Robinwood Lane school staff honored by board

October 25, 2011 at 12:00a.m.

By ELISE McKEOWN SKOLNICK

BOARDMAN

The board of education honored the staff and students of Robinwood Lane Elementary School for being chosen as a School of Promise for the second year in a row by the Ohio Department of Education.

To be chosen as a School of Promise, the number of low-income families in the school must exceed 40 percent and have students from all groups achieving at high levels.

In school year 2010-11, 51.3 percent of Robinwood’s students were economically disadvantaged.

“So they are way above that 40-percent mark,” said Frank Lazzeri, superintendent. “But they also had high achievement in reading and math.”

Robinwood was one of 122 schools chosen by the ODE as a School of Promise.

At the meeting Monday, the board also heard a plea from a former student and parent of two children in the district.

“Do not let the arts die,” Gail Demetruk said. “The arts are an integral part of Boardman schools. We have a long history of excellence in the arts. They keep our kids involved and well-rounded.”

Two years ago, Demetruk said, changes at the middle school resulted in an intervention period receiving precedence over the arts and music departments.

Now the retirement of 29 teachers last year has resulted in changes to those departments at the elementary schools, she said, and she fears those changes threaten the future of the arts in Boardman.

Currently, she noted, one music teacher and one art teacher serve all four elementary schools and children receive only half a year of art and music, rather than a full year.

“What will happen to the holiday concerts, the fourth-grade chorus, the second-grade play?” she asked.

The arts should be encouraged while children are young enough to develop their skills and interests, Demetruk said.

The arts are important to the board, too, said Kenneth Beraduce, board president.

Though art and drama were areas that received cuts because of budget constraints, he added, the board will continue to look at ways to reinstate programs as soon as possible.

“Hopefully, that’s sooner, rather than later,” he said.