Amherst News-Times, 2003-08-20

              bus routes c r-i i-. amherst news-time brian pennington of vasj communications outfits number six with new radio gear, while first grade teachers choois buildings ready for kids by jason hawk nows-timos reporter in the school district, buildings, principals, teachers, and levels have been jumbled like a big boggle game, administrators arc hoping that results this fall will spell power outaqe is small i prooiem tor city crews hj .laqnm uavjk sprinns inrwlento amhorct nnruinf, mnnln nnvnr itin m news-times massive electrical out ages crippled northeast ern seaboard last thursday night weren't enough to hold down. within just few minutes, emergency personnel hit streets work were safeguarding utilities at loca tions around city, 350,000 cleveland residents still shrouded darkness early friday morning, amhcr stonians waking up hot water bright lights. "police, fire, service per sonnel alt worked together unison," said mayor john hig gins after outages' immediate problems fixed afternoon. "they made pretty good team, because we didn't iiavc one accident city." according police chief lonnie dillon, there no more spur enrollment nows-timo3 ah, sound parents cheering children jeering. what magical lime late au gust amherst. yellow busses roll through neighborhoods next wednesday morning col lect young minds, off they'll go toward year district superin tendent bob boynton be among most exciting recent history. "since 2000, we've working on constructing additions, sche dules, reorganization, come aug. 27, final product bo rolled our stu dents staff," ho said. "it included issue s-u-c-c-e-s-s. amherst's schools open bang wednesday, students shocked discover whole learning environment cluding an end construction programs, faces. here's what's going on: marion l. steele high school: freshmen sneak peck now-complete facilities' when they attend orien tation friday, 22, cafctorium. principal jeff rciscn, vice tom leh man, assistant athletic director erich frombach r serious incidents from 12:07 p.m. until 12:30 a.m. de spite die potentially deadly loss traffic lights busy intersections during rush hour. "for part, things went exceptionally well, given circumstances," he told news-times. "initially, was influx traffic, but hours people realized it wasn't idea strccl..most everyone real izes something happens, it's important common sense prevail." reserve officers called duty emergency, firefighters as sisted their efforts worst danger past. 'traffic priority," who glad crisis began well daylight hours. "after dark, might itavc much dif ficult. able call nice finally sec wliole plan way intended." junior building fully op erational, workers gone prcmcsis, host administrators, rotated facilities, free singlc-mindediy pursue im provements actual learn ing process. "we want continue prove develop curricu lum make sure best kids," "i think child left behind initiative pre sent bunch chal lenges educa tion, ore changes math roberta pavlik lori littleton spruce shupo elementary classrooms. all preparations must prepare unveil student com mons area, media center, weight room, science wing, fine arts track, north gym. "our goal help transition ju nior available current helping them advance higher level learning," highlights using newly re modelled center computers areas. also redesigned art curriculum includes 4 class, which continued page 2 cover ma jor bring creased caution." higgins agreed, admitted situation became stressful nightfall. "the only problem came had darkness," "willi some especially strangers don't recognize intersections. difficult fumbling flash 10:30 or so tliat night, trying alleviate inconveniences facing get services back track." efforts, eventually restored grid, did not experience any surges transformers previous emergencies problem. certainly lucky," "and point cou- 5 programs especially. streamline those sub jects ensure wo give education possible." additionally, forced meet challenges created state-mandated testing, "obviously, goals every points proficiency test," boynton, "this we'll addition third achievement test ohio graduation test. that's than testing has moved multiple choice questions prompting fill blanks, show work, explain how arrived answer," natural by-product pf boyaton, comets prep efiijifel earns a's report amherst- deserve "e effort," garnering praise state. second consecutive year, exempted ibphiibpqpihvikveibhipvib'vibih south firefighter helps direct states. although outage darkened locaf intersection route 58 lights, accidents reported 113 week's municipality crisis, northeastorn united are teach material controversial educational trend actually positive. happened hundred years masters own domain," boynton. "when teaching 24 ago, nobody me my students. handed textbook teach." now higher, stricter standards exist, said, cause. benefit children. "kids need certain skills graduate. un fortunately, over years, documented nationwide pago 10 better time return 27. village receive straight perfor mance standards, earning 22 possible state card outstanding achievement. "we're very happy rating past two years," superinten dent "it's reflec tion lot hard kids, parents, staff, everybody played part that." grades four, six, nine, reveal schoolchildren performing above minimum areas wriung, reading, mathema ihsuafcsflawfs froshman band members drill fields, preparing performances tho march corners regular season football game homo against admiral king admirals. pane 1 o v-. tics, citizenship, science, outdistanced tention attendance rates. appear proficient reading writing, scoring tlic 97 percen tile tenth level, far standard 85 percent. based accoun tability report, however, same struggle heads .of citizenship age. numbers despite initial weakness 7mm en