Vickie Hoffman, Chief Academic Officer, addressed the North Union School Board about professional development for teachers, aides, bus drivers, non-cerficated staff and office staff at the Monday night regular meeting.
There are many advantages of professional development for every aspect of people who come in contact with the students. There are not enough hours in a school day when teachers can interact with other teachers in learning different techniques of teaching, getting to know teachers in other buildings in the district, teaching goals,intervention, responding to emergencies, working with gifted students, helping with special needs of students, being computer literate, CPR basics and so much more.
This new program is called #NUniversity and this program is also available to community members, parents, grandparents, etc. It is not just for parents. There are community events that most are free and the community is urged to attend any of the monthly sessions that will be announced.Between the two programs for school staff and the community, there are 275 opportunities to learn many different aspects of school life.
There is a well-known saying, “It takes a village to raise a child.” There is so much more than reading, writing and arithmatic that most of us learned back in the day. Today’s world involves technology, using computers, learning different languages and trades for the children’s future.
There are a lot of dangers also in a child’s life, such as drugs, suicide, depression and anxiety. There will be speakers who will help inform the public about what to look for in plain site, how to watch for signs that something may not be right with your child. There are also some fun events, including a painting and pop session, getting CPR training, wellness training, learning to build a robot, etc.
Hoffman said that the events will be announced to the public and that they will be held at the North Union Administration Building, 12920 Route 739.
In other business, the board;
-Approved a list of certified substitute personnel on an as-needed basis for the 2017-2018 school year;
-Approved supplemental contracts for mentoring teachers as part of the Ohio four-year Resident Education process.
-Accepted resignations of Debra Cummings (high school cafeteria worker); Dawn Miller (high school teaching aide); William David Loudermilk (bus driver) and Kelley Nebel (middle school aide).
-Voted to employ Michelle Estep (elementary-fourth grade English Language Arts), Laurie winkle (elementary fifth grade ELA), Dawn Miller (van driver), Jennifer Hawkins (elementary three hour cafeteria worker), Melissa Shawver (high school three hour cafeteria worker), Lindsay Cox, (district health care provider), Tracey Monroe (bus driver), Holly Kuba (high school aide), Tracey Monroe (middle school aide).
-Approved hiring Klark Ransome as head varsity baseball coach and Glen Edgar as seventh grade boys basketball coach.
-Awarded Hannah Severyn a high school diploma having fulfilled all requirements as a graduate of the Class of 2017.
-Approved an amended academic calendar for the 2018-2019 school year.
The next regular board meeting will be held Monday, Sept. 18, 6:30 p.m. at the administrative office, 12920 Route 739 with a policy committee meeting beginning at 5:45 p.m.