Junior Chloe Fifher, from left, at Toronto Junior/Senior High School, accepts a book from the building’s new book vending machine. Dean of Academics Melissa Brown hands her the book. Behind them are senior Tatum Derringon and Junior J.J. Rebich. The Jefferson County Educational Service Center has secured grant funding for purchasing book vending machines for schools in Jefferson County and surrounding areas, and stocking vending machines for schools that already have them.

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STEUBENVILLE-The Jefferson County Educational Service Center is doing its part to assist school districts in local counties and throughout Ohio as they prepare for a new term in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

   JCESC Administrator Mark Masloski said he not only has been helping districts under its umbrella in Jefferson, Belmont and Columbiana counties but also in areas as far as Columbus and Cincinnati. Questions remain about an actual start date, which for now appears to be in late August, but schools hopefully to be session this fall. Masloski said officials are looking for the best and safest way to provide an education for thousands of students, be they in the classroom or working remotely at home.

   “We have been working with a lot of schools in Ohio, probably 100,” he said. “We’re working on how they will implement a blended learning approach for students. What’s happening around Ohio is at the beginning of the school year we’ll be face-to-face in classrooms, but some parents may want to keep their child at home, so there will be a digital platform for them.”

    On that note, students may partake of online learning with the Virtual Learning Academy, which includes an estimated 200 core and elective courses for grades K-12 that are 100-percent aligned to state standards, or ProgressBook, which gives teachers control of lesson plans for students both in class and at home.

   “If we go to a Level Four and shut down again, the teacher can still use the curriculum through ProgressBook,” he explained.

 JCESC has aided districts since the state mandated school closures in mid-March and provided VLA and ProgressBook services to maintain a learning curriculum, while additional online tools such as Zoom and Google Hangout have kept students and teachers in touch through videoconferencing to discuss their lessons. Masloski cited the work of school districts to map out an amenable plan to continue education amid the current health climate.

   “All of the schools have many options and strategies and they have plans in place. The public needs to understand that schools are doing what’s best for the students, staff and community,” he continued. “Schools are prepared and have contacted parents about surveys on whether they want their student to return to class or work remotely. There are plans to either do this for nine weeks or for the entire year.”

   Access to work is another factor, particularly in rural areas where internet capabilities are few and far between. Masloski said online work is also downloadable and may be printed or put onto a zip drive so affected students may work offline. Details are still in discussion and he noted that he has remained in contact with school districts via telephone or internet to ensure operations run smoothly.

   “We are working with schools in Cincinnati, Cleveland and Columbus and partner with other ESC’s and this is the time of year where we update our courses, and we are trying to meet the needs of the schools.”

STEUBENVILLE-The Jefferson County Educational Service Center is giving a group of high school graduates some overdue honors for achieving high composite scores on their ACT exams.

   JCESC has hosted an annual ACT Recognition Breakfast for the past four years to recognize those seniors who scored a 30 or higher on their ACT Composite Tests, but the fifth installment scheduled for this spring was nixed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Honorees represent Edison, Harrison Central, Indian Creek, Southern Local, Steubenville Catholic Central, Steubenville and Toronto high schools and leaders wanted to spotlight their accomplishment during their senior year.

  Larry George, president of the JCESC Governing Board, said canceling the breakfast was unfortunate but it showcases the best of the best when it comes to testing.

   “I know they are going to achieve great things in the future,” George added. “It’s nice when we are able to honor them and their parents are proud. The breakfast is something we hope to continue for many, many years to come.”

   JCESC Superintendent Dr. Chuck Kokiko said only 5 percent of an estimated 1.85 million test-takers—or about 92,000 students—achieve such high scores and may also apply to 1,382 colleges or universities across the nation with a good chance of being admitted. The State of Ohio tests 75 percent of their graduates with an average composite score of 22, compared to the national average of 60 percent of students tested with an average score of 21. 

   Meanwhile, he shared some words of encouragement as this year’s honorees start a new chapter in their lives.

   “JCESC wishes we could have held our ACT Recognition Breakfast as we had in the past. Our board and staff enjoy the opportunity to meet the students and families from our member schools and celebrate this tremendous accomplishment,” Dr. Kokiko said. “This school year did not end as most had planned but the unique times are the ones that you will remember the most as they will stand out in your memories. Be proud of what you have accomplished and best wishes with your future endeavors.”

   Among the recipients are the following:

-- Alex Mayle, the son of Larry Mayle and Janet Bendle of Richmond, who attended Edison High School and earned a grade point average of 3.46. He participated in the National Beta Club and varsity basketball, was a tutor and American Red Cross volunteer and now plans to attend The Ohio State University to study mathematics.

--Harrison Central High School’s Lee Sponaugle, the son of Mickie and Tammy Sponaugle of Cadiz, who graduated with a 3.079 GPA. While in school, he was involved in wrestling, track and football and now plans to join the U.S. Army. 

--Rachel Barnett, the daughter of Robert and Jennifer Barnett of Wintersville, who is an Indian Creek High School alumna. She graduated with a 4.912 GPA and will attend Miami University of Ohio as part of the University Honors Program with a double major in psychology and neuroscience and minor in Spanish. Her future plans are to attend graduate school and pursue a career in neurology.

--Lainie Hagerty, the daughter of Sean and Tamara Hagerty of Bloomingdale, a fellow ICHS grad who holds a 4.931 GPA. Hagerty plans to attend the University of Pittsburgh Honors College to major in mathematics and her goal is to pursue a career in secondary mathematics education.

--Madolyn McDonald, the daughter of Drs. Robert and Nicole McDonald of Steubenville, another ICHS alumna who holds a 4.858 GPA. She will attend OSU and major in biology with a minor in music, after which she plans to study medicine

--Myka Woodford, the daughter of David and Kimberly Woodford of Salineville, who graduated from Southern Local High School with a 4.222 GPA. She plans to take a gap year before studying environmental engineering in college.

--Francesca Boni, the daughter of Dee and Joe Boni of Steubenville and a graduate of Steubenville Catholic Central High School. She earned a 4.5 GPA in high school and will study nursing at Franciscan University of Steubenville.

--Brian Dao, the son of Andy Dao and Ngoovinh Doan of Steubenville, graduated from CCHS with a 4.0-plus GPA. He plans to attend OSU during the next term.

--Edith Harold, the daughter of Philip and Rachel Harold of Steubenville, a CCHS grad who earned a 4.551 GPA. She will attend Franciscan University in the fall.

--Patrick Kuebler, the son of Daniel and Nellie Kuebler of Steubenville, who graduated from CCHS with a 4.661 GPA. He plans to attend the University of Notre Dame.

--Margaret “Maisie” Leonard, the daughter of Matthew and Veronica Leonard of Steubenville, who graduated from CCHS with a 4.57 GPA. She plans to attend Franciscan University to study either philosophy or psychology.

--Isabella Oliver, the daughter of Vince and Nancy Oliver of Weirton, a Catholic Central alumna who earned a 4.37 GPA. She plans to study nursing at Kent State University Honors College.

--Alex Barnhouse, the son of Eric and Lori Barnhouse of Steubenville, who yielded a 4.6 weighted GPA while at Steubenville High School. He will attend OSU in the fall and major in aerospace engineering.

--Makayla Walter, the daughter of Mark and Janet Walter of Steubenville, who graduated from Steubenville with a 4.43 GPA. She plans to attend Ohio University to major in English and pre-law and pursue a career in law.

--William Lewis, the son of Shon and Jessica Lewis of Toronto, who graduated from Toronto High School with a 3.951 GPA. He will attend Shawnee State University to major in computer science with a focus on game programming.

STEUBENVILLE-As schools shut down amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Jefferson County Educational Service Center is doing its part to assist teachers and students alike.

   Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine issued closures for the remainder of the school year in an effort to reduce the spread of the virus, but the homebound teachers and students have relied upon instructional materials known as blizzard bags and online coursework to maintain an education. JCESC has provided help in that realm to prevent disruption to student learning.

   Administrative Assistant Mark Masloski said technology has been an optimum tool to help students maintain their education outside the classroom.

   “We’ve worked with them and have two platforms: Virtual Learning Academy and Progress Book. Progress Book is something classroom teachers use in the Ohio Valley that puts grades into the gradebook, but they can also use the curriculum. When students complete assignments their grade goes directly into the gradebook,” Masloski said. “VLA is for individual students with a VLA account. Overall, we’ve had an increase but we’ve had more schools do Progress Book.”

   He said the online method provides flexibility so students can work at any time, plus they may also speak on videoconferencing programs such as Zoom and Google Hangout to discuss lessons. One upside is that younger generations are more tech-savvy and have been adapting to their altered educational environment. For those with limited computer or internet access, printable lessons are available to help keep all of the students on track.

  “I think they have been pretty adaptable and are definitely not far behind [in their schooling]. We’ve also been doing more training with teachers and staff,” he said, noting that JCESC staff also videoconference regularly and update VLA courses as needed.

   Coy Sudvary, principal at Wellsville High School in Columbiana County, said his students were utilizing VLA to assist with their studies.

   “We are using the VLA curriculum,” he said. “Teachers are posting lessons in Progress Book and also into Google Classroom. We are using it in grades 8-12 in various content.”

    Sudvary said the VLA curriculum has allowed staff to use the state-aligned curriculum to support online learning for students and most of the pupils have adapted to the online format. Some students do struggle but that is primarily due to lack of internet access or technology at home.

   “The VLA curriculum has been very beneficial and easy to use for our staff and students. We appreciate the support and trainings the JCESC has provided Wellsville Schools.”

    Austin Cable, an eighth-grade teacher at Indian Creek Middle School in Mingo Junction, said while the change has been an adjustment, he has still been able to ensure pupils were keeping up to date with their studies. Cable said he has been utilizing the ESC’s science curriculum for his classes along with the Discovery Education Techbook that students used while still in school.

 “The online curriculum has helped the lessons to stay Ohio standards-based, and when they complete the assignments their grades get communicated directly to Progress Book, which is the platform we use to keep track of our grades and assignments,” he said. “As for students adapting to working from home, they have adapted well and ask questions through email. It is a bit more complicated to communicate online but everyone is learning some new skills and finding their way through. Sometimes we have students that say they want to be schooled from home and this is a great trial run for them and their parents. I think it will be interesting to see if any make the transition once we get back to the physical school building.”

   Meanwhile, JCESC officials also conducted an online professional development session with educators in the Indian Creek Local School District. Ron Sismondo, JCESC director of curriculum and professional development, said the session was done utilizing the Zoom videoconferencing program which has been a great tool for distance-meeting sessions. Sismondo used the platform to inform teachers about the Ohio Teacher Evaluation System, or OTES 2.0, which is the new system for evaluating teachers and will replace OTES 1.0 beginning in the 2020-21 school year.                                                                 

  “This transition will take place for all districts that have renewed their collective bargaining agreement after Nov. 2, 2018,” he said. “If districts have a collective bargaining agreement in place before that time, they will remain with the OTES 1.0 system until they negotiate a new agreement and then will transition to OTES 2.0.”

   He added that the March meeting was for Indian Creek Middle School teachers and the video platform offered a convenient way for the group to gather while they practice social distancing, plus it could serve as a viable alternative classroom.

   “The Zoom platform can be a way for teachers to conduct sessions with students in real time and students can interact with the teacher, as well. There are other platforms such as GOTO Meeting, Cisco WebEx and many others,” Sismondo said. 

“We are also maintaining all other services that we offer through emails, texts and videoconferencing. We offer any district the opportunity to have any professional development through videoconferencing if they wish to do so during this time or any other time.”

STEUBENVILLE-The Jefferson County Educational Service Center has received more than $519,000 in federal funds to help local schools give students what they need to thrive.

   JCESC gained the U.S. Department of Agriculture Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant administered through the Rural Utilities Service. About 133 projects received grants in 37 states and two U.S. territories and the local funding will be utilized by JCESC and the Help Me Grow program in Jefferson and Harrison counties, as well as the Family Recovery Center, Jefferson County Juvenile Court and many of JCESC’s member school districts. Among the districts included are Steubenville, Harrison Hills, Indian Creek, Buckeye Local, Southern Local and Jefferson County Joint Vocational School. The federal grant totals $519,602 with a local match of $67,780 and will help install technology and implement Project Access so local rural residents-- namely students and their families-- can take advantage of health and wellness and educational programs via videoconferencing. 

   Superintendent Dr. Chuck Kokiko said the funds would be used to develop two initiatives to address the needs of residents, students and families in Jefferson, Harrison and Columbiana counties who lack sufficient transportation for services. One component would provide telemedicine services through a variety of counseling services, including individual behavioral health therapy, group therapy and other forms of family counseling. An existing mentoring program also will allow for the use of technology so students may meet remotely for guidance counseling and other topics. Another facet would support distance learning for early intervention services, including initial meetings with EI staff, parents and children or students through videoconferencing to discuss the overall need for testing and the introduction of why an individualized education program, or IEP, may benefit their child or student. The technology could also assist with EI team meetings where multidisciplinary care team members could discuss development or IEP implementation.

   JCESC is partnering with the Family Recovery Center to offer end-user sites with access to individual and group outpatient therapy services for families in need. In addition, the agency may present its Aiming High prevention program via videoconferencing to ensure all districts have access to the program for students in grades K-6. Help Me Grow also will use the technology to mentor children who may be struggling at school and conduct home visits for parent support, early prenatal and well-baby care and parenting education to promote the comprehensive health and development of children to qualifying parents and mothers. Moreover, the county juvenile court will be a hub site to deliver services to project end user sites.

   Dr. Kokiko said the costs over everything from laptops and cables to cameras and monitors to help bring services into the 21^st Century, thereby saving time and improving upon productivity.

   “The premise behind this is there was an internal study in the county which found barriers through personal and public transportation. Rural areas have no access and ultimately this equipment will allow us to put the service use by alleviating the transportation issue and schools can link to counselors, the Family Recovery Center and the ESC. This can be adults to adults and adults to students,” he explained.

    A similar DLT grant was given to Edison Local Schools last year totaling $498,015 with a $75,000 local match so the district’s three buildings could benefit from related services. 

    Dr. Kokiko said the endeavor is another way for JCESC to enhance services.

    “As an ESC, we’re very excited to bring these resources to our member districts and the community. Our goal is to increase the availability of resources as well as the efficiency in which they are delivered,” he concluded. “We’re looking forward to working with all of the grant participants and implementing equipment and programs in the coming months.”

   JCESC CEO Dr. George Ash echoed those sentiments, saying the educational service center always looks at ways to provide quality assistance to the entities it serves.

   “This has been an ongoing process of bringing agencies together and it is a work in progress as we keep adding more,” Dr. Ash said. Since 2013, the JCESC has also included the likes of Southern Local Schools, Help Me Grow and the Family and Children First Council.

STEUBENVILLE-Area school superintendents had a chance to address their concerns on the impact of Educational Choice vouchers upon their districts during a recent meeting with state legislators.

   Leaders from Indian Creek, Toronto, Steubenville, Harrison Hills, Edison and Southern Local met with Sen. Frank Hoagland (R-30^th) and Rep. Don Jones (R-95^th) at the Jefferson County Educational Service Center this past month about the Educational Choice, or EdChoice, vouchers, which is part of a scholarship program launched in 2006 and offers private school vouchers to students in grades K-12 who are assigned to “low-performing” public schools. Participating private schools are required to accept the voucher as full tuition for students whose families are at or below 200 percent of the poverty level, and school districts—not the state—pay the costs.

    The superintendents expressed concern about how their districts could lose funding to private facilities amid low indicators on state report cards, even though they have worked diligently to attain ever-changing standards. Schools which score a D or F, including performance added for the past two years, are eligible to lose money through the voucher program. A main sticking point is that while schools are showing improvement, they may still lose thousands of dollars that could hinder education. However, there are ideas in the works to ease the situation.

   JCESC Superintendent Dr. Chuck Kokiko said the issue spurred officials to contact Sen. Hoagland, who then invited Rep. Jones, House education committee chairman and a longtime teacher in the Harrison Hills City School District. Rep. Jones said the matter first came to his attention in the spring and he was working on an immediate fix until a permanent solution is found. Among the ideas are to make EdChoice a second option and move the appropriations date to March or April 1; remove buildings from the list if their score improves to a C-minus, unless the school receives a D or F grade in value added; and changing the grading system to meeting, exceeding or not meeting standards. Legislators are also eying a plan to set an end date for EdChoice scholarship appropriations and the student must be enrolled for an entire year to receive the funding.

   “A lot of kids are people we haven’t seen in our districts,” he said. “A lot of school districts have good relationships with [private schools in their area] and it’s driving a wedge. One option would be to be put language in as an amendment to a current bill with an emergency clause. We know this is a short-term fix and will have to look at something long-term.”

   He added that the state report card does not accurately account for what schools are doing, and surprisingly Steubenville’s Harding Middle School was on the list even though the district earned an ‘A’ rating.

   Steubenville City School Superintendent Melinda Young questioned test scores between her district and an area private school, saying the latter was considerably lower yet it benefitted through the voucher program.

   “Eighty-two percent at Steubenville are passing, but at the private school students are passing with much lower rates on third-grade math,” she commented, adding that she had difficulty finding information on the EdChoice schools. “What’s fair for me should be fair for them. If a school district gets EdChoice funding, they should have the same requirements I have.”

   Amid more talks, Indian Creek Superintendent Dr. T.C. Chappelear referred to a study by the Thomas Fordham Institute which found that only more advantaged kids who were eligible used the voucher program, while they wind up doing worse than if they remained in the public school system. He said his district stood to lose a half-million dollars as a result of the current voucher requirements.

 “It’s an experiment like charter schools. Our communities believe in our schools and it is frustrating when you have legislators saying you are not doing a good job,” he added, noting improvements over the last three years at Indian Creek High School, which showed growth from an F to an A. “If you take $500,000 out of our district, it will be difficult to maintain that momentum.” 

   Toronto Superintendent Maureen Taggart said emphasis was also being placed upon health and wellness success and currently half of the district’s children are enrolled in the school-based health care program.

   “We have to do so much more than educate children. We’re being graded on an academic report card on other services we’re providing,” she said, adding there was a significant difference with state report card results. “Our score is similar to Indian Creek’s but we’re not on the list.”

   Harrison Hills Superintendent Dana Snider noted that schools are constantly facing obstacles to meet ever-evolving standards.

   “I’m okay with testing because it’s set a bar for us,” said Snider. “Now that bar has been set so high that I don’t know how anyone can reach it. I like the value added because I look at the growth of the kids.”

   “Every time we spend time testing, we are not spending time teaching,” Young commented. “We should not test every year; we should test in fourth and eighth grades.”

    Southern Local Superintendent Tom Cunningham said students are being put into one mold even though they are not the same.

    Rep. Jones responded that as a teacher, he was aware of what was happening in schools, while Sen. Hoagland interjected that the Ohio Department of Education did not appear to be included in the decision-making process.

   “Let’s fix the problem and get back to the job we’re supposed to do and educate kids,” Rep. Jones replied. “I appreciate what I am hearing from you folks. It’s important to have people in that business to help make decisions. The report card has to be fixed and the report card triggers EdChoice. We have to get that thing right first. We have to meet requirements to get federal funding. We should meet the federal requirements and let the schools tell their story.”

(Photo Cutline: Ohio Sen. Frank Hoagland (R-30^th) and Rep. Don Jones (R-95^th) met with local school superintendents at the Jefferson County Educational Service Center to address concerns over Educational Choice vouchers. The superintendents said current voucher requirements would affect funding while private schools were not held to the same standards as public districts. Rep. Jones, House education chairman and a longtime teacher, said he was working on immediate fixes until long-term solutions could be found.)

RICHMOND-The Jefferson County Educational Service Center awarded three Edison Local School teachers with 2019 Best Practice Grants to expand students’ knowledge.

   Stanton Elementary teachers Jordan Tice and Mikayla Tice and John Gregg Elementary educator Kathy Ramsey each received $600 mini-grants during the regular Edison Local school board meeting at Edison High School on Nov. 21 to put their classroom ideas into practice. JCESC is awarding a total of 22 grants to seven school districts, a vocational school and a community school during the 2019-20 academic year to help recipients bring their ideas to fruition.

   Jordan Tice plans to use her mini-grant for sixth-grade math students to code an MIT program known as Scratch.

   “It is designed for younger students to be introduced to code.  While students will not have to type out binary code, they will still have to choose the right actions to create the exact movement they want,” she said. “Coding movement is based off of the coordinate plane. This is a sixth-grade standard, so students will be able to understand how the movement actually works. Students will start off by animating their name and this will help them learn the program controls. Then students will be able to create a scene from a story of their choosing and add sound, movement, and backgrounds. Finally, the students will be able to code a game similar to Space Invaders or Mario.  The Best Practice Grant will be used to provide students with books that will help with the projects along the way.”

    She said the project will benefit 73 students and she has received a Best Practice Grant in previous years.

   “It’s an honor to be selected,” Tice added. “This grant has allowed for me to create end-of-the-year STEM projects that genuinely excite the students. Thank you to the Jefferson County ESC for offering this opportunity for teachers.”

   Mikayla Tice, a first- and second-grade intervention specialist at Stanton, will use her windfall to continue a school-wide Book of the Month initiative which promotes literacy and also incorporates the recently implemented Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS) matrix used across the district. She said it will benefit 400 students in grades PreK-6 in the process.

   “Each month a book will be chosen and read across grade levels and activities will be completed in each subject area to cover state standards through enhanced learning,” she explained.

   Tice is a first-time Best Practice Grant awardee and was honored to be chosen.

   “I am so excited to be able to implement an initiative in the school that will promote literacy and will be a fun way to build community.  I cannot thank the Jefferson County ESC enough for providing this opportunity to so many districts. The ESC is truly aiding in the learning of so many students in the area. Stanton Elementary is grateful for all the support that the Jefferson County ESC shows our school and looks forward to using the grant to provide students with enriched and enhanced education through the Book of the Month initiative.”

   Ramsey, who instructs music to grades PreK-6 at John Gregg, is establishing an early childhood music curriculum with her project, “Preschool and Above Enrichment through Music.”

   The funding will help acquire eight desktop bell sets that will allow more than 100 students to learn music theory and recognize various pitches by ear, kinesthetically and visually.

   “My project is a Preschool Prodigies music curriculum that introduces early learners to pitch recognition with the use of solfege, colors, rhythms, and the musical alphabet,” she said. “The district purchased the online curriculum which will be used in most of the primary grades. The grant was written in order to acquire several sets of the colored and pitched desk bells that are used for the kinesthetic and aural learning part of the curriculum. It is my hope that our early music learners will be able to have great sense of pitch after several consecutive years of this.  It would greatly enhance their singing abilities and learning an instrument.”

    Ramsey is a previous Best Practice Grant recipient and said the latest allocation will be put to great use.

   “I am very grateful in receiving this grant.  It allows me to purchase the starter sets of bells to begin this new curriculum. More will be needed, but it’s a start. I am excited to see the progress with the students in the next few years.”

    JCESC has been awarding Best Practice Grants for more than three decades to benefit education at Buckeye Local, Edison Local, Harrison Hills City, Indian Creek Local, Southern Local, Steubenville City and Toronto City Schools as well as Jefferson County Joint Vocational School and the Utica Shale Academy, while an estimated $106,500 has been disbursed within the past 12 years alone.

    “The Jefferson County Educational Service Center Board governs with a belief of making decisions that are beneficial to our students.  Most of those decisions are impactful at the district level,” said Superintendent Dr. Chuck Kokiko. “The Best Practice Grant program provides an opportunity to directly assist teachers and students in the classroom.  JCESC is grateful to the teachers who apply for the Best Practice Grants and we look forward to funding innovative instructional practices in the classroom each year.”

(Photo Cutline: The Jefferson County Educational Service Center presented three $600 Best Practice Grants to Edison Local School teachers during the regular school board meeting on Nov. 21 for their creative classroom programs. Pictured are, from left, JCESC Coordinator Patty Ferrell with teachers Mikayla Tice, Jordan Tice and Kathy Ramsey.)

MINGO JUNCTION-Teachers in the Indian Creek Local School District are the latest recipients of the Jefferson County Educational Service Center’s 2019 Best Practice Grants and will use the funds to expand upon technology and literature in their classrooms.

   Ashley Turnbull, Rebecca Canestraro and Staci Copeland each gained a $600 mini-grant to develop successful students and were recognized during the regular Indian Creek school board meeting on Nov. 21. JCESC is awarding a total of 22 grants to seven school districts, a vocational school and a community school during the 2019-20 academic year to implement the educators’ innovative ideas.

   Turnbull, a preschool teacher at Hills Elementary, will use her windfall for her project, “Auditory Development.” She plans to purchase three Qball Throwable Wireless Microphone Systems that will provide auditory needs in preschool as well as the third-grade inclusion room. The equipment will help those learning to speak and also soft talkers get their voice heard. With inclusion being an important part of the educational setting, she said it can be difficult for some peers to understand and hear other students in the classroom. The Q-Balls will be used for the whole group instruction such as carpet time as well as small-group center academic time.

    “We’re really excited,” she said. “This helps [students] get their voices heard.”

    The project benefits about 100 students at Hills. Meanwhile, Turnbull said she has received Best Practice Grants in the past and was thankful for approval this time.

   Canestraro, who instructs third-grade English and Language Arts at Wintersville Elementary, will promote “Expandable Reading to Meet Student Interest.” Her project entails purchasing books to expand a student’s independent reading level by reading books of interest. 

   The project will allow for the library to expand its reading collection and priority will be given to expanding non-fiction selections, since non-fiction library selections are limited and are typically above grade level. The books will be shared with all grade levels.

   “My project is a classroom library expansion that allows all students the opportunity to read suitable books that accommodate their interests and reading level,” she said.

    Approximately 60 students will benefit from the project and this is Canestraro’s first Best Practice Grant award.

   “Receiving this grant is very relieving. This grant helps to guarantee that resources are being provided to all learners at their reading level. The grant has provided my classes with access to more literature that appeals to their interest and the expansion of the classroom library would not be possible without it.”

  Copeland will use her grant allocation to fund “Differentiation for Gifted and Higher Level ELA through Multimedia.” The idea is to acquire a program to differentiate reading material at higher levels for gifted, above-grade level and post-high school level students. The ‘Actively Learn’ reading program concentrates on critical thinking and depth at many levels through informational text, literature, entire novels and corresponding videos. Copeland, who instructs eighth-grade English and Language Arts at Indian Creek Middle School, said the focus is to shift the teacher’s role to facilitator so the students can take control of their own learning, while the program is aligned to the Ohio Learning Standards.

   “I was in need of higher-level resources for my gifted and above-grade level students in the area of Language Arts,” she explained. “These students need to be engaged in high-interest and upper-level reading and thinking texts through technology. In addition, I will be able to differentiate reading material at higher levels to meet my students’ needs.”

   About 30 honors and gifted program students will benefit from the program and Copeland said she was a prior mini-grant recipient.

   “I am very grateful that the JCESC offers this grant, so teachers are able to get the extra resources they need for their students.”        

   JCESC has been awarding Best Practice Grants for more than three decades to benefit education at Buckeye Local, Edison Local, Harrison Hills City, Indian Creek Local, Southern Local, Steubenville City and Toronto City Schools as well as Jefferson County Joint Vocational School and the Utica Shale Academy, while an estimated $106,500 has been disbursed within the past 12 years alone.

    “The Jefferson County Educational Service Center Board governs with a belief of making decisions that are beneficial to our students.  Most of those decisions are impactful at the district level,” said Superintendent Dr. Chuck Kokiko. “The Best Practice Grant program provides an opportunity to directly assist teachers and students in the classroom.  JCESC is grateful to the teachers who apply for the Best Practice Grants and we look forward to funding innovative instructional practices in the classroom each year.”

(Photo Cutline: The Jefferson County Educational Service Center awarded three $600 Best Practice Grants to Indian Creek Local School teachers during the Nov. 21 regular school board session for their unique classroom programs. Pictured are Indian Creek Middle School teacher Staci Copeland with JCESC Gifted Coordinator Linda Lenzi. Not pictured are Ashley Turnbull of Hills Elementary School and Rebecca Canestraro of Wintersville Elementary.)

STEUBENVILLE-Teachers in the Steubenville City School District have gained funding to help promote environmental and STEM initiatives.

   Helen Casto, Heather Hoover and Mackenzie Filtz each received a $600 Best Practice Grant from the Jefferson County Educational Service Center during the Nov. 20 Steubenville City School Board of Education session. JCESC

is awarding a total of 22 grants to seven school districts, a vocational school and a community school during the 2019-20 academic year to implement the educators’ innovative ideas.

   Casto, a fourth-grade teacher at Pugliese West Elementary, will promote vermicomposting with 75 students to generate viable material from food waste and integrates a program which was previously funded through a similar mini-grant. “Raising Worms for Compost” will help continue the compost garden that was started four years ago by a Best Practice Grant and Casto said the garden has increased from two garden beds to 10. 

   “Pugliese West fourth graders will use vermicomposting to utilize food waste from our homes and school lunches,” she said. “After the worms eat the scraps, the compost will be collected from the worm factory and used in our school garden beds.”

   Students will build, document, analyze and perform maintenance to operate the vermicomposting bins and the compost will be used for all school gardening projects throughout the year. In addition, the school’s 485 pupils will benefit since they will use the compost to enhance the soil in the garden beds. Casto said has also received a mini-grant for a prior literacy bag program to implement restorative practices in every grade level, but she was grateful to earn another award and said watching students become excited about learning through gardening has been a rewarding experience.

   “One thing that gets our students so excited is finding bugs and worms in the garden and to be able to expand on that excitement, with the funding from the Best Practice Grant, energizes me to become a better teacher.”

    Hoover, an SFA facilitator and gifted intervention specialist at the McKinley STEM Academy, is adding “Just a Little Spark” to her lessons by introducing students to simple circuit connections in the primary grade level. About 60 students in grades PreK-4 will benefit from the project.

   “Chibitronics is an ideal way to introduce primary students to simple circuit connections. With the use of stickers, paper circuits, and foil tape, this project will enable students to produce connections in the form of individual expression and art. Students will learn to design, connect and create unique and personalized hands on activities and gain a better understanding of electrical components and how they have changed the world,” she said.

    Hoover is a first-time recipient and was honored to receive the funding.

   “It is an honor to have the ability to provide my students with uniquely designed hands-on activities that will promote curiosity and innovation,” she added. “I appreciate the opportunity to apply for grants such as this, and JCESC’s ability to help promote greater experiences in the classroom, with their continuous support throughout the county.”

    Filtz, who teaches fourth-graders at the McKinley STEM Academy, was excited to receive a grant to help her 21 students grow academically, technologically and socially. Her project, “Robotics and Coding,” would provide students with engaging hands-on experiences using technology to problem-solve and engineer with robotics and to construct circuits. Students will follow the engineering design process of ask, imagine, plan, create and improve.

“My project for the Best Practice Grant includes STEM items to be used in daily science labs. Students will have the opportunity to invent, build and discover in a daily rotation,” Filtz commented. “They will have the opportunity to build circuit connections, build and solve problems with OSMO software and construct robots through coding.”

   She is a first-time mini-grant recipient and was thrilled to be selected.

   “I am extremely grateful and excited to be able to provide my students with the ability to use their critical-thinking and problem-solving skills to follow the engineering process to invent, build and discover with hands-on experiences with circuits robots, and technology. I would eventually like to add more of the same products so students have a 2-1 ratio.”

   JCESC has been awarding Best Practice Grants for more than three decades to benefit education at Buckeye Local, Edison Local, Harrison Hills City, Indian Creek Local, Southern Local, Steubenville City and Toronto City Schools as well as Jefferson County Joint Vocational School and the Utica Shale Academy, while an estimated $106,500 has been disbursed within the past 12 years alone.

    “The Jefferson County Educational Service Center Board governs with a belief of making decisions that are beneficial to our students.  Most of those decisions are impactful at the district level,” said Superintendent Dr. Chuck Kokiko. “The Best Practice Grant program provides an opportunity to directly assist teachers and students in the classroom.  JCESC is grateful to the teachers who apply for the Best Practice Grants and we look forward to funding innovative instructional practices in the classroom each year.”

Michelle Miller of the Tennessee-based Growing Great Kids program led a four-day training session for eight home visitors with the Help Me Grow agency at the Jefferson County Educational Service Center in Steubenville. The program, which was provided through the Ohio Department of Health, focused on the Growing Great Kids curriculum used with clients in the home. Help Me Grow Home Visiting, which is sponsored locally by JCESC and the Harrison Hills City School District, serves about 200 families in Jefferson, Harrison, Carroll and Belmont counties and offers expectant or new parents information and support they need to be prepared for the birth of their child, as well as ongoing education and support to maximize their child’s health and development to age 5. For more information about Help Me Grow, call (740) 283-3347 in Jefferson County or (740) 942-2622 in Harrison County.

SALINEVILLE-Educators in the Southern Local School District were highlighted for their ingenuity after being selected as 2019 Best Practice Grant recipients.

   Ron Sismondo, director of professional development and curriculum with the Jefferson County Educational Service Center, presented three $600 mini-grants for Holly Davis, Jessica Coleman and Andrew Vulgamore during the Southern Local Board of Education meeting on Nov. 13 so the teachers may implement innovative learning projects for their students. JCESC is awarding a total of 22 grants to seven school districts, a vocational school and a community school during the 2019-20 academic year to help recipients bring their ideas to fruition.

   Davis, who instructs kindergarten at Southern Local Elementary, is using her funding to create independent learning centers. The Centers That Last project will incorporate non-fiction books, word work, sight words, play dough, writing and phonemic awareness materials so students are more successful and learn faster when they experience things on hand. She added that students could work more independently, while hands-on activities help children to strengthen the muscles of the hand, improve accuracy and learn functional skills that they will use for the rest of their lives. The project will benefit 19 students now but will be sustainable well into the future.

   “It is my hope to have these materials for years to come and that many children will benefit from this grant,” she said. “I also plan to share with my sister’s kindergarten class here at Southern Local.”

   This is Davis’ first award and she was pleased to be selected as a recipient.

   “I am very excited to be one of the three chosen from Southern Local to receive the grant. It will feel like Christmas morning when all the materials arrive. Thank you to the Jefferson County ESC for providing this awesome opportunity to our school district.”

   Coleman, who is the fourth-grade intervention specialist at SLES, plans to expand upon the school’s newly created sensory area and calm down corner by adding more elements for students to use, plus additional resources for teachers from books to calm down zones in their own classrooms. The grant will help purchase bean bag chairs, books, a weighted blanket, sensory pad and a calming LED projection light for the sensory area and allow teachers and students an area to work through emotions, behaviors and regulation while keeping students in school.

   “The calm down area is primarily used for students who have difficulties with self-regulation and students who have emotional upsets that disrupt the classroom learning environment,” she explained. “Calm down areas can also be used for students who need scheduled breaks, students who need social or emotional specifically designed instruction and students who benefit from check-ins throughout the day.”

    Coleman is a first-time mini-grant recipient and is grateful for the opportunity so she may help her young charges.

 “I am eager to see the sensory space and calm down areas be used by our students,” she said. “Thank you to the Jefferson County ESC for offering this grant, and also thank you to the administrators and staff for working with me to help my vision come to fruition.”

   Vulgamore, who teaches career-based intervention for grades 9-12 at Southern Local High School, has opened the Wigwam Warm-Up student store to teach his pupils how to operate a business.

   “We are creating a student store at Southern Local Jr./Sr. High and the students will run it,” he said, adding that it benefits all students and not only the 33 pupils he teaches in his classroom. “Students will be in charge of ordering, marketing, budgeting, earning projection and manufacturing the products. They will gain real-world learning at a smaller scale and will have the roles of employee, supervisor, CFO and CEO.”

   Funding will help provide merchandise such as snacks, drinks and even shirts, hats and mugs. Purchases also include a Heat press machine with digital transfer for shirts and hats to mugs and all sale proceeds will go back into the store to maintain operations. Vulgamore said it was his first mini-grant and he was pleased to receive the award.

   “I am super excited about receiving the grant. I was not sure if we would be able to get the store up and running and would like to say thank you. I am very grateful for being awarded this grant.”

    JCESC has been awarding Best Practice Grants for more than three decades to benefit education at Buckeye Local, Edison Local, Harrison Hills City, Indian Creek Local, Southern Local, Steubenville City and Toronto City Schools as well as Jefferson County Joint Vocational School and the Utica Shale Academy, while an estimated $106,500 has been disbursed within the past 12 years alone.

      “The Jefferson County Educational Service Center Board governs with a belief of making decisions that are beneficial to our students.  Most of those decisions are impactful at the district level,” said Superintendent Dr. Chuck Kokiko. “The Best Practice Grant program provides an opportunity to directly assist teachers and students in the classroom.  JCESC is grateful to the teachers who apply for the Best Practice Grants and we look forward to funding innovative instructional practices in the classroom each year.”

(Photo Cutline: Ron Sismondo, Jefferson County Educational Service Center director of professional development and curriculum, presented three $600 Best Practice Grants for teachers Holly Davis, Jessica Coleman and Andrew Vulgamore during the Nov. 13 Southern Local school board meeting. He is pictured with Coleman, at center, and Davis while Vulgamore was not present.)

SALINEVILLE-Utica Shale Academy students have new tools to obtain success in their studies, thanks to a $600 Best Practice Grant.

   Executive Director Bill Watson obtained the mini-grant through the Jefferson County Educational Service Center and a check was presented during the regular USA Board of Directors meeting on Nov. 13. A total of 22 grants were awarded to seven school districts, a vocational school and a community school during the 2019-20 academic year and JCESC Superintendent Dr. Chuck Kokiko made the latest presentation, touting the community school’s work to prepare students for the real world.

   Watson said the funds will be used to acquire 12 new TI-85 graphing calculators to assist approximately 70 students with their math work. The project will assist in updating the site with the most current technology and provide guidance for students to become more proficient with content.

   “The current calculators will only allow students to plot one point,” he said. “By using the calculators, students will develop a stronger understanding of graphing and plotting multiple points. This will create an ideal visual and an ability to distinguish between graphs and functions.”

    Watson added that students currently borrow calculators from Southern Local High School, where USA is primarily housed, and the equipment would help prepare for end-of-year testing. The community school has obtained grants in the past and he was grateful for the most recent allocation.

   “It’s always nice to have opportunities and this grant is obviously giving our students a lot of opportunities,” he added.

    USA currently includes 67 pupils at Southern Local and the satellite location at Columbiana High School. Now in its sixth year, the community school is sponsored by JCESC and serves grades 7-12 with a state-required curriculum which includes a customizable digital program, flexible scheduling and safety certification courses. Graduates earn a high school diploma, certificates and college credit options offered through Eastern Gateway Community College.

   Meanwhile, JCESC has been awarding Best Practice Grants for more than three decades to benefit education at Buckeye Local, Edison Local, Harrison Hills City, Indian Creek Local, Southern Local, Steubenville City and Toronto City Schools as well as Jefferson County Joint Vocational School and the Utica Shale Academy, while an estimated $106,500 has been disbursed within the past 12 years alone.

   “The Jefferson County Educational Service Center Board governs with a belief of making decisions that are beneficial to our students.  Most of those decisions are impactful at the district level,” said Dr. Kokiko. “The Best Practice Grant program provides an opportunity to directly assist teachers and students in the classroom.  JCESC is grateful to the teachers who apply for the Best Practice Grants and we look forward to funding innovative instructional practices in the classroom each year.”

   DILLONVALE-Educators in the Buckeye Local School District are among the 2019 Best Practice Grant recipients through the Jefferson County Educational Service Center and will use their allocations for unique learning projects.

   JCESC Superintendent Dr. Chuck Kokiko recognized teachers Jeff Merrill, Colleen Weekley and Jenny Potts during the regular Buckeye Local school board meeting on Nov. 4 and presented each of them with $600 mini-grants to implement their ideas. JCESC is awarding a total of 22 mini-grants to seven school districts, a vocational school and a community school during the 2019-20 academic year.

    Merrill, a math teacher at Buckeye Local High School, said his funding will help eight students develop a science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) project for the school’s annual Sea Air & Land Challenge competition. Roughly 40 students from Ohio and West Virginia participate in the contest each year and the event is sponsored by Penn State University’s Electro-Optics Center (EOC).

   “My project is an underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV). I have eight students in my STEM class who will be responsible for building and operating the ROV,” he said. “This is the first time I have received a Best Practices Grant. I feel honored to receive this grant so that the students at Buckeye Local can have even more STEM experiences. They learn to build, troubleshoot and work collaboratively on a common goal.”

   Merrill said the funds benefit junior and seniors in his STEM class and thanked JCESC for awarding the mini-grant so students have more opportunities to expand their learning skills.

   Weekley, an intervention specialist at Buckeye North Elementary, will purchase critical-thinking activities for her project, “Everyone Needs a Little Help from a Friend,” to communicate and collaborate and think outside the box so students can play to their strengths. 

    “I am getting hands-on learning materials for students to collaboratively work together. There are STEM activities, science, math, reading and social studies activities, games and challenges. Some of the materials will be used in class, but most of the activities will be utilized during Title or recess time. With students and people so focused on technology, I wanted activities that would challenge the students without the use of technology,” she said. “I am really excited to be able to give the students the opportunity to create, learn and make mistakes on their own in small groups.”

   Weekley that it would benefit more about 80-100 fifth- and sixth-grade pupils but other grade levels may use the materials. She commented that it was her first Best Practice Grant and she was grateful to have her project chosen.

    Potts, a kindergarten teacher at Buckeye South Elementary, will use her windfall for “We Know Our ABC’s and Want to Share Our Recipes,” a project in which her 25 students will publish a cookbook with help from the community. 

   “This collaborative project will involve the students, their families, the community and the teachers at school.  The kindergarten students will create a collaborative ABC’s recipe book that will be professionally printed and bound,” she said, adding that her pupils will be responsible for interviews, writing the recipes and drawing illustrations. “After all of the recipes are collected, the class will work together to bring the book to life.  The students will use their letter knowledge to put the recipes in alphabetical order. They will also be able to use their math skills to number the pages. The students will then learn what it takes to be a published author by making a rough draft of the book.”

   The book will be released through Studentreasures Publishing Company and the class will receive 29 copies of the book as included in the grant, but unlimited additional copies may also be purchased. Potts added that her students will benefit from the collaboration as well as practicing the skills they learn in the classroom. Additionally, they get to share their hard work with the world by displaying their book in the school library. Potts also hopes to make the book an annual class tradition.

   "This grant would allow us to have the start-up supplies to use year after year.  Next year, the students would have to pay for the book, but we would be able to start earlier because we will have the necessary items and experience to begin right away.”

   JCESC has been awarding Best Practice Grants for more than three decades to benefit education at Buckeye Local, Edison Local, Harrison Hills City, Indian Creek Local, Southern Local, Steubenville City and Toronto City Schools as well as Jefferson County Joint Vocational School and the Utica Shale Academy, while an estimated $106,500 has been disbursed within the past 12 years alone.

   “The Jefferson County Educational Service Center Board governs with a belief of making decisions that are beneficial to our students.  Most of those decisions are impactful at the district level,” said Dr Kokiko. “The Best Practice Grant program provides an opportunity to directly assist teachers and students in the classroom.  JCESC is grateful to the teachers who apply for the Best Practice Grants and we look forward to funding innovative instructional practices in the classroom each year.”