Celebrations was the theme at the Monday night regular North Union School Board of Education meeting.
North Union Elementary Principal Darlene Allison hosted a tour of the her school prior to the board meeting. She and Jessica Lanka, NUE guidance counselor for grades three, four and five, informed the board of a program called Social Emotional Learning. North Union was one of five school districts selected to participate with the state support team.
They discussed the importance for staff and students to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel empathy for others, make responsible decisions and be responsible. This is also enforced with the PAX program, which has been quite effective for students. PAX is a program where students learn self-management skills in the classroom and is rewarded for good behavior in the school.
Allison also presented certificates for the several volunteers who assist in the classrooms and help pack “Blessings in a Backpack, which is a program that sends non-perishable food items home with some students for the weekend.
Superintendent Rich Baird and Allison presented Brent Markham with the staff #NUPride Award. Allison stated that Markham enjoys working with the students. While teaching physical education, he also adds other teaching moments that the students don’t realize, such as using verbs in his class while doing exercises. He knows how to make the connection between real life and academics. He is also on the Project Pride Committee, building Leadership Team, a member of the Strategic Planning committee, coordinates Field Day and coached golf and bowling for North Union athletes. Markham has been in education for ten years, seven years at NUE.
Brooke Keever, fifth grade teacher at North Union Elementary was recognized by School Resource Officer Deputy Dyer and Union County Sheriff Jamie Patton. Deputy Dyer had submitted an application on behalf of Keever’s dedication to the D.A.R.E. program. Dyer was notified that Keever was selected as the State of Ohio D.A.R.E. Teacher of the Year. She will be recognized June 23 at the Ohio DARE Officers Association at Cedar Point.
Baird continued the celebration stating that in the Ohio Public School System, North Union is ranked #238 in the state. They are ranked nearly in the top 30% of schools in Ohio. Baird also recognized all students for their academic and athletic accomplishments from this spring.
In other business, the board:
-Set the next regular meeting for June 17, at 6:30 p.m. at the administrative board office.
-Set high school graduation for May 31, at 7 p.m. at North Union High School.
-Accepted several scholarship donations.
-Approved supplemental contracts for mentoring first year teachers as part of the Ohio Four-Year Resident Educator process.
-Approved administrative steps for principals and assistant principals, special education director, director of technology, athletic director, director of maintenance and transportation and food service supervisor.
-Approved one-year limited expiring supplemental/pupil activity contracts for the 2019-2020 school year.
-Hired Emily Levings as a second grade teacher.
-Hired Ronda Cram as an 8th grade math/algebra 1 teacher.
-Approved the resignations of Kelsey Baughman (elementary intervention specialist), Jessica Lanka (elementary guidance counselor), Rachel Fox (elementary music teacher) and Rick Green (elementary maintenance staff).
-Approved the fee of $90 for summer school.
-Approved an FFA overnight trip to FFA Camp in Carrolton July 9 – 12.