TCESC Educator February 2020

FEBRUARY 2020

Fighting for ‘Fair Use’

Trumbull County public school superintendents rally for EDChoice changes Trumbull County ESC Superintendent Michael Hanshaw, at podium, welcomes news media and others in attendance to a Feb. 10 press conference at the TCESC Central Office in Niles. TCESC leaders were joined by public school superintendents from across Trumbull County who met with Ohio lawmakers, seated from left, Rep. Gil Blair, Sen. Sean O’Brien and Rep. Michael O’Brien, to discuss the state’s EdChoice Scholarship Program and the impact the voucher system is having on the public school system.

In Flux Ohio lawmakers delayed the opening of the EdChoice application process until April 1, giving them two additional months to discuss how the state should determine which public schools must offer vouchers. Ohio's House members proposed switching to a family income–based system instead of the current one that relies heavily on the state’s school report card grades.

State senators shot down the income-based plan, sending lawmakers back to the table.

See pages 4-5 for more on EdChoice.

Also In This Issue Launching Into Literacy...…….....p. 3 Making the Transition …………...p. 6-7 Prep Bowl ......…………………....…...p. 8 Fire Safety…………….……….……....p. 12-13

6000 Youngstown Warren Rd. • Niles, Ohio 44446 • Phone: (330) 505-2800 • Fax: (330) 505-2814 • www.TRUMBULLESC.ORG

TCESC Educator The Trumbull County Educational Service Center Educator highlight the activities and accomplishments of our students, staff, partnering school districts and local public educational community. The newsletter is published throughout the school year by the TCESC Public Relations Department. We welcome news and information from your schools.

Please submit items for consideration to: Virginia Shank Public and Community Relations Supervisor virginia.shank@trumbullesc.org (330) 505-2800 ext. 189

TCESC Governing Board Don Bishop Denise Domhoff Jeff Dreves William J. Holland Allen Ryan

TCESC Administrative Team Michael Hanshaw, Superintendent michael.hanshaw@trumbullesc.org

Lori Simione, CPA, Treasurer lori.simione@trumbullesc.org Robert Marino Jr., Assistant Superintendent Curriculum & Instruction robert.marino@trumbullesc.org

From Superintendent

Michael Hanshaw As advocates for public education, we at the TCESC believe it is imperative to address proposed changes to Ohio’s EdChoice voucher system and for the dialogue surrounding this controversial scholarship program to stay constant until a resolution is made to protect public education.

As public school educators, members of the Trumbull County Superintendents Association are concerned about the negative financial implications EdChoice could continue to have on our public school districts and the students we serve.

Recent discussions, deliberations and developments regarding the longstanding program have brought the matter to the forefront in the media and among students, families, educators and communities at large.

We welcomed three of our state lawmakers — State Rep. Michael O’Brien, District 64, State Sen. Sean O’Brien, District 32, and State Rep. Gil Blair, District 63 — to the TCESC earlier this month to address hear our concerns.

We provide highlights and links to the media coverage of the meeting in this edition of the TCESC Educator.

Kathleen Vilsack, Director of Pupil Services kathleen.vilsack@trumbullesc.org

@TrumbullESC

Carlotta Sheets, Supervisor of Human Resources carlotta.sheets@trumbullesc.org

@TrumbullCountyESC

Christopher M. Hubinsky Technology Administrator chris.hubinsky@trumbullesc.org

www.trumbullesc.org

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Launching Into Literacy Dear Community Partner, The Trumbull County Educational Service Center, in conjunction with the Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy Grant, is inviting local business leaders and service providers to rally in support of Trumbull County families through Literacy, Language and Learning.

The TCESC’s inaugural “Launch Into Literacy” event will take place from Noon to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 4 at the Eastwood Mall in Niles. Table set up will start at 11 a.m.

We are not asking for monetary contributions. Instead, we are asking for your time.

We hope you will consider contributing to this exciting opportunity by hosting a table activity that focuses on Literacy, Language and Learning while displaying and advertising your business or agency. Support can be provided in designing this activity.

Please reserve your free table no later than February 27 by contacting Arianna Toth at arianna.toth@trumbullesc.org. or 330-505-2800 ext. 136.

Let’s come together as a community and shoot for the stars to launch our youth and their families into Language, Literacy and Learning.

Angela Guarnieri Supervisor, TCESC Curriculm & Instruction Lauren DeJulio Supervisor, TCESC Curriculum & Instruction

Please see more on the TCESC’s First Launching Into Literacy Event & Emergent Literacy Summit on page 9.

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Trumbull County leaders advocate for EdChoice revisions The Trumbull County Superintendents Association invited Ohio lawmakers Sen. Sean O’Brien and Reps. Michael O’Brien and Gil Blair to a round table Monday, Feb. 10, at the TCESC to allow the local school leaders to address their concerns about EdChoice.

A press conference attended by local media outlets was held after the discussion.

TCESC Superintendent Michael Hanshaw said it’s important for the dialogue to stay constant until a resolution is made to protect public education.

Warren Superintendent Steve Chiaro said it isn’t about public versus non-public education, but spending state and local taxpayer dollars fairly and responsibly. He said where we are today with EdChoice is not where it was ever intended.

Lordstown Superintendent Terry Armstrong said EdChoice, the latest in a long line of funding unfairness in Ohio, will continue down a negative road if left as it is.

Liberty Superintendent Joseph Nohra called for fairness when it comes to funding all schools, public and non-public, and asked lawmakers to treat all children fairly when it comes to funding their education.

Watch news conference highlights here.

Find media coverage online: WFMJ WKBN TRIBUNE CHRONICLE

State Sen. Sean O’Brien, left, with Lordstown Superintendent Terry Armstrong, center and Newton Falls Superintendent Paul Woodard.

Niles Superintendent Ann Marie Thigpen, left and State Sen. Sean O’Brien.

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Trumbull County public school superintendents joined Ohio lawmakers to address concerns about the state’s EDChoice Scholarship Program. Taking the podium at the Monday, Feb. 10 press conference at the TCESC’s Central Office in Niles were, from left, Lordstown Superintendent Terry Armstrong, Liberty Superintendent Joe Nohra, state Sen. Sean O’Brien, state Reps. Michael O’Brien and Gil Blair, and Warren Superintendent Steve Chiaro.

State Rep. Gil Blair, left, and Bloomfield-Mespo Superintendent John Sheets.

State Rep. Michael O’Brien, Hubbard Superintendent Raymond Solomon and McDonald Superintendent Kevin O’Connell.

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Fills Eastwoo Readies stude

More than 600 people teners, attended the 2 Transition Fair Saturd Niles. Among the ac were taught how to en teachers, received infor garten, visited learnin games. The event, in it County children enteri was presented by the C Mental Health and Re sentative from schools Trumbull County ESC, provide information an

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od Mall’s Center Court ents, families for future

e, including 205 incoming kindergar2020 Trumbull County Kindergarten day, Feb. 1 at the Eastwood Mall in ctivities, students and their parents nter and exit a school bus. They met rmation about registering for kinderng stations and played educational ts 6th year, was open to all Trumbull ing kindergarten in 2020. The event Cafaro Foundation, Trumbull County ecovery Board and Psycare. Repres across Trumbull County, along with , were on hand to greet attendees, nd answer questions.

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Howland Middle School!

Dozens of Trumbull County public school students participate in the academic competition each year The TCESC’s 2020 Prep Bowl season kicked off Saturday, Feb. 8, at Lordstown High School.

Howland Middle School claimed the top spot at this year’s Elementary Prep Bowl, with LaBrae Middle School the runner up.

The elementary portion expanded this year to include 21 teams – the highest number is recent years. Seventeen junior high teams are set to participate Feb. 22 and 18 high school teams March 14.

Winner of the TCESC 2020 Elementary Prep Bowl SAVE THE DATE

TCESC Prep Bowl March 14

(High School) Lordstown High School 1824 Salt Springs Road

The annual academic competitions test the students in different subject areas including fine arts, social studies/ geography, and math and science.

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Full coverage of the 2020 Prep Bowl Season will be featured in the next TCESC Educator.

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Two-part literacy day to feature TCESC Preschool Program’s first EmergentCONGRATULATIONS Literacy Summit HOWLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL:

Trumbull County preschool teachers and administrators will have an opportunity to 2020hours Elementary Bowl Winner earn three Step Up To Quality (SUTQ) training during aPrep professional learning opportunity with Ohio Literacy Lead Michelle Elia.

The Emergent Literacy Summit, presented by the Trumbull County Educational Service Center, in conjunction with the Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy Grant, will be held Saturday, April 4 at the Eastwood Mall in Niles. Hours for the professional learning portion are 9 a.m. to Noon.

The event will also feature a Preschool Learning Fair from 1 to 2:30 p.m.. Area preschools, public and private. are invited to display and highlight their preschool programs by reserving a table at no cost. Local business leaders and service providers are also invited to reserve a table.

To register for the professional learning session, contact Heather Pugh at 330-5052800 ext. 135 or heather.pugh@trumbullesc.org.

To reserve your free table, contact Arianna Toth at arianna.toth@trumbullesc.org. or 330-505-2800 ext. 136.

The deadline to sign up is Feb. 27.

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Out & About Several Trumbull County public school superintendents spent some time with Fairhaven students during a recent visit to the school in Niles. At left, TCESC Superintendent Michael Hanshaw reads to one of the classes. Below with students, from left, are superintendents Hanshaw, Paul Woodard, Newton Falls, Ann Marie Thigpen, Niles, Velina Jo Taylor, Lakeview, Rocco Nero, Southington; John Grabowski, Champion, A.J. Calderone, LaBrae, Kevin Spicher, Howland, and Raymond Solomon, Hubbard.

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Staff Notes

Schooling the trainers Sue Shutrump, TCESC OT/PT Services supervisor, above left, oversees a Feb. 14 training for driver trainers and supervisors from Fairhaven transportation and Community Bus Services. The 8-hour certification training was held at the TCESC Central Office in Niles.

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A lesson in fire safety at The Learning Center Members of the Liberty Township Fire Department spent some time recently speaking to students in the TCESC STEP ED Unit at The Learning Center at Liberty about Fire Safety. Fire Capt. Kathy Macchione and firefighter Phil Lucarell discussed safety and gave students the opportunity to see a fire truck up close.

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