The Apple of My Eye
PRINCIPAL’S NEWSLETTER
Winter 2013
From Mr. Kis
Dear Parents,
Applewood is off to another great school year. We are all learning and adapting to new state laws and guidelines governing public schools. Not the least of these is the Third Grade Guarantee Law: This year’s third graders are the first class of students to be affected by Ohio’s new Third Grade Reading Guarantee (Senate Bill 316-more information available at www.ode.state.oh.us, search for “Third Grade Reading Guarantee”). The “Guarantee” requires that third graders scoring below 392 on the Reading Ohio Academic Assessment (OAA) be retained in third grade. While a score of 400 is considered passing – it is the minimum passing score.
We expect that all third graders will score at or above 425 on their OAA’s, which is considered the average to above average range. (Please note: there is no letter grade equivalent to the OAA score).
The Third Grade Guarantee also requires us to administer diagnostic assessments each September to identify students who are ‘not on track’ for success on the Reading OAA and to provide supports and services that promote reading growth and success on the Reading OAA. That is why we administer the MAP/MPG assessments in the fall/winter/spring to monitor academic growth.
One of the most valuable aspects of improving your child’s school performance is to be sure they do not miss school for incidental purposes. School attendance and active participation in the school program are critical factors of success. By doing some simple hygiene steps, your child can protect himself and others from the germs that cause colds and flu. Frequent hand and face washing may assist in preventing your child from getting the germs from others. Instruct them to keep their hands and fingers away from their eyes, nose, and mouth to further reduce infection from germs. However, if your child does become ill, the expectation is that you follow the “24 hour” rule. Your child should be fever and symptom free for at least 24 hours before returning to school.. If your child is ill, please call our 24 hour attendance line at 330-273-8100 which is also found on your Applewood magnet.
I wish a healthy and successful school year to all.
Mr. Kis
Highly Qualified Staff
The Brunswick City School District is committed to providing all children with teachers and teacher aides who are well trained and certified for the areas that they teach. High quality professional development is made available for all teachers to keep up to date and increase their professional knowledge.
Applewood Elementary School is pleased to inform you that all of the classroom teachers assigned to teach your child meet or exceed the qualifications needed to be rated as Highly Qualified Teachers. Our teachers are all fully certified to teach in the areas they have been assigned and are eligible for the Highly Qualified designation due to having taken and passed required licensure exams and/or having taken advanced coursework or earned advanced degrees.
Specific additional information regarding the qualifications of your child’s teacher can be obtained by contacting me, Mr. Miklos J. Kis, Principal, at 330-273-0481.
PTO
I want to thank all of you who have shown such tremendous support and participation in the PTO. This is your school and your opportunity to make a difference. Please help us out – we need you and the children love seeing their moms and dads during the school day. It sends them the message that school is important. I know you are all very busy. Your sacrifices in being here do make a difference in the lives of kids.
Dates to Remember
1/6/14 School Resumes
1/6-16 MAPS Testing
1/9 End of Grading Period
1/13 PTO Meeting 9:00 a.m.
1/14 Market Day
1/15 PTO Skate Night
1/17 Teacher Work Day-NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
1/20 Martin Luther King Day-NO SCHOOL
1/21 Report Cards Home
1/31 PTO Pretzel Day
2/3-21 PTO Spring Fundraiser
2/3 PTO Meeting 7:00 p.m.
2/11 Market Day
2/17 NO SCHOOL – PRESIDENTS’ DAY
2/21 PTO Winter Bingo Night
Cafeteria Information
When you are sending in payment on Monday mornings for your child’s prepaid lunch, please make sure the teacher’s name and your child’s name are marked on the check/envelope.
Please remind your child to give the envelope to their teacher on Monday morning so the teacher can send it to the cafeteria with their daily lunch count.
Your cooperation regarding this matter is greatly appreciated.
Student Workbook Fees
Please remember to pay your school fees as soon as possible. It is a Board policy that all fees are due prior to any field trips taken by your children. You can now pay for student school fees and pay-to-participate fees online using Paypal at www.brunswickschools.org. Click on “Student Fees,” choose “Elementary School” and follow the instructions to pay with a credit card. If there is a family hardship, you may consider filling out a Free and Reduced Lunch Form. If you are eligible, your fees may be modified.
List of Known Sexual Offenders
Parents who wish to have access to information regarding known sexual offenders should feel free to access the information directly on the internet through the Medina County Sheriff’s website. If you have questions regarding this matter, please feel free to contact me or the superintendent. I recommend that you view the website at www.medinasheriff.com
Student/Citizen of the Month
Congratulations to the following students for being chosen Student of the Month for October: Jared Podgorski, Jenna Krecic, Frank Germano, Mackenzie Soeder, Rohan Dhruv, Carter Gringle, Madalyn Sustarsic, Brennan Young, Kevin Jarold, Brianna Sivy, Jacob Mayfield, Anthony McBee, Samantha Sustarsic, Josh Krecic Lanie Brown, Kaitlyn Vasas, Ally Holman, Bailey Brown, Ava Flood, Olivia Campbell, Trenton Blackley, Brooke Helman.
Congratulations to the following students for being chosen Citizen of the Month for October: Kendra Haynes, Kaeden Thompson, Arabella Norris, Dominic Lepre, Jayden Lee, Kayla Amick, Austin Huse, Camryn Matus, Andrew Gall, Evan Wesley, Colleen Clark, Sofie Alfano, Dylan Hoff, Kyla Thompson, CJ Willey, Leah Kereki, Brandon Bellante, Kaitlyn Jarold, Riley Young, Larry Gawell, Morgan Clark, Greg Valerio.
Congratulations to the following students for being chosen Student of the Month for November: Adrian Boza, Austin Valore, Zoey Fuller, Gabriella Solivan, Ethan Roksandich, Delanie Peterson, Isabela Adrovet, Audrey Pasko, Tabatha Moye, Shannon Kraker, Evan Boyer, Cecile Strasser, Leyna Swanson, Maci Grammes, Ravi Cole, Avery Glawe, Emma Le, Olivia Hunt, Caitlin Sivy, Chavy Cole, Emma Mascia, Mia Anderson.
Congratulations to the following students for being chosen Citizen of the Month for November: Jessica Shandor, Madison Dempsey, Delaney Aldrich, Blake Pollock, Kayla Harmon, Brianna Bradbury, Anthony Bellisario, Ally Koenig, JuliAnn Depew, Joey Dean, Ella Ivory, Liam Hall, Nicholas Green, Shaun Delancey, Julianna Tacket, Charlotte Hill, Katie Tonda, Michael Murrell, Avery Bruzda, Haley Thurley, Mark Leonard, Ciana Artino.