Olentangy's Top News

Oak Creek Students Present the History of Music in Orange Township

lmeade — Fri, 18 May 2012 12:53:39 +0000

Oak Creek Elementary School third-graders recently performed a play researched and written by OCES teacher Emily Tanner entitled “Pioneer Days, A History of Music in Orange Township.” Ms. Tanner and other third-grade teachers involved all grade three students in the production which emphasized how important the role of music was in early American life. Students learned about pioneer dancing songs, farming songs and songs that told stories. Students sang many early favorites such as Shoo Fly, and Old Dan Tucker. Families that first settled in Orange Township learned many of their survival skills and farming techniques from Native Americans. All of this information was part of the musical script and aligns with the third-grade social studies curriculum.

Teachers Association Approves Tentative Contract; Board to Vote May 24

ktruett — Thu, 17 May 2012 19:48:13 +0000

The Olentangy Teachers Association (OTA) has approved a tentative three-year contract that will help the district save more than $13 million over the course of the contract. The savings are due, in large part, to changes in insurance options and a step-increase freeze.

Superintendent Wade Lucas, Ed.D., said this agreement will allow the district to meet the Olentangy Board of Education’s goal of making the most recent operating levy last at least four years.

“Our teachers are an amazing group, and they understand the need for change,” said Lucas. “We believe in providing a high quality education while staying focused on financial efficiency.”

OTA president Elaine Eddy said Olentangy teachers believe in working in partnership with the administration and the community. “This contract clearly demonstrates that we are committed to this partnership as well as continuing to focus on the learners that we serve.”

Under the tentative agreement, teachers will not receive a step increase for years of experience during the 2012-13 school year. Eligible teachers will receive step increases during the 2013-14 and 2014-15 school years, but they will not recoup the missed step, saving the district approximately $2.3 million over three years.

The agreement also calls for employees to have a choice between two insurance options. If the contract is approved by the board, the first option would be a high-deductible plan that includes a health savings account. The second option would be a PPO plan similar to the current insurance offering, but with significantly higher out-of-pocket costs to the employee. Changes in the insurance and benefit offerings will save the district approximately $11.1 million over three years.

The OTA represents 1,105 teachers in the Olentangy Local School District. The current contract runs through June 30, 2012. If approved by the board, this agreement will begin July 1, 2012 and end June 30, 2015.

The Olentangy Board of Education will vote on the tentative agreement during its meeting Thursday, May 24 at 6 p.m. in the auditorium of Olentangy High School, 675 Lewis Center Road. The meeting agenda and exhibits will be available on the district’s website 48 hours in advance of the meeting.

OTA tentative agreement

Accolades and Honors for Two Olentangy Teachers

lmeade — Thu, 17 May 2012 19:14:48 +0000

Olentangy Local Schools is proud to announce that Liberty Tree Elementary School art teacher Jonathan Juravich has been selected as Man of the Year by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, for which he raised around $60,000 for cancer research. Mr. Juravich’s fund raising effort was the largest amount raised since the event began three years ago. Additionally, Olentangy Orange High School social studies teacher John Jordan has been selected as Special Educator of the Year by the Vietnam Veterans of America, Buckeye State Council for his organization of a Vietnam Veterans assembly for OHS and his dedicated work to the council.

Liberty Tree Festival of Fine Arts

lmeade — Thu, 17 May 2012 19:05:38 +0000

Liberty Tree Elementary School hosted their fifth annual Festival of Fine Arts on May 10. Students and their families were invited to view artwork created throughout the year and also participate in different activities. Some of the activities included creative playtime at student-led art stations and a scavenger hunt.

Scioto Ridge Elementary Celebrates Right to Read Week

lmeade — Mon, 14 May 2012 19:22:37 +0000

Right to Read Week was a big event at Scioto Ridge Elementary with events unfolding every day. Students dressed as their favorite book character, participated in a book swap, dressed the color of their hallway and read their favorite books on the “beach” which was set up in the school’s lobby. Students traded their old favorites for new favorites and sat and relaxed while setting goals for summer reading.

Good Luck Send Off For LTES Teacher Vying for “Man of the Year”

lmeade — Fri, 11 May 2012 19:57:47 +0000

The entire student body of LTES gathered in the school commons recently to celebrate the end of their “Give Coins, Make Change” campaign to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. LTES teacher Jonathan Juravich has been nominated as “Man of the Year” for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and has an opportunity to raise funds for the group. The coin campaign at LTES is wrapping up, as is Mr. Juravich’s campaign for the society. The students were rewarded with an assembly consisting of sumo-wrestling second grade teachers Misty Miller, Erin Budic, Lindsay Smith and Jennifer Arbona. The noise and laughter in the commons was infectious, fun and LOUD!

Olentangy High Schools Among Top in the State, Nation

ktruett — Thu, 10 May 2012 15:02:22 +0000

All three Olentangy high schools are ranked among the top 20 in the state, and the top six in central Ohio, according to a study released this week by U.S. News & World Report. The study analyzed achievement data from 22,000 public high schools across the nation.

Olentangy Liberty High School (OLHS) is ranked seventh in the state and 216th in the nation with a college-readiness score of 58.5, a math proficiency score of 4.5 and a reading proficiency score of 4.

Olentangy High School (OHS) is ranked 10th in the state and 256th in the nation with a college-readiness score of 55.7, a math proficiency score of 4.4 and a reading proficiency score of 4.

Olentangy Orange High School (OOHS) is ranked 16th in the state and 393rd in the nation with a college-readiness score of 49.4, a math proficiency score of 4.5 and a reading proficiency score of 4.

“This is a reflection of the hard work our students and teachers do everyday. It’s also indicative of the support our students receive at home,” said Superintendent Wade Lucas, Ed.D.

U.S. News & World Report determined its college-readiness scores by examining the percentage of seniors who took and passed Advanced Placement (AP) exams. The math and reading proficiency scores reflect student performance on the Ohio Graduation Test (OGT).

Invention Convention Winners Announced

lmeade — Wed, 09 May 2012 15:10:26 +0000

Students from all over Ohio recently submitted inventions to Invention Convention and a whopping thirty-six students have been selected as representatives of Olentangy Local Schools at this year’s convention. The students below and their inventions will be competing at the Columbus Invention Convention at Columbus State Community College on May 19th! Congratulations and good luck to:

Regan, Alum Creek Elementary School (ACES), Marble Master
Riley, ACES, Marble Master
Katie, ACES, Dog-Away
Ella, Arrowhead Elementary School (AES), Mr. Lungs
Maclane, Chesire Elementary School (CES), Safe Distance Cars
Allie, Freedom Trail Elementary School (FTES), Cleaning Caddy
Amira, Glen Oak Elementary School (GOES), Polly Pocket Purse
Cade, Indian Springs Elementary School (ISES), The Pillow Proper
Paige, ISES, The Recycling Bin Topper
Rylie, Johnnycake Corners Elementary School (JCES), Hug-a-boo
Audrey, JCES, Kicking Boss
Alaina, JCES, The Pawtastic Snow Melter
Lily, Liberty Tree Elementary School (LTES), Scratch Free
Emma, LTES, The Stand Out – Yard Bug Stand
Spencer, LTES, Vel-couch
Cole, LTES, P.E.T.T.S
Sindhu, LTES, A Bug (Automatic Backpack Umbrella)
Peyton, Oak Creek Elementary School (OCES), Wet Floor, No More!
Alexandria B., Olentangy Hyatts Middle School (OHMS), The Tidy Spoon
Alex, Olentangy Meadows Elementary School (OMES), Multi-Frame
Stevie, OMES, Stevie’s Football Factors
Eli, Scioto Ridge Elementary School (SRES), Puck Dispenser
Olivia, SRES, The Bag Helper
Dominic, Tyler Run Elementary School (TRES), Adjustable Seat Belt Cell Phone Holder
Dominick, TRES, The Working Hat
Jack, TRES, Attention 5000
Jenna, TRES, The Safety Stand
Heather, Walnut Creek Elementary School (WCES), Scat Cat!
Mitchell, WCES, Fact Football
Dominic, WCES, Thunder & Lightning Silencer
Abigail, WCES, The Athlete’s Towel
McKenna, Wyandot Run Elementary School (WRES), The Auto iDesk
Evan,WRES, The Quick Change
Benjamin, WRES, Hands-Free Trash Cabinet
Ryan, WRES, Aqua All-Terrain Vehicle

Video Available: PPT Forum “Helicopters and Hummingbirds”

ktruett — Wed, 09 May 2012 14:13:20 +0000

It’s natural for parents to want to protect and support their children, but how much is too much? On May 2, the Olentangy Parent Programs Team (PPT) presented a 90-minute examining the effects of hovering too closely to our children as they transition to adolescence and struggle to achieve their own identity and independence. Author Joe Bruzzese provided parents a positive, light-hearted look at the new set of parenting skills it takes to stay connected with children while fostering their independence.

Joe Bruzzese began his career as a teacher and coach, and those experiences paved the way to his first book, “A Parent’s Guide to the Middle School Years.” Bruzzese travels the country sharing his insight on parenting. He is also an instructor at the University of California at Santa Barbara and Azusa Pacific University and a featured contributor to Momster.com, a parenting website created by Family Circle magazine.

Veterans Group Honors OOHS and OOHS teacher

lmeade — Fri, 04 May 2012 18:04:53 +0000

Olentangy Orange High School has earned the Patriotism Award for excellence in education on veterans. This award is being given by the Vietnam Veterans of America to honor the school for its “noteworthy committment to veterans for several years.” OOHS has held an assembly every year since the school opened in 2008 featuring Vietnam veterans as guest speakers. This year’s assembly will feature two Vietnam veterans discussing their experiences with U.S. history students. The event will be held Wednesday, May 23 in the theatre from 8:30 a.m. to 11:42 a.m.and in the auxiliary gym from 11:42 a.m. to 2:40 p.m. and will be facilitated by teacher John Jordan, who was named “Special Educator of the Year” by the Vietnam Veterans of America.