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Passing the Test
Politicians and educational professionals are continually working on ways to gauge student knowledge and school performance through assessments and grades. Although these measures are helpful in understanding performance ratings across the state, we know that true success lies within the child. Our job as educators is to provide the right lessons and tools to help each child discover their potential and aide in their growth.
Groveport Madison staff understands the importance of accountability. The district recognizes the need to improve student performance. The goal of every teacher, administrator and parent across the district is to find better ways to help our students extend learning beyond the classroom by providing more opportunities for students to achieve success.
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SUPERINTENDENT'S CHALLENGE
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| Superintendent's Challenge to Benefit Food Pantry
 Groveport Madison is committed to helping families this holiday season by supporting the Greater Groveport Food Pantry.
Help support the cause by joining in the Superintendent's Challenge to collect non-perishable food items and canned goods. All families are encouraged to participate in this challenge by sending items into school with your children starting on Monday, November 3 through Friday, November 14.
The classroom that collects the most canned goods and food items will earn the honor of having Superintendent Bruce Hoover teach their classes for day.
The winning classroom will also have their picture featured in the community newsletter and posted on our Facebook site. Classroom instruction with Superintendent Hoover will take place before the winter break.
The Superintendent's Challenge will begin on Monday 11/3 and run through 11/14.
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News From Around the District
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Social Workers Added to Support Middle Schools
 Students at Groveport Madison middle schools have additional counseling resources available for them this year through a grant-funded counseling program that provides social workers for the buildings.
Grace Whistle and Emily Watts are two of the three social workers hired though Concord Counseling Services that have been working with students. Whistle works at Middle School North; while Watts has been dividing her time between Middle School South and Middle School Central. The program's focus is on bringing preventive services aimed at helping students be successful in the school environment.
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Virtual Backpack Provides Information 24/7
 As a parent, have you ever had one of those mornings where you rush around trying to find that field trip permission form you need to sign, only to realize you have no idea where you put it - and this is the last day to turn it in? Wouldn't it be nice to know that you can easily download another copy of that form from the district's website whenever you'd like? Well, now that's possible. Introducing Virtual Backpack, an electronic, "green" approach for disseminating school forms, flyers and community organization paperwork, which have been approved for distribution.
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Teacher Uses Creativity to Fund Reading Project
 Read 180 teacher, Shannon Patel likes to start the new school year by having students delve into an interesting read. This year, she chose to The Fault in Our Stars, by John Green for her students to read. This popular book was recently adapted into a movie.
The only challenge Patel faced was finding the funds to pay for 20 copies of the book. That's when Patel's graduate school professor told her about a website called gofundme.com. The website is designed to facilitate raising money for personal causes such as paying for medical bills, tuition, business ideas, and special events. Patel asked visitors to either send her a paperback copy of the book or donate money to be used to buy more copies.
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Upcoming Events:
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Date
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Event
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Time
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10/10/14
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Varsity Homecoming Game vs. Newark
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7:30 p.m.
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10/11/14
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JV Football vs. Newark@Newark
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10:00 a.m.
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10/11/14
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7:00-11:00 p.m.
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10/16/14
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Teacher Release Day
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NO SCHOOL
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10/17/14
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COTA Day
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NO SCHOOL
| | 10/18/14 | GMHS Band Competition | Canal Winchester HS and
Dublin Jerome HS | | 10/23/14 | GMHS Fall Choir Concert | 7:30 p.m., HS Auditorium
| | 10/23/14 | Dunloe Fall Harvest Festival | 6:00-8:00 p.m.
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10/24/14
| Glendening Trunk-or-Treat | 5:00-6:30 p.m.
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10/25/14
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GMHS Band Competition
| Shawnee HS,
Springfield, OH | |
10/25/14
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Groveport Fall Festival and
Make A Difference Day
| 5:30-7:00 p.m. @
Heritage Park
| | 10/25/14 | GMHS Haunted Trail |
7:00-10:00 p.m.
| | 10/27-10/31/14 | GMHS OGT TESTING WEEK |
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What Parents Need to Know About School Safety
Combating Cyber Bullying
October is National Bullying Prevention Awareness month. The word "bullying" has often been associated with either verbal or physical abuse. However, harassment in cyber space is swiftly becoming a growing problem especially between adolescents.
What is Cyber Bullying?
Cyber bullying occurs when someone is teased, humiliated, harassed, ridiculed or threatened using electronic communication. While cyber bullying can affect anyone, it occurs most commonly among adolescents. Cyber bullies use platforms such as text messaging, social media sites, email, instant messaging and chat sessions to harass their victim.
Click here to read more
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 Use National Bus Safety Week as a Reminder to Review Rules
National School Bus Safety week is October 20-24. Parents can take this opportunity to review safety procedures with their children.
The Ohio State Patrol offers these tips for ensuring a safe ride:
- Get to the bus stop at least 5 minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive.
- Stand at least five giant steps away from where the bus stops.
- Stand where the bus driver can see your child.
- Wait for the bus driver to signal that it is safe to cross the street.
- Use handrails when boarding the bus to prevent falls.
- Avoid picking up anything that drops near the bus, and never walk behind the bus.
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Winter Weather School Cancellations
When winter weather rolls into our area, district administration works together to determine if conditions are safe to keep schools in session.
Safety of our students is a priority. If harsh conditions, slick roads or sub-zero temperatures threaten student safety, then our staff will determine whether or not to delay or cancel school.
How the decision is made:
The decision on whether or not to open/close schools or modify the school day is determined after careful consideration of all relevant factors such including:
- Information on road conditions is analyzed based upon feedback from transportation and maintenance staff along with input from local law enforcement and road crews;
- Air or wind chill temperatures of -10 degrees Fahrenheit prior to the first bus stop route of the morning;
- Amount of snow and ice accumulations along with forecast predictions for the remainder of the day;
- Arrival or predicted arrival of a storm system;
- Building conditions (has severe weather affected electricity, water or heat);
- Parking lot considerations;
- Impact of the weather on the transportation fleet.
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Who's Teaching Your Children?
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Teachers help make a difference in the classroom and in students' lives. This month we are featuring Dunloe Elementary Teacher Dave Gainer.
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Dunloe Elementary Teacher Dave Gainer
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New High School Construction Update:
 VSWC Architects has been approved by the Board of Education as the architect of choice to design the new high school facility for Groveport Madison Schools. The Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) is currently negotiating the project costs with the firm.
Proposals from construction management companies are due by Friday, October 7. A scoring method process, similar to one used to identify the project architect, will be used to determine which companies will be chosen for final consideration. This process will be completed by members of the Groveport Madison building construction committee along with members of OFCC. The building committee's goal is to have a construction management company recommendation for Board approval by November.
DeJong-Richter will lead the educational visioning committee to facilitate input from the Groveport Madison staff and community members. More details about meeting dates and times will be forthcoming from the company. |
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Catching up with Groveport Alumni
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 A Crusader for Groveport
Imagine a graduating class of 72 students. Picture a tight-knit cluster of kids who hung out at each other's houses and knew their brothers, sisters and parents. Fathom relationships so close that parents felt compelled to discipline their children's friends along with their own children. This was Groveport in the 1950s and 60s. This was life for residents like Donna Drury who grew up during this era.
"When we were in school, with our 72 kids, we knew all of their parents, their sisters and their brothers. We were probably at each other's houses at some point during our years in school," said Mrs. Drury.
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Principal Appreciation Month
October is National Principal Appreciation Month. Take time to thank you child's principal by sending an email, mailing a note or by just saying, "Thank You," next time you see them.
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NHS Blood Drive Details
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National Honor Society is sponsoring a blood drive on Thursday, October 30. Donors must be at least 16 and weigh more than 110 pounds to donate. Register at the attendance office.
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