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From the Superintendent’s Desk	September 15, 2016	FALL 2016

Permanent Improvement Levy Renewal
On election day this November, the Bath Local School District will have a renewal issue on the ballot. The renewal is for our 3.25 mil permanent improvement levy. This levy has been in place for many years and is used for projects such as the stadium restroom enhancements completed this summer, the purchase of new school buses, meeting district technology needs, the track resurfacing done in 2012, and the maintenance of all buildings and grounds.

As a point of information, in the past, this levy had $140,000.00 in tangible personal property tax reimbursements from the state attached to it. In the last budget cycle, the state legislature and the governor discontinued this reimbursement. Please note that we are NOT asking for additional funds to make up this budget cut to our state funding. We are going to attempt to live within a tighter budget for building and grounds maintenance, technology, and bus replacement.

Please remember to vote on November 8th.

Community Survey
The results are in. The Northwest/West Central Ohio Public School Advocacy Network community survey was completed last spring, and our residents have spoken loud and clear! Here is an excerpt from the executive summary done by an independent consultant:

The overwhelming message from a large and statistically reliable sample of 4,679 citizens from these school districts is clear: We want our local boards of education to be in control of our schools which are doing a good job of preparing our children for their future. We want less government regulation and fewer government mandates. We are opposed to using our tax dollars to support private schools and for-profit charter schools. And we believe that student test scores should not be used to evaluate our teachers who are the key to providing our students with a high quality education.

To achieve what the survey results demand, you, our parents and community members must reach out to your state legislative representatives and make your voice heard. We currently have a window of opportunity to make changes through the newly authorized federal legislation Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Superintendents across the state are calling for the effort to begin with federal minimum testing requirements. Our state currently requires far more testing than ESSA requires. If you agree, please make your voice heard. Many of our legislators have stated that they want to reduce mandates on the schools. A reduction in the massive amount of state testing would be a great place to start.

Mini-Strategic Planning Session – High School in a New Era

I am holding a mini-strategic planning session on October 12, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. in the Bath Community Room to discuss how our high school programing has changed under new local and state initiatives. We will consider options for the future to maximize the benefit of academic services to our students. This session is open to the public.

On a lighter note, I hope you are all enjoying the beautiful, late summer weather, and I look forward to seeing you at our school and community events. Go Wildcats and Wildkittens!!

Sincerely,

Dale E. Lewellen, Superintendent Bath Local Schools

FROM
BATH
ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL
MR. CHRIS RENNER, PRINCIPAL
NEW FACES IN TITLE ONE READING PROGRAM

This year at Bath Elementary, Title One continues to be a support program to supplement learning in the regular	classroom. This year the focus continues to be on reading. Bath Elementary is a Title One School, which
means every elementary student can benefit from Title One services.
The purpose of the Title One program is to aid in the development of a school/parent partnership which will help all children achieve the high standards required by the state. We will together share the responsibility for improved student achievement.
This year we have four Title One teachers. Jane Bailey continues from previous years. Kristin Lenhart has joined the Title One team as a full time teacher replacing Lisa Ross who recently retired. Sierra Miller and Taylor Buddelmeyer are part-time tutors. These salaries are paid through Title One funding. Please visit the Title One web page found on the Bath Local School Page www.bathwidcats.org and choose the elementary building.
After September testing of all Bath students, the intensive reading students will receive small group interventions with Title One teachers in addition to their classroom instruction.
All Bath parents are invited to attend a parent orientation and informational meeting which is scheduled on October 5th from 6:00-6:30. This meeting is to update parents and answer any questions you might have regarding the Title One program. We look forward to seeing many parents at this meeting. Students attending extra intervention will receive invitations to our orientation meeting in late September. Together we hope to make this a positive learning experience with significant academic growth in reading for all students.

The Elementary Title One Team Jane Bailey, Kristin Lehnart,
Sierra Miller, and Taylor Buddelmeyer

ELEMENTARY GUIDANCE

As an Elementary School Counselor, I am often asked by parents as to whether they should put their child in counseling. Usually their question arises from situations such as death of a loved one, family separation or stress, trouble focusing, misbehavior at home or school, discipline at home not working, lack of self-confidence, etc. When a concern is brought to my attention I will begin a process of assisting the student and their family based on the specific situation. There are times when more help from regular counseling sessions may be warranted. Counseling can help a child and offer guidance and support to parents. Feel free to contact me at the elementary school to talk about a specific concern or for a list of community resources.
-April Neff,

Guidance Counselor Bath Elementary School

PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES

The partnership created between home and school can be such a powerful tool in helping all students improve. The only way this will ever happen is through open communication. The task of educating children is the responsibility of all involved …the school, the parents, and the child. We always have a wonderful turnout for conferences. We once again want to encourage you to participate in this partnership. This year’s parent-teacher conferences are scheduled for November 7, November 9 and November 10. We want to encourage you to schedule and attend conferences. A letter with more details will be sent home with the students regarding this. We are confident that a team approach is always best, and we are thankful to have such supportive parents.

November 7 – 5:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. November 9 – 5:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
November 10 – 12:00 p.m.– 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (no school at Bath Elementary)
November 11 – No School

ELEMENTARY WELCOMES NEW STAFF MEMBERS

Bath Elementary is excited to welcome many new staff members to our building this year. Mrs. McKissick and Miss Buroker join the second grade teaching staff.
New to the third grade teaching staff is Miss Williams. Our two new Title I tutors are Miss Miller and Miss Buddelmeyer. Mrs. Nichols and Mrs. Kaple are both first year cafeteria monitors, and Mrs. Niebel is now one of our playground monitors. Mr. Ryan Gross is our new day custodian, Mr. Faurot and Mr. Carmack are the evening custodians, and Mrs. Staley is our new head cook. All of these individuals bring great qualities to Bath Elementary. As you may run into these individuals in our community, please introduce yourself. We are very excited to have each of them on staff.

FROM

OHIO ASSESSMENTS 2016-2017
AIR-AMERICAN INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH
	
	3rd Grade Fall Language Arts
	Tues., Nov. 15, 2016
		
	3rd Grade Language Arts
	Tues, April 4, 2017
		
	4th Grade Language Arts
	Wed., April 5, 2017
		
	5th Grade Language Arts
	Thurs., April 6, 2017
		
	3rd Grade Math
	Tues., April 11, 2017
		
	4th Grade Math
	Wed, April 12, 2017
		
	5th Grade Math
	Thurs., April 13, 2017
		
	4th Grade Social Studies
	Wed., April 19, 2017
		
	5th Grade Science
	Thurs., April 20, 2017

THIRD GRADE READING GUARANTEE

Ohio’s Third Grade Reading Guarantee directs schools to identify which students in kindergarten through grade three are having trouble reading, and provide them extra reading help right away. The goal is to get these boys and girls caught up in reading as soon as possible.

Studies show that children who are behind in reading at the end of grade three will have a hard time in all subjects in the fourth grade and beyond. After that, it can be hard for a child to ever catch up in school.

BATH ELEMENTARY
ACHIEVEMENT TEST
each year how well each child in kindergarten
through grade three is reading. We will then create a
THIRD GRADE READING	Under the Third Grade Reading Guarantee, Bath This year’s third graders will take the first round of the	Elementary School will determine at the start of reading achievement test on November 15. According to
obtain a minimum score on either the fall or spring
will work with these students.
the Third Grade Reading Guarantee, all students must	special reading plan for each child who is behind. reading assessment in order to move to the fourth grade.	Teachers who are experienced in teaching reading Any third grader that does not score the minimum score
SCHOOL
If you have a son or daughter who still struggles
with reading at the end of grade three, we will talk
with you about keeping the child in third grade until
he or she catches up. This may be all or only part of
the school year. Even then, though, your child may
do fourth grade work in other subjects if he or she is
ready.
on the fall or spring test will be required to come to summer school and take the summer reading assessment. It is important for all students the night before any test to go to bed at a reasonable time. Being well rested helps one to focus through these tests. It is equally important for them to eat a healthy breakfast. Many students form a fear of tests. The best thing we can do as adults is to encourage them to do their best and to let them know if
they do their best, we will be very proud of them.	There are special rules about the guarantee that can help children who are still learning English and
MR. CHRIS RENNER, PRINCIPAL
How many times have you asked your child what happ
Third Grade Reading Guarantee at
for more details.
HELPING YOUR CHILD SUCCEED IN SCHOOL	children who have disabilities. Read more about the at school only to hear a quick response of “nothing” orened	education.ohio.gov, or talk with your child’s teacher “I don’t know?” Many things go on each day in your child’s
classroom, but you may have to play detective to find out what. The more you know about what happens in the classroom, the better able you will be to help your child do his/her best. Here are a few easy ways you can stay involved in your child’s classroom and school:
*Join the Bath PTS and get involved. They can help keep you informed about school activities, issues and concerns. It is also a great way to meet other parents and teachers! Forms to become a member are located at the Bath Elementary Office.
*Sometime, each day, sit down with your child and go through the papers he/she brings home. Go over each paper. Listen to your child’s reaction to his/her work. Be positive and give lots of encouragement. Be sure to read all notes and papers sent home by the teacher or the school, and respond as needed.
*Find out your child’s homework assignments. Encourage and assist as needed. Provide a well-lit, quiet place to study. Consistency of where and when homework is done is always beneficial to the student.
*Mark dates of all school, family and work activities on a family calendar. Be sure to include dates of holidays and early dismissals to help you to remember if you need to pack a special lunch, provide spending money or arrange childcare.
*Get to know your child’s teachers! Let them know that you are interested in what your child is doing and learning. *Volunteer in the classroom to experience your child’s learning environment and provide a much appreciated extra pair of hands for the teacher!
*Attend all parent-teacher conferences. Take with you a list of questions or concerns you want to talk about with the teacher.
Being involved in your child’s education shows them the importance of it as well as how much you truly care about him/her and his/her future. A great sign of our wonderful parental support is that we had 84% of our students and their families attend our Open House on August 25.

FROM
BATH MIDDLE SCHOOL
MR. BRAD CLARK, PRINCIPAL
NEW STAFF MEMBERS

The middle school will once again be offering Title I Tutoring services to students during the course of the school day. Students who are selected for Title I services receive tutoring during their assigned study hall period. We welcomed two new Title I Tutors to our building. Mrs. Lindsey Garman and Mrs. Vicki Peace will be working with students on Math and Language Arts skills.

MIDDLE SCHOOL TESTING

All testing this year will be done on-line using AIR (American Institute of Research). Our testing window is April 3rd through April 19th, 2017.
Below is a list of tests that will be administered at the middle school this year. (We ask that parents refrain from scheduling vacations and appointments during the test dates.)
*All tests will be divided into two 90 minute sessions:

TEXT ALERTS

Middle school parents and	students	are encouraged to sign up for text alerts.        A
substantial amount of

Monday, April 3rd
	8th grade English Language Arts
	
Tuesday, April 4th
	7th grade English Language Arts
	
Wednesday, April 5th
	6th grade English Language Arts
	
Monday, April 10th
	8th grade Math
	
Tuesday, April 11th
	7th grade Math
	
Wednesday, April 12th
	6th grade Math
	
Tuesday, April 18th
	8th grade Science
	
Wednesday, April 19th
	6th grade Social Studies

information from the middle school office will	be	transmitted using the text alert system.	Individuals can sign up for the alerts by using a link at the Bath Local Schools webpage.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION/HEALTH AND ART AT BATH MIDDLE SCHOOL

In an effort to better meet the needs of our students, we will be incorporating some scheduling changes for the 2016-2017 school year. These changes will be in our exploratory classes, with no changes in the core classes of Reading, Math, Science, Social Studies and English.

Students in grade 6 will have one semester of Physical Education and one semester of Technology.

Students in grade 7 will have one semester of Physical Education and one semester of Art. Students will receive high school credit for Art.

Students in grade 8 will have one semester of Health and one semester of Physical Education. As in the past, all 8th grade students will take Physical Education for high school credit. Health class in the 8th grade will also be offered for high school credit.

Seventh grade Art students and eighth grade Health and Physical Education students may, at a parent/guardian’s request, audit the course. For the purposes of this policy, audit will be defined as follows:

Auditing a Course – Students auditing the course will attend classes, complete all required work to the best of their ability, and receive a grade to appear on their middle school report card only. No high school credit will be given and the grade will not appear on the permanent high school record for the student.

We feel these changes will help to expand our middle school offerings and better prepare our students for their transition to the high school.

If you have any questions or concerns about these changes, please contact the Bath Middle School.

FROM
BATH MIDDLE SCHOOL
MR. BRAD CLARK, PRINCIPAL
MIDDLE SCHOOL ATTENDANCE POLICY

Attendance is a basic and integral part of any student’s education. If a student is absent, the parent/guardian should call the school by 8:30 a.m. (419-221-1839). Should the school not receive a call from the parent/guardian, the school will call the parent/guardian at home or at their place of employment.

EXCUSED ABSENCES

Students are permitted to miss 4 days per semester (8 for the year) without medical notes. In order for these absences/ “call ins” to be excused, a parent or guardian must speak to the office explaining the absence within 24 hours of the absence. Excused absences entitle a student to make up any school work missed. These absences are based on one or more of the following conditions: (1) personal illness (2) death or illness in the family (3) observance of a religious holiday (4) other circumstances which may constitute an excused absence will require prior approval from the assistant principal or principal. Students with excused absences are solely responsible for making up any schoolwork missed.

MEDICALLY EXCUSED ABSENCES

Student/parents must present the office with a note written by a licensed physician. The note must specify which days of school the student was unable to attend, and must be presented to the office within two weeks of the medical appointment in order for these days to be excused. A medical excuse is defined as “__________ has been under my care from _________ to ___________ and may return to school on ____________”.

UNEXCUSED ABSENCES

Students with unexcused absences will not be given credit for any school work missed. Unexcused absences usually consist of, but are not limited to, one or more of the following conditions: (1) truancy-no note (2) needed at home (3) gainful employment (4) oversleeping and /or missing the bus (5) car trouble of any kind (6) non-emergency errands of any kind (7) personal reasons will be unexcused unless the reasons are specifically identified and prior approval is given by the principal or assistant principal.

STUDENT VACATIONS
We would hope that parents would make every effort to take their vacations during the summer. However, if a vacation is planned during the school year, parents are to let school officials know when they will be leaving on vacation and how long they will be gone so the assignments and make-up work can be arranged. These vacation days will count towards the student’s four days per semester as defined in the school attendance policy. With proper notification, the building principal or assistant principal may approve a fifth vacation day as an excused absence based on the exemplary attendance of the student.

Accessing Grades
Parents are encouraged to access grades via ProgressBook. Students have received their username and password. In order to access grades, please follow the following directions:
	Go to Bath’s website-www.bathwildcats.org and click on the picture of the middle school 	Click on “ProgressBook” on the left hand side of the screen
	You can access ProgressBook with the same username and password that you used last year
(New Bath students will be given a registration key to set up an account. If you can’t locate your username and/or password from last year, please do the following:
	Click on “Forgot your username or password?”
	If you don’t know your username, click on “I forgot my username”
o Enter your email address and ProgressBook will send you an email with your username 	If you don’t know your password, click on “I forgot my password”

o Enter your username and ProgressBook will send you an email that will allow you to reset your password
You should now be able to log into ProgressBook with your username and password. You can view your child’s grades and homework assignments. Click on “Classroom Information” on the left to view this week’s assignments. Monitoring ProgressBook is an easy way to help support your child’s academic journey! If you have any questions regarding ProgressBook, please feel free to contact guidance counselor Jeanna Davis.

FROM
BATH HIGH SCHOOL
MR. RICK GROSS, PRINCIPAL


	FINANCIAL AID

Due to the FASFA
		
NEW HIGH SCHOOL STAFF MEMBERS

Bath High School welcomes new staff members:

Mrs. Kelly Beckman – College Credit Plus American Sign Language I, II and III. Mr. Todd Fleharty – Virtual Community School
Mr. Matt Gillett – College Credit Plus CPR, First Aid and Exercise Science
Mr. Scott Mauk – College Credit Plus Calculus, Integrated Geometry and Integrated Math III
	now being open (starting October 1st) and many colleges moving up their completion deadline, Financial Aid Night will be Wednesday, October 5th at 7:00 p.m. in the High School Study Hall.
		
Ms. Deanna McIntosh – Health
Mrs. Shazia Sheikh – (Rhodes Employee) College Credit Plus Intro to Medical Terminology and Medical Terminology Mrs. Tammy Dear – Aide

NATIONAL MERIT SEMIFINALISTS

 COLLEGE CREDIT PLUS

We offer nearly 100 college credits on our Bath High School campus. We had 39 students participate in the inaugural Summer College Credit Plus program. The 39 students enrolled in 58 courses and earned 154 college credits from The Ohio State University and Rhodes State this past summer.

Congratulations to Paul Blasiman (Class of 2017) and Rachel Inskeep (Class of 2017) for being named National Merit Semifinalist. Over 1.6 million students entered the 2017 National Merit Scholarship Program. The 16,000 Semifinalists represent the highest scoring entrants in each state and represent less than one (1) percent of high school seniors. To become considered in the rigorous competition for National Merit Scholarships, Semifinalists must advance to the Finalist level of the competition by meeting additional standards and fulfilling several requirements. Each Semifinalist writes an essay and gives information about activities/volunteer service, leadership positions, honor or awards, and employment. Both Paul and Rachel have the opportunity to continue in the National Merit
Scholarship competition. We are very proud of Paul and Rachel and wish them the very best in the national competition. The following Bath High School graduates have been National Merit Finalist:
Corinne Elsey, Tyler Parent, Aaron Howald,
Spencer Hauenstein, Michael Howe, Sean Callaghan, Zac Jankovsky, Darya Task, Samuel Shutt and Katherine Inskeep.

TUTORING HELP IN THE HIGH SCHOOL

Did you know student members of the National Honor Society offer tutoring during most study hall periods, Monday through Thursday? Students who would like help must sign up with Mr. Garland in Study Hall, who will notify the NHS tutor. For further information or questions, contact Mrs. Bradley, National Honor Society Advisor, at bradlee@bathwildcats.org or 419-221-0366, ext 2103.

CLASS OF 2016 ADVANCED PLACEMENT ENGLISH 12

Members of the AP English 12 Class of 2016 are deserving of praise and congratulations for their collective hard work and stellar scores on the Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition Exam. All 12 students put in hours of hard work throughout the school year and were a consistent pleasure to have in class. The 11 students who chose to take the exam scored wonderfully, in many cases earning college credit for their exemplary performance.

NATIONAL ACADEMY OF FUTURE SCIENTISTS

Congratulations to Andrew Reynolds (Class of 2017) for earning the Award of Excellence from the National Academy of Future Scientists and Technologists. Andrew attended the
FROM
National meeting this past summer in Boston, Massachusetts. We are very proud of Andrew!

Haley Adams Aejha Curtis Aaron Dickrede Andrew Ducker Julia Evans Dacoda Hanthorn

Jacob Horstman Madeline Mooney
Spence Razinger Tyler Shobe Wyatt Stahl Hannah Truman

BATH HIGH SCHOOL
Thanks for a great year and best wishes for a most promising future!
-Mr. Steidl

BATH HIGH SCHOOL ART

MR. RICK GROSS, PRINCIPAL
Bath artists are going far and leaving their mark, literally! Over the summer Bath graduates Hannah Truman, Marcus Zwiebel, Spence Razinger, Andy Ducker, and Caroline Durain have been apprenticing with me on a mural in Bluffton, Ohio on the side of the Groves Bear Building on the corner of Elm and Main Streets. The mural will be a collage like visual timeline of the history of the Black Swamp, Bluffton area. We are working hard and hope to finish the mural by the end of next summer.

As the art students of Bath High School begin to explore the depths of their creative possibilities this school year, I would like to remind the Bath community that our student art work is available for your viewing pleasure on Artsonia (www.artsonia.com). Artsonia is the largest online student art gallery and showcases artwork from our school as well as
thousands of schools around the world. This is a great tool to involve parents, relatives, and community members in student education and accomplishments. All students who acquired permission from parents have their work uploaded after completion to the online gallery. Just search for Bath High School in the ‘find a school’ section once you reach Artsonia’s homepage. Last year we had over 1,800 views of our school gallery! Artsonia also offers parents and relatives the opportunity to order merchandise with their student’s artwork printed on them. A percentage of the proceeds from those purchases benefit our art program with supplies.

I would like to give a sincere thank you to all the students that put themselves into their work and were confident enough to allow their work to be shared
with	with others. Please don’t forget to check out Artsonia! -	Mrs. Sarah Hartzler

BATH LOCAL SCHOOLS 2650 BIBLE ROAD LIMA, OHIO 45801

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID
PERMIT NO. 65 LIMA, OH 45801

P A R E N T	S C H O O L	C O M M U N I T Y

BATH LOCAL SCHOOLS DIRECTORY

BATH ADMINISTRATION Dale Lewellen, Superintendent Annette Morman, Treasurer 2650 Bible Road
Lima, OH 45801 (419) 221-0807

BATH ELEMENTARY Chris Renner, Principal Chris Clark, Asst. Principal 2450 Bible Road
Lima, OH 45801 (419) 221-1837

BATH MIDDLE SCHOOL Brad Clark, Principal
Rich Dackin, Asst. Principal 2700 Bible Road
Lima, OH 45801 (419) 221-1839

BATH HIGH SCHOOL Rick Gross, Principal
Brian Jesko, Asst. Principal 2850 Bible Road
Lima, OH 45801 (419) 221-0366

The Class of 1966 presented a symbolic check to the superintendent of Bath Local Schools, Mr. Dale Lewellen, for the Scholarship Fund during its 50th class reunion held at the UNOH Event Center on July 2, 2016. The final total given to the scholarship fund was $4,028.25 and is to be awarded to graduating students of Bath High School. Pictured in the photo from the left are: Dr. C. Lynn Thompson, Class President; Patsy (Orchard) Morrison, Reunion Co-Chairman; Mr. Lewellen, Superintendent; Dr. James Augsburger, Class Salutatorian; Dr. Rev. Thomas Jewell, Reunion Co-Chairman.

THANK YOU class of 1966 for your thoughtfulness, generosity, and investment into the students of Bath High School.

PTS Meeting – October 10th @ 7pm in the Elementary Science Room Mini Strategic Plan – October 12th @ 6:30pm in Community Room #1
Topic: New state and local initiatives and how they will impact our children’s education.