Character ed K-12 + parents
Elementary counselors are implementing a character education rewards program at Washington K-1, Krout 2-3 and Noble 4-5 elementary schools.
The Bucket Fillers program is being implemented in grades K-5.
At Krout 2-3, Kennedy Secret Service agents will be recognizing students who exhibit good character.
Tiffin Middle School is implementing an Ambassadors Club.
Columbian High School, in conjunction with Business Advisory Council, is planning a series of symposiums that focus on character education.
To increase awareness of the importance of cross-curricular rigor
This school year, staff members have been meeting as grade level and curricular teams to discuss ways to incorporate the new state standards.
To improve mechanisms used to constantly disseminate info to taxpayers
In addition to the monthly radio spots on WTTF, Tiffin City Schools now has a radio spot on WTSC Internet radio called "Tornado Time."
The district updated its pages in the Tiffin Chamber of Commerce booklet so people new to the area receive current information. Plans are also in place to provide information through digital media at high school events. The marketing committee will be distributing a flier to local businesses that shows how to find information on the website.
The district website has been updated to make it easier to use.
Senior citizen passes are available at the high school.
Effective with the 2012-13 school year, the district has committed to sending two news releases a week to area newspaper and radio stations.
To create a district standard of technology support within every classroom
The district transitioned to Google Apps for Education (referred to as Tornado Mail).
All students in grades 6-12 have been issued a Tornado Mail account for classroom collaboration.
"BrainPop," a web-based animated instructional program for kids, has been purchased for grades K-5 through a grant from The National Machinery Foundation. Also, 12 iPads and docking stations were purchased for Krout 2-3 through a grant from Tiffin Charitable Foundation.
To expand partnerships between parents and the school district
Plans are in place to conduct open houses in May for next year's kindergarten, second-grade, and fourth-grade students and their parents.
The TCS Facebook page, which started last July, continues to grow with an additional 200 friends added to the more than 760 friends noted in the October progress report.
Discussions are taking place to increase the number of parent volunteers in the schools.
Research science, technology, engineering and math curriculum
Beginning in the spring, a series of four Saturday seminars will be instituted for middle school students with an interest in all things mechanical.
Units in robotics, welding, bicycle assembly, bridge building and wind turbines will help students understand the depths of their mechanical aptitude. Students also will begin to understand career opportunities that may exist once the skills are developed and honed.
To develop a peer tutoring program
The TC Mathletes program is designed to provide one-on-one tutoring support to any student who struggles in math.
Columbian is implementing the Equity Quest program.
Rigor, relevance, and relationships
Columbian High School successfully transitioned into being named an ACT test site by administering the ACT exam to 51 students in October.
Beginning with the 2013-14 school year, a section of eighth-grade students will be able to receive high school science credit by taking integrated science.
The practical English and practical math courses at Columbian have been fully implemented.
Students will be scheduled into a dual enrollment English course from Heidelberg University for the second semester of the 2013-14 school year. Also, the district is discussing the addition of another dual enrollment course in partnership with Tiffin University.
- Information courtesy Superintendent Donald Coletta
