THS Knight Baseball Complex receives New Scoreboard
The Knight Baseball Complex has a new scoreboard thanks to the generosity of several local individuals and businesses. The old scoreboard was in need of repair but parts were no longer available to fix it. Coach Brian Perkins began a campaign to raise the funds needed to replace the board. The six major scoreboard sponsors included Valley Converting, Foster Funeral Homes, Judge Lisa Ferguson, John Ratti/State Farm, NC Sportz of Follansbee, and Trinity Express Care. The new scoreboard cost approximately $25,000 and features LED lighting and displays HOME and GUEST team scores for up to 10 innings, total RUNS and HITS to 99 and ERR (errors) to nine for each team, AT BAT to 99, BALL to three, STRIKE to two, OUT to two and H/E (hit or error) with field position number for the error. To acknowledge the support of our sponsors, their names are permanently displayed across the bottom of the scoreboard. The scoreboard was installed with assistance from Mayor John Parker and City of Toronto. Thank you to all who contributed.
Toronto City Spelling Bee
The winning word was salami.
Attached are photos we snapped of the winners. In the bottom row are the students who placed 1st - 5th to include: Brianna Burruss (6th) winner, Alexis West (7th) runner up, Liberty Kimball (6th) Third Place, Brody Beswick (7th) in 4th, and in 5th pace was Raven Holloway (6th).
In the back row for each photo is Ross Gallabrese-Herald-Star, Marlene Wolf-Spelling Bee Coordinator, in 6th place Madalynn Anderson (8th), in 7th place Evan Wolter (7th), in 8th place Josie Prayso (5th) winner of the Gary Wilson Award (Top 5th Grader in Toronto City Spelling Bee), in 9th place and 1st alternate Cory Montrey (7th) and in tenth place and 2nd alternate Marco Feist (8th) followed by Karen Walker the Toronto City School District Board President, and Fred Burns the Superintendent of Toronto City School District.
The winning word was salami.
Attached are photos we snapped of the winners. In the bottom row are the students who placed 1st - 5th to include: Brianna Burruss (6th) winner, Alexis West (7th) runner up, Liberty Kimball (6th) Third Place, Brody Beswick (7th) in 4th, and in 5th pace was Raven Holloway (6th).
In the back row for each photo is Ross Gallabrese-Herald-Star, Marlene Wolf-Spelling Bee Coordinator, in 6th place Madalynn Anderson (8th), in 7th place Evan Wolter (7th), in 8th place Josie Prayso (5th) winner of the Gary Wilson Award (Top 5th Grader in Toronto City Spelling Bee), in 9th place and 1st alternate Cory Montrey (7th) and in tenth place and 2nd alternate Marco Feist (8th) followed by Karen Walker the Toronto City School District Board President, and Fred Burns the Superintendent of Toronto City School District.
Farewell Mr. Burns
At the June 15, 2017 school board meeting, Mr. Burns submitted his letter of resignation for retirement purposes effective July 31, 2017. This marks the end of a career which has spanned over four decades. Before coming to Toronto, Mr. Burns spent the majority of his career in the Edison Local School District working as a teacher, elementary principal, and director of special programs. He also worked as superintendent of Southern Local School District and the Jefferson County Educational Service Center. Mr. Burns served the past nine years as superintendent of Toronto City Schools. His term as superintendent has been characterized as a time of growth and progress. Some of the most significant achievements were the passage of the bond issue, the renovation of the high school football stadium, the construction of Toronto Jr.-Sr. High School, and the resurfacing of the Toronto High School track. Of course, we will always remember Mr. Burns for his signature sweater vests, his all-call messages, directing traffic in the school parking lot, and greeting the students at Karaffa Elementary School each morning. Thank you Mr. Burns for your service to the Toronto City School District. We wish you a very long and happy retirement!
At the June 15, 2017 school board meeting, Mr. Burns submitted his letter of resignation for retirement purposes effective July 31, 2017. This marks the end of a career which has spanned over four decades. Before coming to Toronto, Mr. Burns spent the majority of his career in the Edison Local School District working as a teacher, elementary principal, and director of special programs. He also worked as superintendent of Southern Local School District and the Jefferson County Educational Service Center. Mr. Burns served the past nine years as superintendent of Toronto City Schools. His term as superintendent has been characterized as a time of growth and progress. Some of the most significant achievements were the passage of the bond issue, the renovation of the high school football stadium, the construction of Toronto Jr.-Sr. High School, and the resurfacing of the Toronto High School track. Of course, we will always remember Mr. Burns for his signature sweater vests, his all-call messages, directing traffic in the school parking lot, and greeting the students at Karaffa Elementary School each morning. Thank you Mr. Burns for your service to the Toronto City School District. We wish you a very long and happy retirement!
Rick Hlivko is the 2017 Joseph and Anna Marie Karaffa Award for Excellence in Education Recipient
Rick Hlivko was the 2017 recipient of the Joseph and Anna Marie Karaffa Award for Excellence in Education. Mr. Hlivko has been a teacher for thirteen years in the Toronto City School District and previously taught at East Liverpool High School for fourteen years. He is also an adjunct professor for Eastern Gateway Community College and teaches college level math classes at Toronto Jr.-Sr. High School. He graduated from West Liberty State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics.
Mr. Hlivko received numerous nominations for the award from current students and colleagues. Susan Karaffa Schnell, daughter of Joseph and Anna Marie Karaffa said, “Mr. Hlivko has been described as a “total teacher” because of his commitment inside and outside the classroom.” According to one nominator, ”Mr. Hlivko knows some students don’t like the subject matter being taught, yet he tries to make the topics relevant to everyday life, and does whatever can be done to engage students in various ways.” Other nominators noted Mr. Hlivko’s strong commitment to teaching students with disabilities. He frequently stays after school or uses his planning period to work with students who need extra time and attention. He has created an accepting classroom where all students are valued regardless of their intellectual abilities. Mr. Hlivko and his wife Lisa (Parker) Hlivko live in Steubenville with their two sons Ben and Joshua.
The Joseph and Anna Marie Karaffa Award for Excellence in Education is presented annually to a teacher or administrator active in Toronto City Schools. The award was established to recognize the efforts of an outstanding teacher or administrator for creating an environment where teaching and learning are valued. Past recipients include: Cindy Hinerman (2016), Kirk George (2015), Sally George (2015), Jane Brower (2013), Jennifer Dickinson (2012), Donna McCasland (2011), Ellen Hughes (2010), Mary Jo Kuhn (2009), Lynda Glenn (2008), Charlene Starr (2007), Linda Blair (2006), Linda Antonucci (2005), Gary Fisher (2004), Maureen Taggart (2003), James Ray (2002), Susan Buckham (2001), Barbara Carter (2000), Kirk George (1999), and Barbara Pritts (1998). Nominations for the award were accepted from students, teachers, administrators, parents, and alumni.
Rick Hlivko was the 2017 recipient of the Joseph and Anna Marie Karaffa Award for Excellence in Education. Mr. Hlivko has been a teacher for thirteen years in the Toronto City School District and previously taught at East Liverpool High School for fourteen years. He is also an adjunct professor for Eastern Gateway Community College and teaches college level math classes at Toronto Jr.-Sr. High School. He graduated from West Liberty State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics.
Mr. Hlivko received numerous nominations for the award from current students and colleagues. Susan Karaffa Schnell, daughter of Joseph and Anna Marie Karaffa said, “Mr. Hlivko has been described as a “total teacher” because of his commitment inside and outside the classroom.” According to one nominator, ”Mr. Hlivko knows some students don’t like the subject matter being taught, yet he tries to make the topics relevant to everyday life, and does whatever can be done to engage students in various ways.” Other nominators noted Mr. Hlivko’s strong commitment to teaching students with disabilities. He frequently stays after school or uses his planning period to work with students who need extra time and attention. He has created an accepting classroom where all students are valued regardless of their intellectual abilities. Mr. Hlivko and his wife Lisa (Parker) Hlivko live in Steubenville with their two sons Ben and Joshua.
The Joseph and Anna Marie Karaffa Award for Excellence in Education is presented annually to a teacher or administrator active in Toronto City Schools. The award was established to recognize the efforts of an outstanding teacher or administrator for creating an environment where teaching and learning are valued. Past recipients include: Cindy Hinerman (2016), Kirk George (2015), Sally George (2015), Jane Brower (2013), Jennifer Dickinson (2012), Donna McCasland (2011), Ellen Hughes (2010), Mary Jo Kuhn (2009), Lynda Glenn (2008), Charlene Starr (2007), Linda Blair (2006), Linda Antonucci (2005), Gary Fisher (2004), Maureen Taggart (2003), James Ray (2002), Susan Buckham (2001), Barbara Carter (2000), Kirk George (1999), and Barbara Pritts (1998). Nominations for the award were accepted from students, teachers, administrators, parents, and alumni.
NJHS Holds Induction Ceremony
The National Junior Honor Society held its annual induction ceremony on Wednesday, March 1. Proud parents, teachers, and classmates were in attendance, and the current 8th N.J.H.S. officers lead the prestigious ceremony. The students represented the very best that Toronto has to offer by maintaining high grade- point averages and displaying the five qualities that are required of the NJHS — scholarship, service, leadership, character and citizenship. NJHS helps children prepare for the National Honor Society in high school. While there is no guarantee that any of the NJHS members will be accepted at the high school level, the NJHS gives them a head start and helps them along the way. Certificates and pins were handed out to the inductees by current honor society President Kennedy Cottrell and Vice President Kendal Thomas. Inductees for the 2017 NJHS are a mix of seventh- and eighth-graders. The inductees included Madison Merideth, Abby Liddick, Cheyenne Riggs, Laney Porreca, Sarah Swearingen, Katie Nutter; Evan Wolter, Maddy Stewart, Leah Price, Taylie Thomas, Paige Daugherty, Sara Mason, Aiden Mick; Bobby Baxley, Xavier Espinoza, Blake Rebres, Kyle Leonard, and Nathan Chociej.
Honor Societies Induct New Members
At Toronto Jr.-Sr. High School a joint induction ceremony was held at the school on Wednesday, March 1 for the National Honor Society and the National Beta Club. Nineteen students were inducted as new members of the National Honor Society including Autumn Allison, Megan Anderson, Gillian Barach, Grace Barach, Emily Best, Nolan Clegg, Bailey Crain, Ben Davis, Gina Fogle, Jazalyn Glenn, Josh Hlivko, Demi Holloway, Ryan Ighnat, Nathan Keenan, Jenna Leasure, Allison McCoy, Delaney Merideth, Connor Suffoletta, and Sydney Taggart. Eighteen students were inducted as new members of the National Beta Club including Brooklyn Allison, Lily Allison, Jamie Anderson, Kaycen Burchfield, Sammi Calabrese, Hailey Connor, Jasmine Crisco, James Dunlope, Alexis Long, Jocelyn Merideth, Sarah Pinkerton, Anthony Porreca, Madisson Roach, Caleb Roberts, Ashlyn Suppa, Kiara Smith, Tristan Thomas, and Audrey Wagstaff. Members were selected by the faculty advisory committee for meeting high standards of scholarship, service, leadership, and character. The school was very proud to recognize these outstanding members of the student body. The National Honor Society and National Beta Club members are chosen for and then expected to continue their exemplary contributions to the school and community. Each year the Toronto Jr.-Sr. High School chapters of the National Honor Society and National Beta Club sponsor several service projects for the school and community which in the last few years have included Book Buddies, American Red Cross Blood Drives, and food drives. The National Honor Society ranks as one of the oldest and most prestigious national organizations for high school students. There are chapters in more than 16,000 high schools and, since 1921, millions of students have been selected for membership. Millions of dollars in scholarships have been awarded to senior members since 1945 by the sponsoring organization, the National Association of Secondary School Principals. The National Beta Club recognizes and promotes high academic achievement, rewards and nurtures worthy character, fosters leadership skills and encourages service to others. Beta is the second letter of the Greek alphabet. “B” represents “bios” (the Greek word for life). Dr. John W. Harris, the founder of the National Beta Club, wanted members to learn not just how to make a living, but how to actually make a life for themselves.
Lions Club G.O.O.D. Award Ceremony Held
The Lion's Club GOOD Awards were presented on Friday, May 5th at Karaffa Elementary School. The GOOD Award was created by Ron Derry. Mr. Derry developed this award with the belief that more emphasis should be placed on student behaviors within the school environment. He created a list of ten behaviors, which he thought would enable students to become GOOD citizens. The ten behaviors were: student attends school regularly; student completes homework assignments on time; student displays neatness and accuracy with all written work; student shows preparation for all announced tests; student shows interest in learning through means of appropriate questions; student is a good listener in class; student constantly shows respect for administrators, teachers, and all other school personnel; Student does his/her part to see the classroom is conducive to a good learning environment; student displays acts of good citizenship on a daily basis; and student has shown an act of caring towards another person in a difficult situation. These ten behaviors became the criteria for the GOOD award. Teachers at Karaffa Elementary School were asked to select one student in their third, fourth, or fifth grade class who best exemplified these behaviors. Students who had previously won the GOOD award were not eligible to receive it again. The 2017 G.O.O.D. Award recipient were third grader Gracee Rex, daughter of Dana and Jared Rex; third grader Kendra Board, daughter of Shelley and Thomas Board; third grader Lola Stewart, daughter of Amanda and Seth Stewart, fourth grader Ava Watkins, daughter of Nathan and Debbie Watkins; fourth grader Russ Dickinson, son of Jenny and G.R. Dickinson, fourth grader Lani Filby, daughter of Jennifer and Todd Filby; fifth grader Haley Rudder daughter of Susan Cronin; fifth grader Josey Prayso, daughter of Kelly Bickerstaff and Jake Prayso; fifth grader Gavin Blake, son of Ashley Waggoner. Toronto Lions Club members Ellsworth Graham, Bob Woodside, Jim Coffey, Dick Carter, Bill Rebres, Fred Burns, and Chris Dopp participated in the awards ceremony. Bob Woodside, Toronto Lion’s Club member, was the keynote speaker. Mr. Chris Dopp, principal of Karaffa Elementary School, congratulated each of the honored students and their parents and thanked the Lions Club for sponsoring the G.O.O.D. program at Karaffa Elementary School.
Pre-School Receives 5-Star Rating
The Ohio Department of Education conducted a Step Up To Quality onsite evaluation of the Karaffa Elementary School pre-school program on Monday, May 1, 2017. The program received a five-star quality rating, the highest rating possible. This rating means that our pre-school program has met quality program standards that exceed preschool licensing and school age child care licensing health and safety regulations. Step Up To Quality program standards are organized into four domains: learning and development; administrative and leadership practices; staff qualifications and professional development; and family and community partnerships.
This year has been particularly challenging for our pre-school staff with one teacher on maternity leave since October, one instructional aide student-teaching since January, and a complete change in the delivery of special education services. Our pre-school staff rose to the challenge and should be recognized for their dedication and commitment. Congratulations!
McTeacher Night at Local McDonald’s
Karaffa Elementary Teachers were welcomed by the local Toronto McDonald’s to participate in McTeacher’s night. Elementary teachers came into McDonald’s to work in various positions. This was a great opportunity for the school and the community to come together for a fun fundraiser that benefits the students at Karaffa Elementary School. Many parents, teachers and students had positive feedback from the experience. One parent said, “This was a big deal for her kids to come and see their teachers working at McDonald’s. It was so nice to see everyone in the community coming together for the kids”. McDonald’s offered 20% of the money raised during the two hours that the teachers were involved. The employees, teachers and community raised $456.00 for Karaffa Elementary. Since there was such an overwhelming response, the teachers and staff at Karaffa will be looking for more ways, such as this, to make positive connections within the community.