SCHOOLS A6
Bethel Journal
July 7, 2011
| NEWS | Editor Theresa Herron | therron@communitypress.com | 248-7128 ACHIEVEMENTS
ACTIVITIES
| HONORS communitypress.com
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JOURNAL
Bethel-Tate readers to use 'Reading Street' series By Kellie Geist-May kmay@communitypress.com
BETHEL-TATE - Students at William Bick Primary and Ebon C. Hill Intermediate schools in Bethel will be using a different reading series starting this year – Reading Street. These buildings haven’t had a new reading series in more than 10 years, said Kay Nau, principal at Hill Intermediate. “We haven’t had a new read-
ing series in a long time and our texts were outdated,” Nau said. “We reviewed a number of series and we looked at what some of our neighbors are using and how they like those series. The staff reached a consensus on Reading Street and most everyone likes it.” “We also found that the assessments in Reading Street are more aligned with the state assessments and the materials are consistent with the new state standards in language arts,” she said.
Having students on the same series for six years (K through 5) makes a difference, Nau said. “We want to be consistent across the grade levels so no one misses anything. Basically, if a student starts kindergarten with us, they’ll be using the same program until sixth-grade, which makes for a solid foundation,” she said. Bick Primary Principal Matt Wagner said building that foundation while the kids are young also
Two indicted for taking donation jar at PetSmart
By Kellie Geist-May
kmay@communitypress.com
Two people have been indicted after they stole a donation jar from the PetSmart in Eastgate Saturday, June 18. Union Township Police Sgt. Scott Blankenship said Mark Kennedy, 24, of Monterey Road in Batavia and Steven Wade, 26, of Jackson Pike in Williamsburg were charged Wednesday, June 29, with robbery.
“Louie’s Legacy Animal Rescue had a table set up outside PetSmart to collect money to help injured animals. Apparently the suspects saw the jar and one ran up, grabbed it and took off running,” Blankenship said. Megan Sonderman, 22, ran after the suspect and grabbed his shirt. While she was holding on, the second suspect started to drive away, dragging Sonderman along. “She suffered a few scrapes,
but was able to get a (license) plate. She did a great job,” Blankenship said. “Our investigators were able to take that plate and track the people down.” Blankenship said the jar contained between $400 and $500. Wade has been booked into the Clermont County Jail, but Kennedy is still at large. Anyone with information should call the Union Township Police Department at 752-1230.
jseney@communitypress.com
GOSHEN TWP. - Mark Slagle, Goshen schools’ technology coordinator, developed a software program several years ago to track the progress of students taking standardized tests. He shared the program, called DataMap, with teachers in the district, who found it to be valuable tool in raising test scores. Since then, the district earned an Excellent rating on the state Report Card. “It’s something we made just for ourselves,” Slagle said. But when he shared the idea with officials from other districts, they were interested in acquiring the rights to it. The school board drew up an agreement with Slagle to split the royalties from the sale of the software. The software is sold through a software company called Software Answers, Inc., based in Brecksville, Ohio. But Slagle still helps sell the program in presentations to other school districts and at education conventions. “I don’t have to sell anything,” Slagle told school board members at the June meeting. “I just tell a
story. It’s an incredible story to tell.” The Batavia school district was one of the first to purchase the program. Most districts in Slagle Clermont County now are using it, Slagle said. Close to 100 school districts all over the state have purchased the software, he said. “I’ve done a lot of traveling,” Slagle said. “It’s generating revenue for the district,” Superintendent Charlene Thomas said. “This started out small, but it has grown. Now we’ve gone all over the state.” Treasurer Todd Shinkle said DataMap has generated a profit of about $46,000 – $23,000 going to the district and $23,000 to Slagle. “He’s done a phenomenal job,” Shinkle said of Slagle. “We expect to bring in even more next year.” Thomas said the program helps identify students in need of intervention. “It’s a tool that helps us provide services,” she said. “It’s great.” Mark Reesing, director of sales and marketing for Software
Answers, said the program is attractive to teachers. “They get excited when we give a presentation,” he said. He said before DataMap there often was a disconnect between administrators and teachers over how to use test results. Reesing said Slagle’s program takes information and puts it into a useful format for the teacher. “Teachers know what to do with it,” he said. “They’re not wasting time. They have a road map to get students to where they need to be.” “Teachers can spend less time teaching the test and more time educating the kids,” Reesing said. He said DataMap is only being marketed in Ohio now, but the company plans to expand to other states. The price of the program is based on the number of students in a district. The list price is $6 per student per year, but the firm runs promotions selling it for $4.50 a student, Reesing said. “There is a lot of interest in it, and the price is competitive,” he said. For more information on DataMap, see the Software Answers website at www.software-answers.com.
CNE to auction off surplus items By John Seney jseney@communitypress.com
OWENSVILLE - The Clermont Northeastern school district will hold an auction to sell surplus items. The auction will be 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 19, at the old elementary school building, 463 S. Broadway. Superintendent Neil Leist said three auctioneers have agreed to work together to do the auction at no cost to the district. They are Lewis Auctioneers, run by the father and son team of David P. and David S. Lewis; Joel T. Wilson; and Craig Lytle. Profits from the auction will go
to the school district. “The auction is to get rid of items we have left over and surplus items,” Leist said. Some of the items have been donated to the district over the years. He said items to be sold include filing cabinets, teacher desks, student desks, shelving, cubicles, storage cabinets, computers, televisions and a couch. Several vehicles will be up for sale, including two vans, an emergency vehicle and a Capri motorcycle. Also listed for sale are a Kubota 4-wheel drive lawn mower, a wood chipper and a walk-in freez-
er box that needs a compressor. Pam Lewis, wife of auctioneer David P. Lewis and mother of David S. Lewis, said the two do a lot of charity work. “They are always anxious to give back to the community,” she said. She said her husband and son both are graduates of Clermont Northeastern High School. Auction items will be available for inspection beginning at 5 p.m. July 19. Terms of the auction are cash or checks with full ID. Removal of items will be available all day Wednesday, July 20, or by appointment.
are at level, below level and above level, Wagner said. “There will be a learning curve and there are always people who would rather have a different series, but we are looking forward to using Reading Street,” he said. The series costs $155,425 and is being paid for out of the general fund’s textbook/instructional materials restricted money, which can only be used for textbooks and instruction materials, said district Treasurer Amy Wells.
HONORS Felicity-Franklin Middle School
Seventh grade – Jessie Lawson and Blake Haas. Eighth grade – Damien Phillips and Amber Arthur.
The following students have earned honors for the month of May.
Cardinal Student for the month
Student of the Month
Fifth grade – T.J. Love and Madison Winter. Sixth grade – Logan Landacre and Alyssa Baker.
Fifth grade – Cole Powers Sixth grade – Tyra Carr Seventh grade – Savannah Sowers Eighth grade – Gabie Cook
PERFECT ATTENDANCE Felicity-Franklin Elementary School
Second grade
The following students have Perfect Attendance for the third quarter of 2010-2011.
Third grade
Kindergarten
Brianna Blakley
Software developed at Goshen schools used throughout state By John Seney
provides a positive outlook for long-term student success. “Research has shown that if a child is reading on level by first grade, there’s a high chance that they’ll still be on level in fourthand fifth-grade,” he said. “It’s very important to make sure kids have a strong reading foundation when they are young.” To make sure those kids are ready for middle school, the series is packed with intervention and online supplements for kids who
Kiersten Chandler, Rachel Foley and Johnathan Johnston. Logan Clarkson, Cayleigh Donovan, Nathan Peace, Riley Pinger, Bryce Reeves, Alexus Riley and Austin Sharp.
Fourth grade
First grade
Nathan Baker, Michaela Barnes, Alisha Boone, Garrett Conley, Cameron Helton, Chase Jarman, Shelby Riley and Tristen Shepherd.
Thomas Auxier, Aidan Binion, Emma Blake, Nathaniel Buckler, Stephanie Colston, Dylan Cramer, Sierra Crawford, Wyatt Crozier, Hayley Hahn, Shawn Howard, Hunter McMillin, Austin Perry, Will Thomas, Breann Wagers and Ashlie Wilson.
Farm Bureau awards scholarships Clermont County Farm Bureau recently presented $1,000 scholarships to the following students: Harrison Hobart of Hamersville, Stormy Bonea of Amelia and Anthony Wolfer of New Richmond. Hobart, the son of Scott and Heather Hobart, is a 2011 graduate of Bethel-Tate High School. He will attend Morehead State University in the fall and major in agribusiness. Bonea, the daughter of Mike and Caren Spivey, attended Live Oaks and is a 2011 graduate of Amelia High School. She will attend the Bradford School in
Columbus this fall where she will study to become a vet technician. Wolfer, the son of Tim and Julie Wolfer, is a 2011 graduate class of St. Xavier High School. She plans to attend the Ohio State University in the fall and major in Biology. For information on Farm Bureau and its member benefits, visit the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation website at www.ofbf.org or contact the Farm Bureau office at 937-378-2212, 888-378-2212 or email abcfarmbureau@frontier. com. Office hours are Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
COLLEGE NOTES Dean’s List
The following students were named to the Dean’s List at Southern State Community College: Sherri Cramer from Bethel
BETHEL OBSERVER Happy birthday to
July 1– Travis Baudendistel, Jason Silsby, Chris Jaskowiak, Gayle Bradley, Bea Moore, Chris Gabbard, Mary Adamson, Tanner Browne, Donna Draeft, Jessica Durbin, Kenny Fottenbury, Brandy Gullett, Cheryl Hess, Brandon Sharp. July 2 – Donnie Quehl, Stephanie Kraeft, Mary Weatherspoon, Kelly Sumpter, Tom Taylor, Jeff Smith, Matthew Wells, Cherie Hartley. July 3 – Jim Brannock, Eric Rose, Jim Jackson, Carl Mosser, Vicki Boggs, Adam Corbin, Eileen Sipple. July 4 – Jennifer Tarter, Becky Szeghi, Brian Heaton, Michelle Rose, Verna Jett, Logan Holmes, Betty Guenther, Joan Morgan, Lisa Trout. July 5 – James Young, Richard Haislip, David Boots, Christopher Bauer, Mark Sumpter, Sue Hauck, Tim Neely, Adam Szeghi, Anita Cranfill, Henry Kiser, Pam Ausman, Anthony Wallace, Zachary Demaris. July 6 – Tim Walker, Laura Mirakin, Edna Gabbard, Joan Patrick, Jeff Neeley, Jennifer Cornette, Jeff Wilkerson, Jeff Carnahan, Robert Vagnini, Trish Wilson. July 7 – Dorothy Walker, Amy Webster, Richard Jackson, David Cassy, Mike Suttles, Chuck Hannah, Kari Freudenberger, Ray Day, Elenore Peak, Barb Longworth, Derek Dotson, Larry Goetz. July 8 – Rhonda Wallace, Shirley Hancock,
Beverly May, Tony Tolin, Tim Parker, Doug Lambert, Becky Campbell, Susie Long. July 9 – Lennie Brooks, Charles Yost, Wilma Cluxton, Scott Cornwell, Brad Chandler, Jimmy Edwards, Donald Holmes, John Napier II, Kevin Chandler, Donna Messinger, Jeff James, J. D. Davidson, Ray Gelter. July 10 – Alice Stockton, David Hauck, James Stockton Sr., Richard Block Jr., Jeff Hannock, Gregory Woodward, Stephane Davidson, Melissa Delaney, G. B. Shouse, Adam Kiger, Betsy Hartley, Justin Gregoire. July 11 – Greg Canter, David Dufau, Perry Courts, Barbara Bishop, Bob Clark, Robert Bruine, Evelyn Frost, Gayle Massman, Maria Stober, Larry Rose, Steve Miller. July 12 – Pat Brannock, Martha Reed, Lee McKinney, Orville Clark. July 13 – Charles Henderson, Kristi DeMaris, Robert Long, Kevin Loving. July 14 – Joye White, Chuck Taylor, Bambi Blevins, Charles Hafner, Wanda Craycraft, Rick Wuebold, Duane Fossyl, Lana Trester, Dwane Forder. July 15 – John King, Raymond Courts, Betsy Weeks, Don Caudill, Dick Cashner, Lisa Ogden, Lulu Edwards, Joseph Holmes. July 16 – Jack Bales, Nancy VanderWoude, Paul Luyster, Andy Ninichuck Jr., Kelly Hance, Chris Cooper, Jeff Ginn, Samantha Moler, Lennie Brooks, Brandon Sharp.