Lynchburg-Clay SchoolsDistrict Newsletter

NOVEMBER 2010

BOARD OF EDUCATION

Stanley Markey, President Steven M. Allen, Vice-President Richard Hawk, TreasurerRobert Stevens Beverly Wilkin Kristen Greenawalt

LYNCHBURG-CLAY BOARD OF EDUCATION ACCEPTSSUPERINTENDENT’S RETIREMENT AND ANNOUNCES SUCCESSOR

At its July 20th meeting, the Lynchburg-Clay Board of Education formally accepted the retirement of Superintendent Greg Hawk, effective December 31, 2010, signifying the culmination of not only Mr. Hawk’s tenure as Lynchburg-Clay’s school chief, but a distinguished career in education spanning nearly forty years, largely in the Lynchburg-Clay Schools.After graduating from Lynchburg High School in 1965, Mr. Hawk attended The Ohio State University, where he earned a BSc in 1969. He started his education career as a junior high science teacher at an inner-city school in Cincinnati. After teaching for two years at Cincinnati Public and earning a Masters at the University of Cincinnati, he took a high school science position at Highlands High School in Fort Thomas, Kentucky. While at Highlands, he earned a second Masters in EducationAdministration at Xavier University.

Mr. Hawk joined the Lynchburg-Clay School District in 1986, as the principal at Buford Elementary, where he served for five years before being named superintendent in 1992.Mr. Hawk’s nineteen years as superintendent has seen the school district undergo many changes, including the building of a new high school and elementary school and the renovation of the old high school into a middle school. Additional accomplishments during Hawk’s tenure include steady gains in student achievement and maintaining an “Excellent” rating on the state’s academic ranking system. Other accomplishments of note include keeping the school district financially stable throughout his tenure at Lynchburg-Clay.“It’s a bittersweet situation because I love what I do and serving in the Lynchburg-Clay School District has been the pinnacle of my career. The school district is in a good position with talented and dedicated employees, strong improvement plans, beautiful buildings, and a supportive community.”“It’s a good time to turn over the reins,” he said.The Board named Mr. Shane Shope as the next Superintendent of Schools. Shope has served as Director of Instruction for eight years.Mr. Shope, 43, joined the Lynchburg-Clay Schools in 1994, and brings eighteen years of educational experience to the position. He earned a BA from The Ohio State University in 1989 and worked as a MRDD teacher before accepting a social studies teaching position at Lynchburg-Clay. Shope earned a Masters in Curriculum and Leadership from Miami University in 1999 and completed the Rural Principals and Superintendent programs at Ohio University in 2004 and 2006 respectively. He spent nine years teaching at the high school, where he also coached and sponsored numerous student organizations. Mr. Shope is currently completing a Doctorate in Educational Leadership at Ohio University.

LYNCHBURG-CLAY ELEMENTARYLynchburg-Clay Elementary recognized as a “School Of Promise”

by State Superintendent Debbie DelisleLynchburg-Clay Elementary was

recently recognized by State Superintendent Debbie Delisle as a School of Promise for its success in closing achievement gaps and ensuring high achievement for all students.

“The State Superintendent’s Schools of Promise program, administered by the Ohio Department of Education (ODE), recognizes schools across Ohio that are demonstrating high achievement in reading and mathematics for all groups of students, despite the fact that 40 percent or more of these students come from low-income backgrounds. Students in these schools met or exceeded the state standard of 75

percent passage in reading and/or mathematics for the 2009-10 school year. In Schools of Promise, all student groups meet the federal requirement of Adequate Yearly Progress (Ohio Department Education, press release September 29, 2010).

Congratulations to the students and staff of Lynchburg-Clay Elementary for being a point of Pride for our community and living up to our mission that all students can learn!

(Ohio Department Education, http://education.ohio.gov/GD/Templates/Pages/ODE/ODEDetail.aspx?page=3&TopicRelationID=1677&ContentID=9973&Content=89502)

LYNCHBURG-CLAY MIDDLE SCHOOL

LYNCHBURG-CLAY ELEMENTARY

This has been a very exciting start to the 2010-2011 school year for Lynchburg-Clay Elementary. We had been notified earlier that our district was once again rated “Excellent” by the state of Ohio.

Lynchburg-Clay Elementary now also has earned an “Excellent” rating for the first time much to our delight. Our students continue to make great academic gains. We invite everyone to drive by our building anytime to see the “Excellent” banner we are proudly displaying on our building. Our teachers and staff are so grateful for your continued support. We couldn’t experience the success we have if not for the support of our parents, families, and community.

Our school is also very happy this year to sponsor several Kraft Foods Mobile Pantries. Anyone living within the Lynchburg-Clay School District and who meets the income guidelines can participate. We know families are having a tough time making ends meet in this troubled economy. The next Food Pantry will be held in January. Please let us help ease the burden. You may call the elementary building anytime for more information. This could not have been made possible without the community support of last spring’s “Soup for the Soul” dinner. Sincerely, Mrs. Minton Lynchburg-Clay Elementary Principal

Each year in schools across the country, students, teachers, parents, and administrators set goals to strive to accomplish. Much time, data and collaboration have been contributed to set numerous goals for the middle school for this current school year.

Of course we will always have goals of improving proficiency rates on state testing. We will always strive to raise the bar and be leaders among the county and across the state. At Lynchburg-Clay Middle School we have established various goals for this school year. Many of these goals revolve around an all-encompassing goal of creating a positive, trusting environment conducive to the highest level of learning. We feel that it is vital to the success of our students that they feel comfortable in the school environment and enjoy being here.

To be successful in this endeavor, it has been a focus point to eliminate many negative behaviors that lead to mistrust. It is our goal to eradicate all aggressive and violent behaviors. Fighting and bullying have been and will continue to be high priority behaviors to be eliminated. This is not an overnight process. Achieving this goal will take time and patience. We expect to reach this goal by educating students on proper behavior, counseling students with specific needs, appropriate

discipline when necessary, and positive behavior incentives. Of course, this goal will never be realized without support from home and the community. We would like to graciously thank all parents and community members for the tremendous, continued support given to LCMS.

We are continuing the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program with our 7th and 8th graders, while the 6th graders are being introduced to the program this year.

Last year, incidents of fighting were at the lowest point ever for the middle school. Through the start of school this year, we are on pace to improve on last year’s record!

Facility ImprovementsSeveral improvements were made to the building and athletic facilities over the summer which included

a community walking path, additional parking lot area for elementary and continued additions to the athletic facilities.

In July, Barry Custis, District Maintenance Supervisor, installed a community walking path that measures nearly a mile in length around the athletic fields. The material donated by the John J. Jergensen Company with assistance from Dennis Mount helped make the path a reality. The Board of Education encourages the public to use the walking path as much as possible in an effort to promote healthy lifestyle choices within the community. The Board of Education would like to thank the John J. Jergensen Company, Dennis Mount and Barry Custis for their donation of

time, effort and material.

In addition to the walking path further development of our athletic facilities is currently underway. By spring the district hopes to complete work on an irrigation system for the soccer fields and the installation of shot put and discus areas for future track and field events. Special thanks to the Board of Education, the athletic boosters and Bill Sibrel for their continued efforts with the improvements to the athletic complex.

To help alleviate traffic flow problems at the elementary building the Board of Education approved the

construction of a new parking area behind the elementary building. This has helped during the drop off and pick up of students eliminating the overflow of cars and parking in the fire lanes. The additional parking will also help during community events creating a safer environment for students and parents.

Pictured are Barry Custis and Dennis Mountwith newly installed walking path.

New Elementary Parking Lot

Lynchburg-Clay Local SchoolsReceive Third Consecutive Excellent Rating

from the Ohio Department Education

Recently, the Lynchburg-Clay Board of Education received notice from the Ohio Department of Education that the district earned an Excellent Rating for the 2009-10 school year. This marks the third consecutive year the district has earned an excellent rating which is based on a broad range of federal and state mandates regarding student achievement and growth indicators. In addition, Lynchburg-Clay Elementary and Lynchburg-Clay High School also earned Excellent Building Ratings for the first time ever! Congratulations to the staff and students. As we work continuously to improve upon our past successes we recognize that these accomplishments are not by coincidence. It requires a concerted effort on part of the Board of Education, administration, teachers, students, parents and the at large community.

LYNCHBURG-CLAY HIGH SCHOOLLynchburg-Clay High School rated Excellent

by the Ohio Department of Education

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the faculty and students for working so hard this past year. Through the dedication of our faculty and students, the building for the first time in school history, was rated excellent. We also would like to thank the parents and community for their support. It takes special people to make special schools. We feel our community is special.

Three of the high school’s science teachers, Mrs. Shope, Mr. O’Connor and Mrs. Hamilton, were awarded this fall with the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Youth Science Opportunities. This award is given to schools and science teachers, who have challenged their students and provided opportunities through the Science Fair for students to excel and get state recognition. We are very proud of our students and our staff.

We will be having our annual Veteran’s Day Program on Thursday, November 11. This has become a very

special day here at Lynchburg-Clay High School. Our staff and students get a chance to show local veterans how much we appreciate them and their sacrifices. Anybody from the community is welcome to attend.

Athletic Director, Mr. Mark Faust, has organized a mentoring group consisting of junior and senior athletes, who two days a week walk over to the Elementary and spend about 40 minutes with our younger students in our district.

Meet the Team Night is scheduled for November 6. This is a great time of entertainment, food and fun.

CHILD FIND ADOctober 8, 2010

Sue Carnes

Lynchburg-Clay Local School District is committed to the education of all resident children, including those with disability conditions that require special programs or services.

You can help us fulfill our desire and obligation by letting us know of children who, because of one or more disabilities, may require extra help. The term “disability” includes such conditions as hearing, speech or language, physical, orthopedic or visual impairment, learning, cognitive, and behavioral disabilities, health impairment such as epilepsy or cardiac illness and other sever or multiple disabilities.

In order to serve disabled children, we must identify them and evaluate their needs by means of a multi factored evaluation. Then we must meet with parents, our staff, and other professionals to determine the most appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment.

If you know of a child who is disabled or may be suspected of being disabled, write to the District Supervisor/Coordinator, Special Education, Lynchburg-Clay Local School District, P.O. Box 515, Lynchburg, Ohio 45142 or call 937.364.9119 x 13136.

Funding for special education programs comes from local, state, and federal funds. Each year, we must write proposals for the use of the Federal Flow-Thru Funds. We welcome your suggestions on the best use of the federal funds to extend our services to disabled children.

SPECiaL EDuCaTiONLynchburg-Clay Local School District offers preschool services for handicapped students. Children ages 3-5

who are identified as handicapped under the guidelines of IDEIA* are eligible for these services.If you suspect our child is handicapped and would like more information on the preschool programs or any

other programs, contact Lynchburg-Clay Local School District at 937.364.2338.

Lynchburg-Clay Local School District receives funds from IDEA-Part B for use in special education programming. If you have any suggestion or input regarding the use of these funds, please feel free to contact our office with any recommendations.

* Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004

Helen Rankin Scholarship FundSoon graduates of Lynchburg-Clay High School will be supported through a newly established scholarship fund. The scholarship is being established through the generosity of the late Helen Rankin. It was Mrs. Rankin’s wish that funds generated from the sale of the land she left the district be used for the establishment of a scholarship fund for Lynchburg-Clay graduates. The Helen Rankin Scholarship fund will be awarded annually to graduating seniors. The Lynchburg-Clay Board of Education offers its gratitude for this generous support of our students.

Lynchburg-Clay Local School District301 East Pearl StreetP.O. Box 515Lynchburg, Ohio 45142

www.lynchclay.k12.oh.us

Non-ProfitOrganizationU.S. Postage

PaiDLynchburg, Ohio

Permit No. 40

Postal PatronSardinia, Ohio 45171

Shane ShopeDirector of Instructional Improvement

PrOgrESS BOOkThe Lynchburg-Clay School District is once again offering parent’s access to its Student Information System, Progress Book. Parents/Guardians may request a username and password to access their student grades, attendance and list of teachers. It is an excellent way of staying in touch with your child’s teacher and keeping abreast of his/her progress throughout the school year. Those interested in obtaining access simply need to come into the school and request an account. We hope you take advantage of this great educational tool.

Vision Statement

The Lynchburg-Clay schools will be places where all strive for educational excellence. We envision our students to be lifelong learners who obtain the skills necessary to be productive citizens.

Mission Statement

The Lynchburg-Clay School District is committed to continuous improvement. Through the combined efforts of the entire school community, we will provide challenging standards-driven curriculum and research-based instructional practices so that all children within our charge shall achieve at the highest level of learning.