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Home > Blogs > Lakota Schools News and Issues > Archives > 2009 > November
November 2009
Lakota earns kudos for audit report
Butler County - Auditor of State Mary Taylor’s office today presented Lakota Local School District officials with the “Making Your Tax Dollars Count” award for the fiscal year 2008 audit. Fewer than 5 percent of all Ohio government agencies are eligible for this award.
Certain criteria must be met to receive the “Making Your Tax Dollars Count” award. The entity must complete and submit a Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). There must be no findings or issues present in the audit report. There must be no other financial concerns involving the entity.
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TweetMore on ADHD
This is an e-mail I got in response to a story I wrote recently about ADHD. I try to pass along information if I get it, so here it is for anyone interested in the topic.
“I read your article, ‘Does your student have an attention disorder?’ and thought you would be interested in learning about the first FDA cleared test that is 90 percent accurate in discriminating the likelihood of ADHD diagnosis, the Quotient ADHD system.
Historically, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been challenging to diagnose because many of the assessment tools rely largely on subjective information from parents and teachers, in addition to clinical evaluation. And as you know, proper ADHD diagnosis is key.
The Quotient™ ADHD System, which originated from McLean Hospital, the largest psychiatric facility at the Harvard Medical School, measures motion and attention state to give objective data on the core symptoms of ADHD: inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. The takes 15 minutes for children under 13, or 20 minutes for adolescents and adults. The report is available to the clinician in less than a minute to help guide the conversation regarding the treatment plan.
The other novel aspect of the Quotient system is its ability to objectively measure the effects of medication and aid doctors in prescribing optimal dosage. Some doctors use the test to get a baseline measurement of a patient’s symptoms, then retest after medications have been used to see if the drugs are helping.”
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TweetEast alum graduates basic training
Air Force Airman 1st Class Sean K. Vizgirda graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
He is the son of Rhonda Tignor of Indian Trail, West Chester, Ohio, and Al Vizgirda of Probasco St., Cincinnati, Ohio.
The airman is a 2009 graduate of Lakota East High School, Liberty Township, Ohio.
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TweetCentral office thanks service men/women
Lakota Central Office employees took on a service project this year to bless service men and women. Employee Linda Gold has a son serving in a unit of the Marines that is stationed in Afghanistan. Marine Capitan Anthony Gold, a 1999 Lakota West Graduate, and 19 of his unit members are sharing a tent during this holiday season. Members of the Central Office Connections committee wanted to express gratitude. A notice was sent to all Central Office staff indicating our intent to put together “Thanks for Giving” care packages for each of these 20 marines and any other staff members with loved ones, family or friends, serving overseas.
Every department and many individuals at Central Office filed 43 boxes with “touches of home” to send to the men and women abroad.
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TweetDonate used caps and gowns
In tight economic times, some Lakota East and West students are having a tougher time affording things like caps and gowns for graduation. This is in addition to all the other senior year expenses. East graduates may donate caps and gowns to the Main office. I haven’t heard of a donation drive at West, but there may be. Check with the school just in case.
I am sure the schools will be announcing other opportunities to give back, such as prom dress collections. Stay tuned!
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TweetHave you thanked someone lately?
I just got an e-mail Lakota East Principal Keith Kline sent to parents. He stated that a parent had sent an e-mail to him talking about the difference a teacher had made in the life of a student.
He asked for parents or students to take time to send e-mails to their teachers, thanking those who have made a difference. I think this is a great idea. As Thanksgiving approaches, we all should strive to become encouragers, thanking those in our lives who have touched us in a special way. I know I am blessed by countless people. I was watching a recording the other day of my favorite author, Beth Moore, and she commented that a lot of us are note thinkers, but perhaps not the best note writers. Take time from your busy holiday preparations to thank someone like the postal carrier, your hair dresser, the neighbor, etc. You never know how much someone might need that encouraging word for the day. And as the month of December progresses and people get crankier and more impatient, take time to thank store clerks, servers and others who might be facing more than their fare share of cranky, rude people.
Happy early Thanksgiving! I am thankful that we have loyal readers who care about the schools and community in which we live.
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TweetLakota Plains students use Twitter for food drive
Lakota Plains student council launched a Twitter campaign to get students on board for a Reach Out Lakota food drive. The program, organizers said, was a success.
I am meeting with teachers and students this afternoon to talk about how technology is changing the way things are done in schools and often it is students leading the charge.
Here is a photo from the food collection:
Reach Out Lakota Student Council members pick up donations from Plains Junior School food drive. (left to right) Morgan Dineen, Avnika Bali and Tristan McPhail
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TweetEast symphonic winds earns honors
On Nov. 13, 2009 the Lakota East Symphonic Winds ensemble participated in the 2009 Wind Band Invitational and New Band Music Reading Clinic at Capital University Conservatory of Music, Dr. Barry Kopetz, Chair, Dept of Instrumental Music and Director of Bands in Columbus, Ohio. The objective of the clinic is to promote newly published band works from this past year to Ohio’s high school and junior high band directors.
Lakota East was the only high school band to perform at the Capital New Band Music Reading Clinic. The concert took place in Capital University’s renovated Mees Auditorium The band also experienced the Capital University’s Wind Ensemble concert on Friday evening.
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TweetH1N1 vaccine clinic draws crowd
Looks like quite the turnout for the East H1N1 clinic. One will be held at West tomorrow.
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Tweet2007 Lakota alum graduates basic training
Army Pvt. Kyle Powers has graduated from Basic Combat Training at Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla. During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission and received instruction and training exercises in drill and ceremonies, Army history, core values and traditions, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, rifle marksmanship, weapons use, map reading and land navigation, foot marches, armed and unarmed combat, and field maneuvers and tactics. He is the son of Larry Powers of Bethany Road, Middletown, Ohio. Powers is a 2007 graduate of Lakota East High School.
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TweetLakota rejects used bus bids
The board approved a rejection of bids for the districts 20 buses up for sale. Cardinal Bus Sales and Services was the only bidder, offering $19,000 for the 20 buses, at $950 a bus. The buses were certified and stickered by the state for the 2009-2010 school year, so officials said this bid is too low. They are going to send them to an auto auction, where in the past the lowest bid was $1,200 a bus. Cost for each bus in the auction is $125.
For other board updates, click here for my story from last night’s meeting.
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TweetStudents at West raise $2,000
Lakota West Students raised more than $2,000 in two minutes for Lakota students in need. On Friday, Nov. 13, student government members teamed up with Mu Alpha Theta members for an Adopt a Child program. At 10:05 a.m. an announcement was made for classroom teachers to start the challenge. At 10:07 a.m. brown paper bags with the students’ donations were brought to Lakota West’s main hallway and counted. It will be used to purchase holiday presents for families in need.
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TweetHelp shape Lakota’s future
If you could design the perfect school district, what would it look like?
While perfection probably isn’t possible, Lakota officials still want to hear from residents to see what their thoughts are. If you could cut costs that weren’t mandated, where would you cut? If you could choose a levy, what kind would be ideal? Also, Superintendent Mike Taylor said he plans to share the district’s vision for the future and see if the community agrees.
The district and board is hosting a forum at 6:30 Nov. 19 at the Lakota East Community Room. Do you plan to go? What topics would you want to bring up? What solutions would you have to offer?
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TweetWe Care Lakota hosts silent auction
We Care Lakota is kicking off this holiday season with its third-annual Holiday Shop, featuring a variety of gifts including home décor, gourmet foods, beauty and fashion items.The 4 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3 event at the Lakota Central office, includes a silent auction, with proceeds to help students facing crisis situations. Resources for this group of students are limited, and often students do not receive assistance with necessities such as food, clothing, mental and physical health and transportation. For more information contact us at wecarelakota@lakotaonline.com.
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TweetStudent honors veterans
This is an essay from a Woodland Elementary School sixth-grader, submitted by his teacher.
The World War Two Memorial
By: Ryan Dufinetz I stood in the east side entrance, peering down in bewilderment at the World War II Memorial before me. Above me loomed a bronze eagle, with its wings expanded in mid-flight. I walked toward the balcony and looked over the edge.
The entire memorial was made of marble, in the shape of an oval. Each far end was exactly the same. Both sides were sort of on a slope, ramps led down to a gargantuan pavilion. In the center was a water fountain, shooting water in the air at least 18 feet. On both far ends there were pools of water at the base of each slope, inside them lay gleaming coins from the suns mid-day rays. Towering over us like a basketball playing giant was the Washington Monument, standing in place for the reflecting pool to take a picture of it. To my left was another pool of water, but this one had shiny golden stars pinned against a marble wall, standing 8 feet in the air, running the length of the pool, making a million little sparkles on the water.
I stepped onto the curved ramp that led me down to the pavilion, above me hung immovable bronze wreaths for every states sacrifice during the war.
I looked back at the pool of water closest to me. On the wall above (which was the ramp leading down to the center of the memorial) was a quote inscribed on the wall. The quote was one of General Douglas McArthur, the commander of the U.S. armed forces in the Pacific, during the Second World War. The quote read:
“The War’s End
Today the guns are silent. A great tragedy has ended. A great victory has been won. The skies no longer rain death-The seas bear only commerce-Men everywhere walk upright in the sunlight. The entire world is quietly at peace. General Douglas McArthur”
That quote, made me think a long while. I walked over to the wall with the golden stars. Inscribed under that was: “The Cost of War”
This made my head spin. I thought to myself, none of this, the gold, the marble, everything here. None of it could have repaid those men, who paid the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. “Ready to go,” my mom asked.
“I guess,” I replied.
“Then we’re off to the Lincoln Memorial,” she said.
As we walked away from the memorial, it made me feel like walking away from 10 million graves.
Graves of men whose patriotism didn’t just reach out for the nation of the U.S., but for the freedom of nations in the outside world.
They went to far away battlefields in the Pacific, Europe, Africa, and many more, to claim freedom for people who had none.
The people they helped and brought peace to were complete strangers to them, these men were young and some were still in school.
But when they were called upon to do what was necessary and go off to fight the war they answered the call of duty. That sort of sacrifice and patriotism is beyond words, and a memorial doesn’t do much to solve it.
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TweetDrop outs have high imprisonment rate
According to an article published by the Ohio School Boards Association, nearly one in 10 young male high school dropouts was incarcerated in 2006 and 2007. Fewer than one in 33 high school graduates were incarcerated. The statistics were worse for African American dropouts, where one in four were incarcerated. The study was completed by Northeastern University in Boston, which also looks at other consequences of dropping out. The link is at http://links.osba-ohio.org/11686.
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TweetLakota West math team brings home awards
Lakota West math team consisting of Jared Hance, Travis Hance, Alex Hartlage, Charlie Lin, Jimmy Lin, Daniel Shen and Kyle Swingle brought home a second-place trophy in the Miami University High School Math Contest Oct. 31. They lost to Mason by half a point. In the overall scoring Travis Hance placed first, Alex Hartlage placed seventh, Charlie Lin placed ninth and Jared Hance placed 11th. In individual Travis was first, Daniel fifth and Kyle seventh. In relay Charlie and Travis placed first, Jared fifth and Alex sixth.
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TweetLakota alumni graduate from miliatary training
Air National Guard Airman Brooke A. Khayo graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force. She is the daughter of Rami Khayo of Beck Court, Hamilton, Ohio, and Jacqueline Perry-Nguyen of W. 55th Terrace, Shawnee, Kan. Khayo is a 2008 graduate of Lakota West High School.
Alison J. DesJardins has graduated from the Army ROTC Leader Development and Assessment Course, also known as "Operation Warrior Forge," at Fort Lewis, Tacoma, Wash.
The 32 days of training provide professional training and evaluation for all cadets in the aspects of military life, administration and logistical support. Although continued military training and leadership development is included in the curriculum, the primary focus of the course is to develop and evaluate each cadet's officer potential as a leader by exercising the cadet's intelligence, common sense, ingenuity and physical stamina. The cadet command assesses each cadet's performance and progress in officer traits, qualities and professionalism while attending the course.
Cadets in their junior and senior year of college must complete the leadership development course. Upon successful completion of the course, the ROTC program, and graduation from college, cadets are commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army, National Guard, or Reserve.
She is the daughter of Mark R. and Carol L. DesJardins of Sugartree Court, Liberty Township, Ohio.
The cadet is a 2006 graduate of Lakota East High School, Liberty Township.
Air National Guard Airman Brooke A. Khayo graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
She is the daughter of Rami Khayo of Beck Court, Hamilton, Ohio, and Jacqueline Perry-Nguyen of W. 55th Terrace, Shawnee, Kan.
Khayo is a 2008 graduate of Lakota West High School, West Chester, Ohio.
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TweetOptions Academy praised for grad rate
Options Academy - Wokini was recently named the recipient of the Crystal Star Award for being a National School of Excellence in credit recovery, intervention, and dropout prevention. This national award was presented to Wokini by the National Dropout Prevention Network for being an outstanding program and making exceptional contributions in credit recovery, intervention, and dropout prevention. Options Academy - Wokini is the alternative high school that is operated by Butler Tech and serves students in the Lakota School District. The national award was presented to Wokini at the 2009 Annual National Dropout Prevention Network Conference held in San Antonio, Texas, from October 24-28, 2009. Wokini is a non-traditional options program that students in grades nine to 12 who need credit recovery, intervention or dropout prevention. During the 2008-2009 school year, Wokini students earned an average of 6.24 credits, compared to 1.83 credits from their traditional school the year before. In addition, average attendance was 97 percent (as compared with 76 percent from the year before). Wokini focuses its efforts on three areas: Personalized Education Program, COMPASS Program, and Service Learning. The PEP cultivates and designs a specific program and educational path for each student. The COMPASS Program is a mandatory social-emotional learning program that all students are required to complete each year. Students are expected to be involved in Service Learning at Wokini. Service Learning projects are investigated and initiated by students, with the guidance of staff. Past Service Learning projects have included sponsoring a school in Kasunga, Malawi, being Big Buddies to first graders, and volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House. Emphasis is put on service to others, COMPASS values, and reinforcing educational concepts.
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TweetEarly results in
LAKOTA LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER
Total Votes 2988
RAY MURRAY 555 18.57 percent
JAMIE GREEN 552 18.47 percent
JOAN POWELL 770 25.77 percent
BENJAMIN C. DIBBLE 612 20.4percent
DOUGLAS M. COOPER 499 16.70 percent
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Tweet“Spark” earns big awards
The Lakota East “Spark News Magazine” staff has earned its eighth consecutive Quill and Scroll George H. Gallup award for comprehensive publication excellence. Only 34 schools nationally received this award, which is based on reporting, comprehensive coverage, compelling writing, tight editing and cutting-edge design exhibited over the course of a six-issue publication cycle. The national judge called the Spark “one of the top two or three publications that I have reviewed in 22 years.” The staff earned 997 out of a possible 1,000 points. Also, “The Spark” was recently named a NSPA National Pacemaker Finalist for the ninth time in 12 years. The final 43 national Pacemaker winners will be announced during the annual JEA/NSPA national fall convention in Washington D.C. on November 14. The top honor that the National Scholastic Press Association awards for publications, The Pacemaker represents the “top half of a percent” of national publications; subsequently, the five issues from each competing school are scrutinized by professional journalists and editors from the NSPA convention host city (this year it’s Washington D.C.). Two “Spark” writers were named as two of the 25 national finalists for the NSPA National Story of the Year program, which awards a “National Story of The Year award to five respective students in five respective categories (news, feature, sports, opinion, and diversity coverage). Spark produced a finalist in feature writing (Billy Lawton) and in sports writing (Kaitlynn Kerley). The winners will be announced at the NSPA national convention in Washington D.C. on Nov. 14. After the five winners are named, one of the five will receive the “Bresler Award,” a $1,500 cash prize for the one most interesting and compelling story chosen from the five division winners. East has produced three Bresler winners in the past seven years. Kerley’s sports story is an indepth report on the funding and building of the two Atrium fields at East and West high schools. Lawton’s feature story is an investigative report on the Fourth Street Homeless mission in Hamilton. This summer Lawton’s piece earned First Place in the National Federation of Press Women’s annual national student writing contest. Also, three Spark students were named finalists in the National NSPA Design of The Year contest as well. Rohan Kusre and Kevin Li are finalists in the information graphic division, and Rohan Kusre is a finalist in the “news magazine” cover contest.
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