Elementary: Mr. Jim Selgo, Principal

Reading Testing Results for Grades 3 & 4 - The first administration of the third and fourth grade reading test was given in October. The fourth grade results are in and we had 67% of our students pass on the first attempt. Fifteen percent of our students scored at the advanced level (250+). Nine percent of our fourth graders are on IEP's because of various handicapping conditions and their scores are included in the school's total percentage, just as they were a year ago for the first time. Eight students scored "below basic" and five of those students are handicapped. The three students who did not achieve the basic score and are not handicapped will face retention under the Fourth Grade Guarantee if they do not achieve a score of 198 or above on their next two attempts. Students who scored below the advanced level will be taking the test again in March, with the final attempt, if needed, planned for July. We have 26 students that scored in the basic range (198-217), which means they do not face retention, but will retake the test to try and reach the proficiency level. Third grade results were not in when this report was submitted, but they should arrive prior to the board meeting. I will update you at the meeting.

Third Grade Achievement Results - This was the first time ever that third grade reading achievement tests were given to Ohio students to comply with the No Child Left Behind Act. Here is the breakdown for our third graders after the first administration of the test in October:

Advanced (432-498) - 25.5% of our students
Accelerated (415-431) - 22.7% of our students
Proficient (400-414) - 18.2% of our students

These numbers indicate that 66% of our students have already met the benchmark for what students are to know at the end of their third grade year.

Basic (385-399) - 17.3% of our students

These students have not met the benchmark for proficiency, but are not in danger of being automatically retained under the Third Grade Guarantee law.

Limited (261-384) - 16.4% of our students

The students not currently enrolled in a special education program who have not met the requirements of the Third Grade Guarantee are in danger of being retained if they do not achieve a score of 385 in the March or July administration of the test. Fourteen students currently fall into this category. Three students are in special education and will not be considered for retention. All parents have been notified by letter regarding the status of their child. All students who scored at the Accelerated, Proficient, Basic, and Limited levels will be taking the test again on March 9, 2004 after intervention by their classroom teachers.

Statewide figures for this fall’s testing indicate that 53% of Ohio’s third graders achieved the proficient level and 49% of Ohio’s fourth graders achieved the proficient level.

Parent Teacher Conferences - Our conferences were well attended with 95% of the parents participating with our teachers at the elementary.

UPCOMING EVENTS

December 22 - "The Littlest Reindeer" presented by 2nd graders @ AHS, 1:30 & 7:00 PM
December 23 - Last day of school prior to holiday vacation
January 5 - Classes resume
January 15 - Character assembly for gr. K-2, 1:50 PM
January 16 - Interim trimester reports due

Middle School: Mr. Mike Pressler, Principal

Mr. Robert Buschur presentation -- Mr. Buschur is a financial planner who will be talking to our 6th grade students on Dec. 4th to explain how the stock market works in very basic terms. Over the past month, Mr. Beck’s math classes and Mrs. Luderman’s social studies classes have been involved in a cross-curricular activity with students keeping track of stocks then graphing its progress over a month’s time. After the presentation, the kids will do a little research about their company, as well as figure out what they would have earned had they had $1000 to invest in that company.

Guidance Night -- Archbold Area Schools Guidance Night will be held on Jan. 26th at the high school. This program is for parents of preschool age through the 12th grade. Parents will have an opportunity to take part in discussions of various educational topics. The program takes place from 6:00 p.m. until 8:45 p.m.

Jazz Band Performs-- The AMS Jazz Band gave their annual performance at Northtowne Mall in Defiance on Dec. 18th. The Jazz Band is under the direction of Miss Anita Nafziger.

New Electronic Interim Reports -- As of Dec. 5th the Archbold Middle School will be using a new electronic interim report devised by Mr. Gnagey. The new report will contain a percentage and the current grade. Compared to the old method of preparing interim reports, the new concept will save classroom time as well as secretarial time. I hope to share a prototype with you at the next BOE meeting.

December:
Dec. 5th - Interims go home
Dec. 8th - AMS Christmas Concert at AHS beginning at approximately 1:30.
Dec. 24 - No school

January:
Jan. 5 - Return to School
Jan. 13 - End of the 9 weeks
Jan. 19 - No School
Jan. 21 - Grade cards go home
Jan. 26 – Guidance Night at the HS
Jan. 26 – Bruce Boguski assembly at AMS - 8:30 a.m.

High School: Dr. Marcia Rozevink, Principal

Advanced Placement --We have a proposal concerning Advanced Placement courses. At this time, we are proposing an AP Government class and a Chemistry II class. This class will not be AP, but students will have the option of taking the AP test in May if they choose. We do not believe that we are ready for AP Calculus for the 2004-2005 school year. We are going to leave that option open, however, for the 2005-2006 school year.

Parent-Teacher Conferences --At parent/teacher conferences this year, 30% of our students were represented. 34% of the time slots were filled. Our numbers were down this year. One possible explanation is the availability of parents to view grades on-line.

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER 2003-2004

Jan. 12 Semester Exams—Periods 1 – 4
Jan. 13 Semester Exams—Periods 5 – 8
Jan. 26 Guidance Night
Feb. 7 St. Co. Dance at Pavilion—8:00 – 11:00 PM
Feb. 29 All County Music Festival
March 15 Choir Contest Concert—7:30 PM
March 16 Band Contest Concert—7:30 PM
March 22-26 Spring Break
April 15-18 High School Musical
April 29 Jazz Concert—7:00 PM
May 6-7 Senior Experience Boards
May 14 Spring Arts Festival/Pops Concert
May 17 Spring Choir Awards Concert
May 18 Awards Night
May 28 Last Student Day
June 6 Commencement

Superintendent: Mr. Ken Cline, Supt.

School Calendar: A "draft" school calendar for 2004-05 was to the Board for there review. Approval is expected at the January regular board meeting.

VoAg Equipment Update: Yoder & Frey will include our VoAg equipment in a sale they are having in March. It is part of an auction with Lugbill Supply so it should be a good fit for our equipment. The consignment fee will be 10% or less.

Curriculum Director: Mrs. Dorothy Lambert

Technology Director: Mr. Brent Gnagey

Elementary Report Card – Project completed and being implemented. Revisions are being considered.
This replaces the earlier version which created a separate document as a template and duplicated it for each student. The new Report Card is database driven with report card and continuums stored in related databases centrally located on a FileMaker Pro server. Teachers commented they felt their time for filling out the reports was cut in half.

Technology Plan – The revision process is currently underway. Main focal points include:
1. Utilize the tools of technology to create a learning environment that best fits each individual learner. (Cooperative Learning, WOW Training, Differentiation, Web Quests)
2. Provide access to technical support to incorporate technology in the school setting. (Decrease frustration levels, Just-in-Time training, Network help.)
3. Develop skills that students & staff will need for the future and facilitate the creation of lifelong learners.

Overall goal is to increase efficiency and effectiveness of all aspects of the organization by utilizing technology at the appropriate time and in the appropriate way.

Video Resource – United Streaming: A demonstration of the new service available to teachers was shared with Board Members. This service is offered through Northwest Ohio Computer Assc. (NWOCA) which Archbold has been a long time member. Teachers can access hundreds of academic video clips which can be used to support the curriculum objectives.

Middle School and High School Interim Report -- The new format will provide parents with more descriptive information about their child's academic progress. Eventually the interim and grade reports will incorporate both letter grades and list the students progress on the state standards as they are chronologically mapped throughout the academic school year.

• Approved Diane Tinsman to the Archbold Community Library Board.
• Set the Organizational Meeting of the Archbold Board of Education for January 12, 2004 @ 7:00 p.m. in the High School Media Center.
• Approved the Archbold Library Board resolution to place a .4 mill replacement levy on the March ballot.
• Approved a supplemental contract for Kevin L. Miller (50% Faculty Manager).
• Approved Treasurer's salary for the 2003-04 calendar year.