Woodridge Local Schools

January 2016 | Volume 2, Issue 5

In This IssuePage 2

Construction Project Planning Continues. Community Engagement to Begin

The Great Kindness Challenge

Book Float Parade

Interact Club and FCCLA Students - Ambassadors for Family Promise Homeless Shelter

Page 3

FREE Parenting Series - Sponsored by the State Support Team Region 8 and the Parent Access Collaborative (PAC)

Signing Up for The Career Based Intervention Program

KeyMakers

The WPS Ambassador Club

Page 4

Rotary Students of the Month

Wellness Committee

Malley’s Fundraiser

Calendar of Events

Students of the Month

www.woodridge.k12.oh.us

By: Walter Davis, SuperintendentWhile it may only take a second to glance at your phone while driving, it could mean a lifetime of consequences for you or others later. Every day, people are becoming more reliant on their cell phones and are more connected than ever before. With all of the demands of our daily lives, many people struggle to break that connection while driving. According to AT&T’s It Can Wait® campaign, texting and driving contributes to more than 200,000 vehicle accidents each year, many causing serious injuries or fatalities. Ten percent of the drivers in those fatal crashes were under the age of 20. I dread the possibility that any of our Woodridge family might become a part of these statistics. In an effort to make this a focus for our district, we will begin a dialogue with our students and community so we can take action to stop texting while driving. The first step will be a meeting with student leaders at Woodridge High School engaging them in a discussion about this important topic. Eventually, we will expand our focus as part of a district-wide campaign with students, staff and the community involved.

Stayed tuned for more information!

Texting & Driving: A Second Now, A Lifetime Later

Congratulations to the Woodridge Primary School Building Character Students of the month for December. These students were chosen from their classrooms for doing an excellent job of practicing Peacefulness, our Building Character Word of the Month.Front row: Kaleb Hutchinson, Amaris Scott, Joud Alkahlifa, Eva Day, Maddy Demass, and Jack MichneySecond row: Maddie Rembold, Ambar Shah, Andyn Seward, Luke Farrar, Robert Seats, and A’Shya GriffinThird row: Branden Evans, Gavin Brinson, Ava Hanes, Arion Woods, and Katara Oglesby. Not pictured: Mya Henderson

What can you do in the meantime?

Have a conversation with your family about safe driving and putting the phone away when you’re at the wheel. You can also download one of these apps that manages calls and texts while driving and even allows parents to monitor their children’s cellphone activity while in the car. • LifeSaver App (Android, iPhone) – FREE• DriveSafe Mode - FREE• AT&T DriveMode® App (for AT&T subscribers only) - FREE• Safely Go App (Android)- FREE• Live2Txt (Android) - $1.99• Canary – Teen Safety (Android, iPhone) - $14.99 lifetime

subscription• TextLimit (Android, iPhone) -$24.99/year per phone• Drivesafe.ly Pro (Android, BlackBerry, iPhone and Windows

Mobile) - $13.95/year for single user, $34.95/year for family pack

Woodridge Local Schools

www.woodridge.k12.oh.us2

Construction Project Planning Continues. Community Engagement to BeginBy: Superintendent Walter Davis“One Community. One Campus. Many Minds”Indeed, this is our theme as we continue to provide updates on the renovations to the high school and construction of the new Primary and Intermediate School buildings. Woodridge brings many communities together for the education of our students. Thanks to the passage of the bond issue, we will become one campus, bringing the talented minds of our students and staff to one central location here on Quick Road.Planning is moving along and we are excited about the creation of two Educational Specification Planning Committees, one for the high school project and one for the Primary and Intermediate School. These committees, made up of parents, community members, teachers and staff will work closely with the architect to develop the schematic designs. Our goal is to have these building designs ready for a presentation to the Board of Education in May of this year so that ground breaking can be scheduled for the fall. Over the next several months, we will be touring other new schools in the region to see how other districts have designed their facilities. As we work on our designs, there will be multiple opportunities for community input. Working together, we are planning for the future. The excitement is building!

The Great Kindness ChallengeWoodridge Primary School participated in The Great Kindness Challenge the week of January 25-29. This one school week was devoted to performing as many acts of kindness as possible. Students

were invited to complete the challenge by doing things such as; compliment five people, help someone up if they fall down or invite a new friend to play with you. Once students completed the challenge, they decorated a handprint and taped it to the “I Completed the Great Kindness Challenge Wall of Fame.” Kindergarten and first-grade students completed the challenge as a class, and second-grade students completed it individually.

Book Float Parade

The sound of a marching band could be heard coming from the Woodridge Intermediate School Cafeteria on Tuesday, December 15 as our third grade students paraded the cafeteria with their book floats to the sound of a select group of Woodridge Intermediate School’s brass band. The procession of over 100 students weaving between crowds of proud supporters carried floats depicting their favorite scenes from a chapter book of their choosing. The book floats were as unique as each of our students, showcasing their creativity in both frivolity and function. Families, teachers, and peers alike were amazed by the creativity employed with the use of household items to create a variety of displays, which included remote control floats, optical illusions, 3D masterpieces, sculpture and more. Students enjoyed throwing candy to the onlookers as they snaked through the parade route. Families joined their

students in classrooms after the parade to get a closer look at the creations as well as at the multi-paragraph reports that the students were asked to write to both summarize the plot of their stories and to express their opinions on the story. Fourth and fifth grade students were also invited to tour the third grade classrooms, and were encouraged to communicate constructive comments to the third graders on the hard work that lie before them. Candace Lamp, who spearheaded the event, and all of the third grade educators are passionate about helping to develop a love for reading and help keep the burning flame of creativity bright. We would like to express the utmost gratitude to the parents for providing materials, guidance, and support to their scholars throughout this challenging project. We are also full of thanks to the band for making our parade feel like an authentic parade. Finally, deep thanks to the third graders who worked diligently to be critical and creative in the completion of this memorable experience.

Interact Club and FCCLA Students - Ambassadors for Family Promise Homeless ShelterBy: Susan Keyes

Mr. Jeff Wilhite, Executive Director of Family Promise Homeless Shelter of Summit County, met with students in the Woodridge Interact Club and FCCLA Club on January 12 to discuss plans for their upcoming fundraiser, The Empty Bowl Dinner. The dinner was held on January 29 from 5:00-7:00

January 2016 | Volume 2, Issue 5

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p.m. at Woodridge High School, and proceeds benefitted Family Promise, which provides whole families that are homeless with a positive path forward. Family Promise has helped homeless families in Summit County since 2003, and last year they helped 39 families in 2015 get back on track by providing shelter, classes in nutrition and financial literacy, and assisting with job searches. Family Promise operates entirely on private donations and volunteer support. Woodridge Interact Club and FCCLA Club students prepared and served the dinner on January 29. Mr. Wilhite called these Woodridge students Ambassadors for Family Promise and their community.

FREE Parenting Series - Sponsored by the State Support Team Region 8 and the Parent Access Collaborative (PAC) Feb. 10, 2016, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Self-Advocacy. Probably the single most important skill you can help teach your student is to self-advocate. Three young adults will join us and demonstrate how self-advocacy has benefitted them. Dr. Rachel Queen, a representative from Kent State University, will also join us. Registration required. A free lunch is provided to those who RSVP and specify that they are staying for lunch.March 9, 2016, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – The Early Years. Sarah Jackson (Early Learning & School Readiness Coordinator for SST#8) and Tina Overturf (Summit County Help Me Grow) will present on the Help Me Grow program, preschool services and the Ohio Department of Education’s focus on early literacy. Registration required. A free lunch is provided to those who RSVP and specify that they are staying for lunch.April 20, 2016, 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. – What’s New in Ohio? presented by Gary Tonks, Executive Director of the ARC of Ohio. This is an open question and answer forum related to new legislative

issues, waivers, scholarships, Medicaid and DD (Developmental Disability) services and more. Registration required. A free lunch is provided to those who RSVP and specify that they are staying for lunch.

Signing Up for The Career Based Intervention Program at Woodridge High SchoolBy: Dennis Dever, Woodridge High SchoolWith scheduling for next year taking place at Woodridge High School in the coming weeks, students should be aware of a unique program offered to current sophomores and juniors.The Career Based Intervention Program is designed for selected students who want to explore careers while getting first-hand experience in the world of work. CBI helps students develop financial skills in order to help students succeed in the workplace and ensure their success. They may spend part of the school day at job sites in the community.Students earn one credit for the daily CBI class and an additional two credits for weekly work obligations.Students or parents interested in learning more about the program should talk to Mr. Dennis Dever in Room 504 at the High School or email him at ddever@woodridge.k12.oh.us.

KeyMakersSome people see a closed door and turn away. Others see a closed door, try the knob, If it doesn’t open, they turn away.

Still others see a closed door, try the knob, If it doesn’t open, they find a key, If the key doesn’t fit, they turn away.

A rare few see a closed door, try the knob, If it doesn’t open, they find a key, If the key doesn’t fit, THEY MAKE ONE!

Is there a KeyMaker in your child’s education? We would like to recognize Woodridge Local Schools’ employees and volunteers that have been KeyMakers, those who open doors for students. All nominated individuals will receive a certificate.To nominate a KeyMaker visit http://goo.gl/GtduTMThis program is sponsored by the Woodridge Local Schools Parent Mentor Program. The Parent Mentor Program assists parents of children with special needs in securing an appropriate education for their child. We must receive all nominations prior to April 8, 2016.

Call 330-928-9074 ext. 591703 or email ke_parentmentor@kentschools.net with questions.

The WPS Ambassador Club

Left to right: Sydney Blower, Demetria Balentine, Brady Martin, Jailah Drummond, Jacob Igleheart, Libby Bragg

Second grade students are learning leadership skills while participating in reverse-inclusion. These students model social and coping skills to students with unique learning abilities through student led play and art activities. By example, the Ambassadors also encourage their own classmates to demonstrate understanding and acceptance. Both the Ambassadors and their partners benefit from the special friendships formed within this engaging, supportive environment. Evidence-based strategies, such as the reverse-inclusion model, is an example of the WPS commitment to supporting students with diverse needs.

Woodridge Local Schools

4 Janury 2016 | Volume 2, Issue 5 // www.woodridge.k12.oh.us

Calendar of Events2/1/16 WHS Parent Night #3

Presentation - Teen Suicide Prevention, 6:00 p.m.

2/1/16 Girls Varsity Basketball vs. Field HS, 7:30 p.m.

2/2/16 PTO Meeting @ WHS, 6 p.m.

2/3/16 WMS Parent Teacher Conferences, 4 - 7 p.m.

2/6/16 Girls Varsity Basketball vs. Norton HS, 2:30 p.m.

2/8/16 Boys JV and Varsity Bowling vs. Walsh Jesuit HS, 4 p.m.

2/9/16 Boys Varsity Basketball vs. Aurora HS, 7:30 p.m.

2/10/16 Girls Varsity Basketball vs. Springfield HS, 7:30 p.m.

2/11/16 WPS and WIS Valentine’s Day Parties

2/11/16 8th Grade Orientation @ WHS, 6 p.m.

2/12/16 NO SCHOOL ~ Teacher In-Service Day

2/12/16 Boys Varsity Basketball vs. Norton HS, 7:30 p.m.

2/15/16 NO SCHOOL ~ President’s Day

2/16/16 Woodridge Board of Education Meeting @ WHS, 6 p.m.

2/17/16 Red Cross Blood Drive @ WHS, 6:30 a.m.

2/17/16 Music Club Meeting @ WHS, 6:30 p.m.

2/19/16 Boys Varsity Basketball vs. Springfield HS, 7:30 p.m.

2/23/16 Coffee with the Superintendent @ Admin Offices, 4 p.m.

2/24/16 - 3/2/16 WPS Book Fair

2/25/16 WPS Parent Teacher Conferences, 4 - 7 p.m.

2/25/16 WHS Band Concert @ WHS, 7 p.m.

2/27/16 Destination Imagination Friends and Family Night @ WHS, 3 p.m.

2/27/16 Jazz Dinner @ WHS, 7 p.m.

Our Rotary Students of the Month are:

Senior - Julia Bilotta, 8th Grader - Cole Sullivan

Both were guests of The Northampton Rotary Club at their luncheon meeting on Thursday, January 21 at Papa Joes, where they were honored for their achievements!

Woodridge Local School District Wellness CommitteeThe Woodridge Local Schools Wellness Committee has been meeting over the past year to analyze what is already happening in the district to promote health and wellness. Their next step is to come up with family friendly activities that could be enjoyed by everyone and

would allow for meaningful interactions between parents and children.The programs will be designed to give students and families opportunities to get involved in several school-sponsored fitness/wellness group activities per year. In addition, other health and fitness activities in Northeast Ohio will be publicized in district newsletters and on the website. This year several activities were piloted so that the committee could have feedback about the success of each program. The Wellness Committee meets again in March to decide which activities would work the best in our district. They will consider both what we have been doing as a district and what we can do to promote health and wellness. The need to improve the health of students is directly related to improving their academic achievement in school. In looking at the research, the committee found that good health will bring many rewards both physically and academically as well as economically for the rest of a child’s life. Long term studies have documented quality health

care as a proven strategy for preventing school dropouts. Keeping students healthy and in school will produce a learning environment that is positive and productive and will lead to greater success.

Woodridge Middle School Malley’s Fundraiser

Woodridge Middle School is holding a Malley’s Fundraiser. Paper order forms will be accepted from Jan 21-Feb. 19. Online sales run through March 21. Please visit www.malleys.com/woodridge-middle-school to order online.Thank you for your support!