The Ohio Association of Elementary School Administrators (OAESA), serving Ohio's pre-K, elementary and middle level school administrators, is hosting a fall “Get on the Bus Tour” and their second stop was Independence Primary School on Thursday, October 5.
More than 20 educational leaders from across Northeast Ohio enjoyed a full day of learning, inspiration and celebration of all that is right with public education.
Leading the day was TJ Ebert, principal of Independence Primary School and Zone 6 Director of OAESA. Proud to showcase all that his staff does on a daily basis, the first stop in his building was the book vending machine with a discussion on PBIS, or positive behavior intervention systems. Counselor Brooke Gradert and fourth-grader Andrew Cerny shared how in 201, PTO donated the Book Vending Machine and it has been such a big hit. Students love earning book vending machine tokens and even watching their classmates get to pick a new book. Through the IPS PBIS program, students can earn book vending machine tokens in many ways. Gradert also shared how this year, IPS is doing five DOJO parties throughout the year where kids can earn a school-wide party (glow party, extra recess, movie day, etc.) based on positive behavior all tracked through the class dojo.
The second stop was in the IPS courtyard where the topic of conversation was mental health and wellness. Behavior Specialist Katie Wojno and fourth-grade students Bobby Lewis highlighted four new programs IPS has implemented in order to help students learn new ways to regulate their bodies and their emotions. These included Mindful Mondays, Mental Health and Wellness Day, small group instruction for students struggling to self-regulate within the classroom, and 1:1 support from registered behavior technicians. The school’s vision for this program has been to provide the most intensive needs with 1:1 support so that students can gain the skills they need to thrive in the classroom setting.
The third stop on the IPS tour was visiting the design/technology class. Design Technology Teacher Kerry Morosko and fourth-grade student Adelyn Riedel highlighted the amazing opportunities students in grades kindergarten through fourth grade have in this STEM-based class once a week. In this interactive class, students are presented with a variety of engaging opportunities that encourage them to develop problem-solving skills, foster creativity, and collaborate effectively. IPS also is fortunate to have the ability to 3D print. Students use Tinkercad to create and perfect cross-curricular designs for print. Computer programming, using robots to bring coding to life, digital citizenship, keyboarding and basic computer skills all were showcased. All of the guests enjoyed watching the students demonstrate this technology.
Guests also were impressed to learn about the first-ever IPS Junior Reporters Immersion Program, where students discover what it takes to be a part of a news team. From writing, recording, producing to video editing, it is a newer opportunity offered to IPS students.
Stop four was a visit to the art room where Art Teacher Mike Gruber and fourth-grade student Jimmy Caruso discussed the use of technology in arts and mural projects.
They discussed how students use the website Artsonia to create an online portfolio from kindergarten through fourth grade. When finished with an art project, students in the classroom use iPads to take a photo, crop, and store art projects online in their personal portfolios. Parents of students receive an email as soon as the artwork is uploaded to check it out.
Mural projects in the art room started over 10 years ago. Fourth-grade students have the opportunity to learn more about mural projects and study the work of Chuck Close, a famous painter who created larger-than-life portraits. This team-building project has students working individually on their part of the mural, and when finished, they are displayed together as one grade to show off the design. Over the years, these projects have brought some special guests and experiences to IPS. One was Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns, surprising the fourth graders to come and see our mural in person and add the finishing touch - an autograph. These murals have become a tradition at the primary school. The students have created murals for the City of Independence bicentennial, Cleveland Indians, Cleveland Cavs, and even of their favorite teachers, including a mural in remembrance of Joan Sidor, the school’s beloved long-time music teacher, State Champion girls golf team, and superheroes. Last year's mural of zoo animals was created for the Cleveland Metropark Zoo and is now proudly displayed in the primate exhibit for all to see.
The fifth stop on the IPS tour was the Problem/Project Based Learning (PBL) space. Gifted teacher Kyle Johnson, fourth-grade team of Dan Czikray, Amy Montague, and Tari Mackanos, along with fourth-grade students Emma Roos demonstrated how this flex space is used primarily by the fourth-grade team, although other grades in the building have access to this space. Currently, students are creating a slideshow presentation to present to their parents during conferences. Teachers facilitate the learning activity, and students take ownership of the final product. Students are engaged in using technology, working together in small groups, and presenting an oral presentation to their parents.
Another PBL activity this year is based on Katherine Applegate’s novel “Crenshaw.” Students will be focusing on homelessness. Through reading, discussion, and brainstorming, students will suggest ideas of how they can address this issue in the surrounding communities. A final PBL activity the fourth graders complete in the spring is a National Parks exploration study.
The last stop on the tour of IPS showcased future readiness and immersion projects. Amanda Jaronowski, Career Development Specialist from the Cuyahoga Valley Career Center, along with Superintendent Ben Hegedish discussed how fourth-grade immersion projects are a key component of the district's future readiness initiative. Students are exposed to career pathways through real-life, hands-on scenarios, such as opening their own restaurant, creating a self-published newscast, and visiting the Cleveland Clinic simulation center. Building partnerships with local businesses and community experts allows us to give students from our small community a real window to the outside world. It encourages them to think about their future as an adult.
“We had over 20 educational leaders from Northeast Ohio here at IPS to see some of the amazing things we are doing,” said Ebert. “The comments I received after the tour were so humbling. I heard over and over about the energy in the building, the use of space being an older building, and the way the staff and students conducted themselves while they were at IPS. It really was a great day of sharing ideas, and seeing what other buildings, and educators are doing to help our students.”
“The staff at IPS does a phenomenal job providing the best education they can for children by creating unique spaces that can be utilized for collaboration, flexibility, and student-centered learning,” said Principal Kirk Pavelich, North Royalton Elementary School, North Royalton City Schools..
“I absolutely loved going to see IPS,” said Principal Colleen Mudore, Knollwood Elementary, Sheffield-Sheffield Lake School District. “The excitement and love for the school was apparent in all of the staff and students. It is obvious that each person is fully invested in ensuring the social, emotional, and academic success of each student! Thank you for sharing your school.”
"The OAESA bus tour is an amazing professional development and network opportunity,” said Principal Erin Holzhauer, Avon East Elementary School, Avon City Schools. “The time I spent at Independence Primary School was incredible! The ‘feel’ I got by being in this building was one of positivity, genuine care for each other, collaboration, and relationships. Takeaways for me include their PBIS initiatives, artsonia, and project-based learning. I am so grateful for this experience!"
