District E-Newsletter, December 2024

Welcome to @Alder, the monthly e-newsletter provided by the Jonathan Alder Local School district. Each month readers will be able to see highlights from all five school buildings, as well as messages from the superintendent, announcements, and upcoming dates of significance.

Enjoy!

Message from the Superintendent

To Jonathan Alder Students and Families:

We are thrilled to announce a monumental step forward for our district—the Board of Education has officially approved a master facility plan that includes funding for a new Junior High School serving grades 6, 7, and 8.  This decision, finalized during the Board of Education meeting on Monday, December 9th, represents a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to Elevate the educational experience for all students and families in our community.

After months of engaging, powerful, and collaborative meetings with our Community Advisory Team, it became clear that there is strong community support for this transformative project. The new Junior High School will not only improve our District’s capacity for the projected area growth, it will meet growing educational demands and provide an inspiring and modern environment for our students to thrive.

Key Highlights from the Board Meeting

  • Funding Approval: The Board has approved the dollar amount required for the new Junior High School, classroom additions at CMS and JAHS, including Local Funded Initiatives (LFIs) that will bring meaningful improvements and enhancements to all of our buildings.

  • Commitment to the Arts: The Board reaffirmed its dedication to the arts and local community by strategizing the use of State-earned credit to be applied towards a new auditorium at the earliest opportunity.

Next Steps: Planning and Placement

As we move forward, our focus will turn to analyzing and assessing the best location for the new Junior High School. This phase will include:

  • Logistical Research: Evaluating traffic flow, parking, and bus routes to ensure a seamless experience for students, staff, and families.

  • Administrative Input: Collaborating with building leadership to consider operational, management, and educational impacts.

Your continued support and engagement are invaluable as we navigate this important process. We are committed to keeping you informed and involved every step of the way as we shape the future of our District together.

Thank you for your unwavering dedication and partnership in making this vision a reality. Together, we are creating a brighter future for our students and our community.

Please continue to visit ElevateAlder.com to stay informed on all upcoming future planning and opportunities to get involved.

In Gratitude,

James Miller Ed.D. 
Superintendent
Jonathan Alder Local School District 

Dr. James Miller headshot

Cross Country CBC & District Championships

JA Cross Country Teams at State Championships

The Jonathan Alder High School Boys & Girls Cross Country teams successfully defended their CBC and OHSAA District titles in 2024. The ladies won their 7th straight CBC championship en route to their best-ever state finish of 8th place. For the boys, they won their 5th straight conference and 2nd consecutive district title, while also placing 14th at the state meet.

Teaching & Learning Department Leaders

Message from Teaching & Learning Department

Welcome to the December edition of our Teaching and Learning Family Newsletter! As we approach the holiday season, we are excited to share updates, resources, and highlights from across our K-12 schools. This month, we continue to focus on supporting your child's academic growth and well-being. Together, we can make this season of learning both meaningful and memorable. 

For a full update, please click the link below. General information regarding the Teaching & Learning Department is also available on the district website.

Teaching & Learning December Update

Teaching & Learning Webpage

Carla Quick

Assistant Superintendent
Email

Becky Krall

Director of Student Services
Email

Nicole Schrock

Director of Instructional Technology
Email

News From Across the District

Fabrizio Fiorini headshot

Fabrizio Fiorini Named to All American Team by United Soccer Coaches

Congratulations to Fabrizio Fiorini of the JAHS Boys Soccer team on being selected to the United Soccer Coaches All American team.

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Fabrizio Fiorini headshot

PCES Certified as an Energy Bus School

At Plain City Elementary School (PCES), our journey as a Certified Energy Bus School has been nothing short of electrifying! With a focus on fostering positivity, collaboration, and enthusiasm, we’ve embraced the Energy Bus principles wholeheartedly, and the impact on our school community has been inspiring.

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Fabrizio Fiorini headshot

Jr. High Students Engage in Service Learning Day

Jonathan Alder Junior High Students recently entered Thanksgiving Break by participating in their annual Service Learning Day. This day is designed to include valuable lessons surrounding service, community, empathy, and commitment. 

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Fabrizio Fiorini headshot

Canaan Students Learn from Ohio State Presenters

Canaan Middle School students welcomed a zoologist and ecologist with The Ohio State University ties in recent days.

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Fabrizio Fiorini headshot

Monroe Students Learn Through Makerspace Stations

The week prior to Thanksgiving, the Monroe students participated in exciting, interactive Makerspace stations as part of their house teams. These stations were designed to encourage teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving across a wide range of subjects.

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FIVE-YEAR FORECAST OVERVIEW

Ohio law requires the preparation, approval, and filing of a five-year financial forecast twice a year, once in November and again in May. The five-year forecast is a valuable management tool as it allows for District leadership to conduct long-term budgeting and provide a transparent view of our fiscal health. It is a living document that is updated as appropriate as new information impacting our finances becomes available. Below is a summary of the five-year forecast approved by the Board of Education at its November meeting.

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Pioneer Health Minute

Click the link below to enjoy December's Pioneer Health Minute newsletter!

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Future Ready Community Connections

Help us highlight different career paths for students!

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Winter Break Digital Wellness Challenge

As we approach Winter Break, here is a Digital Wellness Challenge Calendar for our JA Families!

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Help Us Support Our Veterans!

If you, a family member, or someone you know is an active or military veteran, we encourage you to fill out our JA Military Alumni form by clicking the image above.

You can also learn more about Jonathan Alder High School's Purple Star designation by visiting our Military Family Resources webpage.

If you have any additional questions, or images you would like to share, please email Tyler Jester, JALSD Communications Coordinator, at jesterty@japioneers.org.

Upcoming Events

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