“TO CLEARVIEW SCHOOL DISTRICT CITIZENS” CLEARVIEW NEWS Volume 22 Number 1 Dr. Thomas G. Jama, Superintendent August 2010 Message from the Superintendent of Schools Dr. Thomas G. Jama Dear Community Member: I would like to take this opportunity thank the entire Clearview Schools community for giving me the opportu- nity to serve as the district’s new superintendent. I would additionally like to share some general and personal information with you so that you have a better understanding of my background and goals for the district. My name is Thomas G. Jama and this is my twenty third year in the field of public education. These years have taken me through many positions in the educational field with a wealth of experiences. I started my edu- cational career in 1988 after graduating with a BS in Education from Slippery Rock University in Pennsyl- vania, where my major was early childhood/elementary education. I landed my first teaching position as a kin- dergarten teacher in the Lorain City Schools. When the district started having financial difficulties, I was transferred to a third grade position until that position was eliminated due to financial constraints. I was then assigned to a program teaching 8th grade math to “at-risk” 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th graders. These students were members of the Jump Start Program which was housed in a separate facility. I loved this program and became the school’s administrator the following year. At that time, I was also finishing my Masters Degree in Educational Administration from Ashland University. I remained at Jump Start for four years and learned a lot about kids, their families and how educators can make a difference. I then left Lorain to take an administrative position in the Elyria City School District at Northwood Junior High. Northwood is one of three junior highs that hold approximately 425 seventh and eighth graders. I also served as an assistant principal for one year and an elementary principal for two years. During my administrative years in Elyria I received my Doctor of Education Degree in Organizational Management from Northcentral University. Most recently, I was the high school principal at Clearview serving for two years. Over these two years, I have worked with an outstanding staff, developed friendships with many community members and most im- portantly had the privilege of watching our wonderful student population achieve and succeed. I would like to share a little personal information with all of you. I am the proud father of two sons ages twenty one and nineteen. My oldest attends Youngstown State University through the partnership at Lorain County Community College and my youngest just recently graduated from Clearview High School and will attend the University of Toledo in the fall and play in the Toledo Marching Band. I am married to my wonderful wife, Kelly of twenty-two years. My hobbies include family activities, camping, fishing, watching college football (especially the Ohio State Buckeyes) and attending Cleveland Browns games. Finally, I am honored and humbled to be your superintendent. I will assure you that I will do everything in my power to maintain/improve the lines of communication with the school community, work closely with all staff members, and most importantly provide a safe and quality learning environment for each student. Please stop in and say Hello! PAGE 2 CLEARVIEW NEWS VOLUME 22 NUMBER 1 News From The Superintendent: I hope everyone had a safe, restful and enjoyable summer Management Department. The surface of the track is as we approach a new and exciting school year. Below are recycled tires which permitted us to qualify for the some news items that I would like to share with the entire recycling grant. The school community is encouraged to school community: utilize the track for walking and/or jogging. Clearview Schools Academic Successes New Staff Members I am very pleased to inform the Clearview School I am pleased to inform you that there will be some new Community that the district has raised its academic rating faces within the district along with current staff members with the Ohio Department of Education to EFFECTIVE. moving into new positions. This is a major improvement from our previous rating of Continuous Improvement. Each of the schools also Franco Gallo received a rating of EFFECTIVE by the Ohio Department High School Principal of Education. This major improvement was made possible James Kohler through hard work and dedication by the student body and High School Assistant Principal/Athletic Director the entire staff promoting academic excellence. Eric Baker Congratulations to the students and staff at Vincent, District Technology Coordinator Durling and Clearview High School. Sean Hogan Intervention Specialist (Durling) CHS to Offer Advanced Placement Course Stephanie Brindza-Leonhardt Intervention Specialist (Vincent) Clearview High school will be offering its first Advanced Molly Streator Placement course during the 2010-2011 school year. The Science Teacher (Durling) course, English Literature and Composition, will be taught by Mr. Painter. Students will have the opportunity to earn Community Wide Tailgate Gathering a college credit at the completion of the course by passing an Advanced Placement Exam. For more information There will be a community-wide tailgate gathering on please go to: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/ Friday, August 27, 2010, prior to the start of the BIG testing/ap/about.html football game between the Clearview Clippers and the Elyria Catholic Panthers. This event will take place in the Clearview Schools Superintendent Community high school cafeteria with hamburgers, hotdogs, pop, and Engagement Team . other food items. The tailgate gathering will start at 5:00 A community engagement team was organized during the p.m. and conclude at 6:30 p.m. Please come and share month of May, 2010, and has met on two occasions. your team spirit with other Clipper fans prior to the Members of this team include: district staff members, opening kick-off of high school football. Please contact parents, local residents, representatives from local support the high school at 440-233-6313 for more information. agencies, a local business owner, a township trustee, and a county commissioner. The main purpose of this team is to improve the overall educational program within the district, open the lines of communication between the district and the community, develop a school/community improvement plan, and discuss community issues as they relate to the district. You are being asked to complete the enclosed community survey. High School Track The renovation of the high school track, long jump runways, and the high jump section took place throughout the summer months. This project was made possible with a recycling grant from the Lorain County Waste Clearview Local Schools-November Levy Issues Dear Clearview Community Member: On November 2, 2010, the Clearview Local Schools will have two levy issues on the ballot. The renewal of the emergency levy will not raise your taxes and assist in the general operations of the district. The second issue on the ballot will be a 1 mill permanent improvement levy which will assist in the following areas: improving & equipping school buildings, technology/computer up-grades, bus replacement, up-dated instructional materials and textbooks. The 1 mill permanent improvement levy WILL NOT be used for salaries, supplemental con- tracts or general supplies. The 1 mill levy will cost the homeowner of a $100,000 home approximately $26.00 per year or $2.20 per month. The example below will show the calculation of a 1 mill levy on a $100,000 home: $100,000 Real value of home x 35% Homes are taxed at 35% of their value $35,000 Taxable value of home x 0.001 1 Mill levy $35.00 Sub total - $8.75 State rollback (12.5% owner discount-money paid by State of Ohio) $26.25 Amount of taxes paid annually for 1 mill on a $100,000 home / 12 $2.20 Amount of taxes paid monthly for 1 mill on a $100,000 home. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name:______________________________________ Phone #:___________________________ Address:_____________________________________ ____ My child(ren) are open enrolled Email Address:__________________________________________________________ Student(s) Name if Applicable:_____________________________________________ School(s) Attending if Applicable:___________________________________________ I am willing to volunteer my time for the two levy issues in the following areas: ____ Chair Sub Committee _____ Co-Chair Sub Committee ____ Sign Distribution _____ Phone Calls ____ Door to Door ____ Letter to the Editor ____ Volunteer at Special Events ____Voting Day Poling ____ Other____________________________ ____ I Do Not want a levy sign in my yard. Please mail response to or call: Thomas G. Jama, Superintendent c/o Levy Sheet 440-233-5412 Clearview Local Schools 4700 Broadway Lorain, Ohio 44052 PAGE 4 CLEARVIEW NEWS VOLUME 22 NUMBER 1 It’s Happening at Vincent Elementary School….. Vincent School Times CAR RIDER PICK UP Attention Vincent Parents!!!! ARRIVAL Please remember to sign up for a Car Rider Student 8:25 First Bell Pick-Up Pass. The passes will be available in our school office on (Breakfast Time) August 21st. 8:50 Second Bell If you do not wish to have a Car Pass, your child will have to be signed out in the school office. Car Rider (Breakfast Clean-up) Passes are for students who