2November 2008 | The <strong>School</strong> Bell | www.pickerington.k12.oh.usPreparing forTomorrowKaren Mantia, Ed.D.Superintendent of PLSDTo say th<strong>at</strong> the times arechallenging for public educ<strong>at</strong>ionin Ohio would be a majorunderst<strong>at</strong>ement. But we in<strong>Pickerington</strong> have a lot to beproud of and an exceptional baseto build on for the future. Wh<strong>at</strong>we do in the coming months willdetermine whether the Districtmoves ahead. Based on wh<strong>at</strong> I’mhearing, I know we will.Here’s why.Academically, spurred byteachers who know how to getresults, we are <strong>at</strong> the top of theOhio Report Card, “Excellentwith Distinction,” demonstr<strong>at</strong>ingth<strong>at</strong> we belong in the front ranksof Ohio school districts.Our teachers and staff areworking hard to maximize theindividual talents of <strong>Pickerington</strong>students. We are accomplishingthis <strong>at</strong> a lower cost per pupil thanalmost any of our sister districts.Facility-wise, there are manyencouraging items on the agenda.The District continues withconstruction of new facilities toease overcrowded conditions andgrowing student popul<strong>at</strong>ions.Next school year, Toll G<strong>at</strong>eElementary <strong>School</strong>, Toll G<strong>at</strong>eMiddle <strong>School</strong>, and SycamoreCreek Elementary <strong>School</strong> willopen their doors.Th<strong>at</strong> will not only help relieveovercrowding but enhance thequality of teaching and learningenvironments.Additionally, there is likely helpavailable from the Ohio <strong>School</strong>Facilities Commission (OSFC).We learned recently th<strong>at</strong> OSFCwill m<strong>at</strong>ch already voted localfunds and provide $50 millionPreparing continued on pg. 5Hooked on FishingBy Jennifer McComasPutting a worm on a hook,coordin<strong>at</strong>ing your body to casta line, and reeling in a fish is aspecial event for many children,and the Special Educ<strong>at</strong>ion staff <strong>at</strong><strong>Pickerington</strong> <strong>Local</strong> <strong>School</strong>s wantsto make sure th<strong>at</strong> all students enjoythis experience.On a brisk Friday morning inSeptember, <strong>Pickerington</strong>’s SpecialEduc<strong>at</strong>ion students and staff, ledby Adaptive Physical Educ<strong>at</strong>ion<strong>Teacher</strong> Steve Bravard, went onan adventure to build lifelongrecre<strong>at</strong>ion and leisure skills.The students with multipledisabilities, emotional disabilities,and orthopedic impairments,as well as students withcommunic<strong>at</strong>ion, sensory and socialneeds, were invited to particip<strong>at</strong>ein a day-long learning experience.It gave them the opportunity tolearn and practice recre<strong>at</strong>ion andleisure skills as well as particip<strong>at</strong>eappropri<strong>at</strong>ely in social situ<strong>at</strong>ions.“The goal is to teach our studentsthe basic adaptive behavior skillsin situ<strong>at</strong>ions similar to wh<strong>at</strong> theydo during their family time,”said Bravard. “This was also anopportunity for students topractice behavioral and socialskills th<strong>at</strong> they work on in schoolin a different setting.”Students worked on fishing skillsfor several weeks within the schoolsetting and the outing was theculmin<strong>at</strong>ing activity.This opportunity is offered to theDistrict through a partnership withHickory Lakes and Fairfield Fishand Game Club.Both loc<strong>at</strong>ions provided poles, bait,a stocked pond and a hayride <strong>at</strong> nocost. They even provided volunteersto work with students who neededextra help throughout the day.Each site hosted a different groupof students for the day.The District is committed tomeeting the diverse needs ofstudents so, when they gradu<strong>at</strong>e,they have learned how to accessthe community for work, as well associal opportunities. The Districtmakes sure th<strong>at</strong> students andfamilies are assisted with uniqueand engaging activities th<strong>at</strong> supporteach individual student.The <strong>School</strong> BellThe <strong>School</strong> Bell is a community newszine dedic<strong>at</strong>ed to providing in-depthcoverage of the <strong>Pickerington</strong> <strong>Local</strong> <strong>School</strong> District. Its staff is comprised ofDistrict staff and students.Editor: Lee ColeCopy Editors: Vicki Baptist,Diana Myers, Linda SamczakProduction/Design Team:Lee Cole, Betty ConleyPhotographers: EveryoneContributing Writers: Kayce B.,Edwina Campbell, Lee Cole, Julia F.,Dan Griscom, K<strong>at</strong>hy Kelly-Long,Jennifer McComas, Sandy Meigel,Martha England, Karen MantiaContributing Writers:Linda Samczak, Vince Utterback,Kaylin W.Publisher: <strong>Pickerington</strong> <strong>Local</strong><strong>School</strong> DistrictPLSD Board of Educ<strong>at</strong>ion:Wes Monhollen, president; LoriSanders, vice president; Lee Gray,Clay Lopez, Lisa ReadeSuperintendent: Karen MantiaTreasurer: Dan Griscom
Found<strong>at</strong>ion Puts Kids First<strong>Pickerington</strong> Educ<strong>at</strong>ion Found<strong>at</strong>ion seeks to provideresources to further expand student achievementBy K<strong>at</strong>hy Kelly-LongThe <strong>Pickerington</strong> Educ<strong>at</strong>ion Found<strong>at</strong>ion (PEF) has been putting educ<strong>at</strong>ionfirst in the <strong>Pickerington</strong> schools since 2004. Founded <strong>at</strong> the suggestionof a parent, PEF’s mission is “to enrich, improve, and support the totaleduc<strong>at</strong>ion of all students in grades K-12 in the <strong>Pickerington</strong> <strong>Local</strong> <strong>School</strong>District.” The found<strong>at</strong>ion accomplishes this by providing grants toteachers and District staff.3November 2008 | The <strong>School</strong> Bell | www.pickerington.k12.oh.usSince 2004, grants have been awarded to every school in the District; toprograms in all areas of core curriculum; and to programs in music, art,special needs, and physical educ<strong>at</strong>ion.The found<strong>at</strong>ion’s grant program is open to any PLSD staff member anddecisions are made by the PEF Grants Committee which is comprised ofparents, school board members, and the District teacher of the year. Formore inform<strong>at</strong>ion visit www.pefound<strong>at</strong>ion.org.The found<strong>at</strong>ion also manages design<strong>at</strong>ed funds, such as scholarships.This past year, John Carter and his family established the Linda CarterFund in memory of Linda Carter, a longtime teacher who passed away ina car accident in 2007. This year, the first Linda Carter Scholarship wasFound<strong>at</strong>ion continued on pg. 5
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