The overall grade is calculated by using results in six components: Achievement, Progress, Gap Closing, Improving At-Risk K-3 Readers, Graduation Rate and Prepared for Success.
For the first time in report card history, overall grades are appearing. Tiffin City Schools' overall district grade on the 2018 report card was a "B." Among the 608 public school districts in Ohio, 28 districts (4.6%), earned an "A.” Tiffin is one of the 191 (top 31%) of school districts that earned a "B."
Tiffin City Schools continues to focus on ensuring every student graduates prepared for a career or for post-secondary education. This begins early-on by focusing on our youngest learners.
The Gase Family Literacy Fund, in conjunction with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, has been instrumental in supporting literacy skills for students before they enter preschool or kindergarten. This program provides families with one free book a month from the time their child is born until they reach age 5. This early exposure increases the child’s likelihood for success when they enter school.
Studies have shown that students who are able to successfully read and write are more likely to be successful. Tiffin City Schools has made providing support to our staff in the area of literacy a priority this school year in grades K-8. Our staff, with the assistance of Jamie Barrows (literacy coach), has really focused on instructional and evaluative practices so they can develop lessons to help our students develop their reading and writing skills.
The district has taken a comprehensive approach and is working toward the goal of having every student graduate with a valuable industry credential, college credit or hopefully both. Students are being exposed and informed of the newly established programs such as Graduate Pathways to Success and Career Explorations as early as middle school.
Our middle school students are also being introduced to Science, Technology and Mathematics through a new STEM course that was implemented this year. The long-range plan for the STEM curriculum will focus on water quality, which aligns to another partnership we are working to expand upon with Heidelberg University.
The Career Explorations experience allows our freshman to experience up to six career pathways at Sentinel Career Center and Technology Center. Students are able to begin applying for program acceptance as soon as their sophomore year. Greg Edinger, Superintendent of Sentinel, and his staff have been tremendous partners in helping us realize our vision of making sure every student who leaves Columbian is either college- or career-ready.
The Graduate Pathways to Success program is an innovative partnership with Tiffin University that allows students to start earning college credit in high-demand pathways. Examples of such include: Cyber Security, Computer Information Systems and Supply Chain Management. Our students take these courses at Columbian High School during freshman and sophomore years. All courses are taught by Tiffin University Faculty.
Tiffin City Schools, with the help of the Tiffin Seneca Economic Partnership, has also secured a grant from AT&T to develop the YEAR 13 program. As graduates transition out of high school and into their next steps, they may encounter unexpected challenges. A multi-stakeholder team of Tiffin City Schools staff, Tiffin University, Heidelberg University, Terra State Community College, Sentinel Career & Technology Center and other community partners will support our graduates. YEAR 13 will provide Columbian graduates with career advising and wrap-around support during and beyond high school.
In addition to preparing our students for graduation, we have also taken steps to ensure the safety of each and every one of our students. The safety of our students and staff continues to be a primary focus at Tiffin City Schools. The district has made significant investments to help create safe, welcoming learning environments where all students succeed. Tiffin City Schools has hired our first school resource officer, Doug Skornicka, through the City of Tiffin. He has helped to make tremendous strides to improve our safety and security.
The district has also updated our building access systems and has implemented a new visitor management process. Early this spring, Tiffin City Schools will be working with NaviGate Prepared to develop a clear and simple software system for developing, accessing and implementing our PK-12 safety and security plan.
There are a lot of really great things happening in our district and much to be proud of. I cannot thank and commend the staff enough for their continued dedication, passion and commitment to our students. We appreciate the continued support of our community and look forward to even more progress in the future.
All the Best,
Gary Barber, Superintendent
