February 2016 Newsletter
Transcription
February 2016 Newsletter
South Central Educational Service Center FREE February 2016 Newsletter PAGE 1 Board President Belcher passes away South Central Ohio ESC Board President Raymond Belcher passed away Jan. 9, 2016, at the age of 83. Raymond Belcher, a member and president for the South Central Ohio Educational Service Center and the Scioto County Career Technical Center, passed away Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016, at the age of 83. He was a long-standing businessman in the community and an extremely long-tenured educational board member, serving on many boards since the early 1960s. “Mr. Belcher was committed to education in Scioto County,” South Central Ohio ESC Superintendent Sandy Mers said. “The pride he had for the students in this county Like us on Facebook! as well as the teachers and administrators was apparent through his continued dedication as a board member. Mr. Belcher was a very kind, sincere, and nurturing person. He will be greatly missed but always remembered.” Belcher was the owner of True Value New Boston and Toy Town for 43 years before retiring in 1998. He was a former member of the Clay Local School Board, and an avid member of the Rubyville Community Church. He received many accolades during his service to the educational community, including awards for service and tenure of both the Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA) and the Association for Career Technical Education. His longevity spanned over 60 years, leading on the state and regional levels. “He represented the best in the qualities of a public school board member and truly understood what it meant to make decisions in the best interests for many, many children in Scioto County,” said Paul D. Mock, OSBA Southeast regional manager. “He was a true advocate for boys and girls and will be greatly missed.” Stan Jennings, superintendent of Scioto County Career Technical Center, said Belcher gave time and guidance to strengthen education for the students of the county, and every facet found there-in. He added that Belcher has made education better for the students of Scioto County. “I have a great appreciation for the work that Mr. Belcher has done in the District, and find it very difficult to outline a complete listing of the items that make him special to the Scioto County JVSD,” Jennings said. “During my time with Mr. Belcher he was always present at all functions and on call 24/7 for working with the district in moving forward district policy and daily activities. During times when Mr. Belcher has had crisis or health issues in his personal life he never relented www.scoesc.org in his efforts to improve the educational processes of the counties students. I am truly honored to have been able to know and work with such a fine person. We will miss him deeply.” Jennings said Belcher played a key role in the basic running of the Career Technical Center, and their most recent facilities addition, “Belcher Hall,” is named in his honor. Former superintendents also remember Belcher as a kind man, dedicated to education and students. “Mr. Belcher was the epitome of an excellent board member,” said former South Central Ohio ESC Superintendent Lowell Howard. “His professionalism, work ethic, and dedication to the students and the educational community could never be exceeded. He will be greatly missed.” Former Career Technical Center Superintendent Tom Reiser shared Howard’s sentiment. “I feel very fortunate to have been associated with Ray both as a friend and on a professional basis. He was a unique individual who was devoted to his family, friends, and the community, as witnessed by his commitment to education. His great humor and positive presence will be missed by all,” he said. A public gathering was held in Belcher Hall at Scioto County Career Technical Center in Lucasville. Twitter: @SoCeOhioESC South Central Ohio ESC February 2016 Newsletter PAGE 2 ESC January Governing Board Notes The Governing Board of the South Central Ohio Educational Service Center met for an organizational and regular board meeting on Jan. 14, 2016. Among the actions taken by the board during the organizational meeting: • Elected Paul Crabtree Board President for 2016, • Elected Gary Piatt Board Vice President for 2016, • Set regular Board meeting schedule, to be held on the second Thursday of each month at 1 p.m., at the South Central Ohio ESC in New Boston, • Set compensation for members of the Governing Board at the maximum allowable rate as determined by the Ohio Revised Code. Further, the Board authorized mileage reimbursement at the established Board approved rate for all meetings. Further, the board authorized that all Ohio School Board Association and Southeast Region OSBA meetings be approved board training programs for 2016; and, • Appointed members of the Audit and Finance Committee, Personnel and Performance Committee, Governance Committee, OSBA Delegate and Alternative, and OSBA Legislative Liaison and Alternative. Among the actions taken by the board during the regular board meeting: • Approved the amended agenda, • Approved the minutes of the regular Dec. 10, 2015, meeting, • Authorized the use of a consent agenda, where applicable, for 2016, • Authorized renewal of professional memberships for the superintendent, assistant superintendent, treasurer, and the SCOESC organization for 2016, • Approved a resolution to delegate authority to the treasurer for 2016, • Approved a resolution to delegate authority to the superintendent for 2016, • Approved a resolution to set the mileage reimbursement rate for 2016 at .50 cents per mile, • Authorized fund advances and/or transfer of funds, • Approved a resolution to employ substitute employees for 2015-16, • Authorized the employment of personnel, • Approved a resolution to amend contract of Allison Riggs, Speech Therapist, • Approved a resolution to declare urgent necessity and authorize contract for boiler replacement, • Entered into executive session for the purpose of conducting the evaluation of the superintendent/treasurer and discussing appointment/ compensation of a public employee; and, • Accepted the resignation of Amy Payne, Personal Aide. The South Central Ohio ESC Governing Board meets on the second Thursday of each month in Conference Room A of the ESC in New Boston. Members are Arnold McCoy, Mike Canter, Gary Piatt, Fred Edgington, Paul Crabtree, and Lisle Dill. Longtime board member Raymond Belcher passed away on Jan. 9. The next special meeting of the South Central Ohio Educational Service Center Governing Board will be Feb. 4, 2016. Congratulations on your new arrivals Curriculum Secretary Jan Thomas and husband Darrell welcomed their ninth grandchild into the world. Baby Blake Thomas Hurst was born to Andrea and Devin Hurst on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2016, at 9:50 p.m. Baby Blake weighed seven pounds, 14 ounces, and he was 21 inches long. South Central Ohio ESC February 2016 Newsletter PAGE 3 Resolve to get your GED this New Year ABLE helps you take that step for a new year, new you Feb. 1 Jane Ruggles Shelly Stall Feb. 2 Karen Smith Denise Booker Julie Hannah Feb. 6 Kay Gibson Cathy Mullens Feb. 7 Sarah Brock Feb. 8 Ruth Singer Feb. 9 Lisa Clifford Feb. 12 Melissa Hall Feb. 14 Sharee Price Feb. 15 Dene DeGonzague Feb. 20 Scott Holstein Feb. 21 Debra Queen Feb. 23 Stephanie Schaefer Feb. 24 Douglas Hood Feb. 25 Robert Seaman Feb. 26 Andy Compliment Feb. 27 Jodi Hamilton Feb. 29 Jayne Swayne and you’re thinking about doing a job search, or improving your position within a career, the GED should be the first thing you think about.” The ABLE p r o g r a m offers classes at various locations, with flexible locations. In Felicia Pollitt (right) proudly displays her GED certificate next to instructor Paula Baumgardner (left) after her addition to graduation in December of 2014. helping people complete their The new year is a time for GED, Scioto County ABLE resolutions; to better yourself also provides services for and set personal goals. The workplace literacy, corrections Adult Basic and Literacy Education Office at the South education, distance education, Central Ohio Educational and transition services. Service Center (SCOESC) in The program is helpful to New Boston is ready to help students of all ages. You are you cross one item off your list never too old, or too young, to change your life. – helping you get your GED. “With the way the economy Felicia Pollitt completed the is now, one of the first things program in four months, and you can do to put yourself in a graduated in December of better position to be successful 2014. She said she wanted to in your job search is to get your set a good example for her GED,” said ABLE Director Rob 14-year-old soon-to-be stepSeaman. “I think economically, daughter. it makes sense when you look “I just literally got bored,” she at how much money someone said. “I wanted to show her makes who has a GED or a high that there’s so much more you school diploma, compared to can do. So I enrolled in a GED those that don’t. So when you class. Paula Baumgardner was want to start the year off right my instructor. She’s amazing. Any day that I came in and I was depressed about it, or if I was getting down because I wasn’t learning as fast as I wanted to, she was right there with everything you could think of to help me learn.” After graduating the program, Pollitt immediately enrolled at Shawnee State University where she is now pursuing a degree in photography and journalism. Now feeling like there are no limits to her own success, she would like to work for a newspaper, and open her own photography studio. Pollitt said she is very proud of her GED. “I feel achieved, accomplished, and just ready to do more. Like there’s too much to learn and not enough time to do it in,” she said. For more information about the ABLE program, contact them at 740-354-0211, or visit one of their many locations – at the ESC in New Boston, the Scioto County Career Technical Center in Lucasville, or at Shawnee State University in Portsmouth. The program works around the student’s schedule and can be as quick or as long as the student needs to complete. Day and evening classes are available, and all classes are free. The student only pays for the cost of the GED test itself, and the ABLE program offers assistance with that fee. focused on Fourth Amendment protection against unreasonable searches and seizures as it applies to use of force by an officer to deter or eliminate threat of harm to the officer or the public. Local students participated in the Scioto County District Competition on Feb. 19. Regional winners will compete in the State Competition on March 10-12 in Columbus. The 2016 State Champion will represent Ohio in the National High School Mock Trial Championship in Boise, Idaho, May 12-14. High school students compete in Mock Trial Assistant Superintendent Scott Holstein and wife Heidi welcomed their first grandchild into the world on Friday, Jan. 15, 2016. After 14-hours of labor, Baby Bo Abram Massie was born just after 10 p.m. to Derek and Caitlyn Massie. Baby Bo weighed eight pounds, nine ounces, and he was 20.5 inches long. Looking for Thin Mints and Somoas? Nate Webb is selling Girl Scout Cookies for his daughter, Abigail, age 11, of Girl Scout Troop 2659. If you’d like to buy cookies, see Nate in the Treasurer’s Office (Room 205). You won’t pay anything until your order arrives. More than 3,000 high school students entered courtrooms across the state on Friday, Jan. 29, to take part in the Ohio Center for Law-Related Education’s (OCLRE) 33rd Annual Ohio Mock Trial Competition. The 2016 Ohio Mock Trial case Mock Trial from Notre Dame, Minford, Portsmouth, Portsmouth West, Sciotoville Community, South Webster, St. Joseph (Ironton), Valley, and Wheelersburg schools. Teams that advanced from the District Competition will compete in the Regional PAGE 4 South Central Ohio ESC February 2016 Newsletter Students present projects at Scioto County Science Day The 35th annual Scioto County Science Day was held at Southern Ohio Medical Center’s Friends Center on Friday, Jan. 15, 2016. Science Days provide students the opportunity for display and evaluation of their own inquirybased scientific research projects. This process helps students improve their in-depth knowledge of science, develop communication skills, improve organizational abilities and develop their creativity and problem-solving skills. This year 119 students registered to participate in Scioto County Science Day, attending from Bloom-Vernon, Clay, Minford, New Boston, Notre Dame, Portsmouth, Valley, West, and Wheelersburg schools. Students’ projects received a rating of Superior, Excellent, Good or Satisfactory from a team of judges. Students who received a Superior rating at either their own school’s Science Fair or the Scioto County Science Day may advance to the District Science Day, which will be held at Shawnee State University on Saturday, March 19, 2016. Students receiving a Superior rating at District Science Day then advance to State Science Day in Columbus, in May. “I really believe that doing science is the best way to learn it. When they do one of these projects, they have to wrestle with the same issues that scientists do; what procedures to use, how to be consistent, how to make sure your results are valid. Doing the science teaches them more about what science is than seeing a video or reading about it, or hearing a lecture about it,” said Judge Dr. David Todt, from Shawnee State University. Receiving Superior ratings for their Individual Projects was Sophia Knight of BloomVernon; Lucy Grashel, Barrett VanSickle, Ezra Veach and Samuel Wiehle of Minford; Avery Gosselin of New Boston; Kathryn Davis and Taran Willis of Portsmouth; Emma Gahm SPOTLIGHT ON US of Valley; Sydney McDermott and Madison Russell of West; and Rachel Davenport, Rohit Kataria and Serena Kataria of Wheelersburg. Students were also eligible to win various awards provided by sponsors of this event. The Scioto County Farm Bureau Award was presented to Samuel Allard of South Webster. The Gahm’s Pharmacy Medicine & Health Award was awarded to Kathryn Davis of Portsmouth. The Gahm’s Pharmacy II Medicine & Health Award was awarded to Madison Russell of West Portsmouth. SOMC Medical Science Award I was awarded to Samuel Wiehle of Minford. The SOMC Medical Science Award II was awarded to Rohit Kataria of Wheelersburg. The SOMC Medical Science Award III was awarded to Aidan Wright of Wheelersburg, and the Spirit of Engineering Award was awarded to Ezra Veach of Minford. The Top 5 ESC Special Recognition Awards were awarded to Rachel Davenport, Serena Kataria and Rohit Kataria of Wheelersburg, Ezra Veach of Minford, and Kathryn Davis of Portsmouth. “My project was on cell phone radiation,” said Kathryn Davis, an eighth grader at Portsmouth School. “I took nine phones and I ordered an RMF machine, which can detect radiation levels, and I tested them all twice. I did it in three different modes; texting, calling, and just on, and I recorded my results.” The event was coordinated by Gifted Services Coordinator Sharee Price, of the South Central Ohio Educational Service Center. Sponsors for the event were Gahm’s Pharmacy, Gahm’s Pharmacy II, Dr. George and Mrs. Carolyn Pettit, Portsmouth Rotary Club, Scioto County Farm Bureau, Scioto Foundation, Shawnee Nature Club, SOMC, Wagner Rental and Supply, Wendy’s, Dr. Wayne and Mrs. Saundra Wheeler, and Robert and Elizabeth Wood. ESC Special Recognition Awards (Top 5). Pictured Left to Right: Ezra Veach, Kathryn Davis, Rachel Davenport, Rohit Kataria, and Serena Kataria. Christy McGraw; HMG Service Coordinator Christy McGraw celebrated her one-year anniversary in January as service coordinator in the Help Me Grow office. When she’s not in her office, Christy and her husband enjoy spending time with her niece and nephews. She is a Mary Kay consultant, and enjoys motorcycling and travel. Together they have biked all across the United States, to Alaska, and more than 1,000 miles to attend the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota. This year they are planning a trip to Arizona. She said she enjoys the sights out west where it’s less crowded. Contact Christy at ext. 30284 or e-mail [email protected] Contact & Corrections To add items to the monthly SCOESC newsletter, or if you find a mistake and would like to print a correction, please contact Ryan Ottney, director of communications, at ext. 30263, in room 220A, or e-mail [email protected].