TCESC Educator: Fall 2023

Covering News Related to Trumbull County Public Schools

TCESC Educator Fall 2023

Welcome back, and to the 2023-2024 school year!

I hope that everyone's school year is off to a fantastic start! I want to sincerely express my appreciation and gratitude to everyone for the exceptional work you have been doing in our Trumbull County schools and here at the TCESC. Some recent highlights include: In September, we proudly announced the expansion of our drone program, made possible by a generous $650,000.00 grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

Furthermore, our collaboration with the AIM Institute of Learning and Research continues as we embark on year-long initiatives with our Trumbull County elementary administrators to enhance the science of reading within our schools. Additionally, the TCESC is addressing chronic absenteeism, enlisting the expertise of Dr. Adam Saenz, a distinguished psychologist.

I look forward to seeing you at our County-Wide Professional Development Day on November 7th.

Your unwavering commitment to the education of our Trumbull County students is truly commendable. Thank you for all that you do!

Mich ael Hansh aw

TCESC Governing Board Jeffrey Dreves President

Denise Domhoff Vice President

Deborah Patchin Al Haberstroh Tom Krispinsky

Trumbull County Educational Service Center

TrumbullESC

TCESC Administrative Team Michael Hanshaw

Superintendent michael.hanshaw@trumbullesc.org

Stacy Foster

Treasurer stacy.foster@trumbullesc.org

Robert Marino, Jr.

Assistant Superintendent Curriculum & Instruction robert.marino@trumbullesc.org

Michelle Tul Director of Pupil Services

michelle.tul@trumbullesc.org

Carlotta Sheets

www.trumbullesc.org

TCESC App

Human Resources carlotta.sheets@trumbullesc.org

Christopher M. Hubinsky

Technology Administrator chris.hubinsky@trumbullesc.org

Empowering Elementary Leaders

The TCESC is actively continuing its efforts in structured literacy. On September 27th, Megan Gierka, representing the AIM Institute of Learning and Research, in partnership with the TCESC, initiated a year-long program to collaborate with elementary school leadership. This workshop is thoughtfully designed for elementary educational leaders deeply committed to improving their schools' language and literacy instruction practices.

Participants in this program will draw upon their expertise in reading science to craft a comprehensive literacy plan that focuses on enhancing students' literacy achievements. This plan will be centered around evidence-based diagnostic and prescriptive literacy instruction and intervention strategies. The program's agenda covers essential topics, including establishing data-driven teacher teams, implementing MTSS protocols, and utilizing practical classroom observation tools.

Gierka expressed her appreciation for the collaboration and determination our Trumbull County district leaders demonstrated. She emphasized, "I firmly believe that involving leadership is pivotal; there can be no significant student achievement without talented leadership," as stated by Megan Gierka, Senior Content Developer and Facilitator at the AIM Institute for Learning & Research.

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The Trumbull County Educational Service Center unveiled a new multi-tier aeronautics drone program lifting off in Trumbull County. Special guests, including Congressman David Joyce and former Congressman Tim Ryan, who made this possible for our Trumbull County students, participated in the announcement on August 14, 2023.

The inception of this groundbreaking endeavor has been made possible by the DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH, AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2023, which was officially ratified in July of 2022. This legislation has earmarked a substantial allocation of $650,000.00, which will be infused into the Trumbull County Educational Service Center Drone program, propelling it into new dimensions of excellence and impact.

The rollout of the multi-tier aeronautics drone program encompasses four pivotal components, each designed to foster innovation, skill development, and industry awareness amongst the students of Trumbull County.

Voltage Valley

For the past decade, jobs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics industries have grown three times that of non-STEM industries.

Occupations in these fields are poised to dominate the 21st-century workforce, and our students should have the tools and resources necessary to fill them, said U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce, R-14th

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Trumbull County Advanced Unmanned Air Mobility Center This state-of-the-art facility will be a hub for advanced drone research, development, and testing, positioning Trumbull County at the forefront of unmanned air mobility.

Pre-Apprenticeship Program for Trumbull County Students A dynamic pre-apprenticeship program will be introduced to equip students with hands-on training, preparing them for promising careers in the evolving field of aeronautics.

Entrepreneurship Education and Industry Awareness Students in grades 6 to 8 will benefit from an engaging curriculum to foster entrepreneurship and industry awareness within the unmanned aircraft sector.

Expansion of Drones in School National Racing League The program's expansion will include greater participation in the Drones in School national racing league, enabling students to showcase their talents and compete nationally.

The unveiling of the multi-tier aeronautics drone program marks a transformative moment for Trumbull County students. This initiative is not just about technology; it's about empowering our young minds with the skills, knowledge, and innovation needed to navigate the future. With hands-on training and a focus on industry awareness, we are confident that this program will elevate our students' potential and position them as leaders in the ever-evolving field of unmanned aeronautics. On behalf of the TCESC, I would like to thank Congressman Joyce and Ryan for making this endeavor possible for the students of Trumbull County. " - Robert Marino, Assistant Superintendent, TCESC

We started two years ago with four drone racing teams and a vision. It's incredible to see how far we've come on this journey from small beginnings to a transformative initiative showcasing our dedication to progress and education most excitingly."

- Ed Mackiewicz, Curriculum & Instruction Supervisor, TCESC. TCESC Asst. Superintendent Robert Marino, U.S. Rep. David Joyce, Former U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan

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The TCESC hosted Dr. Adam Saenz, a distinguished psychologist and renowned authority on emotional intelligence from the Applied EQ Group, during the early days of September for his first of many visits to Trumbull County.

Over the school year, Dr. Saenz will focus on providing tools for teachers, counselors, and administrators to assist in addressing student attendance and truancy. Dr.Saenz is a licensed psychologist, ordained minister, author, and emotional intelligence expert. Dr. Saenz has worked in education, corporate, and nonprofit sectors for over twenty years. He has delivered state and national keynote addresses based on his research, which focuses on stress management, the dynamics of effective relationship building, personality assessment, and emotional intelligence. Among his publications are the best-selling The Power of a Teacher, Relationships That Work, and his most recent release, The EQ Intervention: Shaping a Self-Aware Generation Through Social and Emotional Learning.

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30%

Abstentism percentage in ohio

20%

10%

"We must ensure that every student has the opportunity to learn and succeed. Dr. Saenz's presence and expertise will undoubtedly strengthen our efforts in fulfilling this vital mission, and we are committed to fostering a community where every student's potential can flourish," said Assistant Superintendent Dr. Robert Marino.

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Pre-Pandemic

Post-Pandemic

In Ohio, the chronic absenteeism rate has surged to 30%, marking a significant increase from the pre-pandemic level of 16.7%.

According to AttendanceWorks.org, In the 2020-21 school year, at least 10.1 million students across the U.S. were chronically absent, which means missing 10% or more of school days due to absence for any reason.

Chronic absence can lead to academic challenges such as difficulty in reading by the third grade, lower achievement in middle school, and a lower chance of graduating from high school. Chronic absence has more than doubled from pre-COVID-19 levels, with over 8 million students at risk academically.

Niles City School District social workers Mrs. Infante and Mrs. Mancino recently attended an attendance and truancy training at the Trumbull County Educational Service Center

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Intervention Specialist,

Christian Denning "Every day when I go to work, I can honestly say that I make a difference," says Christian Denning, a Multiple Disability (MD) Intervention Specialist at the TCESC. This motivation drives her each day.

Denning is now in her 16th school year and has been with TCESC, teaching multiple disability students within Liberty Local Schools since 2007. She works with students in grades 5 through 9, with ages ranging from 10 to 15.

In recent years, Denning has introduced numerous vocational opportunities into her classroom to expose her students to real-world work situations.

"It's about teaching them essential life skills," Denning explains. "I noticed that at the age of 14, many of them lacked vocational awareness. By the time they reached high school, they had no idea about jobs or vocations, and that needed to change."

To say that things have changed is an understatement. Denning's classroom now oversees three vital vocational programs that have become integral to the day-to-day operations at Liberty's PK-6 building. These programs include The Caring Closet, The Leopard Pantry, and, most recently, the Snack Cart.

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The Caring Closet started in the 2020-2021 school year with tasks like washing towels and collecting classroom linens. This initiative evolved into building a "closet" of clothing items for children in need, regardless of their situation. When a student requires clothing, one of Mrs. Denning's students retrieves the needed item and delivers it to the office.

In 2022, her classroom took over the Liberty PK-6 Leopard Pantry in collaboration with the Church Hill United Methodist Church. This program provides students in the building with food and hygiene products. From August 2022 to July 2023, have utilized the school pantry.

1,028 students

Most recently, the class launched the Snack Cart for Liberty's teachers. Her students use this opportunity to learn cash transactions by providing goods to the teachers and managing cash flow.

These programs and their growth are the driving force that keeps her inspired every day. Denning explains, "The kids keep me motivated. It's challenging; there are days when I don't always want to get out of bed, but I think about them and know what I have to do for them. It's a partnership; they need me, and I need them."

Denning earned her bachelor's degree from Youngstown State University and her master's degree in Elementary Reading and Writing from Walden University.

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SkilledTrades

Trumbull County middle and high school students recently had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of skilled trades at the 4th annual Mahoning Valley Skilled Trades event. Held at the Canfield Fairgrounds, this event provided students with hands-on experiences across a broad spectrum of careers, from electrical work, carpentry, pipe fitting, and concrete to the operation of heavy machinery.

"This yearly event is a critical part of the mission to get kids involved in skilled trades.

Seeing such a large turnout is fantastic, especially at the middle school level. These students must see the opportunities available at a younger age,” said C&I Supervisor James Rook.

Excitement at this year's expo was taken to the next level with the introduction of a pre-apprenticeship-based competition. Participants were tested on their mathematics proficiency, handson skills, and practical application abilities, all against the clock. We are thrilled to announce that Vincent Cicero, one of our Pre-Apprenticeship students from Niles, won the Skilled Trades Competition, achieving the best overall time over the two-day expo. Vincent is an incredibly talented and diligent young man who deserves recognition for his first-place finish. As a reward for his hard work, Vincent was presented recently with a brand-new Milwaukee tool set valued at $600 from the Indiana Kentucky Ohio Regional Council of Carpenters.

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Our TCESC Preschoolers again had a blast at Kutcha Farms in Newton Falls. Pictured are students from Bristol, Champion, and Niles. Students got to experience plenty of fun fall activities and hang out with the animals during their trip in early October!

Mrs. Torres, TCESC MD Classroom, in partnership with the Church Hill United Methodist Church and Liberty Local Schools, kicked off an exciting new project: transforming the Liberty PK-6 courtyard into a community garden. The goal is to provide fresh vegetables to those in need while providing opportunities and experiences to the students.

The project began with Mrs. Torres' class tilling the land, laying a tarp, and collecting soil samples for testing. Stay tuned for updates on the group's journey toward a thriving community garden.

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Students Making A Safer Highway

The Trumbull County SMASH program launched at TCESC earlier this month. This collaborative effort involves the Ohio State Highway Patrol, OSU Extension Trumbull County, and an enthusiastic group of nearly 60 students hailing from various school districts within Trumbull County. Their collective mission is to enhance the safety of our highways.

These dedicated student representatives are embarking on two vital peer-to-peer education initiatives within their respective schools to raise awareness about the importance of safe driving. Throughout the school year, the SMASH representatives will convene monthly to strategize and collaborate, ensuring their efforts are impactful and lasting.

SERVICE AWARDS

Congratulations to our employees who have hit career milestones.

Thank you for your years of service to the students of Trumbull County!

35 YEARS Rhonda Accordino

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SERVICE AWARDS 30 YEARS Pamela Barton Karen Cunningham

25 YEARS Melanie DeBord, Tammi Jones, Jennifer Mocella, Joellen Manz

20 YEARS Lisa Garvin, Cheri Wireman, Tracy Lewis

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15 YEARS Christian Denning, Kay Torres, Nicole Switzer

10 YEARS Amy Brienik, Katie Machuzak, Amy Pabst, Onnie Kowacich, Rhonda Gaborko

5 YEARS Alanna Bebech, David Goldberg, Patrecia Baker, Jay Beadle, Carrie Earls, Delaney Evan, Julia Gadd, Seva Liogas

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