Rootstown Communicator

Page 1 THE STANDARD IS EXCELLENCE HOME HE ALL OF T The F S ROVER Rootstown 2019 Communicator Rootstown Local Schools • 4140 State Route 44 • Rootstown, Ohio 44272 • (330) 325-9911 News From Around the District 10 Students Explore with Eaton By Sarah Eaton This June, Mrs. Eaton (HS Language Arts), led her second student tour abroad to the Central American nation of Costa Rica. Ten Rovers joined Mrs. Eaton on a 9-day adventure that took them up, down, and across the small country. They were joined by other American students from southern Ohio, western Pennsylvania, and western Michigan for the trip. While on the trip, students first visited the Arenal Region where they toured a coffee plantation, kayaked at the base of a volcano, visited the gorgeous La Fortuna waterfall, and relaxed in the natural hot springs created by volcanoes in the region. Students also got to try their first taste of gallo pinto, a traditional breakfast of rice and beans, which most of the travelers were surprised to find incredibly tasty! Next, they traveled to the mountain region of Monteverde to hike in a cloud for- est (rainforest filled with clouds due to elevation), zipline through jungle treetops, and spot native wildlife like iguanas and toucans while riding a tram through the rainforest canopy. While in Monteverde, they also visited a decades old farm to experience what it’s like to raise crops and animals in the mountain rainforests, as well as make their very own corn tortillas. Finally, the group trekked to the Pacific Coast, where some travelers saw the Pacific Ocean for the first time. The group spent a morning with the wild monkeys Coffee Plantation and pin-sized hermit crabs enjoying the beach. We also went on a boat tour where the group spotted many native birds and some wild horses while closely watching the water for the many crocodiles living in the waters leading to the ocean. Along with many small crocs, the group was lucky enough to get a close-up look at a “Osama Bin Laden,” an 80+ year old crocodile who lives in the area and was named by the tour guides in the region. In addition to all the amazing things seen on tour, students got to experience life and culture in another country, all while learning a lot about themselves through this hands-on experience. Mrs. Eaton plans to continue to lead trips abroad so that as many students as possible can continue to have these experiences. Upcoming destinations include Spain and Panama - please contact her at [email protected] if you would like more info about either opportunity! (Payment plans are available and trips are very affordable!) Superintendent’s Message Welcome to the 2019-20 school year! The Rootstown Local School District staff is excited to again be working with the students, parents, and community and is committed to providing the Rootstown students with the best all-around education possible while being fiscally responsible as we follow our district’s mission statement: “Rootstown Schools, in collaboration with the community, will provide a quality education in a safe environment for students to become productive, life-long learners.” Andrew Hawkins The Rootstown Local School District will be asking the community to approve a ballot initiative, Issue #10, on Novem- Superintendent ber 5th to address the district’s facilities. The proposal is to build a new building to house preschool through 8th grade students on the current site. The new school building will provide a safe and efficient student-centered learning environment. The project will also include improvements to our existing high school, along with an auditorium in the new building, an all weather track, and an artificial turf stadium field surface. Furthermore, 41% of the project cost will be funded by the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission. For additional levy information, please visit the website www.yesforrtown.org. Thank you for your continued support of Rootstown Local Schools. If you have any questions regarding our school district, feel free to contact me. We look forward to an excellent 2019-20 school year! Go Rovers! ANDREW HAWKINS SUPERINTENDENT Page 2 News From the Treasurer’s Office Strong schools = strong communities This November, the board is asking the community to support Issue #10. On the ballot is a bond issue for a new building encompassing the elementary and middle schools, with ADA improvements to the high school as well as track and field improvements. Surveys have indicated the Rootstown community understands the need for new buildings, but the cost has been a deciding factor. The board has revised the plan to one that is less extensive, although there is still an opportunity to use state funds to repair or replace the high school at some time in the future. The state will offer funding to the district within the next two years, picking up 41% of the cost. The local share to complete the project is $22,830,000, or 4.95 mills. There is an additional 0.5 mills required to support maintenance on the new building. The net cost to a homeowner with a $100,000 home value would be $166.91 annually, or $13.91 per month. A Connie Baldwin good school provides stability for a good community, and that’s good for the property values of everyone who lives nearby. Treasurer The Rootstown community has always been very supportive of the schools, and we hope we can count on you this Novem- ber. Go Rovers! Assistant Superintendent’s Message Terri Hrina-Treharn - Assistant Superintendent, (330)325-2014 ProgressBook Parent Access I am excited this year to talk about our NEW online gradebook which has replaced Engrade. Additionally, we are going digital for student interims and report cards! Living in a digital word, we understand people want immediate access. Parents, you should have recently received a letter explaining the changes as well as the steps to get started. I am going to reiterate those here in case you need them. Please remember, if you do NOT have internet access at home Terri Hrina-Treharn and would still like to receive a hard copy of your child’s interim and report card, make sure you complete and SEND BACK Assistant the bottom portion of the letter that went home. Superintendent Steps to get started: • Go to https://progressbook.sparcc.org/parentaccess/Home/District/pb_rosd • Click on Sign Up • Choose New Parent Account • Fill in the required information This allows YOU to create your own username and password. Creating an account requires a registration key. This was sent in the letter you received. Please utilize this when you are creating your account. A few other important tips: *If you have MORE THAN ONE CHILD attending Rootstown Local Schools, you will be able to see all of your children in ONE account (DO NOT CREATE MULTIPLE ACCOUNTS). Note: You need to link all of your children BEFORE completing the creation of your account. *PARENT ALERTS: There is an option for you to create “Parent Alerts.” To subscribe: • Log into ProgressBook. • Click Alerts on the left menu under the heading Family Information (This opens the Alerts screen.) • Add the email address(es) where you want the Alerts sent. • Under Alert Settings, beside each child’s name, select the Alerts you want to receive for that child. • Click Update. • You can set alerts for both missing work as well as grades. Additionally, the grades can be set uniquely for each subject area. • Please Note: Alert emails will be sent at approximately 4:00 p.m. daily to the email address you specified. • If you have any further questions, please complete the Help Form on our website. Social Media If you are not already following us, please do so. Facebook (Rootstown Local Schools) Twitter (@Rovers_District) Instagram (Rovers_District) Title I Programs According to Parents Right-to-Know (NCLB, 1111), you have the right as a parent to request information regarding the professional qualifications of your child’s Title I teacher. If your child is in a Title I program and you wish to request this information, please contact Mr. Turner (at the elementary) or Mr. Campbell (at the middle school). Page 3 From the Office of Special Education Marcy Spence - Director of Special Education, (330)325-4144 Absenteeism The Rootstown special services department would like to welcome all of our students and families back from summer vacation to the start of another exciting and productive school year! We hope everyone was able to dodge the rainy summer days and take advantage of the warm and sunny ones. At the beginning of the new school year, it is an apropos time to re- mind the community that Rootstown’s special education office’s mission continues to stress effective management, guidance and support for our students with disabilities and their families. We maintain that all children can learn when given the right supports and that we, as educators, must ensure that all instruction is appropriately rigorous. Given this learning focus, there is one variable that impacts all student outcomes including outcomes for our students with disabilities – consistent school attendance. It is vitally important that all students come to class every day ready to learn. Unfortunately, to some degree, all districts across this country struggle with various levels of absenteeism. Ohio defines Marcy Spence chronic absenteeism as missing 10% or more of the school year for any reason. While Rootstown Schools acknowledge Director of Special that there are legitimate reasons for absences, it stands to reason that a student who is not in school is a child who is missing Education out on his or her education.

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