Rr Blog
Michael Shoaf's Blog Page
All-Day, Every-Day Kindergarten Mandate
Posted 1/27/2010 at 3:35:09 PM by Dianna Foley [staff member]

Starting in the fall of 2010, Ohio schools are required to either offer all-day, every-day kindergarten or to seek a waiver delaying implementation of this mandate. This unfunded mandate is required, but an implementation waiver is available from the Ohio Department of Education.  Waivers permit the delayed implementation of all-day, every-day kindergarten for one year, with notice that a second waiver may be sought for school year 2011-12. The Rocky River City School District submitted a waiver application to the Ohio Department of Education in January 2010 to delay the implementation of all-day, every-day kindergarten for the 2010-2011 school year.  With the approved waiver the Rocky River City Schools will continue to offer the current half-day, every-day kindergarten program.

Because this all-day kindergarten mandate is not funded, the Rocky River City School District submitted the waiver application to allow the district time to address funding and instructional space constraints for an all-day, every-day program.  To address the need for more instructional classrooms for all-day kindergarten, the Rocky River Board of Education has included an addition to Goldwood Primary School in the May 4, 2010 bond issue. If the all-day kindergarten mandate is repealed before the bonds are sold to cover the cost of building the new kindergarten classrooms, the Rocky River Board of Education will not levy that portion of the bond issue.
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Community Engagement Sessions
Posted 12/14/2009 at 8:00:26 AM by Michael Shoaf [staff member]
The Rocky River Board of Education is nearing the end of a year-long process of fact finding to decide if it will place a facilities bond issue on the ballot in May of 2010.  A telephone survey was conducted of 400 community members in early December to gauge the level of support for such an issue.  In addition, two community engagement sessions are planned for early January 2010 to gain further input from Rocky River residents.  Both sessions will be held in the Fireside Room at Beach Education Center, 1101 Morewood Parkway.  The first will be on Tuesday, January 5 from 7:00-8:30 PM and the second on Thursday, January 7 from 9:30-11:00 AM. 
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H1N1 School Based Clinics
Posted 12/3/2009 at 3:08:47 PM by Michael Shoaf [staff member]

The Rocky River City School District was pleased to partner with the Cuyahoga County Board of Health (CCBH) to administer H1N1 vaccines to students.  The vaccine was administered by CCBH professionals and the district’s school nurses.  Over 800 students received the vaccine.  The school based clinics coupled with the vaccines students received from their family doctor and at community clinics has helped decrease the spread of the H1N1 virus. 
 
Children nine (9) years old and younger need a second vaccine 21-28 days after the first dose.  At this time, the Cuyahoga County Board of Health is not scheduling a second clinic at the Rocky River City Schools.  Parents/guardians can call the CCBH to schedule an appointment at (216) 201-2041 or get the second dose from their physician. The CCBH notes that it is the parent's/guardian’s responsibility to know when their child needs the second dose.  If a student does not receive a second dose, they will still have some immunity from the first dose.

If you have any questions about the vaccine or who is eligible for the vaccine, please call (216) 201-2001, visit ccbh.net, or the CDC’s 2009 H1N1 influenza web sites at www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/ and www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/parents. Your child’s healthcare provider is also a good resource.
 

In the meantime, the health department is emphasizing these preventive measures:

§  Wash hands as often as possible; hand sanitizers are also helpful

§  Cover coughs with tissues or the elbow, not the hands

§  Do not send students to school when sick


The health and well-being of our students is my top priority, and we will do everything possible to help decrease the spread of the H1N1 influenza (flu) virus. Please feel free to contact my office if you have any questions or concerns.
 
In addition, we encourage you to sign up for our new Email Notification System at http://www.rrcs.org/EmailNotification.aspx.
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Flu and H1N1 Virus
Posted 10/10/2009 at 3:01:59 PM by Michael Shoaf [staff member]
A letter mailed to parents on October 12, 2009 shared recommendations from the Cuyahoga County Board of Health to decrease the spread of the H1N1 virus.  One of the recommendations was that those with flu-like symptoms should stay home for at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever, without the use of fever-reducing medicines.  
 
Along with the Cuyahoga County Board of Health, the Rocky River City Schools are taking measures to help decrease the spread of the regular flu and the new H1N1 flu.  At our schools we are promoting Good Hygiene hand washing and properly Covering your Cough.  We have installed hand sanitizers throughout the buildings, and our custodians are cleaning surfaces with a  combination cleaner-disinfectant every night.  All tables, desks, chairs, handrails, doorknobs, and drinking fountain handles are sanitized nightly.  Lunch tables are cleaned between sittings and our custodians disinfect the tables every day.  Building restrooms are disinfected daily as well. 
 
Because the health and well being of our students, faculty, and staff is my top priority, we are doing everything possible to decrease the spread of the flu and H1N1.  
 
Please feel free to contact my office at 356-6715 if you have any questions or concerns.
 
 
 
 
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H1N1
Posted 9/27/2009 at 4:46:08 PM by Michael Shoaf [staff member]
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has offered the following Action Steps for Schools to Prevent the Spread of Flu:

- Educate and encourage students and staff to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when they cough or sneeze. 
- Remind teachers, staff, and students to practice good hand hygiene and provide the time and supplies for them to wash their hands as often as necessary.
- Send sick students, teachers, and staff home and advise them and their families that sick people should stay at home until at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever or signs of a fever (without the use of fever-reducing medicine).
- Clean surfaces and items that are more likely to have frequent hand contact such as desks, door knobs, keyboards, or pens, with cleaning agents that are usually used in these areas.
- Move students, teachers, and staff to a separate room if they become sick at school until they can be sent home.
- Limit the number of staff who take care of the sick person and provide a surgical mask for the sick person to wear if they can tolerate it.
 
Please visit the district website for future updates.
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2009-2010 School Year and New District Strategic Plan
Posted 8/27/2009 at 5:05:19 PM by Michael Shoaf [staff member]
The new school year started on August 25th for students attending the Rocky River City School District.  We are excited that students will be participating in rigorous and challenging courses.  Students and faculty will be utilizing new technology resources in both classrooms and laboratories.  Furthermore, the district will be implementing a new strategic plan.  The plan is available at www.rrcs.org for your  review. 
 
Please share your interests in the strategic plan as well as how you may want to be involved in the implementation of the plan. 
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Co-Curricular Activities and Programs
Posted 5/22/2009 at 11:19:04 AM by Dianna Foley [System User]
As the Rocky River City Schools seek to meet the needs and interests of all students, discussions regarding co-curricular activities and programs are needed.
Please share your thoughts regarding co-curricular activities and programs that you feel the Rocky River City Schools should consider offering for our students.
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Response to Phys Ed or OAT Passing
Posted 4/28/2010 at 2:41:55 PM by Michael Shoaf [staff member]
Thank you for sharing your concern. Please rest assured that this is not the case, as we won’t even receive the results of the Ohio Achievement Assessments until after the students have left for the summer. Kensington students who struggle with reading and math receive intervention throughout the year based on multiple data points, not just the results of the OAAs. We are largely successful at providing intervention outside of art/music/fitness/computer time for many students. However, there are instances where the time and frequency a student requires for intervention necessitate looking to “specials” time for such assistance. In these cases, parents are made aware of the options. Thank you for your support.
Phys Ed or OAT Passing
Posted 4/27/2010 at 2:40:24 PM by [anonymous visitor]
My daughter is in the 5th grade, and taking the OAT achievement tests this week. I have not doubt she will do well. She told me, however, that they were told that for the students that do not pass one section, they will have to be tutored during Phys Ed class, and if they don't pass several sections, they will miss Phys Ed and Art. This implies that those subjects are not important, and can just be "scrapped" from the schedule of those students. I find this appauling that this would be the solution of the school system. Those subjects should be considered just as important as math and reading. They feed the soul and the mind and the body, and make it possible for those students to be refreshed. Furthermore, they are some of the classes the students look forward to the most. Now those students, who are already struggling, will have an even greater reason to dislike coming to school.
Orchestra
Posted 12/10/2009 at 7:59:42 AM by [anonymous visitor]
I agree with the orchestrial idea. My friend lives in Solon and they have a very good orchestra. It would be wonderful if the Rocky River School District had one.
Suggestions
Posted 10/3/2009 at 5:34:49 PM by [anonymous visitor]
I think the middle school should offer a life skills type of class that covers cooking, banking & investments, basic mending, etc. In my JR High, we had a week long program once a year, each year of JR, where we could pick from a list of many elective classes on special interests. Students took 6-7 classes during the week that covered things like planning travel, college choices, hiking, knitting, home improvement, gardening, etc.
co-cirricular activities
Posted 9/16/2009 at 5:35:06 PM by [anonymous visitor]
I feel it would be helpful if the Primary and Intermediate schools offered the RADKIDS program that is offered through the RR rec center. I have personally spoken to the instructor and said that he would offer the program on site at the schools as an after school activity in small groups.
Concerned Parent
Posted 8/31/2009 at 5:34:07 PM by [anonymous visitor]
I want to have more co-curricular activities and programs available for my children.
I agree
Posted 8/26/2009 at 5:33:59 PM by [anonymous visitor]
I agree. Yoga would be great for stretching out athletes and reducing stress.
Activities & Programs response
Posted 8/23/2009 at 5:14:17 PM by [anonymous visitor]
In response to Diana Foley's request for suggestions, I would like to see RR schools offer an orchestral music option that includes strings. If there is an issue of cost, could we consider working with another district to provide this option in tandem?
Suggestions.
Posted 8/20/2009 at 5:14:10 PM by [anonymous visitor]
I would like to suggest the following. I realize some of this may already be offered at the high school, but my child is not there yet, so forgive me if I am redundant in my suggestions. 1. Yoga offered in PE, and, if any way possible, as an alternative to study. It is excellent for athletes, to reduce stress, increasing focus, and for kids with anxiety. The breathing involved learned is invaluable. 2. Extensive education on how credit, banks, and loans work. This is also extremely important for kids to understand before they head off to college or financial independence.
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