Last Mile Grant Funds Fiber Optics at Buckeye West
ADENA-A $25,000 grant will finance a fiber optics upgrade to improve technological access at Buckeye West Elementary.
The Buckeye Local School District gained the Last Mile Grant from the Ohio Department of Education and Superintendent Dr. Mark Miller hopes to see the project under way soon.
“We didn’t have access to fiber optic cable at the West Elementary location,” said Dr. Miller. “We submitted an application with the state and got the Last Mile Institute grant. It will be ready to go by the start of school. It’s a great opportunity because with the increase in online testing and the increased use of computer technology by students and staff we were operating at maximum capacity, so this really boosts capabilities in that building.”
The district applied for funding through OMERESA, which will fully finance the school’s high connectivity costs for adding the upgraded Internet to the building. In addition, an internet contract is in place with provider Frontier Communications.
Principal William Luther said the upgrade will definitely make a difference at the school.
“It is going to give us the ability to have faster internet access. The teachers use laptops and Smartboards and the computer lab runs 20 computers a day. We’re running multiple machines and this is going to be able to provide speed for equipment without compromising any of the service,” Luther said. “When we’re doing our on-line testing, we’re using two classrooms at a time on laptops, putting 40 machines online. This will provide stability and internet speed that we’ve lacked before.”
Luther hoped to have the project under way in May and the school’s technology online by the next school year.
ADENA-A $25,000 grant will finance a fiber optics upgrade to improve technological access at Buckeye West Elementary.
The Buckeye Local School District gained the Last Mile Grant from the Ohio Department of Education and Superintendent Dr. Mark Miller hopes to see the project under way soon.
“We didn’t have access to fiber optic cable at the West Elementary location,” said Dr. Miller. “We submitted an application with the state and got the Last Mile Institute grant. It will be ready to go by the start of school. It’s a great opportunity because with the increase in online testing and the increased use of computer technology by students and staff we were operating at maximum capacity, so this really boosts capabilities in that building.”
The district applied for funding through OMERESA, which will fully finance the school’s high connectivity costs for adding the upgraded Internet to the building. In addition, an internet contract is in place with provider Frontier Communications.
Principal William Luther said the upgrade will definitely make a difference at the school.
“It is going to give us the ability to have faster internet access. The teachers use laptops and Smartboards and the computer lab runs 20 computers a day. We’re running multiple machines and this is going to be able to provide speed for equipment without compromising any of the service,” Luther said. “When we’re doing our on-line testing, we’re using two classrooms at a time on laptops, putting 40 machines online. This will provide stability and internet speed that we’ve lacked before.”
Luther hoped to have the project under way in May and the school’s technology online by the next school year.
(Photo Cutline: Twenty-two students at Buckeye Local Jr. High School were recognized as being high achievers through the Northwestern University Midwest Academic Talent Search (NUMATS) Program. Pictured are, front from left, Marley Basich, Emily Berry, Zachary Cesario, Zakary Fraelich, Dustin Morgan, and Hailee Nelson. Middle: Seth Richardson, Brooke Roski, Conrad Scheutz, Alexis Scott, Ashleigh Sherman, Ethan Boroski, and Collin Buck. Back: Christopher Englert, Emily Holzopfel, Owen Long, Logan Martin, Rachel Moore, and Katelin Rogers. Not pictured are Garrett Cesario, Mary Dagan, and Austin Farmer.)
Students Recognized as High Achievers
CONNORVILLE-Twenty-two students at Buckeye Local Jr. High School received certificates as high achievers in the classroom.
Since fall, the school has participated in the Northwestern University Midwest Academic Talent Search (NUMATS) through the the university’s Center for Talent Development in Evanston, Ill. NUMATS is a research-validated program that uses testing such as EXPLORE, ACT, or SAT to help better understand the educational needs of a child. Junior high guidance counselor Amanda Smith is site coordinator for the program and said it was a first for the district.
“It’s a program for academically talented students,” said Smith. “They were able to apply or the program in the fall and these are the students that qualified.”
NUMATS is geared toward students in grades 3-9 who had advanced scores on their Ohio Achievement Assessment and are gifted in some area. Students register and take classes online, plus they complete practice tests and a preparatory ACT test to get ready for the actual exam in high school. The ACT score is not counted against them and statistics show that students’ scores improve when they complete the actual college entrance exam.
Recently, 22 seventh- and eighth-graders received certificates recognizing their endeavors on state tests. Among them are Marley Basich, Emily Berry, Garrett Cesario, Zachary Cesario, Mary Dagan, Zakary Fraelich, Austin Farmer, Dustin Morgan, Hailee Nelson, Seth Richardson, Brooke Roski, Conrad Scheutz, Alexis Scott, Ashleigh Sherman, Ethan Boroski, Collin Buck, Christopher Englert, Emily Holzopfel, Owen Long, Logan Martin, Rachel Moore, and Katelin Rogers.
“Based on the test scores, it lets parents know if their child can be in advanced or college-level courses,” Smith added. “It also allows them to take additional coursework through Northwestern and the school. This will give them more opportunities and a different experience with the program.”
The program also helps interpret test results, advocate for an appropriate learning environment, and access quality resources and programs. Test scores will be available for review in the online NUMATS Toolbox several weeks after the test date, after which parents will receive an official testing agency score report. Eligible students also receive information about CTD’s summer and online programs. State award ceremonies are held between May and September with the NUMATS Award Ceremony held in September.
Students Recognized as High Achievers
CONNORVILLE-Twenty-two students at Buckeye Local Jr. High School received certificates as high achievers in the classroom.
Since fall, the school has participated in the Northwestern University Midwest Academic Talent Search (NUMATS) through the the university’s Center for Talent Development in Evanston, Ill. NUMATS is a research-validated program that uses testing such as EXPLORE, ACT, or SAT to help better understand the educational needs of a child. Junior high guidance counselor Amanda Smith is site coordinator for the program and said it was a first for the district.
“It’s a program for academically talented students,” said Smith. “They were able to apply or the program in the fall and these are the students that qualified.”
NUMATS is geared toward students in grades 3-9 who had advanced scores on their Ohio Achievement Assessment and are gifted in some area. Students register and take classes online, plus they complete practice tests and a preparatory ACT test to get ready for the actual exam in high school. The ACT score is not counted against them and statistics show that students’ scores improve when they complete the actual college entrance exam.
Recently, 22 seventh- and eighth-graders received certificates recognizing their endeavors on state tests. Among them are Marley Basich, Emily Berry, Garrett Cesario, Zachary Cesario, Mary Dagan, Zakary Fraelich, Austin Farmer, Dustin Morgan, Hailee Nelson, Seth Richardson, Brooke Roski, Conrad Scheutz, Alexis Scott, Ashleigh Sherman, Ethan Boroski, Collin Buck, Christopher Englert, Emily Holzopfel, Owen Long, Logan Martin, Rachel Moore, and Katelin Rogers.
“Based on the test scores, it lets parents know if their child can be in advanced or college-level courses,” Smith added. “It also allows them to take additional coursework through Northwestern and the school. This will give them more opportunities and a different experience with the program.”
The program also helps interpret test results, advocate for an appropriate learning environment, and access quality resources and programs. Test scores will be available for review in the online NUMATS Toolbox several weeks after the test date, after which parents will receive an official testing agency score report. Eligible students also receive information about CTD’s summer and online programs. State award ceremonies are held between May and September with the NUMATS Award Ceremony held in September.
Taking Care of their Teeth
Photo Cutline: Preschoolers at Buckeye South Elementary got a lesson in oral health in a venture with Eastern Gateway Community College on March 9. Beth Dillon, a student in the dental assistant program at the college, returned to her old stomping grounds in Tiltonsville and spoke to youngsters in teacher Leanne Hutton’s morning and afternoon classes about the importance of taking care of their teeth. Dillon discussed proper care through reading, music, and a brushing demonstration using a stuffed toy. Children also received coloring activities and information to take home to their parents. It was the first time that EGCC’s program was held at Buckeye South and Principal Kimberly Leonard said 28 elementary students were involved.
Photo Cutline: Preschoolers at Buckeye South Elementary got a lesson in oral health in a venture with Eastern Gateway Community College on March 9. Beth Dillon, a student in the dental assistant program at the college, returned to her old stomping grounds in Tiltonsville and spoke to youngsters in teacher Leanne Hutton’s morning and afternoon classes about the importance of taking care of their teeth. Dillon discussed proper care through reading, music, and a brushing demonstration using a stuffed toy. Children also received coloring activities and information to take home to their parents. It was the first time that EGCC’s program was held at Buckeye South and Principal Kimberly Leonard said 28 elementary students were involved.
(Photo Cutline: Members of the Buckeye Local High School Science Club shared their knowledge with students at Buckeye North Elementary School as part of the Elementary Science Program. The high school group conducted a series of physics experiments to pique youngsters’ interest in the subject.)
Young Scientists Share knowledge of Buckeye North
BRILLIANT-Students from Buckeye Local High School ventured out to Buckeye North Elementary to share their knowledge of science with their younger peers.
Science Club members Erika Lewis, Ryan Moffo, Devin Merritt, Amanda Barbarossa, and Sallie Piazza met with more than 100 fourth- and fifth-graders in the school auditorium on April 8 and conducted a series of experiments as part of the Elementary Science Program. High school science teacher Jeff Durbin, who advises the club with fellow BLHS teacher Dave Cybulski, said it was a longtime project to pique youngsters’ interest in the subject.
“It was simply an idea we came up with to promote science education at an early age,” Durbin said. “This program is a part of the Buckeye Local High School Science Club. Most of the students have had physics and chemistry so they have a solid background.”
The program has been held intermittently in the past but currently marks its third consecutive year. About 15 Science Club members participate and showcase their skills on the subject.
“We try to vary it each year. This year is physics-related on pressure. Last year was magnetism and the year before was chemical demonstrations,” Durbin said. “My kids love it and I think the elementary students really look up to the high school students and enjoy it, as well.”
“Mr. Durbin sends kids to the school [and speak to] fourth- and fifth-graders,” said Erin Best, a teacher at Buckeye North. “The elementary kids are so receptive and look up to the high school students. I think our kids view high school as far away but we want them to have a strong foundation for math and science. It’s hands-on so they can show kids what to do in class.”
Best added that there was camaraderie because the elder students communicate with the youngsters at their level.
“The high school students also discuss their future plans and even get real-world expertise. They see the kids want to emulate them, so it’s a reciprocal relationship between the two.”
“It is always refreshing to have some former students come to their old buildings to share with the current students,” said Principal Susan Nolan. “It’s a great teaching tool for all involved.”
Young Scientists Share knowledge of Buckeye North
BRILLIANT-Students from Buckeye Local High School ventured out to Buckeye North Elementary to share their knowledge of science with their younger peers.
Science Club members Erika Lewis, Ryan Moffo, Devin Merritt, Amanda Barbarossa, and Sallie Piazza met with more than 100 fourth- and fifth-graders in the school auditorium on April 8 and conducted a series of experiments as part of the Elementary Science Program. High school science teacher Jeff Durbin, who advises the club with fellow BLHS teacher Dave Cybulski, said it was a longtime project to pique youngsters’ interest in the subject.
“It was simply an idea we came up with to promote science education at an early age,” Durbin said. “This program is a part of the Buckeye Local High School Science Club. Most of the students have had physics and chemistry so they have a solid background.”
The program has been held intermittently in the past but currently marks its third consecutive year. About 15 Science Club members participate and showcase their skills on the subject.
“We try to vary it each year. This year is physics-related on pressure. Last year was magnetism and the year before was chemical demonstrations,” Durbin said. “My kids love it and I think the elementary students really look up to the high school students and enjoy it, as well.”
“Mr. Durbin sends kids to the school [and speak to] fourth- and fifth-graders,” said Erin Best, a teacher at Buckeye North. “The elementary kids are so receptive and look up to the high school students. I think our kids view high school as far away but we want them to have a strong foundation for math and science. It’s hands-on so they can show kids what to do in class.”
Best added that there was camaraderie because the elder students communicate with the youngsters at their level.
“The high school students also discuss their future plans and even get real-world expertise. They see the kids want to emulate them, so it’s a reciprocal relationship between the two.”
“It is always refreshing to have some former students come to their old buildings to share with the current students,” said Principal Susan Nolan. “It’s a great teaching tool for all involved.”