Pilot programs mark new school year

By Doug Page, Staff Writer Updated 5:24 PM Thursday, August 20, 2009

ENGLEWOOD — Here’s some of what’s new at Northmont schools.

Fourth-graders will be piloting a program that uses handheld computers to do research and take tutorials. “It’s more technology for our classrooms,” Principal Beth Wyandt said. Students will use iPod Touches, allowing students greater access to the Internet.
The city has installed a security camera outside the school.

The city has eliminated one crosswalk across Wenger Road and upgraded the signs and markings at the crossing. “It will make the crossing easier and safer for our students,” Principal Monica Richardson said.
The city also installed a security camera at the school.
The school district is installing a walking track to promote fitness.

The school will run an ABC (A Behavior Camp) Boot Camp for the first nine weeks for all grades. The camp will emphasize the behaviors necessary to succeed in school.
Students and staff will be asked to nominate people for weekly PopStars awards, which recognize students and staff who have done the right thing, said Becky Gruber, a guidance counselor.

Robert Best, former principal at O.R. Edgington, is the new Northwood principal.
The school will again participate in Muse Machine where second- and third-graders will work with a professional artist.
Fifth-graders will be raising money for their annual trip to Glen Helen.

The school is ready for the 200 new students from Phillipsburg Elementary, which was merged with Union, said Principal Kevin Grone, a former Phillipsburg principal.
A modular building with four classrooms has been installed. Grone said three of the classrooms are for the fourth grade and the other is for older multi-handicapped students.
Security door locks have been installed and keycards issued to teachers.

The parking lot will be restricted to buses and staff parking only. Parents are asked to park on Martindale Road.

Principal David Weekley said the building will continue working hard to improve test scores. “We are all looking at the state standards to make sure that everything we do is relevant to those standards.”
The school is looking at the different ways students learn to ensure all students are engaged, he said.

The school will begin a pilot program that allows Miami Valley CTC students to take their core academic courses at the high school and their labs at the CTC.
Principal George Caras said college-level courses, taught by Northmont teachers, will be offered to earn credits from Miami University, Ohio State University and Wright State University.
The high school will offer a credit recovery program for students who are behind in their credits or transferred in from a virtual school. The program will offer a mix of standard classroom work and supervised online learning, Caras said.

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