State and Local Education News
Cincinnati Enquirer
When was the last time you saw a group of teenagers interact for hours without a cellphone? At Cincinnati Country Day School in Indian Hill, it happens every day. Like most schools, Country Day has had a no cellphone policy for years. But kids, teachers and administrators alike admit it was rarely enforced − until this school year, when homeroom teachers started collecting students' phones to be returned at the end of the school day. Isabel Ramirez, a senior and student body vice president, said she got her first cellphone when she was 13. She constantly used it to chat with friends on social media during the school day, she said, and even made TikToks during her advisory class as a freshman.
Aol.com (Lancaster Eagle-Gazette)Primary school students in the Amanda-Clearcreek Local School District who need a little help in reading and math are getting it from some Ohio University Lancaster (OUL) students. The district is using OUL students studying to be teachers to help tutor some kindergarten through second-grade students. This the second year of the program, but the first the tutors working during school hours. Last year, they tutored after school. Superintendent Timothy Edwards said 60 students received tutoring last year. He didn't have the number for this year, but said it believes it's more than 60. The district has worked with between four to six tutors the past two years.
The North Olmsted Board of Education last week named Chris Caleris as its next superintendent replacing David J. Brand who leaves the district this summer. Caleris, currently assistant superintendent of pupil services, has been an employee of the North Olmsted City Schools for 23 years. “Mr. Caleris is already part of our administrative team and is familiar with the operations of our district including the PK-5 building project,” North Olmsted City Schools Board of Education President Megan Murphy said.
Youngstown Vindicator
The Boardman Local School District may have a new superintendent named by early next month. John W. Fryda, board president, said after Monday’s regular board meeting at Boardman Center Intermediate School that school officials had received 11 applicants from those interested in the top post to replace Timothy L. Saxton, who is retiring July 31 after deciding earlier this year not to renew a retire / rehire contract. Interviews with prospective candidates are ongoing. Of the 11 applicants, four finalists remain, Fryda noted. No date has been established for hiring the next superintendent. That decision rests largely on how long the interview and vetting processes take, he said.
Columbus CBS-10As some Ohio school districts wrap up the first school year with armed staff members on campus, the state of Ohio is investing further into training to prepare them for active shooter scenarios. The state is putting about $78,000 towards purchasing Mobile Modular Shoot Houses from a North Carolina based company, Kontek Industries. The Ohio School Safety Center plans to have them ready by this summer to be part of the mandatory scenario-based training for armed staff members, to simulate what an active shooter situation could look like. Sixty-seven districts in 36 Ohio counties have armed staff on site, including Benjamin Logan Local Schools in central Ohio.
Newark AdvocateLakewood High School will again be searching for a new principal, following the resignation of Ryan Lemley who was hired earlier this month. According to a Lakewood press release: "On Saturday, April 20, Lakewood Local School District was officially informed by its newly approved LHS Principal Ryan Lemley that he would be resigning the position effective immediately. A school district in his current area approached him about a central office position that would potentially progress into a superintendent role. He indicated this process was only a few days in duration, and unfortunately, Lakewood was not informed until he had already accepted and been approved for the position.
Toledo Blade
Two years ago, JayAnna Tyler was a Beverly Elementary School eighth grader when she decided to go into pharmacology after hearing a presentation by Jack Hunter, Toledo Pre-Medical & Health Science Academy principal. “I want to [help] find cures for things that have been deemed incurable, like cancer. I know that's a big stretch, but I still want to try to find more treatments if not a cure,” JayAnna, 14, said. On Monday, the academy freshman was one of a few students who took part in the wall-breaking ceremony at Mercy College of Ohio on the region’s newest collaborative educational project by Mercy Health, Mercy College of Ohio, and Toledo Public Schools, for the expansion of the school district’s Toledo Pre-Medical & Health Science Academy, which is located at 3301 Upton Ave.
Cleveland ABC-5
In the Barberton High School cybersecurity lab, Jackson Gamsby— a Copley High Student— learns about digital forensics and guarding against cyber attacks... One floor below, Barberton High student Jamison Gurchie knows how to use a variety of machines in the advanced manufacturing room. He has a goal of one day working in the industry... Both programs, used by four school districts (Barberton, Wadsworth, Norton and Copley), are strong but about to get much stronger— thanks mainly to a late educator named Phil Hodanbosi. Both district leaders and students greatly appreciate the legacy he leaves behind... Most recently, Hodanbosi wrote a grant for the district and applied for a $1.4 million grant through the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.
In Bay Village -- a community with a significant military presence -- the local schools have once again dedicated April to celebrating the Month of the Military Child. This year marks the third consecutive year of the observance, which began with a heartfelt resolution in December 2021. As of 2024, the Bay Village School District is home to 61 military-connected students from 38 families.
Dayton NBC-2
Students with two Springfield City Schools celebrated Earth Day on Monday, April 22 with school beautification projects. More than 40 juniors and seniors with the Springfield High School National Honor Society filled several garbage bags with litter collected around their campus. This included stretches of Kensington Drive and High School Place to Home Road. Over at Snyder Park Elementary, the school’s new community garden was unveiled as part of their Earth Day celebration. Its native pollinator garden adds not only curb appeal but environmental benefits as well.
Springfield News-Sun
Kenwood Elementary School has started a new service club for students in grades third through six called “The K-Kids Club.” With the motto of “young leaders helping others,” the club serves as an early exposure to volunteering for elementary students before they have the opportunity to join the “Builders Club” in middle school and the “Key Club” in high school, which both focus on student service learning. The club is led by fourth-grade teacher Melody Boyd and counselor Teresa Channels with the help of instructional coach Aubree Kushmaul. To join the club, students submitted applications to explain the importance of student leaders in school.