Springfield Local School District

 

Parents, Grandparents and Community Members,   

It's hard to believe the school year is coming to an end.  Graduation day will be here soon.  Our students and staff have been working very hard all school year in preparation for this. High school graduation will be June 6 at the E.J. Thomas Hall, at the University of Akron. Special Services has over forty students that will graduate this year.  Congratulations class of 2014! 

Outstanding Student and Educator: 

On May 9, Springfield High School student Jesse Stone and teacher, Mr. Grubbs, were recognized at a luncheon for their outstanding work in education.

Jesse was recognized for classroom work and behavior. 

Jesse is an 11^th grade student at Springfield High School.  He is well liked and respected by everyone.  Academically, Jesse does well and his grades reflect his work ethic and determination. 

Springfield Coach Inspires Community 

By CAROLYNN MOSTYN  

The Suburbanite                                           

Springfield resident and coach of the Sparkle Cheerleaders Terry Kyser recently received the Summit County Woman of the Year Award for Inspiration.
 Kyser was presented with a handcrafted pin made by students from the University of Akron during a luncheon held on March 26 at the Akron City Woman's Club. 
A cheer coach in the Springfield School District for the past nine years, Kyser also serves as a pediatric occupational therapy assistant.
 She began the Sparkles program because she was inspired after having guardianship over a very special young man who had severe and profound disabilities.
 "After he passed away, I wanted to share with others the strength, love and inspiration that he gave to me," Kyser said.
 She came across information about the Sparkle Effect Organization and began the cheer program during the 2009-2010 school year. 


The Sparkle Effect is an inclusive cheerleading program that gives students with special needs the opportunity to cheer side-by-side with typical cheerleaders. The program is foundation for students who become part of a team and discover pride in their accomplishments. 
"Our goal is not only to teach the basic skills of cheerleading but, more importantly, we want each member to feel a sense of belonging, acceptance and normalcy," Kyser said. 
Through those goals, Kyser said the Sparkle Effect has opened minds and hearts to experiences which celebrate diversity and recognize everyone’s talents. Their cheers are heard at every home varsity and junior varsity football and basketball game. 
Springfield Board of Education member Bobby Dinkins nominated Kyser for the honor in recognition of Kyser’s passion and commitment to make a difference in people's lives.
"Her dedication to the Sparkle cheerleading squad has had an incredibly positive impact on the entire student body at Springfield High School,” Dinkins said. “The students with disabilities have been accepted and made to feel just like all other students. It's also given the students on the Sparkle cheer squad much-needed confidence, not only at school but in their everyday lives as well.”


Kyser said that without the support of the administrators at Springfield High School, the dedicated Sparkles coaches Kelly Warner and Becky Halman and the Springfield High School Cheerleaders, this program would be non-existent.
"The Springfield High School cheerleaders have compassion, patience, kindness and are true role models for our Sparkle members. I am so proud of them as they help spread disability awareness to their peers and to the people in the community," said Kyser. "They see that our Sparkles have the ability to do anything."
Sparkle mom Karen Ricci said, as a parent of a special needs child, getting to see them participate with their classmates and in the community is a blessing. They get the chance to fit-in with their peers and also get their own special moment to shine.

"Our Sparkle program has helped spread awareness for Autism, Mitochondrial Disease, Down Syndrome and developmental learning disabilities to name a few,” Ricci said. “This program has also shown parents of other special needs children that there are so many things our kids can do, (things) that we may not have thought of. The proof for us has been how far our Springfield Sparkle members have come over the past couple years. 

“Terry has given our children a voice by starting an amazing opportunity within our school district and community that far too many kids do not have available to them,” Ricci said. “She dedicates countless hours of her time to find resources, community events and funding to keep our Sparkle program growing and spreading to other districts to help them get their Sparkle on too."

The Sparkles are headed into their fifth season. Already, their schedule of guest appearances is adding up.  They will be performing at the Dream Night held by the Akron Zoo sponsored by Children's Hospital--a private event for families who have medically fragile children. "We are so honored to be a part of this and are thrilled to show these children and families what we can do in hopes to inspire them," said Kyser. 

Kyser and her husband Craig have two children, son Cody, 23, and daughter Cassidy, 21. Cody recently received his degree in mechanical engineering and Cassidy is studying exercise physiology to obtain a career in occupational therapy. She choreographs all of the Sparkle competition routines and is one of the coaches.

Springfield Preschool Program:

The Springfield Integrated Preschool Program has openings available for tuition students for the 2014-2015 school year. 

Facts About The Program 

• Classes are held at Young School
• Classes are Monday-Thursday
• 2 ½ hours per session
• School year runs September thru May
• Parent provides transportation
• AM and PM openings are available 
• Classes consist of both typically developing students (tuition students) and students with disabilities 
• Teachers teach the Ohio Early Learning Content Standards which are aligned with the school age standards 
• Teachers have master’s degrees
• Typically, class size is 12 or less, maximum size of 16
• Each class has one teacher and one teaching assistant
• Annually inspected and licensed by the State of Ohio

Costs 

• $1,000.00/School Year ($250.00 payments due quarterly --September, November, January, and March)
• $20.00 per semester snack fees 
• Tuition and snack payments must be made in the form of cash, check, or money order at the board office.
• Supply list provided by teachers
• All payments must be made on time to maintain placement in the program 

Requirements 

• Students must be 3 years of age by August 1^st.
• Completed applications (available at Young School office) are due by May 23, 2014.
• Attend screening/play date held on May 30, 2014.
• Tuition students must be toilet trained.
• Parents/guardians are responsible for transporting typical peer students to and from school.
• Medical Statement (physical) completed and signed by doctor is required by the first day of school.

Other 

• In the case that more applications are received than availability for the preschool program, preference will be given to the four year old students.

• If necessary, a lottery will be used
• Please call the Young School office with questions  (330-798-1008).  

Child Find:  

Springfield Local School District is informing parents and the community it is conducting the Child Find campaign to identify, locate, and evaluate all children with disabilities from birth through age 21, residing within the school district.  This includes Springfield children with disabilities who are homeless, or attending nonpublic schools, regardless of the severity of the disability.  

If you know of a child with a disability, or a child suspected of having a disability, who is not currently receiving appropriate educational and related services, please contact me at 330-798-1111.  

Kindergarten Registration: 

Kindergarten registration will be held from April 1, 2014 through May 30, 2014.  Registration packets may be picked up at Young Elementary, Roosevelt Elementary or may be found online at www.springfieldspartans.org.  

Thank you for your support of our school system. 

Sincerely yours,  

Chuck Sincere