to provide these requirements during our weeks of testing. Please help your children to perform better by making sure that they get to bed at a reasonable hour for their age!

 Later in the summer, the Kent City Schools will be reporting the OAA and OGT test results. We expect and hope for excellent results, and we appreciate your help in focusing the students by giving them plenty of rest and nutrition.

 In closing, thank you for all of the support that you give Kent children and the schools. Without the help of our parents, we could not be as successful as we are.

 Sincerely,

 Dr. Joe Giancola
Superintendent

Success of our staff and students is one of the most important things that we celebrate in Kent Schools. This month we applaud several staff members whose work will have great impact on our students.

First, three Kent elementary teachers, Robyn Elia, Christine Lowden, and Kristin Peel won a free SMART Slate for their Walls students. Their contest entry in Smart Ed’s technology competition was a Free-Tech Shout-Out video that they entered while they attended a recent Smart Ed conference. To win, they created a “jingle” about technology in education. Congratulations, Robyn, Christine, and Kristin—your students will enjoy both the new free hardware and your “Shout-Out Video”!

Second, our new Instrumental Music Director, Dr. John Roebke, will be honored by Hastings College in Nebraska. Dr. Roebke graduated from there in 1989, but he recently received a special recognition by his Alma Mater. When one of his past band students wrote an essay about Dr. Roebke, Hastings College made the decision to award its first Outstanding Teacher Award to John, who will be receiving his award on May 21, 2011. Hastings College will be giving a $1,000 cash award to Roosevelt High School in John’s name, and also will be awarding John with a separate award and travel expenses.

Many of you know by now that Dr. Roebke teaches instrumental music in all of Kent’s buildings, to include grades five through twelve. When asked about the award, John said, “I feel honored to receive this award. It is very exciting and, at the same time, very humbling that a student thought so much of me after four years of college that he would think of me as his most influential teacher.” By the way, John received his doctorate in music from Kent State University in 2005. Congratulations, Dr. Roebke!

These examples are just the proverbial “tip of the iceberg” of successes in Kent Schools. We congratulate these teachers, and we also give full credit to many more Kent students and teachers whose projects are equally as exciting and exemplary.

On a different note, as February ended, we had used five (5) snow days. At the time of this writing, it is possible that the new Ohio legislature will react to Ohio’s severe winter and return the number to five (5) allowable snow days. So, we will not plan any “make-up” days until we see the results of House Bill (HB) 36 passing or not passing.

For many details about our school year, please feel free to navigate our excellent Web site at www.kentschools.net for all of the information you need about your children’s programs and school buildings. At the same time, I invite any parent or community member to call me (330-676-7610) with questions, comments, or concerns.

Sincerely,

Dr. Joe Giancola

Superintendent

Success of our students and staff members is one of the most important things that we celebrate in Kent Schools. In this month’s “UPDATE,” I would like to take this opportunity to compliment some outstanding students and staff members. Read More…

You may recall that exactly one year ago we sent home to you our “FOCUS” newsletter issue dated Winter, 2010. This issue emphasized that we were “Stretching Our Bottom Line!” with cost-savings measures. Among the savings discussed were:

1.     Base salary freezes for all employees in 2010-2011 (our current school year),
2.     “Across the board” reductions of 5% in all equipment and supply accounts,
3.     Energy conservation program accumulating savings of $1.3 million in 6 years,
4.     Consolidating and reducing some staff positions, and
5.     Changing health care networks to achieve cost savings for employees and the district.

We were able to achieve over $1 million in savings per year for the next five years. These savings were achieved while we maintained the small class sizes that parents expect from us.

Our recent October Community Survey reported that 67.8% of all community members believe that Kent Schools are fiscally responsible with your tax dollars. You may find many more survey results posted on our district Web site at: www.kentschools.net.

Today, I must write you about my continued concern for important financial matters in the Kent Schools. We will continue to work hard in the coming months to find more cost savings in every aspect of our operations.

My concern is based on recent reports from our Governor-Elect John Kasich, who is anticipating the need to reduce Ohio’s budget by 10% to 20% in all departments, including education. I asked our Treasurer Debbie Krutz to estimate what an average figure like 15% would mean if we are reduced that much in state aid. She estimated an annual loss of more than $1.8 million in Kent Schools’ revenues if the percent chosen by the Governor and the state legislature is 15%. As you can see, any reductions to state funding impact Kent’s school budget significantly. In the coming months, our entire staff will be engaging in a series of cost-savings meetings to further trim the district’s operational costs.

During these challenging economic times, I want to offer some information that could help our Kent families. At any time during the school year, you may apply for our federal program of Free or Reduced-Price meal benefits, which include both breakfast and lunch. Simply call your building principal or secretary for the necessary form to complete. All information will be kept strictly confidential, and your child’s use of the program is not recognizable by others because of our new, computerized “Point-of-Sale” system, called POS. The POS system, used by all of our cafeteria cashiers, protects your child’s confidential information.

In closing, as the nation and Ohio continue to move delicately through fragile economic times, I am hopeful that our students, parents, and school district will endure these times. By finding cost savings in our budget, the Kent Schools will do everything possible to preserve the district’s and community’s financial stability.

Sincerely,

Dr. Joe Giancola
Superintendent

December, 2010

Dear Kent Community Members,

The month of December is packed with many school activities, and a letter like this one has insufficient space for a complete list. Generally, I would like to point you in the direction of our 2010-2011 School Calendar for many scheduled events such as concerts, programs, and meetings. Also, you may check our district Web site at www.kentschools.net for more information.

Speaking of our Web site, I want to inform you of a new feature article posted at the top of our home page. The 2010 October Survey results have now been completed! These results are posted at www.kentschools.net in the following manner:

• Kent State’s random-sample community survey results (comprised of:)

• Percents of community members who responded to survey questions in one way or another,
• Verbatim comments made by survey participants responding to questions,

and

• Kent City Schools’ parent survey, sent home with your children (comprised of:)

• Percents of parents who responded to survey questions in one way or another.

The Kent Board of Education heard about both sets of results at its November board meeting. Interestingly, our main Kent State researcher was Dr. Pam Freeman, who also is a Kent parent. She worked with a research team of Kent graduate students to conduct a phone survey of 400 randomly selected community members. On the other hand, our parent survey was conducted in October through my office by a paper-and-pencil survey. I received 342 returned surveys from our parents.

By the way, another form of input about our Kent Schools came from parents at PTO meetings that I attended in September and October. I also met with other parents this past fall season, to include the 2008 Strategic Steering Committee, the Rough Rider All-Sports Boosters, and Instrumental Music Boosters. The feedback from parents was very informative, and I now have shared all of it with the Kent Board of Education.

The main purpose of our October Survey was to find out how our parents and community feel about the Kent Schools. Do you have questions about any of these surveys? Please call my office. Also, if you are not connected online at home, I could make sure that you receive a hard copy of the October Survey results.

I began this letter with an invitation to use your copy of the 2010-2011 School Calendar to plan your weeks during the upcoming busy holidays. Feel free to call my office (330-676-7610) if you need a replacement copy.

Happy Holidays!

Dr. Joe Giancola

Superintendent

Dear Kent Community Members,

It’s hard to believe that fall weather has turned to colder and snowy conditions. With the anticipation of changing temperatures, I want to inform you of the conditions we examine for school closings in the event of inclement weather or any other calamity sanctioned by Ohio law.

We base our decisions on the simple premise of “safety first” for your children–our students. Three conditions fly in the face of that principle. First, when temperatures drop into the teens and single digits, we watch the wind chill factor, which often carries single-digit temperatures into negative degrees. Second, when heavy snows create unsafe conditions for bus travel, Jim Soyars, our Director of Business Services, travels the roads in the very early morning hours to determine driving conditions. He also contacts a variety of sources, such as the Kent Police Department, Ohio Highway Patrol, the Internet, and so on, in order to assist me with the final decision. Third, we look at the depth of snow or extent of ice on city sidewalks. Several feet of snow can make it impossible for the little legs of first and second graders to forge a path from home to school.

If these factors or any combination of them occur, I likely will call-off schools by sending a parent broadcast by phone to all households. The range of times of this decision could be any time between the previous evening and the next morning before 6:30 AM, when the school busses start to roll. You also may consult with your local television news stations. As always, I approve as an “excused absence” any parent’s decision to keep a child at home on days that schools remain open when a parent disagrees with my decision. Please call my office (330-676-7610) if you have questions.

Sincerely,

Dr. Joe Giancola

Superintendent

 Dear Kent Parents and Community Members,

 As you know by now, we have had a very successful opening of school. Our students and staff met together on Wednesday, August 25, for the first day of school, and both groups seemed fully prepared to meet each other and to begin the 2010-2011 school year. I thank you all for everything you did to launch another school year with perfection.

 On the other hand, I must announce some very sad news. Davey Head Custodian Bill Milton passed away suddenly on the day before school started, August 24, 2010. Bill was a fine man who gave nine years of his life to the Kent Schools. Even though he began his work at Stanton Middle School, he ended his work with us as Davey Head Custodian. Over the years, he earned the respect of everyone around him, including our students, all staff members, and parents. In addition, his attendance and punctuality were excellent. He had a few interruptions due to sickness, but he would come right back to his job as soon as he became well.

 Bill always had a nice thing to say to others. He never turned the conversation toward himself. He was a humble person with no desire to draw attention. His hard work led to a promotion as Head Custodian after only five years. He certainly deserved the recognition.

 We now have experienced three great losses in the Kent Schools family of school employees over the past calendar year. Central Head Custodian Kevin McFarland and Roosevelt Teacher Greg Starc passed away previously in 2010. Like Kevin and Greg, Bill Milton had a great impact on those around him. Not one day at Davey will pass without the staff and students thinking about Bill.

 For many details about our upcoming school year, please feel free to navigate our excellent Web site at www.kentschools.net for all of the information you need about your children’s programs and school buildings. In Kent Schools, we have made a strong commitment to technology as a tool for communicating with our parents and for teaching our students. At the same time, I invite any parent or community member to call me (330-676-7610) with questions, comments, or concerns.

 Have a great school year,

 Dr. Joe Giancola

Superintendent

With the beginning of a new school year comes an excitement about what awaits our students in the classrooms. I extend my heartiest words of welcome to each and every student, family, and staff member in Kent! This year, take advantage of every opportunity we offer to visit us!

For many details about the start of our new school year, please feel free to navigate our excellent Web site at www.kentschools.net for all of the information you need about your children’s programs and school buildings. In Kent Schools, we have made a strong commitment to technology as a tool for communicating with our parents and for teaching our students.

Traditionally, I introduce new Kent administrators in this August/September letter. We welcome the following new administrators to Kent. First, I would like to introduce Abbey Bolton, who has been appointed to the position of Davey Elementary School Principal. Prior to coming to Kent, Abbey served as an elementary principal in the Southeast Local Schools and assistant principal in the Streetsboro City Schools, both districts of Portage County. She currently is working on her doctorate in educational administration at Kent State University.

Next, I welcome to Kent Justin Gates, the new Principal at Stanton Middle School. You might call this appointment a “homecoming” for him, as he once served our school district as an intervention specialist for Stanton and Davey students with special needs. Most recently, Justin was the middle school principal and special education coordinator for the Barberton City Schools. Interestingly, Justin’s wife, Carrie Gates, also is a teacher and speech pathologist at Stanton Middle School and Davey Elementary School. Justin currently is working on his doctorate in educational administration at Kent State.

Finally, I welcome to the board office Tom Larkin, new Assistant Superintendent and Personnel Director for the Kent Schools. Of course, those who know Tom in the community recognize his past work for us as Stanton Middle School Principal and Roosevelt High School Assistant Principal. Interestingly, Tom’s wife, Amy Larkin, is a math teacher at Roosevelt High School. Tom currently is working on his doctorate in educational administration at Kent State.

On a different note, at our convocation for all staff on August 23, 2010, we acknowledge Kevin J. McFarland, our 2010 recipient of the Dr. Emilio D. Ferrara Community Service Award. Previously, Kevin and his family were honored by the Kent Board of Education at its May regular meeting. Kevin’s posthumous award recognizes his community service and 10 years of work as a custodian for Kent Schools. Kevin died suddenly this past school year, and his involvement in the community will be sadly missed.

In this letter, I also honor Greg Starc, a Roosevelt teacher of students with special needs, who suddenly passed away this summer. Greg’s 27 years of commitment to Kent children will be sadly missed. There is a part of Kent Schools that will never be the same without him. We always will remember both Greg and Kevin. Their legacy lives on in the students they served.

Have a great school year,

Dr. Joe Giancola
Superintendent

 First, before I announce an important invitation for you to consider, I want to compliment the Portage County Health District for its excellent work in our schools on December 8th and 9th. If you scroll down to the bottom of this Web site’s home page, you will find my detailed report on how exceptionally well our school vaccination clinics were conducted by County personnel. We truly are blessed in Portage County to have such an excellent resource for public health issues.

Second, I want to invite you to offer me feedback on the following question related to winter school closings:

“Would a two-hour delayed start instead of a full-day of a snow day work with your busy home and work schedules?”

I ask this question because there are many times that the roads are not clear enough at 6:30 AM when our school busses start rolling. Yet, within about two hours, the city and township road crews often have cleared the roads sufficiently such that we are able to operate our transportation system and regular school schedule.

If you would like to provide me feedback on this question, please e-mail me at the following address:ke_jgiancola@kentschools.net  

Happy Holidays!

Dr. Joe Giancola

Superintendent

 As we move from fall to winter, we recognize a brief interruption of normal educational activities by hosting the Portage County Health District and its H1N1 school vaccination clinics on December 8 and 9. The unofficial numbers indicate that about 1,360 students received vaccinations in our eight school buildings.

 I must compliment the County’s Dr. Angela DeJulius, MD, and Kelly Englehart, RN, and all of the County staff on their excellent work with the school vaccination clinic in Kent Schools. I also thank Annette Petranic, the County’s organizer, who created all of the schedules for our clinics. I also acknowledge the work of Kent City Health Commissioner, John Ferlito, who helped with every clinic. I finally thank Jim Soyars, our Director of Business Services, who assisted with each clinic’s set-up, logistics, and so on.

We are blessed in both Kent Schools and Portage County to have the wonderful services of the Portage County Health District. This group of professionals truly should be considered the pride of our County. Each and every one deserves our thanks and our support.

On a different note, this month we say “farewell” to one of our esteemed board members, Mr. John Flynn. As a board member for the last 20 years, John always has guided the district with the best interests of students in mind. I have been privileged to know John for the last 17 of those 20 years, and I thank him and acknowledge his commitment, work, and time devoted to the Kent Schools.

Born and raised in the Kent community, John is a 1967 graduate of Roosevelt High School. Later, he graduated in 1971 from Mount Union, where he met his wife of 35 years, Connie Flynn. A graduate of The Ohio State University Law School, he has been practicing law in Kent ever since his graduation in 1974. No stranger to community service, he has committed many, many hours to valuable volunteer positions other than the Kent Board of Education, such as the Robinson Memorial Hospital Foundation Board, the Rotary Club of Kent, and the City of Kent. Besides Connie, John has nine immediate family members in his life: three sons (all Roosevelt graduates), two daughters-in-law, and four grand sons. With his retirement from the board, John will be spending more time with all of them.

At the same time that we say “farewell” to John, we welcome Dr. Marlene Dorsey to the Kent Board of Education. Like John Flynn, she has children who are Roosevelt High School graduates. Her involvement as a parent will now take a new form as a representative of the people of Kent. Dr. Dorsey has been and continues to be an outstanding educator at Kent State University, and her insights will be appreciated.

The above reflections are not meant to ignore the holidays. I wish you all in the Kent Schools community a blessed holiday and a prosperous new year!

Sincerely,

Dr. Joe Giancola
Superintendent