Indian Creek learns of online services
Trending
WINTERSVILLE-Teachers in the Indian Creek Local School District geared up for the start of school and also learned of community services to support them and their students.
Dozens of educators gathered at Indian Creek High School on Friday for a professional development session as they readied for the start of classes for grades 5-12 this Monday, while kindergarten is set to begin on Thursday with preschool on Sept. 8. Beth Rupert-Warren, community services coordinator with the Jefferson County Educational Service Center, was the featured speaker and discussed the Jefferson County Resource Network (JCRN) which provides information online about local organizations. She said it could help teachers connect their pupils and families to a vast list of services spanning from utilities to mental health.
"During COVID, I was assisting families...and it seemed we had a community emergency," she said.
Rupert-Warren took her idea for an online system to JCESC Superintendent Dr. Chuck Kokiko, who encouraged her to speak to county commissioners. After receiving funding through the JCESC and county, JCRN was formed and began with 32 categories of resources with contact information for area agencies. The network is now supported through JCESC, the county commission, Jefferson County Health District, Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities, Milton Jefferson Recovery, Jefferson County Veterans Service Office, Jefferson County Prevention and Recovery Board, and the Bergholz Community Foundation. Its purpose is to bring together as many services as possible and provide a simple process to access up-to-date information. Agencies and services are categorized in a veritable A-to-Z system and range from addiction and hospitals to important documents and youth organizations.
"Today we are up to 74 categories and our highest amount [of usage] was 4,000 hits a month," she continued. "The agency's information must be submitted by the agency itself and is available on the website and app."
She added that community partners within the network regularly meet while Community Connections emails are also sent to keep people informed. Additionally, agencies pooled together to establish Caregiver Cafés where adults meet to break bread and hear speakers while their children gather in a separate area. Rupert-Warren said a third location has since been added at the Jeffco Center and Bright Promise in Steubenville.
"It's finding a gap of services and seeing how we can address that need," she noted.
Rupert-Warren closed with a story of how a simple donation of suitcases from Bates Amusements in Wintersville led to a special moment for a foster child. She said while delivering the items, a child asked for one in green because he normally carried his belongings in a garbage bag. She managed to locate a suitcase in his favorite hue and shared with Bates officials how their kind gesture made an impact. It summarized the basis of JCRN and the hope to continue impacting the community for years to come.
District Superintendent Dr. T.C. Chappelear thanked Rupert-Warren for her work and said the JCRN has been a real asset to the community.
"She's trying to create a clearinghouse on how to connect with resources," Dr. Chappelear concluded. "We're lucky in Jefferson County to have that multitude of services."
More information can be found at www.jcresourcenetwork.org.
The in-service continued with comments from Dr. Chappelear and school administrators as they looked ahead to another fantastic year.
"I do feel like we're a family here," said Dr. Chappelear. "I really do believe we're doing the most important job out there."
District Public Relations Director Amy Colantoni discussed the importance of the dash between the years the teachers began in the classroom to the present time, saying what happens in between was significant.
"Every single one of us has something to add to the dash and another opportunity to make the dash matter," she said. "The dash is filled with stories."
From a public relations standpoint, her purpose was to share those stories and help the community understand what happens inside the buildings every day and how it matters. She encouraged educators to contact her to help share those moments.
Cross Creek Elementary Principal Dr. Dan Hartman highlighted the past year in his building, noting increased attendance among students; community and PTO relationships to bring activities to the school; staff leadership and the ability to work together; and further establishment of the Leader In Me initiative in everyday practices.
"This year, we're excited to continue on the path with Leader In Me and student-led conferences, and we are looking to build a Student Lighthouse Team for grades K-4," he commented. "We are looking forward to another great academic year with more growth."
Hills Elementary Principal Erin Alloggia added that her building had an excellent year as it rated among the top 10 percent of elementary schools across the U.S., and it will continue to build upon that success. Plans include working with JCESC on collaboratives, utilizing academic teams, implementing new math requirements, reforming the school's Leader In Me program, building upon community partnerships, and holding events such as "Donuts with Dads and Dudes" and "Muffins with Moms and Misses" with hopes to add "Goodies with Grandparents" as a way to bring loved ones into the school with their students.
"We're looking forward to a really great year," Alloggia said.
ICHS Principal Louie Retton wished all of the schools a successful year and said his building has undergone a few staff changes. Longtime Assistant Principal Keith Swearingen took on new duties as the new principal at Indian Creek Middle School while Matt Cowser was named his successor, but Retton said the high school would continue to build relationships with students while its academics and pathway programs would also grow. He also touted the sports, band, choir, special education and other school programs that have made ICHS a success.
"I look for Indian Creek High School to continue to climb and am really excited about this year," he said.
Finally, Swearingen concluded the addresses by saying that change was not easy and thanked the ICMS staff for their support amid his transition as the new leader. He added that middle school was moving forward and Assistant Principal Todd Herman was a tremendous asset in making that happen.
"I'm excited to move the school forward to a brighter future," he said.