BCSD Magazine | December 2018

A publication for Alumni, Parents & Friends of the Berea City School District

December 2018

m a g a z i n e

DESIGNING AND BUILDING

FUTURE READY

SCHOOLS BCSD magazine |

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The Berea City School District is a diverse community dedicated to inspiring lives of

character, learning, leadership, and service.

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FALL SPORTS AWARDS NIGHT

Board of Education Ana Chapman President

Cori Farris

Vice President

Steve Dockman Jeffrey Duke Neal Postel District Administration Michael Sheppard Superintendent

Jill Rowe

Treasurer/CFO

Jeffrey Grosse

Assistant Superintendent

Lori Bobincheck Director of Pupil Services

Cristina Carosielli

Director of Marketing & Community Relations

Karen Frimel

Director of Academic Affairs

Academic and athletic accomplishments by student-athletes

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SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS

Building relationships

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COVER STORY: DESIGNING AND BUILDING FUTURE READY SCHOOLS

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Kevin Jaynes

Director of Academic Affairs

Michael Slivochka Director of Personnel

Building Principals Nick Discenza

Berea-Midpark Middle School

Teri Grimm

Grindstone Elementary School

Joseph Kornick Snow School

A "school within a school" teaching model

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TBT: TEACHER BASED TEAMS

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2-HOUR DELAY PROCEDURES

What you need to know

Director of Information Technology

Jason Niedermeyer

WHAT IS TEAMING?

SUMMER READING

Closing the achievement gap

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27TH ANNUAL DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI HALL OF FAME

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Mike Kostyack

Brook Park Memorial Elementary School

Katie Rolland

Big Creek Elementary School

Vincenzo Ruggiero

Berea-Midpark High School

TITANS BOLT AWARD

New student recognition initiative

Tracy Schneid

Brookview Elementary School

Berea City School District 390 Fair Street Berea, Ohio 44017 216-898-8300 www.berea.k12.oh.us Photos courtesy of Lake House Photography

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Dear Alumni, Parents and Friends, Congratulations to all of our fall athletes and coaches. Our athletic programs continue to bring great pride to our school and community.

I am looking forward to our winter athletic season. I would also like to thank all of our club advisors for their dedication and commitment to provide inspiring opportunities for our students.

Mr. Michael Sheppard

The winter season is upon us, but I am hopeful that we have a pleasant winter. New for this school year, the use of a two-hour delayed school opening may be utilized when the additional two hours would allow for inclement weather to rise to an acceptable level. Further details regarding procedures and notifications for two-hour delays is included in this magazine and our website under the Students & Parents section.

Superintendent

216-898-8300 x 6240 msheppard@berea.k12.oh.us

I am thankful for your continued support as we continue on our consolidation and construction journey. I invite you and your family to join us at our State of the Schools event on January 22 to learn more about our district's future and how you can make an impact.

Sincerely,

Mike Sheppard Superintendent

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FALL SPORTS AWARDS NIGHT TM

SWC Scholar athlete awards Girls Golf Lindsey Seballos

Boys Golf Ryan Cunningham Volleyball Nicole Peterson

Berea-Midpark High School held their annual Fall Sports Awards Banquet on November 19. The athletic department honored its student-athletes for their academic and athletic accomplishments.

1st Team all-southwestern conference honors Girls Soccer Hallie Krzys

Boys Cross Country Ethan Bradt

Volleyball Nicole Peterson

Boys Soccer Brandon Garibotti Nicholas Ruggiero

Boys Cross Country Zachary Hoessle

Cheerleading Hope Aurand Kenzie Haney Megan Robertson

Girls Tennis Alexis Lash

Girls Cross Country Morgan Jankowski

Girls Cross Country Samantha Agresta Girls Soccer Mia Vargo Boys Soccer Alexander Smearman Football Jack Chapman Cheerleading Hope Aurand

Football Bryce Agnew Jared Bycznski Trevor Bycznski Garrett Waite

fall athletes

1st quarter gpa

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SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS

Building Relationships School resource officer programs are not trendy.

Their existence can be traced back to the 1950’s.

Flint, Michigan started the first known SRO program with the goal of improving police/ youth relations. Many other programs have been developed since the 1950’s and the goals are typically similar in nature. The goals of SROs are typically very broad, such as; 1) Bridging the gap between police officer and kids, 2) Increasing positive attitudes towards law enforcement, 3) Encouraging more cooperation between kids and police, 4) Reducing juvenile crime, and 5) Ultimately helping to develop and atmosphere conducive to learning. The roles of an SRO are that of law enforcement officer, teacher, and

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counselor. The key to a successful SRO program is that it is designed to meet the specific needs of the community.

A school resource officer (SRO), by federal definition, is a career law enforcement officer with sworn authority who is deployed by an employing police department in a communityoriented policing assignment to work in collaboration with one or more schools. Berea City School District SROs have all completed 40 hours of specialized training in school policing through the Ohio School Resource Officers Association. The five-day training assists SROs in equipping themselves with the information

and skills they need to identify, address and prevent crime and violence in Ohio schools. The 40-hour course curriculum covers SROs major responsibilities as well as Ohio School Laws, Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) for SROs, tips on integrating the SRO into the school environment and more.

Creating and maintaining a safer school environment is the primary goal of every school resource officer.

SROs focus on building relationships with students, both to increase school safety and shape children's impressions of law enforcement. SROs are not school disciplinarians and normally will take action only when there is a violation of law. School discipline is the responsibility of the appropriate school administrator.

SROs will serve as positive role models to instill in students good moral standards, good judgment and discretion, respect for other students, and a sincere concern for the school community. SROs also serve as an educational resource to school faculty, staff, and students where appropriate. They may be called upon for presentations on specific topics that may lend valuable insight regarding a particular subject matter.

In addition, all SROs serve on the Berea City School District Safety and Security Committee.

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Handle initial police reports of violent crimes committed on campus.

Take enforcement action on criminal matters when appropriate and after consultation with school administrators.

Attend school special events as needed.

Prepare lesson plans as necessary for the instruction provided.

Collect data on SRO activities (arrests, citations, etc.)

The mission of the Berea City School District SRO program is to promote school safety by building a positive school climate in which everyone feels safe and students are supported to succeed. The SRO Program also seeks to reduce violent crime committed by and against youth in our community. The SRO program accomplishes this mission by supporting safe, secure, and orderly learning environments for students, teachers, and staff.

Basic responsibilities of the Berea City School District SROS include, but are not limited to:

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To enforce criminal law and protect the students, staff, and public at large against criminal activity.

Foster mutually respectful relationships with students and staff to support a positive school climate.

Prove information concerning questions about law enforcement topics to students and staff.

Provide class instruction on a variety of topics including, but no limited to, safety, public relations, occupational training, leadership, and life skills.

Coordinate investigative procedures between police and school administrators.

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As part of Berea City School District's construction projects, the district spent considerable time studying emerging research around learning in order to better decide what BCSD classrooms should look like in 2018 and beyond.

where students are learning workforce readiness skills and knowledge. Flexible classrooms with natural lighting will have spaces that can be reconfigured to engage the different kinds of learner’s needs.

Our new high school and elementary school are designed to transform teaching and learning for our students. The aim of the design is to create safe learning environments that provide experiences to help our students be successful in the lives they live outside of school.

The elementary school is designed to have three wings which will create four unique learning areas, preschool through grade 4. Classrooms are organized in grade level pods. By design, each pod area will have extended learning spaces that open to create additional flexible environments for learning. The layout of the elementary school will be fully utilized to the benefit of the students, fostering creative, open, and nurturing education for everyone. The school structure allows for targeted direct instruction at the same time that it promotes shared resources, spaces, and teacher collaboration. This will be an environment that

The 284,771 square foot, three story high school building is being built on 21 acres to include three academic wings, two gymnasiums, and a state of the art performing arts center. The design of the academic wings will give students access to spaces and resources that allow them to engage in an open-ended project or unit of curriculum 6 | December 2018

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fosters the 4 C’s: create, collaborate, communicate, and critical thinking for staff and students. The plan creates a secure and safe facility, an entry to serve before/after school care, and separate entrances for community members. The vehicular circulation will provide a division of parent drop-off and pickup from the bus lanes. Faculty and visitor parking will be located along the north face of the school.

The structure and design of this space can accommodate a wide variety of activities, group sizes, and ultimately cultivate a community of learners.

How our children thrive depends in large measure on experiences they have in school. Intentionally designing the space to include innovative areas and placement of furniture will create environments where students can realize their full potential.

Renovation work completed summer 2018 Berea-Midpark Middle School • Upgrades to HVAC and electrical systems • Site remodeling • New bus loop • 9,644 sqft. connector addition to link 5th grade wing to the middle school

Big Creek Elementary School • Upgrades to HVAC and electrical systems • Site remodeling • Re-surfaced bus loop • New security vestibule

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Watch the latest rendering videos of the new Berea-Midpark High School and the new elementary school in the city of Brook Park.

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Closing the Reading Achievement Gap The best predictor of whether or not a child reads during the summer is whether or not he or she has access to books. More than half of the achievement gap between lower- and higher-income youth can be explained by inequality of access to summer learning opportunities.

In an effort to stop the summer slide, district Title I teachers including Jessica Majewski, Rachel Gallaghar, Lisa Schwab, Susan Carver, Lisa Peabody, Beth Wroten, Heather Labuda, and even Chance the therapy dog have helped form a summer reading program into a highly noted program for our students.

Over the summer, teachers from Brookview Elementary School and Brook Park Memorial Elementary School gathered at the Brook Park library branch to read with the children. Students were thrilled to see their classroom teacher at the library.

Each Title I child at Brook Park Memorial and Brookview received a blue back pack with materials.

Every Tuesday in June and July, families came to the library and had their child receive a reading conference with Berea City School District teachers.

This program also gave the district's Elementary Language Arts Coach, Jenifer Csiszar, a chance to meet the families and see if they need further assistance.

With the support of the Brook Park librarians, principals Mike Kostyack, Trish Kukura and Tracy Schneid, students spent their summer engaged in reading with access to books they like and books that are matched to their skill level.

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BEREA-MIDPARK MIDDLE SCHOOL

WHAT IS TEAMING? Students were given the star treatment on the first day of school at Berea-Midpark Middle School.

Teachers asked grades 5-8 students for their autographs and high fives were given all around!

WHY TEAMS ARE IMPORTANT The students of Berea-Midpark Middle School are organized by “teams” of teachers for their core subjects. This means that students are scheduled in three to four person teams to create a "small" school setting. The idea of a small group approach means smaller numbers on a team, less students for teachers, and greater development of relationships with students creating a school within a school setting. Students on a team go to only the teachers on their team for their core subjects. Teams have specific names as part of the community building process.

As an example of this "school within a school" model, fifth grade has approximately 80 students per team. This means that a student experiences this school of almost 1800 students as if he or she were in a school of about 80 students.

Students have classes “on team” and then have “special area” classes “off team.” The “off team” classes at the fifth grade level are health, physical education, and music on one wheel and art and computer on the other wheel.

When students are “off team,” the team teachers are able to meet. We refer to this teacher collaboration time as teacher-based teams (TBT) in which each of these teams can discuss the students, the data, the curriculum, and strategies for helping students succeed.

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Fifth graders at the middle school also have their own wing and separate entrance. They share spaces such as the computer labs, library, gymnasium, music facilities, and auditorium with grades six through eight.

Core extension becomes part of a student's schedule beginning in sixth grade. The purpose of the core extension class is to promote academic growth and provide additional learning time for a student’s core classes: English, math, science, and social studies.

Monday through Thursday, students will have an extended period of time to focus on critical areas of focus by subject and need within their team.

Berea City School District officially celebrated the newly reconfigured and renamed Berea-Midpark Middle School. Board members, city officials, community members, parents, and school staff attended a ribbon cutting ceremony on September 11, 2018 to mark the occasion.

One day a student is with his ELA teacher, another day is math, etc. This provides teachers the opportunity to differentiate and target instruction based on critical areas of focus. This model of practice is very beneficial to meeting students needs.

“Without the community’s support of a significant bond

By design, this can be as an extension to the core issue and investment into our school district facilities, class or it may be through flexible grouping to none of this would have been possible and none of address intervention, remediation, or stretch learning the additional ongoing construction projects would be possible. We really thank our community,” said Mike opportunities. This is likened to extended learning Sheppard, Superintendent. specific to a core subject area. In a four person team structure, a classroom teacher would be seeing each of his or her sections at least one additional period Monday through Thursday. Fridays would be dedicated to “team time.” Teams would create intentional learning opportunities.

Eighth graders are offered ranges of regular and advanced courses in all four core areas (as well as world language) to include high school credit bearing courses.

COMMON PLANNING TIME Teacher teams should meet regularly to create lesson plans, discuss curriculum implementation, and collaboratively evaluate student work.

The keys to successful team teaching are: common planning time, small team ratio, and keeping teams together for long periods of time.

SMALL TEAM RATIO

KEEP TEAMS TOGETHER

Ideally, teacher teams will have a student-teacher ratio of 25:1 or less.

Teams should be kept together as long as possible, ideally for several years.

By teaming, teachers work together to ensure student success, provide ongoing communication, and create a safe and supportive learning environment for all of our students. Its purpose is to create an environment where all students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

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TBT TEACHER BASED TEAMS Improving instruction to raise achievement for all students

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Teacher based teams work collectively and collaboratively to focus on student learning to improve student achievement and close learning gaps.

Berea-Midpark High School math teacher, Scott Piesen, said he and others felt cynical when TBT was introduced to the district about 5 years ago.

Many thought this was just another meeting they had to go to. Today, TBT meetings have become one of the most important meetings teachers have. “We meet weekly, but we discuss what we do daily. It is an on-going process that none of us can avoid,” said Piesen.

can look at the data from assessments to see how students did. They look at the questions and analyze the terminology used to see if it’s being used in the classroom. Adjustments are then made to prepare students for what the state will expose them to. “We’ve gone to more 21st century problem-solving and critical thinking. It’s not just all recall,” said Petrus.

To balance the fine line of curriculum versus testing, TBT members find the best way to teach the curriculum, teach with heart, teach with their minds, and also find ways to put students in the best possible situation to perform on tests. “We are really proud In the beginning, TBT What are some TBT challenges? of the increased scores. had many challenges.

When we see data, we How do we get 5-10 people to teach the Meetings were filled with see percentages. It isn’t same subject and be on the same page? simple conversations just percent that passed and questions such as, anymore. It’s growth.

How do we get 5-10 people who are “What section are you on? different people, who present differently, and We will get this and our What are you giving for who assess differently to do that as similarly students will reach the homework tonight? When level we want them to as possible? are you testing?” TBT has reach,” said Piesen. evolved into closing gaps How do we take hundreds of students for students. “Gaps in what At the November 6 board of different ability levels, different our students know and of education meeting, backgrounds, and different interests and try what they’re supposed to BMHS math teacher to get them all to meet at one place? know,” Piesen explained.

Carrie Rice discussed all “There are gaps in what the work being done by we think we know as teachers and what is and high school math department to get students to really isn’t working. TBT is designed to keep succeed and be prepared for end of course exams. teachers paced, aligned, common, and doing The rigorous curriculum being taught offers a things that are best for our students. If as teachers much stronger bridge and foundation towards we communicate those things, our students are college and career readiness. Her passion filled better prepared.” the room when speaking about the Algebra I and Geometry staff. “The amount of work that Teachers recently began using a new system they are putting in is unheard of. The hours and in TBT meetings to assess students called the dedication and what they are doing for our Illuminate. Illuminate helps teachers make students is phenomenal. I really hope people real-time, data-informed decisions to positively understand that. Not one person has asked for impact student success. a pat on the back. They don’t need that, but just know that they deserve that.”

With state testing changing every year for the past 5 years, curriculum has needed to change TBT is a marathon that everyone wants to be a along with it. “The change always seemed to sprint, but Piesen feels speed has been picking up come a little too late,” said BMMS 6th grade math as the years go on. Ultimately, it is no longer just teacher Matt Petrus. Using Illuminate, teachers a meeting.

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2-HOUR DELAY

PROCEDURES & INFORMATION In accordance with the Berea City School District’s Procedures for Emergency School closing, the use of a two-hour delayed school opening may be utilized when the additional two hours would allow for wind chill temperatures to rise to an acceptable level. With the option of the two-hour delay, we will more likely be able to have school and avoid using as many calamity days.

A major part of a two-hour delay school opening involves the transportation of students to schools.

Under a two-hour delay schedule, all schools will begin the day two hours later than the regular starting time. The school day will end at the usual time. Students receiving school bus transportation should go to their normal bus stop location two hours later than their regular pick-up time. When the Superintendent calls a two-hour delay, the following adjustments listed on the next page will be made.

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School

2-Hour Delay Schedule

ExtendED Care Canceled

Preschool a.m.

Preschool p.m.

Start Time

End Time

Canceled

Same

Canceled

Canceled

Regular Schedule

Regular Schedule

Elementary Schools

Kindergarten - Grade 4

11:00 a.m.

3:45 p.m.

Middle School

Grades 5-8

10:00 a.m.

3:00 p.m.

High School

Grades 9-12

9:20 a.m.

2:20 p.m.

Polaris Career Center (if open)

Morning Classes

Canceled

Canceled

Afternoon Classes

Regular Schedule

Regular Schedule

Non-Public School Students (if open)

All Applicable Students

Pick-up two hours late

Regular Schedule

Out-of-District Placements (if open)

All Applicable Students

Pick-up two hours late

Regular Schedule

School Services

2-Hour Delay Schedule

Field Trips

Canceled

Breakfast Program

Not Served

Lunch Program

Served

Before School Activities/Programs

Canceled

After School Activities/Programs

Proceed as scheduled unless otherwise notified

ExtendED Care

Morning canceled; Afternoon schedule as usual

Student Detentions

Morning canceled and re-scheduled; Afternoon schedule as usual

Child Care Centers

Morning transportation 2-hour delayed; Afternoon schedule as usual

As with school closings, the two-hour delay to the start of the school day will be announced through the local media and our telephone message system to parents. If for any reason the two-hour delay is not sufficient to ensure safe travel, the District will close for the entire day. If this is the case, a second call will be made via our telephone messaging service.

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GRADES

7-12

Do you like to travel?

Explore cultures, new foods, sites and more!

Find out about the many exciting opportunities for students in grades 7-12 by visiting: www.berea.k12.oh.us/travel

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save the date Thursday, April 25, 2019 2019 Inductees Jenny Adkins, Staff Mark Calvey, Berea High '82 Nicole Cuglewski Marcellino, Midpark High '01 David Donald, Berea High '70 (posthumous) Robert Grewe, Staff (posthumous) Cyril Kleem, Berea High '92 Len Muni, Staff Reverend Jonathan Schaeffer, Midpark High '82 New event location!

Crowne Plaza

7230 Engle Road, Middleburg Heights Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

Dinner at 6:00 p.m.

For tickets and more information, visit www.berea.k12.oh.us/alumni

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The Berea Board of Education encourages students to do their best in all endeavors.

The Titans Bolt Award is awarded by the Berea Board of Education at board meetings. The award honors any student in any grade level who has shown that they possess the qualities and characteristics we hope to instill in all our students, in accordance with our vision of inspiring lives of character, learning, leadership, and service, making them a true Titan.

Examples include, but are not limited to achievements in the following areas: 1. academics 2. community service (includes service to the school) 3. co-curricular participation (band, choir, etc.)

4. extra-curricular participation (athletics, intramural activities, other groups or clubs, etc.)

The inaugural presentation of the Titans Bolt Award took place at the November 20 board meeting.

Congratulations to all the students nominated and recognized.

Emma Grasson

BIG CREEK ELEMENTARY

Emma is a positive role model at Big Creek. She is always so helpful with peers, not only in the classroom, but also at other times of the day. At recess she takes the initiative to seek others out and include them in games and activities. She is a hard worker and doesn’t give up when she is met with a challenge. Emma also participates in several different activities including K’Nex club, Titan Action News, and Bookstore Helper. She has also participated in the district drama productions over the last few years and is able to balance extra activities with her school work.

Emma is a great example of a student who reaches for excellence, carries herself with integrity, and comes to school with the purpose to work hard and help others.

Madison Watson

BROOKVIEW ELEMENTARY

Madison Watson is a student who exemplifies what a Brookview Bucket Filler should be. She is respectful to adults and her peers by always being kind and using her manners. Madison shows responsibility when she follows directions the first time they are given, turns in her homework on time, and is always willing to help a friend in need. She is an extremely hard worker and takes pride in that work.

Madison is a joy to have at Brookview and a pleasure to know.

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Taylor Biglang-awa

BROOK PARK MEMORIAL ELEMENTARY

Taylor represents the epitome of the Titans Bolt Award. Her teachers describe her as the “perfect” student. Taylor is a high achieving fourth grade student academically and is also very involved in the positive building culture at Brook Park Memorial.

Her excellence, integrity, and purpose is on display daily. Her behavior is always respectful, responsible, and safe. She is a true role model for other students and serves as one of BPM’s Student Ambassadors. Words her teachers use to describe her are helpful, dependable, and awesome. Taylor is willing to do anything to help.

She is a true leader and a friend to all. Brook Park Memorial has been fortunate to have Taylor as part of our school since kindergarten. She will truly leave her mark and will be missed when she advances to the middle school after this school year.

Sara Carter

GRINDSTONE ELEMENTARY

Sara is a lovely little girl. The word "selfless" describes her perfectly. Sara has a kind, pure heart and will always go out of her way to brighten someone's day. She is always the first to say thank you and offer a kind word or a smile when she sees someone in need. Sara volunteered at the Grindstone Carnival. She and her mom ran one of the carnival games the entire time and Sara brought her own prizes from home to hand out. There are not many 6-7 year olds that would give up their "play time" to volunteer. Sara is such a compassionate young girl and her act of volunteerism demonstrates her compassion for others and selflessness. We are truly blessed to have her at Grindstone.

Keegan Gehri

BEREA-MIDPARK MIDDLE SCHOOL

Keegan Gehri has transitioned into middle school without skipping a beat. As a member of Team 5A, Keegan received all A’s, averaging a 98.6% in all academic and special area classes. She is a new band student playing the flute and is already active in Student Council. Her favorite subject is English/Language Arts and loves to read fantasy or animal books. She also enjoys doodling and eating. Her advice to other 5th grade students is to work hard by paying attention and turning in all homework.

Shawn Stacey

BEREA-MIDPARK HIGH SCHOOL

Shawn Stacey is a junior at Berea-Midpark High School who currently aides in the Special Education Unit during both of his study halls. He started out interested in the special education field, however, it grew to be more than that. He is a very service oriented individual volunteering at his church, at the special needs facility of Aristocrat, and aiding his cousin who has Cerebral Palsy. Besides all of his volunteer work he maintains a 3.8GPA, is a Link Leader, a Boy Scout and a member of the Chess Club. Shawn Stacey is a true testament to our Berea City School District ideals of character, learning, leadership and service.

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