October 9, 2007 - Volume 16, No. 41

a Winkler Company publication

Also featuring photos from our monthly supplement...

Long Romspert Homestead a unique time capsule

17 named National Merit Scholars

Photo by Lance Winkler

Pictured, left to right, back row: Calvin Williamson, Jordan Taylor, Jacob Mays, Brian Beck, Matthew Davis; middle row: Alexander Garrison, Ty Kern, Lauren Smith, Lilian Hartzell, Kaitlin Key, David Wang; front row: Erin Miller, Elizabeth Swank, Erin Mooney, Caitlin Jackson and Sarah Deitz; Not pictured: Gabriel Svobodny,

A record seventeen National Merit Scholars were named this year at Oakwood High School. Seven juniors are Semifinalists and ten juniors are Commended Students.

The National Merit Scholarship program is an academic scholarship competition for recognition and college scholarships administered by National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), a privately-funded, not-for-profit organization. Of the 1.4 million junior-level PSAT test takers, about 50,000 qualify for recognition. Two thirds of those qualified receive Letters of Commendation; the remainder become Semifinalists, about 94 percent of whom go on to become Finalists.

Over half of the Finalists are selected to receive scholarships underwritten by corporations and business organizations, colleges and universities, and by NMSC with its own funds. Each year a total of approximately 10,500 scholarships are awarded through the NMSC programs.

PLC’s making inroads in Oakwood City Schools

By Dawn Beigel

The Oakwood School Board learned at its meeting last night the effectiveness professional learning communities (PLCs) are having within the district.

Kelly Colson, a high school math teacher/Jensen brain-based learning specialist, shared her leadership experience of the Facilitating Learning PLC, a group of educators who meet regularly to study a topic, implement new strategies and reflect on their effectiveness. Their audience includes educators who will serve as facilitators for the PLC’s Oakwood School District is offering this school year. They will focus on various aspects of differentiation—a district goal—as it relates to the readiness, interests and classroom strengths of Oakwood students.

“Better leaders getting better results—that’s what it’s all about,” said Colson, who is in her second year as a PLC leader. “There’s more community among the groups (this year compared to last year).”

“She’s (Colson) really great at implementing what she’s learned,” said Kim Kappler, curriculum director/Lange Elementary School principal, in providing a testimonial as a member. “It’s been so motivating, so exciting…it’s a real upper.”

The PLC meetings are structured according to shared responsibility of facilitating. Peer feedback and personal reflection have been two elements of the meetings
Colson says she has favored.

The initial group development and learning for Oakwood PLC began this past summer in response to the successes of and challenges from PLCs of last school year.

In regular business at the school board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Mary Jo Scalzo reviewed the official district enrollment number for October count week. She said the number, which is still to be verified, is at 2,136 and is very close to what was projected. Comparatively, the count number this time last year was at 2,177, which was above what was projected.

Scalzo also presented to the school board two commendations it has received—one from the Ohio Senate and one from the State Board of Education—for again achieving a rating of excellent on the local report card.

In related news, Treasurer Kevin Philo presented to the board the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association, marking the tenth consecutive year for the district.

Among commendations, the board recognized high school science teacher Heidi Steinbrink for being selected to pilot the “BE E3” (Energy Efficiency Education) SMART Program, designed to teach energy concepts and energy conservation strategies correlated to the National Science Education content standards and the ODE standards.

The board also recognized and thanked Todd and Jody Sobol for hosting a meeting with superintendent as part of the Staying in Touch Program.

Among legislation, the board:

*Accepted the retirement/resignation of Lewis H. Parlett as head custodian of Smith Elementary School, effective this Oct. 31. He has been with the district for 32 years.

*Accepted the resignations of Kathy Allan (Model UN advisor) and Eric Oberding (assistant boys basketball coach), both effective immediately.

The Oakwood School Board will hold its next regular meeting Nov. 19, 7:30 p.m. at the central office.

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