AWARDS & HONORS
SCHOOLS
Two schools in Oak Hills District recognized as "Ohio Schools to Watch"
Bridgetown and Rapid Run middle schools have been re-designated as nationally recognized Ohio Schools to Watch for 2011.
The schools, in the Oak Hills Local School District in western Hamilton County, are among 90 exemplary middle-grades schools from 19 states to earn the designation. In Ohio, 18 schools were designated in 2010. The program is part of a recognition and school improvement plan developed by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform. Selected schools must demonstrate four strict criteria:
- Academic excellence
- Developmental responsiveness
- Social equity
- Organizational structures and processes
"We are honored. The Bridgetown Middle School family strives to offer all of our students a high quality education within a safe, caring, and nurturing environment," said Principal Tim Cybulski. "Our rigorous curriculum and diverse extra-curricular offerings combine to offer our students engaging and challenging learning experiences. All of these opportunities support our vision to help and encourage each and every student to accomplish their hopes and dreams."
School leaders and teachers say teamwork is critical for continued success.
"The staff and students at Rapid Run Middle School are very proud," said Principal John Stoddard. "This was made possible thanks to the commitment and dedication of our staff, the hard work of our students, and the strong support of our parents, community and business partners."
The designation has altered the way schools educate students – for the better, said Bridgetown teacher Emily Metz.
"The Ohio Schools to Watch distinction has helped drive our continued to improvement as teachers and leaders, Metz said. "In the years that we have been designated, we've experienced improvements in discipline, curriculum planning, and data-driven decision making. Our overall school climate has improved and I believe the designation has something to do with that."
J.F. Dulles Elementary School and Bridgetown Middle School have some of the cleanest kitchens in Hamilton County.
The schools, in the Oak Hills Local School District, are receiving the Hamilton County Public Health Clean Kitchen Award. According to the award, “You have demonstrated over the past two years that you use sound public health knowledge and sanitation principles in the operation of your facility.”
Selection is based on meeting the following criteria:
• The person in charge must hold an Ohio Department of Health Food Protection
Certificate. To receive this certificate one must attend at least 16
hours of class and pass a test.
• The kitchen must receive a perfect board of health inspection for
two years. Each kitchen is inspected twice a year, which means it must
pass four inspections with no violations.
Oak Hills District recognized by state for fiscal trustworthiness, stewardship
The Oak Hills Local School District has achieved the Making Your Tax Dollars Count Award for excellence in financial reporting. The award was recently presented to Ronda Johnson, district Treasurer and Steve Bain, Assistant Treasurer from the Auditor of State.
“You are a trustworthy guardian of taxpayer dollars
and deserve the highest amount of recognition for your vigilance,” the
award states. Based on the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR)-
compiled by Johnson and Bain, the district demonstrates a commitment
to “careful spending, accurate fiscal recording and efficiency. You
are truly a model of government entities throughout the state of Ohio.”
The district also was awarded the Association of School Business Officials
(ASBO) Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting, and the Government
Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Award of Financial Reporting Achievement.
The three awards are a first for the district. Congratulations!
STUDENTS
2011: Congratulations to Allison Keeton, a junior at Oak Hills High School, who earned a perfect 36 on the ACT. Click Here for News Article
Congratulations to Alex Kroeger, senior at Oak Hills High School, who is a finalist in the National Merit Scholars Program. Alex was recognized March 7, 2011 by the Oak Hills Board of Education. He is shown here on the left with President Steve Schinkal (center), and Principal Jeff Brandt.
STAFF
Todd Yohey, Superintendent of the Oak Hills Local School District, will be among the featured guests May 13 at the Education Week Leadership Forum on innovation in Chicago.
Yohey, in his second year at Oak Hills, will participate in a panel discussion about the role of innovative thinking in and out of the classroom. Education and political leaders from across the country will discuss their experiences in the session “Innovation Insight – Manage Your District Creatively to Boost Learning.”
“I look forward to sharing the Oak Hills’ story and how we are reinventing education to better meet the needs of the 21st century learner,” Yohey said.
Stephanie Levy, Event Content Associate for Education Week, said Yohey was selected based on his “unique combination of accomplishments and public leadership in the Oak Hills School District.”
The program provides school leaders and other administrators a fresh approach to national policy, human-capital management, and developing district strategies and curriculum.
“Over the next decade, the pace that we are currently experiencing will create more change in instructional delivery and educational attainment than was realized over the previous 100 years,” Yohey said. “We have a responsibility to prepare our students for that future.”