Community Update Engage • Empower • Excel
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COMMUNITY Issue 1 • Volume 1 • Fall 2015 UPDATE ENGAGE • EMPOWER • EXCEL A publication from the Forest Hills School District serving Anderson Township and the Village of Newton Renovations continue, Inside this issue: Forest Hills saves residents $1 million, earns Ohio Auditor rebates begin to roll in 2 financial award Many Forest Hills students noticed changes Refrigeration equipment was also replaced Forest Hills leads innovative to their schools when they returned to at Summit Elementary, a new boiler was learning initiatives school this fall as renovations for each installed at Nagel, air conditioning in the school are underway, thanks to the com- gymnasium at Sherwood was installed and Construction Update: munity’s passage of the November 2014 geothermal drilling at Wilson Elementary Project Timelines bond issue. has been completed. 3 After multiple meetings to gather input from Engineers also have estimated project community members, staff and administra- costs and anticipated savings if geothermal High schools announce 2015-16 tors on needs at each school, the district’s systems were to be installed at Wilson. With 4 theatre seasons design team has provided preliminary a cost of $650,000 for the well field and an Advisory committee provides designs for each school (visit foresthills.edu estimated savings of $24,000 per year, it feedback, insight to district to see all preliminary designs). Construction would take 27 years to recover the cost of New teachers drawings have also been completed for installing geothermal systems once Wilson Ayer Elementary, Nagel Middle School and Elementary is built. After also reviewing Sherwood Elementary, while work continues current energy rates, the recommendation Distinguished alumni honored on drawings for other schools. Bids for these from Motz Engineering is to install a high 5 Submit Your Story projects were opened on Sept. 2. performing conventional chilled water/hot water HVAC system at Wilson. This means Many other bond projects have also been News Briefs completed such as projects at Nagel that eight out of nine district schools, including include new orchestra cabinetry to meet Wilson, will continue to be Energy Star 6 Tip line supports student safety storage needs due to significant growth rated thanks to diligent efforts to keep in the program, a new sound system energy costs low. Turpin High School is not currently Energy Star rated, but energy Forest Hills safely embracing and HVAC renovations that resulted in a technology in classrooms $10,500 rebate from Duke Energy. (continues on page 3) 7 In addition, refrigeration equipment, roof District Calendar replacement and HVAC work at Ayer has been completed. The roof replacement will 8 Board of Education result in a $1,685 rebate from Duke Energy, Social Media while the HVAC work will result in a rebate amount that is yet to be determined. Rendering of Maddux Elementary. Forest Hills saves residents $1 million, earns Ohio Auditor financial award At the beginning of the year, Moody’s Investors Service ments and school districts upon the completion of a financial awarded Forest Hills a Aa2 bond rating on the bonds is- audit. Entities that receive the award meet the criteria of a sued after voters approved the November 2014 bond issue “clean” audit report including filing financial reports in a time- to renovate district schools and rebuild Wilson Elementary. ly manner and having a report that is free of any “findings for Standard and Poor’s awarded the district a AA bond rating. recovery, material citations, material weaknesses, significant Both excellent ratings, these ratings helped the district deficiencies, single audit findings or questioned costs.” secure lower interest rates, saving taxpayers possibly more “A clean audit report requires the dedicated efforts of all dis- than $1 million. trict employees,” said Toepfer. “Providing district residents with “The property tax rate for 2015 collections is 4.95 mills or a full disclosure of the school district’s finances is an important $14.44 per $100,000 in home market value, but may be and valuable part of maintaining trust with the community.” reduced in future years due to the lower interest rates,” Yost agreed. explained Rick Toepfer, district treasurer. “Clean and accurate record-keeping are the foundation for Further, excellence in financial record keeping and sound good government and taxpayers can take pride in [Forest accounting practice earned Forest Hills the Award with Hills’] commitment to accountability,” he said. “My office looks Distinction from Auditor of State Dave Yost. forward to continuing to work with Forest Hills to ensure The Ohio auditor presents this award to local govern- clean, accountable and efficient government for all Ohioans.” Forest Hills leads innovative learning initiatives via the Internet for anytime, anywhere customized support they need to learn, learning; become better prepared for a which increases student engagement technology-based world; and much more. and success. Students build their skills in In addition, parents, students and teachers technology, communication, team-build- are able to better evaluate a student’s un- ing, creativity and problem-solving. We derstanding of course material and provide are working to make significant shifts immediate feedback on progress. that will result in more personalized As guidelines on blended learning are in learning for our students and students the process of being approved by the state, being more involved in their educations.” Forest Hills is staying ahead of the curve by For example, Adam Szabo, Anderson High not only pursuing blended learning for stu- Through the use of Skype, Jacob Jenscon, an School math teacher, uses Schoology and dents, but also by pursuing professional de- astronomer from Pasadena, CA. and a graduate Khan Academy, both online resources that of Ohio State University, served as a virtual guest velopment for teachers. In addition, FHSD assist teachers in personalizing instruction instructor for Wilson students. is an active member of the Ohio Blended in classrooms, with his students. By utilizing Learning Network, a group of districts these tools, Szabo allows students to work Exciting shifts are occurring in schools across across the state supporting each other in at their own pace with constant feedback America as educators respond to opportu- innovative learning. Through grant monies, and one-on-one support when needed. In nities and challenges students face in the OBLN is supporting these districts in leading this environment, students are also offered 21st century. Forest Hills is embracing these and implementing blended learning. a choice of teacher-directed, small group or changes by providing teachers and students “Our teachers have been trained in individual work environments. with powerful new tools that enable more combining Internet and digital media “Students enjoy the flexibility and person- personalized, student-centered learning and with established classroom curriculum to alization of a self-paced environment in blend the best of face-to-face instruction ensure we are delivering high quality ac- addition to gaining skills to prepare them with new technology. This blended approach ademic content to 21st century students,” for future online work in college and ca- said Natasha Adams, FHSD director of allows teachers to work with students in new reers,” Adams explained. “Currently, a variety curriculum. “Blended learning is more ways, increase engagement and promote of Forest Hills teacher groups are focused on than completing work online, basic com- growth and achievement. exploring, researching and building courses puter skills or accessing assignments via to reflect new ways to engage students.” By incorporating technology into class- the Internet. Blended learning is an ap- rooms, students are able to more fully proach to teaching and learning that al- Read more about blended learning in For- explore subjects and interests; collaborate lows students to learn beyond classroom est Hills, on the Cincy Blend website cin- in new ways; connect to more resources, walls and more fully explore subjects cyblend.weebly.com/about.html which including experts who are not in the class- and interests while building essential highlights Forest Hills’ journey toward new room; access assignments and resources skills. Students of all abilities receive the ways of teaching and learning. Page 2 | Fall 2015 ENGAGE • EMPOWER • EXCEL Renovations continue, PROJECT rebates begin to roll in (continued from page 1) TIMELINES Anderson High School Bids due: Early 2016 Anticipated start: Spring 2016 Anticipated completion: Summer 2018 Ayer Elementary Bids due: September 2015 Anticipated start: November 2015 Anticipated completion: Fall 2016 Maddux Elementary Bids due: Early 2016 Anticipated start: Spring 2016 Anticipated completion: Summer 2017 Rendering of Sherwood Elementary. Mercer Elementary Bids due: December 2015 efficiency is a focus of the THS renovation majority of interior work will be complete Anticipated start: Spring 2016 project and the district is working to en- in the spring of 2016. Anticipated completion: Summer 2017 sure Turpin will be Energy Star rated at the “We are doing most construction during end of the project. summer months so that work does not Nagel Middle School Projects that are currently underway interfere with student learning. We are also Bids due: September 2015 include ADA ramps at Ayer and Sherwood working to keep our projects on timelines