Benton-Carroll-Salem Schools

Elementary Family Leadership Team Notes

Some of the ideas that were discussed are:
-  Teachers would like an end of the year Talent Show to take the place of Awards/Day/Graduation.  They would like this on the last day of school and open to all grades.
-  Family Day Picnic - September 8th at 11:00 a.m. - bring your own lunch; popcicles/freezer pops provided as a treat.   Have recess equipment out for kids to enjoy; have a Family Leadership Team" "FLT" information table with someone there to answer question.
-  Interest in a Volunteer Committee to help streamline school/teacher volunteer needs with parents who want to volunteer.

Committees:
-  Box Top/Campbell Labels
-  Volunteer Committee - Teachers/Staff can tell the committee what they need volunteer wise (hopefully a 2-hr./yr. commitment from parents) to help with copying papers, taking things home to cut out, help in class, etc.
-  Fundraising - Rocket Shop & Rocket Cards in the fall; Flower Power in the spring.  All money due up front.
-  Activities/Social - Ice Cream Socials, Movie Night, Field Trips, finding help for room parties (pe rteacher request), etc.  Hopefully these things will get scheduled at the next meeting.
-  Community - Incorporate Land Lab Learners (possible gardens); Reading to seniors; Relay for Life Fundraisers; Caroling/decorating at holiday time.  The biggest need is to get the community to see what our children are doing for the community.
-  Public Relations - "Welcome Wagon" or packet; Coordinate more with community involvement or activities with the Sampler and local newspapers; get R.C. Waters activities known to the community; possibly coordinate more with "Kidzville" the Truman Newsletter.
-  Scholarship - (dormant until springtime) - 4 $250 scholarships per year.

Core beliefs were discussed. 
-  We believe in enhancing and supporting our children's education through parent involvement.
-  We believe in developing a closer connection between school, home, and the community.
-  We believe in creating a positive and inviting environment for students, staff and families.

The next meeting will be on Monday, May 21 at 6:30 p.m.  Parents that attend parent group meetings are invited to attend.  We will discuss:
-  Officers descriptions
-  Set schedule of events
-  Possible budget ideas

We will be sending out a request to allow current parents to give suggestions on a name for the parent group for next year.

Elementary BLT Meeting Notes

School Visit - K-2 students from Graytown and Carroll Schools will visit each of the classrooms of their current grade level to meet with potential future classmates on Tuesday, May 22 from 9:30-10:45 a.m.  The grade level teachers of R.C. Waters will select games or activities that the students will participate in while in their classroom.  Students will rotate so that at the end of the time they have spent 15-20 minutes in each of their grade level classrooms.

Class Lists - Subs will be hired for part of a day so that grade level teachers can help with putting their current students in groups for next year.  Karen will assign teachers to the groups.  On that day, students needing interventions for next year will be identified based on the data from this year.  Adjustments can be made after data is collected next fall.  The date for this is being scheduled and will be shared with the staff soon.

Group Work - The BLT discussed special programs for students and staff, the building belief statements, the family/community involvement opportunities, and the building-wide expectations.

Instruction - Science and Social Studies can be integrated with Language Arts and Math.  Discussions for evaluations/assessments/grade cards will be done at grade level meetings with Andrea Smith as common core standards are implemented. 

Grant money will be used to purchase RAZ and Reading A-Z for each homeroom teacher in grades K-3. 

Land Lab - First grade will be the target grade level for the land lab.  The land lab will be located in the northeast corner of the playground by the hill.

When willl rooms be ready?  A tentative schedule of when rooms will be ready will be sent to all staff when it is available.  Room assignments will be made once the assistants are assigned to our building.

Interventions:  The following interventions were identified to be used at the following grade levels:

Kindergarten - Fundations, RAZ, Rdg. A-Z
Grade 1 - Fundations, SOAR, RAZ, Rdg. A-Z
Grade 2 - Fundations, SOAR, LLI, Fluent Reader, Fluency Packet, RAZ, Rdg. A-Z
Grade 3 - Fundations, Read About, Reading Counts, Read Naturally,Test Taking, RAZ, Rdg. A-Z

Professional Development Needs:  The following programs were identified for us to receive additional professional development training:

Read Naturally, Fundations, Read About, and LBD

Next BLT Meeting - The next BLT meeting will be held Tuesday, May 15 at R.C. Waters in modular 1 from 12:30-3:30 p.m.  At this meeting we will finalize the special programs for students and staff, the building belief statements, the family/community involvement opportunities, and the building wide expectations for student behavior and homework.  A calendar of events will be planned.  If time permits, we will begin to draft building goals.

8th Grade Transition Committee Notes

Academic Scheduling - A review of the Reading and Language Arts classes and how that would look was discussed as well as the addition of Honors 8th Grade Reading and Language Arts with parent permission.  This would help replace the lost OCCUR class.  It was discussed that if parents would like their son or daughter to be in the Honors Reading and Lauguage Arts, Mr. Thorbahn will handle those concerns.  Whether students are in Honors or not in 8th grade does not prevent them from joining Honors English as a freshman.  The elective classes were discussed as were the number of study halls a student may have.  8th grade students will be placed in the media center for the Study Hall and it probably would be titled Study Skills.  The STEM class and how that would work was explained and parents were encouraged by that opportunity for their son or daughter. 

Technology - Technology was discussed and a summary of the technology that exists in the High School building was given and a summary of the experiences students were getting below the 9th grade level was given.  Parents could clearly see that there was potential for a drop-off for students in the technology experiences that students would get once they reach High School.  Discussion then centered on a plan to make the high school wireless and then to modify the board policy and handbook policy, as well as authorized usage form for technology to allow students to bring their own technology to school and use it.  Parents on the committee could see the benefits of a plan like this and were comfortable moving in this direction due to the educational possibilities for students.  They were made aware that Mr. Thorbahn was going to hold a staff meeting the next week to discuss this with the HS staff.

Orientation for 8th Grade Students - Parents were encouraged to learn that the 8th grade students would be getting the same experience as the incoming 9th grade students have been receiving in August before school.  It is hoped an evening Orientation and possible Open House on the same evening if possible, as was done last year.  Students would have an opportunity to find their classes with parents and find and open their lockers and possible as teachers any question.

Parent/Student Questions for Next Year's 4th & 5th Grade Students

Click here!

Notes from the Recent Building Leadership Team Meeting (BLT)

  •  Forms were given to the Carroll & Graytown parents to complete if they wanted to request a teacher from their respective schools for next school year.  For grade levels where there will not be a teacher from that school, parents were advised to talk amongst themselves and request one teacher if they wanted their children with each other.  R.C. Waters parents will not be able to request a teacher as has been the past practice.

•  The BLT reviews DIBELS, Easy CBS (reading and math) and writing diagnostic testing data for each grade level in grades K-3 for the district.  It appears that what we are doing for reading interventions is helping students perform well on the skills tests but that does not always transfer into their readiang benchmark levels.

•  Grade level teams met to discuss co-teaching, departmentalizing, schedules, instruction, intervention programs, delivery of interventions, and the utilization of the staff. 
•  Mrs. DeWitz presented information regarding the Land Lab at Carroll School and how it was able to work there.  It was suggested that we target one grade level for next year.  First grade has been recommended as the grade level to target.

•  The BLT took a tour of the R.C. Waters building so that all staff became more familiar with the layout of the building. 

•  Professional Development Needs for next years training was discussed.  The BLT will also be working on listing needed resources such as technology, furniture, carpeting, etc. to determine what might be available in the district or if our parent groups or principal's accounts can cover the cost of providing resources that are needed.  Please let a BLT member know if you have a need for a resource for your classroom.

Parent/Student Questions and Answers for K-3 Elementary Building

Question:  How many students will be in each class?
Answer:  At this time we anticipate the following number of grade level sections:

Kindergarten                4 classes            @*23 in each
(number is unknown; kindergarten screening is held mid-March; additional section will be added if needed)
First Grade                  5 classes                 20-21 in each
Second Grade              6 classes                 22 in each
Third Grade                 5 classes                 23 in each

Question:  Who will be my child's teacher?
Answer:  Kindergarten Teachers:  Eric Buckman, Carol Jensen, Amber Koren, Heidi Lutz
First Grade Teachers:  Merika Campbell, Joy Ceraldi, Ann Randolph, Barb Rodenhauser, Kris White
Second Grade Teachers:  June Beard, Ashlee Donahoo, Jennifer Giezie, Angie Lipstraw,
Mary Morgan, additional to be determined
Third Grade Teachers:  Tisha Augustyniak, Susan Hanely, Paulette Hanselman, Kelly Sage, Amy Sutter

Class information will be posted on the door in August.  For the first year, Carroll parents may request the
Carroll teacher and Graytown parents may request the Graytown teacher; however, parents are reminded that
retirements and transfers have occurred.  A request form is available.

Question:  When does school start?  End?
Answer:  Busses will arrive at approximately 7:40 a.m. with school starting at 8:00 a.m.  School will dismiss
at approximately 2:50 p.m.

Question:  What will recess be like?
Answer:  Each grade level will have recess by themselves following lunch for approximately 25-30 minutes.  Adult
playground supervision will be provided.

Question:  Will my child have the same specials?
Answer:  K-3 students will have weekly specials as follows:
Art             Once for 60 minutes
Music          Two times for 30 min. each
Phys. Ed.     Two times for 30 min. each
Computer/Tech Skills - Once for 30 min. (minimum)
Library checkout       - Once for 30 min.

Question:  Will the school continue the Olweus bullying prevention program?
Answer:  Yes.  All teachers and staff have been trained.  Regular class meetings will
continue.  The same expectation continues:  no bullying, tell someone, stand up for the
victim.  Consequences and notification remain.

Question:  What supplies does my child need for next year?  How much will class fees be?
Answer:  Grade levels will be meeting in the spring to decide supplies needed for next year.
The list will be sent home in the final report card.  In addition, the Sampler will contain the
supply list for the K-3 building.  Class fees will be calculated and also listed in the Sampler.

Question:  Will my child have the same curriculum?
Answer:  Yes.  Literacy By Design will continue to be the core instruction for literacy;
Everyday Mathemetics the core instruction for math.  Teachers will continue to meet as a
grade level with our curriculum director to plan for instruction in all content areas.

Question:  When will I know about the bus schedule?
Answer:  As you can imagine, the transportation supervisor is busy working on a combined
route for the upcoming year.  Information will be made available as soon as possible.

Question:  What will arrival and dismissal be like?
Answer:  Buses will load and unload on the west side of the school.  The school plans to add a bus
loop to accomodate 9 buses.  Buses will travel first to the high school; then half of the buses will travel
to the intermediate building with the other half to the elementary building.  Buses will then switch.
Car riders will arrive and dismiss in front of the building.  Staff members will be assigned supervision duties.

Three adult crossing guard will continue to assist:  one on State Route 19, one on State Route 163, one at 
the east school driveway.  Middle school students will be recruited to assist at Ottawa and Church Streets.

Question:  Do I need to transfer my child's cafeteria account?
Answer:  No.  The student's PIN number follows until graduation.  The credits and charges follow as well.

Question:  When will my child eat lunch?
Answer:  The schedule of the building has not  yet been set; however, each grade level will have separate
lunch times.  There is room for all students to eat with approximately 75 empty seats in the current 
arrangement.

Question:  Will my child "get lost" in the bigger building?
Answer:  No.  In fact, the ratio of staff to students may even be lower.  Classrooms are clustered by
grade level (for example, all the first grade rooms are located near each other).  The staff is
committed to providing a great education for each and every child.

Question:  Will there be any changes in Acorn Alley?
Answer:  Yes!  The Acorn Alley staff is working to focus on developmentally appropriate activities
for K-3 children.  With the age span reduced, the staff hopes to provide an exciting program with a
wide variety of experiences for children.  Acorn Alley is also surveying parents to find out if extended 
hours are needed for our west-end families (opening earlier than 6 AM and remaining open later than 
6 PM).

Question:  How can I get involved in the parents' organization?
Answer:  The officers from the various parent support groups will be meeting in the near future to make 
plans.  More information will be coming!

Question:  How do I keep up to date with information about the school?
Answer:  Visit the district website often:  www.bcs.k12.oh.us 

Transition Team Meetings

The Middle School Transition Team will meet on Monday, March 13 at 3:15 p.m.

The R.C. Waters Transition Team will meet on Tuesday, March 7 at 12:30 p.m.

The Communication Committee will meet on Wednesday, March 7 at 7:00 a.m. in the Board of Education Office

B-C-S Educational Foundation Fund Raiser

  B-C-S Educational Foundation is hosting a dinner/play evening on March 16, 2012.  The spring play will  feature Cole Porter's "Anything Goes".
Dinner includes:  chicken, mashed potato, green beans, roll/butter and a drink.  Adult dinner includes half chicken and the child's dinner is 1/4 chicken.
The cost for dinner and the play tickets  will be $20 for adults and $15 for children.  Dine-in begins at 6:00 p.m.  Carry-out will be available from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
There will be a Silent Auction from 6:00-7:45 p.m.  Sponsoring Organizations:   B-C-S Educational Foundation, Thespians, FFA and DECA.  Tickets are available at Oak Harbor High School and the B-C-S Board of Education Office.

2012 Kindergarten Students

Kindergarten Screening will be March 20, 21, & 22, 2012 at R.C. Waters Elementary School.  Please call 419-898-6219 to set up an appointment for your student!

Building Transition Information

2012-2013 Daily Schedule
While bus routes and drop off times cannot be finalized for some time, the following is the "best  guess" information:

the student school day will begin at 8:00 a.m. and end at 2:50 p.m.

Family Open House
Carroll and Graytown parents and students have been invited to an open house at R.C. Waters School on Monday, February 27th. Because of the parking issue, the schools will be divided as follows:

6:00 - 6:45 p.m. - Carroll School
7:15 - 7:45 p.m. - Graytown School

Families will have time to tour the building and listen to an informational session.

Family Leadership Team
Officers of the ABC, PIE, PIK organizations will be asked to develop a family leadship team in support of the K-3 elementary building.

Bus Information/Car Riders
Single routing is planned for the 2012-13 school year. Busses will drop off and pick up on the west side of the K-3 building where a turn-around loop is being proposed. Seventeen busses will travel first to the high school; then 9 busses will arrive at the K-3 elementary building and then to the intermediate building. Eight of the usses will go to the intermediate building and then to the K-3 elementary building. Car riders will be dropped off and picked up in front of the building.

8th Grade Transition Questions & Answers - Click Here!