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In an effort to increase communications efforts with the community-at-large, the District has created the "PLSD Heard it Through the Grapevine" blog designed to provide a platform to get answers to your questions and address rumors. Submit your question(s) in the white box to the right.
Please note, NOT ALL QUESTIONS WILL BE ANSWERED, and it may take some time to get the answers. For individual or private concerns, contact the school or District Office at (614) 833-2110. Thank you and welcome to the Grapevine.
To view previously asked questions, click on the category links below:
Heard it Through the Grapevine
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by
PLSD Grapevine
on
5/4/2012 2:37:59 PM
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QUESTION: Why is Lakeview's athletic website include more information than Ridgeview? Why are Ridgeview and Central information & meetings not on the upcoming events calendar on the district web page?
RESPONSE: Thank you for your observation. It has been forwarded to the appropriate people. The building personnel at each facility maintain the school websites. All of the school events that are entered into the web calendar appear on the main District calendar. It is gathered through a programming script and organized by date. Each school is represented on the District website.
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by
PLSD Grapevine
on
5/4/2012 2:32:07 PM
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QUESTION: How many teachers do we have in Pickerington? How many Administrators? How many students? Thanks!
RESPONSE: Thank you for your question. The District has 10,272 students, 610 teachers and 50 administrators.
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PLSD Grapevine
on
4/17/2012 1:50:25 PM
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QUESTION: When are the proms and May dances for the junior highs and high schools?
RESPONSE: The date for the PHS Central prom is May 5. The PHS North prom is May 19.
PHS Central Prom: May 5, 7:30-11:30pm
PHS North Prom: May 19, 7:30-11:30pm
Ridgeview Junior High May Dance: May 19, 7-9:30pm
Lakeview Junior High School May Dance: May 5, 7-9:30pm
Please note, junior high school parents and students should not shop for formal gowns, but adhere to school dress code.
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PLSD Grapevine
on
3/2/2012 3:14:42 PM
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QUESTION: Can Sycamore Creek Elementary parents be given an explanation as to why we were not told about the principal situation immediately?
RESPONSE: The Pickerington Local School District's Board of Education policy requires that investigations into personnel matters remain confidential. The District believes it is not appropriate to publicly, divulge allegations of a complaint while an investigation is in process. The issue in question did not involve students.
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PLSD Grapevine
on
3/2/2012 3:04:00 PM
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QUESTION: What steps does the District take to verify that students live within the District boundaries, especially when receiving information from others that students are transported to and from bus stops?
RESPONSE: All students go through a verification process that includes proof of residency. When the District receives returned mail or “tips” that a student does not live in the District, the re-verification process begins. The parents must show proof that they are currently residents of Pickerington.
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PLSD Grapevine
on
2/10/2012 2:49:46 PM
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QUESTION: I was told that the District has purchased 4 charter buses for PHSN to use for trips.
RESPONSE: No, the District did not purchase any charter buses. When a club uses non-district transportation services, the vehicle is usually a rental. If you have a specific question, please contact the organizer of the activity.
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by
PLSD Grapevine
on
2/10/2012 2:30:33 PM
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QUESTION: Please tell me where I can find school hours on the website.
RESPONSE: The school hours are posted on the main page of the webpage under the “Our District" link.
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PLSD Grapevine
on
2/10/2012 2:28:04 PM
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QUESTION: With next year will the elementary school hours revert to regular hours prior to the levy not passing? Previous start time was 8:30 am.
RESPONSE: The current structure of the school start times was a combination of reductions to offset the deficit. It included the elimination of art, music and physical education as separate classes at the elementary and middle school levels and the restructuring of the bus routes. Collection of the August 2011 levy did not begin until January 2012. No revenue from the August levy was collected in 2011.
The current start times will be evaluated based on District finances and student achievement.
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PLSD Grapevine
on
2/3/2012 2:49:23 PM
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QUESTION: How much does it cost for my child to participate in softball if she has reduced lunches?
RESPONSE: The free and reduced lunch program is not part of the equation in determining reduced pay-to-participate fees. The “Pay-to-Participate Fees: Financially Disadvantaged Application” can be downloaded from the District website under Forms and Links or picked-up at the junior high or high schools.
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by
PLSD Grapevine
on
2/3/2012 12:27:38 PM
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QUESTION: I understand the Board is paying a consultant, Al Meloy, to assist with finding a replacement for Mantia. If that service is free to members of The Ohio School Boards Association, why is the Board paying for a consultant?
RESPONSE: Although the District is a member of the Ohio School Boards Association, the superintendent search is not included in the fee. Membership includes but is not limited to workshops, school board development, orientation and training sessions.
During the 2007 fiscal year, the Ohio School Boards Association charged the District $8,523.19 to conduct the superintendent search. This year, the school board has partnered with the Fairfield County ESC and Al Meloy, who conducted the previous search, to spearhead the 2011 search. Meloy reduced his fee, and the Fairfield County ESC is reimbursing the District $4,000. This action will reduce the fees for the search by at least 50%.
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by
PLSD Grapevine
on
1/24/2012 2:24:22 PM
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QUESTION: Where is the bus schedule? Why isn't it under Parent Resources?
RESPONSE: The 2011-2012 Bus Schedule is on the main webpage under the 2011-2012 Back-to-School Info link. It is located on the left side of the webpage. This link not only includes bus schedules, but other relevant school information. We have changed the title of the link to 2011-2012 Bus Route Info and placed the link under Parent Resources.
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PLSD Grapevine
on
1/24/2012 2:12:30 PM
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QUESTION: You state that each year a percentage of the applications for free/reduced lunch/meal benefits... What percentage was verified for the current school year? How about last school year?
RESPONSE: In the 2010-2011 school year, the District verified 1.25% of the applications that focused on income and .75% of the applications that focused on a category (for example food stamps). Two applications were verified for cause. In total, 11 applications were reviewed for verification.
In 2011-2012, the District verified 3.25% of the applications that focused on income. Twenty-one applications were verified based on income and one application for cause. A total of 22 applications were verified.
Each school year the Ohio Department of Education sends the District a letter stating the type of verification the District must use, based on the number of responses received from the previous year.
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by
PLSD Grapevine
on
1/19/2012 3:17:36 PM
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* Notice *
On Wednesday, January 18, NBC 4 incorrectly stated that Pickerington Local Schools residents would see an issue on the May 2012 ballot. Please note, the District DOES NOT have an issue on the May 2012 ballot. Below is the story and correction as presented by NBC 4.
 Westerville Schools Talks Which Cuts May Be Restored If Levy Approved
CORRECTION: NBC4 incorrectly reported Wednesday at 11 p.m. that Pickerington Local Schools and Gahanna Jefferson Public Schools plan to put issues on the ballot in May.
Officials with both school districts said they are not planning to put a levy or issue on any upcoming ballots.
We apologize for the error and regret any inconvenience this may have caused.
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by
PLSD Grapevine
on
12/16/2011 2:57:54 PM
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QUESTION: Does the District check all paperwork for all students to ensure students at PLSD are all legally in the United States? Does PLSD check all students that are eligible for free/reduced cost lunches and reduced pay to play fees to verify income and make sure they are in the United States legally?
RESPONSE: All applications for enrollment go through a verification process. The District requires a birth certificate or passport for every student registered. For students born outside the U.S., parent(s)/guardian(s) must supply both. Students who do not meet the requirements are not enrolled in the District.
Free and Reduced Lunch:
The District does not verify every application that is approved for meal benefits under the federally funded program. Each school year, the Food Service Department verifies a percentage of applications for meal benefits, as mandated by the federal government. However, the District will verify an application for cause if necessary.
Pay to Participate Fees:
This is an internal District program and all applications for reduced fees are verified. Not all applications are accepted. It is assumed that all students are residents of the District. However, if a student's residency is questioned, it will be verified.
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by
PLSD Grapevine
on
12/16/2011 2:52:03 PM
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QUESTION: Are there bullying issues at Lakeview Junior High School?
RESPONSE: The staff at Lakeview Junior High School (LJHS) is committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment for all students. The staff continues to conduct anti-bullying programs to help students understand the harmful nature of this sort of behavior. The LJHS leadership team is proactive and reactive in dealing these types of issues.
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PLSD Grapevine
on
11/29/2011 12:45:57 PM
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QUESTION: When will the 2012-2013 calendar be available?
RESPONSE: The 2012-2013 District Calendar will be available once it is approved by the board. It is scheduled to appear on the December 12, board agenda. Once approved, it will be posted to the District website.
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by
PLSD Grapevine
on
11/29/2011 12:39:50 PM
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QUESTION: Is there a reason why the Band View More Link was taken off the Pickerington Central home screen?
RESPONSE: The District's Communications Department reviews the website annually to ensure that the main sections are updated on a regular basis. This does not include the teacher web pages. The sections that were removed were due to the lack of maintenance.
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by
PLSD Grapevine
on
11/18/2011 10:35:17 AM
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QUESTION: Is PLSD still offering band to sixth graders? I thought the program, like other specials, were eliminated due to levy failure.
RESPONSE: Yes, band is still offered. The "Beginning Band" program starts in the sixth grade. It was never included in the group of classes known as "specials." It is an ungraded, introductory course offered before the start of the school day. It is taught by the junior/senior high school band staff and is housed in two of the three middle schools (Diley and Harmon).
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by
PLSD Grapevine
on
11/18/2011 10:11:21 AM
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QUESTION: Please address some of the concerns regarding the "global integration model."
RESPONSE: The Pickerington Local School District developed an Integration Model at the 1-6 level to create learning environments in which art, music, physical education/wellness and technology/media are infused with reading, math, science and social studies content.
Last month, the Global Integration Team launched a website to provide an overview of classroom activities. To view the website click here. For any additional information, contact the Department of Teaching and Learning at 614-833-2110.
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by
PLSD Grapevine
on
11/18/2011 9:46:27 AM
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QUESTION: I heard that both Media Specialists (Librarians) at the high schools will be non-renewed next year. Is that true?
RESPONSE: Thank you for your question. There has not been any discussions about making changes to the media specialists for next year.
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