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Summit Connect

Spring 2020 Newsletter

Summit Connect

Spring 2020 Newsletter

SUPERINTENDENT'S MESSAGE

Like most of you, I’ve struggled to find a bit of normalcy throughout these past few weeks. Practically overnight, our work environments changed. Suddenly, most of us were working from home and communicating through Zoom conversations. It became a balancing act to figure out work life versus home life, as both alternated throughout the day and the evening. Not being tied to a regular structure or schedule showed its pros and its cons…routines enable us to jump immediately into our work, whereas less structure can provide the opportunity for reflection and creativity in how we do our work.

Just as administrators, teachers and counselors in our partner districts scrambled to figure out the best ways to help students, we did as well. Our teachers and staff at preschool, Kids First and TOPS showed tremendous dedication, adaptability, and creativity as they switched from learning in the classroom to remote learning. We saw the same thing with the efforts of our therapists, itinerant staff, secretaries, and many others.

Despite the stress and uncertainty of the current situation, we note positives as well. As we read the news and talk to others in our field, we have seen counselors reaching out to struggling students and teachers forming parades through neighborhoods to cheer up their young learners. We have seen our own staff delivering blizzard bags to preschool families with limited internet access. Being physically at home, we have been able to care for and connect more with children and grandchildren. We might have to look a little closer, but the good stories are out there. I look forward to collaborating in person again as soon as possible. Until then, take care.

-Joe Iacano

JOIN US FOR THE 2020 LEADERSHIP SYMPOSIUM

We are still excitedly planning for the 2020 Leadership Symposium for Educational Leaders as we navigate through this challenging time. Currently, the event is planned for this August 6 & 7 at the Embassy Suites in Independence. This year’s theme is “At the Intersection of Leadership and Culture.” *It is possible the event could become a virtual experience, if we are unable to safely gather as a group. We will keep districts informed of any changes in the near future.

Keynote speakers this year include Dr. Ann Hartle Proudfit (pictured) on how to build and sustain a positive workplace culture.The two-day symposium will also feature an array of breakout sessions, including OTES 2.0, safety in our schools and graduation requirements. This is a great opportunity to not only learn and acquire new skills, but to network with other professionals from districts throughout Northeast Ohio. For questions, please contact Patti Maloney at [email-masked].

SUMMIT ESC PROVIDES SUPPORT AMID PANDEMIC

Since the start of the school and statewide shutdown, our staff has been working to provide guidance to districts in a variety of areas. We hosted Zoom curriculum meetings, established a COVID-19 Google site and worked virtually with districts to complete school evaluations.

Our student services department developed plans to continue service delivery for more than 500 preschool students and for 35 (K-12) students who attend our Autism Program, Kids First. We have worked diligently to provide individualized lesson plans designed to target IEP goals and objectives. Intervention Specialists and Related Service Providers have held daily office hours to engage in necessary dialogue with parents. The team also made sure families had access to the resources necessary to engage in remote learning.

We will continue to be here to answer any questions you may have through email, phone and video conferencing. Of course, as soon as we are able, we will be back to providing you with on-site professional development and trainings.

SUMMIT ESC TEAM READY TO DELIVER OTES 2.0 TRAINING

The Summit ESC’s credentialing sessions to train evaluators and teacher-leaders on the OTES 2.0 system will begin promptly following the end of Ohio’s stay-at-home order. We have four state-level trainers on hand: Matt Young, Angela Terella, Kristin Fazio and Kristen Nowak, who stand ready to lead area districts through the process.

The Summit ESC has been at the forefront of helping to shape what OTES 2.0 is today. Last school year, the Summit ESC partnered with Springfield Local Schools to participate in the Ohio Department of Education’s OTES 2.0 Prototype Project. The work continued throughout this school year as we participated in the OTES 2.0 Pilot.

“We’ve also worked with many local school districts to informally discuss the similarities and differences between OTES 1.0 and 2.0,” said Matt Young, Summit ESC Curriculum Director. “We emphasized the shift to a coaching, collaboration and professional growth model. And we informed teachers and administrators on high-quality student data, both in definition and practice.”

Although originally school districts were required to transition to the revised evaluation system for the 2020-21 school year, House Bill 197 now permits districts to defer to the 2021-22 school year due to the COVID-19 crisis.

EDUCATION CELEBRATION TO HONOR OUTSTANDING TEACHERS

We will soon be on the lookout for outstanding teachers! The Summit ESC will once again this year honor those teachers who are exceptional in their field. The Education Celebration event usually takes place in October. We are currently assessing whether to keep this event in October or move it to later in the school year. Please watch for updates on timeframe and location in the next few months. During the event, the Teacher of the Year, Rookie of the Year and Lifetime Educator award winners are announced.

So get ready to send in those nominations to honor educators who have shown dedication in the classroom, a commitment to their school system and a desire to go above and beyond for each student.

OHIO DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AWARDS PREVENTION GRANT

The Summit ESC will be working to train school personnel on preventing risky behaviors and providing prevention education programs for students K-12, thanks to a grant recently obtained by the Ohio Department of Education.

We are one of seven ESC’s that will be working together on the following objectives: providing professional development in preventing risky behaviors such as suicide, bullying and substance abuse; hosting training for prevention education planning and implementation; and helping districts leverage local, state and federal funds to sustain prevention strategies. Watch for additional information on prevention education in the coming weeks.

SUPPORTING AUTISM AWARENESS IN APRIL WITH THE COLOR BLUE

Cuyahoga Falls Schools

Debbie Frerichs with her family, Classroom Assistant at Summit Preschool Newberry

Tallmadge City Schools

Joelle Talkarico, Classroom Assistant at Summit Preschool David Bacon site

Summit ESC

Brenda Palinkas, Student Services Secretary, sported blue while making masks with her children to donate to Akron Children’s Hospital.

Cuyahoga Falls Schools

Tallmadge City Schools

Summit ESC

156 DISTRICTS SERVED IN 2019-2020

The Summit ESC serves 14 affiliated districts in Summit and Portage Counties and dozens of other districts and private schools throughout Northeast and North Central Ohio. In fact, last year we provided at least one service to 156 districts and/or private schools. Those services include gifted & talented expertise, school psychology, work study coordination, physical therapy, educational audiology and many others. We strive to provide high-quality, professional services that serve children and educators throughout Ohio.

This is the time of year when our office prepares for the coming school year. We understand the challenges we all face at this time and are adapting to meet each districts’ needs. While many things in the world have changed as of late, our commitment to serving our districts has not. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have questions, concerns or just need a supportive ear.

What People Are Saying About the Summit ESC Preschool Experience

"I was first introduced to the Summit County Preschool four years ago when my daughter turned three. We loved it from the very beginning. I had an open relationship with her teacher who kept me informed about how she was progressing and things that needed to be worked on. For her second year of preschool, we decided to send her to a private school. Within seven weeks, we were back at David Bacon. The private school was unaccommodating to her personality and needs. I was very thankful to be able to return to SCP. She was well prepared for kindergarten. My son is in his second year at David Bacon and is also having an exceptional experience. I would recommend SCP to anyone."

-Tallmadge Preschool Parent

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Be sure to follow the Summit ESC on Facebook & Twitter as we show what our staff and affiliated districts are doing to support remote learning, continue virtual training and plan for the 2020-21 school year.

420 Washington Avenue, Cuyahoga Falls, OH, USA [email-masked] 330-945-5600 summitesc.org

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