Gadfly Bites 2/7/24—You can’t color in the letters if you’re not at school

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1. I’m not sure why tiny little Middletown City Schools’ effort to cut down on student absenteeism warrants double coverage, but here we are. Last year’s data are bad—nearly 45 percent of district students were chronically absent in 2022-23—but not the worst. (WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, 2/5/24) So perhaps it’s the proposed solution that is drawing attention to Middletown. There are four prongs here, strongly focused on celebrating attendance. No kids are getting paid for showing up, but markers and donuts feature strongly. (Local 12 News, Cincinnati, 2/5/24)
   
   

2. Here’s an interesting one. Canton City Schools has announced the impending elimination of its virtual academy at the end of this school year. The program predates the pandemic but saw a strong increase in utilization since 2020. It currently serves over 250 students in grades 3 through 12 but will be shut down to save the district money. The teachers will be reassigned to fill IRL teaching vacancies without having to incur new costs. The most interesting part: The superintendent seems resigned to the fact that many—if not all—of the families will opt for an online charter school in order to stay virtual, noting that they will make the best decision for their own children. “We will continue to work with families to make sure they have options even if that option is not with us.” How enlightened of him. (Canton Repository, 2/5/24)
   
   

3. Speaking of school choice (we were, weren’t we?), here’s a nice look at Horizon Science Academy in Lorain, which is clearly on the grow. The school has occupied the former home of Lorain Catholic High School for 15 years, but has not fully utilized the massive space, including the ginormous area where the old school’s Olympic-sized pool was. Long-planned updates to that space—half cafeteria, half gym—are finally underway as enrollment continues to grow. Nice! (Morning Journal, 2/5/24)
   
   

4. Finally today, kudos to The Ratner School in Pepper Pike, an O.G. Montessori school (with a strong Jewish identity) celebrating 60 years of serving students in the Cleveland area. Mazel tov! (Cleveland Jewish News, 2/5/24)

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