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| Issue 43 Volume 4 |
November 2009 | |
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Superintendent's Message
As the holiday season approaches, most communities' shift their focus  to those less fortunate. Clothing, toy, and canned food drives are around every corner. And although this month we are highlighting the value of giving back, this value runs deep in the culture of our school district all year long. This month all of our schools will be conducting special Veteran's Day programs and events to honor the ultimate sacrifice of giving back to our country.
Giving back is demonstrated through our district's unprecedented service learning efforts. Service Learning is a teaching and learning method that connects meaningful community service experiences with academic learning, personal growth, and civic responsibility. This powerful teaching methodology successfully unites classroom curriculum with identified community issues and needs. Last month at the 2009 Northern Kentucky Celebration of Philanthropy, eight of our schools were recognized as Schools of Contribution, an honor received if at least 70% of the school's student body actively designed and participated in a least one service learning project. Read more about this distinction in the Beyond the Classroom section of this month's report. Beyond the Classroom also showcases the tremendous learning and growth opportunities for students who give back through canned food drives and other community initiatives.
Additionally, our school district was one of few organizations that surpassed our United Way goal by over $2,000, a true achievement in today's economy. In this month's Excellence Report you will read about countless examples of our staff and students taking responsibility to give back. The Quality Instruction and Mileage Report highlight the considerable time invested by teachers, students, site base council members, and board members to analyze student assessment data to improve instruction in the classroom. Our Business Partner Feature showcases one of the district's top business partners, Coldwell Baker West Shell and their efforts to integrate learning opportunities with giving back to the community through the Toys for Tots program.
The Innovation Update highlights the intangible benefits of giving back to our environment. Please refer to our Events section for upcoming meetings and activities. Don't forget to refer to our Scholarships link for the latest opportunities.
We are pleased to bring you this month's Excellence Report as it demonstrates the power of giving back and the feeling of connectedness, learning, and growth that occur when students try to make our community a better place.
I also want to bring your attention to the district's new web page, www.kenton.kyschools.us. The page has been over a year in the making. It has been designed to be more user friendly with pertinent information just a click away.
As always, if you have any questions or would like to share suggestions about The Excellence Report, please email Dr. Terri Cox-Cruey at terricox.cruey@kenton.kyschools.us.
Tim Hanner
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No Child Left Behind
The district's #1 goal, "All students will perform at or above grade level in numeracy and literacy at each transition point" remains our top focus. The data we recently received from No Child Left Behind (NCLB) testing is now being analyzed at each school by School Based Decision Making councils. No Child Left Behind Federal legislation requires annual review of school progress to close the achievement gap between subgroups of children and their peers. Schools will be reviewing their School Improvement Plans and ensuring that supports are in place to continue to close any remaining achievement gaps.
At the Kenton County Board meeting held on October 19th, district assessment results were presented by Dr. Teri Brown, District Assessment Coordinator and Ms. Barbara Martin, Assistant Superintendent for Academic Support. During the meeting, Dr. Brown and Ms. Martin presented School Board data of progress that must be measured according to state and federal requirements. Below are highlights by each grade level.
ELEMENTARY
- This year in Kenton County eight elementary schools met 100% of their Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) goals as related to the federal No Child Left Behind legislation including Fort Wright, Caywood, Piner, R. C. Hinsdale, River Ridge, Summit View Elementary, Taylor Mill, and White's Tower.
- The most substantial statistic from NCLB results was the increase (26.65%) at River Ridge in students reaching proficiency in reading within the subpopulation of students with a disability; within that same subpopulation, River Ridge saw a 10.5% increase of students scoring proficient in math.
Measures in state assessment demonstrated:
- An increase of 1.65% proficient in reading at the elementary level across the district.
- In math, six elementary schools had an increase of more than 5%of students scoring proficient either among all students or in subpopulations of students.
- There was a more than 12% increase of all Ryland Heights Elementary students scoring proficient or above in math.
- Elementary math scores in the district have risen on average 12.63 points in the last 3 years with four schools increasing by over 20 points including Beechgrove, Caywood, Piner and White's Tower.
- The elementary transition index in the district has risen on average 4.84 points in the last 3 years with three schools improving their transition index by at least 10 points (Beechgrove, Caywood, and River Ridge).
- River Ridge ranked 132nd and R. C. Hinsdale ranked 150th out of 718 elementary schools in the state on the 2009 KCCT test based on the 2009 transition index.
MIDDLE SCHOOLS
- Turkey Foot Middle School met 100% of their adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) scores.
- Summit View Middle and Twenhofel Middle saw a gain of more than 5% among students reaching proficiency in math and among the subgroups of both free and reduced students and students with disabilities
- Turkey Foot Middle saw more than a 10% gain in all subpopulations in math, as well as a 12.69% gain at all grade levels
- Turkey Foot ranked 36th out of 327 middle schools in the state on the 2009 KCCT test based on the 2009 transition index
- Middle school math scores on average in the district have increased over the last 3 years by 12.85 points with two schools showing gains in double digits including Summit View Middle (16.45 point increase) and Turkey Foot (20.28 point increase)
- The middle school transition index in the district has risen on average 6.44 points in the last 3 years with Summit View Middle increasing 10.51 points overall.
HIGH SCHOOLS
- All three high schools increased the percentage of students on free and reduced lunch reaching proficiency in math by more than 5%.
- Dixie Heights High School demonstrated more than a 20% gain in math among free and reduced lunch students.
- Dixie ranked 69th and Simon Kenton 76th out of 234 high schools on the 2009 KCCT test based on the 2009 transition index.
- The high school On-Demand Writing transition index in the district has risen on average 26.37 points over the last three years with Dixie increasing by 37.34 points and Simon Kenton increasing 34.07 respectively.
On November 9th and 10th each principal will present their annual council report to the Board of Education. At these meetings, the principal and member(s) of the school's council will discuss their results and detail school improvement plans.
Click here to return to the top of The Excellence Report. |
The Professional Practices Rubric improves instruction
The new professional practices rubric (PPR) is now being used by principals and teachers to improve the quality of instruction. To ease in the efficient use of the tool, the evaluation committee is working with Lucid, a company to make the document available electronically to all staff.
Students are also being asked to weigh in on the new professional practices rubric. At the last Superintendent's student leadership committee meeting in September students representing their peers from each of the three high schools and the Success Academy worked to describe factors they felt were most important for teachers in order to improve the quality of their instruction. Students identified many of the same attributes that teachers on the PPR committee described and that are now present in the rubric. The following three attributes identified as the most important to students were:
1) The teacher must show that he/she cares about their students
2) The teacher is passionate about what he/she is teaching
3) The teacher is innovative and adaptive to meet the needs of all learners and uses various instructional approaches.
These attributes are most evident in new teacher professional practices rubric in Domain II, Learning Environment (LE). Element 1 (LE) of the rubric describes a proficient teacher as being positive, respectful and providing opportunities for students to develop relationships, learn collaboratively and take ownership of their learning. Element 3 specifically states, "the teacher develops and builds relationships with students". To be recognized as proficient in this element, a teacher would have to evidence strong relationships with students that enhance their learning. Building a trusting environment and culture is addressed in Element 4, especially allowing students to think independently. Several elements address the need to allow students to assume responsibility of their own learning, especially through reorganizing groups and managing instructional time efficiently.
Domain III, Instruction (INST), allows teachers creativity to enhance the learning for students while engaging them in meaningful activities. This domain allows teachers to demonstrate their passion for teaching through modeling best instructional practices. Again, student management of learning is emphasized. Teachers are asked to be innovative and "consistently differentiate instructio to address multiple learning styles, modalities, multiple intelligences" (Domain III, INST, Element 8).
While students were not part of the large committee of educators that developed the new professional practices rubric over the course of a few years, they certainly share the same thinking as the educators who were part of the development team. If the superintendent's advisory group is representative of all students in the district, then students certainly know what they want in terms of quality instruction from a teacher and it matches what teachers have identified as high quality instruction.
At the November Superintendent's Student Leadership committee meeting, the students will be providing examples of things they have experienced in the classroom that relate to the three attributes to ensure that quality instruction in their schools continues to improve.
Click here to return to The Excellence Report |
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"To educate yourself for the feeling of gratitude means to take nothing for granted, but to always seek out and value the kind that will stand behind the action. Nothing that is done for you is a matter of course. Everything originates in a will for the good, which is directed at you. Train yourself never to put off the word or action for the expression of gratitude." - Albert Schweitzer
Kenton County School District leads Northern Kentucky in service learning
Banners of Schools of Contribution will greet visitors to Beechgrove Elementary, James A.  Caywood Elementary, Fort Wright Elementary, Piner Elementary, Ryland Heights Elementary, R.C. Hinsdale Elementary, Summit View Elementary, and Taylor Mill Elementary. The schools were named Schools of Contribution at the recent 2009 Northern Kentucky Celebration of Philanthropy reception sponsored by Children Inc.
"I am proud of the efforts our district has demonstrated in the area of service learning. Congratulations to all of the schools mentioned above. Our schools represented over ¼ of the schools honored at the reception last evening - and our students involved in service learning at all levels in the district make-up about half of the students in all of Northern Kentucky who are participating in this important program," said Superintendent Tim Hanner.
Schools of Contribution designation means that each of the schools adopted a school policy supporting Service Learning; at least 70% of their student body actively designed and participated in at least one project during the 2008-09 school year; students reflected upon the impact of their community involvement; and students were celebrated for their service through recognition and demonstration.
Canned goods collection will help the needy
Many community organizations will enjoy a more filling Thanksgiving due to the generosity of the district's students and staff. Canned goods collections are being spearheaded by the Family Resource Centers and various student groups. "The food is used for baskets for families in our community," said Debbie Burch, River Ridge Elementary Family Resource Center Coordinator.
Veterans Day Activities
The Kenton County School District will be hosting a variety of activities in honor of Veterans Day. Service to one's country is a major sacrifice. By celebrating these following ceremonies, the district and the schools honor that sacrifice.
Monday, November 9
River Ridge Elementary 9:00 a.m.
The River Ridge news team will interview a veteran daily and broadcast the interview at noon every day through the week. Students will then follow with letters to the veterans.
Kenton Elementary, 9:15 a.m.
Kenton Elementary students and staff will sponsor a Veterans Appreciation Reception and Parade. The parade will culminate at the Simon Kenton football field.
RC Hindsdale Elementary, 1:30 p.m.
R.C. Hinsdale celebration includes veteran's addresses, choir performance, and the presentation of the colors by the Success Academy cadets.
Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Scott High School, 8:00 a.m. - 8:40 a.m.
Scott High will entertain veterans from the Covington Veterans of Foreign Wars Post. The band will perform a medley of patriotic tunes.
Turkey Foot Middle School, 8:30 a.m., 9:15 a.m., and 10:00 a.m.
The Turkey Foot Middle School chorus and band will perform. A guest speaker will address the students about the importance of Veterans Day. The Success Academy cadets will present the colors.
White's Tower Elementary, 8:45 a.m. - 3:36 p.m.
Individual student classroom projects will be ongoing throughout the day. The news team report on the significance of Veterans Day.
Summit View Elementary, 9:00 a.m.
Summit View Elementary students will receive a lesson in courage as they listen to a veteran who suffers from Muscular Sclerosis. The chorus will perform.
Fort Wright Elementary, 9:30 a.m.
Fort Wright Elementary will have a school-wide assembly at which relatives of the school's extended family will be recognized. Students will present a certificate of appreciation to each veteran. Each class has written a thank you letter that will be read by a student selected by the class at the assembly. Over 40 veterans are expected at attend.
Caywood Elementary, 9:50 a.m.
Caywood Elementary will present the folding of the flag and a presentation on today's veterans. The choir will perform and the Success Academy cadets will present the colors.
Beechgrove Elementary Hometown Heroes Ceremony, 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Beechgrove Elementary salutes veterans, policemen, firemen, and other local heroes. The Success Academy cadets will present the colors and the choir will perform.
Simon Kenton High, 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Simon Kenton hosts the Fort Knox Army Band.
Twenhofel Middle, 1:00 p.m.
Superintendent Tim Hanner will introduce the school's guest of honor, United States Congressman Geoff Davis. Congressman Davis will be the recipient of the flag folding ceremony. The colors will be presented by the Success Academy cadets. The school's chorus will perform. Other invited guests include veterans and local community officials.
Woodland Middle, 1:00 p.m. in the Scott High gymnasium
Woodland Middle will recognize veterans who are relatives of students. The ceremony will take place in the Scott High School gymnasium.
Piner Elementary, 1:30 p.m.
Piner Elementary students will showcase service learning projects dedicated to veterans. Deputy Judge Scott Kimmich will be the keynote speaker.
Taylor Mill Elementary, 2:30 p.m.
Taylor Mill students will hear from a retired veteran on the importance of service. The Woodland Middle School band will travel to Taylor Mill to play a medley of patriotic songs, including TAPS.
Thursday, November 12
Ryland Heights Elementary, 7:00 p.m.
Ryland Heights will host a third grade service learning project culminating event, "Give a Hand to Our Veterans." The program honors veterans and raises money to support "Honor Flight Network", a program that transports WWII survivors to see the WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C.
NEW - Video on Demand
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The Kenton County School District WISE GUY Tour Celebrates Giving Back to the Environment
Utilizing an electric car from Duke Energy, the Kenton County School District's E=WISE2  mascot, the WISE Guy will be going on tour to present ENERGY STAR plaques to five Kenton County schools in November. In addition to award presentations, the purpose of the tour is to bring awareness to the Kenton County School District's national model for energy management and the value of giving back to the environment. Giving back to the environment is deeply embedded into the Kenton County School District's culture and has resulted in the following energy "firsts":
- LEED Silver Certification - The district is proud to announce that Twenhofel Middle School has recently been awarded LEED Silver Certification making this the first Kentucky school building to receive the LEED rating. LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System is a voluntary building certification program that defines high-performance green buildings, which are more environmentally responsible, healthier, and more profitable structures.
- ENERGY STAR Leader - The Kenton County School District has just been recognized by EPA as an ENERGY STAR Leader for increasing the energy efficiency of its entire portfolio of buildings by 10 percent. The district estimates it has surpassed $1 million dollars in avoided energy costs, and has reduced annual CO2 emissions by more than 2,500 metric tons, the equivalent of planting 675 acres of trees.
- Five schools have earned ENERGY STAR Labels - the newest schools to earn the ENERGY STAR are R.C. Hinsdale Elementary, White's Tower Elementary, and Piner Elementary. They join James A. Caywood Elementary and Twenhofel Middle School in earning the ENERGY STAR. The Kenton County School District is the first in Kentucky to have school buildings earn consecutive ENERGY STAR labels. The ENERGY STAR is the national symbol for superior energy efficiency and identifies Caywood as one of the most efficient buildings in the nation. Buildings that earn the ENERGY STAR use an average of 40 percent less energy than typical buildings and also release 35 percent less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The ENERGY STAR is awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Evolvement of the student-led energy education program leads to environmental awareness and a new name - the successful Energy WISE (Wisdom is Saving Energy) student program has evolved to include environmental awareness. The program will now be named E=WISE2 (Education Creates Wisdom in Saving Energy and the Environment.) National award-winning student E=WISE2 teams have been established in each of our 18 schools. The program is designed to educate about energy efficiency and conservation and promote energy efficient habits. In addition, the students continue to educate our communities through numerous education programs such as Energy Fairs, "Change a Light" and "Click it Off" campaigns.
Stay tuned to the district's website (www.kenton.kyschools.us) for dates and times on the WISE Guy Tour.
WISE Guy Tour Schedule:
Twenhofel Middle School: Silver LEED award
Piner Elementary: ENERGY STAR award
White's Tower Elementary: ENERGY STAR award
James A. Caywood Elementary: NEED National Finalist for School
of the Year at the Elementary Level
R.C. Hinsdale Elementary: ENERGY STAR award
Click here to return to the top of The Excellence Report.
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The Kenton County School District would like to recognize one of its top business partners, Coldwell Banker West Shell. The Kenton County School District and Coldwell Banker will be conducting Toys for Tots drive that will benefit the school district's family resource centers in addition to the Toys for Tots program. Stay tuned to the district's website for more information on this upcoming initiative.
Coldwell Banker West Shell has a rich history of volunteerism and community service within their organization. CBWS President Joe King is known for his email tagline, "By doing good, we will do well." The leadership and philosophy of this organization trickles down and is emulated by each of their agents, particularly the NKY Office.
Due to the leadership of NKY Office Manager Cheery Malone, she has instilled volunteerism as the culture of the NKY Office. Such leadership and the culture of this office has lead to countless hours of support for the Cincinnati Zoo, organization of Trick-or-Treat for the Troops, support for the Susan G. Komen Foundation, Fine Arts Foundation, Prokids Program, Habitat for Humanity, Toys for Tots etc. They are one of, if not the only real estate company to set up a foundation specifically for the volunteerism and community service work. Agents have raised over $76,000 for the foundation. Moreover, the Northern Kentucky office has raised monies for the Parish Kitchen.
Coldwell Baker West Shell's commitment to students, education, and our community at large is demonstrated in the passion with which their agents work and serve. It is evident in the donation of time, treasure, and talent of this organization that their agents truly care about our community. They are interested in producing positive outcomes and want to see results with the projects they participate, initiate, and coordinate. They are driven to see improved student achievement and use their agent's experience, resources, connections, and passion to serve and lead in the community as a way to inspire students to do the same. The learning that takes place simultaneously with the community benefit is truly phenomenal and should be recognized and used as an example for other businesses. They continue to recognize that they have an obligation to help out the community they live and work in. Colwell Banker knows that it is the right thing to do. THEY DO WELL BY DOING GOOD!
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Thursday, November 12, 4:00 p.m. - Ambassadors meeting at Dixie Heights High School
Monday, November 16, 7:00 p.m. - Board of Education meeting
Wednesday, November 18, Student Ambassador meeting at Scott. High school students from 3:00 -5:30 p.m. All students from 4:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, November 25 - Professional Development Day Schools Closed
Thursday, November 26 Thanksgiving Schools Closed
Friday, November 27 Schools Closed
Tuesday, December 8, 4:00 p.m. Ambassdors Meeting at Woodland Middle
Monday, January 11 - 22, 2010 - Education Celebration "Live the Dream"
High School Athletics schedule - Click here: http://scoreboard.khsaa.org/
To view individual school web sites, click below.
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