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Question: So What Does the SCESC Do? Answer: A Lot!
The Stark County Educational Service Center serves as a key resource center for twenty-two Greater Stark County school districts. They provide education experts in technology, online-learning, special education, curriculum, CARE teams, prevention care and in content areas including English, science, mathematics, social studies, the arts, gifted education and more. During these
unprecedented times, district educators and support staff have received enormous benefit from just-in-time leadership, training and support.
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Number One Priority is Kids and
Their Care
The value of the Stark County Educational Service Center (SCESC) cannot be overstated.[1] During this extraordinarily unfamiliar time with COVID-19 school closings, the SCESC's combined talents and skills are a shining light for districts, teachers, parents, students, families and the community.
Joe Chaddock, SCESC Superintendent, shared the three current priorities across public education: 1) kids and their care; 2) continuity of education; and, 3) accountability. Superintendent Chaddock expressed, "First and foremost, we need to take care of our kids and families. District administrators, teachers and support staff are doing a phenomenal job ensuring that our kids get the food and mental health support that they need - and now that spring break is over, remote learning has really ramped up. All of this is uncharted waters, and our districts have really done an exceptional job."
While all districts have technology leaders, no one was prepared for 100% of their students to be engaged in remote learning. SCESC technology experts have been pivotal in providing training, planning and problem solving support for districts.
The Service Center's web site has a plethora of resources for students, parents and educators including those to support remote learning.[2] The ESC's Curriculum and Instruction department has been exploring, collecting and collaborating in order to assemble a vast directory of materials[3] (indexed by subject and grade level) for teachers to use in online lessons. The directory's alphabetical cross-curricular list of resources[4] - updated every few hours - provides access to sites from virtual museum tours and geographical history to art projects and educational games.
Beyond remote learning, SCESC remains mindful of the emotional cost of social distancing and offers vital health and wellness resources [5] as well as personal supports for families, students and staff. Family Support Specialists are staying connected to students and families in order to facilitate solutions to prior and/or new challenges many are facing.
Superintendent Chaddock re-emphasized, "As hard as this situation is, We should take this time to appreciate our families."
[1] Currently, the ESC provides shared services to 14 local and 6 city school districts, one exempted village, and one career center in Stark, Carroll and Wayne Counties. Together these districts enroll over 65,000 students.
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