Sunday, April 27, 2014

Celtic Courier: April 28 - May 2

"Vision to See, Faith to Believe, Courage to Do"

Dear Staff,

Every week at Jerome are those moments that reinforce what a special family we have, and this week there were many.

On Take Your Child to Work Day I always love standing back and watching you in your roles as parents.  What special teachers and special people you are! We love having your children at Jerome.  It also struck me how many children we have had in the 10 years since Jerome opened.  Even the tiniest children of 10 ago are now middle schoolers and high schoolers.

We would love to have someone do an online staff "baby" book, with all your children in it now 10 years in to Jerome's history.  If you, or someone you know, is into Shutterfly or another online photo service, please let us know.  We would like to work with someone to make this happen.

Here are some memories from Take Your Child to Work Day:

Abby Adair and best friend



Our new Celtic news anchors



Our tiniest Take Your Child to Work Day Family Member



Maust family

Much thanks to Magen Beatty for her leadership in facilitating International Day, one of the best days of the year.  The Lion Dancers were a big hit, as always.  Thanks to all of you who also took time to organize food and displays from various countries, especially to our World Language Department. It is so wonderful to see how proud our students and their families are to share their culture's food and heritage.  To see so many of our students and staff standing in long lines willingly to experience this great event is a tribute to all of you!  Thanks!



The Lion Dancers interact with our students.


Some of our student leaders of International Day.


French Club's Chocolate and Smores always a hit!


Thanks again for all of these special memories!


An update-- We only have about 25 staff members signed up so far to help at graduation.  The names we have are familiar as they are many of the same people who always work graduation, and we truly appreciate it.  We certainly understand that it is hard to give up time from your families on a weekend, but we really need your help.  With 130 certified staff, we can certainly have a much bigger turnout to help line up and supervise students, as well as sending a wonderful message of celebration and support to our new students and families about how important and consequential graduation is also to us. If you have not previously attended graduation, or have not in a while, please start a new tradition and habit for yourself. Graduation is May 31 at 1 PM at the Schottenstein Center.  Please join us in this terrific family day for our staff, our parents and our students.  Please email Kay with your RSVP today.

In terms of staffing and building our master schedule, Tracey Miller let us know that they anticipate determining staffing and posting openings on this Friday.  As soon as I hear anything specific to our staffing, I will let the Department Chairs know so that they can proceed with collaboration with you and the admin team on determining teaching assignments for next year.

Please make sure that you have signed all of your Dublin evaluation forms and also your Final Summative Rating form in eTPES.  If you are having any problems at all, please let us know and we will help you.  It is our job to make this process go as easily as possible for you.

Congrats to Brian Stevens and Jeanne Wohlgamuth for their weekend success in the State Band and State Choir OMEA Large Group Adjudicated Contest.  Both our Wind Symphony and Women's Chorale each achieved a Superior Rating in these prestigious events on Saturday. Amazing performances and amazing accomplishments.

If you have a chance, please watch this 60 Minutes story that aired last Sunday.  The title is Joy in the Congo and it is powerful segment on how learning in life changes all of us immeasurably.  Congo is the poorest country in the world, and this video shows that while the people could be living without joy and hope, they do not because of the power of learning in their lives. While it is not about learning in school, it is about the pursuit of learning in life. It is also a great reminder of how much we all have in life and how blessed we are, even though we do not always appreciate it. You will love it!

Other links you may enjoy--

15 Inspiring Quotes on Passion

"Where all the women are strong, all the men are good-looking and all the children are above average."


This Week--

1.  Tuesday: We are running an adjusted bell schedule on Tuesday, the 41-minute afternoon assembly schedule.  Dom Tiberi is bringing Maria's Message to our Juniors and Seniors in this assembly.  All classes will meet with Juniors and Seniors reporting to the CPA for the assembly.  Freshmen and sophomores will have a study hall in their 6th period classroom during the assembly. You are welcome to come to the assembly to support Dom, a former Jerome parent, and hear his important message.  You may also use this time to collaborate and work.

Tuesday is also Latino Recognition Night starting at 6 PM at Scioto.   Channel 4 ran a great story about this over the weekend. We have a wonderful group of students being recognized.

2.  Wednesday: PLC Same-Subject Collaboration Time from 7:15-7:45 AM.  All teams are expected to meet, especially as we near exam time.  Please continue to work on the 4 -questions and a valid and reliable common exam assessment.

3. Thursday: Dublin Parents of Black Students' Recognition at 7 PM at Coffman. Again, we are proud of our students who are being recognized.

Also Dublin staff Twitter Chat from 8 PM - 9 PM.  This has been a wonderful way for Dublin educators to share ideas.  This week's topic is on grading, and the majority of participants are Dublin teachers.  #dubchat

4. Friday: Final PAC Meeting of year during 5th period.  We go to Scioto Park for our year-end picnic so please excuse these students from your classes if at all possible.  If someone is behind in their work or has a low grade please let me know and we will make arrangements for them to be in class.  Attending this picnic is a privilege.

Looking ahead--

May 6: Baccalaureate 7 PM Indian Run United Methodist Church

May 8: Last Department Chair Meeting.  After school at Sankey's.

May 10: Prom at OSU 8 PM - Midnight.

May 13: Senior Awards Night 7 PM Jerome.

May 14 and 15: Master Schedule building at DJ.  (We hope!)

May 14: Last Staff Meeting 7:15 AM Band Room

May 14: Orchestra Concert 7 PM

May 15: Band Concert 7 PM

May 16: Annual Spring Fling Picnic during all 3 lunches with entertainment by the Jazz Band

May 16: Senior Dinner at DJ.

May 20: Senior Trip to Cedar Point.

We are still working with the seniors to see what May 19 looks like and will try to keep you in the loop on what we are doing.  At this point, I would not plan on having seniors in class on May 19 for the most part, but much of it depends on the seniors themselves and their behaviors and ability to earn privileges.

May 26: Memorial Day, No School

May 27: Mandatory Graduation Practice for all Seniors 1 PM.

Senior Exams: May 21 - May 27.

Underclass Exams: May 28 - June 2.

Graduation: May 31 1 PM Schottenstein Center OSU

Have a terrific week at Jerome!

Cathy





























































































Saturday, April 19, 2014

Celtic Courier Week of April 21-25

"Vision to See, Faith to Believe, Courage to Do"

Dear Staff,

Happy Easter Weekend to those of you who celebrate this holiday!  For all, I hope you enjoy this glorious long Spring weekend full of daffodils, bunnies, egg hunts, family time and sunshine!



Maureen is home and resting comfortably. Her procedure went well and she will know more as time goes on.  She appreciates all of the prayers and positive support she has received from her Jerome family.

This Week--

Please continue to work with your administrator as we complete our post-conferences.  Please be sure and send your Reinforcement and Refinement Goals to your respective administrator if you have not yet done so.  Questions?  Please contact your evaluating administrator.  It is our goal to complete all post-observations by the end of this week if at all possible.

1. Tuesday--

Parent Breakfast in Guidance at 7 AM, our last parent breakfast of the year.

Also on Tuesday-- AP Pre-administration in the Commons during 2nd and 4th periods.  2nd A-K and 4th L-Z.  This is required for all students taking an AP exam.

Study hall students and teachers should plan on having Study Hall in the CPA during periods 2 and 4.

Tuesday is also the Jerome Blood Drive.  Much thanks to Carla Crawford and the Cheerleaders for organizing our blood drive.

2. Wednesday--

7:15 AM: PLC Same-Subject Meeting Time

Interim Day.  Please make sure all of your grades are up-to-date and uploaded as these grades determine student privileges.

In addition, please make sure that you are contacting parents of all students, particularly of seniors, who have D's or F's 4th quarter.  Although we send home senior letters, it is your direct communication to parents with grade specifics that provides the best feedback for students and parents.

3. Friday--

Staff Breakfast provided by PTO.

International Day all lunch periods.  Much thanks to Magen Beatty for her help and leadership on this wonderful celebration of all of our cultures.

6-8 PM Grizzell Middle Schools 20th Anniversary Celebration.

Looking ahead--

April 26: Community Champion Awards, 10 AM at Jerome.

April 29: Maria's Message and Dom Tiberi Assembly for all Juniors and Seniors.  Adjusted Bell Schedule for 41-min Assembly Schedule.  All Freshmen and Sophomores will remain in their 6th period classroom during the assembly.  All Juniors and Seniors will report to the CPA.

April 29: Latino Awards Night, 6 PM, Scioto High School.

May 1: Dublin Parents of Black Students Association Recognition Night, DCHS.

May 2: PAC Picnic and Final Meeting of the year, 5th Period


Have a terrific week!  Thanks for all you do every day for our students and families!  Enjoy this wonderful springtime weather!

Cathy















Sunday, April 13, 2014

Celtic Courier: This Week 4/14/14- 4/18/14

"Vision to See, Faith to Believe, Courage to Do"

Dear Staff,

Is it mid-April or the summer?  How did we get so lucky to have this weather on the weekend?  We certainly hope you are enjoying this spectacular weather with your families!

Thanks for a wonderful week!  With our first election and our 10th anniversary celebration, it was certainly a memorable week to be a Celtic.

Here are some photos from our celebration with some old Celtic friends and new ones.


Tom McDonnell, former DJ asst principal


Chris Ondrus and son, former DJ dept chair

Two Alums from original Jerome School from 1940s


Dr. Hoadley with new President Addison Stern


Patio Dedication

We also want to thank Michael Cook and the entire National Honor Society for implementing our first annual All-School Clean-up Day Saturday.  The students were able to secure 15 yards of donated mulch and they spent all day spreading new mulch on the North side of the building, around trees and shrubs.  They also walked much of the grounds and pick up trash, truly giving back to Jerome.  We so much appreciate their student leadership and dedication to helping keep Jerome beautiful.

NHS students working hard to keep Jerome beautiful


As you know, this week is a four-day week, with no school on Friday.  Activities this week include the following:

Monday: Celebration of Excellence, 7 PM.  Much thanks to Ashley Finneran for all of her hard work on this wonderful night for our students and families.  They will remember this night always.  Thanks to all of you who took the time to nominate a student.

Wednesday: Staff meeting at 7:15 AM.  The main item on the agenda is going over with you the final submission of our your overall final summative rating to ETPES, the state reporting system. Please continue to work with your evaluating administrator to finish your Dublin required forms and your Post-Observation conference.  Ryan Walker and I also visit the Grizzell PTO at 1 PM to welcome new Celtic families.

Thursday: Final day for seniors to pay to go to Cedar Point on May 20, the seniors' last official day.  Last day at Jerome is May 19, though we are uncertain at this point whether they will be in class or not.

Also on this Thursday, if you have seniors, please note the following schedule.  Period 2 all seniors with last names A-G will attend a class meeting.  Period 4, all seniors with last names H-N will attend a class meeting.  Period 6, all seniors with the last names O-Z will attend a class meeting.  These important meetings will review all Senior activities and events and Senior expectations.  Senior teachers do not need to attend.  Please use this time for collaboration.  Officer Collier and the admin team will conduct the meetings.

Thursday is also Family Night.  Please do not assign Homework on this night.

Friday: No School, Conference Comp Day.

Looking ahead--

April 22:  Blood Drive.  Also AP Pre-administration in  Commons. 9 AM A-K.  10:45 AM L-Z.

April 23: Interims

April 25: International Day

April 25: Grizzell Middle School 20th Anniversary Celebration

April 29: Dom Tiberi Maria's Message Assembly for Jrs. and Srs. Adjusted Bell Schedule.

Have a terrific week! Thanks so much for your hard work and dedication to our students and families.

Cathy













Sunday, April 6, 2014

Celtic Courier: This Week 4/7/14

"Vision to See, Faith to Believe, Courage to Do"

Dear Staff,

Happy spring Sunday to you and your families! What a joy it is to find our crocuses in bloom, even with still a little chill in the air.




Thank you so much for all of your positive comments regarding the Celtic Courier and new format.  We are excited by the possibilities this two-way communication and engagement offers.  Again, in the right margin, you can sign up to receive this directly to your email once a post is made, rather than wait for the all-staff email to be sent.  Also, please continue to send your recommendations for Outstanding Educators to follow and to your own blogs so we can all learn from each other.

Congrats to our Orchestra who traveled to New York this week and arrived back today safely.  Michelle sent along these photos of their trip. Thanks, Michelle!







What a wonderful week to be a Celtic!  Last week, because of your commitment and generosity, Jerome almost doubled its contribution to the District Dodgeball Tourney, and with Emma's Army, the Jerome Staff Team won the Staff Division in the District Tourney.  Much thanks to Heidi, Lacey, and the entire staff who helped in some way with the tourney and/or with fundraising.  We raised over $2300 with the district raising over $15,000 to benefit Emma, the Rice/Collelo Scholarships, Special Olympics and Olivia's new Coffman Scholarship.  Friday was a very proud moment for the entire Dublin community!



This week is also a week to come together as a Jerome family to celebrate our 10 years together.  Hard to believe that 10 years ago we were all trying so hard to envision the school that would be created by students, parents and staff.  Thursday, April 10, we will have a special spaghetti luncheon during the lunch periods available for purchase for students and staff and we will have anniversary cake free for all.  Be sure and visit the cafeteria on Thursday.  Thursday from 6-8 PM our Jerome community will come together to celebrate.  Jazz Band and Orchestra will perform in the cafeteria and Jerome memorabilia will be set up in the media center.

Much thanks to Diane and Michael for their help in coordinating parents, students and staff in this celebration. We will have balloon animals and a magic act for little Celtics and more refreshments.  The new front brick patio and benches will be dedicated in the evening, and other musical groups will also perform.  There are one-act plays going on in the CPA.  We have reached out to former students, families and staff members and also hope to see old friends as well as future families.  We hope you can make it!

This is a challenging time to continue to get students to focus on learning.  You may be interested in this article on Student Engagement, with ideas from students on how to increase engagement.

The rest of this week--

Monday-- We will visit the Karrer PTO meeting on Monday at 7 pm to welcome our incoming Karrer families.

Tuesday-- Parent Breakfast in the GIC.

Wednesday-- PLC same-subject team time 7:15 AM- 7:45 AM.  Also on Wednesday we have an adjusted bell schedule (the 30-minute afternoon assembly schedule we used on Friday) for our first student election assembly for 9th, 10th and 11th graders only.  To maximize class time, we will not start calling students down until the very end of 6th period.  Please note that seniors do not attend this assembly and will have a study center during the assembly in your sixth period class since they are not voting on next year's student leader offices. We have never had school-wide democratic elections before nor a campaign assembly so we will evaluate this and see how we move forward next year. Another Celtic first!

Thursday-- Department Chair Meeting at 7:15 AM in the media center.  Please send me items for this agenda.  Also, school-wide voting in Homeroom for grades 9, 10 and 11.  Please be sure to pick up your ballots and also collect them at the end of homeroom.

Anniversary celebration: 6 - 8 PM on Thursday.  Classrooms will be open so please put anything away that you do not want disturbed.

Friday-- PAC meeting 5th period.

Looking ahead:

April 14: Celebration of Excellence 7 PM.  Much thanks to Ashley Finneran for all of her leadership on this wonderful family night.

April 16: We will visit the Grizzell PTO to welcome incoming Jerome families.

April 17:  Senior Meetings periods 2, 4 and 6 by alphabet.  We are changing the format of our Senior Meetings.  Rather than dividing them by social studies sections that required 14-15 different meetings, we are moving to three larger senior meetings all on one day.  We made this change because of OTES post-observations moving now to April and also to have all seniors get the same message on the same day.  Seniors A-G Period 2; Seniors H-N Period 4; and Seniors O-Z Period 6.  We apologize for disrupting the school day but believe in the importance of informing our seniors on our expectations for ending the year.  Chuck Collier will also be a part of each meeting in order to emphasize personal safety.  Thank you for your support.

April 17: District Family Night.  Please do not assign homework or large projects etc.  Thanks.

April 18: No School.

Have a wonderful week!  Mine will begin remembering Emma's smile on Friday night!