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CURRICULUM, INSTRUCTION, and SPECIAL PROGRAMS

Mrs. Julie Weyandt
Director of Curriculum, Instruction, & Special Programs
julie.weyandt@fairless.sparcc.org
(330) 767-3577

Mrs. Kari Wentling
Curriculum & Special Education Secretary
kari.wentling@fairless.sparcc.org
(330) 767-3577

Learning Recovery & Extended Learning Plan

Title IX Compliance Office for Fairless Local Schools

The following individual has been designated to serve as the District’s Title IX Coordinator. Such Coordinator is authorized to coordinate the District’s efforts to comply with its responsibilities under Title IX

Mr. Michael C. Hearn
Title IX Compliance Officer
mike.hearn@fairless.sparcc.org
330-767-7066

NOTIFICATION OF POLICY

The District does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its education program or activities, including admission and employment, and is required by Title IX and its implementing regulations not to discriminate in such a manner. Inquiries about the applicability of Title IX and its implementing regulations to the District may be referred to the District’s Title IX Coordinator, to the Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, or both.

NOTIFICATION OF GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

The District has adopted a grievance procedure to provide for the prompt and equitable resolution of student and employee complaints alleging any action that would be prohibited by Title IX and its implementing regulations. This procedure describes how to report or file a complaint of sex discrimination, how to report or file a complaint of sexual harassment, and how the District will respond.

2020-2021 Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Programs Update

In May 2021, the Fairless Board of Education approved a new continuous improvement plan for the district. This plan was developed over the course of the past two years and included feedback from parent meetings, surveys, the Board of Education, teachers, students, and administrators. The district’s new goals are:

Academic Goals

Growth Goal - By May 2023, 100% of students in the Fairless Local School District will demonstrate a minimum of one year's growth each year in all subject areas as measured by MAP, state, and/or locally determined assessments.

Achievement Goal - By May 2023, Fairless Local Schools will improve on the Achievement Indicator on the State Report Card by at least one full letter grade.

Culture and Climate Goal

By May 2023, Fairless Local Schools will continue to cultivate a safe, supportive, and inclusive school environment for all students through successful CARE Team services as evidenced by an overall 5% decrease in discipline referrals, behavioral issues, course failures, and attendance issues.

 

In the 2020/21 school year, the district completed reviewing new science materials for grades 9-12 and received Board of Education approval to adopt new materials for the incoming school year. With this adoption, over the past 5 years, curriculum audits and material adoptions have been completed K-12 in English Language Arts, Mathematics, Foriegn Language, STEM and grades 4-12 in Science. These adoptions have helped us to align instruction to the new Ohio State Standards and Assessments.

 

We are entering our 4th year of professional development focusing on closing the literacy achievement gap. We will complete our implementation of the Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling in pre-K through grade 8 this school year. 

 

Using federal grant dollars from the American Recovery Plan, the district will work to close pandemic-related learning loss gaps in several ways:

  1. Summer Learning Programs were moved outdoors to Camp Wanake and substantially expanded. Over 120 students grades 1-8 were served in this program that focused on literacy, math, and social-emotional learning.

  2. Math coaches will be implemented in grades K-9. These coaches will focus on identifying skill gaps, implementing strategies to close skill gaps, Math RTI, and curriculum alignment.

  3. Social-Emotional Learning curriculum will be implemented to help students acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.

 

This investment in our children will ensure that pandemic-related learning loss is addressed and that every Fairless Falcon graduates life ready.

 

Our CCP program continues to expand and now includes more face-to-face courses and a portfolio of digital offerings from Stark State. Fairless High School teacher, Mr. Nick Valentino has been approved as an adjunct professor through Stark State College and will be teaching CCP Political Science at the high school starting this Fall. We now have more than 70 credit hours of CCP, in-house, at Fairless High School. In 2021/22, we anticipate graduating our first student to earn an associate’s degree through our partnership with Stark State College and Kent State University at Stark. This program allows students to earn a full associate's degree without ever needing to leave Fairless High School. CCP, online digital electives, online Advanced Placement courses, and the Honors Diploma Pathways have continued to expand and offer students more rigorous options. This is an exciting time to be a Falcon, and there has never been more opportunities for students to advance their learning. 

 

Due to the pandemic, Ohio will not be releasing full report cards again this year. State assessments and accountability measures continue to fluctuate, and there is not an indication of long-term stability. The Ohio School Report Card system is set to go through a major revision in which there are no specifics available at this time. We are committed to student growth, regardless of the system Ohio enacts and will continue to implement our continuous improvement goals.

 

Federal Programs 

The Fairless Local School District participates in several federal programs. Parents and community members are encouraged to provide their input regarding these programs. Each program is listed below with a brief description. 

  • Title I - used across the district to assist students who have difficulties in reading and math, reduce class, size, and fund the summer reading program.

  • Title II - Professional development and Teacher Quality

  • Title III - Funds programming for English Language Learners

  • Title IV - Funds Family Supports Services

  • IDEA  - Used to partially fund Special Education Programs

Questions about Curriculum, Instruction, or Special Programs?

Contact Mike Hearn at (330) 767-7066 or email at mike.hearn@fairless.sparcc.org