Parent Update 1/14/22

Good Afternoon Parents and Caregivers, Today we completed our second week of school following the holiday break.  I realize there is much chatter in the media these days regarding schools going remote.  I felt like it was time to reach out to you as parents with an update on how things are going here in your schools. First, we have learned that numbers can be reported and interpreted in multiple ways.  Despite this, these are the most straight forward numbers I can give you from our schools as of today. What Lies Ahead?       The obvious answer to this question is ‘who knows?’  It is unpredictable how individual communities and school districts are going to be impacted week by week.  Every indication is that the next 2-3 weeks will still be challenging.  It appears we are not through the worst of this surge.   Our goal as a district continues to be keeping students in school.  We firmly believe that is best for our kids.  Can I guarantee or give you assurances?  The simple answer is no.  We have to enter each and every week knowing things could change.  You should be having those conversations as a family.  What would we do if the kids can’t go to school?  It is never bad to be prepared and have a plan. What I can tell you is that we have put together contingency plans and discussed how we operate in the event numbers get worse.  WE WILL MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO CONTINUE WITH OUR SCHOOLS OPEN . A couple of final thoughts.  First, I want to share with you my appreciation for our staff.  In classrooms, as well as nearly every department, they have covered for one another, divvied up responsibilities and done everything asked of them to help us stay open.  I can’t say enough about their efforts in maintaining a positive learning environment for your children throughout this difficult time. Second, we know that most of our families have been touched in some way by this endemic.  We want you to know that as a school district, if you have needs, we are here to help in any way feasible.  We encourage you to continue supporting your children, their friends and one another as we navigate this difficult time.  

Friday, Jan 14 2022

School News

Parents and Caregivers, There is much excitement around our district today as the Thanksgiving Season is upon us.  Students and staff alike look forward to a few days off and time to spend with family and friends.  As a district we have a few items to share with you at this time.   Each month this year we are focusing on a one word theme that we can tangibly demonstrate in our actions.  This month our word has been  ‘collaborative’ .  A link below will take you to a short video that gives examples of how we collaborate with other community agencies.   Next year we will be initiating a refresh on our website.  As part of this process we ask that you follow this link to a survey  https://forms.gle/GPuEg3UgengKML8U6 that will provide information about how to best build the website.  Our goal must be to provide you the best information in the most convenient format.   Lastly, upon our return to classes next week we will be entering the holiday season.  Please stay connected to your child's building regarding concert schedules and special events.   Thank you for all your support.  From all of us at Brookville Schools to all of you, we wish you a restful and enjoyable Thanksgiving!     

Tuesday, Nov 23 2021

Continued Phone Issues

Parents, Unfortunately, the school district continues to have issues with our Frontier phone service.  This has become an ongoing problem that we have little control over, however, we apologize for the inconvenience.  At the current time, if necessary, ParentSquare messages or email to school offices is your best means of communication to the buildings.   Again, we apologize for the inconvenience and are trying to get the system fixed.

Tuesday, Nov 02 2021

Message to Parents and Caregivers

Parents and Caregivers, 1) Today we are releasing our new "Mask to Stay Guidelines" reflecting the recent release by the Ohio Department of Health and endorsed by Dayton - Montgomery County Public Health.   We  have attached a PDF of how these guidelines work below. If you have questions feel free to contact the school nurses or district office.   2) Additionally, regarding COVID, we are going to begin to follow the lead of numerous other school districts and release our COVID notifications once a week.  The ongoing ParentSquare messages of positive cases is both difficult to maintain and has lost effectiveness. Because of the regularity, parents often do not check notifications assuming it is just the report of another positive.  Also, depending on the time of day the school district is notified of a positive, it becomes difficult to not miss sending a notification. Many district's have now gone to a once-a-week notice because of these same issues.  This will become our practice.   3)  Dayton Children's Hospital provided all school districts with handouts about the COVID Vaccine for ages 5-11 and a document on how the immune system works.  We are attaching these two documents to todays post simply to help you make informed decisions.  The following link will provide you access to a live chat with Dayton Children's medical staff for parents with questions about the COVID-19 vaccine.   This will take place at 5pm this Wednesday,  November 3.     https://www.childrensdayton.org/vaccinechat 4)  Moving away from COVID, I want to share a change coming in how we distribute fliers for both in-house programs and community programs.  Dating back to the beginning of the 2020 school year we discontinued sending fliers home with students because of COVID concerns.  Starting this week we will distribute fliers once a week on Fridays, ONLY.  We will continue to post fliers on Facebook.  The plan is to transition to only a digital release next year when we roll out a new website.   In closing your kids have been great this Fall.  We continue to see their successes both in and out of the classroom.  Please continue to encourage their efforts at school.   Thank you and have a great week.

Monday, Nov 01 2021

October Parent Update

October 1, 2021 As we turn the page on September and approach our seventh week of school, I want to provide you an update on several school related topics. Share Out 1 A focus of our students and staff has been building and maintaining a positive school culture.  We also rely on YOU!  Please continue to be a positive example in your child's life. Using the book Energy Bus we are working on a monthly video series which highlights positive principles of daily life in Brookville Schools.  We often share and broadcast the good things happening in our extracurricular programs but fall short in showing you the great things taking place in our classrooms.    The principle of the month for September was being VISIONARY.  Please take a moment to view these two short videos that promote visionary programs in our buildings: Share Out 2     We have seen a slight uptick in positive COVID cases.  This can be concerning on two fronts.  First, just the  concern for the illness of our students.  Second, a concern for the possibility of quarantines increasing.  We are working diligently to spread students out in classrooms, allow for outdoor lunches, disinfecting high use areas and providing hand sanitizer.  Please know that once students leave our buildings we task you with promoting healthy decisions.  Think twice about giving permission to after school activities that may increase health risk.  Also, we have chosen to allow personal choice on such protocols as masks and vaccines.  Please consider those choices that give your child the best chance to stay in school.  Below are the current COVID numbers for Brookville Schools: https://www.brookvilleschools.org/Content2/20630 Share Out 3 There has been some concerns and questions surrounding the growth of our community and the available building space.  At the September Board meeting, Mr. Hopkins gave a PowerPoint presentation and report regarding current numbers, space and the effect of growth.  This link provides you with the slide show and sound from the presentation: Share Out 4 HELP WANTED.  How many times lately have you seen that sign at a local business or establishment? Brookville Schools are no different.  We are in desperate need, particularly for substitutes in our support personnel positions as well as classroom teaching substitutes.  Have some free days?  You may want to consider being trained as a bus driver, classroom paraprofessional, cafeteria worker, custodian, etc.  Who knows, if you like it you may want to consider full time employment in the future.  Like many schools we are particularly in need of additional school bus drivers!  Contact our district office at 937-833-2181 to apply.

Friday, Oct 01 2021

Letter To Parents and Caregivers

Parents and Caregivers:   As we wrap up the 2021 school year I wanted to provide you with a thumbnail sketch of several school related topics. A Year to Remember:   Tomorrow marks the end of this school year.  There are a ton of emotions from exhaustion to relief to celebration as the sun sets on this school year. It is hard to imagine that your children just finished a year that will literally go down in world history.  I am both happy for and grateful to the staff, students, parents and community for your patience, understanding and support in making this year possible.  Sometimes the simple but most powerful 2 words to use are  THANK YOU .  Enough said. Where Do We Go from Here:   The nature of the global pandemic is that we have learned long term plans are always subject to change.  However, I am comfortable telling you at this time that we are planning for a “normal” school year in 2021-2022.  All health orders will be lifted June 2 and we intend to return next year without protocols and restrictions.  The option for protocols like wearing a mask will still be allowable but not required. Senior Shoutout:   Commencement Exercises will be held Saturday morning at the Rose Music Center in Huber Heights.  I feel like it is appropriate to give a special shout out to the graduating class of ‘21.  I understand the last 15 months have not been easy and I couldn’t be more excited that they are going to have this time of celebration.  We are gracious of their perseverance and wish them Godspeed in the future. Focus on Positivity:   As superintendent,  I feel that we completed this academic year with fidelity.  Teaching and learning were evident in our classrooms.  I would be remiss to not admit that our focus, particularly thru the first three quarters, was to just complete each day.  Next year we will return to a school year much more driven to district goal achievement and culture building.  That will begin June 3rd as a majority of our staff will be participating in a professional development day that includes our use of the Energy Bus for Schools Program.  This is not a silver bullet that is a cure all for adversity and difficult times.  However, based on the book “The Energy Bus”  by author Jon Gordon, it will help us, post pandemic, to rebuild a school culture around positive principles and practices. I encourage you to grab a copy and read it to understand where we are headed. Synergistic Relationship: The Board of Education and administration have engaged in discussions about the synergy between COVID times and our school operations.  What have we learned and done because of the pandemic that is worth keeping.  Things like allowing kids to eat outside some days; intermediate school students going straight to first period class upon entering the building, water bottle fillers replacing some water fountains.  These are just examples of ways we hope to learn and grow from this unusual school year.   Volunteers:   One strength of our school district is the awesome volunteer support we receive from parents and community.  Because of the pandemic that volunteerism was all but eliminated this year.  We look forward to having you back.  As volunteers you are so vital to our success.  Look for BIB background check information in early August and know that we will be happy to have our volunteers return.         You Must be New!:   For numerous reasons, including retirements, we will welcome more new employees in the Fall of 2021 than we have in over 20 years.  At the time of this message that includes 8 new teachers, a new guidance counselor, 3 new director level administrators and several new support personnel.  More in the way of introductions will be coming in the Fall.   Finances and Stimulus Funds:  In the way of finances our school system continues to be on stable footing.  Our immediate financial future is healthy.  Our Board uses a 10 year financial Master Plan under the direction of our school Treasurer, Mrs. Hiser, to monitor revenues and expenditures in the most prudent manner.  I have been asked by several people about receiving federal stimulus funds.  We have, although the amounts are based on a formula driven by economic need in your district.  Therefore, our stimulus dollars are not as high as some of those in other districts. Most importantly our goal is to strategically use these funds in ways that support the 10 year financial master plan moving forward.   Please Hit the ReSet Button: To reiterate, everyone involved in our schools from staff, students, parents and community have been amazing this year.  Most importantly, you have done what was right for you in protecting and supporting our children.  They are our most important treasures.  Now, I ask you to spend June and July hitting the reset button.  Rest, we are all exhausted from the trials of the pandemic.  Clear your mind and recognize the positives in your life.  As a community we have been able to survive a torrid 24 months because we cared for one another.  Especially our children.  Have empathy and grace for everyone.  It’s what makes us Brookville.  Thank You, Tim Hopkins, Superintendent

Wednesday, May 26 2021

12-18 year old COVID-19 Vaccination Opportunity

Parents, Brookville Schools have been offered an opportunity to hold a COVID vaccine clinic for students ages 12-18.  The clinic will be conducted by Dayton Children’s Hospital and take place in our administrative building (old Westbrook Elementary) in the Board Room at 75 June Place.  Registration and important information is below. Important:   Our Board of Education and school district believe that the decision to vaccine children is a very personal choice.  The district has no intention, at this time or moving forward, to require COVID vaccines.  We are not encouraging or discouraging vaccination.  We simply are providing our facilities for the convenience of those in the community who would like to have their 12-18 year old's vaccinated.   When:   Monday, May 24th 3:30pm - 5:15pm Where:   Brookville Local Schools Board of Education Office - 75 June Place Appointments: Can be made by using the following link https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0a4aadaa2fa6fe3-brookville Consent forms (attached):  Must be completed prior to arriving for the appointment Parents do not have to be present BUT the parent consent form is REQUIRED. The Pfizer vaccine will be administered and will require a 2nd dose on Monday, June 14th also 3:30pm - 5:15pm

Tuesday, May 18 2021

Latchkey to Close At Years End

Latchkey to Close At Years End As we head into the final weeks of the school year, I want to communicate with you as elementary parents regarding the closing of our school based latchkey program.  We started this service nearly 30 years ago.  At the time, Westbrook Elementary was the school involved and housed grades K-4.  This plan modeled what was occurring at numerous school districts in the state and local area. From the inception of Latchkey, the school district has maintained a stance that the program must be financially self-sufficient to exist.  In recent years, both here in Brookville and around the area, school based latchkey programs have found it very difficult to stay solvent.  Many schools in larger communities have handed latchkey operations over to YMCA’s or other agencies, even if they are maintained in school facilities.   At the end of this year, Brookville Schools will need to end our school based latchkey.   Our usage numbers have diminished and we cannot subsidize this as a school based program.  Along with other community based opportunities, you have likely seen the new, privately owned and operated Latchkey Academy located just in front of the elementary building. They, along with other programs, will be available to fill this gap.  Our current Latchkey will remain in place through the end of this school year.  Then, May 27, or the last day of school will be the last day of operation.  Our hope is that by announcing this change now you will have time to plan accordingly for the upcoming year.

Tuesday, Apr 20 2021

COVID Protocol Update for Parents

Parents, As COVID-19 numbers have continued to fluctuate, the CDC and State Department of Health have changed recommendations to school protocols.  At the end of last week our school based ReStart Committee met to assess how these changes affect our operations and adjust accordingly.  There are some items that will stay the same and there will be a few changes you may see or hear from your kids upon the return to school.  I want to communicate those with you at this time. Small group and partner work  - Staff have missed the quality of work they can do with students in small groups or collaborating with partners.  We will enforce a time limit and students will wear masks as we return to use of this instructional model. Paper and Pencil Work  - From the beginning of the year we have limited the amount of paper and pencil work both in classrooms and at home.  However, we have heard concerns from students and parents alike about the amount of screen time on computers.  While a certain amount of this work will still be useful we will begin to return to more paper and pencil work at school and home.  Barriers and Shields  - The CDC came out last week and stated there is no evidence of benefit gained from barriers and shields.  In those situations where students are wearing masks, such as classrooms, we will begin taking these shields down.   Outdoor Lunches  - We have now purchased solid surface picnic tables and when weather allows will allow students to rotate days eating outdoors.  The elementary tables will likely not be available till Fall.   Some Practices  NOT changing: Morning entry  to the building will stay the same for the remainder of the year.   Classroom cleaning protocols - desks being wiped down between periods and high use surfaces being cleaned will remain the same the rest of the year. Food in classrooms  - This will  NOT  be permitted the remainder of the year. Drinking Fountains - will  NOT be used for the remainder of the year (except those transitioned to bottle fillers).   Guest speakers or outside visitors  - Will  NOT  be permitted the remainder of the year. Deliveries  - will continue to be left in building foyers for office staff to gather. Social Distancing  - will still be practiced at 3 feet or more whenever possible.   Masks -  There was some confusion last week when the Ohio Department of Health released new Health Orders.  However, since that time they have clarified that in school all ages of students must continue to wear masks.   Let me finish by sharing my gratitude to everyone for your continued patience and support this year.  I know, it hasn’t been easy. You have all been consistently understanding and cooperative.  I can’t help but give special kudos to your kids.  They have been unbelievably strong through all of this.  It has not been easy but they have met and overcome adversity.  Unfortunately, it isn’t over.  Most importantly we request that you continue to practice health assessments each morning.   Please do not send students to school if they have COVID related symptoms.  We ask for your continued support in an effort to finish strong!!    

Sunday, Apr 11 2021

ALERT: Changes in School Calendar

Parents, Students & Staff Today’s post is to communicate another slight change in the school calendar.  In the months of January, February and March we are going to use an early release, or STAR day schedule, the last Friday of each month.  These dates are all Fridays, January 29, February 26 and March 26.  The intermediate and high school will release students at 1pm and the elementary at 2pm on those three days.  The purpose of this is to allow our staff the necessary time to stay on top of the inordinate amount of work that is created by COVID-19.  We still have a large number of students in quarantine because of community exposure (in the home, etc.)  These early releases will give staff an opportunity to make sure all students are receiving the instruction and support they need.  While we have learned through this pandemic that you cannot predict the future, we hope this is the last school calendar change of the year.  At the beginning of this year we cautioned that everyone would need to be flexible during this pandemic. Please plan accordingly for these three early releases.   There have been some questions sparked by media reports about whether or not inclement weather or snow days will still be used at Brookville.  In the age of electronic and remote learning, some districts that are more remote than in person, have said they will forgo inclement weather days and continue remote instruction.  As a district that has maintained in person classes, we will still call inclement weather days when necessary.  The district will continue the practice of One Calls, news outlets and ParentSquare to notify you if necessary.   As always, thank you for your continued support.  We are pleased to have started our second semester!!

Wednesday, Jan 13 2021