[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6461446,"mediaKeyId","5824214-87667cde0df3133d6ed93c6e3e6c04ca","parentId",5824214,"title","Riverside Local committee hears plan to pilot Lifewise release‑time instruction at Buckeye Elementary","audioSeconds",1099,"startMs",296000,"endMs",1395000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5824214-87667cde0df3133d6ed93c6e3e6c04ca&start=296&end=1395","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5824214-87667cde0df3133d6ed93c6e3e6c04ca/thumbnail_296000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6461446/Ohio/Riverside-Local-committee-hears-plan-to-pilot-Lifewise-releasetime-instruction-at-Buckeye-Elementary","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461446-596619de6a3ef3eb14f5e58fdca8ef37/orig.mp4?Expires=1773775369&Signature=mPg~6pGg8lN~qbrrLRP8yu2G2tAm7IwcbPKWfkfxjfM3XvfAEa-Q5msstDqbkeXCA20lO5LFdWGKEqaWfNC8SlugVxwQJ0ZKnHhIQ43nNpkgsRp06-UuJwQIDWAZJq7cXD6~x2Hc9Ry5oDzZJIRuYbUyNQrciVK5HF7kvdadtqeKFDLPBxvhChTiOqlAh3PJh9OLEGSnuCDioLfe~SkCV3V0~ZSGEWDX~ypkoG4MJf1m66VRRBVkx7tyisF6EeS3IKc-5OKxrqBJ~vjoWzq1td4HP~rZpUGs6wjx3q4LEImRGINjYRx-Hzr7cVG~busdHiNmja1crZPYal8Y4hmDpg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Riverside Local","date","2025-09-24T15:33:04.29Z","article","Cardinal Programs Committee members heard a presentation about plans to pilot Lifewise, a release‑time religious instruction program, with a third‑grade cohort at Buckeye Elementary beginning this school year.

Tim Hack, who said he has stepped into the role of program director for Lifewise at Riverside, told the committee the pilot is scheduled to begin in November and will run one day a week during lunch/recess for one third‑grade class. \"We are targeting that to start in November,\" Hack said. He said the program will meet off school property at the Church of the Brethren, a short walk from Buckeye, and that Lifewise will hire the teacher and recruit volunteers.

Hack described Lifewise as a national organization that launched in February 2019 and provides an established curriculum and operations model intended to make local implementation \"plug and play.\" He said the organization requires, and will show the district, background checks for anyone working with students and carries its own insurance. \"There is no insurance or liability on part of the district,\" Hack said, adding that the program is responsible for attendance records the district may view.

Committee members pressed on logistics and safeguards. A committee member raised safety and timing concerns for walking students to the off‑site location and whether lunch/recess would allow sufficient time. Hack responded that the walk takes about four and a half minutes and that cohorts would be scheduled on different days to avoid large groups moving at once. He also said Lifewise planned to provide umbrellas and make weather‑based decisions, and that volunteers and staff would undergo background checks.

On curriculum, Hack described Lifewise as \"non‑denominational\" and focused on what he called the baseline of the gospel; he said it is not intended to teach denominational differences. He also said multiple local churches had been involved in organizing the local steering committee and in supporting the program.

Committee members discussed parental notification and student records. District staff noted the district does not proactively send home program materials on the schools' behalf; participation will be by parental permission and any use of directory information would follow existing FERPA processes and district procedures for responding to records requests.

Hack and other speakers also referenced legal context. In explaining the release‑time concept, Hack referenced a 1952 U.S. Supreme Court decision permitting release‑time religious instruction under conditions such as parental permission, no cost to the district and off‑campus location. He said House Bill 8, passed by the state legislature and signed by the governor, has prompted districts to engage with release‑time providers and that Lifewise is presenting its program to meet local requirements. Committee members did not take a formal vote at the meeting; the item was presented for discussion and planning.

Practical details discussed at the meeting:
- Pilot grade and timing: third grade at Buckeye, one day per week starting in November (presenters said this is the current target).
- Location: off school property at Church of the Brethren near Buckeye; walking time reported at about 4½ minutes (presenters said 6–7 minutes is a realistic estimate for small children).
- Staffing and safety: Lifewise will provide the classroom teacher and recruit volunteers; elementary classrooms were described as requiring a teacher plus roughly three volunteers. Background checks for adults will be required and visible to district staff.
- Cost and liability: Presenters said the program carries its own insurance and will impose no cost on the district.
- Scheduling and academics: Instruction will occur outside core academic time (during lunch/recess) so the district reported \"no impact\" on core instruction.

Committee members asked about equitable access and whether families of other faiths could set up comparable release‑time programs; presenters said Lifewise organizers would work with other faith communities if they wished to create comparable options. Committee members also sought clarity about transportation for schools that could not walk to an off‑site location; presenters said some congregations operate vans and that Lifewise would be responsible for raising funds for drivers and transportation if needed.

The presentation closed with committee members and staff agreeing to continue logistical planning and to return with further details; no formal district action was taken during the meeting.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Curriculum & Programming Board Committee Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Cardinal Programs Committee members heard a presentation about plans to pilot Lifewise, a release‑time religious instruction program, with a third‑grade cohort at Buckeye Elementary beginning this school year.","taxTitle","Riverside Local, School Districts, Ohio","taxId",60573,"location","Ohio","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6461435,"Riverside Local reports preschool consolidation, licensing steps and playground final draft",433,2227000,2660000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5824214-87667cde0df3133d6ed93c6e3e6c04ca&start=2227&end=2660","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5824214-87667cde0df3133d6ed93c6e3e6c04ca/thumbnail_2227000.jpg","/articles/6461435/Ohio/Riverside-Local-reports-preschool-consolidation-licensing-steps-and-playground-final-draft","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461435-e5e8173534ff84cb60b6bf76506cf4f4/orig.mp4?Expires=1773775369&Signature=eclNZbMSbgpa8qCDGF8tmX1r4w66zNDy7FP8gPaVFZ94FbKLTE5uUR95vJ7MMINp0FKbqPf1ufnikj3YFTIKcQRqp0DJKbN-GDwDP8Lk3JKX3ldj4VTGxinufhiQ2ZtMG2MSEm5mSutpi6fZPcu0yIQLaXLQUIb0F3zTMb0Quz6RwQvFFA6VuPiCFLKx8uKifHbof0WWPcnZXQ61S0KC15fhadWqrbZ8HPeT4nqBzKf0JFsKa9Tm89OGI6VJd7haA0QF~u54wFEH8yP1WcbItq2szv4M1djkR0Gjp-ldxmb12BvNvOWaWuDPeVK2n8PwbwVSaiLV80HG7eY97OYczA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Committee members received an update on preschool operations, licensing and playground plans.

Camille (preschool staff) reported that all four preschool classrooms are now co‑located in the same building, enabling staff collaboration and shared resources. She said staff have completed required beginning‑of‑year training (first aid/CPR, communicable disease, child abuse reporting) and are prepared for a licensing visit.

On licensing and quality ratings, Camille said the state’s licensing requirements remain in place. The district will not participate in the Step Up to Quality program this year; staff noted the state reduced some Step Up to Quality professional‑development hour requirements but said Riverside is not enrolling this cycle. Camille said the district can reinitiate participation should funding or incentives change.

If preschool classrooms change location, Camille said the district must apply for a license tied to that building, which would include building‑specific inspections (fire, postings, staff ratios). She said the district has identified additional space at Riverview that could accommodate preschool if needed.

Playground and facilities: Staff shared a final playground draft that includes a larger climber suitable for the district’s age range and swings; staff said final funding checks are in place and that construction work would need scheduling and lead time, with physical work unlikely to begin before the new year. Staff also said storage near the new playground site is part of the plan and that high‑school construction or welding programs might be asked to support certain elements, subject to planning and materials availability.

Enrollment and wait list: Camille said preschool enrollment is strong and staff are working through a wait list. District staff reported they had moved through families who expressed interest in the spring and were contacting more recent applicants; openings created by evaluation and placement processes are being filled.

No formal action was taken; staff said they will continue licensing preparations and proceed with playground planning contingent on scheduling and funding confirmations.

","Staff reported that preschool classrooms are consolidated at a single location, licensing trainings are complete, the district is not participating in Step Up to Quality this year, and playground plans now include a larger climber and swings; enrollment wait list is being processed.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6461441,"Riverside Local details curriculum rollouts and says state report card largely unchanged from last year",2311,1397000,3708000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5824214-87667cde0df3133d6ed93c6e3e6c04ca&start=1397&end=3708","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5824214-87667cde0df3133d6ed93c6e3e6c04ca/thumbnail_1397000.jpg","/articles/6461441/Ohio/Riverside-Local-details-curriculum-rollouts-and-says-state-report-card-largely-unchanged-from-last-year","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461441-23c2c9ea0d93d51767903c82bac11271/orig.mp4?Expires=1773775369&Signature=YJoL32Ez9MGM~PmXaoPdowzM4v8PpXUiqLWxzHciNVBZ7wRx5Lphbnl5T7Q2tV-QbysWeVJ4Pmn0jACZ5VfHqWmsVzA6qOoB1w~iJ8Z9vFOfkdG5GgQmdUG1I-ImIge8NovFNY~jvb8elkCBDft82mZyw0~9GvxWY2-t6rzaZW9hynDO5lGTBAQ1kB-MiveV~~gwCUcblCLrrpbj0sqNbBgLSzIyXonnSYK7chAAzaSB-yrmtDvPIpwwnr4FpYGWiQL634PWkYNUqTQGJaUlNQXV1NLZz2ko1Xv3jBKrBaQJP4zlz0c3N9QzEBCfCpzwtDLdWhDFuAydRep03cuzfg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District staff briefed the Cardinal Programs Committee on curriculum adoptions, implementation checkpoints and preliminary district report‑card results.

Chris (district staff) presented a district overview of state report‑card outcomes and said the district’s overall scores are ‘‘almost identical’’ to last year. \"Achievement is the score on every single state assessment that you take is it within 0.3 points,\" Chris said, noting gains in advanced scores and areas that require focus, including middle‑grade math and early literacy. He said value‑added progress data arrive later in the fall, which limits immediate deep‑dive analysis.

Discovery Education renewal: Staff flagged the annual renewal for Discovery Education, an online resource used K–12. The stated current quote is $29,700 per year, up about $8,000 from last year; removing professional‑development components reduces the increase to roughly $4,000. Staff said the contract would be paid from the general fund.

Wit and Wisdom (ELA) and Benchmark: Staff said teachers asked for stronger writing supports after the first year of Wit and Wisdom; Abby (instructional staff) is working with primary teachers to embed a more systematic writing progression and to align lessons so they fit classroom time. Staff reported the curriculum publisher recently released a pared‑down version that shortens lessons, matching teachers’ adjustments. Benchmark implementation is described as proceeding on schedule with regular checkpoints built in.

CPM math (middle grades): Staff described CPM’s ‘‘spiraling’’ approach and said it requires new teacher routines but is producing higher levels of student discussion and written math thinking. CPM currently covers sixth through eighth grades with plans to scale into high school; staff said teachers are receiving extra coaching and occasional release time to adapt to the program’s assessment style, which revisits earlier topics.

Technology and AI tools: The district has rolled out Google Classroom with a security‑focused upgrade (Google Plus) and adopted Magic School (an AI‑assisted platform) for classroom support. District staff described Magic School as well received by teachers and said the tool can evaluate student writing against rubrics; staff noted that state assessments also use automated scoring, so the district is developing teacher and student protocols for AI use.

Report card highlights and areas for growth: The district remains a four‑star district overall and reported strong graduation outcomes. Areas identified for focused improvement included fifth‑ and sixth‑grade math and early literacy (the district’s early‑literacy rating declined from four stars to three stars this cycle). Individual schools varied: staff reported Riverview rose to four stars, while some schools maintained 4.5‑star ratings on the district summary.

Staff said many implementation monitoring measures are in place, including monthly or six‑week checkpoints for curriculum teams, MAP and benchmark correlations, and coaching support from Abby and Sarah (MAP coach) to ensure consistent rollout and local adaptations where appropriate. No formal board votes on curriculum purchases were taken at the meeting; the Discovery Education renewal was placed on the committee agenda to alert members to the upcoming contract renewal and cost increase.

","Committee heard updates on multiple curriculum implementations — Discovery Education renewal, Wit and Wisdom adjustments, Benchmark and CPM math — and a report card review showing district performance close to last year, with areas for targeted growth.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Riverside Local committee hears plan to pilot Lifewise release‑time instruction at Buckeye Elementary

Riverside Local reports preschool consolidation, licensing steps and playground final draft

Riverside Local details curriculum rollouts and says state report card largely unchanged from last year