The Creek Indian Creek Local School District Newsletter January 2017

Wintersville Elementary Implements PBIS Program The Indian Creek Local Board of Education

got an overview of a newly implemented pro-

gram designed to build student character at

Wintersville Elementary School.

During the Dec. 15 session, school guidance

counselor Brittany Shank and third-grade teach-

er A.J. Renner led a PowerPoint presentation on

the Positive Behavior Intervention and Support

(PBIS) concept which was introduced last year

but went into effect during the current school

term. Shank and Renner said the W.E.S. expec-

tations include “Winning attitude,” “Excellent

effort” and “Self-control” and they are included

in daily announcements and reinforced through-

out the building. An expectation matrix was

also created identifying what students should do

in the building from the classroom to the play-

ground, and they including following school

rules in the hallway, working cooperatively in

the classroom, cleaning up your space in the

cafeteria, sharing playground equipment when

outside, throwing away trash in the bathroom

and getting on and off the bus carefully. The

matrices are displayed in the building and were

designed in cooperation with the ICMS Media

Club.

“This is the first year to fully implement this

program,” Shank said.

Renner added that students are also rewarded

with “Behavior Bucks” for going above and

beyond expectations. They are limited to $2 per

day, which is given by an adult staffer in the

school. They may redeem the bucks at the PBIS

School Store and purchase tangible items ac-

quired through the principal’s fund or donated

by community members or businesses, or they

can also obtain coupons for such rewards as

lunch with a teacher or extra tech time. Stu-

dents are given the option of saving their bucks

and quarterly incentive drawings are held. Most

recently, board games which were anonymous-

ly donated were distributed to recipients. Ren-

ner said mystery events are also held and stu-

dents are given a clue over the morning an-

nouncements and can choose to buy a ticket to

attend. At the end of the first quarter, a total of

1,483 bucks were earned with about 186 behav-

ior bucks entered into the drawing, plus 1,293

were spent at the PBIS School Store.

Students are also encouraged daily to move

their class’s football player to the next 10-yard

line on the cafeteria display. Once a class

reaches the end zone and scored a behavior

touchdown, they receive a special treat at the

end of lunch.

“It’s a way to say thank you and provide posi-

tive reinforcements,” Renner commented.

Other incentives include Star Students who

are recognized on a “Wall of Fame” that can be

viewed by visitors at the school. The awardees

are lauded in the school newsletter and earn a

goodie bag.

“We’re really focusing on students who show

positive behavior,” Shank said. “Two [Star

Students] are chosen per month by homeroom

teachers. They go onto a Wall of Fame that’s up

all year and parents viewed it during parent-

teacher conferences and Literacy Night.”

She noted that a positive school climate also

leads to improved attendance and the annual

goal was to decrease chronic absences. To that

end, rewards are given each month to the top

three classes with the best attendance. Other

plans help promote acts of kindness this holiday

season by using the Grinch as part of a special

project. Students are to give compliments, help

others and perform good works to help the

Grinch’s heart grow.

“A positive school climate is critically related

to school success,” she said. “We’re moving

from focusing on school issues and reacting to

the problem behavior to teaching and recogniz-

ing positive behaviors.”

Meanwhile, District Treasurer Denise

Todoroff said the district received a letter from

the Ohio Department of Education’s Office of

School Finance seeking information about how

the district will work to reduce its impending

deficit over the next five years.

“They are requesting we present a deficit

reduction proposal,” she said. “We are project-

ing a low funding balance of $381,000. They

are saying we will show a low balance of

$101,000 in [2018] and a deficit of $150,000

[in 2019]. We need to send a letter on a new

plan on how we will increase revenue and re-

duce expenditures.”

She added that the district has a new budget

coming out and she was awaiting the state fund-

ing model, which could change the numbers.

Todoroff planned to keep the board updated.

In other business, the board agreed to hold

the reorganizational meeting on Jan. 12 at 5:30

p.m. at ICMS with board member Bob Smith as

President Pro Tem. The regular meeting will

follow around 6 p.m.

Wintersville Elementary Guidance Counselor Brittany Shank, left, and third-grade teach-

er A.J. Renner update the Indian Creek Board of Education about the implementation of

the Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS) program at the school.

ICHS Leadership Class Hosts Career Days Students caught a glimpse of college and job

prospects while taking part in Career Days on

Dec. 19-20 at Indian Creek High School.

Sponsored by the school’s leadership class,

the event included local professionals talking to

students about college and career options as

they look to the future. Among those taking part

were Indian Creek School Superintendent Dr.

T.C. Chappelear, Tracy Yaich of Eastern Gate-

way Community College, Rich Gualtiere of the

Jefferson County Community Action Council,

ICHS Guidance Counselor Jim Maul and Holly

Eakle of Tim Horton’s, while others represent-

ed the fields of education to mechanical engi-

neering. Dozens of students in grades 9-12

participated and the program was the culmina-

tion of a project by the leadership class that will

be submitted to a Family Career and Communi-

ty Leaders of America (FCCLA) competition

this spring.

Teacher Julie Robinson, who also acts as

FCCLA advisor, said it was a way for students

to get a jump start on their life plans by learning

about opportunities and options.

Students and teachers were surveyed in Octo-

ber and several hundred responses were com-

piled for review. The top career fields included

medical, teaching/education, law and public

safety, and mechanical and engineering.

FCCLA members then wrote letters to repre-

sentatives to speak on why they entered their

chosen field and share their experiences. Robin-

son said the objective for the event was to have

others learn about their desired field of study

and to have a fun time.

“We got great feedback from students about

the resume process. I think it’s a great experi-

ence for teenagers,” Robinson added.

Students rotated among tables in the school

gym which were manned by the professionals

and spoke to a panel about education, engineer-

ing, medicine or law enforcement, while they

also underwent a mock interview and resume

review by other business and community lead-

ers. During one session, Dr. Chappelear and

Yaich, the latter of whom is assistant director of

the TRIO Program at EGCC, answered ques-

tions about careers and education. Dr. Chap-

pelear also discussed college options to gain an

education while also reducing student debt

while Yaich encouraged the youth to not wait

until their junior or senior year to focus on their

grades, saying their classes would also prepare

them for their ACT and SAT tests. Gualtiere,

who is coordinator of the Comprehensive Case

Management Employment Program (CCMEP)

through JCCAC, said he studied to be a teacher

but works with youth outside the classroom.

The CCMEP program was enacted this past

summer and aids people aged 18-24. He said

one service provides up to $12,000 over two

years to help offset college or training costs.

Meanwhile, Maul and Yaich oversaw mock

interview and resume review to help students

hone their skills when seeking a job.

Some of the pupils said the Career Days ven-

ture was insightful and they learned something

new.

“You can have a plan of what you want to do,

but it could change,” noted freshman Erin

Smith, adding that she found the event informa-

tive.

“[I learned that] maybe a four-year college

isn’t always the best option and there could be

other things that may be ideal for you,” added

freshman Katelyn McCord.

“It definitely helped me not to decide just my

job, but my field as a whole,” said freshman

Trenton Palmer. “It’s not just that job but a

whole lot more.”

Senior Madison Legros is already planning to

become a teacher and said the insight she

gained re-instilled that she is on the right path.

“Dr. Chappelear recommended getting a mas-

ter’s degree after you get a job out of college,”

Legros said. “That was my plan.”

Dozens of students took part in Career Days at Indian Creek High School on Dec. 19-20

and spoke to local professionals about their future. Education, business and other leaders

shared how they chose their current role and also discussed college and career options,

while mock interviews and resume reviews were also conducted.

The Indian Creek High School National Hon-

or Society Chapter No. 2330 inducted 21 new

members to the organization. Juniors and sen-

iors are selected based on scholarship, leader-

ship, service and character. Pictured are, front

from left, Robert Coppa, Ivy McCombs, Dan-

ielle Gluzman, Sydney Karas, Savannah Shan-

ley, Kaleigh Castner and Sam D. Robinson.

Second row: Spencer Neville, Johanna McCoy,

Amberle Orlando, Allison Gaschler, Kelsey

Lewis, Rachel Cooper, Rachel Ewing, Alyssa

Campbell and Carly Jo Laughery. Third row:

Leia Hunt, Sam I. Robinson, Mikayla Winland,

Shayla Garman, Madison Smith, Josh Wil-

liams, Paige Hilderbrand, Livia Foust, Julia

Holman and Nick Crawford. Back: Jasmine

Anderson, Miracle Hunt, Hannah Williams,

Addy Trice, Cheyenne Shrieve, Ian Belt, Evan

Coppa, Renee Antonelli and Miranda Corrigan.

NHS Inducts 21

C2BC Enacted at Indian Creek Middle School A new student-driven program has

kicked off at Indian Creek Middle School,

and it’s a first for the local area.

Cool 2 Be Clean (C2BC) is an organiza-

tion in which students are nominated by

their peers and take a pledge to make good

choices and refrain from drugs and alco-

hol. A group of seventh-graders were se-

lected by their teachers to comprise the

founding membership and the program

was started in conjunction with a local

businessman. Hopes are to have the entire

student body—or about 680 students in

grades 5-8—get involved.

Principal Dr. Holly Minch-Hick said Ron

Galiano, regional owner/operator of

McDonald’s in Steubenville, Weirton and

the Pittsburgh areas, initiated discussion

about bringing a project which was close

to his heart into area schools. Galiano had

already implemented it at Peters Township

Middle School in Pennsylvania where his

daughter attends and hoped to impact stu-

dents in this area for the better.

“It’s a student-driven program but gives

recognition to kids who make positive

choices in their lifestyle, like staying away

from drugs and alcohol,” Dr. Minch-Hick

explained.

Seventh-graders Kailey McMillion,

Mitchell Williams, Aiden Minch-Hick,

Ava Schloss and Austin Starr organized

the kickoff assembly on Dec. 12, and

those featured were two Pittsburgh-area

pharmacists discussing the impact of drugs

on the human brain and a recovering drug

addict gaining help through the Family

Resource Center of Steubenville.

McMillion and Williams led the assem-

bly and named the next crop of nominees,

plus she introduced the day’s speakers.

The youth mirrored the first assembly after

one they viewed at PTMS and even invited

some of those speakers to attend the local

event. However, the young organizers

hope the assembly will be just the tip of

the iceberg.

“We plan to nominate [fellow students]

every two weeks and we get bracelets,”

McMillion said.

The newest nominees can then select

more students and the goal is eventually

have the entire school pledge to life clean

and stay away from illegal substances.

Participation does have its privileges both

in and out of school and students can even

earn free or discounted goodies from par-

ticipating businesses.

McDonald’s will provide half off a pur-

chase of up to $15 on Sunday and buy one,

get one free deals on Smoothies, Frappes

and shakes throughout the week. Other

sweet deals include discounts and coupons

through Island Creek Sporting Clays and

Hibbetts Sports, respectively, and the

youth board is also seeking other business-

es to take part.

“The goal is to have the entire school

involved, or at least have everyone make

good choices,” added Aiden Minch-Hick.

“It’s more that people will see their friends

do this and it will persuade them to be in-

volved.”

Meanwhile, another assembly will be

held later this year. The teens consider it to

be quite an accomplishment to have only

the second C2BC program in the area.

“It’s definitely a big responsibility,”

McMillion said.

Indian Creek Middle School kicked off its new Cool 2 Be Clean (C2BC) program with an

assembly, and the student-driven project is only the second of its kind in the area. It in-

cluded expert speakers talking to kids about the dangers of drugs. Youth will be nominated

to take part in C2BC every two weeks and pledge to live a clean lifestyle without drugs and

alcohol, while they also receive wristbands entitling them to earn privileges both in and out

of school. Among the founding members are, from left, seventh-graders Aiden Minch-Hick,

Austin Starr, Mitchell Williams, Kailey McMillion and Ava Schloss.

Former NFL Pro Visits ICMS

Former NFL player Daniel Muir stopped at Indian Creek

Middle School on Dec. 8 to address students about the im-

portance of good decisions and the consequences of bad

ones. Muir, who once played for the likes of the Green Bay

Packers and Indianapolis Colts, shared tales from his own

life and discussed how he worked to find success after head-

ing down the wrong path. Muir’s experiences included a

near-fatal crash in 2008 while driving under the influence.

That incident resulted in the end of his career with the

Packers before he went on to play with the Colts. His school

appearance was part of a series through Sports World Inc.

“Sweet Land of Reading” Theme of Literacy Night Wintersville Elementary School turned into

a confectioner’s delight as it hosted students

from WES and Hills Elementary for a joint

literacy night event.

“The Sweet Land of Reading” was the

theme of the activity on Dec. 8, which drew

an estimated 270 students and parents.

The school gym and classrooms hosted a

variety of learning games aimed at reading,

math and event Science Technology Engi-

neering and Math (STEM) subjects for

grades PreK-4 while a snack was provided in

the cafeteria. In the art room, children com-

pleted a gingerbread house of their own de-

sign and worked with their parents in the

gym to complete word games modeled after

Candyland, while students also created

“Grinch Dust” to keep away the Dr. Seuss

villain during a book reading in one of the

classes. Classroom doors were also decorated

following the theme, but the main goal was

to boost family interaction in a fun and edu-

cational manner.

Karen Lloyd, literacy coordinator at WES,

said the evening was an overall success.

More than 100 families—or roughly 350

people-- registered to participate while a

majority of them did attend.

“We had a great turnout and great respons-

es too,” Lloyd said. “I think [both literacy

night events] have been great. With ‘The

Sweet Land of Reading,’ we wanted to work

on communication. Parents have to com-

municate with their children, including the

little ones, because vocabulary development

is lacking since everyone is on their [phone]

devices. People are texting, not talking.”

She noted that open communication with

children, particularly the younger set, helps

build vocabulary and brain synapses. To that

end, games such as Candyland were held in

the gym and enabled parents to work with

their children and answer questions about

synonyms, antonyms and related topics.

Meanwhile, Hills Elementary conducted

the first collaborative event this fall and each

elementary school is expected to host its own

literacy night sometime in the spring.

Wintersville Elementary School held its joint

literacy night event with Hills Elementary on

Dec. 8. “The Sweet Land of Reading” was the

theme and Jaime McCumbers is pictured with

kids Morgan, a second-grader at WES, and Jack,

4, playing a Candyland game using word clues.

Hills Helps Kids, Friendship Room with Mitten Tree Hills Elementary School students are doing their part to ensure

that people stay warm as the temperatures fall this winter with a

mitten tree project.

Preschool teacher Ashley Turnbull has organized the event as a

way for the children to help others as the colder weather approach-es. She said new hats, scarves and gloves were accepted to benefit

both children in need at the school while others were donated to

the Friendship Room warming center in Steubenville.

“The mitten tree was something that I decided to do for the holi-

day season to help those in need,” Turnbull said. “I am in charge

of character education this year [at Hills] and this is the first time I

have done the mitten tree. The items will go to students at Hills

Elementary who are in need of warm winter items and anything we

have left will be given to the Friendship Room.”

She added that many people lack the proper protective outer

wear, including youngsters, and the goal is to make sure they are dressed to handle the elements.

“As a special needs preschool teacher, I witness firsthand the

countless children that are less fortunate and come to school in the

cold winter months without these items to keep them warm, and I

wanted to do something to help,” she continued. “The kids have

been very excited to bring them in and place them on the tree. So

far, we have collected over 50 items and we have had a few par-

ents donate numerous scarves that they have handmade, as well.”

This isn’t the first time Turnbull has rallied students for a cause.

At Thanksgiving, students donated $1 to state what they were

thankful for through the “Thankful Turkey” project. That effort raised $105, which was split between the character education pro-

gram and the Friendship Room. Turnbull said the latter funds were

used to purchase a case of water, pepperoni rolls, and enough

lunch meat and cheese to make more than 30 sandwiches for the

cooler outside the warming center to help feed the homeless.

Hills Elementary School first-graders Cayden Pagett and Harper

Long are among the students helping keep people warm this win-

ter by collecting gloves, hats, and scarves for a mitten tree project.

The items will be given to fellow students in need as well as the

Friendship Room warming center in Steubenville.