Ross Local Schools
Serving Our Community for 83 Years
Federal $1,086,356
Winter 2015
Other $1,690,768
State $12,126,021
Local $10,889,023
“Kids Are Our Business”
ROSS REFLECTIONS
Board of Education Elects Officers
Report on Federal Grants
The Ross Local School District Board of Education held its annual organizational meeting on January 6, 2015. At the meeting new officers were elected and the meeting schedule for 2015 was approved. The board members and their telephone numbers are listed below. Email addresses for the members and the meeting schedule may be found on the district web site at www.rossrams.com.
The Ross Local School District is conscientious in pursuing opportunities to bring outside grant funds that will improve our educational program and will supplement local tax dollars. One source of these funds is the federal grant program. There are five separate federal grants that the district applies for each year. The dollar amount for each one and a brief description of its purpose is below.
Steve Stitsinger, President, 867-8456 David Brown, Vice-President, 738-3426 Edward Bosse, 738-2315 Glenda Holt, 868-7094 John McCandless, 738-2522
Straight A Grant As reported last fall, the Ross Local School District was awarded a $949,987 Straight A Fund Grant from the Ohio Department of Education. The competitive grant program is designed to support innovative learning initiatives. Our grant initiative titled Personalization through Digital Age Teaching and Learning is now well underway. Every student in grades 5-12 has been provided a Chromebook laptop computer. Teaching and learning are being transformed through utilization of digital resources to provide a more personalized online learning experience. In addition, formative assessments will be used by teachers to select resources and activities based on students’ identified needs. Reductions in spending for textbooks, paper, and copier and printer maintenance, along with the need to no longer maintain general use computer labs will provide funds to purchase new devices every four years. For more detailed information on this initiative go to the district’s web site and click on the “1:1” tab.
• Title I $258,481 – These funds are used to provide reading intervention for students in grades K – 3. • Title IIA $104,667 – These funds are used to reduce class size in the primary grades. • Title III $895 – Support of Limited English Proficient students. • IDEA VIB $580,526 – Special education program. • ECSE $1,448 – Early childhood special education. • Race To The Top - $6,813 – These funds are used for staff professional development.
Safer Schools Hotline The Ohio Department of Public Safety has established a school safety hotline called SAFEROH. By calling or texting 844-SAFEROH any student, parent, or community member can anonymously report anything that is suspicious or may endanger students or a school. The proper school authorities will be immediately contacted in order to take appropriate action to ensure the safety of students.
Child Find
New Graduation Requirements
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that all public schools have a “comprehensive child find system” to assure that all children who are in need of early intervention or special education services are located, identified, and referred. To participate in an early intervention program or special education, a child must meet eligibility guidelines according to the IDEA. The Ross Local School District actively seeks to locate, identify, and refer children from ages 3 to 21, who may require special education and related services in order to assist them and their families in acquiring a free and appropriate public education. Anyone who may have a concern about a delay in a child’s development or a child’s disability that may interfere with learning or having access to learning are encouraged to contact their building counselor or the Ross Special Services office at 863-6150.
New graduation requirements will take effect with the Class of 2018 (this year’s freshmen). The new requirements do not change the current courses or number of course credits that students must complete to be eligible for graduation. What is new is that in addition to course credits, students will earn points toward graduation on seven end-of-course exams. These exams replace the Ohio Graduation Tests. The courses in which students will take an end-of-course exam will be: English I and II, algebra I, geometry, physical science or biology, American history, and American government. Students can earn from 1-5 points for each exam, based on their performance. Students must accumulate a minimum of 18 points from scores on their end of course exams in order to earn a diploma.
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“Kids Are Our Business”
ROSS REFLECTIONS
Did You Know? •
The following RMS students were recently inducted into the National Junior Honor Society: Julia Antoine, Nathan Berlepsch, Emmie Blum, Jacob Butzin, Lainy Demeropolis, Claire Diersing, Brett Eads, Faith Estes, Brandon Fletcher, Megan Foster, Carrie Gettler, Grace Hall, Ainsley Helling, Jenna Hill, Ally Moore, Keegan Nickoson, Keri Parker, Anna Perry, Mackenzie Powell, Josh Reid, Isabella Saylor, Aaron Smith, Spencer Smith, Maya Soundappan, Lauren Toelke, Lilly Toerner, Erin Weidner, Emma Trout, Makenna Wurzelbacher, Julia Ziepfel.
• RMS Band members Grace Hall and Jakob Walker were selected to participate in the Ohio State University Honor Band. •
Eighth grade student Aidan Jones was the winner of the RMS Spelling Bee and sixth grade student Ruth Luebbe was runner-up.
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The RMS Power of the Pen team finished fourth out of 21 teams at the district tournament. RMS seventh grader Keri Parker placed 8th overall and eighth grader McKaley Williams placed 12th.
• At the iSPACE District Robotics Tournament, the RMS Team, Alpha Girls, won the Ambassador Award and the Project Research Award. They will now compete at the state tournament. The Super Omega Technix won the Judges Award and the SnakeBytes brought home the Gracious Professionalism Award. • Four RHS band members were selected for the OMEA District 13 Honor Band. They are Brandon Armstrong, Derek Johnson, Josh Koons, and Zach Wurzelbacher. • The Ross High School Marching Band qualified for the State Marching Band Finals for the 29th consecutive year. • RHS was awarded the Harold A. Meyer Sportsmanship Award by the Ohio High School Athletic Association for the 13th consecutive year.
• The RHS Girls Cross Country Team won the Southwest Ohio Conference Championship. • RHS senior Zach Wurzelbacher received the Honda – OSU Partnership Math Medal Award. His selection was based on academic performance in math through the end of the junior year. • Jayson Rook has been named a Finalist in the 2015 National Merit Scholarship Competition. • The RHS Chapter of the National Honor Society recently inducted the following new members: Hayleigh Coppenger, Kayla Curry, Karl Dierking, Lauren Geraci, Alyssa Gildea, Samuel Hauenstein, Olivia Hey, Annie Hinterlong, Olivia Jones, Sidney Mann, Jeremy Neff, Lindsey Nunn, Ashley Parrett, Alison Rasche, Claire Sackenheim, Audrey Schlembach, Christy Schmitt, Rebecca St. John, Chase Wallace, Jessica Wethington. • The following students were recently inducted into the National Technical Honor Society at Butler Tech: Tyler Caudill, Layla Hood, Nicole Schum. • The RHS Homecoming Queen was Ashlee Chadwick and the Homecoming King was David Haynes. • For the second time in the last three years, the RHS Wrestling Team won the Regional Team Tournament title. • Emily Casaceli, RHS sophomore, was named the SWOC female Swimmer of the Year. • Morgan student Ty Graff was one of 12 top winners in the Dyer, Garofalo, Mann, and Schultz calendar safety rule contest. He won $1,000 for the Morgan art department. Sarah Eldridge received an honorable mention. • During the first quarter of this school year 40% of Morgan students and 37% of Elda students had perfect attendance.
Community Service Activities •
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The RMS National Junior Honor Society raised over $1,200 for Cincinnati Children’s Hospital at the Cincinnati Walks for Kids Walkathon hosted by the Cincinnati Zoo. RMS collected over 5,200 cans of food for the Ross and Morgan Ministries (RAMM) food pantry.
• The Elda Student Council sponsored the collection of hats, scarves, gloves and coats for the holiday season. They are also collecting pop can tabs for the Ronald McDonald House. •
Elda Elementary collected 130 boxes of food for the RAMM food pantry.
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“Kids Are Our Business”
• Elda Elementary students created valentines that were distributed at local nursing homes. • The Morgan Student Council adopted a family to support for the holidays. They are also collecting pop can tabs for the Ronald McDonald House. • Morgan Elementary supported the RAMM food pantry with a food drive last fall. • RHS recently collected over 400 pairs of jeans to support the Jeans for Teens campaign. The school also supported the RAMM food drive. • Mr. Albert Yates from Tri-State Honor Flight spoke at the RHS Veteran’s Day Assembly. The RHS Band played a medley of service songs and Stephen Sullivan played taps.
ROSS REFLECTIONS
NON PROFIT ORG US POSTAGE
PAID
CINCINNATI, OHIO PERMIT #1736
Ross Local School District 3371 Hamilton Cleves Road Hamilton, Ohio 45013
TEXAS HOLD’EM TOURNAMENT Ross Spirit, the booster organization that supports all Ross Schools, will be sponsoring a Texas Hold’em Tournament on Saturday, March 14th at the Millville Village Hall. Winner receives $2,000. There is a $100 entry fee which includes food/beer/pop. Cards fly at 6:00 pm. All proceeds benefit Ross Schools. To register call (513) 314-4360.
