Welcome to the 2014-2015 School Year
Welcome to the 2014-2015 school year. Our administration and staff are eager to begin another year with the students, parents, grandparents, and community members throughout our district. We hope to have everyone work together to make this another successful instructional year for all.
This year we look forward to working on both our K-8 School Construction Project with our partners the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission and the builder Shook Touchstone and the renovation of the high school with Brumbaugh Construction. Our architects and engineer on both the projects are Garmann & Miller. Early Site work at the K-8 facility has begun on Ohio Street. The building pad, temporary utilities and foundation package will be the next steps in the process.
At the high school four to five rooms will be renovated throughout the school year in a designated phased process. The school and community will have to work together with much flexibility, collaboration and patience as the renovation continues. In the end, both building projects will enhance our educational delivery process. Thanks to the community of Greenville for your ongoing support of our school system. Strong School Strong Community is our belief.
This fall our district will participate in two approved waiver days. These are non-instructional days for students that allow for additional professional development for our staff. I would like to communicate that these two waiver days will take place on Monday, September 29, 2014 and Monday, October 20, 2014. Parents can coordinate now for these to be days the students will not be in session. The staff will be participating in professional development related to the new curriculum mapping, new evaluation process, Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers, Twenty First Century teaching skills and updated safety training. All of these sessions will promote a current curriculum and safer environment for our students.
Greenville Schools has a tradition of excellence and we certainly are working to continue the excellence. The entire district wants to lead the way by making sure our students are ready for higher education and also jobs of tomorrow in a global economy.
The State of Ohio has changed the reporting system to a dashboard of grades for this the second year. The past three years we have been rated “above value added” which means our district is successfully moving our students more than one year in growth in one year’s time. This measure is important for our students’ success. Other highlights on this year’s report card is our overall performance index score for the district is up and is the highest it has ever been. We will receive a B on this achievement category. We will receive a C on the other achievement area of the report card for performance indicators met. However, this is related to the percentage needed this year to reach the tested indicator level. For the first time the report card standards for indicators to be met had an 80% rate. Previously this requirement was 75%. We had two tested areas show improvement this year being sixth and seventh grade math passing at 76.4% and 77.2% respectfully, but did not get the indicator because the percentage increased. Third grade math was also 78.8% which would have previously met the standard. Our district is improving and under last year’s requirements would have had a B on indicators as well. We will continue to strive harder to reach the 80% level in tested areas this year.
Three other areas we showed growth and improvement on the report card was in passing all tenth and eleventh grade OGT indicators for the first time, getting a B on both graduation rates for the first time with both categories averaging above 90% and finally passing the District Annual Measurable Objective, this year improving twenty-two percentage points. Our academics are on the rise and we thank the students, staff, parents, grandparents and community for their dedication. Our pledge is to continue to strive to improve.
It is important to remember that report cards don't tell the complete story of a student's educational experience and a single test can't completely define the effectiveness of a school, teacher, or student. The report card is a chance to review our successes and also look for ways to make improvements.
I invite everyone in the community to attend and support our students in the various extracurricular activities that take place throughout the school year. Your attendance is appreciated by the students and the school system.
Remember, the entire Greenville School faculty and staff is here to assist you - our students, parents and community. If we can be of help, please feel free to contact our principals or myself. I can be reached by phone at 937-548-3185. I can be reached by email at [email protected].Let's all work together to make 2014-2015 an outstanding school year and keep Greenville Schools a great place for students to learn and teachers to teach.
Please join me in welcoming the following new staff members into the Greenville School System and community:
Julie Brewer (Art Teacher, South Middle School)
Kurtis Brown (Bus Driver ½)
Jeffrey Cassell (Principal, Woodland Primary School)
Denise Cook (Custodian, Senior High School)
Megan George (School Psychologist, Woodland, East & South Schools)
Janelle Gerlach (Intervention Specialist, Junior High School)
Christine Haney (Language Arts Teacher, Junior High School)
Jody Harter (Assistant Principal, Woodland Primary School)
David Heffelfinger (Kindergarten Teacher, Woodland Primary School)
Abby Heitkamp (Intervention Specialist, Woodland Primary School)
Gail Koontz (Custodian part-time, Junior High School)
Kari Lemon (Vocal Music Teacher, Junior High School)
Jalessa Martin (Intervention Specialist, Senior High School)
Emily McIntyre (Language Arts Teacher, South Middle School)
Laura Price (Bus Driver)
Teresa Schaaf (Intervention Specialist, Junior High School)
Ruth Schick (Music Teacher, East Intermediate School)
Karri Stickley (Career Tech-Ag Teacher, Senior High School)
Jamie Stocksdale (Intervention Specialist, Woodland Primary School)
Janell Tebbe (Lang Arts/Soc Studies Teacher, South Middle School)
Finally I encourage the entire community to follow both our construction sites on our district web page at www.greenville.k12.oh.us. We will continue to update the construction progress with various pictures ongoing.
Also at your convenience please complete the elementary and junior high school building survey about demolition or not of each building after new construction is complete. This survey will be posted through December 1, 2014 on the Greenville City Schools webpage. While completing the survey remember demolition and abatement of each building will receive a 43% funding from the state if completed at the end of the Classroom Facility Assistance Project we are presently in. Have a great beginning of the new school year.
Mr. Douglas Fries
Superintendent