New Year, New Faces at Buckeye Local
DILLONVALE-Students returning to Buckeye Local Schools this year will see plenty of new faces, but some familiar ones are now in new places.
Superintendent Kimberly Leonard officially began her duties in July and said she was looking forward to the start of the 2017-18 term and a bright future for the district.
“The district is currently making many changes to the administrative team, changes I believe are needed in order to move the district forward,” she said. “I look forward to working with the team and making this a group effort to make much-needed improvements with academics and behavior.”
Leonard commented that some of her plans were already under way by improving the administrative team, which included hiring people in positions that are based on their areas of expertise. The goal is for those officials to work on improving academics by making staffing changes as needed, reviewing curriculum and assessment data, and making decisions based upon the needs of the students.
Joining the administrative team this year are William Luther, longtime principal of Buckeye West Elementary who was since tapped to become assistant superintendent and director of curriculum; Krista Blackwell as special education coordinator; Janelle Calhoun, who will be added as dean of students at Buckeye Local Jr./Sr. High School; Julie Packer, the new principal at Buckeye South Elementary in Tiltonsville; and Lucas Parsons, who replaces Luther at West Elementary in Adena. The central office also includes Scott Celestin, assistant superintendent and director of student services; treasurer Merri Matthews; and Susan Bachman, Ohio Teacher Evaluation System (OTES) coordinator. Rounding out district leadership are Coy Sudvary, principal at Buckeye Local Sr. High School in Connorville; Jason Kovalski, principal at Buckeye Local Jr. High; and Susan Nolan, principal at Buckeye North Elementary in Brilliant.
“These individuals will do a phenomenal job in these positions. I believe we will see great advancements at Buckeye Local with this team in place,” Leonard continued. “I am so excited about this group. We have also hired many teachers to replace those who have retired or moved on. All of the hirings were based on their certifications and strong backgrounds in their areas of study. I want individuals that are highly qualified to provide the best for our schools.”
She said the staffing change was the best improvement that could happen for students because it would help them be successful.
“My goals are to make changes with the faculty and staff that will help improve academic achievement. I believe I have already been extremely successful with this goal, which will help me continue my next goal of improving academic achievement and behavior throughout the district,” Leonard added. “These goals all work hand in hand—a great faculty that will improve behavior to help increase student success. We are already on the right path, and my hope is to make these changes and turn things around for Buckeye Local.”
She also wants to build school spirit within the communities and develop a school system that will make everyone proud to be called Buckeye Local Panthers. Efforts by the new organization Team B.L.U.E., which stands for Buckeye Local Uniting Everyone, already had a promising showing with the large turnout at the recent Back To School Bash on Aug. 6 and more work is set to make positive changes within the schools and bolster community backing.
“There needs to be one goal, and it must focus on student success. We are turning things around at Buckeye Local,” she said. “I have a great team at the central office and we are making decisions together as a team. I will also include our building principals when making decisions for the district. Our team is strong with adding Mr. Luther and Mrs. Blackwell to the central office and Mrs. Packer, Mr. Parsons and Mrs. Calhoun in our buildings. I see great things in the future at Buckeye Local!”
DILLONVALE-Students returning to Buckeye Local Schools this year will see plenty of new faces, but some familiar ones are now in new places.
Superintendent Kimberly Leonard officially began her duties in July and said she was looking forward to the start of the 2017-18 term and a bright future for the district.
“The district is currently making many changes to the administrative team, changes I believe are needed in order to move the district forward,” she said. “I look forward to working with the team and making this a group effort to make much-needed improvements with academics and behavior.”
Leonard commented that some of her plans were already under way by improving the administrative team, which included hiring people in positions that are based on their areas of expertise. The goal is for those officials to work on improving academics by making staffing changes as needed, reviewing curriculum and assessment data, and making decisions based upon the needs of the students.
Joining the administrative team this year are William Luther, longtime principal of Buckeye West Elementary who was since tapped to become assistant superintendent and director of curriculum; Krista Blackwell as special education coordinator; Janelle Calhoun, who will be added as dean of students at Buckeye Local Jr./Sr. High School; Julie Packer, the new principal at Buckeye South Elementary in Tiltonsville; and Lucas Parsons, who replaces Luther at West Elementary in Adena. The central office also includes Scott Celestin, assistant superintendent and director of student services; treasurer Merri Matthews; and Susan Bachman, Ohio Teacher Evaluation System (OTES) coordinator. Rounding out district leadership are Coy Sudvary, principal at Buckeye Local Sr. High School in Connorville; Jason Kovalski, principal at Buckeye Local Jr. High; and Susan Nolan, principal at Buckeye North Elementary in Brilliant.
“These individuals will do a phenomenal job in these positions. I believe we will see great advancements at Buckeye Local with this team in place,” Leonard continued. “I am so excited about this group. We have also hired many teachers to replace those who have retired or moved on. All of the hirings were based on their certifications and strong backgrounds in their areas of study. I want individuals that are highly qualified to provide the best for our schools.”
She said the staffing change was the best improvement that could happen for students because it would help them be successful.
“My goals are to make changes with the faculty and staff that will help improve academic achievement. I believe I have already been extremely successful with this goal, which will help me continue my next goal of improving academic achievement and behavior throughout the district,” Leonard added. “These goals all work hand in hand—a great faculty that will improve behavior to help increase student success. We are already on the right path, and my hope is to make these changes and turn things around for Buckeye Local.”
She also wants to build school spirit within the communities and develop a school system that will make everyone proud to be called Buckeye Local Panthers. Efforts by the new organization Team B.L.U.E., which stands for Buckeye Local Uniting Everyone, already had a promising showing with the large turnout at the recent Back To School Bash on Aug. 6 and more work is set to make positive changes within the schools and bolster community backing.
“There needs to be one goal, and it must focus on student success. We are turning things around at Buckeye Local,” she said. “I have a great team at the central office and we are making decisions together as a team. I will also include our building principals when making decisions for the district. Our team is strong with adding Mr. Luther and Mrs. Blackwell to the central office and Mrs. Packer, Mr. Parsons and Mrs. Calhoun in our buildings. I see great things in the future at Buckeye Local!”
Bruder Attends National Symposium
CONNORVILLE-Buckeye Local High School sophomore Julia Bruder got an experience she will never forget after joining thousands of teens at a national symposium.
Bruder, the daughter of Joe and Jodi Bruder of Dillonvale, took part in the Congress of Future Medical Leaders at the University of Massachusetts in Lowell, Mass., on June 25-27. The Congress, which is sponsored by the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Specialists, attracts about 2,000 youth to hear from renowned speakers and take part in a series of educational activities. Participants could stay alone on campus or with their family at a motel and Bruder took the opportunity to spend time with her parents. The fledgling surgeon was nominated by a teacher during the fall of her freshman year and said participants must have a 3.5 GPA or higher to be eligible. She holds a 3.9 GPA and been an active member of the high school band, jazz band, OVAC All-Star Band, student council, Foreign Language Club, Science Club and Art Club and plans to add the Fellowship of Christian Athletes to her list. Bruder also participates on a swim team at the Warren Township Pool in Tiltonsville during the summer.
She enjoyed her experience at the Congress and said she learned so much about her field of choice.
“It was amazing,” she said. “They said, ‘Don’t just go for a career. You want to try to be the best.’ They also talked about what colleges look for [in potential students. There are lots of scholarships you can get with a membership with $100,000 as the highest.”
BLHS officials recently received an Award of Excellence to present to Bruder for successfully completing the Congress from the National Leadership Academies, which oversees the program.
“Julia was surrounded by many fellow high school students who share her passion, ability and potential,” stated an accompanying letter from the program’s directors. “So many delegates found new friends to help them reach their dreams and future colleagues to collaborate with.”
The highlight of Bruder’s experience included viewing a heart transplant via Skype and having an opportunity to question the surgeon in real time, as well as hearing from some of the greatest minds in medicine from international prizewinners to medical school academic leaders and young geniuses. Among those Bruder considered most
inspirational were Carmen Tarleton, a Vermont woman who received a face transplant; Jack Andraka, a 2012 Intel Science and Engineering Fair Grand Prize winner who developed a new diagnostic pancreatic cancer test; and Dr. Pardis Sabeti, an associate professor at the Harvard School of Public Health who has been recognized as both a TIME Magazine “Person of the Year” and one of the its 100 most influential people. Bruder also had the opportunity to congregate with peers from across the country and recommended the Congress to other teens if they showed interest. She said the event was right up her alley since she hopes to practice medicine one day.
“I initially wanted to be a vet, but when I was 11 I decided that I wanted to be a surgeon,” she noted, thanking her parents for allowing her the opportunity to go to Boston. “They made it happen, so I thank them for that.”
CONNORVILLE-Buckeye Local High School sophomore Julia Bruder got an experience she will never forget after joining thousands of teens at a national symposium.
Bruder, the daughter of Joe and Jodi Bruder of Dillonvale, took part in the Congress of Future Medical Leaders at the University of Massachusetts in Lowell, Mass., on June 25-27. The Congress, which is sponsored by the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Specialists, attracts about 2,000 youth to hear from renowned speakers and take part in a series of educational activities. Participants could stay alone on campus or with their family at a motel and Bruder took the opportunity to spend time with her parents. The fledgling surgeon was nominated by a teacher during the fall of her freshman year and said participants must have a 3.5 GPA or higher to be eligible. She holds a 3.9 GPA and been an active member of the high school band, jazz band, OVAC All-Star Band, student council, Foreign Language Club, Science Club and Art Club and plans to add the Fellowship of Christian Athletes to her list. Bruder also participates on a swim team at the Warren Township Pool in Tiltonsville during the summer.
She enjoyed her experience at the Congress and said she learned so much about her field of choice.
“It was amazing,” she said. “They said, ‘Don’t just go for a career. You want to try to be the best.’ They also talked about what colleges look for [in potential students. There are lots of scholarships you can get with a membership with $100,000 as the highest.”
BLHS officials recently received an Award of Excellence to present to Bruder for successfully completing the Congress from the National Leadership Academies, which oversees the program.
“Julia was surrounded by many fellow high school students who share her passion, ability and potential,” stated an accompanying letter from the program’s directors. “So many delegates found new friends to help them reach their dreams and future colleagues to collaborate with.”
The highlight of Bruder’s experience included viewing a heart transplant via Skype and having an opportunity to question the surgeon in real time, as well as hearing from some of the greatest minds in medicine from international prizewinners to medical school academic leaders and young geniuses. Among those Bruder considered most
inspirational were Carmen Tarleton, a Vermont woman who received a face transplant; Jack Andraka, a 2012 Intel Science and Engineering Fair Grand Prize winner who developed a new diagnostic pancreatic cancer test; and Dr. Pardis Sabeti, an associate professor at the Harvard School of Public Health who has been recognized as both a TIME Magazine “Person of the Year” and one of the its 100 most influential people. Bruder also had the opportunity to congregate with peers from across the country and recommended the Congress to other teens if they showed interest. She said the event was right up her alley since she hopes to practice medicine one day.
“I initially wanted to be a vet, but when I was 11 I decided that I wanted to be a surgeon,” she noted, thanking her parents for allowing her the opportunity to go to Boston. “They made it happen, so I thank them for that.”
Packer Named Principal at Buckeye South
TILTONSVILLE-Buckeye South Elementary has a new leader at the helm as Julie Packer assumes the role of principal.
Packer grew up on her family’s Adena farm, Packer’s Orchard, which recently celebrated its centennial. She still lives in her childhood home with her daughter, who joined her as a student at South. When not in school, she can be seen helping her parents, Bill and Marty, at the orchard from July through October. Packer graduated from Buckeye Local High School in 1996 and attended Muskingum University, formerly Muskingum College, where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education in December of 2000. She also earned a master’s degree in educational leadership from Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, Tenn., in 2004.
She spent a total of eight years teaching in the classroom at both the elementary and middle school level. Packer was employed by Cheatham County Schools in Ashland City, Tenn., for three years before returning to Buckeye Local for another five. She moved on to become principal at Barnesville Middle School for another eight years but is happy to be back in Panther Country.
“So far, I love my new position. It feels like I have come back home,” she said. “I am very excited for this school year and ready to face the new challenges this job will present. I am looking forward to getting to know all the staff, students and families.”
She oversees students in grades PreK-6 and hopes to provide a safe, conducive learning environment for students to receive the best education possible.
“They should enjoy coming to school and learning should be fun. I’m looking forward to having a great year,” Packer added. “I am looking forward to the challenge. No two days are alike and I love that about my job. I am thrilled to be back in Buckeye Local and am going to do my best to make South Elementary a school that is a leader in education.”
TILTONSVILLE-Buckeye South Elementary has a new leader at the helm as Julie Packer assumes the role of principal.
Packer grew up on her family’s Adena farm, Packer’s Orchard, which recently celebrated its centennial. She still lives in her childhood home with her daughter, who joined her as a student at South. When not in school, she can be seen helping her parents, Bill and Marty, at the orchard from July through October. Packer graduated from Buckeye Local High School in 1996 and attended Muskingum University, formerly Muskingum College, where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education in December of 2000. She also earned a master’s degree in educational leadership from Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, Tenn., in 2004.
She spent a total of eight years teaching in the classroom at both the elementary and middle school level. Packer was employed by Cheatham County Schools in Ashland City, Tenn., for three years before returning to Buckeye Local for another five. She moved on to become principal at Barnesville Middle School for another eight years but is happy to be back in Panther Country.
“So far, I love my new position. It feels like I have come back home,” she said. “I am very excited for this school year and ready to face the new challenges this job will present. I am looking forward to getting to know all the staff, students and families.”
She oversees students in grades PreK-6 and hopes to provide a safe, conducive learning environment for students to receive the best education possible.
“They should enjoy coming to school and learning should be fun. I’m looking forward to having a great year,” Packer added. “I am looking forward to the challenge. No two days are alike and I love that about my job. I am thrilled to be back in Buckeye Local and am going to do my best to make South Elementary a school that is a leader in education.”
Parsons Returns Home to Buckeye Local
ADENA-Lucas Parsons may be a fresh face as the new principal at Buckeye West Elementary in Adena, but he considers his new job in the Buckeye Local School District to be coming home.
The Tiltonsville native once walked the hallowed halls of district schools and graduated from Buckeye Local High School in 1999, but he hoped to one day return as an educator. His dream has been fulfilled as he steps into his new role at West.
“I’ve always told myself that if I happened to come back to Buckeye Local, I would,” he said. “There was an opportunity and I couldn’t pass it up.”
Parsons obtained a bachelor’s degree in English from Ohio University in 2005 and attended Wheeling Jesuit University before earning a master’s degree in education from Franciscan University in 2012. He went on to receive a master’s degree in administration this year from Franciscan. After graduating OU, he began teaching grades 5-8 at St. Paul School in Weirton and worked his way up the ranks over his nine-year tenure. He also served as disciplinarian, dean of students and assistant principal before being named principal in 2015. He spent those two years overseeing 210 students in preschool through eighth grades and sees his transition to leading more than 300 pupils at West both as a challenge and an exciting change.
“St. Paul was above 30 percent for free and reduced lunches, had a diverse student body and had state testing,” he said, noting that there were few differences between it and West Elementary. “What they are expecting of me here is the same thing they expected at St. Paul, and working with the Jefferson County Educational Service Center has been a huge help in this transition.”
St. Paul began collaborating with JCESC last year while Buckeye Local is also among the many local districts the center serves. Meanwhile, Parsons has remained in Tiltonsville with wife Kayla and said both of their families have been longtime residents. It was an added bonus to being in the community he loves.
“I love being back home. That was one of the main reasons I wanted to take the job,” Parsons commented. “I think the relationships we have in these communities are strong and can only get stronger.”
He has been learning the ropes with guidance from William Luther, who most recently served as principal at West but now holds an administrative position at the district’s central office. Parsons also looks forward to working with new superintendent Kimberly Leonard and the school staff, but more importantly, he is excited to work with his young charges.
“It’s going to be a challenge, but that’s what I’ve been looking for.”
ADENA-Lucas Parsons may be a fresh face as the new principal at Buckeye West Elementary in Adena, but he considers his new job in the Buckeye Local School District to be coming home.
The Tiltonsville native once walked the hallowed halls of district schools and graduated from Buckeye Local High School in 1999, but he hoped to one day return as an educator. His dream has been fulfilled as he steps into his new role at West.
“I’ve always told myself that if I happened to come back to Buckeye Local, I would,” he said. “There was an opportunity and I couldn’t pass it up.”
Parsons obtained a bachelor’s degree in English from Ohio University in 2005 and attended Wheeling Jesuit University before earning a master’s degree in education from Franciscan University in 2012. He went on to receive a master’s degree in administration this year from Franciscan. After graduating OU, he began teaching grades 5-8 at St. Paul School in Weirton and worked his way up the ranks over his nine-year tenure. He also served as disciplinarian, dean of students and assistant principal before being named principal in 2015. He spent those two years overseeing 210 students in preschool through eighth grades and sees his transition to leading more than 300 pupils at West both as a challenge and an exciting change.
“St. Paul was above 30 percent for free and reduced lunches, had a diverse student body and had state testing,” he said, noting that there were few differences between it and West Elementary. “What they are expecting of me here is the same thing they expected at St. Paul, and working with the Jefferson County Educational Service Center has been a huge help in this transition.”
St. Paul began collaborating with JCESC last year while Buckeye Local is also among the many local districts the center serves. Meanwhile, Parsons has remained in Tiltonsville with wife Kayla and said both of their families have been longtime residents. It was an added bonus to being in the community he loves.
“I love being back home. That was one of the main reasons I wanted to take the job,” Parsons commented. “I think the relationships we have in these communities are strong and can only get stronger.”
He has been learning the ropes with guidance from William Luther, who most recently served as principal at West but now holds an administrative position at the district’s central office. Parsons also looks forward to working with new superintendent Kimberly Leonard and the school staff, but more importantly, he is excited to work with his young charges.
“It’s going to be a challenge, but that’s what I’ve been looking for.”
South Elementary Holding Tech Fundraiser
TILTONSVILLE- Buckeye South Elementary is planning to upgrade its technology, but first it will raise money for the improvements through an upcoming benefit.
Principal Julie Packer said the school are selling insulated Buckeye Local tumblers and snacks such as popcorn and peanuts through the Great American Opportunities fundraising program until Nov. 2 and all of the proceeds will go towards the updates.
“We need additional devices for students such as iPads and Chromebooks,” she explained. “We will have a customized Buckeye Local tumbler along with lots of other teams.”
She was inspired to conduct the fundraiser because she had held similar moneymakers in the past and they were successful. Students will soon be selling items to family, friends and neighbors and can receive prizes based on the number of goods sold.
Meanwhile, Packer said the new devices should be on hand after winter break and she hopes to add even more technology in the future to ensure that the school’s 350 students have access to the most modern tools for learning. She said the upcoming moneymaker will focus on the upper grades, but she eventually plans to provide new technology in all grade levels.
Grant Adds Makerspace at BLHS
CONNORVILLE-A $25,000 grant has enabled Buckeye Local High School to make room for some new technology for more interactive student learning.
The high school added a makerspace near the second-floor media center after receiving a grant from the Charles M. and Thelma M. Pugliese Charitable Foundation this spring. The funding was used acquire mobile furniture, a green screen and new interactive technology to enhance science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education for grades 7-12. The room itself can hold up to 30 students and will be used primarily for STEM projects, but other teachers can schedule time to take advantage of the technology. The items are also portable and can be taken to classrooms when needed.
“It’s a creative room for technology,” said Principal Coy Sudvary, who applied for the grant and said it can be used for projects and other modernized learning.
Sudvary had learned about the makerspace concept during an event last fall in Columbus and said the school had previously incorporated some technology into its curriculum, but the upgraded equipment will take students’ education to an entirely new level. He spent the summer converting a former study hall classroom and equipping it with a variety of high-tech tools. Sudvary said the green screen will play a pivotal role in teacher Dan Davis’s interactive media class, which plans to conduct a weekly broadcast news program this fall. Other features include virtual reality headsets to view scenes around the world, under the sea and in outer space without ever leaving the classroom; 15 new Chromebooks; zSpace 3-D learning software with glasses to heighten studies from anatomy to history; and a larger MakerBot 3-D printer to accompany two smaller ones currently on site. The equipment was provided through Tierney Brothers Inc. of Powell, Ohio, and the zSpace program is expected to arrive in mid-September. Another new tool is a Double Robotics Telepresence robot, which features a screen mounted upon Segway-type wheels that is controlled remotely via laptop. Sudvary said it would benefit both homebound students and school officials.
“If a student has a major illness and is at home, he or she can connect to the Internet and still go to class but work from home,” Sudvary continued. “We can also use it for hallway supervision.”
Much of the technology uses Google apps and officials were working to include more of the Google Suite into the building. He noted that the makerspace would not be possible without the grant and he hopes to seek more funds to upgrade the room and technology.
“It’s greatly appreciated and very beneficial since school funding is limited. It will provide a lot of opportunities for our students.”
CONNORVILLE-A $25,000 grant has enabled Buckeye Local High School to make room for some new technology for more interactive student learning.
The high school added a makerspace near the second-floor media center after receiving a grant from the Charles M. and Thelma M. Pugliese Charitable Foundation this spring. The funding was used acquire mobile furniture, a green screen and new interactive technology to enhance science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education for grades 7-12. The room itself can hold up to 30 students and will be used primarily for STEM projects, but other teachers can schedule time to take advantage of the technology. The items are also portable and can be taken to classrooms when needed.
“It’s a creative room for technology,” said Principal Coy Sudvary, who applied for the grant and said it can be used for projects and other modernized learning.
Sudvary had learned about the makerspace concept during an event last fall in Columbus and said the school had previously incorporated some technology into its curriculum, but the upgraded equipment will take students’ education to an entirely new level. He spent the summer converting a former study hall classroom and equipping it with a variety of high-tech tools. Sudvary said the green screen will play a pivotal role in teacher Dan Davis’s interactive media class, which plans to conduct a weekly broadcast news program this fall. Other features include virtual reality headsets to view scenes around the world, under the sea and in outer space without ever leaving the classroom; 15 new Chromebooks; zSpace 3-D learning software with glasses to heighten studies from anatomy to history; and a larger MakerBot 3-D printer to accompany two smaller ones currently on site. The equipment was provided through Tierney Brothers Inc. of Powell, Ohio, and the zSpace program is expected to arrive in mid-September. Another new tool is a Double Robotics Telepresence robot, which features a screen mounted upon Segway-type wheels that is controlled remotely via laptop. Sudvary said it would benefit both homebound students and school officials.
“If a student has a major illness and is at home, he or she can connect to the Internet and still go to class but work from home,” Sudvary continued. “We can also use it for hallway supervision.”
Much of the technology uses Google apps and officials were working to include more of the Google Suite into the building. He noted that the makerspace would not be possible without the grant and he hopes to seek more funds to upgrade the room and technology.
“It’s greatly appreciated and very beneficial since school funding is limited. It will provide a lot of opportunities for our students.”
BLHS Teachers Receive Environmental Award
CONNORVILLE-The process of teaching students about the environment around them has garnered honors for two Buckeye Local High School educators.
Crystal Fluharty and Genevieve Varkony received special recognition for their environmental science program from the Jefferson County Soil and Water Conservation District during the organization’s annual meeting on Oct. 30. The teachers were recognized for promoting environmental awareness and education by monitoring nearby Short Creek for water pollution. They have collaborated with the JCSWCD for about six years and twice a year members of the high school Envirothon organization, which is led by Fluharty, assist Varkony’s seventh and eighth graders as they review the waterway and apply science and mathematics to determine water quality.
About 100-150 junior high students take part in the two-day study each fall and spring while about a dozen Envirothon members volunteer time to act as mentors. The waterway is reviewed in the fall and spring and students test everything from temperature to turbidity, or cloudiness of the water, and collect living organisms known as macroinvertebrates to study and help determine water quality.
“The fall study was done in September and we had to find the velocity of the current, turbidity and do kick net studies to catch the macroinvertebrates to identify and count,” said Fluharty. “We also measure the temperature and height of the water and pH levels, then we make a master copy of the recordings and compare it to the year before to see if there is any change.”
Varkony said the creek study began five years ago when a former teacher and current conservation district representative contacted her with information about environmental programs. Varkony then reached out to JCSWCD Director Irene Moore, who then visited the school and conducted the watershed program with the students.
“She comes every year and talks about pollution from manufacturing, farming and households and how the pollution gets into water systems and the river,” she continued. “The eighth graders do stream monitoring and measure width, velocity, pH level and temperature, so there is a lot of science and math.”
The older Envirothon members volunteer their time to assist with data collection and students stand in the stream to conduct measurements and collect organisms for study. Varkony said the program has been an asset when it comes to understanding the environment, plus students have gained a deeper appreciation and interest in the subject.
“The great thing is it starts in seventh grade and the program continues through eighth grade to high school,” she said. “The kids absolutely love it and I think they are surprised there is so much life in the creek that they didn’t know existed, so it’s an eye-opener.”
She was surprised to receive the award, but she is even more grateful that her students have such an avid interest in learning about the world around them.
Meanwhile, Fluharty was surprised and excited to gain the honor.
“I did not expect it at all. We have amazing students and they are who make the program,” she added. “The students want to learn and want to keep expanding the program.”
While JCSWCD representatives praised the high school for participating as mentors, Fluharty hopes that momentum continues to grow with more students getting involved in the program. About 15 members participate in the fall study and mentor junior high students in the spring.
She said the Envirothon team meets each week to study categories such as wildlife, forestry and aquatics and soils to prepare for competition. In addition, the students takes field trips to learn more about the vast subject.
“I try to do two field trips a year, with one at the beginning of the year to meet individuals in the environmental field to get a wide range of different professions,” she said. “This year, we are going to the Carnegie Museum of Natural Science and in the spring we will do the topic of the year. Last year, we did a forestry clinic that professional foresters use to get certified.”
(Photo Cutline: Buckeye Local High School teachers Genevieve Varkony and Crystal Fluharty received special recognition for their environmental science program during the Jefferson County Soil and Water Conservation District’s annual meeting on Oct. 30. The teachers have collaborated with JCSWCD for the past six years to work with students to review water quality along nearby Short Creek. Pictured are, from left, Varkony, JCSWCD representative Jody Verhovec and Fluharty.)
Calhoun Named Dean of Students at BLHS
CONNORVILLE-Janelle Calhoun once walked the hallowed halls of Buckeye Local High School as a pupil, but now she returns as the newly named dean of students.
Calhoun, who served as an intervention specialist at Buckeye North Elementary in Brilliant for seven years, was officially hired on Aug. 14 and will assist the principals with overseeing the estimated 714 students in grades 7-12. She has been active in district athletics and organizations, including coach of the junior varsity volleyball and softball teams for six years and she presently serves on Team B.L.U.E. (Buckeye Local Uniting Everyone). She is now eager to begin her new task.
“I’m excited and look forward to working with [junior high Principal Jason Kovalski and high school Principal Coy Sudvary],” she said.
The Maynard native graduated from BLHS in 2006 and earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education with a minor in special education from Bethany College. She subsequently received her master’s degrees in educational leadership from Wheeling Jesuit University and special education from Walden University. Following the resignation of Assistant Principal Gus Hanson after 22 years of service, the district opted to form the dean of student’s position to handle discipline, attendance and related matters. Calhoun said her previous work as a coach as well as with the district’s administrative mentoring program and Ohio Teacher Evaluation System made her a familiar face among students and teachers.
“It’s a big change,” she said of her transition from the elementary school. “It’s different to walk the halls and see the changes from when I attended as a student to becoming an administrator.”
Sudvary and Kovalski both welcomed to the building and said she would be an asset to the school community.
“We’re looking forward to a new year and thank Mr. Hanson for his 22 years of service,” Sudvary added. “We welcome Janelle to the building and look forward to working with her.”
“We’re glad to have her here,” Kovalski concluded. “She worked with me through the administrative mentoring program and I recommended her for this post. I’m glad to have her aboard.”
(Photo Cutline: Janelle Calhoun is a new face to some at Buckeye Local High School even though she was a junior varsity softball and volleyball coach for six years. These days she can be found behind a desk as the new dean of students and will assist with the estimated 714 students in grades 7-12.)
Watch D.O.G.S. Program Kicks off Second Year
BRILLIANT-Buckeye North Elementary School is welcoming dads back to school by kicking off its second year with the Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) program.
Principal Susan Nolan invited pupils and their papas to the school on Oct. 4 for free pizza, activities and an introduction to the national initiative. Dads, stepdads, grandfathers, uncles and adult brothers actively take part in schools across the country and spend time in classrooms, patrolling hallways and school grounds, interacting with kids at lunchtime and assisting with student dismissals. Nolan said the event yielded another successful turnout with more than 200 people taking part.
“It went very well,” she said. “We had some sign up and three of them will be on hand next week on Oct. 24 to 27.”
She said the purpose of the program is to provide positive role models for the students, demonstrating by their presence that education is important.
“It provides an extra set of eyes and ears to enhance school security and reduce bullying, and fathers get a glimpse of their students’ everyday world and learn about the increasingly complex challenges and decisions today’s youth are facing,” she added. “Fathers also gain a greater awareness of the positive impact they can have in their student’s life in three critical areas: academic performance, self-esteem and social behavior.”
Volunteers must undergo a BCI background check to participate, and while on school grounds they wear the special T-shirts and “dog tags” as identifiers. The dads also get a free lunch and may dine with their student and later have their picture taken with Nolan for a Wall of Fame at the school. She said the volunteers enjoyed taking part and often returned or recommended that other dads join, while the ultimate goal was to get more fathers involved. Meanwhile, Nolan expressed her appreciation to everyone who contributed funds for refreshments and to the area businesses that provided door prizes for the event.
The program, which began in Arkansas in 1998, is part of the National Center for Fathering and has been implemented in more than 5,300 schools across the country and the world. For more information, contact the school at (740) 598-4589 or visit the website at www.fathers.com/watchdogs.
Buckeye Local Teachers Gain Mini-Grants
DILLONVALE-Three teachers in the Buckeye Local School District are getting some financial help to educate students after receiving Best Practice Grants during the Oct. 30 school board meeting.
Suzanne Smarella of Buckeye Local High School and Lou O’Bradovich and Jamie Traczyk of Buckeye West Elementary each received a $600 mini-grant from the Jefferson County Educational Service Center for the 2017-18 school year. JCESC Treasurer Don Donahue presented the monetary awards and praised the teachers for their ingenuity.
“There were 49 applications from all our districts and 16 applications from Buckeye Local,” Donahue said. “All of the applications were excellent and innovative submissions. JCESC is pleased to provide funding to put these great ideas into practice.”
Smarella, who instructs career tech to grades 9-12 at BLHS, will use her grant for “zSpace-Physical Science.” The project, which will benefit about 200 IT, Physical Science and math students, utilizes zSpace technology to create mixed reality systems that combine elements of virtual and augmented reality in a computer. She said students will become active learners and be able to build and test a circuit board as well as perform other physical science activities.
“The funds will be used to purchase a license for the Physical Science Application Bundle for zSpace,” Smarella said. “BLHS will have a zSpace available for teachers and students to use. With augmented and virtual reality, students are able to become active participants in their learning experience. They can become excited by new ideas and think critically about the world around them.”
She said since today’s students are the digital generation, the programs will permit pupils to have an immediate engagement in today’s limited attention lifestyle. It is suited to all types of learning styles, including visual, kinesthetic and auditory, and teachers may also use a blended form of learning with virtual and augmented reality systems to insure that all students are involved. She added that the Physical Science Application Bundle includes programs for engineering and electricity to physics and applied math and students in PC Repair, Physical Science, physics and various math courses could benefit from the software programs.
Smarella noted that it was the first time she applied for the grant and she was grateful to become a recipient.
“I am excited about receiving the grant that will enable the purchase of the software bundle. My students in PC Repair are also very excited to use the technology,” she added. “I would like to thank the JCESC for the opportunity it has given me to help bring students into the various types of 21st Century learning environments.”
O’Bradovich, who instructs fifth-grade math and science at West Elementary, said his “STEM at Buckeye West” project will benefit approximately 90 fifth- and sixth-grade students by providing hands-on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) activities. Students will create working robots, hydraulic machines, rockets and weather machines in class.
“The grant will provide the teachers and students with hands-on activities that can be used over and over again,” he said. “The STEM project will be integrated into our normal curriculum in both fifth- and sixth-grade science and math classes. This grant project will benefit over 80 students this year, but because it is sustainable it will benefit countless students in the future.”
O’Bradovich said it was his first grant application and award and he was grateful to JCESC for being selected, adding that he was happy to bring some much-needed STEM activities to West Elementary.
Traczyk, who is a Title I teacher for grades K-5 at Buckeye West, plans to help about 80 students through her project, “Preparing Tomorrow’s Readers.” She said a questionnaire completed by parents indicated a need to preschool, kindergarten and Title I staff for a book exchange to encourage more reading at home for younger students.
“I requested this grant to fund a project to assist the kindergarten and preschool classes in my building,” she said. “I am purchasing books to have a book swap for the students and parents to exchange their used books with new ones. The kindergarten and preschool teachers discussed the idea of a book swap at a meeting in September. I was present at this meeting. When the Best Practice Grant was announced, I decided that I would apply for it so that I could assist in setting up the first one for them.”
Parents and students would swap gently used books they have read and receive new ones at the event. Traczyk said she has received the mini-grants in the past, including allocations for science lab kits which are still in use and supplies for the school’s garden club.
“Being awarded the grant a third time is truly an honor and a blessing. The students and staff at West Elementary are very supportive of me and I am so glad that I can give back to them with some new stuff in this way.
JCESC Superintendent Dr. Chuck Kokiko said the purpose of the grant program was to directly impact student learning.
“Each year the committee reviews dozens of applications for both innovation and potential impacts on student learning,” he said. “I am always enthusiastic for students and teachers to benefit from the JCESC grants. As a former science teacher, I am especially excited to see proposals funded in the area of science.”
The Buckeye Local School District has received 29 Best Practice Grants over the past decade and JCESC has approved a total of 165 grants during that time for the Buckeye Local, Edison Local, Indian Creek Local, Harrison Hills City, Southern Local, Steubenville City and Toronto City School Districts and the Utica Shale Academy.
(Photo Cutline: Don Donahue, treasurer for the Jefferson County Educational Service Center, presents Buckeye Local High School teacher Suzanne Smarella with a Best Practice Grant monetary award to help enhance learning in her classroom. Smarella was recognized along with Louis O’Bradovich and Jamie Traczyk of Buckeye West Elementary for each receiving $600 grants during the Buckeye Local school board meeting on Oct. 30 but O’Bradovich and Traczyk are not pictured.)