STEUBENVILLE – The Jefferson County Educational Service Center (JCESC) Virtual Learning Academy (VLA) celebrated 20 years of bridging the distance with convenient and effective educational tools. Following a work session Sept. 5, VLA Director Mark Masloski spoke to educators from multiple districts at the R. Larry George Training Annex.

“It’s amazing how far we’ve come.”

Masloski said VLA has enjoyed “unbelievable support” from schools and the community.

“We are student-centered. We think of our students first, and of our teachers and our schools,” he said.

Masloski spoke of the variety of courses available to districts that use JCESC. The VLA is highly accessible and accommodating to schools and provides ready resources for education.

“Everything we develop is to support teachers and help students.”

The courses are versatile, with educators able to quickly find lessons and suggestions for a myriad of subjects, along with resources such as PowerPoint illustrations, videos and tests. Masloski said teachers have the option of taking part or all of a VLA lesson as it applies to their subject.

VLA has also been successful in the use of artificial intelligence to help support the program.

“We’ve created some really good scenario questions,” Masloski said. Students can use the material independently with a mentor or in a classroom setting. Masloski elaborated on ways teachers can assess students to see how well they have learned the material.

Masloski highlighted two newer offerings. VLA has a conservation course to earn a Conservation Science credit, and many students are enthusiastic about hunting, fishing and outdoor activities. VLA now also offers a financial math course to equip students with life skills such as paying their taxes, renting and buying a car or leasing an apartment.

“Those are two courses we’re so proud of.”

Invitations went out to staff who work far from the Steubenville office and rarely see their coworkers in person, as well as to past staffers familiar with VLA’s early days. Among these was Susie Fristick, who worked at VLA writing courses for 11 years and retired several years ago. She shared memories of seeing the program come alive.

Fristick recalled seeing the coursework benefit students as she helped in testing new ideas and determining if they fit the needs and opportunities of the educators.

“I am just so proud of what that product is, and how it’s been, and the people who were so helpful,” she said.

“I’m just so grateful for this opportunity to say hello to all of you, and how proud I am of these traditions.”

She commended Masloski for keeping the team spirit alive.

Afterward, many educators, staff and former staff were invited to an open house at the VLA offices. Assistant Director Martariesa Logue welcomed them.

“Thank you for supporting us and sending students our way.”

Outreach Coordinator Brant Starkey said the VLA had much to be proud of, having served more than 133,000 students in the past two decades.

“We want to work with organizations and schools,” he said. “We’re here for you.” 

Starkey speaks from experience as an educator within a correctional facility, where VLA coursework was ideally applicable when working with incarcerated youth from both Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Starkey said VLA proved itself a program ahead of its time. During the COVID-19 pandemic when online education became widespread, VLA’s existing practices and resources served educators and students well.

“That was something that needed to be recognized,” he said.

“I can’t even tell you how proud I am to be part of this organization,” Starkey said.

He commended those who oversaw VLA’s conception and growth, saying today’s staffers were standing on the shoulders of those who came before.

Guests included Harrison Central Elementary Assistant Principal Donnie Madzia. He said VLA is often used in his school, and he is arranging a visit of VLA staff to the school to make teachers more aware of the tools on offer. He was interested in hearing how VLA has grown. 

“That’s pretty impressive.”

Also present was Vance Miller, director of the Jefferson County Alternative School. Miller commended VLA’s accessibility and the quick response time of staff to any technical questions. VLA is also convenient in allowing parents to check students’ progress.

“VLA has been great, not only for our students but for our parents and our teachers as well. It’s very user-friendly,” he said. “This is my fourth year. We’ve used VLA since Day One and it’s grown so much.”

He is looking forward to reviewing the updated course catalogue and seeing how it will benefit his students.

Sharon Doty began work at VLA in 2004 and saw its growth alongside the march of technology. She was with VLA through 2013 and still makes regular use of the program as she works with students.

“They have so much interactive growth,” she said. “Not just go in and read the question and answer it. They can interact and learn through the multimedia that’s available.”

VLA has given students more opportunities to complete a course, and teachers more avenues to reach them.

“I liked that it was an individualized program where we could give the student feedback on problems that they missed.”

Doty said some of the math lessons she generated are still being used by VLA.

The R. Larry George Training Annex is located at 1913 Estelle Ave., Steubenville.

VLA serves all students including those who are credit deficient, home bound, or home schooled. JCESC VLA can serve as a stand-alone program or implemented within a district’s already existing curriculum. To learn more about the JCESC Virtual Learning Academy, visit the website at https://www.jcesc.k12.oh.us/vla.aspx or contact VLA staff at [email protected] or 740.283.3347 ext. 100.

Photo Caption:

The Jefferson County Educational Service Center Virtual Learning Academy team celebrates 20 years of providing top-tier teaching tools to educators nationwide and beyond. Pictured from left are Director Mark Masloski, Assistant Director Martariesa Logue, instructional designer Bonnie Moore, and intervention specialist and teacher/mentor Patty Ferrell. In back, from left are tech support Cody Westling, instructional designer David Moore, and Outreach Coordinator Brant Starkey.

STEUBENVILLE – The Jefferson Educational Service Center (JCESC) Virtual Learning Academy (VLA) is marking 20 successful years of changing lives with educational opportunities throughout the country.

A celebration is scheduled for Sept. 5 at the VLA Department in the lower level of the R. Larry George Training Annex at 1913 Estelle Avenue. The entire VLA staff is expected to attend, including one staffer who works in Florida and another in Cambridge. Speakers will include long-time staff members, JCESC officials, and VLA Director Mark Masloski. School principals and other officials from school districts that work with VLA have also been invited.

Outreach coordinator Brant Starkey reflected on the VLA’s accomplishments since the program went online in 2004.

“We have served over 500 districts throughout the 20 years of the existence of VLA,” he said. “Over 133,000 students have been served, which I felt was kind of impressive.”

The VLA has kept pace with technology as it applies to education, testing new developments to determine which will best benefit students.

“We have been able to use various different types of technology as it has advanced through the years. Right now we use state of the art tools for the program. We have partnerships with a number of different organizations in the educational field.”

“We have done our due diligence to try to find the best services to help the students.”

VLA’s services would stand them in good stead during COVID-19.

“Four or five years ago we were dealing with the pandemic, and a lot of online curriculum providers sprung up as an answer to that, which I thought was great in and of itself, but I just thought it was important to point out that we were around 15 years prior to that.”

The VLA’s practices have earned attention. The program has become very well-regarded by the state.

“We have a very strong relationship with the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce,” Starkey said.

“They know what we do here. They have actually in a lot of cases referred schools and districts to us because of how well we do what we do,” he said. “To have the state’s governing body for education point to us as an effective resource for helping students and schools get information that they need is something that we take a lot of pride in.”

Starkey credits VLA’s success to putting the participating schools’ needs first.

“The content that we create here is pertinent, it’s relevant, it is what the schools are looking for to offer their students,” he said. “Whenever we have a school or an organization come onto us that was from another curriculum provider, we constantly hear about how much better our platform is, how much easier it is to operate, and as a result their ability to do what they do alongside their students is greatly enhanced.”

VLA’s commitment to customer service is another hallmark. Schools that work with them can expect a response to any question in 48 hours or less, and usually on the same day.

“We’re a small organization, but we pride ourselves on being accessible,” Starkey said. “Customer service is something that we constantly hear about from the schools that we serve, about how impressed they are about how quickly we help them, how quickly we get back to them when they inquire about something, and how quickly their issues are resolved.”

Starkey also commends the program’s many new employees who have embraced VLA practices and are making valuable contributions.

The VLA is looking to the future. The program offers newer courses that focus on social and emotional learning due to the prevalence of social media.

“A lot of students today are dealing with social and emotional issues that weren’t around maybe just a generation ago.”

Another significant development is artificial intelligence, and VLA has not shied away. Staff attend numerous conferences and seminars about applications of AI.

“We’ve tried to get out in front of it and use it as much as we can to augment and supplement what we do in serving the students and the organizations they’re in.”

Starkey said VLA is being used in numerous states and has been utilized in all 50 states and countries across the world, depending on where students are located. The VLA can serve people who speak multiple languages.

“We truly believe in what we’re doing here. We understand that we do what we do inside these walls, but we know it’s impacting so many people beyond even just Jefferson County.”

Starkey also pointed out the wide variety of courses.

“Most of the organizations that use us have perused our course catalogue, and we offer over 300 courses from K-12, a lot of those are modified for students who need a little bit in the way of help.”

He said VLA is constantly adding new courses. One of the latest is a conservation science course many are excited about, particularly in rural parts of their service area.

“We’ve got hunters, we’ve got fishermen, we’ve got boaters, we’ve got people that are outside. In addition to the basic biology and the physical sciences and the life sciences and those things, we came across some curriculum that allowed us to develop a conservation science course that talks about how to help preserve animal wildlife,” he said. “That’s very big in this part of the state and in other parts of the state as well, so we’re very excited about that.”

The latest feather in VLA’s cap is accreditation through the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, recognized as a sign of quality throughout all 50 states and internationally.

JCESC Board President Barry Gullen said there is much to celebrate.

“We’re glad to be able to have that program for the schools and for the students. It’s growing. We’d still love to see more expansion to whatever school districts may need it, and I think our people are doing a good job,” he said. “It’s a positive thing for the students.”

VLA serves all students including those who are credit deficient, home bound, or home schooled. JCESC VLA can serve as a stand-alone program or implemented within a district’s already existing curriculum. 

To learn more about the JCESC Virtual Learning Academy, visit the website at https://www.jcesc.k12.oh.us/vla.aspx or contact VLA staff at [email protected] or 740.283.3347 ext. 100.

Photo Caption:

Brant Starkey, from left, outreach coordinator with the Jefferson Educational Service Center (JCESC) Virtual Learning Academy (VLA), VLA Assistant Director Martariesa Logue and VLA Director Mark Masloski along with other staff have reason to celebrate. VLA is marking its 20-year anniversary Sept. 5. The Steubenville-based program is being used across the state and beyond.

LISBON – OhioRISE has the full support of Lisbon Exempted Village School District as they go forward into the new school year, with the district providing an office at McKinley Elementary for OhioRISE’s use in connecting children with resources.

Care coordinator supervisor Jordyn Wheaton was on-hand sharing information about the program during a back-to-school gathering Aug. 19. His was the only agency with a table set up. Wheaton was grateful for the district’s support and excited to interact with the community. He described the “wraparound” philosophy of organizing resource providers and building a team around the child. Many families were interested, accepted information and asked questions.

Jefferson County Educational Service Center (JCESC) OhioRISE (Resilience through Integrated Systems and Excellence) is a Medicaid managed care program for children and youth with complex behavioral health and multisystem needs in Columbiana, Belmont, Carroll, Harrison, Jefferson, Monroe, Stark, and Tuscarawas Counties and operated by the Jefferson County Educational Service Center. OhioRISE was formed to coordinate resources and put families in touch with what is available.

Missy Kemats, a guidance counselor for the district, took Wheaton on a tour of the building and showed him the office where OhioRISE care coordinators could stop and conduct business, as well as meet with families who have transportation difficulties in the rural area. The office is expected to be available to OhioRISE three days per week.

Kemats said OhioRISE was a perfect fit as a partner.

“It’s a good connection for community and the school for parents to have that kind of wraparound access that OhioRISE provides for the families. I think it’s real necessary and I have been impressed with the people that I’ve dealt with through OhioRISE,” she said. “OhioRISE looks at the whole child, looks at the family and really helps the parents gather the resources that they need, and OhioRISE seems like they’re there every step of the way for the children.”

Kemats said OhioRISE brings expertise in finding available services. She recalled one family with children who have behavioral and health needs.

“OhioRISE has really rallied around that family to help them find resources and network for this family. They’ve done a wonderful job.”

Superintendent Joe Siefke also welcomed Wheaton and was enthusiastic about working with OhioRISE. He recognized the importance of OhioRISE and the good that could be done by establishing a presence in the Columbiana County seat. 

“We obviously felt like it was an opportunity to do some things for our kids, and the more opportunities we can provide for the kids of Lisbon, the better off we’re going to be,” he said. “We’re very excited about flourishing that relationship. We’re very excited about the different services the company can offer our kids. The people we’ve met so far with OhioRISE have been top-notch.”

Wheaton said the office promises several advantages to OhioRISE’s mission. He said this move coincides with OhioRISE’s growing presence in the area.

“We’ve had increasing involvement steadily over time. We’ve just had more and more kids in the area, so that’s why the school is bringing us in, having a physical location at the school so we can engage with these kids a little easier.”

He said the on-site office also affords the opportunity to more easily involve the school district and bridge any gap in communications.

JCESC OhioRISE Assistant Director Lindsay Brandon said the office would be a great addition.

“We are excited to have office space available in Lisbon for the dozen coordinators in the county. This is going to allow us to serve the kiddos more efficiently and provides a space to meet with families without having to leave Columbiana County.”

Among the attendees was Columbiana County care coordinator Andrea Andrusewicz, who said the office was a positive step. She said one obstacle has been travel distance and availability of services, with care coordinators often finding inventive recourses such as virtual options.

She said the on-site office is also welcome, since the Canton office is an hour away.

“I’m excited for that,” she said. She added this will enable care coordinators to spend more time in the county and establish additional connections. 

“We have a lot of resources coming and the progress is good. We’ve teamed up with the local police departments and so now we get referrals from them, which is huge because they’re the ones who see the behaviors firsthand. That’s definitely a big step.”

Several families at the back-to-school event were familiar with OhioRISE and said the program has benefited their children.

One grandmother said the change in her grandchild was “tremendous,” adding the care coordinators quickly recognized and responded to needs and a difficult situation, as well as helping the child become more involved in programs, community and extracurricular activities.

Another mother said her family had spent days at a library researching information, but care coordinators knew of resources and were able to provide them.

Anyone interested in becoming a care coordinator, please apply at https://jcescvla.bamboohr.com/careers/23.

To learn more about OhioRISE, call 740-792-4011, email [email protected] or visit OhioRISE online at https://www.jcesc.k12.oh.us/CareManagementEntity.aspx

Photo Caption:

Lisbon Exempted Village School District Superintendent Joe Siefke welcomes Jordyn Wheaton, a care coordinator supervisor with the OhioRISE program, to the district. A new OhioRISE office is now located at McKinley Elementary. OhioRISE is growing in Columbiana County and a location in Lisbon will help its mission to bring resources and families together.

CADIZ – A new school year is bringing new opportunities for OhioRISE to strengthen its partnerships in Harrison County and bring valuable resources to youth who need them. An exuberant crowd characterized the Back to School Bash at Harrison Hills City School District’s John W. Stephenson Center Aug. 13, and Care coordinator Vicky Filtz was among the community partners on-hand to greet children and families.

Jefferson County Educational Service Center (JCESC) OhioRISE (Resilience through Integrated Systems and Excellence) is a Medicaid managed care program for children and youth with complex behavioral health and multisystem needs in Harrison, Belmont, Carroll, Columbiana, Jefferson, Monroe, Stark, and Tuscarawas Counties and operated by the Jefferson County Educational Service Center. OhioRISE was formed to coordinate resources and put families in touch with what is available.

Filtz said they are establishing a presence, serving approximately 14 families in Harrison County.

“We know that number is likely to increase once the school year starts and they start to be identified, so we want to be here and be a support to those families.”

She said OhioRISE’s outreach efforts – such as participation in a family literacy night in spring – have already borne fruit.

“We have a number of folks that stopped by and said they were already working with our program and they were excited about the progression that they’re seeing and the service and support they’re getting through it,” she said. “I’m just eager to see where this next school year goes for us.”

Filtz said a key is to ensure care coordinators are “local experts,” with familiarity or roots in the areas they work.

“Although we serve eight counties, strategically we try to hire care coordinators that are living in the counties that they’re supporting, so that they can be those local experts, so that they have those connections to resources.”

She said an advantage is efficiency in finding resources when families need them most and making connections in real time.

“We can be really good community partners with using the different services and supports that are available.”

Filtz said OhioRISE can also make connections with services not located in Harrison County, whether by helping families reach outside the area or exploring virtual service providers if there are any local gaps.

Superintendent Duran Morgan is familiar with OhioRISE from attending Harrison County Family and Children First Council meetings. He said the program is a welcome addition to organizations that offer community support in Harrison County.

“It certainly helps to provide for the families and children of Harrison County and Harrison Central,” he said. “They’re difference-makers.”

Rob Richards, middle school guidance counselor who also has a private practice, has spoken with OhioRISE representatives and sees great potential. 

“Some of the stuff they offer is very worthwhile I think,” he said, adding the care coordinators’ dedication is impressive. “They always seem to be available for our kids. They really make an extra effort to reach out and stay in contact with our guys when they need it.”

Richards said OhioRISE is valuable when people have difficulty in navigating resources.

“They seem to do a good job of filtering out what’s necessary and what’s not necessary and providing the best services for us.”

Donnie Madzia, assistant principal at the middle school, said he was glad to have OhioRISE.

“Any time you can help children out, whether it be for any kind of disability or for anything educationally, we’re welcome to have them, so we’ll be working with them.”

Madzia said the middle school has a need for resource providers.

“I’ll be definitely looking forward to working with anybody like that,” he said. “That’s the thing we need to know about in our school system. The more resources that are out there we are not aware of, we can make contact with them and they can lead us in the right direction for our students here at Harrison Central.”

Mildred Reed, registration clerk at WVU Medicine Harrison Community Hospital, took some information, saying OhioRISE seemed a good program for referrals.

Another woman said her children were participating in OhioRISE and that she was overjoyed at their improvements. She was impressed by the quality of the care coordinators, adding they go above and beyond and have formed strong relationships with her children. She said the coordinators have put them in touch with services they had not considered.

Filtz also pointed out a new partnership with the Cadiz-based Crossroads Farm the Mine, a faith-based rural teen engagement center for sixth-through 12^th graders. Filtz said Crossroads has been certified as a vendor and OhioRISE is able to use “flex” funds to help a youth or family interested in that type of activity but lacking financial means.

“To let them know that they have a space where they’re cared for and that they can kind of let down their guard and connect with other youth and adults that can support them.”

Carrie Olson, administrative director for Crossroads Farm – the Mine, said this was an opportunity to offer fellowship and character building.

“We’re excited to start getting to connect more with OhioRISE because we serve a lot of students who may need help in a variety of areas, and OhioRISE has the ability to connect them with other resources, but we’re also a great resource for OhioRISE to be able to connect students to as well. We have adult leaders who care about investing in students.”

Anyone interested in becoming a Care Coordinator, please apply at https://jcescvla.bamboohr.com/careers/23.

To learn more about OhioRISE, call 740-792-4011, email [email protected] or visit OhioRISE online at https://www.jcesc.k12.oh.us/CareManagementEntity.aspx

Photo Caption:

OhioRISE care coordinator Vicky Filtz, left, and Alison Grimm, marketing and outreach for the Jefferson County Educational Service Center, share information about the program during the Harrison Hills City School District Back to School Bash. OhioRISE connects resources with children and families in need of them.

STEUBENVILLE – This year, many students will choose a treat for their imaginations when they put a coin in the school vending machine, now that the Jefferson County Educational Service Center has purchased vending machines filled with books for every school in the area.

Dr. Nicole McDonald, Director of Grants for JCESC, said the machines were obtained with Extended Learning and Recovery Grant funds, aimed to help redress learning loss associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. McDonald said the grant was divided among all schools in the area, with portions used for different projects. Book vending machines was the largest project.

Toronto City Schools, Edison Local, Buckeye Local, Steubenville City Schools, Indian Creek, Harrison Hills City Schools and Southern Local Schools in Columbiana County all benefited, and every building in each district now has a machine.

“We purchased 22 vending machines. Some of the schools already had vending machines, so we were able to just fill them,” McDonald said. “We filled all 22 vending machines, and we filled an additional four.”

Every school building was provided $2,500 worth of books.

“So they got to have a shopping spree that they could purchase through Scholastic Books, which will give them book points to continue to purchase books after the grant funding has been spent.”

The vending machine project is in support of the districts’ Positive Behavior Intervention and Support initiatives (PBIS).

“It’s designed to provide incentives for behavior, or perhaps attendance or whatever the schools decided to use it for,” McDonald said. Students who demonstrate productive behavior earn a coin, which they can use in the vending machine for the book of their choice.

“The vending machine will vend books, just as it would vend potato chips and soda.”

At Toronto Junior/Senior High School, Dean of Academics Melissa Brown said students were excited to look over the selection of books. She pointed out each of the district’s three vending machines, with books geared toward elementary, middle and high schoolers.

“We were just grateful for the ESC, because they gave us the funding to stock both of these machines.”

Principal Betsy Jones said students will be nominated by their teachers to choose a book from the machine.

“It’s their reward and they get to keep it,” she said. 

Dean of Students Brian Perkins expects the students will be enthused.

“I’ve been a part of the PBIS team for a few years now. To be able to offer our kids a reward system like this is a fantastic way to encourage positive behavior. Students love to read, and we like to give them that opportunity to earn a book of their choice.”

Eighth grader Haley Bodnar was eyeing some books with interest. She said the vending machine was a good motivator.

“I think it’ll make kids behave, since they get a reward for it.”

Eighth grader Gracie Ruberto also said the machine could encourage reading.

At Harding Middle School, Principal Bryan Mills said the book vending machine is an interesting innovation that has already caught the eye of students.

“It’s caught a lot of attention, just because it looks great,” he said. “It’s full and it’s ready to rock, so the students are excited to be utilizing it for this school year.”

Mills said rewards will be based on students’ positive behaviors in school, such as helping another student.

“Those students’ names will go into a lottery,” he said. “We do pass out rewards monthly, and then bigger rewards by semester, so every month we recognize those students.”

Success For All reading coach Gina Arlesic said the vending machines are stocked with a wide range of authors and topics of interest, including sports and history. She said independent reading and response is another element of the Success for All program.

“This is one way for us to get a few books into the students’ hands.”

She has also stocked books by the same author.

“So that if students like one book, it might encourage them to get another book and read another book in the series.”

Sixth grader Carmen Mills was interested.

“A lot of kids like reading, and it helps them get more education when they have a big book machine that stands out in the school.”

Fifth grader Olive Scherich agreed.

“It encourages students to read. It’s more of a fun way for students to get to learn. I think it’s cool.”

The Wells Academy elementary school in Steubenville High School had already purchased a book vending machine last school year, using a grant through JCESC, and JCESC was also able to provide books to stock it.

First grade teacher Sara Nocera said the Wells Academy has had its machine since December of last school year, and she spoke to its effectiveness.

“There was a lot of buzz. When they saw it, they thought it was just a regular vending machine,” she said. She described the young students’ reactions when they would stop and look at all the books on display. “They get really excited. It has just been a positive thing.”

She said the rewards are based on good behavior, academic achievements and good deeds.

“Every two weeks three students get picked. It’s a special prize to go to the book machine,” she said. “We have around 350 students, and every single one of them received a book from the machine last year.”

Nocera said a physical book also serves as a break away from reading on a screen.

“The students are absolutely in love with it. They can’t wait to receive a book from the book machine, and they just love looking at the titles. It’s been a very positive reinforcement to encourage reading.”

JCESC Superintendent Dr. Chuck Kokiko said they were pursuing the mission to benefit their schools.

“The JCESC strives to make positive impacts on our member school districts and the education of area students. We are really excited about the possibilities for students with the school vending machine project. Literacy is a vital part of education, and we hope to foster a love for reading among students and assist in the development of this foundational skill.”

JCESC Governing Board President Barry Gullen agreed.

“Every time we could do something that’s going to have a positive impact on students anywhere and specifically here in this situation Jefferson County, the ESC and the board are 100% for it,” he said. “The funding we put in, we’re just happy we were able to do our little bit to help all the schools.”

For more information about JCESC, visit the web site at https://www.jcesc.k12.oh.us.

Photo Caption:

NORTH CANTON –OhioRISE is making strides in bringing resources to help the youth of Stark County. Program administrators made some valuable connections when they joined a panel at the 2024 Stark County Health Improvement Summit at Kent State University at Stark on June 27.

Jefferson County Educational Service Center (JCESC) OhioRISE (Resilience through Integrated Systems and Excellence) is a Medicaid managed care program for children and youth with complex behavioral health and multisystem needs in Jefferson, Monroe, Stark, Tuscarawas, Harrison, Columbiana, Belmont and Carroll Counties and operated by the Jefferson County Educational Service Center. OhioRISE was formed to coordinate resources and put families in touch with what is available.

OhioRISE Assistant Director Lindsay Brandon and care coordinator Vicky Filtz joined service providers from the United Way program Strong Neighborhoods, Strong Families. Programs with guaranteed funding was a topic of the panel, and Brandon said OhioRISE has an advantage of stable funding through Medicaid. 

Brandon said several other states have launched similar Medicaid initiatives with positive results prior to the Ohio program. She anticipates sustained funding via Medicaid as OhioRISE continues to be successful in helping families.

“We do feel like it’s a strong program,” she said.

Filtz gave background on OhioRISE and its work supporting youth and families with behavioral health needs, and who are at risk of being involved in multiple systems. She said they work not only with families but also partner with community organizations and services. This means providers have the benefit of cooperation and sharing information rather than operating separately.

Discussion turned to matters such as the importance of working with multiple agencies. Filtz said OhioRISE continues to progress in building networks in each of the communities where they operate. Filtz said one key component is forming relationships. This involves getting the word out about OhioRISE and all it does, as well as gathering information from community partners.

“To find out what they’re doing to help support the families we’re working with, because we need to make sure we’re providing efficient connections to those resources that are most appropriate to each family,” she said. 

“We do that across all the counties that we’re serving, which is giving us a better opportunity to leverage those services for our youth and families,” Filtz said.

Filtz said she welcomes anyone wishing to reach out for more information.

She added that OhioRISE has been inventive in adapting to challenges such as the shortages of service providers in an immediate area. Alternative services have included setting up virtual appointments until an optimal solution is available.

“It’s getting creative and thinking outside the box on what we can do until those opportunities arise,” she said. She said OhioRISE is always on the lookout for ways to connect people with new community resources.

Brandon related one of OhioRISE’s success stories. The program found community support for a family, which enabled them to keep their child at home rather than going into residential treatment.

“Our goal is always to keep kiddos at home with their families and make sure that we are helping to provide them with community supports,” she said. “It’s always a success when we can keep kiddos in their home.”

Filtz said one of the best approaches to engaging the community is active listening. She said OhioRISE care coordinators can often be found at community events such as health fairs, where they can meet families, learn more about their needs and share what OhioRISE can offer.

“It’s really about creating an open communication and open dialogue with those families,” she said. Care coordinators can see if OhioRISE can match those needs.

“It goes back to that community partner relationship,” she said. “It really helps you to create that initial buy-in.”

During the question-and-answer period, Brandon said OhioRISE’s ability to navigate resources for families dealing with issues such as food, housing, and utility costs can also reduce the strain they are under.

“It helps to have a person who is their contact and the one that’s helping to search resources and make connections for them, so that they’re not on their own,” she said. “You feel like you’re the only person out there and you’re all on your own, trying to find things. You are not even sure what is available or where to look. Care coordination through OhioRISE can alleviate this feeling.”

Afterward Adrianne Price, vice president of Community Impact with the United Way of Greater Stark County, said she thought they might work well with OhioRISE, adding OhioRISE is able to assist young people who have more intense needs than United Way typically helps.

Brandon added she looked forward to collaborating with Strong Neighborhoods, Strong Families.

Stark County Health Department Director of Administration and Support Services Kay Conley said about 150 people from a wide range of health systems, social service agencies, treatment programs, mental and behavioral health programs and faith-based agencies attended the summit. She said community partners welcomed the chance to learn more about OhioRISE.

“It was a great opportunity to open communications more with our partners to share more about OhioRISE,” she said.

Anyone interested in becoming a Care Coordinator, please apply at https://jcescvla.bamboohr.com/careers/23.

To learn more about OhioRISE, call 740-792-4011, email [email protected] or visit OhioRISE online at https://www.jcesc.k12.oh.us/CareManagementEntity.aspx

Photo Caption: Jefferson County Educational Service Center OhioRISE care coordinator Vicky Filtz, seated, left, and Assistant Director Lindsay Brandon take part in a panel discussion during the 2024 Stark County Health Improvement Summit. The program has stable funding through Medicaid and helps children and youth in multiple counties. The panel was moderated by Kelly Potkay, accreditation coordinator and health educator with the Stark County Health Department.

 

STEUBENVILLE – OhioRISE Care coordinators from multiple counties are getting some more insight into how best to help meet the needs of people who are shaped by the realities of poverty.

On June 17 and June 24, a total of about 50 care coordinators participated in Bridges Out of Poverty workshops. The program aims to give them more tools to gain a deeper understanding of what life is like for those experiencing generational poverty.

Jefferson County Educational Service Center (JCESC) OhioRISE (Resilience through Integrated Systems and Excellence) is a Medicaid managed care program for children and youth with complex behavioral health and multisystem needs in Jefferson, Monroe, Stark, Tuscarawas, Harrison, Columbiana, Belmont and Carroll Counties and operated by the Jefferson County Educational Service Center. OhioRISE was formed to coordinate resources and put families in touch with what is available.

OhioRISE Director Linda Trushel said this is the first time OhioRISE has used Bridges Out of Poverty. She added she is familiar with the program, and it came highly recommended.

“I think it really helps us just see the whole picture of our families, because they all come from different backgrounds and different perspectives and it just helps us be more well-rounded,” she said, adding care coordinators who attended one of the trainings have reported new insights about the families they work with.

Columbiana County Family and Children First Council Coordinator Steve Ullom delivered the presentation. He is a certified Bridges Out of Poverty instructor.

Ullom reviewed the situations families in poverty often contend with. Ullom emphasized the importance of building relationships with families as key to working successfully with them. This means taking time and working to understand the unique situations, needs and priorities of the people they are helping.

“Change happens when relationships happen. If you’re not able to invest the time and energy and willing to put the resources in to build relationships with families, then they have no reason to trust us. If they don’t trust us, then we can’t help them,” he said afterward.

“Unless you figure out how to build a bridge between you and them, not only will communication not happen, but all of the other things you are trying to accomplish will not happen.”

One distinction he stressed was generational poverty, which occurs when a family has experienced poverty for three generations or more. Ullom referred to studies of social learning that indicated young children are taught how to think and act by their environment. He said this impacts the tools and resources people perceive as available for success.

Ullom said a key approach is embracing the philosophy of meeting people where they are and seeking to understand their perspective. He added care coordinators may need to step outside the framework of their assumptions. He encouraged the care coordinators to think about different social classes and the environments that shape children who grow up in generational poverty.

This includes the different ways of communication. He said the coordinators should not hesitate to ask questions in order to maintain clarification, adding you don’t know what you don’t know.

Ullom illustrated his talk with several examples, including a story of people taking up a collection to help a poor family, but who purchased an appliance the family did not need. He said well-intentioned attempts to help may be ineffective if people fail to understand a situation. Ullom said a care coordinator’s job starts with a commitment to be understanding as well as understood, and to listen, not just try to be heard.

“We’re not defining their problems for them. We’re helping them to identify what their own priorities are, based on their own needs and life experiences,” he said.

Ullom was joined by OhioRISE Care Coordinator Supervisor Maryalice Surgenavic, who described the hardships that might be faced by a child growing up in poverty.

At the close of the training, care coordinators like Rosetta Ballard, who often works with families in Stark County, said the program had good information.

“I’m going to take all of it with me.”

Ballard said the program also asked coordinators to think about whether they were looking at families from the individual perspective, a community perspective, or an institutional or policy perspective.

“I think that was important,” she said.

Care coordinator Veronica Earley, who also works in Stark County also found much of value in the seminar.

“I heard a lot of interest. This is the best seminar I’ve been to,” she said. “You don’t know how you’re seeing things.”

She said the program also underlined many of the details that illustrate how families in poverty try to navigate through life. 

“It made you think and took you out of your comfort zone and asked you to really evaluate your thoughts and your feelings and how you perceive other people and how they live.”

Care coordinator Lauren DeMatteis who works in Stark and Tuscarawas Counties said she is familiar with the program and has found it helpful as coordinators interact with families and try to understand their experiences and the barriers they may face.

Afterward, Ullom said Bridges Out of Poverty helps care coordinators learn from their families so they can better create plans to help children.

“One of the key things that I try to bring across through the training, and I know one of things the administration was hoping is that it could begin people thinking about the fact that everyone’s life experiences are different, and how you were raised was different, and what you think and how you feel are different.”

Ullom said the care coordinators were an attentive audience who asked good questions and gave positive feedback.

“I think they took it really seriously, and I’m hopeful that it begins a larger conversation.”

Anyone interested in becoming a Care Coordinator, please apply at https://jcescvla.bamboohr.com/careers/23.

To learn more about OhioRISE, call 740-792-4011, email [email protected] or visit OhioRISE online at https://www.jcesc.k12.oh.us/CareManagementEntity.aspx

Photo Caption: Steve Ullom, Columbiana County Family and Children First Council coordinator and certified Bridges Out of Poverty instructor delivers the program to OhioRISE care coordinators. He stresses the importance of communication.

STEUBENVILLE – For the past two years, friendly faces and helping hands have been present and lending some much-needed help to young people in need through OhioRISE (Resilience through Integrated Systems and Excellence) and its dedicated and compassionate staff.

OhioRISE Director Linda Trushel said the program kicked off March 7, 2022 with the first group of new care coordinators. As the title suggests, staff members at the forefront of OhioRISE must be willing to go above and beyond, with understanding as they work in a wide variety of communities to help children.

During a March 18 onboarding orientation at the R. Larry George Training Annex in Steubenville, JCESC CEO, Dr. George Ash welcomed the newest members of the team on behalf of the JCESC board and administration. Staff from the JCESC treasurer’s office were also on-hand to answer questions about employee benefits.

Michelle Wells of Woodsfield, Kyleigh DiCarlo of Mingo, and Amy Barcus of Toronto all bring experience working with children with special needs. They look forward to being there for the children.

OhioRISE care coordinators work with members ages birth through 21, their parents and families. 

Trushel said OhioRISE specializes in holistic care, with staff adept at coordinating behavioral, medical and pharmacy health services.

“We’re looking for somebody who’s willing to work hard,” she said. “Going beyond the call of duty to help families get the services they need so their family can be successful.”

Trushel said coordinators build a true relationship with members, and a long-term investment is called for in supporting their development through the stages of life.

Care coordinators connect members with counseling and peer-support services for young people facing the same issues.

Trushel said the care plans are individualized for each family, based on backgrounds and goals, so evaluation skills are a must for any care coordinator. Services range from helping members find a provider to navigating available services.

Members are eligible for in-patient and out-patient behavioral health care services.

A young child dealing with emotional issues can receive calming supplies and older children may be eligible for job and life skills training to discover new career paths. There are maternity benefits for pregnant members and nutritional counseling and gift cards for exercise equipment or gym memberships. Tools are also provided to help manage emotional health needs and substance misuse.

The onboarding day included training for the care coordinators in safeguarding members’ privacy.

The staff numbers about 60 and Trushel expects employees to keep growing as they meet needs in Jefferson, Monroe, Stark, Tuscarawas, Harrison, Columbiana, Belmont and Carroll Counties. OhioRISE care coordinators work with more than 700 children in the area of service at this time.

The names and photographs of every employee are listed on the JCESC website at www.jcesc.k12.oh.

“We have hired consistently every month,” she said. “We’re getting more and more services for the families we serve in each county. Some of our smaller counties like Monroe and Harrison are accessing more virtual services. We’re learning what those services are and how we can support families that live remotely.”

Trushel said they have been conducting onboardings twice a month. During their three-month orientation new coordinators will be assigned mentors who will share their experience.

Supervisor Celestine Barnes also shared information about situations they will likely encounter in practice, saying the new hires will have the opportunity to shadow experienced coordinators and gain hands-on insight about the nature of the job. She related stories such as helping install safety measures in a member’s home and helping them seek a driver’s license or employment.

“We can be very creative in the way that we help them,” Barnes said. She said a coordinator’s empathy and experience is an invaluable resource to families. Anyone interested in becoming a Care Coordinator, please apply at https://jcescvla.bamboohr.com/careers/23.

OhioRise is a Medicaid managed care program for children and youth with complex behavioral health and multisystems needs. To learn more about OhioRISE, call 740-792-4011, email [email protected] or visit the Jefferson County Educational Service Center website at jcesc.k12.oh.us. 

Photo Caption: Jefferson County OhioRISE Director, Linda Trushel, right, shares experiences with the program’s newest care coordinators Michelle Wells, from left, Kyleigh DiCarlo and Amy Barcus. OhioRISE has marked its two-year anniversary of helping young people.

STEUBENVILLE – the Jefferson County Educational Service Center has once again proved itself a boon to its member school districts through savings on programs and services. The state of Ohio has designated the ESC as High Performing for the 2023-2024 school year. This marks the seventh straight year.

 

Superintendent Dr. Chuck Kokiko said hitting this mark is part of JCESC’s mission and a sign of successful progress.

 

“It was a requirement of ESCs to go through this process to be deemed a high-performing ESC,” he said. “We’ve got to select five programs. We have to then look at the cost that we charge, and we have to find those exact costs from other agencies and compare their costs to ours.”

 

He said the ESCs must demonstrate a threshold of 5% savings. The Ohio Department of Education evaluates applications from each of Ohio’s 51 ESCs. The ODE compares prices with private service providers and determines the total percentage of cost savings.

 

ESC services and supports to school districts include professional development, technology, planning and administrative services. Programs are geared to help improve student learning, enhance quality of instruction, expand access to resources and maximize operating and fiscal efficiency.

 

JCESC Treasurer Ethan Tice said the five services submitted by JCESC were school psychologist, speech therapist, legal services, occupational therapist and alternative schools.

“They’re actually the same services that’ve been submitted in the past as well,” he said.

He said savings are based on data from 2023 for 2024.

 

“We’re considered a high-performing ESC this year based on data from last year,” he said. “I don’t have my data from this year because the year’s still going on.”

 

Tice said the total percentage saved comes to 39.38% and the total savings for the school districts came to more than $1 million.

 

“That’s the important thing,” he said.

 

Tice said the advantage to using JCESC is the ability to hire a professional to divide time between more than one school district.

 

“The cost is split then,” he said. “I compare what that cost is, based on what that cost would be if they hired a company.”

 

For example, he said attorney’s fees are another high expense, since they are often called on for tasks such as union negotiations and fees include travel, meeting attendance and documentation.

 

“It adds up very quickly, and when we can hire one attorney and split that cost between multiple districts, it’s a lot less,” he said.

 

Tice said the cost saving means JCESC makes a real difference in school district operations that impacts the individual student.

 

“It really makes me reflect and think about the big picture,” he said. “With all this money being saved, the districts can now use this money for other support services. At the end of the day, by us saving them money, students are benefitting.

 

“These dollars really do impact students,” he said.

 

“Every time we save a district money, ultimately they’re going to put those funds back into the district,” Tice said. “All of these things truly does come back to what we’re all here for, and that’s helping students.”

 

Kokiko said the Jefferson County ESC’s goal is to provide support where it will do the most good. He added school districts are dealing with various issues arising from factors including the COVID-19 pandemic and other difficulties.

 

“They’re looking for additional supports for their kids,” he said.

 

Kokiko said these programs and services will only grow in the future. One upcoming driver’s education program could start as early as this semester or with the beginning of next school year.

 

JCESC Governing Board President Barry Gullen also commended the hard work that made the achievement possible.

 

“It’s an honor to have received this high-performing distinction from the Ohio Department of Education once again. This distinction is a representation of the dedication of our JCESC employees, service districts, and Governing Board members,” he said.

 

Aaron Rausch, chief of budget and school funding with the Ohio Department of Education, sent an email congratulating JCESC.

 

“Across the state, ESCs reported significant savings to client school districts. This represents only part of the value that you and your colleagues are providing to school districts across the state,” he wrote. 

 

JCESC’s member schools including Buckeye Local, Edison, Harrison Hills, Indian Creek, Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities, Jefferson County Joint Vocational School, Steubenville, Southern Local, Toronto and Utica Shale Academy.

 

For more information visit jcesc.k12.oh.us or call 740-283-3347.

The Jefferson County Educational Service Center has been designated High Performing by the state for the seventh year in a row.

COLUMBUS – Staff of Jefferson County Educational Service Center’s Virtual Learning Academy were looking to the future during the Ohio Educational Technology Conference. The conference, held Feb. 13-14 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, boasted more than 300 educational sessions, with many focused on how school districts can integrate new technology into the classroom.

 

Director Mark Masloski said technology advances swiftly and the VLA’s mission is to remain “ahead of the curve” in matters of education.

 

Masloski said the advent and use of artificial intelligence was a ubiquitous topic, as was ensuring the tools are used appropriately.

 

“Helping our students understand the ethics part of it. What’s the right and the wrong way to utilize it?”

 

Masloski said some districts are exploring AI use, while others are hesitant.

 

“It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach,” he said, adding his staff left the conference confident they were ahead of the technology.

 

“We know what technology’s coming out, so we need to make sure that we’re prepared for it. That’s a huge goal of ours,” he said.

 

“It really solidified that we are on the right path,” he said. “I think the people that utilize it in this office was comfortable with it, understands it. I think we’ve been utilizing it the right way.”

Masloski said the science of reading was one example, adding this was not discussed during the conference itself, but the VLA has been working with other ESC departments to integrate new technology.

 

He said some possibilities include the use of AI drawing to assist in putting student-produced images in a report or a PowerPoint presentation. AI can also be used to quickly generate questions about a video’s content to determine if the student is paying attention.

 

“That’s kind of what’s made possible with AI, in the sense of the intervention and enrichment,” he said. “Students are able to be a little bit more creative in their approach.”

 

He said another use for AI in the classroom is to construct outlines for writing projects.

 

“The next day, the teacher hands them that outline, and they’re going to do some freewriting for 30 minutes without a computer,” he said. “Let’s use the AI and use it for the right tool and ask it to write prompts, and once we get that outline, let’s use our brains.”

 

Masloski said they also took the opportunity to pursue other avenues of professional development during the conference.

 

“We have a pretty strong group that went there, and we were able to openly discuss our strategies moving forward and our goals for Virtual Learning Academy.”

 

Scheduled conferences included how schools have adapted using digital learning during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, how students can enhance digital books with multimedia, the use of assistive technology for students with disabilities, and Zoom applications.

 

“We were able to come back every evening and highlight what we learned throughout the day,” he said. One staff member might attend a talk about social and emotional issues, and another could learn how people with emotional issues could employ technology.

 

“We’re able to bridge that together in our department through our coursework to create something unique for our kids to be engaged. With our VLA curriculum the biggest thing is the engagement of our kids,” he said. “It reaffirmed what we’re doing and how well we’re doing it.”

 

VLA Assistant Director Martariesa Logue said the exhibitor section was packed with more than 2,000 attendees and VLA staff had the opportunity to attend multiple, related sessions.

“It’s open to everyone in Ohio, which makes it huge,” she said, adding that all schools are invited, whether public or parochial.

 

Keynote speakers also talked about resources to support educator growth and ways to support students with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

 

“It was fast paced, but we also had enough time to make those connections and to learn what’s trending in Ohio,” she said. “Data science is a new trending topic. AI was also trending there, and we are up to date on that.”

 

Logue said esports were another subject of interest and a coworker went to three esports sessions.

 

“All of our local schools are now developing their own esports teams, so it was really neat to get more information. Not only can they have teams, but you can also have curriculum so the students are receiving credit for something they’re also playing.”

 

She said gaming is an option for a student to earn a tech credit and elective credit.

The Jefferson County VLA has agreements with more than 180 schools and five ESCs across Ohio. 

 

The Virtual Learning Academy (VLA) is an online curriculum provider offering over 300 core and elective courses to students in grades K-12. VLA serves all students including those who are credit deficient, home bound, home schooled, etc.  JCESC VLA can serve as a stand-alone program or implemented within your already existing curriculum. To learn more about the JCESC Virtual Learning Academy, visit the website at https://www.jcesc.k12.oh.us/vla.aspx, contact VLA staff at [email protected] or 740.283.3347 ext. 100.

Photo Cutline: Jefferson County Educational Service Center Virtual Learning Academy staff learn about technological developments and impact in the classroom during the Ohio Educational Technology Conference.

OhioRISE. A program which serves the community’s youth, focusing on their mental and behavioral health issues.

OhioRISE works with various local resources to provide them with appropriate care to reach a positive outcome.

OhioRISE officials gathered for an open house Dec. 12 to showcase its new location to the community. This Jefferson County Educational Service Center care management entity, is now housed within the Regional Programs Building, located at 600 Lovers Lane.

OhioRISE was previously located in the basement of the ESC annex, moving to its new site in November of 2023.

In addition to OhioRISE, JCESC programs housed within the Regional Programs Building include Engage and Help Me Grow Home Visiting.

The purpose of the open house was to provide the opportunity for community partners to see the new building and meet its staff members, officials noted.

Those attending the event were given the chance to hear all of the services OhioRISE provides to the community, in addition to touring the facility.

Assistant Director Lindsay Brandon stated the new space accommodates space for 24 coordinators, supervisors and directors.

“The program started on July 1, 2022 and have become an integral part of the community,” Brandon said. “We’ve really flourished and became a community partner, which is nice to see.”

Brandon explained the overall responsibility of OhioRISE care coordinators is to take the results from the youth’s Child and Adolescent Needs and Strength (CANS) assessment, and place them with those who can help them the most.

“The CANS assessment is a tool that gathers the child and caregiver’s story to better understand their situation and determine the best ways to provide help,” according to officials. The assessment is used to determine eligibility for OhioRISE and assist with care coordination.

She stated those at OhioRISE are a support system which helps youth and their family obtain the appropriate services they seek, such as educational, developmental disability, child protection, juvenile justice or mental heal and addiction supports.

“OhioRISE brings all of these systems together to support the needs of enrollees through care coordination,” officials said. Care coordinators assist those who have been referred to them by either a parent or caregiver, a school counselor or therapist, a court, pediatrician or child protection or developmental disability staff member.

Brandon noted the importance of making people aware that those at OhioRISE are not a direct form of crisis support, but rather, the entity which directs enrollees to the appropriate support facilities.

Care Coordinator Jamie Spencer stated, “We work with families who have Medicaid or the Ohio Medical Card and who qualifies for the program. If we feel they need therapy, mental health, physical therapy or occupational therapy, we will work with that therapist and see if they are hitting the goals they have to hit.”

“We are there to coordinate the child’s care,” Spencer continued, providing the example of dyslexia and finding the proper resources to help the child obtain the proper resources for that disability.

Discovering what the issues are can be done through the CANS assessment, she noted, saying the in-depth testing is done by answering questions and takes approximately an hour to complete.

Mary Kakascik, an OhioRISE supervisor, said each supervisor works with eight care coordinators whose duties include, but are not limited to, checking charting, providing support, CANS assessments, accompanying youth and families on visits, providing outreach on caseloads, making informational calls, answering the crisis hotline.

Kakascik said there are many responsibilities and duties which are required of the care coordinators, as OhioRISE serves eight counties.

“We each work with the FCFC and attend monthly meetings,” she stated. Meeting for Jefferson County are held bi-monthly, she added. “Six supervisors are responsible for one county each. We have three supervisors who handle the counties up north.” The counties served are Jefferson, Belmont, Harrison, Monroe, Carroll, Columbiana, Stark and Tuscarawas.

In regards to those youth suffering from substance abuse, Kakascik said OhioRISE officials support the families which choose to keep the child in their home rather than place them in a facility or hospital.

“We take them food from the food bank so they can get meals and we attend their IEP meetings,” she said of the some of the services offered to these individuals.

She said referrals come from all sorts of entities, some of which are the parents of the youth, schools, probation officers, Child Protective Services and the courts. “We reach out and set up their assessment once we receive their enrollment information,” she said.

OhioRISE will continue to help those in need, with officials saying there are a number of ways in which to contact them to begin the enrollment process.

For program referrals and general inquiries, call (740) 792-4011. Visit the website www.jcesc.k12.oh.us/CareManagementEntity.aspx or download the referral form on the mobile app, which provides a QR code.

WINTERSVILLE-The Jefferson County Educational Service Center disbursed more than $1,800 as part of its 2023 Best Practice Grant awards at Indian Creek Schools, allowing educators there to expand students’ minds with unique lessons.

 

   Janet Maxon of Indian Creek High School and Indian Creek Middle School teachers Jaime McCumbers and Michael Minor each received $660 grants during the Nov. 16 regular school board session at Cross Creek Elementary and their projects will center on the realms of history, geography and science.

 

  Maxon plans to use her allocation for “Class VR: Immersing Ourselves in the World,” which includes purchasing a Meta Quest 2 headset to get a virtual view of times and places in a true immersive experience.

 

   “Using ClassVR, students can go on virtual field trips and visit anywhere, any time and even impossible places, all directly from the comfort of the classroom. Sending your students to places around the world using virtual reality can be a reflective, realistic and immersive experience where they explore different countries, cultures and landmarks and use these experiences to further develop their verbal and written skills,” she said. “Theory-based conceptual subjects can often be difficult for students to visualize and comprehend and teachers often use demonstration and visual cues to boost engagement and knowledge retention.”

 

   The technology would be used by more than 120 World History students in her classroom.

 

   McCumbers’ fifth-grade social studies students will get a closer look at the world with “Middle School Geography” using tools to learn about directions, longitude and latitude and coordinates, the latter of which are also part of their math standards. She said her pupils will understand how to use the compass rose for cardinal and intermediate directions during lessons about magnetic and true north, plus they will use the Battleship game to practice learning about the grid system. 

 

  “The project is hands-on learning geography in social studies class using globes, compasses, games and more,” she added, saying the program would benefit 130 currents students as well as future classes. 

 

   Minor is honing his efforts on hydroponics with his “IC Hydroponic Greenhouse,” which includes creating a standard vegetable garden with plans to eventually transition to a “fish-fed” nutrient system. His eighth-grade science students would grow lettuce which would then be used in the cafeteria for school lunches, as well as other vegetables and plants that can be sold or used within the Indian Creek community. The project would also benefit the entire school from classes working with the greenhouse to enjoying the fruits (or vegetables) of their labor by consuming the homegrown goods.

 

   “Our goal is to create a hydroponic, and standard, vegetable garden, operated all year in our new greenhouse,” he said. “Once the hydroponic system is running and students are engaged, phase two is the transition from artificially fertilized vegetables to a fish-fed system. Fish will produce the nutrients naturally and will be kept year-round in a heated fish stock tank. The fish will also be raised to sell or feed the community.”

 

   Meanwhile, JCESC Superintendent Dr. Chuck Kokiko looks forward to distributing the grants each year, saying they help educators expand young minds with enriching and rewarding projects.

 

   “Our schools have many great teachers with innovative lesson plans and instructional strategies, and we at JCESC are happy to be able to fund many of those ideas so they may become reality for the students in the classroom,” Dr. Kokiko said. 

 

   JCESC has disbursed more than two-dozen Best Practice Grants this year with other recipients at Buckeye Local, Edison Local, Harrison Hills City, Steubenville City, Toronto and Southern Local School Districts and the Utica Shale Academy.

CADIZ-The Jefferson County Educational Service Center has awarded its 2023 Best Practice Grants to forward-thinking teachers at Harrison Hills City Schools.

 

   Educators Rebecca Agostini and Misty Barker of Harrison Central Elementary and Susan Macenzak of Harrison Central High School each gained $660 allocations to highlight STEM, social-emotional and physical science programs at their respective buildings. JCESC Director of Special Education Amber Fomenko presented the awards during the regular Harrison Hills school board meeting on Nov. 16.

 

   Agostini will implement “STEM: Incorporating Hands-On Learning and Critical Thinking in the Classroom” in the second phase of continued STEM and STEAM lessons. She plans to purchase STEM activities to motivate students to think outside the box, develop critical-thinking skills and incorporate other subjects such as mathematics and reading in the classroom. Among her ideas are to incorporate more centers, hands-on learning activities and creative thinking and her 110 students would benefit by being actively engaged throughout their learning. Agostini also hopes that students who normally do not excel at paper-and-pencil learning will tremendously benefit from this format.

 

    “The project will allow me to purchase coding activities, design building sets, brain-building activities and much more,” she said. “This project will benefit my students this year and hopefully for years to come.”

 

    She is a previous grant recipient and was appreciative of JCESC for their generosity each year.

 

   Barker hopes to meet students’ social and emotional needs through her project, “Social-Emotional Learning in Elementary Classrooms.” She plans to use social-emotional learning strategies and incorporate materials such as picture books to teach students how to deal with their emotions in the most constructive manner possible. Her vision is to form a calming corner in the classroom to refocus, as well as starting a lunch bunch for students who want to work on socialization skills throughout the school year. The project will support approximately 100 fifth-graders in her classroom but the resources may be utilized by other grade levels.

 

   “These needs are often overlooked, yet they are vital to student success. My vision includes teaching students how to deal with their emotions in the most constructive manner possible; setting up a calming corner where my students are able to safely go to spend a brief amount of time getting refocused; and starting a lunch bunch for students to work on socialization skills,” she continued. 

 

   Barker was grateful to be selected a second time for the grant, saying it was amazing to have such resources available within the community to fund classroom projects.

 

    Macenzak, a science teacher at Harrison Central High School, intends to enhance learning for freshmen with her project, “Using Motion Detectors to Graph Motion.”

 

   “With this project, students will be able to act out different motions, and with the detectors they will see what the resulting position versus time graph, velocity versus time graph and acceleration versus time graph look like,” Macenczak said. “These sensors connect directly to the students' Chromebooks to collect the data. They will also be able to make the connections with force and acceleration.”

 

  The project will benefit about 100 current physical science students as well as physics pupils, plus it could help more classes in the future. Macenzak, a previous grant recipient, said she was excited to receive this year’s grant because 

she has another way for students to learn science and math by using real-life, hands-on activities to see results right away. 

  

   Meanwhile, JCESC Superintendent Dr. Chuck Kokiko said the purpose of the Best Practice Grants is to support teacher ingenuity and enhance learning opportunities for the students.

 

   “Our schools have many great teachers with innovative lesson plans and instructional strategies, and we at JCESC are happy to be able to fund many of those ideas so they may become reality for the students in the classroom,” Dr. Kokiko said. 

 

   JCESC has disbursed more than two-dozen Best Practice Grants this year with other recipients at Buckeye Local, Edison Local, Indian Creek Local, Steubenville City, Toronto City and Southern Local School Districts and the Utica Shale Academy.

TORONTO-Teachers in the Toronto City School District are expanding minds with science and STEM-based projects with funding from the Jefferson County Educational Service Center.

 

   JCESC Director of Curriculum and Professional Development Ron Sismondo presented 2023 Best Practice Grants during the Toronto school board meeting on Nov. 16 and Michelle Blazek and Jason Kodysz of Toronto Jr./Sr. High School and Nikki Wright of Toronto Elementary each received $660 to aid with their endeavors.

 

   Blazek’s plan is “Increasing Interest and Observations in the Natural World” by building her students’ knowledge of eclipses. She intends to hold a watch party for the total eclipse this spring and purchase special glasses for the occasion, plus she will have cross-curricular events around the day. She said eclipses have great historical and cultural significance and offer many opportunities for hands-on learning. 

 

    “I want to bring the eclipse to Toronto Jr./Sr. High School,” she said. “I am planning an eclipse watch party for the school for the big April 8 eclipse.”

 

    The activity would benefit the entire school and Blazek, a prior grant recipient, was “honored and appreciative” to earn another award.

 

   Kodysz is utilizing his share to create “Ceiling Periodic Table Part Two and a True Model of the Solar System.” He will complete a periodic table project from a Best Practice Grant award he received last year and add a model of the solar system to his classroom. The massive solar system will incorporate 250 Styrofoam balls representing each of the 35 worlds, including eight planets, 16 moons, eight dwarf planets, two Kuiper Belt objects and an asteroid and the lesson will benefit about 35 students for now.

 

  “I feel grateful that I will be able to teach the students in a realistic way in which they get to see what the universe is really like, not just simply taught from a textbook,” he added.

 

   Kodysz has received Best Practice Grants on previous occasions.

 

   Wright will promote “Magnets in STEM” with art and STEAM students in grades K-5. She said the project will benefit the learning process by helping younger students build hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. Some activities include building electromagnets and using electromagnetism to build a catapult, doorbell and a compass, while others will focus on the Earth as a magnet, magnetic strength and how electricity flows through a magnet. She noted that the project also includes an introduction to circuits.

 

   “This grant will benefit the elementary building of around 500 students. I will use my materials in STEM class to show and learn about magnetism and real world uses of magnets,” she said. “Each grade level from kindergarten to fifth-grade will learn about topics such as identifying magnetic materials to building a model of a maglev train.”

 

   She also is a previous Best Practice Grant recipient and was very thankful for the opportunity again this year.

 

   Meanwhile, JCESC Superintendent Dr. Chuck Kokiko congratulated the educators on their innovative concepts to bolster student learning.

 

   “Our schools have many great teachers with innovative lesson plans and instructional strategies, and we at JCESC are happy to be able to fund many of those ideas so they may become reality for the students in the classroom,” Dr. Kokiko said. 

 

   JCESC has disbursed more than two-dozen Best Practice Grants this year with other recipients at Buckeye Local, Edison Local, Harrison Hills City, Indian Creek Local, Steubenville City and Southern Local School Districts and the Utica Shale Academy.