Page 1 The Standard Is Excellence

Home he inter of t The W s Rover Rootstown 2017 Communicator Rootstown Local Schools • 4140 State Route 44 • Rootstown, Ohio 44272 • (330) 325-9911 News From Around the District ILEP By Sarah Eaton For the fourth year, Rootstown Local Schools is welcoming two international teachers to the district. In past years, our schools have hosted teachers in language arts and science classrooms; these past teachers have come from Egypt, Indonesia, Brazil, Senegal, and the Philippines. These teachers have come to the United States as part of a highly competitive program called International Leaders in Education Program, which is sponsored by IREX and funded by US State Department grant money. Our teachers, along with Pictured from left to right: Sarah Eaton, Rodrigo seventeen others, are based out of Kent State University; three other US universities also host teachers. Ogliari Coelho, Amoni Kitooke, and Toni Mervine. Amoni Kitooke, or “Mr. Amoni” as the students call him, is partnered with Mrs. Mervine in 8th grade Language Arts. Mr. Amoni comes to us from Uganda where he has been teaching for over 8 years. He has lofty goals to improve the lives of his students in every way possible by using the skills he learns and working with the connections he makes while here in the United States. Rodrigo Ogliari Coelho, who is working with me in 9th/11th grade Language Arts, hails from the south of Brazil. “Mr. Rodrigo” has also been teaching for over 8 years, and teaches in two schools as well as instructing future teachers at a university. This semester-long trip to the US is Mr. Rodrigo’s first time leaving Brazil, and he is enjoying the snow, playing soccer with other international and American students at Kent State, and getting to know our students at Rootstown. The international teachers arrived in the United States in mid-January, beginning with an orientation in Washington, D.C., before heading off to their respective universities. They will spend the next four months learning about new teaching methodologies and technologies, auditing two graduate level courses, participating in cultural experiences, completing their field experiences at local schools like ours, and creating a profes- sional development module to use when they return home in early May. Mr. Amoni and Mr. Rodrigo will be with us between one and three days each week this spring. During this time they will observe, co-teach, share their culture, and shadow students. This will allow our students to have an invaluable experience where they can interact with and learn from these experienced international teachers. We are so grateful to have this wonderful opportunity to once again participate in this powerful educational experience. Please feel free to visit the Kent State University ILEP website at http://www.ksuilep.net/ or the KSU International Leaders in Education Facebook page if you would like to learn more about the program or to see the other work/activities that the partner teachers are participating in. Superintendent’s Message It is hard to believe we are already in the second half of the school year! The first half of the 2016-17 school year was filled with numerous student achievements and growth both in the classroom and in extracurricular activities. The second half of the school year, I’m sure, will be filled with even more student achievements as well as students partaking in Ohio’s State Tests this spring. I would like to thank the Rootstown residents for your support of our schools with the passage of the renewal levy this past November. We plan to continue to strive to provide the best education possible while being fiscally responsible. Andrew Hawkins Over the past few months, the Rootstown Board of Education has held several community meetings to discuss the dis- Superintendent trict’s facility needs. The goal is for the community to provide the Board of Education with a recommendation regarding a direction with our district’s facilities needs. Finally, I would like to invite you to the March 20th Board of Education meeting when I will be presenting the annual State of the Schools address in which I will share information about what is going on in our schools and what lies ahead for the Rootstown Local School District. Thank you for your continued support of Rootstown Local Schools. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions regarding our school district, Go Rovers! Andrew Hawkins Superintendent Page 2 News From the Treasurer’s Office The Rover District is in the second phase of an approximately $160,000 technology infrastructure upgrade, paid for in part with federal funds. The scope of the project includes replacing outdated switches and upgrading the wireless system. Existing Wi-Fi has increased from 32 to 94 access points, making our wireless system not only more reliable, but also 3X faster. This is necessary as more and more demands are placed on the system with increased devices, technology in the classrooms, and online state testing. Our technology coordinator, Lee Boring, was able to do much of the wiring himself over winter break, saving the district approximately $27,000. In the next few weeks, the remaining cables will be installed. The result will mean no internet downtime as a student moves from classroom to classroom with a wireless device. Through E-rate, the district will receive a 40% discount, bringing the cost of the project under $96,000. Education Rate (E-rate) is a program under the FCC, which helps provide affordable telecommunications and internet services for schools and libraries. With the help of our district Technology Committee, we were able to select components which could be re-used Connie Baldwin should the district build new buildings. In the meantime, current students will be able to utilize faster, more reliable servic- Treasurer es. The last time the district made such a substantial investment in technology infrastructure was over 10 years ago. In this ever-changing world, students need to be able to keep up to speed with their peers. As an added bonus, the district has the opportunity to save about $64,000 in the process. It is always our goal to work together to provide a quality education in the most cost-effective manner.

Connie Baldwin Treasurer

Assistant Superintendent’s Message Terri Hrina-Treharn - Assistant Superintendent, (330)325-2014 Spring Testing The state tests this spring, including retakes for high school students, will be administered during two test windows. The first test window will be for English Language Arts and will occur from March 27th to April 7th. The second window for all mathematics, science, and social studies tests will take place for our district from April 24th to May 12th, which includes make-up days. More specific information about when your child’s grade level will test can be found below, and will be posted weekly on the district website again as it has been in the past.

Terri Hrina-Treharn Assistant Superintendent

Social Media If you have not discovered yet, our district is now on Twitter AND Facebook! You can follow us on Facebook at “Rootstown Local Schools” and on Twitter @Rovers_District. You can easily get to either from our district website. We have had a great re- sponse with almost 500 followers in the first week. We hope to bring you reminders, announcements, building events, pictures and more. Please check us out and “like” us!

Teacher Candidates We once again welcome teacher candidates from the University of Akron. This semester you will find the following pairings throughout the district: Elem - Miss Owen with Mrs. Ingram, Miss Aguirre with Mrs. Svenson, Miss McFee with Miss West, Miss Anderson with Mrs. Stackpole, Miss Adams with Mrs. Coffman, Miss Mandalari with Mrs. Lewis, Miss Karas with Mrs. Morgart, Miss Compton with Mrs. Debos, Miss Young with Mrs. Kavali, Miss Jarvis with Miss Horvath; Middle School - Miss Fedorko with Mrs. Leidlein, Mr. Rampa Rootstown welcomes this semester’s group of teacher candidates with Mrs. Patton, and Miss Bonner with Mrs. Mervine. from the University of Akron! Page 3 From the Office of Special Education Lynn Fatica - Director of Special Education, (330)325-4144 Helping your child with a learning disability can be a challenge, particularly if you’ve never been confident in your own reading, writing, or math skills. But you don’t have to be an expert to help work on certain skills or to strengthen your child’s self-esteem. Here are some things you can try at home: • Read out loud every day. Hearing you read lets your child focus on understanding the material and expanding his/her overall knowledge and vocabulary base. Do it every chance you can get. • Tap into your child’s interests. Provide a variety of reading materials, such as comic books, mystery stories, recipes and articles on sports or pop stars. Kids with reading disabilities are more likely to power through a book if the topic is of great interest to them. • Use audiobooks. Check the library to see if you can borrow audio recordings of books. You can also access them Lynn Fatica online. Listening to a book while looking at the words can help your child learn to connect the sounds she’s hearing Director of Special to the words she’s seeing. Education/School • Look for apps and other high-tech help. Word processors and spell-check can help kids who have trouble with reading Psychologist and spelling. Voice recognition software can help older students tackle writing assignments by letting them dictate their ideas instead of having to type them. There are also lots of apps and online games that can help your child build reading skills. • Focus on effort, not outcome. Praise your child for trying hard, and emphasize that everyone makes mistakes—you included! Help your child understand how important it is to keep practicing, and give hugs, high-fives or other rewards for making even the smallest bits of progress. • Make your home reader-friendly. Try to stock every room (including the bathroom!) with at least a few books or magazines your child might be interested in reading. Take a book when you go out for pizza or on a trip, and read it to your family so you can all discuss it. Look for other creative ways to encourage reading and writing at home. • Boost confidence. Use hobbies and afterschool activities to help improve your child’s self-esteem and increase resilience. Try different ways to identify and build on your child’s strengths. -Adapted from understood.org

Rootstown District News Spotlight on Rootstown Choir By Mrs. Hayden, Director of Choirs RMS choirs celebrated Christmas the tropical way by taking their audience to Christmas Island. When Santa became overwhelmed by the busyness of Christmas, he decided to take an impromptu road trip to an island where its strange inhabitants and his three trusty Elves had to re- mind Santa what Christmas is truly about. Special shout-outs to Rae Ochoa, Daniel Zalamea, Ben Abshire, Grace Longstreth, Jenna Vogt, Esther Shackleford, Linden White, Oliva Opritza, and Aubrey Kline for showcasing their acting and vocal talents at the concert. Enrollment in the Middle School Choir is strong and grew significantly this Fall. There are currently 55 students enrolled in 6th grade choir, and 39 in 7th/8th grade mixed ensemble. All choirs are currently working on sight reading ability and developing strong vocal skills when presented with contemporary pieces of mu- sic in preparation for the Spring Concerts. Fundraising goals for this year are for new risers and for an end of the year reward in the form of a trip or picnic. RMS choirs raised a little over $5,000 this past Fall with their fundraiser and RHS choirs raised over $2,000. Well done, choirs! Please save the date for the Middle School Solo and Ensemble on April 6th, Middle School Spring Concert on May 17th, and the High School Spring Concert on May 24th. See you there!

Music Boosters By Cary Stefancik

Join us on Saturday, March 11th, from 4:00p.m.-7:00p.m. as The Rootstown Music Boosters host a “Pulled Pork Dinner” fundraising event in the High School Cafeteria. The dinner will include pulled pork sandwiches, coleslaw, macaroni salad and baked beans. Beverages and desserts will be provided compliments of the Band and Choir families. You can expect to be charmed by the vocal styling of our choral groups and enliv- ened by the Band’s small ensembles as they provide entertainment during this delicious feast! While you most definitely won’t want to miss the show, carry out will be available! Cost is $10 at the door. Pre-sale tickets may be purchased during high school lunch periods the week before the event.

Lastly, the Malley’s Chocolate fundraiser is coming soon so be on the look-out for order forms and online ordering instructions!

Page 4 High School A3: Academics... Arts... Athletics Ward Davis Building (330) 325-7911 • James Conley - Principal Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude and Love without Hurt Cum Laude From football season to prom season, students Graduation at Rootstown High School will look everywhere are navigating love and dating, many differently starting with the graduating class of for the first time. With any relationship there will 2018. Rootstown will be transitioning from recog- be ups and downs, but it is important to know the nizing a valedictorian, salutatorian, and top ten to signs of dating abuse. From physical, verbal, sexu- a cum laude tiered system. The new system will al, to emotional abuse teens need help recognizing allow us to recognize more students and encourage these behaviors in order to one day have healthy and students to take Honors, Advanced Placement, and supportive relationships. One in five female high College Credit Plus courses. This will be achieved James Conley school students and one in ten male students, who Kalee Basquin by weighting Honors courses at 4.5, AP at 5.0 H.S. Principal date, have been affected by some form of dating H.S. Counselor and College Credit Plus courses equivalent to AP violence. This February is Teen Dating Violence at 5.0 (ex. AP English Literature = CCP College Awareness month, and to help prevent our stu- Writing). Not all College Credit Plus will be weighted, but rather only dents from engaging in unhealthy relationships I have partnered with classes in the four content areas of Math, English, Science, and Social Children’s Advantage to educate our students on warning signs and Studies. The table below shows how the weights affect the grading breaking up safely. Here are a few highlights that you as parents can scale. Please note that weighted grades will only be given to students discuss with your child(ren). completing an entire AP/CCP and/or Honors course. Weighted grades will not be given for grades below a C. Warning Signs of Teen Dating Abuse • Too serious too quickly? Quick to say “I love you.” • Uses guilt trips? Says, “If you loved…” or “I need you so much.” • Blames others for his or her problems? • Reacts unpredictably or explosively? • Controls you? Is bossy and makes all the decisions. • Pressures for sex. Don’t underestimate your teen’s relationship as innocent “puppy The current system requires students to take at least fifteen out of love.” Relationships between teenagers can seem incredibly intense eighteen prescribed classes, however the new system will allow stu- and all-consuming to them. Although it may be uncomfortable, you dents to showcase their academic talents. Students will have the oppor- must understand and accept the realities of teen relationships and sexu- tunity to take any or all of the weighted classes but there is not a fixed ality. Don’t let your discomfort blind you to possible warning signs of amount they must take. This will allow students strengths to shine and relationship abuse, or stop you from reaching out and communicating not be prohibited by a prescribed list of required classes. Board ap- with your teen. proved rubrics will be utilized for the placement of students into Hon- ors and AP classes. The five considered sections are as follows: Gifted ACT: April 19th 2017 Identification, Class Grades, State Assessment score, Attendance and Teacher Recommendation. A copy of this rubric and an explanation As an alternative pathway to graduation for the Class of 2018 and was sent home with the latest report card. College Credit Plus class ad- beyond, the Ohio Department of Education is requiring local school mission is determined by each college or university. The new system is districts to administer a FREE ACT to all Juniors this spring. Roots- balanced and does not favor one content area over the others. The new town High School will be administering the ACT to all Juniors on April system has also given us the ability to expand our course offerings by 19th. adding Honors Integrated Math IV, College Credit Plus Environmental Science, and Honors Government. The table below showcases all of the weighted classes in the content areas. CCP Reminders If your student is planning on participating in College Credit Plus for the 2017-2018 school year, please remember to turn-in the follow- ing documents to the Guidance Office:

• Letter of Intent • Permission Form • Reimbursement Notification To be recognized at graduation, student’s accumulative grade point Copies of these documents were provided at the College Credit Plus average must fall into one of three tiers: Summa Cum Laude 4.1+, meeting in October and were mailed home prior to Winter Break. If Magna Cum Laude 3.8-4.09, and Cum Laude 3.5-3.79. At the end of you need another copy, please have your student pick them up in the this year we will retroactively weight previous classes that students Guidance Office. have taken and create a new transcript with a new class rank. If you have more questions or concerns we will host an information- al meeting on February 16th in the High School cafeteria at 6:00p.m. You are also welcome to call the office at 330-325-7911 to talk, set up an individual meeting, or email me at [email protected].

Page 5 Middle School Learners Today - Leaders Tomorrow Mabel Schnee Building (330) 325-9956 • Robert Campbell - Principal Pi Day 5K Middle School Career Day The middle school will be hosting our 3rd On December 20, 2016, the sixth, seventh, and annual Pi Day 5k run on Saturday, March 11th. eighth grade students participated in Career Day The run was developed to support the acquisition at the Middle School. The students were able to of technology in the middle school. All funds learn and ask questions about two careers from six raised will be used to purchase technology to sup- different speakers in various career fields. Those port the learning of our middle school students. speakers included Rhonda Moore from Allen Over the past two years, the middle school has Aircraft, Inc., David McIntyre from the Portage been able to purchase a SMART board, several County Dog Warden, Robert Pavkov and Ted Kar- LCD projectors, multiple document cameras and Robert Campbell am from Maplewood Career Center, Deputy Amy Amelia Mohan other technology that students interact with during M.S. Principal Papatoukakis from the Portage County Sheriff’s M.S. Counselor their classes. Check the school website for more Department, and Martin Jenior from the Rootstown details for sponsorship and entry forms, or contact Fire Department. The stu- Mrs. Obert at the middle school for more information. Please join us dents learned about careers for a 5k or fun run and support our middle schools students! that included customer service, robotics, masonry, dog warden, sheriff, and Welcome, Amoni! fire fighter. By Toni Mervine Eighth graders listening to the presentation from Mr. Amoni Kitooke introduced himself Ted Karam, Robotics and and his country, Uganda, to Mrs. Computer Technologies Mervine’s eighth grade Language Arts Instructor at Maplewood students by first explaining what the Career Center Uganda flag represents.

• black represents the black people of Uganda • yellow represents the sun because they see the sun almost Career Inventories every day except for a few days in November Our students are in the process of completing career cluster in- • red represents blood, as in everyone has the same blood and ventories as part of the statewide program Ohio Means Jobs provided should be regarded as brothers and sisters through the State of Ohio. The career inventory consists of 80 ques- • the white in the center represents peace in our hearts tions that evaluate each student’s’ likes and dislikes to create lists of • the crested crane in the middle is a peaceful bird, showing possible careers that the student may do well with in the future. The that the people should always be striving for peace and career information provided to the students includes a job descrip- kindness tion, list of daily/weekly activities the job will entail, education level • the bird has one leg up because it is stepping forward, and the required for the specific career, job forecast for the state of Ohio as well people of Uganda are always looking to what’s next as salary ranges for the career in Ohio and the United States.

The students seem to really like this activity and looking at what careers are available to them. You can view the website at www.ohi- Rubber Band Contest omeansjobs.com. Mr. John Fellenstein from the Akron Global Polymer Academy at the University of Akron conducted experiments with all of the eighth Hope Tree Project graders during Mrs. Mervine’s ELA classes. He explained polymers and showed them how to pass a needle through a balloon without it On February 8, 2017, Joan Knapp, a middle school teacher at Hud- popping. He made indoor “yellow” snow and showed that it would son and mother of two, presented “Anna’s Story: Addiction, a Family not fall out of the container onto their heads. The students then made Disease.” This was a story about Joan’s son who suffers from a heroin their own Polymer Putty. This presentation was the introduction for addiction. We wanted to provide our students an education on how participation in the Rubber Band Contest. to stay “safe” from the lasting effects of drug and alcohol abuse, and www.rubberbandcontest.org we encourage you to continue this conversation at home. After the presentation, which was for students in grades six through twelve, the high school and middle school started the Hope Tree service project to raise money for Principio, a non-prof- it organization that supports the Ohio House in Costa Mesa, CA (http:// www.ohio-house.com/). The service project was created by Joan Knapp. Hope Trees are crafted by students out of precious stones, wire, beads, and charms. Proceeds from the pur- chase of each Hope Tree are donated towards Ohio House. If you have any questions regarding the program or the Hope Tree Project, please Examples of Hope Trees that will be feel free to contact either the middle created through the service project. school or the high school. Page 6 Elementary School R o ve r P.R . I . D. E Bertha Bradshaw Building (330) 325-7971 • Jeffrey Turner - Principal Parents, Rootstown Elementary Kindergarten Registration & Baseline All of us at Rootstown Elementary would like to wish Testing 2017-2018 each of you a Happy New Year and hope your elementa- ry child will find much success in 2017. It is difficult to Per Board Policy, children must be 5 years old on or before August 1, 2017 to believe that we started the 3rd nine weeks on January 23rd. enroll in Kindergarten. Report cards, STAR, AR (Grades 2-5 and select K and • Kindergarten registration packets can be picked up in the elementary office 1st grade students), and WEP Progress reports (where ap- between 8:45a.m.-2:30p.m. beginning the week of February 27 through plicable) came home with all students on January 27th. I March 31, 2017. A date and time will be given for the parent to return to the encourage you to contact or meet with your child’s teacher elementary with the completed paperwork. on Parent/Teacher Conference night on February 23rd. • When the parent brings the completed registration paperwork, a baseline test- ing date and time for the child will be given for either August 29th or August As we begin the third nine weeks, I would like to take Jeffrey Turner 30th. The child’s first day of school will be given at this time as well. Half the time to update you on past and upcoming events in E.S. Principal of Kindergarten will attend school on August 31st and the other half on the building: September 1st. Then, all Kindergarten students will attend school on September 5, 2017. Santa Shop • A parent informational session will be held on March 7, 2017 at 6:00p.m. in the elementary cafeteria. The purpose of this meeting is to provide a review On behalf of Rootstown Elementary, I want to thank our PTA volunteers, of the baseline testing procedures and discuss expectations for your child as especially Jamie Matthews, for their time and effort purchasing and coordinat- he/she enters Kindergarten for the 2017-18 school year. ing our Santa Shop. The students loved the opportunity to shop for their family • Please note that Mr. Turner accepts requests for class placements based and this was made possible through their efforts. Thank you! on teaching and/or learning style only. This is due, in writing, to him by August 25, 2017. Center of Hope Food Drive • After the baseline testing has been completed on August 29th or August 30th, I want to thank all of you who donated food items during our annual food class assignments will be posted on the west doors after 3:00p.m. on August drive in November. The elementary was able to collect over 2,000 food items 30th. that were donated to the Center of Hope. This is a great show of compassion • Parents are invited to attend a Kindergarten Open House on August 30th at for those less fortunate than us. Thank you to Mr. Rodstrom for coordinating 6:00p.m. The parents should report to their child’s classroom on this night. this collection again this year. Please contact Mr. Turner at 330-325-7971 or [email protected] with any questions regarding the registration and baseline testing procedures for the Special Visitors’ Night Open House (formerly Grandparents’ 2017-18 school year. Night) This annual event will take place on April 6th between 6:00-7:00p.m. Stu- dents are permitted to bring a special visitor to meet their teacher and partici- Counseling and Student Activities pate in a literacy-based activity. Additional information will be communicated at a later time regarding this night. Holiday Help Thank you to all staff, families, and community Book Swap members who participated in the elementary Giving Tree During the week of April 3rd, the elementary will be collecting new or and all other holiday needs. Our Giving Tree helped 15 gently used books for our Book Swap that will take place the week of April families this year that totaled 35 students! Many of these 17th. We will also collect books the night of Special Visitors’ Night. Feel free students are in our building, with some in the middle and to send in your donations on any of those days. More details about the Book high school. The Ravenna Police Association allowed 10 Swap will be sent home at a later time. of our students to Shop with a Cop, and the community churches provided Thanksgiving and Christmas food Danielle Ray Book Fair baskets to 10 of our families. Elem. Counselor Thank you to Cindy Polack, Library Media Specialist, and our parent A big thank you goes to the United Methodist Church volunteers for their efforts with the annual Book Fair held during the week of and the CBC who helped with our Giving Tree, as well as two community February 6th. families who sponsored two of our families on the Giving Tree. Lastly, thank you to the bus garage and cafeteria staff who also sponsored a family! Finally, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at 330- We are very fortunate in this community to have such wonderful members 325-7971 or [email protected]. I am looking forward to a great 2017! who work to support each other! Sincerely, Red Flags Mr. Turner, Principal The entire 5th grade class participated in the Red Flags program during the months of December and January. Through this lesson unit, students learned what mental health is, how to practice positive mental health, the Lions Club Awards signs and symptoms of depression, treatment protocol for depression, and how individuals live with depression. Based on a real individual from The students listed below were selected for the Lions Club Good Award. Cleveland, students learned about Claire who taught them what depression They were selected based on their attendance, listening skills, work habits, and is and is not, as well as how to seek help. I encourage all parents to discuss citizenship. Congratulations! with their child what they learned through these lessons! February Events This year during the week of February 6th, the elementary school worked to raise money for the 17th annual WKDD “Have a Heart, Do Your Part” Change Bandits Radiothon. Students and staff worked to raise money to benefit the children and work at Akron Children’s Hospital. On February 14th, the students and staff will participate in Start with Hello Day. This initiative was created by the Sandy Hook Promise and students are encour- aged to reach out and begin relationships with others, especially those who seem isolated or alone. Finally, we will recognize Career Week (Feb. 21-24) with themed dress up days, special announcements, daily activities, and a guidance lesson in each class

Page 7 Athletics Keith Waesch - Athletic Director, (330) 325-2006 Golf & Boys Cross Country Teams Win P.T.C. Titles Sorboro Sets School Record for Career Victories The Rover golf and cross country programs enjoyed Rootstown senior wrestler, Luke Sorboro, became banner years this past fall. Rootstown’s all-time career wins leader after pinning a Head coach Larry Bailey and the boys cross country Waterloo wrestler during the state dual team tournament team won the school’s first conference championship since on January 25th at Rootstown High School. 1989. The program also qualified for the regional meet. Sorboro set the record with his 164th career victory, The Rovers finished with a 12-5 overall record, but eclipsing Travis Linton’s school record of 163 wins. were a perfect 6-0 in the P.T.C. Sorboro is a two-time state placer, finishing fifth as a sophomore and third last season on Ohio’s biggest stage. Rootstown dominated the County Division All-P.T.C. team as seven Rovers were honored on either the first Keith Waesch Sorboro has signed a national letter of intent to con- tinue his academic and wrestling career at West Virginia or second team. Senior Brandon Rhodes, junior Kyle Athletic Director Borbely, and sophomores Jett Paulus and Roger Williams University in the fall. earned first-team accolades, while junior Sam DiTirro, and sophomores Alex Steinlechner and Josh Vogt were second-team members. Reverse Raffle Set for March 25 Coach Bailey, who completed his 34th season as head coach, was named The annual Rover Reverse Raffle/Silent Auction/Vegas Night is scheduled P.T.C. coach of the year. for Saturday, March 25th at the Immaculate Conception Hall in Ravenna. Doors open at 5:30p.m. with dinner served at 6:00p.m. The grand prize is $1,500. Tickets are $50 per person and include dinner, beverages and a shot at the grand prize. Tickets without a meal are $30 per person. Proceeds from the event benefit Rootstown athletic teams.

Examples of previous silent auction items include: an overnight trip to Amish country, a seven-day stay at a Florida vacation home, a one-night stay at Mountaineer Casino & Resort, Ohio State memorabilia, a Goodyear Blimp ride, gas grills, televisions, a plane ride around Portage County and much more. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Rootstown athletic director Keith Waesch at 330-325-2006. Booster Club Meetings Set Photo courtesy of Eldreth Photography The Rootstown Sports Booster Club regularly meets on the first Sunday of The golf team continued its dominance on the fairways by winning back-to- each month in the high school cafeteria at 7:00p.m. All Rootstown residents back P.T.C. crowns. are welcome to attend. Rootstown finished the season with a 21-1 overall record and a perfect 12-0 For more information on the booster club and its meetings, contact athletic mark in the P.T.C. County Division. The Rover golf team has compiled an director Keith Waesch at 330-325-2006. impressive 37-3 overall record during the past two seasons. Seniors Brandon Tasker and Ryan Wilson along with sophomore Laszlo Driver’s Education Classes at R.H.S. Horvath were named to the P.T.C.’s first team. Horvath, who tied the P.T.C. Rootstown High School will be offering driver’s education classes again in tournament record with a 1-under-par 71 at Sable Creek Golf Course, also the coming weeks. The next session will take place on Feb. 28, March 1, 2, 7, 8 advanced to the district meet and was selected to the all-northeast district first & 9. The classes will take place from 3:30 to 7:45p.m. in room 106 of the high team. school. The P.T.C. championship was the sixth in the past 12 years for the golf pro- The cost of the class, which includes the state-mandated eight hours of gram and this past fall marked the 19th winning season in the past 20 years. behind-the-wheel training, remains at $299. There are no gas surcharges or Head coach Keith Waesch, who finished his 20th year as the Rovers’ men- certificate fees like some other driver’s education schools in the area. A pay- tor, was voted as P.T.C. coach of the year. ment plan may also be arranged. For more information, call 330-325-2006. Rover Fall Sports Scholar-Athletes The following fall sports participants earned scholar-athlete status during the 2016-17 school year. A student-athlete becomes a scholar-athlete by earn- ing a varsity letter and a 3.4 grade-point average or higher during the season. CHEERLEADING: Nathan Moore, Ryan Boyle, Riley Rebecca Boyle, Mira Clavecilla, Cal- Zoller & Travis McCrady ista Galleher, Ariana Marva, Brendan Mohan, Jenna Parker, Allie Chapple GOLF: & Kyleigh Slagle Brandon Tasker & Ryan Wilson GIRLS SOCCER: GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY: Rebecca Boyle, Tori Taylor, Kayla Photo courtesy of Eldreth Photography Emma Burns, Mira Clavecilla, Grace Gretz, Abbey Housley, Kamryn Decker, Tricia Fowler, Madison Miz- Smith, Lauren Housley, Abigail er & Lauren Housley Follow Rover Athletics on Twitter Longstreth, Savannah Munger & BOYS SOCCER: Rootstown athletic director Keith Waesch has established a Twitter account Debbie Vogt Reno Giulitto, Mario LaGuardia, to keep Rover fans updated on upcoming events and game scores involving our BOYS CROSS COUNTRY: Connor McHugh, Brendan Mohan, middle and high school teams. Jared Owens, Zachary Shaw & Mat- Brandon Rhodes, Kyle Borbely, Sam teo Serao You can receive daily tweets by following us @roverathletics, the official DiTirro, Alex Steinlechner, Josh Vogt Twitter home of Rootstown athletics. & Roger Williams VOLLEYBALL: Abby Moore & Emily Drago Those who don’t have a Twitter account can still receive updates via text FOOTBALL: message. Simply send a text to 40404. In the body of the text, type follow @ Chandler England, Collin Kays, roverathletics. Chris Wasielewski, Owen Conroy, Page 8 Around The Campus and Rootstown PTO ~ Parent Teacher Organization By Rebecca Schaffer All parents, teachers and community members are welcome to join PTO. We meet the 2nd Thursday of the month at 6:30p.m. in the middle school Home Ec. Room. Yearly dues are $5. Throughout the year, PTO sponsors several activities for the children and teachers, including dances and staff appreciation meals. Members of the PTO also plan, execute and chaperone the yearly 8th grade class trip. This year the trip will be taken to Camp Y Noah in Clinton, Ohio. This was voted on by the 8th grade class. The trip will take place in April, and the approximate cost will be $100-$150 per student. Information on fundraising will be sent home. Any questions can be directed to Laci McIntyre at 330-325-7979. Why Join the PTO? • The PTO offers parents the opportunity to make positive changes in the school • The PTO distributes information on a regular basis via emails and a website so members can be informed of and respond to school issues and activities in a timely manner • Joining the PTO shows an interest in your child’s education and school activities, shows greater support for his/her teachers and school, and improves the relationship between parents and school personnel How Involved Do I Have To Be? You can be as involved as you want to be. We understand that people have very busy schedules and that time is precious. Therefore, we appreciate any time you can spare. Volunteers are always needed to chair committees and work events but if you can’t find the time, we just appreciate your membership. We only ask that you join, receive email updates, and check out our website. Please contact any of the officers if you would like to volunteer your time. Help us support our wonderful Middle School teachers, staff and students! Co-Presidents: Rebecca Schaffer 330-968-7548 and Kathy Pruchenski-Galloway 330-221-0683 Secretary: Laci McIntyre 330-325-7979 Treasurer: Jacqueline Calvarese

Rootstown Lions Club By Terri Haddad The Rootstown Lions Club is a group of Rootstown Citizens that are dedicated to serving the Community of Rootstown all throughout the year through a variety of Community Projects and donations. Our Club was chartered on February 20, 1957. Our Club motto is “We Serve”. Mark your calendars! We will be holding our annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday April 15, 2017. You don’t want to miss this FUN filled event! Be sure to watch our Facebook page for more information. Our Facebook page address is: “Rootstown Township Lions Club” Memorial Day Parade Join the Rootstown Community in honoring our Veterans by participating in the 2017 Memorial Day Pa- rade as an entrant or a spectator! Be sure to watch our Facebook page for more information about the parade. Reflective Address Signs - The purpose of the Reflective Address Signs is to help Police & Fire locate your residence quickly in the event of an emergency. Contact Lion, Jeff Pickens, at [email protected] to order yours today! “Like Us” on Facebook so that you can stay abreast of the many ways we are serving the Rootstown Community all year long. Our Facebook page address is: “Rootstown Township Lions Club”

Rootstown Township By Joe Paulus Trustees Joe Paulus, David McIntyre, and Linda Hankins The Rootstown Board of Trustees meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at 5:30p.m. in the Town Hall. The township website is www.rootstowntwp.com. The Township Road Crew will be installing new blue reflective road signs in the spring. Gone will be the old non-reflective signs and the new ones will have a Rootstown flair to them. The road signs were acquired by way of a grant. A new work truck for the Road Crew is in and will be ready for township use in the next couple of weeks. It is replacing a truck that was just beyond road worthiness and safety. The Rootstown Fire Department is working on a program to provide a home safety inspection for those with new babies or perhaps ones returning home after a major surgery. The inspections are informational only and would provide suggestions on how to improve your home for a safer environment. Contact them if you are interested. The Comprehensive Land Use Plan is now final and updated after 18 years. This plan is a framework to help guide Rootstown in its future plans for development – residential and commercial – and we were able to complete it in less than a year. Our zoning regulations work together with the plan to ensure that our laws are aligned with the wishes of the residents. Thanks go out to the many residents who helped develop the plan. A Park Commission was created for the purpose of coming up with a plan to develop the Community Park. This is a 9-member group ap- pointed by the Trustees to bring their recommendations to the Trustees. We are looking for residents who are interested in being a member of the Commission and willing to donate their time. They continue to plan and present ideas for the park. The Township contracted last spring with the Portage County Solid Waste Management District to provide curbside recycling. The cost is $2.25 per month, or $27 per year, and will be added to a home’s tax bill. This type of payment was chosen by the Portage County Solid Waste Management District to reduce the cost of bill mailings. The Comfort Suites hotel is still in planning stages to be built behind the Cracker Barrel and should be breaking ground very soon. Dunkin’ Donuts will break ground this spring in their new location just south of Key Bank. They plan to be open by the beginning of the school year in the fall. Page 9 2016/2017 School Calendar August December May 26,29 All Certified Staff in-service 9 Interims Distributed 5 Interims Distributed 30 First Student Day 22-30 Winter Break - No School 29 Memorial Day - No School

September January June 5 Labor Day - No School 2 Winter Break - No School 2 Last day for Students 23 Staff Prof. Dev. Day - No 16 MLK Day - No School 4 Graduation - Seniors School 20 1st Semester Ends 5 Staff In-service 30 Interims Distributed 23 2nd Semester Begins

October February 6 Parent/Teacher Conf. - Elem 16 Interims Distributed Calamity Days begin on June 5, 2017 11 Parent/Teacher Conf. - Elem 17 Staff Prof. Dev.Day - No 13 Parent/Teacher Conf. - HS/MS School 14 NEOEA day - No School 20 President’s day - No School 20 Parent/Teacher Conf. - HS/MS 23 Parent/Teacher Conf. - Elem/HS/MS November 4 1st Grading Period Ends March 23-25- Thanksgiving Break - 24 3rd Grading Period Ends No School April 10-14 Spring Break - No School

The regular Board of Education School District Personnel meetings are held every month Superintendent...... Mr. Andrew Hawkins ...... 330-325-9911 at 6:00 p.m. Please visit our Treasurer...... Ms. Connie Baldwin ...... 330-325-9911 district website at Assistant Superintendent...... Dr. Terri Hrina-Treharn ...... 330-325-2014 www.rootstown.sparcc.org for Director of Special Education...... Mrs. Lynn Fatica ...... 330-325-4144 the specific dates. The public Elementary Principal...... Mr. Jeff Turner ...... 330-325-7971 is cordially invited to attend all Middle School Principal...... Mr. Robert Campbell ...... 330-325-9956 meetings. High School Principal...... Mr. James Conley ...... 330-325-7911 Director of Business Affairs/Trans...... Mr. Matt Collins ...... 330-325-0189 Note: Date may occasionally Director of Food Services...... Mrs. Peggy Shewell ...... 330-325-4139 change due to inclement weather Board of Education President...... Mr. Jay Kelsey ...... 330-221-5369 or holidays. Board of Education Vice President...... Mr. Norm Reynolds ...... 330-297-0431 Board of Education Leg. Liaison...... Mrs. Amanda Waesch ...... 330-351-1945 The monthly board agenda and Board of Education Student Liasion...... Mrs. Stephanie Langguth ...... 330-297-9217 minutes can be found on the Board of Education Member...... Mr. Tom Siciliano ...... 330-325-2176 district website at www.rootstown.sparcc.org.

Other Numbers of Interest Rootstown Schools, in US Senator Rob Portman...... 202-222-3353 collaboration with the US Senator Sherrod Brown...... 202-224-2315 community, will provide a US Representative Jim Renacci...... 330-630-7311 quality education in a safe Governor John Kasich...... 614-466-3555 State Senator John Eklund...... 614-644-7718 environment for students to State Representative Kathleen Clyde...... 614-466-2004 become productive, Ohio Department of Education...... 877-644-6338 lifelong learners. Page 10 Rootstown Local Schools Non-Profit Org. Rootstown, Ohio 44272 U.S. Postage PAID Canton, OH Permit #207

The Rootstown Communicator Highlights Rootstown Historical Society By Shirley Riemenschneider One hundred years ago, in the fall of 1916, the whole Rootstown Township School student body, grades one through twelve, and teaching staff of fifteen moved their classroom supplies and equipment from a two-story wooden school- house, located at the center, into a just newly completed brick building. This state of the art structure, for that era, is the original front portion of the now Mabel Schnee Middle School. It is the one remaining school built during that time still being used for its original purpose in Portage County. On November 21, 2016 the Rootstown Historical Society sponsored a celebration program for the sixth, seventh and eighth grade students and staff. A welcome by Principal Robert Campbell was followed by the Eighth Grade Choir, directed by Mrs. Amber Hayden, singing the Star Spangled Banner. Mr. Norm Reynolds of the society instructed the assembly with a brief history of Rootstown and its schools. Mr. Robert Hurd, a former teacher at the school, painted for the students an imaginary picture of Rootstown in 1916. Mrs. Dorothy (Kibler) Hurd told the story of her family’s four-generation attendance and involvement in Rootstown schools. Mrs. Vera (Murray) Hamrick shared a verbal rendi- tion of her attendance in the 1930’s and 40’s at this school. The eighth grade history class, under the direction of Mrs. Denise Huth-Mercer, staged a re-enactment of the 1916 move from the old school to the new building which took place the last day of school before their Thanksgiving break. The program closed with the Eighth Grade Choir and student body singing the Rootstown Alma Mater, written by the mother of Mrs. Hurd, Mrs. Deary Kibler. The students, alumni and staff were presented with blue wooden pencils printed with the school name and date as a memento of the celebration by the Rootstown Historical Soci- ety.