Educators Updated at Administrator’s Breakfast
WINTERSVILLE-More than 80 educators from Jefferson, Harrison, and Columbiana counties gathered to mark the start of the new school year and take a look back during the annual Administrator’s Breakfast on Aug. 13.
The event, which was hosted by the Jefferson County Educational Service Center Governing Board, was held at St. Florian Hall in Wintersville and drew representatives from the Buckeye Local, Edison Local, Harrison Hills City, Indian Creek Local, Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities, Jefferson County Joint Vocational School, Steubenville City, Southern Local and Toronto City school districts as well as the ESC, Jefferson County Juvenile Court, State Support Team, and Eastern Gateway Community College.
Board President Kenneth Simeral welcomed the crowd and wished them a successful school year, while Vice President Larry George led the invocation.
County Juvenile Court Judge Joseph Corabi then addressed attendants and introduced Shawn Tucker as the new school liaison in a collaborative effort between the court and school system. Tucker will be tasked with handling truancy issues that have become a growing problem.
“We’re going to perform mediation in schools this year,” the judge explained. “We’re here for you.”
He also asked administrators to provide lesson plans for students held at the juvenile detention center so they could keep up with their assignments and transition more easily back into their home schools.
JCESC Superintendent Dr. George Ash highlighted the ESC’s accomplishments over the past year, including renewed accreditation through AdvancED, an international accreditation program.
“This has been an exciting time for the ESC, as well as a time of continuous growth. As the staff strives to carry out a plethora of programs and projects, all of that dedication has enabled the ESC to attain accreditation. Our ESC is only one of eight in Ohio that is accredited. Such success results from teamwork and this could not have been done without the staff and the districts we serve, so thank you very much,” he said.
Dr. Ash also mentioned increased membership in the Jefferson Health Plan to 20,000 members, how districts saved more than $250,000 by using the Virtual Learning Academy and cyber programs, collaborating with Judge Corabi on the truancy liaison, and the addition of Southern Local to the consortium as of July 1. He further recognized ESC members and urged districts to take advantage of the many services the ESC provides.
School leaders summarized their respective successes and introduced district and school representatives. Buckeye Local Superintendent Dr. Mark Miller welcomed the new and familiar faces as well as his district staff members. Edison Local Superintendent Bill Beattie commented that his district and the area would benefit from having Tucker in the schools.
“I’m looking forward to a wonderful school year,” Beattie said. “I think there are a lot of good things happening.”
Superintendent Dana Snider spoke about plans to pass a measure on the ballot to construct a $50 million complex for grades K-12 in Harrison Hills and Superintendent Dr. T.C. Chappelear discussed projects at Indian Creek, such as a new roof and track at the high school and paving upgrades throughout his district.
“There’s a great vibe in the county,” Chappelear added. “It’s amazing how many organizations are in the county and their mission is to do what’s best for the kids. This is my second year as superintendent and I really feel that we’re hitting things on all cylinders.”
Mike Mehalik, superintendent of the JCBDD, said the School of Bright Promise was an extension of the districts and it was always a pleasure to work with them. Dr. Todd Phillipson of JCJVS echoed many of those sentiments, saying his school also worked with the ESC, school districts and principals to help students. He further recognized his staff and JVS board members Simeral and George, who have participated for roughly 30 years.
“We can all be proud of what we’ll be able to do for the kids,” Dr. Phillipson said.
Southern Local Superintendent John Wilson expressed his appreciation for being part of the ESC and the services and collaboration it provides. SCS Superintendent Melinda Young also thanked the ESC for its assistance and recognized her staff. Toronto City Schools Superintendent Fred Burns thanked the ESC while also introducing his staff. In conclusion, Buckeye North Elementary Principal Susan Nolan provided information about the Ohio Association of Elementary School Administrators (OAESA).
Dr. Jim Baber, vice president of academic and student affairs at EGCC, said college leaders were excited about beginning a new year under the leadership of new president Dr. Jimmie Bruce. He further noted that the College Credit Plus program, where high school students could gain college credit, was proving to be fruitful.
“We’re excited about College Credit Plus and have students who finish college before high school. It’s an excellent head start for them,” he said.
The keynote speakers for the day included Weirton native Stacy Galloway, a professional development associate with Eagle Rock School and Professional Development Center of Estes Park, Colo., and attorney Mark Jackson of Pepple and Waggoner Ltd. in Cleveland.
Galloway performed group exercises with the attendants designed to develop more trust and collaboration. She is currently working with ESC officials on programs for the area.
“Our external mission is to help students,” Galloway said. “We work with schools across the country and view ourselves as change agents, not content deliverers.”
Jackson’s discussion centered on student discipline and provided legal updates which may affect districts following recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings.
“My duties are to make sure you are familiar with the policies and understand how the process works,” he said.
Topics he touched upon included House Bill 64, the state’s biennial budget bill; supporting students with disabilities who are being bullied; the Family Medical Leave Act amendment allowing same-sex marriage partners to take an unpaid, job-protected leave of absence for up to 12 workweeks; and protocol when disciplining students, such as notification of suspension and expulsion hearings, investigations by the school and law enforcement, and search and seizure.
(Photo Cutline: Attorney Mark Jackson updates a crowd of 80 educators on policy changes and legal rulings handed down by the U.S. Supreme Court during the annual Administrator’s Breakfast on Aug. 13.)
Preschool Professional Development
The JCESC facilitated 40 hours of high quality professional development for preschool teachers and aides. Seven districts—Buckeye, Edison, Harrison Hills, Indian Creek, Jefferson Country Board of Developmental Disabilities, Steubenville, Toronto—participated in this collaborative venture. Program evaluations indicate preschool teachers and aides appreciate the opportunity to communicate and interact with their colleagues across Jefferson and Harrison Counties. In addition to meeting Ohio Department of Education licensure requirements for preschool classrooms, this professional development series provided preschool personnel instruction in developing age appropriate SLOs, and a working session regarding the new rating system for Step Up To Quality (SUTQ), as well as the completion of required forms. Over the years districts have valued the efficiency and cost effectiveness of this shared professional development model.
The JCESC facilitated 40 hours of high quality professional development for preschool teachers and aides. Seven districts—Buckeye, Edison, Harrison Hills, Indian Creek, Jefferson Country Board of Developmental Disabilities, Steubenville, Toronto—participated in this collaborative venture. Program evaluations indicate preschool teachers and aides appreciate the opportunity to communicate and interact with their colleagues across Jefferson and Harrison Counties. In addition to meeting Ohio Department of Education licensure requirements for preschool classrooms, this professional development series provided preschool personnel instruction in developing age appropriate SLOs, and a working session regarding the new rating system for Step Up To Quality (SUTQ), as well as the completion of required forms. Over the years districts have valued the efficiency and cost effectiveness of this shared professional development model.
STEUBENVILLE-Junior and senior high students can get ahead in college while still in high school during the second annual College Credit Plus Night at Eastern Gateway Community College.
Hosted by Jefferson County Educational Service Center and EGCC, the informational session gets underway on March 14 at 6 p.m. on the bottom floor of Founders’ Hall and refreshments will be provided. High schools being represented include Buckeye Local, Southern Local, and Toronto while Indian Creek, Edison, and Harrison Central are also involved with the program but held separate functions at their respective buildings. Officials from such local colleges and universities as EGCC, Kent State University-East Liverpool, Ohio University Eastern, and Belmont College will also be on hand to discuss program offerings and the event is completely voluntary.
“College Credit Plus allows students to earn high school and college credit during their high school years,” said Blair Closser, director of curriculum and professional development at JCESC . “Courses are offered at the high school, at the college, or via long-distance learning. College Credit Plus Night is for those students and parents who are interested in participating in the College Credit Plus program.”
Superintendent Dr. Chuck Kokiko said the audience members could speak with principals and guidance counselors from their respective schools and visit with college and university officials to learn more about College Credit Plus (CCP).
“The audience will get an overview of the program and its requirements and also learn how schools and institutions of higher learning are working together to provide a unique educational experience,” Dr. Kokiko added.
It was created by the State of Ohio to replace the Post-Secondary Education Option (PSEO) and Dual Enrollment. It is open to students in grades 7-12 and promotes rigorous academic pursuits beyond the classroom while providing a wide variety of options to college-ready students. Taking CCP courses from a public university or college means there is no cost for tuition, books, or fees. High schools may have an agreement with a local college for specific courses; however, students can choose to take CCP courses that would benefit their future from any college. Students can apply for CCP admission to a public or private participating college and will be admitted on college readiness in one or more subject areas. They can finish their high school degree and earn credit towards college at the same time.
Sarah Fletcher, admissions advisor and recruiter for EGCC, was delighted to see the state open the program to grades 7-12 and said the free cost to students gives even more people—including those from lower income households—a chance to further their studies. As of now, she said approximately 980 students were enrolled in more than 1,900 courses through the community college.
“A lot of students are taking their math, English, science, social sciences such as sociology and psychology, art, and history,” she noted. “They are taking a lot of their high school requirements and getting both high school and college credit. One semester of math and English with us equals one full year in high school.”
Some new offerings through EGCC include more online courses so students can still receive college credit while remaining in their high school classroom. Students can receive three or more credit hours for a college course or one Carnegie unit at the high school level if successfully completed, while a two credit hour college course will earn them two-thirds of a high school credit and a one credit-hour college course will covert to one-third of a college credit. In all, students could earn up to 30 credits per year if they are full-time. High school graduation requirements would not be waived as a result of participation in CCP and students will not receive a diploma until after the course is successfully completed and graduation requirements are met.
“If parents think their student is college-ready, they should definitely come and get information on it,” Fletcher said.
Meanwhile, parents of students planning to take courses during the 2016-17 school year should notify their school about participation by April 1. For more information, contact Fletcher at (740) 266-9735, or Closser or Linda Lenzi, coordinator of gifted services at JCESC, at (740) 283-3347.
WINTERSVILLE- Juniors and seniors who achieved high scores on their ACT tests were honored on Wednesday during a recognition breakfast.
Sponsored by the Jefferson County Educational Service Center, the inaugural event was held at Zalenski’s Family Eatery and Pub in Wintersville and honored a dozen students from Jefferson, Harrison and Columbiana counties. JCESC Superintendent Dr. Chuck Kokiko congratulated the eight students on hand representing Buckeye Local, Edison, Harrison Central, Indian Creek, Steubenville, and Southern Local high schools.
“This is to let you know that you are in an elite group of students,” Dr. Kokiko said. “Our qualifier [for recognition] was to have a 30 or higher on the ACT. Nationally, that puts you in the top 5 percent of students who take the ACT. When talking locally, it puts you in the top 1.33 percent of graduates in all eight high schools.”
He thanked the students’ parents for supporting them in their success. Dr. Kokiko also lauded Southern Local Superintendent John Wilson, who inspired the event, and thanked the JCESC board for sponsoring it. He hoped it became a local tradition.
Larry George, president of the JCESC Governing Board, recognized parents for helping the students become high achievers and added that two of the honorees were juniors.
“It’s quite amazing to see [that] we’ve got education’s finest in this room,” George added. “You are going to go places, but don’t forget your past. Go off to college but come back and help your community. Shoot for the moon but keep your feet on the ground.”
Keynote speaker was Dr. Charles Joyce, former superintendent of Steubenville City Schools and past director and professor of graduate education at Franciscan University of Steubenville. Dr. Joyce discussed the value of an education and said he saw plenty of promise among the group.
“I have a great sense of your success and I congratulate you on your accomplishment,” he said. “It gives me a glimpse into the future. Unlike other professions, we in education don’t always get to see the fruits of our labor. After talking to you students, I know our future here is very bright.”
He said education not only led to opportunities for good, high-paying jobs but also made people more likely to contribute to society by volunteering in their community to voting.
“The capacity of education is an equalizer,” he added. “Education has the power to level the playing field. We can even say education is a universal currency that is respected around the world.”
He spoke about how his parents encouraged him and his five siblings to gain an education and go to college, and although he initially obtained a degree in advertising and marketing, he found his true calling as an educator. Dr. Joyce said the honorees’ parents have great expectations of them and no one achieves success without support.
“Education is not about filling a pail; it’s about lighting a fire. The purpose of education, despite getting good grades and having a better job, is about making you a well-rounded person. Only you understand and will know what lights your fire. Your education will identify and confirm what lights your fire. I congratulate all of you students and parents for all of your success on the ACT and wish the best in all your endeavors.”
Among the students recognized were Jayllex Mills, Ryan Moffo, and Rachel Romestan of Buckeye Local; Kayleigh Westbrook of Edison; Drew Mizer of Harrison; Kelly Kovach, Andrew Markja, and Harrison Trikones of Indian Creek; Reno Tarquinio and Maurkesha Young of Steubenville; and Haley Crews and Troy Holden of Southern Local.
Buckeye Local Superintendent Dr. Mark Miller closed the event with words of encouragement, telling the students they deserved to celebrate their accomplishment.
“It’s a great opportunity and I’m somewhat intimidated by the high level of IQ’s in the room. You students are in the top 1 percent of the [local] high schools,” Dr. Miller continued. “It is outstanding to see what you’ve done.”
He encouraged them to keep rising to the challenge and work hard to become successful in the future.
The Jefferson County Educational Service Center Governing Board honored juniors and seniors in high schools from Jefferson, Harrison, and Columbiana counties for scoring a 30 or higher on their ACT tests during a recognition breakfast on Wednesday. Pictured, front from left, are Larry George, president of the JCESC Governing Board; Andrew Markja, Indian Creek High School; Kayleigh Westbrook, Edison; Jayllex Mills, Buckeye Local; and Maurkesha Young, Steubenville. Back: Kelly Kovach, Indian Creek; Ryan Moffo, Buckeye Local; Reno Tarquinio, Steubenville; and Drew Mizer, Harrison Central. Not pictured are Rachel Romestan of Buckeye Local, Harrison Trikones of Indian Creek, and Haley Crews and Troy Holden of Southern Local.)
New VLA Courses Now Being Offered
STEUBENVILLE-Students enrolling in the Virtual Learning Academy through Jefferson County Educational Service Center will notice even more offerings in the curriculum.
Teresa Silvestri, director of education and outreach at JCESC, said 10 new courses have been added to the program with another 13 being updated to better meet students’ needs. The enhancements are part of the VLA’s efforts to meet requirements through the Ohio Department of Education.
Among the new crop of courses are Advanced Biology, Career Planning, Career-Agriculture, Career-Public Safety, Career-Ohio Means Jobs, Career-Business Administration, Digital Citizenship for grades 3-5, GameMaker Programming I, Marketing Basics, and Mobile Game Design.
“We’ve expanded our Entertainment Technology curriculum so we have more classes on gaming,” Silvestri said. “We’ve also added courses and mini-courses in career training so students can learn about different career paths and the education they need to get there.”
She noted that Digital Citizenship provides elementary school-aged students a chance to learn about using computers, cyberbullying, and being better citizens.
Updates also have been made to 13 core courses, including College Prep Algebra II, U.S. History, Biology, and a range of Integrated English/Language Arts, math, and social studies subjects. In addition to the curriculum, Silvestri said new features have been added to the system to make it even better for students.
“Because of the increase in the use of tablets and mobile devices, we’ve updated the system to be more user-friendly.”
The online curriculum is up and running, and any school or district interested in collaborating with JCESC VLA can visit the website at [email protected] or call (740) 283-3347.
Community Connectors Grant Expands TEST Program
-One local program aimed at helping teens has gotten a financial boost through the state, and the windfall will enable five school districts better meet students’ needs.
The Ohio Department of Education awarded a one-year Community Connectors grant totaling $126,588 to the Brightway Center in Smithfield to expand its Teen Ethical Standards Training (TEST) Program. The program will be implemented this year for grades 7-12 in five participating districts, including Buckeye Local, Edison Local, Jefferson County Joint Vocational School, Steubenville City, and Toronto City Schools.
TEST’s expansion includes Bright STAR (Students Taking Action Responsibly) workshops, teacher and parent webinars, and the mentoring program. The TEST program is comprised of three 50-minute modules designed to bring awareness to a topic, and they will either be presented to the entire student body one module at a time or in three separate groups simultaneously. Modules will be presented twice during the 2015-16 school year. Topics eyed during the first semester will target goalsetting and planning for success, effective communication, and dealing with adversity, while subjects for the second semester include how to lead, conflict management, and respect for others. Once the TEST Program is completed, the Brightway Center will host six four-hour interactive workshops to build on the training modules and bring a deeper understanding of the topic.
Brightway Center partnered with the Jefferson County Educational Service Center for the grant but is taking the lead on actual implementation. Daryle Griffin, president and CEO of Brightway Center, said he was thrilled to collaborate and help area youth.
“Our focus has always been on youth. This program allows us to partner with the districts here and develop leaders who will impact people in a positive way,” Griffin added. “We’re excited about working with the ESC because we now have a program that takes it a step further.”
“This is the first round of the Community Connectors grants awarded through the governor,” said JCESC Superintendent Dr. Chuck Kokiko. “Brightway Center, the ESC, and district staff worked together on a joint application. We’re pleased to help facilitate a partnership between the ESC, Brightway Center, and our local school districts and the opportunity this is going to present for area youth to be mentored and have positive role models.”
Dr. Kokiko said Lee Gillison will serve as lead mentor through the ESC and will coordinate the modules and each district will select its own mentor, such as a school administrator or guidance counselor, to oversee programs there.
“School personnel will be trained in these topics and the guidance counselors will know what resources are available to help students,” he added. “The purpose of this is to create awareness, provide a support structure, and embed this in the school system so people working with students have the knowledge and the resources to meet students’ needs.”
Dr. George Ash, CEO of JCESC, said the collaboration with Brightway was just the beginning.
“Daryle and the Brightway Center have been excellent partners with the local schools and ESC,” said Dr. Ash. “We look forward to continuing our work with them on many other projects.”
A total of 256 students from the five districts are expected to participate in separate workshops and will be bused to Brightway for the sessions. Officials said the number of participants is based on a percentage of the amount of students from each grade and school. School administrators will refer or nominate students based on criteria provided for consistency and the same students will participate in all six workshops. The TEST Program is set to begin once the funding is received, and leaders tentatively project the first semester’s training to start this fall.
TEST is an awareness/prevention program designed to strengthen our youth’s understanding of the harmful effects of abusive situations and relationships, while at the same time helping them to identify what is appropriate social behavior. The learning objectives are to equip youth with the proper tools and resources so they can make informed choices and good decisions. Topics range from alcohol and drug abuse prevention to social media responsibility and
human trafficking. Additional modules are developed as needed. It is designed to help teens with the challenges they face today, whether it is peer pressure, unhealthy relationships, or something else. In 2014, the TEST Program was presented to six schools and reached over 3,000 students in the Jefferson County area.
Meanwhile, the Brightway Center was incorporated in 1997 and brought life to a dream by its founder, former teacher Kara Bright. The center was started on Bright’s property in Smithfield and currently yields a series of youth-based programs and activities to teach character and leadership development.
More than 80 of the estimated 192 grant applications submitted were approved by the ODE and about $6.8 million is being distributed to nonprofit and community-based agencies that work with schools across Ohio. The state initiative, which was proposed by Ohio Gov. John Kasich and passed by legislators last year, sets aside $10 million to match each $1 raised locally with $3 from the state. With much more interest than money, lawmakers have set aside another $20 million for the next two years. State Superintendent Richard Ross announced the remaining $3.2 million could be awarded within a month
The Jefferson County Educational Service Center and Brightway Center received an estimated $126,500 Community Connectors Grant to expound upon the Smithfield-based youth organization’s Teen Ethical Standards Training (TEST) Program, which will benefit junior and senior high students in five local school districts. The goal is to provide mentors and workshops to build youth into leaders of tomorrow. Pictured are, from left, Dr. George Ash, CEO of JCESC; Daryle Griffin, president and CEO of Brightway Center; and Dr. Chuck Kokiko, superintendent of JCESC.)
Help Me Grow Sponsors Winter Programs
STEUBENVILLE-As the seasons change and holidays approaches, Help Me Grow is ensuring that local families keep cozy and have a bright Christmas.
The ninth-annual program wound down its Operation Warm coat giveaway at churches in Harrison County last month, but items are still available at the Cadiz office throughout the winter. Program Coordinator Linda Trushel said more than 200 were distributed at the Scio and Piedmont United Methodist Churches and the office along 115 W. Warren St., but county residents may still visit the latter site for assistance.
“We ordered so many with the Cadiz Presbyterian Church,” she said. “We help children from birth through high school and we also have adult coats. We’ve gotten a lot of coats donated and $2,000 in cash donations.”
Trushel said the program gained funding through the Coats for Kids campaign, which divides contributions from the public and companies such as MarkWest Energy between Harrison and 15 other counties. In addition, she said there was a need for warm hats, mittens, snow gloves, and scarves. While Harrison residents had churches and the program office for aid, families in Jefferson County purchased coats at Macy’s Department Store.
Meanwhile, the Share-A-Christmas Program is under way in Harrison County to help families in need this holiday season. Trushel has been seeking donations and said referrals were coming in until Christmas.
“Families can be sponsored or people can donate money,” she explained. “The families will get vouchers to the local dollar store.”
That program has been held for more than a decade and assists children from birth to age 16. Also involved with the program are Pam Parrish of Harrison Community Hospital, Ed Long of Cadiz American Legion Post 34, and local churches.
For more information about either program, contact Harrison County Help Me Grow at (740) 942-2622.
Safety Grants Awarded to School Districts
STEUBENVILLE- An estimated $50,000 in safety grants have been awarded to area school districts in a bid to make their learning environment more secure.
During the monthly superintendent’s meeting on Feb. 5, Larry George, president of the Jefferson County Educational Service Center Governing Board, presented 10 grants worth $5,000 each to Buckeye Local, Edison Local, Harrison Hills City, Indian Creek Local, Jefferson County Joint Vocational School, Steubenville City, Southern Local, Toronto City Schools, the Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities, and the Utica Shale Academy.
George said JCESC invested in school safety long before the tragedies of Columbine and Sandy Hook, and it has been and always will be a priority.
“It’s another thing the ESC is proud to be part of. We wish we could give so much more,” he said. “We distribute funds to over 10 different entities and hope it helps to the point where we see a difference in safety and attendance.”
Superintendent Dr. Chuck Kokiko said the funds have been awarded for more than a decade and the intent is to help meet one of the most fundamental needs for children: a safe place to earn an education.
“If kids feel safe when they come to school, then we can focus on the things they need to be doing such as learning,” he commented. “We value our children because they are our most precious resource. The Jefferson County ESC wants to make sure they have a safe learning environment.”
He estimated that more than $590,000 has been given in grants through the years to help fund school resource officers and upgrade security cameras and other equipment. Districts such as Buckeye Local, Harrison Hills and Southern Local contract with sheriff’s offices in Jefferson, Harrison, and Columbiana counties to place a deputy within their school systems as school resource officers (SRO’s), while others such as JCJVS and JCBDD have also utilized allocations for equipment updates in recent years.
Edison Local Superintendent Bill Beattie said his district will use its portion to defray costs for its resource officer.
“We appreciate the ESC for the funding, and it’s important to have [the SRO] with us because we utilize him in many capacities,” Beattie added.
Toronto City Schools Superintendent Fred Burns noted that the board will officially accept the grant at its Feb. 18 meeting and the plan is to cover expenses for school liaison Sean Tucker, who works to increase school attendance.
JCBDD Superintendent Michael Mehalik said further upgrades are in store for the school.
“Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities is looking to upgrade our internal communication system by adding phones in each classroom for use in emergency situations,” he said. “The phones will be for internal use
only and will give immediate access to other rooms and the front office. Emergency alarm systems will also be updated as necessary as part of the project.”
“The JVS is very appreciative of the grant money,” added Superintendent Dr. Todd Phillipson. “It will be used effectively to make sure we provide a safe environment and the funding will be beneficial to the students, staff and whole district.”
Meanwhile, Dr. Kokiko thanked the JCESC Governing Board and staff for allowing the grant program to continue.
“I thank the board for its leadership and the ESC staff for their hard work to put us in a position to be able to give back to the local schools we serve,” he concluded.
Summer Manufacturing Camp Shows “How It’s Made”
STEUBENVILLE-Ten students got a close look at inner workings of local businesses during the inaugural “How It’s Made” Summer Manufacturing Camp on July 18-22.
Sponsored by U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (R-Ohio), Jefferson County Educational Service Center and Eastern Gateway Community College, the event included middle school students from Jefferson and Columbiana counties and tours of area companies with related projects conducted at EGCC. Ryan Pasco, director of energy and engineering initiatives at EGCC, said the group toured facilities such as Nelson’s Fine Art and Gifts in Steubenville, Ohio Coatings in Yorkville, Cardinal Power Plant in Brilliant, Barium & Chemicals Inc. in Steubenville and ARM US Inc. near the Jefferson County Airpark in Wintersville. Following each trip, the students returned to the community college and worked with EGCC professors and instructors on projects centered on what they learned each day. Pasco said the small group number made starting the program easier and hopes are to build up participation in the future.
“They had a really good time. When they were done taking tours, they came back to the college and would do hands-on experiments and projects related to what they’d seen that day,” he added, saying officials hoped to continue the camp on an annual basis. “Sen. Sherrod Brown has already done this camp with other districts. We wanted to instill the idea that there is a career in manufacturing and may not require a four-year degree. We got together with the Jefferson County Community Action Council, Jefferson County ESC, Mayor Domenick Mucci and city council.”
Officials met since February and collaborated with the Jefferson County Port Authority to contact local businesses for their participation. The five sites readily opened their doors and Pasco, along with EGCC administrative assistant April Poynter, conducted pre-tours to gather ideas for each curriculum. Students spent Monday learning about computer-aided design and Photoshop-based production at Nelson’s Fine Arts, which creates everything from Catholic crosses to T-shirts; went to Ohio Coatings and enjoyed a full day of instruction in the company’s lab; toured Cardinal Power Wednesday, followed by further activities at EGCC; went to Barium & Chemicals on Thursday and studied crystallization and water filtering; and wound down with a trip to ARM, concluding with a virtual welding activity in EGCC’s lab. EGCC and JCCAC representatives chaperoned during the program while such eateries as Subway, Domino’s Pizza, Arby’s and Convenient Food Store donated food for the students’ lunches. Pasco further cited work by EGCC professors Dave Moffat and Ben Alexander, plus welding instructor Gary Coulter in the school labs. He also recognized Mark Nelson of Nelson’s Fine Arts, Rachel Blankenship of Barium & Chemicals for closing down its lab for the program, Ross Ivkovich of Steubenville City Schools for volunteerism, and Toronto City Schools for providing bus transportation.
Students on hand represented the Indian Creek Local, Southern Local, Steubenville City and Toronto City school districts and said they enjoyed the unique learning experience.
“It’s been lots of fun,” said Southern Local Junior High student Emily Walker. “It’s been really educational.”
“I mostly liked visiting the Cardinal Plant saw how it worked,” added Alfred Carducci, a student at Harding Middle School.
Caden Mason, Carducci’s schoolmate, echoed those comments.
“I also liked the Cardinal Plant because they took us up [14 stories],” Mason added, saying he has an interest in structural engineering but believes the camp helped show something people don’t always get to see. “If I [planned] to be an electrical engineer, I think it could help gain some experience.”
Southern Local Junior High student Eric Colussy works on a water filtering system in a lab at Eastern Gateway Community College during the “How It’s Made” Summer Manufacturing Camp sponsored through U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown’s office, Jefferson County Educational Service Center, and EGCC on July 18-22. Students toured local companies and completed activities at the college’s labs that were based on what they learned at the businesses.)
STEUBENVILLE-Ten students got a close look at inner workings of local businesses during the inaugural “How It’s Made” Summer Manufacturing Camp on July 18-22.
Sponsored by U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (R-Ohio), Jefferson County Educational Service Center and Eastern Gateway Community College, the event included middle school students from Jefferson and Columbiana counties and tours of area companies with related projects conducted at EGCC. Ryan Pasco, director of energy and engineering initiatives at EGCC, said the group toured facilities such as Nelson’s Fine Art and Gifts in Steubenville, Ohio Coatings in Yorkville, Cardinal Power Plant in Brilliant, Barium & Chemicals Inc. in Steubenville and ARM US Inc. near the Jefferson County Airpark in Wintersville. Following each trip, the students returned to the community college and worked with EGCC professors and instructors on projects centered on what they learned each day. Pasco said the small group number made starting the program easier and hopes are to build up participation in the future.
“They had a really good time. When they were done taking tours, they came back to the college and would do hands-on experiments and projects related to what they’d seen that day,” he added, saying officials hoped to continue the camp on an annual basis. “Sen. Sherrod Brown has already done this camp with other districts. We wanted to instill the idea that there is a career in manufacturing and may not require a four-year degree. We got together with the Jefferson County Community Action Council, Jefferson County ESC, Mayor Domenick Mucci and city council.”
Officials met since February and collaborated with the Jefferson County Port Authority to contact local businesses for their participation. The five sites readily opened their doors and Pasco, along with EGCC administrative assistant April Poynter, conducted pre-tours to gather ideas for each curriculum. Students spent Monday learning about computer-aided design and Photoshop-based production at Nelson’s Fine Arts, which creates everything from Catholic crosses to T-shirts; went to Ohio Coatings and enjoyed a full day of instruction in the company’s lab; toured Cardinal Power Wednesday, followed by further activities at EGCC; went to Barium & Chemicals on Thursday and studied crystallization and water filtering; and wound down with a trip to ARM, concluding with a virtual welding activity in EGCC’s lab. EGCC and JCCAC representatives chaperoned during the program while such eateries as Subway, Domino’s Pizza, Arby’s and Convenient Food Store donated food for the students’ lunches. Pasco further cited work by EGCC professors Dave Moffat and Ben Alexander, plus welding instructor Gary Coulter in the school labs. He also recognized Mark Nelson of Nelson’s Fine Arts, Rachel Blankenship of Barium & Chemicals for closing down its lab for the program, Ross Ivkovich of Steubenville City Schools for volunteerism, and Toronto City Schools for providing bus transportation.
Students on hand represented the Indian Creek Local, Southern Local, Steubenville City and Toronto City school districts and said they enjoyed the unique learning experience.
“It’s been lots of fun,” said Southern Local Junior High student Emily Walker. “It’s been really educational.”
“I mostly liked visiting the Cardinal Plant saw how it worked,” added Alfred Carducci, a student at Harding Middle School.
Caden Mason, Carducci’s schoolmate, echoed those comments.
“I also liked the Cardinal Plant because they took us up [14 stories],” Mason added, saying he has an interest in structural engineering but believes the camp helped show something people don’t always get to see. “If I [planned] to be an electrical engineer, I think it could help gain some experience.”
Southern Local Junior High student Eric Colussy works on a water filtering system in a lab at Eastern Gateway Community College during the “How It’s Made” Summer Manufacturing Camp sponsored through U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown’s office, Jefferson County Educational Service Center, and EGCC on July 18-22. Students toured local companies and completed activities at the college’s labs that were based on what they learned at the businesses.)
2016 Summer Manufacturer's Camp
We had a great group of students this year. Even though we didn’t reach the total number of desired students, I believe this first group will help to make those numbers grow in the future as they tell their friends and family about the camp. The students got to witness and explore several different kinds of manufacturing facilities as well as learn about the corresponding jobs associated with the various functions each location had to offer.
The experiments the students completed we not only fun, but educational. The students were able to participate in experiments/manufacturing simulations including chemical reactions relating to the coatings of metals, C.A.D. drawing and photo shop, virtual welding, water purification processes related to manufacturing, and energy creation and modeling.
The companies that were involved played a huge roll in making this camp a success. The students were greeted and treated like honored guests at each facility. The Tour Guides that the companies provided were both informative and entertaining. Each location seemed to provide the right person that had an aptitude for working with children, making the learning process much easier.
The various groups that helped to pull this together were great as well. The many volunteers from the organizations all played a role in making the camp successful. There were many volunteers from the organizations that went above and beyond what was expected. The support received from these groups was overwhelming in many ways, including the many volunteers that showed up to help chaperone tours, drive the busses, receive the students in the morning, load students off and on the busses, and assist in food service, as well as the college instructors who took time out of their schedules to assist by teaching the classes.
I believe that next year, the camp will not only meet these same levels of excellence, but far exceed them. The core of volunteers now knows what to expect and have come up with additional ideas that were generated after the camp started and we saw firsthand how things were working.
I’d personally like to thank all of you for your hard work and for making the sacrifices needed to pull off a successful, enriching experience for the kids. If anyone has any questions or would like any additional info, please let me know and I’ll be glad to share/help however possible. Hopefully we all have a reason/excuse to get together again before next summer’s camp. I think the mayor may have mentioned taking us all out to lunch or something. J
Ryan Pasco
Director of Energy and Engineering Initiatives
Open the link below for a PowerPoint presentation of the hilights of the camp. Excellent camp!
summer_manufacturing_camp_2016.pdf | |
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