August 25, 2009

Dear Friends of Cincinnati Public Schools,

We’re back! Classes have resumed for all 34,000-plus of our students, and I’m looking forward to a great year of learning. Once again, I’ll be keeping in touch by sharing school and district highlights via this monthly e-newsletter.

For most CPS students, school started on August 18 – and it certainly was an eventful first week. Perhaps you caught some of the media coverage of the high points, including:

The start of our new STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) High School at Hughes.  Opening initially for 9th-graders, Hughes STEM will add a grade a year until it becomes a 9-12 high school featuring state-of-the art curriculum, inquiry-based instructional practices, and partnerships with businesses and universities. Read a news release. 

The opening of the beautiful new John P. Parker School in Madisonville, which marks the 27th new or fully renovated school to be completed through our Facilities Master Plan. Check out pictures of the Parker project to see how construction progressed.

 
A visit by U.S Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland last Friday to Rockdale Academy in Avondale. Secretary Sebelius talked with students, parents and teachers about the H1N1 influenza virus and vaccines that are being developed to counter it. CPS has been partnering with the Cincinnati Health Department to prepare for a possible H1N1 outbreak during the upcoming flu season.  Read more about how your family can prepare for H1N1 or other pandemic flu. 

Ohio Report Card

The State of Ohio released its annual Report Cards today, and CPS is rated in the Continuous Improvement category for the fifth straight year. This truly is a sign of progress, because the state raises the bar every year, and we must make gains to retain the rating. I’m also pleased that our district reached higher-than-expected learning growth under the state’s Value-Added Measure. However, primarily because of a new federal decision regarding alternate assessments of students with disabilities, we earned fewer test indicators than last year, and some schools slipped in their ratings.

As Superintendent, I know that none of us in CPS will be satisfied until our district and all of our schools are rated as Excellent or Effective. That’s why this year we are introducing innovations to accelerate academic gains, about which I’ll be sharing more in the coming weeks and months.

2009-10 Budget

On August 10, the Cincinnati Board of Education approved a $467-million operating budget for the 2009-10 school year. The Board previously had approved a temporary budget  due to delays in the State of Ohio’s budgeting process. The budget is balanced and within our five-year financial forecast, moves more resources into the classrooms, and strategically invests in innovations designed to accelerate academic achievement.  Read a news release and view budget detail.

Clever Crazes For Kids

On August 12, Cincinnati Public Schools became the first school district in the nation to partner with Clever Crazes for Kids, a national wellness initiative for elementary school students. If you are the parent or mentor to a child who is 6 to 12 years old, I encourage you to check out this non-profit, fun, Internet-based initiative, which combines animated games, valuable information and contests to motivate students to achieve and maintain healthy lifestyles. Participants also can earn points that could translate into money for their schools. Learn more.

Thanks for all you do to support our students, schools and district. With your partnership, I know it’s going to be a wonderful school year!
 

Best regards,