Page 1 The Standard Is Excellence

Home he ummer of t The S s Rover Rootstown 2019 Communicator Rootstown Local Schools • 4140 State Route 44 • Rootstown, Ohio 44272 • (330) 325-9911 News From Around the District What’s Trending? Parent Conference on Hot Topics By Terri Hrina-Treharn Rootstown Local Schools welcomed guests on May 22nd for this inaugural parent conference. The confer- ence was also replicated at James A Garfield High School on May 14th. Attendees had the option of attending four of the seven presentations throughout the evening as well as visit with various vendors and school district personnel across the county. Presentations consisted of Vaping (Portage County Sheriff’s Dept and Streetsboro Police Dept), Suicide (Coleman Professional Services), Teen Dating/Violence (Townhall II), Anxiety (Children’s Advantage), Trauma Informed Care (Summit County Trauma Informed Care Coalition), Positive Parenting Techniques (Children’s Advantage), and Positive Presence on Social Media (Kent Police Dept). Vendors includ- ed: Portage County Sheriff’s Dept, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Sequoia Wellness Center, Alcoholics Anonymous, Ravenna Parks and Recreation, United Way, Portage County Health District, Mental Health & Recovery Board, Kent Social Services, Center of Hope, Ohio Means Jobs, Fields Playground Group, Akron Children’s Hospital, and UH Portage Medical Center. Representatives were also present from the following school districts to answer questions and hand out information: Rootstown, Kent, Streetsboro, Field, Aurora, and James A Garfield. Special thanks goes out to United Way for providing the pizza and drinks as well as distributing books from their Big Red Bookshelf Program. Thanks also to the Portage County Health District who distributed safe, disposable drug deactivation pouches courtesy of the Deterra Project. Hopefully all who attended found the evening informational, were educated on some of the hot topics dis- tricts are facing in schools and learned of valuable resources they can reach out to across the county. Last but not least, we had some lucky winners leave with a family themed basket! Thank you to all who donated the baskets and made this possible: Sequoia Wellness Center, Ravenna Parks and Rec, Ohio Means Jobs, Rootstown Local Schools, Maplewood Career Center, Southeast Local Schools, Kent City Schools, Field Local Schools, Streetsboro City Schools, James A Garfield Local Schools, Waterloo Local Schools, Crestwood Local Schools, the National Museum of the Great Lakes, and Kent State Starbucks.

Superintendent’s Message As I reflect upon the 2018-19 school year, I am extremely proud of the progress that our students have made. The stu- dents have made some impressive accomplishments both inside and outside of the classroom. I want to congratulate our students for their hard work, and I would like to thank the faculty and staff for their dedication to improving each student’s academic growth and for making a difference in their lives. Also, I would like to thank the parents and community for your continued support of the Rootstown Local School District and for voting to renew our permanent improvement levy on May 7th. We will be utilizing our permanent improvement Andrew Hawkins funds to make some necessary improvements such as technology upgrades, building repairs, bus purchases, and increasing Superintendent the safety throughout the district. The Rootstown Board of Education has been working with Hasenstab Architects, the Ohio Facilities Construction Com- mission, and Hammond Construction to find a plan to address our aging facilities. A decision on that plan will be announced within the next month. Please visit our district website at http://www.rootstown.sparcc.org for updates. Finally, I also would like to congratulate the Class of 2019 and wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors, and welcome our incoming Kindergarteners, the Class of 2032! If you have any questions regarding our school district, feel free to contact me. Have a great summer! Page 2 News From the Treasurer’s Office Here in the Treasurer’s office we are in the process of data migration to new accounting software. We currently use state software, which was originally created in 1979. The new product called eFinance Plus is Windows based with SQL capabili- ties. Below is a screenshot of the old system for entering purchase requisitions: Beginning July 1, the new system will allow us to create purchase requests completely online, elimi- nating paper copies. Ad- ministrators will be able to approve the requests Connie Baldwin electronically instead of Treasurer passing paper from office to office for signatures. Once approved and converted into purchase orders, the teachers will receive their copies by email. Once fully implemented, the system will send orders directly to vendors electronically instead of staff faxing or scanning paper copies. Beginning in January 2020, the district will complete the migration by processing payroll in the eFinance Human Resources module. This is a huge undertaking, but it is our goal to bring the Treasurer’s office processes and procedures into the modern era, increasing speed and efficiency and improving customer service.

Assistant Superintendent’s Message Terri Hrina-Treharn - Assistant Superintendent, (330)325-2014

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Retreived from http://educa- Terri Hrina-Treharn tion.ohio.gov/Media/Sign- Assistant up-for-Text-Alerts, April 29, Superintendent 2019.

R-Stars!!! Hopefully you have seen our postings on social media or have been a parent lucky enough to get a phone call to hear your child has been chosen! This is an incentive we are doing again this school year. Once a month I “pop” into a classroom in each building and ask the teacher if they have any “R-Stars.” The teacher lets me know which student has been chosen as the R-Star as well as why that student was chosen. Students then get their picture taken with the R-Star, receive an R-Star t-shirt, choose a prize, and I call their parent/guardian right then and there to share the good news. Please check out our R-Stars for the second half of the school year! Page 3 From the Office of Special Education Marcy Spence - Director of Special Education, (330)325-4144 Child Find It’s that time of year again - the end of another school year and the start of a much deserved summer break for students, families and staff! As we reported last year at this time, the special education department has had another busy and productive year identifying, intervening, guiding and supporting our families and students with disabilities. Again, similar to May of 2018, as we continue the process of planning for the upcoming school year, it is an important time to remind our families and the Rootstown community at large of the district’s responsibility to identify, locate and evaluate all children who may have, or be suspected of having, a disability. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal law that assures children and youth with disabilities a free appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE). There are six guiding principles of IDEA, one of which, Zero Reject, addresses the Child Find issue. This tenant stipulates that a student must be determined Marcy Spence to have a disability that is covered under the IDEA and, because of that disability, the child is in need of specially designed Director of Special instruction (special education) and related services. Child Find is the name given to the process required by the Ohio Depart- Education ment of Education, Office for Exceptional Children, through which Ohio schools engage in this process – that is, we identify, locate and evaluate all children from three years of age through twenty-one with disabilities. Additionally, through the Child Find process, our schools work hand-in-hand with the state’s early intervention program, Bright Beginnings (formerly, Help Me Grow) to identify, locate and evaluate all children birth up to their third birthday, who have or are suspected of having, a disability. The district’s responsibility extends to all children, including those who are in school, advancing from grade to grade, homeless, migrant, wards of the state or enrolled in a private school. Once the district has located and identified a child with a suspected disability, the district commences an extensive multi-factored evaluation process. In the state of Ohio, a child may be found disabled and eligible for special education and related services under one of fourteen catego- ries. These include: Autism, Deaf-Blindness, Emotional Disturbance, Multiple Disabilities, Deafness, Hearing Impairment, Intellectual Disabil- ity, Orthopedically Impaired, Other Health Impaired, Specific Learning Disability, Speech-Language Impairment, Traumatic Brain Injury, Visual Impairment (including Blindness) and one preschool disability category, Developmental Delay. Rootstown Local Schools takes its Child Find responsibility very seriously. We are committed to the premise that every child can learn if given appropriate instruction and the right supports. We ask for the community’s help in “finding” any child who may have a disability in order that our district may uphold this essential component of IDEA. During the summer, and, as the new school year begins, any parent, relative, concerned citizen or public/private agency staff member who has a concern about a child’s need for special education and related services is asked to contact our department at 330-325-4144. Have a restful and enjoyable summer!

Rootstown District News Rootstown Travel Club By Cara Craig This summer, Señora Craig is taking a group of students to Spain, France and England. We are very excited to use our language skills in Spain. Some of the highlights for us will be eating churros in the Puerta del Sol, standing in the exact center of Spain with the Oso and the Arbol, visiting the Prado Museum, and of course, seeing the Eiffel Tower lit up at night. We will also be viewing Big Ben and the Parliament as well as Buckingham Palace. For students and parents interested in traveling with Señora next year, we will be going to the Greek Isles. We also have a trip planned for 2021 to Belize in order to visit Mayan ruins, raft through caves on underground rivers and swim with dolphins. For more information, please contact Mrs. Craig at craig@roversk12. org. Please note this is not a school sponsored activity. Page 4 High School A3: Academics... Arts... Athletics Ward Davis Building (330) 325-7911 • James Conley - Principal Senior Send Off Pinwheels For Prevention It seems like just yesterday it was August 28th The Children’s Advocacy Center of Portage County and Rootstown and we were starting a new school year. For many High School National Honor Society members participated in Pin- of our seniors it may seem like it was just yester- wheels for Prevention. The month of April is Child Abuse awareness day that they were starting their freshmen year month. In conjunction with the CAC, RHS students planted over one and for many parents sending their babies off to thousand pinwheels in front of our school to capture the attention of kindergarten. For our graduates, Senior Sendoff community members. is a long standing tradition where students get to The CAC has been serving our county since 1998 and in the last 5 say goodbye to friends and teachers that have been years has served over one thousand families. The CAC works to im- a part of their life for the past four years. This James Conley prove the community’s response to child abuse and neglect and lessen year will be our 4th annual walk through our halls. H.S. Principal the negative impact the abuse has on children and the family involved. Graduating seniors will wear their cap and gown Research and observation shows that people respond to the pinwheels. and retrace their steps through the halls of the Since the pinwheel was introduced as the new national symbol for child elementary and middle schools. They will have the opportunity to say abuse prevention through Pinwheels for Prevention®, more people are goodbye to the teachers who helped mold them into the young men and recognizing and reporting. women they are today. This past April, there were 12 locations that “planted” over 1,000 Senior Signing Day pinwheels per site as voices for children. There were over 50 volun- Senior Signing Day was teers from schools, police departments, churches, and local organiza- created to celebrate the tions. Thank you to our National Honor Society members and Mrs. success of all of our Rover Carol Pullin for participating and organizing Rootstown’s participation. seniors. Any student who had committed to a college, College and Career Preparation trade school, enlisted in the Military, or directly into the Summertime is a great time to get a jump start workforce was recognized. All parents were invited to stand with their on college and career preparation. There are several student and hold their sign as they signed it. tips for successful preparation so that when grad- uation is on the horizon, your son or daughter is Portage County Teen of the Month prepared and ready to go! Each month the Portage County Teen Board recognizes one male The first and most important tip is that your son and female student as the Portage County Teens of the Month. The or daughter meets all the requirements set forth Teen Board is comprised of a representative by the Ohio Department of Education and Roots- from each school in the county. In Febru- Kathy Sandberg town High School. This includes passing 22 credit H.S. Counselor ary, Benjamin Shank, and in April, Katherine hours (4 ELA, 4 Math, 3 Science, 3 Social Studies, Billock, were recognized as Portage County 1 Fine Art, ½ credit in both Physical Education and Teen of the Month. Both of them were nomi- Health, as well as 6 electives). In addition, your child must obtain 18 nated for being Responsible, Respectful, Role points on 7 End of Course State exams or meet the qualifications for Models here at Rootstown High School. Ben an Alternative Pathway. It is important you are familiar with these re- is the son of Mandy Bobbs and Doug Shank. quirements. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Ben plans to attend Ohio University and major the Guidance Office. in Sports Management. He will finish his high school career graduating Magna Cum Laude The next tip is to spend good, quality time in preparation. Like with a 3.96 GPA. Katherine is the daughter of anything in life, success happens with preparation. No one expects Marjorie and Nicholas Billock. Katherine plans young teenagers to know exactly what they want to do in life; however, to attend Kent State University Stark and major we do expect them to start exploring and thinking seriously about how in Business Administration. She will finish her their hopes and goals can connect with possible careers. Our Naviance high school career graduating Cum Laude with online career tool, available to all of our students, can help with this. a 3.77 GPA If your son or daughter has not discussed Naviance with Manhood and Womanhood you, please ask them about Manhood and Womanhood is an honored tradition awarded to the it. Exploration can also outstanding Male and Female of the senior lead to your son or daughter starting their “network” by volunteering, class. Any senior with a 3.5 cumulative GPA conducting informational interviews, or even shadowing a person in is eligible and must complete an application a specific career. Summer is a perfect time to arrange these things to with an essay explaining why they feel they are happen. deserving of the award. This year our Wom- College visits in the summer are a great way to explore new places anhood honoree is Molly Postlethwait. Molly without feeling rushed. Most colleges offer scheduled tours you can is the daughter of Caryn and Joe Postlethwait. register for and get a good idea about the college. Remember too that Molly plans on attending Kent State University Naviance can give you great insight into what majors are offered, the and majoring in Environmental Studies. Molly opportunities for extracurricular activities as well as financial aid pack- will graduate Summa Cum Laude with a 4.233 ages. Make sure you have done your research before you visit so you GPA. This year our Manhood honoree is Joshua have a list of questions you can ask while on campus. Vogt. Josh is the son of Lisa and Tom Vogt. The final tip is to try to enjoy this time with your son or daughter. Josh plans to attend Kent State University and Make sure you are setting realistic goals and continue communicat- major in Athletic Training. Josh will graduate ing. Listen to their goals and hopes. While this transition can be very Summa Cum Laude with a 4.302 GPA. stressful, try to look for the positive. As always, please contact me if you have any questions. Page 5 Middle School Learners Today - Leaders Tomorrow

Mabel Schnee Building (330) 325-9956 • Robert Campbell - Principal On April 12, 2019, seventh and eighth grade Rubber Band Contest students participated in the Youngstown State University English Festival. Students were Students created inventions for the Rubber Band Contest for Young required to read seven books prior to attending. Inventors, hosted by the Akron Global Polymer Academy — an out- That day, our students competed in writing con- reach division of the College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engi- tests and met authors Neal Shusterman and Steve neering at The University of Akron. Sheinkin. The following students participated: The students who entered the contest were: Rylan Bowe, Andi Burrell, Gina Buccilli, Riley Curall, Caleb Cutright, Jordan Ely, Carson Flowers, Abigail Goforth, Tracey Lohman, Sydney Munger, Marina Nichols, Courtney Taylor, Jenna Vogt, Alexis Waligura, Grace Welch, Robert Campbell and Anthony Yin. M.S. Principal Two finalists were Hutton Krieger and Mark Oyster. Please see https://rubberbandcontest.org/ for further details and Taylor Banks, Payton winners. Curall, Alissa Em- erson, Gracie Frick, Castle Projects Anya Michlberger, Porter Smith, Andi Burrell, Riley Curall, By Cassie Braden Carson Flowers, Kylie McColloch, Syd- Students in 7th grade were assigned a Castle project for World ney Munger, and Marina Nichols. History. They were required to choose a castle to mimic from the Middle Age time period of 500-1500 AD. The materials they used were completely up to them to choose! They definitely exceeded my expectations with very detailed castles including battle scenes out front and rooms inside. Almost all of the castles had functioning drawbridg- Author, Neal Shusterman, is with teacher, es with moats! The time and detail that these students took with their Mrs. Mervine projects is worth sharing!

The eighth graders were busy this year entering and winning writing contests. Three of the contests that they participated in are included below and to the right: Folktales and Fables Contest The Akron Zoo challenged students to write a folk tale or fable about an animal. The students who entered were: Gabby Ave, Rylan Bowe, Gina Buccilli, Ethan Cottrell, Carlee Clifford, Caleb Cutright, Bryce Edwards, Jordan Ely, Chloe Gaul, Abigail Goforth, Abbi Harris, STEM Goes Red for Girls Aubrey Kline, Marina Nichols, Mark Oyster, Rose Ratcliff, Silas On Tuesday, March 5, 2019, young women Shackelford, Lindsay Smith, Taylor Smith, Courtney Taylor, Grace gathered from 10 local school districts to learn all Welch, Alexis Waligura, and Anthony Yin. The three winners for the about science, technology, engineering and math grades 5-8 group were Jenna Vogt, first place; Andi Burrell, second careers during the STEM Goes Red for Girls event place; and Sydney Munger, third place. held at NEOMED. To read the winning entries, please go to their website: The event, sponsored by the American Heart www.akronzoo.org/folktales-and-fables-finalists Association, allowed seventh and eighth grade girls to participate in STEM-related activities Illustrated Poem including challenges and stations as well as listen- ing to speakers for the day. The challenges were Amelia Mohan The American Chemical Society M.S. Counselor challenged students to create an illustrat- short, hands-on team-building activities including ed poem of no more than forty words for using certain materials to build, create or perform the topic “The Chemistry of Paper.” The in order to solve a problem/answer a question. In the stations area, our students who entered were: students visited a variety of tables with different activities including learning how to calculate the benefits of trees, creating an art project, Rylan Bowe, Andi Burrell, Gina Buccilli, participating in a mindfulness Caleb Cutright, Bryce Edwards, Jordan station, as well as adding to a Ely, Mareena Graham, Abigail Goforth, structure to create the Taj Mahal Jessica Hahn, Aubrey Kline, Kylie McCo- by using everyday items. The lloch, Sydney Munger, Marina Nichols, middle school girls enjoyed Raegan Ochoa, Mark Oyster, Silas Shack- the day of STEM and we look elford, Alexis Waligura, Grace Welch, and forward to participating again Anthony Yin. next year. Jenna Vogt won first place for the Ak- The girls from our school who ron area contest. participated were: Please see www.acs.org/content/acs/en/education/outreach/ccew/illus- 7th Grade: Taylor Banks, Payton Curall, Audrey Francis, and Gracie trated-poem-contest.html for further details and winners. Frick 8th Grade: Savannah Adkins, Jordan Ely, Abbigail Harris, and Kylie McColloch Page 6 Elementary School R o ve r P.R . I . D. E

Bertha Bradshaw Building (330) 325-7971 • Jeffrey Turner - Principal As the school year has come to a close, I would 4th Graders Present at Cuyahoga Educational Service Center like to acknowledge those who helped make this a successful year. I appreciate all of your support to On Monday, April 29, eight Rootstown 4th graders presented at a help make this a wonderful school. regional conference held at the Cuyahoga County Educational Service Center. The conference theme was “A million dreams keep us awake: Special thanks to: The schools we are going to make.” Unlike most professional devel- • The Rootstown Elementary students, who come opment, many of the sessions at the conference were led by students. to school with a positive attitude and terrific work Rootstown’s 4th grade students presented during a session with a focus ethic. on the future of schools. These students worked during their recess and • The teachers, who spend many hours preparing lunch times, ambitiously planning for their presentation. Students dis- lessons to maximize learning opportunities for Jeffrey Turner cussed many realms of “school,” spanning from the physical attributes our students. of the school building to their ideal curriculum. The audience at the E.S. Principal conference openly shared how impressed they were of the students and • NEOMED, Townhall II, Children’s Advantage, their insight. While some may be apprehensive of involving students Portage County Sheriff’s Department, Mahoning County ESC, Kent in professional development situations, these 4th graders demonstrated State AT&T Classroom and SST 8 for their service to the building the power of their voices while proudly representing the Rootstown all year. community. Members of the presentation team were 4th graders Lo- • The parents and community members, who supported the building relai Taylor, Isabella Adams, Matthew Wolfe, Hunter Cornett, Aubrey by volunteering at the school. Davies, Olivia Davies, Ian Hufford and Evelyn Fleck. Cody Apthorpe (4th Grade Teacher) and Shanelle Mitchell (Intervention Specialist) • The PTA, for their support of the staff and students throughout the were also in attendance. year. • The district and school support staff, for helping to make the school Summer Accelerated Reader (AR) run smoothly throughout the year. Please join us Mondays this summer at Reed Memorial Library in As you can see, many people helped make this a wonderful year. Ravenna to AR test on books read at home. We will alternate morning Please know that I appreciate everyone’s time and effort to make this and evening sessions every other week to try and accommodate work school excellent. Enjoy your summer as a family. schedules. Students may only test at the library on the assigned days. Sincerely, Mr. Turner Field Day On May 13th and May 14th, the students had the opportunity to par- ticipate in the fourth annual Rover Olympic and Games Day. Despite the inclement weather, the students had a wonderful time! A big thank you goes out to the PTA, especially Mrs. Deanna Day, Mrs. Connie Kang, Mr. Ralph Paulus and P.E. Teacher, Mr. Kyle Rodstrom, for Career Week coordinating this event. This year, we recognized and learned the impor- New Benches tance of the world of college and careers during our Career Week. Each day we focused on a specific Thank you to Ralph Paulus (PTA), Amy Lucas (Teacher) and Stu- topic and had daily dress-up themes. We discussed dent Council committee members for designing our new benches in the the importance of education and/or training to elementary foyer and the alcove by the fish tank! prepare students for a lifelong career. Students focused on college readiness, learning about differ- Grades 1-5 Class Lists for 2019-2020 ent career options, and the training and education Danielle Ray Classroom teacher assignments for the 2019-2020 school year will necessary for various jobs and careers. The week be mailed home in August. ended with a Vehicle Career Day where students Elem. Counselor had a hands-on experience learning about careers Meet the Teacher Open House 2019-2020 in garbage collection, police work, fire and rescue, EMT, auto-body and collision repair, Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), and • Kindergarten will be on August 22nd from 5:00-6:00 p.m. maintenance within a school district. A big thank you goes to the fol- • Grades 1-2 will be on August 22nd from 6:00-7:00 pm. lowing careers for supporting our students in learning more about life after school: Conrad’s Disposal, Portage County Sheriff Department, • Grades 3-5 will be on August 22nd from 6:30-7:30 p.m. ODOT, Rootstown Fire and EMT, Mr. Matt Collins (maintenance), and Mr. Wayne Scarberry (auto collision). Kindergarten 2019-2020 • Kindergarten Baseline Screening will take place on August 20, 2019, and August 21, 2019, between 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. A time and day was given during registration in April. • Kindergarten rosters will be developed after the screening in August. Kindergarten class lists will be posted after 12:30 p.m. on August 22, 2019, on the west doors of the building. • Kindergarten Open House will be August 22, 2019, from 5:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m. in your child’s classroom. • Half of the kindergarten students will attend school on August 29th and the other half on August 30th. All kindergarten students will be in attendance on September 3, 2019. Page 7 Athletics Keith Waesch - Athletic Director, (330) 325-2006 Wrestling Program Finishes as State Runner-up Baseball Team Claims P.T.C. Three-Peat The Rover wrestling program authored the best Back-to-back-to-back P.T.C. champions! postseason finish of any sport in school history by The Rover baseball program won its third straight league title this walking out of the Schottenstein Center on March 9 spring, marking the first time in school history such feat has taken with the Division III state runner-up trophy. place. That feat was accomplished by five Rovers that all Rootstown went a perfect 10-0 in conference play in 2019 and placed in the top four on the state’s biggest stage. currently owns an 18-game winning streak against County Division Senior Ryan Boyle became the fourth wrestler in competition dating back to the 2018 campaign. school history to claim a state title with a thrilling Keith Waesch The 23-5 overall record matches the same mark recorded by the 3-2 decision in the 195-pound championship match. 2005 team. He joins Garrett Linton (2012), Jake Moore (2013) Athletic Director & Travis Linton (2013 & 2014) as Rovers who have The Rovers were led by a tremendous pitching staff (1.69 ERA) and reached the top of the podium in Columbus. an offense that scored 107 runs in league play while giving up just 11 runs. Seniors Niko Chilson (3rd place), Trenton Duvall (4th) and Chris Langguth (4th), along with Ben Shank was selected by the P.T.C.’s coaches as the player of the sophomore Caleb Edwards (3rd), also excelled in year. Columbus to help the program bring home the state Four other Rovers were voted to the P.T.C.’s first team. Seniors runner-up trophy. Thayne Ocel (catcher) and Matt McGrath (3rd base), along with Travis During the regular season, the program continued McCrady (outfielder) and Adam Beery (pitcher) were first-teamers at their respective positions. its dominance of the Portage Trail Conference with Ryan Boyle its fourth straight league title and eighth championship McGrath was also selected by the coaches in northeast Ohio to play in the past nine seasons. in the All-Ohio Series at The Ohio State University. Head coach, Craig Wise, was honored once again as the P.T.C. coach of the year.

Photograph courtesy of Eldreth Photography

Photograph courtesy of Eldreth Photography Girls Track Returns to Top of P.T.C. Rover Winter Sports Scholar-Athletes The girls track program won its second P.T.C. County Division cham- The following winter sports participants earned scholar-athlete pionship in the past four years with a perfect regular season. status during the 2018-19 school year. A student-athlete becomes a The 7-0 regular season and runner-up finish at the P.T.C. meet gave scholar-athlete by earning a varsity letter and a 3.4 grade-point average the Rovers their second girls track title in school history. The previous or higher during the season. championship was won in 2016. CHEERLEADING: Natalie Wancik, Esther Shackelford & Gabi Sims Rootstown freshman, Marinna Atanmo, was chosen as the P.T.C. girls GIRLS BOWLING: Haylee Riley, Abigail Singer & Clara Butcher track athlete of the year. Atanmo won the 100 and 400 meters and also BOYS BOWLING: Cody Egli & Josh Flachbart anchored the Rovers’ victorious 4x400-meter relay team. GIRLS BASKETBALL: Savannah Stefancik, Jenna Atkinson, Nicole Other Rovers earning All-P.T.C. first-team honors included Alexis Bobbs, Sarah Caruso, Alyssa Reinagle, Natalie Siglow & Kasidy Smith Washington (200 & 4x200 relay), Jenna Kurtz (4x200 & 4x400), Sarah Dresp (4x200), Gabi Simms (4x200), Katie Plecko (4x400) and Kasidy BOYS BASKETBALL: Seth Noel, Ben Shank & Colton Freedson Smith (4x400). WRESTLING: Niko Chilson & Alex Banks Head coach, Kyle Rodstrom, was selected by his peers at the P.T.C. coach of the year. Follow Rover Athletics on Twitter Rootstown athletic director, Keith Waesch, has established a Twitter account to keep Rover fans updated on upcoming events and game scores involving our middle and high school teams. You can receive daily tweets by following us @roverathletics, the official Twitter home of Rootstown athletics. Those who don’t have a Twitter account, can still receive updates via text message. Simply send a text to 40404. In the body of the text, type follow @roverathletics.

Photograph courtesy of Eldreth Photography Page 8 Around Rootstown Rootstown Township By Trustee Joe Paulus Trustees: Joe Paulus, Brett Housley, and David McIntyre The Rootstown Board of Trustees meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at 5:30 p.m. in the Town Hall. The township website is www.rootstowntwp.com. Take a look at the website for information about which you may have questions. Let us know if there is something that could be added or updated on the site. FYI, meeting minutes do not get listed until they are approved and that is mostly at the next month’s meeting. If there are corrections, that may delay the posting longer. The website has the township Zoning Resolution listed under the Zoning link. There you can find our zoning laws that were started in 1965. Please refer to the Zoning Resolution if you have property or building questions to potentially avoid zoning violations and possibly fines. If it is not listed in the Zoning Resolution, then it is not permitted. The Community Park is still a work in progress and the progress is there, albeit slower than we hoped. The Ohio Operator’s Union is sched- uled to continue their work in July and should have the east side of the park with leveled ground and seeded grass by fall. With the increased availability of work for heavy equipment, the Union has had to work us into their schedule. It is worth the cost savings of not having to pay for such work, which has been valued at approximately $500,000 from our General Fund. We have submitted a grant to help pay for a walking path at the park, tree cleanup, and improving the trails in the park woods. The plan is to have a six-foot-wide asphalt walking trail around the perim- eter of the park grounds. The grant may not provide all of the funding to do so, but what it cannot, we will use grindings for the walk path and asphalt it incrementally. Our volunteer Park Commission has been working hard for our community in keeping this park momentum going. With the passage of our most recent Fire levy, we are preparing to purchase a new pumper fire truck to replace the 26-year-old one we are currently using and is beyond its days. Thanks to the community for that support.

The Road Crew is out and about doing various road maintenance: patching holes, crack sealing, and repairing stormwater catch basins. Please give them a wide berth and drive slowly around them. The Governor’s Transportation Budget will take effect on July 1, and that will provide some increased revenue for the township, which is a nice turnaround versus the norm of taking more and more from local government. It is surely not a windfall, but every little bit counts and it will be spent judiciously. Enjoy your summer, use sunscreen, and please drive carefully and without distraction.

Rootstown Lions Club By Donna Reckner [email protected] Rootstown Township Lions Club on Facebook STEPS – LIONS FOR PEDIATRIC CANCER RESEARCH In October of 2015, Ohio Lions founded STEPS – a 5K Run/Walk for the sole purpose of raising money for pediatric cancer research as a Legacy Project celebrating 100 years of Lions. Lions, friends and families all over Ohio have raised thousands of dollars in the past three years for this life-saving research. Did you know that only 4% of federal government cancer research funding goes to study pediatric cancer? This year’s STEPS 5K Run/Walk is scheduled for Sunday, October 6, 2019, at Wingfoot Lake State Park, 993 Goodyear Park Blvd., Suf- field, Ohio 44260. The 5K Run/Walk starts at 10:00 a.m. The 1 Mile Walk starts at 10:30 a.m. Registration is $20.00 and, through 9/7/19, includes a t-shirt. Information and registration forms are on Facebook page, Steps Lions for Pediatric Cancer Research, or at www.steps13oh4.org. The event is funded entirely by volunteers and businesses in Portage County – every dollar raised goes to Akron Children’s Hospital desig- nated for pediatric cancer research. Clubs, families, students, teams, church groups, runners, walkers – join us and let’s ALL participate and support this worthy cause! Page 9 2019/2020 School Calendar August December April 22 All Certified Staff In-service 2 Thanksgiving Break - 10 Good Friday - No School (1/2 day) No School 23,26 All Certified Staff In-service 6 Interims Distributed May 27 First Student Day 23-31 Winter Break - No School 1 Interims Distributed 25 Memorial Day - No School September January 31 Graduation - Seniors 2 Labor Day - No School 1-3 Winter Break - No School 26 Interims Distributed 17 1st Semester Ends June 27 Staff Prof. Dev. Day - No 20 MLK Day - No School 3 Last day for Students School 4 All Certified Staff In-service February (1/2 day) October 13 Parent/Teacher Conf. -Elem/ 10 Parent/Teacher Conf. - HS/ HS/MS Portage County Fair is August 20-25, 2019 MS/ES 14 Staff Prof. Dev. Day - No Calamity Days begin on June 4, 2020 11 NEOEA Day - No School School 15 Parent/Teacher Conf. - HS/MS 17 President’s day - No School 22 Parent/Teacher Conf. - Elem 21 Interims Distributed

November March 1 1st Grading Period Ends 20 3rd Grading Period Ends 28-29 Thanksgiving Break - 23-27 Spring Break - No School 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...... Ms. Marcy Spence ...... 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 Note: Date may occasionally Director of Business Affairs/Trans...... Mr. Matt Collins ...... 330-325-0189 change due to inclement weather Director of Food Services...... Mrs. Peggy Shewell ...... 330-325-4139 or holidays. Board of Education President...... Mrs. Amanda Waesch ...... 330-351-1945 Board of Education Vice President...... Mr. Tom Siciliano ...... 330-325-2176 The monthly board agenda and Board of Education Leg. Liaison...... Mr. Norm Reynolds ...... 330-297-0431 minutes can be found on the Board of Education Co-Student Liaison...... Mr. Eric Kline ...... 330-357-1495 district website at Board of Education Co-Student Liaison...... Mr. Scott Krieger ...... 330-389-8278 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 Anthony Gonzalez...... 330-630-7311 quality education in a safe Governor Mike DeWine...... 614-466-3555 environment for students to State Senator John Eklund...... 614-644-7718 become productive, State Representative Randi Clites...... 614-466-2004 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 Elaine Reynolds THE OLDE ROOTSTOWN CEMETERY “Show me your cemeteries and I will tell you what kind of people you have.” - Benjamin Franklin Some people think of cemeteries as spooky old places where only the dead reside, but to the members of the Roots- town Historical Society, cemeteries are rich storehouses of information about the lives and stories of settler’s past. Before 1831, America had no cemeteries. Large, modern graveyards did not exist. Construction of a large burial ground in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Mount Auburn Cemetery, initiated the movement to build cemeteries in America. Over time, “cities of the dead” have evolved from tiny family plots to wide-open “rural cemeteries” and modern “memorial parks.” Early cemeteries were places with winding roads and picturesque vistas – places where you could enter a quiet space to meditate, remember, or read a good book. Cemeteries were used as spaces for recreation because they were large outdoor areas, filled with beautiful sculptures and horticultural art. People visited cemeteries for picnics, hunting, shooting, and even carriage racing. Grave markers in 19th-century cemeteries, included weeping angels, weeping willows, and little sleeping children sitting on top of headstones. But in the 20th-century memorial parks the emphasis is not on death, but on hope, and the focus is on beauty and art. In Rootstown’s Olde Cemetery, the families who lent their names to our streets and neighborhoods can be found. You can see groupings of tombstones where parents buried child after child and realize that Rootstown’s early settlers suffered many hardships. The remains of veterans lost in wars past remind us of those who fought and died to keep us free. The Olde Cemetery entrance is located at the end of West Road in Rootstown, Ohio, and is visible from Rt. 18, east of Rt. 44. All driveways near the cem- etery sign are private driveways. Access to the cemetery is off the north dead end of West Drive. To find the cemetery from the school, go south on St. Rt. 44, and then east on County Road 18. Turn right on Cook Road, and then turn left onto West Road. Please join the Rootstown Historical Society for a stimulating program that focuses on the establishment of Rootstown’s first cemetery, the people interned there, and the events that helped shape R-Town’s history. If weather permits, we may have a guided tour of the cemetery at the end of the presentation. Please dress in weather appropriate attire. Highlights of the presentation include: Where: First Congregational Church • when the Olde Cemetery was established. Address: Corner of Tallmadge Rd. and Route 44, Rootstown, OH 44272 • why the cemetery was abandoned. When: Tuesday, June 18, 2019 @ 6:00 p.m. • the names of the first and last persons to be interned in the cemetery. Cost: No Charge – Donations accepted • stories of some of the people buried there. Presenter: John Fassnacht • the epidemic that killed many settlers. * Light refreshments will be served * • the wars in which early Rootstown men participated. RSVP: [email protected] or call Shirley Riemenschneider (330-325-1962) • many other facsinating historical facts! Questions? Call Norm Reynolds (330-297-0431) or Shirley Riemenschneider (330-325-1962)