Kenston Schools

October 15, 2015 by Staff Report

Teachers Share Tech Knowledge

On Oct. 3, 11 staff members from Kenston Local Schools attended NEOTIE, a local educational technology conference at Beachwood High School.

With more than 30 sessions packed with real classroom experience delivered by expert practitioners that openly shared what works and what doesn’t, NEOTIE offered much valuable information for teachers and administrators of any grade level.

The conference included an Ignite Session featuring powerful speakers in the field of technology and science. Sessions included anything from assessment to Google Classroom, integration techniques and tips, and practical applications of technology in the classroom. The youngest presenter, Aiden, age 7, shared what it is like growing up in a digital world.

The NEOTIE Conference experience is planned and executed by a collaborative group between Kenston, Chagrin Falls, Orange, West Geauga and Beachwood schools. Speakers come from the local area and many, if not all, are classroom teachers, technology integration specialists or administrators.

Capital Improvement Update

The Kenston Schools Board of Education and district personnel have been working on upgrades and improve-ments to the district’s facilities using funds from the $10 million bond issue.

One of the plans being explored is utilizing Gardiner School for the upgrade of the bus garage and transportation department. An independent traffic survey and additional soil boring studies are in progress to determine the validity of this scenario.

At the September board of education meeting, the question was asked if the traffic survey is a service that the Geauga County Engineer’s Office would provide at no cost to public institutions. While the engineer’s office does collect data on county roads, it does not provide analysis. Environmental Design Group will utilize the county data as part of its process of gathering and measuring information for the traffic study.

State Tests

While no testing mechanism is perfect, the required state assessments provide school districts, parents and communities with one important measure on the overall success of a district’s performance. They reflect a set of shared expectations of what students should be able to know or do and ensure that schools are held accountable for providing high-quality education for the children in their community. State test results are included as one component of measurement on the annual District Report Card prepared by the Ohio Department of Education.

There are other diagnostic and summative assessment activities that teachers expertly use throughout a school year to measure and monitor student progress in a standards-based curriculum, as well as a tool to guide their instruction. The state tests, however, provide different, yet important, information to a teacher, school or district. The data provided through state assessments allows for consistent annual measurements of success, comparison with surrounding schools and districts and overall strengths and weakness for instructional improvement and school accountability.

Candidates Night

Political Action Committee of Kenston and the Geauga County League of Women Voters will host a Candidates Night Forum on Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. in Kenston High School’s Robert A. Lee Auditorium, 9500 Bainbridge Road.

Candidates and issue representatives will present, followed by a question and answer from the audience. Campaign materials will also be available.

Harlem Wizards Basketball

Don’t miss the fun-filled, high-flying and interactive community event featuring the world-famous Harlem Wizards basketball team, as it takes on a team of Kenston High School students joined by teachers and administrators from all the Kenston school buildings on Oct. 28 at 7 p.m. in the high school’s main gym.

There are a limited number of tickets available; Wizards games sell out fast. Get tickets in the KCE office or online at KenstonCommunityEd.org (Click “Search for Activities” and enter “Wizards”).

The event is a fund-raiser for Kenston High School PTO.