Board hears from middle schoolers, sees new science texts
Ian Morgan, a student leadership team member from Claggett Middle School, discussed a blood drive being organized by students March 23. Photo by ALLISON WOOD
MEDINA – The Medina School Board heard from Claggett Middle School student leaders and discussed new science texts during a March 20 meeting.
This is the first year a select group of Claggett students have participated in student leadership teams, a project derived from the book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens.” The team members work to recognize those who show these qualities, including showing leadership and working on relationships with others.
When students are seen doing one of these things, their name is entered into a drawing and one is picked during morning announcements.
Other efforts of the team include raising $260 to purchase items for Birthcare of Medina, an organization that provides items and resources to families of infants and young children, and organizing a blood drive for March 23. About 60 people have signed up, which is nearly twice more than the projected number of 30, said Ian Morgan, one of the team members.
Board Member Tom Cahalan said he is pleased to see the evolution of leadership efforts from elementary school to middle school. Every month, students from one of the district’s schools makes a presentations.
Science texts
Matt Mattie, grades 6-12 curriculum coordinator, said he was presenting a new science curriculum for grades 4-8, which would receive final board approval at the April regular meeting.
For the last few years, teachers have been cobbling together a science curriculum due to changing Ohio Department of Education standards making it impractical to purchase a full curriculum.
Mattie said the science books will be written in by students which was decided upon as students who now grow up with technology are more visually oriented than their parents.
“It is a way to engage students in a sort of magazine-style approach,” he said. “It’s an interactive text, they’re going to be constructing responses, answering questions and completing lab work right in this book.”
This purchase will be $287,000, which will buy five years worth of books for all five grades.
In addition, class sets with special science and engineering units will also be purchased and incorporated into classes. The board also considered the purchase of new textbooks for high school physics, Advanced Placement Environmental Science and Advanced Placement Biology.
In other curriculum updates, the high school will start to offer AP Music Theory and Computer Science in addition to four elective history courses, which include Street Law and how sports have affected American history.
Superintendent Aaron Sable said the new AP courses will not raise teacher costs due to them agreeing to take on another course. However, the AP instructors must attend special training during the summer, which will have a cost.
Other updates
Board Member Rob Skidmore said he went to Columbus the week before to attend a special session for school board members to hear from state legislators. He also met with members of Senate President Larry Obhof’s office, who represents Medina County.
Sable also recognized six staff members who would soon be retiring. They include: Root Middle School special education teachers Ken Morgan and Gregory Reed and support staffers Maryann Dargan, board of education secretary, Heidi Kvak, Blake Elementary paraprofessional, Linda Ropelewski, Blake Elementary paraprofessional and Debra Wesemeyer, high school paraprofessional.
This is the first year a select group of Claggett students have participated in student leadership teams, a project derived from the book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens.” The team members work to recognize those who show these qualities, including showing leadership and working on relationships with others.
When students are seen doing one of these things, their name is entered into a drawing and one is picked during morning announcements.
Other efforts of the team include raising $260 to purchase items for Birthcare of Medina, an organization that provides items and resources to families of infants and young children, and organizing a blood drive for March 23. About 60 people have signed up, which is nearly twice more than the projected number of 30, said Ian Morgan, one of the team members.
Board Member Tom Cahalan said he is pleased to see the evolution of leadership efforts from elementary school to middle school. Every month, students from one of the district’s schools makes a presentations.
Science texts
Matt Mattie, grades 6-12 curriculum coordinator, said he was presenting a new science curriculum for grades 4-8, which would receive final board approval at the April regular meeting.
For the last few years, teachers have been cobbling together a science curriculum due to changing Ohio Department of Education standards making it impractical to purchase a full curriculum.
Mattie said the science books will be written in by students which was decided upon as students who now grow up with technology are more visually oriented than their parents.
“It is a way to engage students in a sort of magazine-style approach,” he said. “It’s an interactive text, they’re going to be constructing responses, answering questions and completing lab work right in this book.”
This purchase will be $287,000, which will buy five years worth of books for all five grades.
In addition, class sets with special science and engineering units will also be purchased and incorporated into classes. The board also considered the purchase of new textbooks for high school physics, Advanced Placement Environmental Science and Advanced Placement Biology.
In other curriculum updates, the high school will start to offer AP Music Theory and Computer Science in addition to four elective history courses, which include Street Law and how sports have affected American history.
Superintendent Aaron Sable said the new AP courses will not raise teacher costs due to them agreeing to take on another course. However, the AP instructors must attend special training during the summer, which will have a cost.
Other updates
Board Member Rob Skidmore said he went to Columbus the week before to attend a special session for school board members to hear from state legislators. He also met with members of Senate President Larry Obhof’s office, who represents Medina County.
Sable also recognized six staff members who would soon be retiring. They include: Root Middle School special education teachers Ken Morgan and Gregory Reed and support staffers Maryann Dargan, board of education secretary, Heidi Kvak, Blake Elementary paraprofessional, Linda Ropelewski, Blake Elementary paraprofessional and Debra Wesemeyer, high school paraprofessional.