Dear CCSD families and Chillicothe community, Spring is finally here! It’s hard to believe that we’ve passed the two-year mark of dealing with the threat of COVID-19. We’re grateful for our community’s support through a tumultuous time and look forward to continuing to make health and safety a priority for our students, families and staff as we navigate this changing environment together.   As we look toward April, I want to remind students and families about state assessments taking place this spring. Teachers have been working with students to prepare them for these important tests, but if your student needs additional support in preparing, there are several resources on the Ohio Department of Education website. You can also contact your student’s teacher or principal with concerns or questions about state testing.   After the heartbreaking loss of a student to a house fire, additional emotional support has been made available for students and staff at Chillicothe Intermediate School. Please don't hesitate to reach out to request extra support for your student or yourself. This month’s newsletter highlights the incredible things our students and staff are accomplishing throughout the district. Continue reading to catch up on Cavalier Nation!  Sincerely,  Debbie Swinehart Superintendent

DISTRICT NEWS

Preschool Receives Rotary Grant to Fund STEM Programs Recently, our Pre-K program received a Rotary grant to help fund a new STEM experience for our preschoolers. Students will be undertaking an in-depth study of dirt through our Muddy Boots and Backpacks program. With the grant, administrators are creating a mini-research area called “The Wiggle Room” where classrooms can go to study everything related to worms and other critters that call the soil home. Teachers will be provided with a hands-on curriculum designed by STEM facilitators and colleagues at the Ross County Park District and based on the Worm Wednesday exhibit at the Maine Children’s Museum.   The Wiggle Room is the first in a series of research experience rooms that are being designed for our new STEM preschool. These children's museum-type interactive spaces will provide students with an opportunity to explore, observe and imagine. Through well-designed student-centered lessons, students will be able to build the background knowledge and vocabulary that is critical to early literacy success. Our first professional development for the Wiggle Room was held last month, and teachers were given the opportunity to handle real worms and collaborate with the STEM facilitator. Our students will be working with the STEM facilitator to provide the Rotary Club of Chillicothe with a video overview of their experience in the Wiggle Room.    As a feeder to Chillicothe Primary School, which serves as a model STEM-designated elementary for the state of Ohio, we are committed to creating a Pre-K experience that encourages students to explore, wonder and investigate. This grant helps our district continue to build upon our robust STEM education, especially as we work toward our new preschool building.

Chillicothe Intermediate School Holds Successful Literary Event On February 24, Chillicothe Intermediate School held a literary night, combined with parent-teacher conferences, where families learned tips to help their children improve upon their reading skills. The theme of the event invited families to “Take a Trek Through Literacy.” Read more about the event on our blog.

Chillicothe High School Cheer Team Places in State Competition As Chillicothe High School cheer coach Nancy Arledge finishes her last year leading the program, the CHS cheer team placed fourth in the 2022 Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators (OASSA) State Competition. Arledge said that her last season has been interesting and full of trials, but her team persevered in the competition with their maturity, determination, care and hard work. Read more about her legacy in the program on our blog.

Leaders Grow Readers Program  The newest installment of our Leaders Grow Readers program features senior Brady Wood reading Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin. Check out all of our Leaders Grow Readers videos on our blog.

Music in Our Schools Month with CMS and CHS Musical Groups As we celebrate Music in Our Schools Month, our students have been participating in Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) events. Students and groups compete against the level of music they are performing.   On February 12, members of the Chillicothe Band and Choir program participated in the OMEA D. 16 High School Solo and Ensemble event. At this event, Chillicothe students earned: Choral Soloists: Six Ratings of Superior and Two Ratings of Excellent Choral Ensembles: Two Ratings of Superior Piano Soloists: One Rating of Superior Band Soloists: Seven Ratings of Superior and Two Ratings of Excellent Band Ensembles: One Rating of Excellent   On February 19, the Chillicothe High School Symphony and Concert Orchestras participated in the OMEA State Orchestra Contest. At this event, Chillicothe students earned: Symphony Orchestra: Superior Rating in Class B (26 students) Concert Orchestra: Excellent Rating in Class C (24 students)   On March 4, the Chillicothe HS Wind Ensemble participated in the OMEA D. 16 Large Group Event. The group received a Superior Rating in Class B and has qualified for the State Large Group Event in late April.   On March 5, the Chillicothe HS Symphonic Choir participated in the OMEA D. 16 Large Group Event. The choir received a Superior Rating in Class B and has qualified for the State Large Group Event in late April. The Chillicothe MS Select Choir also participated in this event and received a Superior Rating in Class C.   On March 26, CMS and CHS hosted the OMEA D. 16 Junior High Solo & Ensemble Event. Congrats to all our students on their hard work and accomplishments!

Pre-K Enrollment is Open  We are currently accepting sign-ups for Chillicothe STEM Preschool enrollment meetings. Our STEM preschool, which utilizes experiential learning with STEM and literary focuses, offers preschoolers a hands-on learning experience as they prepare for kindergarten. Sign up for an enrollment meeting online today.

IMPORTANT DATES

April 5: Sounds of CHS - Dinner and Show April 13: Early Release April 14-18: Spring Break

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