April 2018 | Superintendent News
"No legacy is so rich as honesty." ~ Shakespeare
Dear Kenston Families,

One of the many things to be celebrated in the month of April is Volunteer Appreciation. The Kenston School District has many volunteers who graciously dedicate their time, their passion for giving, and a selfless attitude to improve the lives and experiences of our students.

Whether volunteering for a school program, an athletic club, the arts, or our parent teacher organization, there are countless volunteers who are imperative in making this district what is it to our students and community.

We are thankful for you now, just as we are every day. We couldn't do it without you!
Nancy R. Santilli
Superintendent
AN UPDATE ON SAFETY
Safety is, and will always be, a priority of the district. It comes in many shapes and forms that require continuous discussion with staff and first responders to ensure safety and security issues are addressed.

The Raptor Visitor Management system, providing immediate, real-time screening, has been added to our Maintenance Department.  We are working with contractors to have their employees check-in and present a valid state-issued ID that issues a badge identifying the visitor, the date and purpose for the visit.

Assistant Superintendent, Jeremy McDevitt, and I met with Bainbridge Police Chief Bokovitz and had discussions surrounding the prospect of a School Resource Officer (SRO) and/or other opportunities for more consistent police presence on campus. We have met with parents, students and vendors to discuss and investigate other options and improvements that can be made to campus security including an upgraded radio system and summer projects that will impact safety.
Safety is necessary both in our buildings as well as on our grounds. In 2009, Kenston joined the growing number of local schools replacing their grass football field with artificial turf.  The installation of a synthetic turf field increased the ability for multiple sports (football, lacrosse and soccer), grade levels, community activities and youth sports to use the field. Over time, sunlight degrades the turf’s fibers and the surface gets harder, making athletes more susceptible to injury.  The turf field is reaching the end of its life.  At the April 2018, Board of Education meeting, the Board voted 5-0 to authorize the request for quotes from qualified vendors through a purchasing cooperative for replacement of the turf field and to issue a letter of intent to proceed this summer. Knowing that the turf would need to be replaced in 8-10 years, donations and sponsorships including funds from Kenston Community Education (KCE) were earmarked for this purpose to be used along with budgeted district funds and financing.
GO GREEN INITIATIVES
Kenston is committed to supporting Go Green initiatives and educating environmentally responsible students. Research shows that close encounters with nature create a direct, personal involvement with the outdoors that cannot be matched by classroom discussion or photos in textbooks. Outdoor education experiences help students increase their understanding of their natural and human communities which leads to a sense of place. These experiences are the cornerstone of raising the next generation of active, aware citizens who take care of their community.
 
We work in partnership with the Geauga Park District to reinforce and provide hands-on lessons that support the Ohio Academic Content Standards for Science, including the 5 th  Grade Nature Scopes, a binocular- nature education program, programs on the Ice Age, habitats and adaptation. 
As part of 7 th  Grade Camp activities, students complete pond studies and orienteering activities.  Middle and high school students can compete in Science Olympiad, an extracurricular activity that pertains to a variety of scientific disciplines in earth science, biology, chemistry, physics and engineering.  At the high school, Envirothon Club is available for students interested in relevant environment issues.  This hands-on environmental education problem-solving extracurricular travels to local and regional competitions as well as volunteers in the community to help the environment.  Kenston Field Experience is a summer educational experience that takes place every other year.  This 24-day field trip allows high school students to immerse themselves in the geology of the National Parks with hands-on field studies, hiking, climbing and camping.
Our wind turbine and solar panels are used to model Go Green initiatives.   Recycling programs in all our buildings, brown bag lunch days and lights out days at our elementary school are ways we create environmental awareness throughout the year.
 
At the wind turbine, you can start the Kenston Arboretum walking tour that highlights a variety of tree species on campus with blue plaques identifying the common and scientific names.  This project was completed by Rachel Sauder ’14 as her Girl Scout Gold Award.  Behind Kenston Intermediate School is a butterfly garden, which is a habitat designed to provide a place where butterflies can grow and multiply.  This was created by Max Koch ’15 as an Eagle Scout project.
Get outside and take a walk on the Kenston Trails.  This community supported geo-friendly trail opened in 2012. It was specifically designed to have a long lifespan with little maintenance and reduced erosion.  The 1.5 miles of trails, that feature five wooden bridges, were completed in two phases by volunteers.  Benches have been installed on the trails as part of an Ohio Environmental Grant.  Community donations and funds from the King Family Trust made this project possible.
 
As Earth Day and Arbor Day approach, please take advantage of the learning and fitness opportunities on our campus.   We are hoping and wishing for warmer weather to shake off the winter blues.  
ONE-TO-ONE TECHNOLOGY AT KMS
For the 2018/19 school year, students at Kenston Middle School will each receive a Chromebook.  This is part of the District’s technology plan to increase the computer-to-student ratio, allowing more opportunities for students to have access to digital resources and expand their learning. 

The one-to-one technology addresses our goal to focus on individualized learning for all students.  Students will also use their device for organization, management of work and collaboration.

The four (4) newer Chromebook carts (120 units) at the middle school will be divided among Kenston Intermediate School and Timmons Elementary School to increase the number of Chromebooks in each building.  Newer middle school computers in labs will be used to replace aging computers throughout the district.

This program will be funded through a variety of sources.  Some current expenditures will be reduced as a result of going one-to-one:  maintaining computer labs and classroom workstations become unnecessary, utilizing on-line textbooks and open-source content decreases expenses. Consumable/workbook fees will be evaluated and directed toward technology. 

Details of the middle school, one-to-one technology program, will be forthcoming.
LOOK HARD OR YOU'LL MISS IT - VAPING
There is a new trend parents and school administrators need to be aware of. Vaping although not new, is evolving, and JUUL is what some people are referring to as the iPhone of vaping. It is a device so discreet that it often goes unseen and teens are feeling more courageous about using it in public places.

JUUL is a brand of e-cigarette that looks like a flash drive and charges by USB. The product can be ordered online by anyone claiming to be 21 or older. It is inexpensive, easy to use, and features nicotine pods that come in a variety of kid-friendly flavors like crème brûlée, mango, and fruit medley. Just one of these pods is equivalent to an entire pack of traditional cigarettes.

Studies find that some students are brazen enough to do it in the middle of the classroom. They take a puff, then either swallow the vapor – known as ‘ghosting’ – or exhale it into their hoodie when the teacher isn’t looking. The subtle smell (if any) can be easily mistaken for someone’s light perfume. How do we know teens are using these devices in school? Social media of course! Many students proudly record and share videos of them or their friends using a JUUL for their peers and beyond to see. Other students post to forums about how easy it is to acquire a JUUL device.

According to the  National Institutes of Health (NIH) 2017 Monitoring the Future  survey, nearly 1 in 3 students in 12th grade reported past year use of some kind of vaping device. This upward trend includes younger teens as well, which raises concerns about the impact on their health.

Young people apparently consider JUULing a class above other types of vaping, and many believe it to be safer as well. Health experts say that while electronic cigarettes in general may be less dangerous than traditional tobacco cigarettes, they are certainly not safe.

Stanton Glantz, director of the Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education at the University of California, San Francisco, says e-cigarette vapors are toxic and can trigger inflammation linked to asthma, stroke, diabetes, heart disease and other chronic conditions.

The official JUUL website says that the product was created to help current cigarette smokers stop smoking, and that it is solely intended for adult use; statistics however are looking to prove otherwise. Instead of reducing smoking, JUUL and e-cigarettes are creating a new generation of cigarette smokers.

Parents and school administrators need to not only be aware of this new and dangerous trend, but to have conversations at home and in the classroom regarding the health risks of vaping, whether it be JUUL or any other type of electronic device. In addition to being an obvious violation of school policy, the discussion is vital to young people’s safety and well-being.

Source: Ohio Department of Education - Start Talking!
UPCOMING BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETINGS
Work Session - Monday, April 30 - BOE - 6pm
Regular Meeting - Monday, May 14 - TES - 7pm

Kenston Local Schools | www.kenstonlocal.org l e-communications@kenstonapps.org
17419 Snyder Rd, Chagrin Falls, OH 44023 l 440-543-9677