Howland Local Schools | Spring 2020

SPRING 2020 | ISSUE 6

HOWLAND LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT Proud Past, Roaring Future

INSIDE THIS EDITION Letter from the Superintendent - 2 Commencement - 3 Kindergarten Registration - 4

Girl Scout Gold Award - 5 Howland Hellos - 6 Virtual Spirit Week - 9

FROM THE DESK OF THE SUPERINTENDENT Howland Local Schools began using alternative delivery models for teaching and assessing students when the Governor's directive was announced. Our intent is to remain focused on keeping our students engaged and learning while ensuring that all students who were on track to graduate are not in any way negatively impacted by this unfortunate and challenging situation for which they are not responsible. Just as important to us is to ensure any students close to graduation eligibility do not fall from our radar and that we work to continue their educational path for them to be eligible to graduate, even if it requires the most recent graduation eligibility extension to September 30, 2020. Although the Ohio Department of Education has said that students are eligible for local graduation flexibility through september 30, 2020, we are confident that we will likely have a limited number of students that fall into this scenario. Students who are not eligible for graduation by May 27, 2020, will continue to be on our radar and assisted to gain graduation eligibility under the extension granted by the state. With this said, we have

Kevin Spicher Superintendent

worked to implement measures to ensure students remain engaged with teachers and curriculum during the Governor's directives - including at-risk and special needs students who may have additional challenges accessing curriculum. Although nothing compares to face-to-face teaching and learning, I have been amazed by some really unique and productive interactions between teachers, students, and parents during this time. We are appreciative of the most recent announcement by Governor DeWine and the Ohio General Assembly to allow districts to award diplomas to students who have successfully completed curriculum requirements, while foregoing customary assessments, capstone projects, and work/community service experiences. Importantly, these changes allow us to apply fair and consistent approaches to assist our students to become eligible to graduate using tailored paths that accommodate the varied circumstances and abilities of our students to access curriculum and services. This same understanding and leniency from the Governor's office applies to all grade levels and students. Each student is to be held harmless academically for this challenging situation. This does not mean that accountability and grades are not accounted for; however, it does mean that each scenario will be examined with appropriate criteria to ensure students are not being penalized for working hard. The building principals will continue to work with teachers and counselors to identify individual student needs and whether a student has performed satisfactorily in a course to receive credit using the criteria and considerations outlined for the course and the Governor’s expectations for understanding and leniency. Students who performed better in the final term will be rewarded, while students who experienced difficulty, regardless of the challenges, will not be penalized. This has been an unprecedented and difficult time for students and families and our efforts to make things as normal as possible have been a significant challenge. As of right now, our goal and plan is to offer a commencement ceremony for graduating seniors in the manner the class chooses to be most appropriate for them with the options available. We will continue to share information with students, families, and staff in the coming days and weeks as we work to address individual needs and close out the school year in the best interest of every child in her/his own unique academic and family scenarios.

Graduation Wednesday, May 27, 2020

CLAP-OUT AT HIGH SCHOOL AT 7:30 P.M. Graduates and their families are invited to drive down East Market Street, turning onto Shaffer Drive, passing Howland High School and headed towards the stadium where teachers and other school officials will recognize the graduates.

COMMENCEMENT VIDEO DRIVE-IN AT 9:00 P.M.

AT

ELM

ROAD

Graduates and their families are invited to drive to the Elm Road Drive-In to watch the prerecorded video commencement ceremony. One vehicle per graduate will be permitted at the drive-in and assigned numbers will be given to each graduate. Those numbers must be displayed in the window of each vehicle to gain entry.

REGISTER FOR

KINDERGARTEN

1. Click on the link below to fill out the google form for registration. Be sure to click “submit” at the end. You will get an email back showing your submitted answers. That is how you will know it went through.

2. Approximately one week later, you will then receive a packet in the mail of paper forms to fill out and mail back along with copies of your required documents.

3. Once we have received your packet back, we will process it and contact you via email ONLY if we need anything further. (Note: Some items may need to be presented in person at a later time) THE CUSTODIAL PARENT MUST BE THE ONE TO ENROLL A CHILD INTO SCHOOL.

Click here: https://tinyurl.com/howkreg Age Requirement: Children must be five years old on or before August 1, 2020.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS Custodial Parent’s Driver’s License or State ID Card Child’s Certified Birth Certificate Child’s Social Security Card Child’s Immunization Record Custody Papers/Divorce Decree with court stamp and all signatures (if applicable) Proof of Residency - 2 forms (see below) Homeowner Renter 1. Mortgage statement, property tax 1. Current dated and signed lease bill or homeowner’s insurance cover AND letter 2. Current utility bill-gas, water or AND electric 2. Current utility bill-gas, water or electric

4

HOWLAND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT EARNS GIRL SCOUT GOLD AWARD Howland High School senior Kyralin Kramp, who is an Ambassador Girl Scout, recently earned the Girl Scout Gold

Award.

Kramp’s

interest

in

occupational therapy inspired her Gold Award project. She decided to raise funds and purchase a threepiece

sensory

Northeast

board Ohio

Rehabilitation Center.

for

The

Children's The sensory

board has been placed in the main lobby,

where

patients

enter

the

building. While children wait for their therapy appointments, they are now able to enjoy the hands-on activity center.

“This sensory board focuses on the main areas of senses; auditory, tactile, and vision. As part of my project, I also included hand-held sensory frames that are used in the occupational therapy department. I made informational pamphlets for the families that attend this center so they could get to know me and the reason behind my project,” said Kyralin Kramp.

Gold Award Recognition

Gold Award Girl Scouts don’t just change the world for the better—they change it for good. The Gold Award is a standout accomplishment of young women who develop and carry out meaningful, sustainable solutions to challenges in their communities and the world.

10

H

O

W

L

A

N

D

Hellos!

Howland High School

be the light

Click on the icons to view the videos.

H

H.C. MINES Elementary School

O

W

L

A

N

D

Hellos!

G L E N

Primary School

The Spirit of Howland