Chromebooks meet testing demands

It was a busy summer and early school year for the New Richmond Exempted Village School District’s technology department which has brought 600 Chromebook laptops online just in time to meet the demands of Ohio Department of Education’s mandated online assessments beginning with the 2014-2015 school year.

During the week of Sept. 22, NREVSD students began the first round of what will be an estimated 16,000 online assessments during the 2014-2015 school year beginning with the Pro Core assessments for students in grades 4 through 9 and the Chromebooks running Google’s browser based operating system in proving to be the tool to meet the demand.

Locust Corner students using Chromebooks,
and traditional study methods in the school's
media center.

The New Richmond Board of Education was able to add four 30-unit Chromebook carts per building for the cost of upgrading one computer lab on the district’s scheduled 5-7-year  upgrade cycle.

“We are able to purchased four Chromebooks ($199 base price plus $40 for a 3-year extended warranty) for one standalone PC,” said NREVSD technology director Matt Prichard. “These devices can be utilized directly in the classroom in order to maximize valuable instructional time Students have with teachers compared to students relocating to a computer lab during classroom time.”

The Chromebook is a fully functioning laptop including a keyboard which is a necessity for essay questions. The lightweight Acer C720 11-inch Chromebook selected by the district offers up to 8.5 hour battery life versus 2-4 hours with traditional laptop computers.  The Chromebook starts within 7 seconds and updates automatically and has virus protection built into the operating system.

NREVSD technology director Matt Prichard trains Monroe Elementary
teachers on the use of Chromebooks which have been added for use in
online assessments and classroom applications.

The Chromebooks compliment the district’s previous purchase of Apple IPads (one 24-unit cart per grade level).

“IPads are a great tool for running educational apps but students need a keyboard for testing,” said Prichard. “Our staff and students will continue to utilize iPads in the classrooms for daily instruction.”

Chromebooks are a hit in the classrooms especially the high school where they will replace short-battery laptops in blended learning classes like Math XL and in essay driven classes.

“My English classes are currently typing essays on the Chromebooks using Google Docs,” said high school English teacher Michelle Senter. “My students can easily access their written work anywhere wireless is available while typing in Google Docs, and the Chromebooks are fantastic for this.”

The Chromebooks will be used for approximately 4000 online Pro Core assessments in September and again in January to help teachers prepare their students for the state mandated online proficiency tests in the Spring and at the end of school year.

Approximately 4050 Performance Based assessments administered in February and March in the following areas to be followed by the same number End of Year (PARCC) assessments administered in April and May:

Grade 3 – Reading and Math
Grade 4 – Reading, Math, Social Studies
Grade 5 – Reading, Math, Science
Grade 6 – Reading, Math, Social Studies
Grade 7 – Reading, Math
Grade 8 – Reading, Math, Science
Grade 9 – ELA and Integrated Math

“This does not take into account Alternate Assessment of Students with Disabilities or other required assessments (NAEP, grade 8),” noted John Frye, district director of pupil and staff services.

Chromebooks, which have a life expectancy of 3-5 years, have been approved by the state for conducting the online PARCC assessments (Partnership for Assessment of Readiness of College and Careers) which kicked in this school year.

The computer-based K–12 PARCC assessments are aligned with the new Common Core State Standards designed to give teachers, schools, students and their parents better information to determine if their students are on track in their learning cycle and for success after high school.

Besides assessments in mathematics, reading, science and social studies learning standards and domains in grades 2 through 11, high school students beginning with this year’s freshman class face specific end-of-course assessments for Integrated Math I, II, and III, Algebra I and II, Geometry, Physical Science, Biology, Chemistry, Modern World History, American History, and
American Government.

“Chromebooks give our staff and students more flexibility and reliability with the upcoming online-based Assessments at a fraction of the cost of a traditional desktop computer,” added Prichard. “You do not want to be tied to one device.”

Cool Tools for School to be held Aug. 9

Cool Tools for School (formerly Ready Fest) will be held Saturday, August 9 from 9 a.m.-noon  at the Boys and Girls Club on 213 Union St. in New Richmond. 

 It is sponsored the New Richmond Initiative for Neighborhood Excellence, Linda White, Executive Director (linda@bgcclermont.org, 553-1948). School supplies will be available for those in need as well as timely information for parents.  They serve over half of our school population with many families relying on this help year after year.  

NREVSD welcomes 19 new teachers

New Richmond Exempted Village School District students will be greeted by a lot of new faces when classes begin August 14.

“Due to 11 retirements and teachers leaving for jobs in other districts we have 19 new teachers this year,” said Supt. Adam Bird, who, along with district pupil and staff services director John Frye, held orientation for the new teachers the week of Aug. 4.

NREVSD Supt. Adam Bird talks to new teachers during orientation Aug. 5

New staff  members include:

Byron Trapp (counselor) and Will Shoemaker at New Richmond High School;

Joshua Durbin, Amy Cholkas (transfer from NRE) and Andrea Belmont at New Richmond Middle School:

Angela Gray (counselor), Margie Massie, Frances Rich, Kate McQuire, Alan Lindner and  Kelly Langdon at New Richmond Elementary;

Jill Kennedy, Leah Hosler, Gina Tierney and Alicia Dodson at Monroe Elementary;

Carolyn Cone, Brittney Croswell, Adam Sayer, Lindsey Gillespi and Shannon Helton at Locust Corner Elementary.

Joshua Durbin, new physical education teachers at New Richmond MiddleSchool and Will Shoemaker, new math hire at New Richmond High School, are two of the 19 new teachers who will greet district students Aug. 14.

Tim DuFau joins NREVSD school board

Timothy G. DuFau, a 36-year resident of the New Richmond Exempted Village School District who has held management and training positions for Duke Energy, was sworn in Aug. 4 to fill the unexpired term of the late Dave Hawkins on the NREVSD Board of Education.

DuFau, who currently manages all maintenance activities and resources for Duke’s three Cincinnati area generation facilities, will serve the 17 months remaining on the term of Mr. Hawkins, who died July 10 after serving 22 years on the board. He was selected by board members Kim Hayden, Kevin Walriven, Anthony Farmer and Kristin Bennett from 14 people who applied for the vacancy.

NREVSD treasurer administers the oath of office to Tim DuFau.

“I’ve lived in New Richmond School district for the past 36 years and have participated in many volunteer organizations throughout my life,” said DuFau. “My appointment to the Board provides me another opportunity to serve the community that I live in and I’m grateful for it.”

DaFau ran for the school board in 1997 and narrowly missed being elected. He did not run again due to positions with Duke Energy that required extensive travel.

“Now that my job no longer requires me to travel, I've been considering running again for a position on the board,” said DuFau. “My wife (Teresa) and I have raised two sons in the New Richmond school system and now have grandchildren entering into it.  I will work hard to insure all our children receive the best education they can while being financially responsible.”

A 1978 graduate of Bethel-Tate High School and a member of the first graduating class at the U.S. Grant Joint Vocational School, DuFau began his work career as a maintenance repairman for then Cincinnati Gas & Electric and advanced into training and management positions with Cinergy and now Duke Energy. 

His volunteer efforts include:

•           Volunteer New Richmond firefighter - 1976 - 1995 of which several years at officer levels up to Assistant Fire Chief.

•           Knothole coach for 14 years

•           Free Store Food Bank volunteer - 2010 - 2014

•           Lead the effort to obtain several grants from Duke Energy for many improvement around the New Richmond Elementary School building including landscaping and outdoor patio tables & umbrellas outside of the office area.

•           Volunteered for Literacy night at New Richmond Elementary for past 3 yrs.

•           Participated in and coordinated numerous Ohio River Sweep projects.

•           Participated in two different River Sweeps on the Little Miami River from a canoe from Loveland to Milford.

•           Participated in numerous Adopt a Highway projects along SR 749, US 52 & US 756.

•           Served as one of the founding members of the Monroe Township Zoning Appeals Board for 2 years.

•           Taught Junior Achievement classes at New Richmond Middle School for 5 years.

•           Volunteered as Buddy Walk participant in 2013.

•           Participated in races to raise money for childhood disorders.

NRHS gets high marks in AP and OGT

New Richmond High School students continued in 2014 to score above the national and state averages for scoring a 3 or higher on the College Board’s Advanced Placement tests and qualify for college credit.

The College Board released 2014 results showing New Richmond High School students scored 3 or higher on 73 of 115 tests taken for a 63.4% passing grade and making them eligible for more than 200 semester hours credit in college for a savings of more than $125,000  in tuition charges based on average semester hour fees at local universities.

The AP test results followed impressive preliminary 2014 Ohio Graduation Tests (OGT) results for New Richmond High School.

Eight out of nine of AP biology teacher Joe Moorehead's students scored a 3 

or higher on the 2014 AP test to earn college credit.

“Our staff's continued dedication and hard work in preparing our students for college and/or career has shown significant gains over the past two years on the College Board Advanced Placement testing results,” said NRHS principal Mark Bailey. “Our students scored higher than the state and national average in 6 of the 7 AP courses taught at New Richmond High School.”

Bailey singled out the following courses for their improved results:

• AP Biology - Joe Moorehead, instructor (passage rate of 88% vs. 64% in 2013)
• AP Music Theory - Doug Heflin, instructor (passage rate of 75% vs. 0% in 2012)
• AP US Government & Politics - Brian McMonigle, Instructor (passage rate of 71% vs. 67% in 2013)
• AP Calculus - Rylan Shebesta, instructor (passage rate of 58% vs. 33% in 2013)

“It is evident that teachers, students, and parents are vested in preparing for the future and the very competitive workforce of the 21st century,” said Bailey. “I am extremely proud of our staff, students, and the New Richmond community.”

New Richmond High School social studies teacher Bill Harris, who has served as an AP reader for human geography tests, sees the results as proof that New Richmond students can compete with any school.

NRHS social studies teacher Bill Harris says AP test results prove

New Richmond students can compete with any school.

“Our AP scores continue to beat the national average (55-59%) because teachers and students at NRHS are very serious about AP success,” said Harris. “For example, AP Human Geography is taught at 5 area schools: Indian Hill, Mount Notre Dame, Princeton, Walnut Hills, and New Richmond.  Of those, New Richmond is the only one to beat the national average the last eight years in a row.”

Overall, eight New Richmond students scored a 1 on the AP tests, 15 scored a 2 and 50 scored a 3 in 2014. Eight of 9 biology students passed; 12 of 19 literature & composition students passed; 13 of 19 human geography students passed; 7 of 12 Calculus AB students passed; 12 of 17 U.S. government and politics students passed; 5 of 15 chemistry students passed; and 6 of 8 music theory students passed.

U.S. Government AP teacher Brian McMonigle credits his students

for impressive AP test results for 2014.

Students deserve the most credit according to New Richmond’s AP teachers.

“In my 16 years of teaching, you only see a group of hard working and dedicated students like this year’s class once in a while,” said Moorehead about his AP biology students. “All I did was lead a little bit. It was all on them and I’m very proud of their effort and I hope their families are too.”

“I had a great group of students that really worked hard all school year,” said social studies teacher Brian McMonigle. “They deserve a lot for all the studying they did this past school year.  This group will accomplish great things in the years to come.” 

"Not only did we have an amazing performance year (including Straight Golds at Orlando), but these kids really showed that the New Richmond music department. is a solid, fundamentally structured program," said AP music theory teacher Doug Heflin. "Averaging a three on a National AP test is solid and I couldn't be any more proud of our music kids."

Preliminary Ohio Graduation Tests (OGT) results for 2014 saw New Richmond High School improve over 2013. Students must pass reading, writing, mathematics, social studies and science parts of the OGT in order to receive high school diplomas.

New Richmond High School principal Mark Bailey (pictured talking with AP Literature & Composition teacher Nicole Parker, credits high expectations at New Richmond for growth in AP and OGT test results.

“We had a huge jump in scores in the 2012-2013 school year in all five testing areas and improved upon our results in 4 of the 5 OGT tests this year,” said Bailey. 

Students begin taking the OGT (which is being phased out after this school year in favor of end of course exams) as sophomores. According to preliminary data, 94.7 % of 2014 sophomores passed reading, 93% passed writing, 89.5% passed mathematics, 91.3% passed social studies and 84.3% passed science. Compared to 2012 test results, NRHS has improved 8.6% in reading,3.4% in writing, 2.2% in mathematics, 9.8% in social studies and 2.8% in science.

"The type of growth witnessed in both the OGT and in our Advanced Placement classes over the past two years is indicative of a strong academic focus at a high level of rigor at New Richmond High School.  “We will continue to have high expectations for all students as we prepare them for college and the very competitive 21st century workforce."

School board position available

The New Richmond Exempted Village School Board is seeking candidates to apply for the recently vacated seat of school board member David Hawkins.

As outlined in School Board Policy #0145, letters of application will be accepted from any adult resident in the New Richmond School District who is interested in appointment.

The letter of application should include all activities and volunteerism they have been involved in and include a statement of qualifications the candidate brings to the Board.

Prospective Board members should provide a short resume outlining their qualifications.

Letters of application are due Friday, July 25, 2014 by 4:00 p.m.

Letters of application should be sent to Teresa Napier, Treasurer, PD. Box 372, New Richmond, OH 45157 or delivered by hand to 212 Market Street, 2nd Floor, New Richmond, OH 45157 or email to Napier_T@nrschools.org  prior to July 25, 2014 at 4:00 pm.

Interested candidates will be interviewed on the evening of Monday, July 28 or Tuesday, July 29.

NREVSD mourns loss of Dave Hawkins

Dave Hawkins is being remembered today for his many years of dedicated service to the New Richmond Exempted Village School District which included 22 years as a member of the Board of Education and nearly 30 years of volunteer work.

"His positive impact on NREVSD as a Board of Education member will be felt for many years," said Supt. Adam Bird. "Dave has always looked at what is best for our students when casting a vote as a Board member."

Mr. Hawkins, 62, died Thursday, July 10, after a long battle with cancer.

In addition to his tenure on the New Richmond Board of Education, Mr. Hawkins spent 14 years as New Richmond’s representative on the U.S. Grant Vocational School board.

His legacy as a volunteer includes 27 years of operating the football scoreboard for freshman, JV and Varsity games; 26 years as the official scorer for New Richmond freshman, JV and Varsity basketball games; and many years as scoreboard operator and timer for league, district and NR track meets. He also started the New Richmond Middle School wrestling program and served as tournament director for 12 years and scorer for 16 years.

“Dave accomplished more in his short lifetime than anyone else I can think of,” said his friend and fellow school board member Kevin Walriven. “It's not every day you find people of his dedication and I know for a fact his presence will be greatly missed. I as well as many others have lost a true friend and confidant but I carry the knowledge and experience he gave me for many years to come.”

His years of dedication earned Mr. Hawkins the Ohio High School Athletic Association’s the “Friends of Athletics Award” from the SW District Athletic Board in February. The award is given to someone who has volunteered over 25 years at a school.

“Dave’s loyalty and dedication to New Richmond Schools is second to none,” said New Richmond High School athletic director and SW Board member Doug Foote. “Not one time did I ever ask Dave for help and he turned me down. I lost a very dear friend and so did New Richmond.”

Dave Hawkins (right) interviews New Richmond High School athletic director Doug Foote during a newrichmond.localsportsradio.com broadcast. Mr. Hawkins, a member of the New Richmond Board of Education for 22 years died July 10. Mr Hawkins helped broadcast more than 65 New Richmond athletic events during the school year.

Mr. Hawkins will be inducted into the New Richmond Lions Sports Hall of Fame next January.

“It was our pleasure to tell Dave before he passed that the Hall of Fame Committee selected him for induction into the New Richmond Hall of Fame as the Pride of the Lion Award,” said Foote.

New Richmond High School varsity basketball coach Brian McMonigle considered Mr. Hawkins a special person from the time he met him as a freshman player in 1994.

“Dave was one of those kind of guys who would push you to be better, and you knew deep down that he truly cared about each one of us as players,” said McMonigle who developed a close personal relationship with Mr. Hawkins when he became New Richmond’s head coach.

“When I was hired as head coach in 2009, the first thing I did was speak to Dave and we spoke for almost three hours on just about everything,” recalled McMonigle. “You knew he truly wanted the best for New Richmond. I was able to coach with Dave as my scorekeeper for 4 seasons.  He was someone I could vent to as a coach and he was a great listener.”

Lions baseball coach Brian Benzinger also developed a personal relationship with Mr. Hawkins that began when he was a student athlete and extended to his coaching career which saw Mr. Hawkins broadcast New Richmond baseball games for six years on www.newrichmond.localsportsradio.com.

“No one person in my years at New Richmond has demonstrated more loyalty, commitment, and support for our school district,” said Benzinger. “For close to thirty years, Dave Hawkins has been the number one representative of our school district.”

Mr. Hawkins graduated from New Richmond High School in 1970 and played football, baseball and wrestled for the Lions. An arm injury stopped a promising baseball career but his love for the game took him to the Major League Umpire School and a short career as an umpire in the Florida State League.

Dave Hawkins at his familiar spot in the football press box

 running the scoreboard clock

But his heart was in his hometown so he returned to New Richmond where he married Brenda Hamilton in 1973 and started a career with Cincinnati Bell and began his years of dedication to New Richmond schools.

Besides his wife, Mr. Hawkins is survived by his children David Hawkins and Amy Garrett (Frank), grandchildren Brody, Riley and Emme Hawkins, and Jacob and Kodi Garrett, great-grandson Hunter Garrett, brothers Dan Morgan, Don Hawkins, and Dean Hawkins and sister Mary Binder.

Visitation for Mr. Hawkins will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, July 13, at the E.C. Nurre Funeral Home, 177 W. Main St. (St. Rt. 125) Amelia with funeral services at 10 a.m. Monday at Cranston Presbyterian Church at the corner of Union and Washington Sts. in New Richmond. Burial will be in Watkins Hill Cemetery in New Richmond.

Ashlee Lewis honored for attendance

When it came to school closings or two-hour delays, 2014 New Richmond High School graduate Ashlee Lewis never trusted the information that scrolled across the bottom of her television screen.

New Richmond High School graduate Ashlee Lewis
 never missed a day of school in 13 years.

“I remember checking two or three times just to make sure it was true,” said Lewis, who was honored at New Richmond’s 2014 commencement for perfect attendance for 13 years.

“It’s very difficult to go through four years of high school without missing a day of school and it’s even harder to go through two years of middle school without missing a day,” noted New Richmond principal Mark Bailey. “However, this amazing and driven young lady has shown how dedicated she is to her education. Ashlee Lewis has not missed a day of school since she started kindergarten in August of 2001.”

“There were really only a few days that were really hard,” said Lewis, who will attend Northern Kentucky University where she plans to major in electronic media and broadcasting. “During swimming, there were times when we wouldn't get back to the school until midnight and waking up the next morning and staying awake through the day was incredibly hard to do.”

On normal school days Ashlee, who is the daughter of Dean and Rebecca Lewis, would wake up at 5 a.m. to get to school at 6:30 just to be sure that she would be on time.

“One thing I know for sure, though, is that no one in this school appreciated snow days more than I did,” said Lewis.

Doug Foote elected to OHSAA board

New Richmond High School athletic director/dean of students Doug Foote has been elected to a six-year term on the Ohio High School Athletic Association's Southwest District Board. Mr. Foote received 33 votes to 12 for Benjamin Logan AD Scott Reule and 9 for Bishop Fenwick AD Jon Payne.

The 9-member SW District Board is one of five Ohio High School Athletic Association district boards and oversees and runs sectional and district competition in 20 OHSAA sectional and district tournaments.

Mr. Foote's election gives the Southern Buckeye Conference two spots on the SW District Board. Western Brown AD/Asst. Principal Tim Cook serves as SWDAB president and representative to the OHSAA state board.

A native of Lynchburg, Ohio, Foote is completing his 6th year as New Richmond athletic director. Prior to coming to New Richmond he was head basketball coach at Marietta College for 15 years and women's basketball coach at Rio Grande College for five years.

Ohio High School Athletic Association
4080 Roselea Place
Columbus, Ohio 43214
Phone (614) 267-2502
Fax (614) 267-1677

RESULTS

SOUTHWEST DISTRICT ATHLETIC BOARD ELECTION
CLASS AA REPRESENTATIVE

Results of the election follow below. The ballots were counted by Scott Dorne, Athletic Director, Thomas
Worthington High School; Molly Downard, OHSAA Executive Administrative Assistant; Dana Bushong,
Administrative Assistant; Jerry Snodgrass, Assistant Commissioner; Tim Stried, Director of Information;
Chris Walker, Production Supervisor; Lauren Prochaska, Assistant for Compliance and Events; and Tyler
Brooks, Program Coordinator.

VACANCY – CLASS AA REPRESENTATIVE - SOUTHWEST DISTRICT
TERM - BEGINNING AUGUST 1, 2014 AND ENDING JULY 31, 2020

33 Doug Foote, Athletic Director/Dean of Students – New Richmond High School, New
Richmond

9 Jon Payne, Athletic Director – Bishop Fenwick High School, Franklin

12 Scott Reule, Athletic Director – Benjamin Logan High School, Bellefontaine

66 sent, 54 returned
DOUG FOOTE WAS ELECTED TO THE
SOUTHWEST DISTRICT BOARD

Spring sports banquet moved to May 28

New Richmond High School's Spring Sports Banquet has been moved from May 16 to May 28. The banquet honoring 2014 spring athletes will be at 6 p.m. May 28 in the NRHS cafeteria followed by athlete recognition in the NRHS gym.