Mr. John Montanaro

Welcome to the 2024-2025 School Year!

Dear Members of the Jefferson Area Local Schools Community,

As we embark on a new academic year, I am excited to welcome our students, families, faculty, and staff back to school for the 2024-2025 year. This is a time of renewal and opportunity, and we are eager to continue our tradition of excellence while embracing new challenges and innovations.

Our dedicated teachers, administrators, and staff have been busy preparing for the arrival of our students, ensuring that our schools are safe, welcoming, and ready to support every learner's journey. We are making significant strides in enhancing our curriculum, incorporating cutting-edge technology, and fostering an inclusive environment that encourages the unique potential in each of our students.

This year, we are particularly excited to introduce several new programs and initiatives aimed at enriching the educational experience. These include a new elementary school course focused on STEM and PBIS Enrichment, an expanded career and academic planning course at the Jr. High, and the return of Home Economics at the senior high school.

New technology will be coming to our schools this year as we begin to utilize the resources provided by the one-million-dollar USDA, Rural Utilities Service Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant we received.  This will help us to better continue our focus on mental health and wellness resources.

We believe these initiatives will not only bolster academic achievement but also nurture well-rounded, resilient individuals prepared to thrive in an ever-changing world of work.

I also want to acknowledge and thank our supportive community and partners who continually contribute to the success of our district. The ongoing involvement and collaboration of our PTOs, Booster Groups, community and regional business, law enforcement, safety services, and agencies are crucial to creating a nurturing and dynamic educational environment. Together, we can inspire and empower our students to reach new heights.

As we begin the 2024-2025 school year, I encourage everyone to engage actively with our schools, attend events, and participate in the various opportunities available. Communication and collaboration between home and school are vital, and we are committed to maintaining open lines of dialogue to support our shared goal of student success.

I want to thank parents and guardians for entrusting us with the education and development of your children. We are excited about the possibilities this year holds and look forward to working together to make it a memorable and successful one.

Warm regards,

John Montanaro

Superintendent

Jefferson Area Local Schools

NEWS / INFORMATION

JEFFERSON AREA LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT 

2024-2025 School Calendar  

First Nine Weeks

Aug 14 Professional Day – NO CLASSES

Aug 15 Professional Day – NO CLASSES

Aug 16 All Staff Orientation Day – NO CLASSES

Aug 19 First Student Day

Sep 2 Labor Day – NO SCHOOL

Sep 23 Waiver / Teacher Training Day – NO CLASSES

Oct 9 Fall Parent/Teacher Conferences (Evening)

Oct 10 Fall Parent/Teacher Conferences (Morning)  – NO CLASSES

Oct 11 NEOEA Day – NO SCHOOL

Oct 18 End of 1st Nine Weeks

Science of Reading

Ohio has adopted the “Science of Reading” as its approach to literacy for Ohio's students.

The Science of Reading refers to a comprehensive, research-based approach to teaching reading. It combines findings from various disciplines, such as cognitive psychology, neuroscience, and education, to understand how children learn to read and how best to teach them. Here’s a breakdown of what this means in simple terms:

• Understanding Sounds and Letters: The foundation of reading is understanding that letters represent sounds. For example, the letter "b" makes a "buh" sound. Children learn to connect these sounds with letters and eventually combine them to form words.

• Phonics: This involves teaching children how to decode words by sounding them out. For instance, the word "cat" can be broken down into the sounds "c," "a," and "t." By blending these sounds together, children learn to read the word.

• Vocabulary: Knowing the meaning of words is crucial. As children read more, they encounter new words and learn what they mean, which helps them understand what they are reading.

• Fluency: This means being able to read smoothly and quickly. When children can read fluently, they spend less time decoding each word and more time understanding the text.

• Comprehension: Ultimately, the goal of reading is to understand and make sense of what’s being read. Comprehension strategies help children to think about and engage with the text, such as summarizing stories, predicting what will happen next, and asking questions about the content.

• Evidence-Based Practices: The Science of Reading is grounded in research, meaning that the teaching methods used are proven to be effective. These methods are continually tested and refined to ensure they work well for most children.

By focusing on these components, the Science of Reading aims to give all children the tools they need to become successful readers. Teachers use these principles to create lessons that help our students learn to read in a structured and effective way

To fulfill the Science of Reading Textbook and curricular requirements under ORC 3313.6028(B), by which the DEW was responsible for establishing a list of English language arts core curriculum and instructional materials aligned with the science of reading and effective literacy instruction strategies, our school district has purchased a new reading / Literacy Text book Series for grades K-6.

To review the textbooks we will be using click the following links:

Grades K-5 My View: Click Here

Grade 6: My Perspective: Click Here

The Jefferson Area Local School District Receives $1 Million Grant Award from the USDA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development in Ohio State Director Jonathan McCracken announced at the Board of Education meeting on May 14, 2024 that the Jefferson Area Local School District has received a $1 million grant award to expand educational opportunities and provide increased access to behavioral health care services and resources.

See the USDA / JALSD Press Release Click Here

In talking about the grant, Board President, Mr. Scott Ardary said: “It is truly a pleasure and honor for our Board to accept the USDA, Rural Utilities Service Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant on behalf of the Administration, staff, students, and our community.”

“The Jefferson Board of Education is committed to providing the best education possible to our students and having our district serve our community. This grant will provide our staff, students, and our region’s safety forces and local government access to a set of communication resources that is state of the art.”

Superintendent, John Montanaro said that “Receiving a one-million-dollar grant is a great accomplishment for our school district.” “We know that Technology is reshaping our society’s personal, educational, and work environments and that the world of work that our students are entering has never been more complex.”

This grant from the USDA seeks to help the Jefferson Area Local Schools level the field when it comes to the use of technology in its schools. Additionally, the School District will make its technology available to local first responders, teachers, and community members to utilize distance educational opportunities and field trips as well as access tele behavioral/telemedicine services from providers in and out of our region.