Education Guide

By

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January 10, 2014

Children’s Discovery Center
For locations visit
www.childrensdiscoverycenters.com

While CDC has always offered kindergarten, it has expanded its educational program into the elementary grades. Discovery Express School, a chartered non-public school accredited by ODE, builds on the child’s experiences within a project-based educational model while complying with Ohio’s Content standards. The School offers low-ratios, enrichment classes in Art and Spanish, a Smart Board and child-centered learning to enable our students to achieve their highest potential.

Franciscan Academy of Lourdes University
5335 Silica Dr.
Sylvania
419-885-3273
www.franciscanacademy.org

Originally founded in 1973 by the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, Ohio, The Franciscan Academy of Lourdes University developed a partnership with Lourdes University in 2011. Because we share a common educational mission of academic excellence and core Catholic values with the University, a unique learning environment is created for all students preschool through eighth grade establishing the only academic partnership with a University in the Michigan/Ohio border area.

First Unitarian Church of Toledo
3205 Glendale Ave.
419-381-6999
www.uutoledo.org

First Unitarian Church’s religious education program provides opportunities for spiritual growth for all ages—birth through adult. Our children’s program teaches Unitarian Universalist (UU) faith through lessons about our Judeo-Christian heritage, world religions and social justice. Children learn UU identity through lessons that are anti-racist, anti-oppression and focused on developing spiritual lives. Our youth program focuses on young people becoming spiritually and physically healthy and encourages the youth to think through life’s complex questions in ways that are meaningful to them. Our adult program allows for diverse topics related to religious history, social justice, environmental issues and spiritual practices/disciplines.

Gateway School
4650 W. Bancroft St.
419-536-6503
www.gatewaypre-k.com

Education should be a time of fun, warmth, safety, encouragement and exploration. Structuring its programs around a variety of experiences, Gateway School lets its students actively participate in the School’s learning center approach. Winner of the Two-Star Step Up To Quality Program, Gateway offers a quality commitment to early learning and an outstanding facility.

Gesu School
2045 Parkside Blvd.
419-536-5634
www.gesutoledo.com

Gesu School is a community, inspired by faith, committed to the spiritual, intellectual, physical and social growth of each of its students. In addition to creating an atmosphere that promotes academic excellence and spiritual growth, Gesu also offers a variety of enrichment programs. Gesu’s chess club, Power of the Pen team, Mathcounts, championship Quiz Bowl team and the recently-begun student newspaper are examples of academic enrichment opportunities at Gesu. Our extensive programs for the arts include giving students in third through eighth grades the opportunity to perform in plays such as Seussical Jr. and 101 Dalmatians. As well, each student has a digital portfolio of their visual artwork. With Smartboards in every classroom, a computer lab and GSPN (a morning news program put on by the students), it’s not hard to see why 16 of 20 members of Gesu’s core teaching staff have sent their children to this school.

Harambee Montessori Center
3700 Dorr St.
419-535-0060

Harambee Montessori Center’s goal is to pull together all available resources for a comprehensive approach to foster the love of learning.

We provide a personalized learning experience with an environment where teachers observe the needs of children and continually seek ways to support their development. The primary goal of a Montessori program is to promote mutual respect, social responsibility, natural curiosity and a love of learning by developing concentration, confidence, independence and order.

Respect for oneself, others, the environment and life is necessary to develop a caring attitude toward all people and the planet.

We offer developmentally appropriate curriculum in everyday living skills, language, arts, and geography along with special classes in physical education, foreign languages, story-telling
and dance.

A Key to success is a strong relationship between the teachers, children, parents, and caretakers. Pulling together… is a wonderful experience!

Islamic Schoolof Center of Greater Toledo
25877 Scheider Rd.
Perrysburg 419-874-3509
www.icgt.org

Students attending the ISGT will demonstrate progressive learning; achieve academic excellence and skills in the following subjects: Arabic, reading and understanding the meaning of the Quran with tajweed, mathematics, language arts (grammar, spelling), social studies, science, art, computer and health/gym. ISGT consistently achieves above the average of national and state scores on the ITBS and OAA. Our pre-school students learn, share, laugh and grow with us at the ISGT.

L. Hollingworth School for Talented and Gifted
5719 Clegg Dr. 419-705-3411
www.hollingworthschool.com

L. Hollingworth School for Talented and Gifted is designed to support academic acceleration by providing personalized support, authentic assessment and school-wide differentiated, learning activities. We believe that every child who demonstrates the capability for high achievement in intellectual areas, specific academic fields, areas of creativity, art or leadership deserves an opportunity to learn in this type of educational environment where students will be given the opportunity to fully develop their capabilities and unique gifts. For a personal tour call Paula at 419-705-3411.

Free registration packets are available at www.hollingworthschool.com.

Let’s Play School2620 Robinwood Ave.
419-243-3009

With a strong create-a-curriculum program, Let’s Play School, teaches its students through play for a smooth transition into a childcare center or kindergarten. Let’s Play School offers tutorial assistance, a low student to teacher ratio and the owner is always on site.

Lial Catholic School
5700 Davis Rd.
Whitehouse 419-877-5167
www.lialschool.org

Lial Catholic School provides a faith-based education guided by an award-winning faculty in a quiet, woodland setting. Continuous progress, multi-age classrooms encourage responsibility for learning. Full science and technology labs, foreign language, algebra, fine art studios, sports, and favorable student-teacher ratios make Lial ideal for all students, especially older students preparing for high school.

Mary Immaculate School
3835 Secor Rd.
419-474-1688
www.maryimmaculatetoledo.org

Mary Immaculate School is the only Catholic school in the area that focuses exclusively on educating students who struggle academically. Founded in 1960 by the Sisters of Notre Dame, MI specializes in teaching students with Asperger Syndrome, ADHD, SLD, FASD, processing disorders and those at-risk.with special classes in physical education, foreign languages, story-telling and dance.

A Key to success is a strong relationship between the teachers, children, parents, and caretakers. Pulling together… is a wonderful experience!

St. John’s Jesuit
5901 Airport Hwy.
419-865-5743
www.sjjtitans.or

St. John’s Jesuit High School was founded in 1898 as a college preparatory high school for men. In 2005, SJJ established the Academy that now serves grades six through eight. SJJ represents all economic and social backgrounds. Seventy-five percent of our students receive scholarship assistance.

St. John’s mission is to develop Christian leaders. Each student achieves his greatest potential in a diverse Christ-centered atmosphere distinguished by academic success and service as a man for others.

Acceptance is based upon placement testing, academic performance, and recommendations. In 2011, SJJ had two National Merit Scholars and eight Commended Scholars.

Strong academics, with honors and AP classes, challenge students. SJJ is one of the first schools to provide iPads to students. The A+ Learning Center and College Counseling distinguish SJJ. The A+ Center offers learning strategies from learning specialists. Students are accepted at prestigious colleges and universities. More than 70% of our students participate in athletics. To improve our community, SJJ gives 25,000 hours to food banks, schools, and nursing homes.

St. Patrick of Heatherdowns School
4201 Heatherdowns Blvd.
419-381-1775
www.toledostpats.org

St. Patrick of Heatherdowns School is a vibrant Catholic community for students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. Along with a great educational experience in all basic education classes, we provide daily religion classes, weekly mass, SMARTBoard technology in all classrooms, Spanish for every student as well as accelerated reading and math with many more opportunities.

St. Ursula Academy
4025 Indian Rd.
419-531-1693
www.toledosua.org

Founded in 1854, St. Ursula Academy’s legacy is built upon the core Ursuline Values of education the whole person including rigorous and engaging academics, serving “Soli Deo Gloria”, authentic student leadership, nationally recognized STEM, fine arts and more as well as winning athletic programs. St. Ursula Academy defines young women for a lifetime.

St. Pius X School
2950 IIger Rd.
419-535-7688
www.stpius.tld.pvt.k12.oh.us

St. Pius X is a Catholic, pre-K through grade 8 level school located in the heart of the Old Orchard neighborhood. Students at St. Pius X interact on a daily basis with SmartBoards, laptops, iPads, and other forms of technology in each of our classrooms. Music, art, Spanish, technology, pre-algebra and algebra complete our students’ academic day. Before school and after school care as well as homework assistance is available on a daily basis. Our SPX news crew begins each day with morning prayer and local, national and school news as its focus. Students come together weekly for Mass and a Benediction service monthly. From our pre-K classes through 8th grade, students are encouraged to do their personal best in a faith-filled, caring environment.

Toledo Christian Schools
2303 Brookford Dr.
419-389-8700
www.toledochristian.com

At Toledo Christian Schools, our focus is to create a balance of strong minds and strong faith through a non-denominational Christian-based learning environment. With its pre-school through high school classes, Toledo Christian Schools encourages its students to explore the world around them while developing a solid spiritual foundation.

Toledo School for the Arts
333 14th St.
419-246-8732
www.ts4arts.org

Toledo School for the Arts is the most diverse, tuition-free learning community in Toledo attracting students in sixth to twelfth grades from over 24 school districts throughout Ohio. Students who have a passion for the arts and a commitment to excellence seek TSA as a unique opportunity to combine college preparatory academics with an unsurpassed curriculum in the arts. TSA has received .

Now THAT’S Italian!

By

Karen L. Zickes

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January 8, 2014

Neapolitan WHAT???

Hmmmm. I once considered myself a pizza connoisseur, but as it turns out, I had a lot to learn. Friends asked me if I had been to 5th Street Pub. They were new to town, and I couldn’t believe they were telling ME where to go to eat! When she said it was the only authentic, certified Neapolitan pizza in Ohio I just looked at her and said, “Neapolitan WHAT?” Or maybe I was embarrassed and said that to myself. At any rate, so began my quest to experience what she had discovered. As it turns out, Neapolitan pizza is THE true and authentic Italian pizza. Every detail of the pizza has deep roots in Italy and an establishment must be certified in order to make and serve authentic Neapolitan pizza. This is a far cry from “American pizza.” From the unique wood fired oven that was built in Naples, Italy, to 75% of the ingredients coming directly from Italy, this IS the real deal.

Geoff and Melissa Kies along with managing partner Bruce Rahe opened 5th Street Pub in Perrysburg last March. “Everybody knows pizza, but not everybody knows the first pizza,” said Mr. Kies. Geoff and Bruce spent time in New York City learning about authentic Neapolitan pizza under the instruction of Roberto Caporuscio who is head of the APN (Association of Neapolitan Pizza Makers) which allowed them to become only the thirty-seventh and thirty-eighth people certified in the United States to make and serve authentic Neapolitan pizza. If you are going to serve Neapolitan pizza just as it was served in Italy over 150 years ago, there are very strict rules, regulations and techniques to be followed. “We spent five days just learning how to stretch the dough,” said Kies. There is an art and a specific way to make it ultra-thin. He added, “The trend in restaurants is going towards more homemade and hand crafted.” I would have to agree, and that is likely why they continue to pack in a full house on a regular basis.

Pizza for the kids

We arrived early on a Friday evening and encountered a short wait. I perused the pizza menu, and immediately found that the selections looked fabulous to me, but what about the kids? I do, however, always encourage my children to broaden their horizons and try new things. Every topping selection includes basil; as it’s part of the authenticity of the pizza. The mozzarella is fresh, not shredded and stringy like many kids are accustomed to eating. I was certain they would not enjoy the pizzas with marinated mushrooms, or artichokes etc. Though pepperoni is not a true Italian ingredient, Kies eventually persuaded Mr. Caporuscio to allow them to include it at 5th Street Pub.

My boys preferred to share a pepperoni pizza and they personally loved the ultra-thin crust with the fresh mozzarella; though they were most curious why the cheese was different than usual. My daughter, unfortunately, was not a fan. If you are unsure what your little ones will enjoy, the kids’ menu also includes noodles with sauce or butter, a kid burger, or spaghetti with a meatball. Drinks are included and there is a choice for a side dish of either hot cinnamon applesauce or red skinned mashed potatoes all for only $4, one of the most affordable kids’ meals I have seen in a while. For less adventurous adults, 5th Street Pub also has salads, homemade meatballs, great appetizers, burgers and beef tenderloin offerings.

Front row and center

The focal point of the restaurant is the awesome wood burning oven with a bird’s eye view of the pizzas being made. You may dine at the counter and watch the action in the kitchen if you like. My boys found themselves front row seats. They were so enthralled I thought I’d have to peel them from the stools to go home. It’s not just anywhere that you can watch the one and only authentic Italian pizza being made right before your eyes!
Bottom Line: Most of us will never make it to Italy, but thanks to 5th Street Pub, we can enjoy the only authentic Neapolitan pizza in Ohio. The menu offers several alternative options if your little ones are not in the mood to be adventurous. However, after having the opportunity to watch the pizza being made, they may have a change of heart. You and the kids won’t want to miss Andrew Martin, magician, performing tableside every Wednesday evening as well.

5th Street Pub

Neapolitan
pizza and meatballs
105 West Fifth Street
Perrysburg, OH 43551
419-931-9933
Mon-Wed: 11am-midnight
Thur: 11am-1am
Fri: 11am-2am
Sat: 11:30am-2am
Sun: Closed
www.5thstreetpub.com

Karen Zickes is a mom of three active children and freelance writer who resides in Holland, OH. She can be reached in c/o [email protected].

Raising the Bar

By

Christina Cordova

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January 8, 2014

When Katherine (Katie) Spenthoff—principal of Washington Jr. High—initially began her career in academics, her heart was in curriculum, and she had no desire to lead from anywhere other than the front of the classroom. However, a few, short years after being hired by the Washington Local School District, she discovered that she liked the idea of working with all the parts—the students, teachers, parents, administrators—and she soon found herself in the position of Werner Elementary School principal. Only two years after that, she was honored with the “20 under 40” Recognition Leadership Award, recognizing individuals who are making outstanding contributions to their communities. And that’s just what Mrs. Katie Spenthoff does, everyday.

While Mrs. Spenthoff was recognized for the “20 under 40” award this year because of the Sensory Learning Program she implemented at Werner Elementary, her achievements go far beyond that one program…

One of the first lessons Katie learned as an administrator was that consequences don’t change behavior. “Although my role was to handle discipline,” she says of her stint as Assistant Principal at Jefferson Jr. High, “I liked the idea of trying to talk with kids who were disengaged and acting out. I worked with them, the teachers and the parents to find solutions that were best for everyone.” This practice proved to be successful with both teachers and students, and it grew into the Positive Behavior Intervention Supports program—the program that would be the basis by which she would lead in the future.

Now, as principal, Katie makes it her job to acknowledge needs within her entire school and to do whatever it takes to make sure that those needs are met. “For me, being a principal is about looking at the successes that need to be celebrated, then looking at the pieces that need to be supported —then helping with THAT.”

When asked if her underlying goal has changed since moving up from elementary to junior high, she says no, “the ultimate goal is always to connect with the kids and help them grow into successful adults.” And she adds, she could not do this without the help of all the outstanding teachers, parents and administrators that inspire her and educate her every step of the way.
“I’m so lucky to work with and for outstanding people…Washington is a district full of people that insist on doing right by the kids and raising the bar. It’s a district that empowers teachers to think outside the box. For us, it’s always about ‘What can we do positive-wise to re-engage our students?’”

When asked what she hopes to accomplish in the future, Katie replies, “I don’t ever want to be stagnant or to think that I’ve ‘gotten there,’ because I haven’t. There is always a new challenge, and always a new approach, and in order to do right by the kids, we always need to be trying something new.”

Parenting principles through Pandora

By

Matthew Reger

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January 8, 2014

Pandora has had an impact on my parenting. Through the algorithms of the on-line listening site, a song I had never heard came to my ears. The words caused me to consider a failed relationship and how I could make amends through my own children.

The Picture, by Louden Wainwright III, is about a photograph of a brother and sister sitting at a card table coloring on paper. The black and white photo was taken when the brother was five and his sister four. In the song he is looking back forty years after the image was captured, reflecting on a lost time. As he reminisces he realizes that the simple scene reflects all that was important in his world at five years old; a time when concerns didn’t go farther than coloring within the lines and sharing with his sister. Forty years later that image is as compelling as it is heartbreaking because relationships are no longer that easy and life is much more complicated.

I have a picture like that of my sister and me. In the picture we are happy, sitting on a rock near the Atlantic Ocean, taking a break after we finished running on the beach. We were eight years apart and for a brief time in our lives we were inseparable. She would ride on my wagon while I delivered papers, we swam together in the lake near our home, and she looked up to her older brother in a way I really never deserved.

What caused us to drift apart I really can’t say; maybe it was when I left for college, but I think it was before that. Whenever it happened there is no relationship now. We rarely speak and our lives move in different places. Even if I tried I don’t think I could break through to discover what happened to separate us. It is not anger or animosity; it is lives that are so far apart the only commonness is our parents.

As I contemplate that relationship I look at my own children. They are four years apart and seem to be devoted to each other. They play, pick at, and tattle on each other. At one moment they will be coloring together at the dining room table, the next hitting each other, and then within minutes jumping off the couch in defiance of my protestations. They can be conspirators against their parents and enemies over a toy in a short span of time. But ultimately they come together and we make a family.

My concern is what happens years from now. What could my parents have done to stem the tide of separation between my sister and I? What can I do to encourage a continued, lifelong relationship between siblings? I have no answers to these imponderable questions. I just seem to plod along hoping I get it right without knowing how.

I try to find things that bind us as a family. We share a laugh when I say “have fun storming the castle”, both of them having seen The Princess Bride with me more times than we can count. We also share music and love to hear They Might be Giants sing Istanbul not Constantinople. “Why they changed it I can’t say, people just liked it better that way” is commonly sung on car trips.

Maybe it is as basic as that; as simple as the picture in the song. It is sharing the simple things in life and making them special to us. Maybe the glue I am seeking is in a shared laugh, a common experience or just a line from a movie. I don’t know, I’ll keep you posted.

Head of the Class

By

Digital Media

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January 8, 2014

Emmanuel Christian School

Jeff Wilcox, Superintendent

Emmanuel Christian School is a discipleship school enabling students to grow intellectually and spiritually. Our vision is: Making disciples of Jesus Christ. “As Emmanuel’s new superintendent I was drawn to the school by its strong educational and biblical philosophy which resonates with my educational views,” says Jeff Wilcox who started in June.

Emmanuel has a faculty deeply committed to students’ growth. ECS is excited to be rolling out its TCM Discipleship model. There are three components: Teaching for Understanding (our minds), Cultivating for Transformation (our hearts) and Mentoring for Growth (our service).

Emmanuel also has excellent facilities to train its 355 students through curricular and extra-curricular opportunities. ECS maintains two computer labs, two libraries, a fully-equipped science lab, two gymnasiums, a baseball diamond and a softball diamond along with a lighted soccer field. Programs include robotics, two bands, elementary and secondary choirs, and fall, winter and spring sports.

Maumee Valley Country Day School

Mr. Gary Boehm, Head of School

Mr. Gary Boehm has been Head of Maumee Valley Country Day School for the past eight years. Maumee Valley offers education to children from preschool through grade twelve.

Their mission is to enable students to become enlightened, compassionate, and contributing citizens of their global community, while preparing graduates for their best opportunities in higher education. Maumee Valley’s challenging curriculum, student-centered school life, and supportive community inspire and equip them for a lifetime of learning.

Prior to becoming Head of School, Gary spent fifteen years leading Maumee Valley’s Middle School and teaching algebra. Gary is married and has two children, Tyler and Emily, both graduates of Maumee Valley. When not working, Gary enjoys golf, backcountry skiing, and playing the guitar.

Toledo Public Schools

Dr. Romules Durant, Superintendent

Dr. Romules Durant has been named as the 30th Superintendent for Toledo Public Schools. A proud graduate of Waite High School, Dr. Durant began working for TPS in 1999 as a classroom teacher. From there, he became an assistant principal, a principal and then assistant superintendent.

Charismatic and confident, Dr. Durant is focused on increasing student academic achievement, raising the graduation rate, encouraging parent involvement and focusing on early childhood programming. Dr. Durant played a pivotal role in creating the district’s multi-year transformation plan. He looks forward to continuing the implementation of the highly-acclaimed program.

Student success is a number one priority for the new superintendent. He wants all TPS students and potential students to know “they’re at the heart of everything TPS does and that all decisions are made in their best interest.

Franciscan Academy of Lourdes University

Dr. Richard Kohler, Director

Dr. Richard Kohler, Director of the Franciscan Academy of Lourdes University, believes the greatness of the Franciscan Academy lies with its willingness to value each child as a gift from God and to discover how that child excels. He believes each and every child is capable of success.

At the Franciscan Academy, Dr. Kohler hopes to maintain the high standard of academic achievement and to continue guiding students to become well-rounded, caring individuals. The Franciscan Academy’s mission is to help all students achieve their personal best.

For some, that means preparing for honors and AP courses and becoming National Merit Scholars and high school valedictorians. For others that means identifying ways of learning that are not available in “one-size-fits-all” schools.

St. John’s Jesuit High School & Academy

Dr. Bryon Borgelt, Principal

Dr. Bryon Borgelt is in his fourth year as the principal of St. John’s Jesuit Academy, a Catholic school in the Jesuit tradition that educates boys in grades 6 through 8. He believes that middle school provides a window of opportunity, especially for boys, for personal growth and maturity and to explore new areas of interest. The SJJ Academy is the only school in metro Toledo that is endorsed for single-gender education by the prestigious Gurian Institute, “which means we know how to educate boys,” Dr. Borgelt explained.

Dr. Borgelt and the SJJ Academy teachers work to keep their students actively engaged and to provide lots of hands-on learning opportunities. “We also try to build a sense of community in the Academy, through service, leadership and school trips and activities,” Dr. Borgelt said. “For us, it’s not just about academics, although I think we do pretty well with that too.”

Toledo School for the Arts

Nick Mariano, Principal

Sam Arnold, Assistant Principal

Joining the leadership team in 2009, Principal Nick Mariano has helped to steer a number of exciting developments at Toledo School for the Arts.

This school year alone, TSA added 150 students and transitioned entirely from textbooks to iPads. No stranger to transition, Mariano has taught at a Philadelphia K-8 residential treatment center, served 10 years in Toledo Christian classrooms, earned a Master’s from BGSU, and filled various administrative roles. With the arts and education as driving forces throughout his career, the principal remarked on his satisfaction in working “where one finds ‘the same family culture’ that you find in many private schools. TSA goes one step further, enhancing student creativity and expression.”

Mariano is immensely grateful the recent promotion of Shirley (Sam) Arnold from Guidance Counselor to Assistant Principal. She holds dual Bachelor’s Degrees, a Master’s, and certification/licensure through ODE as well as the Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board of Ohio. For this role, Arnold was also certified in School Leadership/Supervision.

Westside Montessori School

Lynn Fisher, Head of School

In 1975, Head of School Lynn Fisher, founded West Side Montessori with 12 preschool students in rented space in a church. The school grew quickly to include elementary grades and eventually added both toddler and middle school levels and a satellite program in Perrysburg.

Today, the school serves 380 students in beautiful purpose-built facilities. Montessori education provides an enriched environment where children take responsibility for their own learning and develop the confidence and habits of mind that propel them to challenge themselves to excel. West Side graduates have an exceptional record of leadership, creativity, public service, scholarship, and the confidence to pursue their dreams.

Lynn’s personal mission is to create a learning environment where children and adults can become their best selves. She is passionate about Montessori education because of the difference it makes in the lives of those who surround her, including her own family. Lynn’s two Montessori educated sons, Mark and David, are both married to Montessori teachers and her four grandchildren are all Montessori kids.

Whitmer Career and Technology Center

Debra Heban, Director

A career and technical education empowers students to prepare for a lifetime of career and educational choices. It also supplies students with work-based learning opportunities, offers students leadership development, helps students explore a multitude of career possibilities and provides college credit options.

Whitmer Career and Technology Center and Owens developed agreements allowing 141 students to earn 1,354 credit hours among six career tech programs. Career tech students belong to a Career Tech Student Organization. CTSO’s are an integral part of academic and technical course work including a rigor of competitions.

Debra Heban herself enrolled in a career tech program in high school and as a result enjoyed working in the dental field for 18 years. She then decided to pursue a career in education. She has been employed for 19 years at Whitmer CTC, 17 years in administration and 11 years as the Director at the CTC. She is very proud of the students and staff at the Whitmer Career and Technology Center and all of their accomplishments.

Saint Joseph’s

Mrs. Sally Koppinger, Principal

Mrs. Sally Koppinger has served as St. Joseph School principal for 27 years. In that time, she has seen the school double in size and expand to two campuses—a preschool to grade five building and a middle school—on opposite sides of Main Street.
She was chosen as the top elementary school principal in the Ohio/Michigan Province of the National Catholic Education Association in the spring of 2005, and was recognized in the fall of 2005 by the National Education Association in a ceremony in Washington, D.C. as a National Distinguished Principal. Sally has long appreciated the importance of empowering her staff and encouraging them to reach their potential.

St. Joseph, Sylvania has consistently been recognized as having strong academics and a Christ-centered Catholic identity at its heart. Much credit goes to Koppinger who, since 1986, has been encouraging professionalism, compassion and a dedicated search for best practices and continuous improvement.

HOPE Learning Academy

Mrs. Mellissa Hinton, School Leader

Mrs. Mellissa Hinton is the “School Leader” for the new innovative HOPE Learning Academy of Toledo, The Perfect Place for the exceptional learner. As the coordinating Intervention Specialist for the former Mary Immaculate School, she has developed a precise student-centered philosophy in educating and advocating for children to achieve their full potential.

Mrs. Hinton has over fifteen years experience with a diverse population of students (cultural and demographical) within Toledo area schools. Her knowledge and expertise is in Special Education and Transition. She believes that, “Every child can live a life of independence if their education enhances and supports their abilities, not disabilities.”

At HOPE Learning Academy, Mrs. Hinton is committed to providing a rigorous academic education for the exceptional child with specialized learning needs, offering a non-traditional classroom setting that cultivates “self-reliance, critical thinking, and problem solving skills through research proven curriculum infused with social growth, sensory integration, and art enrichment.

Exceptional Families

By

Digital Media

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January 8, 2014

SibShops supports kids with special needs siblings

Kids aged nine to fifteen meet at Sibshops once a month between October and April and talk with others with similar sibling situations. Facilitator Wendy Smenner, mother of two children, one with special needs, knows kids can feel left out when parents spend lots of time and energy with the special needs child. “We try to offer support for the kids. We have plenty of recreational activities so they can let off some steam. This year, we are working on an art event. The kids will portray their siblings and we will have an exhibit for friends and family. We’d also like to create a teen group in the coming months.”

Sibshop meetings are held at the Alternate Learning Center, 3939 Wrenwood Rd.,
Toledo. Ms. Smenner can be reached at (419) 214-3066, or by email at
[email protected].

Sylvania Teacher Receives Award

Anna Schroeder works in Sylvania Schools as a Transition Specialist. She and her team help provide school-based training and work opportunities for students as preparation for their lives after high school. She recently received the 2013 Educator Award from OCALI (Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence) as recognition of her efforts, leadership, and accomplishments in helping improve outcomes for people with autism and low incidence disabilities. Former student Chloe Rothschild, who is also part of the Toledo Area Parent team and manages calendar events for all parenting publications at Adams Street Publishing Co., nominated Schroeder for the award, and journeyed to Columbus to share the presentation with her teacher November 21. Schroeder said, “The Sylvania community is very supportive of providing a variety of internship opportunities for our students, who often obtain paid employment at similar businesses with their peers. I always tell the students that I found my ‘niche,’ my perfect job. Now it’s my turn to help them find theirs.”