Girard academic achievement earns bronze medal

 

By Linda Linonis

Classes help students see real-world applications and career possibilities.

GIRARD — The Girard High School building may date to 1924, but classes being taught — computer integrated manufacturing, engineering design and development and principles of biomedical science, to name a few — target career possibilities in the 21st century and beyond.

It’s one reason U.S. News & World Report’s third annual Best High School list included GHS, which received a bronze medal for academic achievement.

The Ohio Report Card rated Girard High as excellent for academic years 2006-07, 2007-08 and 2008-09.

Awards, plaques and trophies for academic achievements dress the walls and fill display cases there.

But it’s the intelligence, spirit, creativity, dedication and innovation of staff and students that put them there and the qualities that make Girard High a stellar place of learning.

What the Girard district is doing today through its STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) program “stems” from what Joseph Jeswald, superintendent, saw in the reaction of students participating in the school’s robotics activities.

“Innovation, problem-solving, creativity, research, community component and teamwork were involved in the robotics program,” Jeswald said. “The hands-on activity allowed kids to apply what they were learning. They were excited and engaged by it.”

Jeswald said he saw the effect firsthand how students were intrigued by the robot project. He said expanding the scope of how science, technology, engineering and math content was incorporated into daily lessons made sense.

STEM became rooted in the curriculum of Girard schools about four years ago. The elementary and middle school programs lay the foundation for junior and senior high classes.

The goal of the school’s FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) program is to inspire young people to pursue science and technology fields. Activities are FIRST Robotics, an extra-curricular activity in which students use remote-controlled robots, and FIRST Lego League for seventh- and eighth-graders in which students take on a challenge then research and develop a solution.

Prospect Elementary (kindergarten through third grade) and Girard Intermediate (fourth through sixth grades) use A World in Motion. Students may build toy cars using concepts from physics, motion, flight and electronics.

Girard Junior High students in seventh and eighth grades take Gateway to Technology. In science and technology curriculum, students apply scientific principles to simple machines and energy; in design and modeling, they use geometry and teamwork to develop product prototypes; and in automation and robotics, they combine skills in physics and robotics.

An option for GHS students in ninth through 12th grades is the national effort, Project Lead the Way, which includes engineering and biomedical classes.

The College in High School program, available in local school districts, allows students to earn college credits in literature, history, calculus, chemistry and physics at Youngstown State University and other universities.

Parents “see the benefit and the financial plus,” Jeswald said. Students also can take related classes at Trumbull Career and Technical Center.

The superintendent credited a team of physicians on an advisory board who lend expertise to the biomedical programs. “It makes it more realistic and meaningful for kids. When they work with mentors, the students get a better appreciation for what they’re seeing and learning,” Jeswald said.

STEM curriculum motivates students to think beyond high school to college and career choices.

“We’ve tried to foster a sense of urgency about what they are doing in high school and beyond,” said William Ryser, high school principal. “We want them to think about making positive contributions to the community, country and world,” he said.

The high school also has digital- media and commercial-art classes in the fine-arts program. “These are all tools used to get kids excited about learning,” Jeswald said. Improved writing and public speaking skills are goals, Ryser added.

Overall, Jeswald and Ryser said Girard strives to foster a positive school climate where kindness, safety and compassion contribute to the family sense.

“We do the basics very well,” Ryser said, noting that strong foundation allows students to move on to more challenging classes.

Ryser added that cooperation by parents contributes to students’ success. “We have some 70 percent of parents meeting with counselors February through May to discuss students’ schedules,” he said.

‘we are girard’ | From staff and students

We are Girard” is a school rally cry and statement of pride, said William Ryser, Girard High School principal. He said another slogan, “We set the pace for others to follow,” was coined by former longtime principal Joseph Cochran, now deceased, and remains a legacy promoting academic excellence. A pamphlet on the school’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) program, which explains all the classes, is available at the school. Staff and students comment on the education goals at the school:

Stacey Adduci, math and science teacher: Took an intensive summer class in STEM teaching techniques. “We’re working on the mystery of a woman who dies and figuring out the cause of death,” she said of the biomedical sciences class. “These classes are visionary. ... They’re in the fields where the country and jobs are growing,” she said. “This gives students such an advantage ... and they experience real-world applications.”

Judy Barber, English teacher and robotics adviser: “We have programs for students who excel and those who are struggling,” she said. Barber explained an innovative “study table” is where students can “get help and get caught up.” She sees it as an intervention tool so that students will pass the Ohio Graduation Test. Barber said an intensive research class for freshmen helps hone writing skills, which help in taking notes and writing papers throughout high school and college.

John DeMas, mathematics teacher: He said that next year, calculus will be offered as a college-credit course. DeMas said the Ohio First Scholarship Program, which offers dual credit in pre-calulus and calculus, provides scholarships for those who successfully complete the program. He said it was a great bonus for students and parents with tuition on their minds.

Maxwell Horne, 17, senior: “The majority of teachers really care about making sure you understand the subject matter,” he said. “There’s constant improvement in classes.” Max said he has discovered a “love for biology” and is considering that field as a career.

Bryanna Jay, 15, sophomore: She plans a career in the medical field and appreciates the opportunity of STEM. “You think outside the box. ... It’s more than what’s black and white. ... It’s what’s in the gray area,” she said. She said classes enhance problem-solving skills, and that benefits her in other classes and life in general.

Patrick Kempe, 15, sophomore: “Teachers aren’t learning over your shoulder. ... They want you to figure it out,” he said, and also pointed out how classes were more in depth. Patrick said he found it helpful to learn about careers and also wants to go into engineering.

Dave Meigs, 16, sophomore: “Classes are more in-depth,” he said of physics and civil engineering. Dave, who aspires to be an engineer, added, “Classes are very hands on and you learn problem-solving skills.”