The Otto-Eldred School board met for their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday evening.
Starting out the evening was physical education teacher Amanda Davis, who gave a presentation to the board on the National Archery in Schools Program (NASP). The NASP program was developed for grades 4th-12th. Davis noted that this is just one of three outdoor recreational units that the PE department is hoping to add to their program. The other activities include fly-fishing and orienteering. The board approve for the PE department to apply for funding through grants and other organizations.
Next, Taylor English gave a presentation to the board on her efforts to qualify as a foreign exchange student next year in Finland through the local Bradford Rotary Club.
During administrative reporting, Superintendent Matthew Splain updated the board on the recent sewer issues near the elementary which caused elementary students to miss a day of school last week. The issue will be carefully monitored by Eldred Borough, in hopes that the current line can be utilized through the school year. The issue in the sewer line is at the connection point under Main Street. Eldred Borough will coordinate plans with the state to begin digging after the school year is over. Repairs will take about a week to complete.
Splain also reported that the Community School Based Behavioral Health program will kick off this month at the elementary school.
Principal of Elementary and Special Education Lindsay Burns reported on the current planning for next school year. The school climate team is meeting monthly to discuss items that may need addressed in regard to schedule and programs to ensure the best supports are in place and available for students. Focus areas will include increasing intervention for students and revamping our schoolwide positive behavior plan and procedures. Also, the Action Based Learning in-service provided in January was well received by staff and strategies are being implemented into classrooms with student success being observed.
In staffing, David Osborne was approved as a substitute teacher, Erika Bacha was approved as a substitute nurse, and Paige Blair as a substitute classroom aide. Sue Wertz was approved as a mentor teacher for Denise Distrola. The board also accepted a resignation from elementary teacher Kristin Bentley.
In supplemental and volunteer positions, Boyd Fitzsimmons was approved as the head track and field coach, and Mark Miller as the assistant coach for track and field. Bill Cochran and Jordan Lucas were approved as track and field volunteers. Ryan Neilson was approved as the assistant coach for baseball and Leon Hakes was approved as a volunteer. Chris Connelly was approved as a volunteer in the weight room for the remainder of the year.
Sue Wertz received approval to take eight students to the Challenge 24 Competition at the IU9 on May 6. The students will travel in the school van.
James McDonald and Kurt Covert were approved to attend the Tech Talk Live Conference at the IU13 in Lancaster this May.
In other approvals and announcements, preschool and kindergarten registration is now open. Children must be 4 years old on or before 9/1/20 for preschool and 5 years old on or before 9/1/20 for kindergarten. Call or email Mrs. Strait for a registration packet at 814-817-1385 sstrait@ottoeldred.org/Registration_Immunizations.
The Senior Class of 2020 will hold a Disney Sing-Along in the high school auditorium on March 7th at 7p.m. Donations will be accepted at the door and all proceeds benefit the Class of 2020. Anyone interested in performing should contact Cole Palmer at oe20colep@student.ottoeldred.org.
The Otto-Eldred PTO will sponsor a Computer Science and STEM Fair on March 17 from 6-7:30pm at the elementary school. The event will include interactive activities including OSMO, Code and Go Mouse, LEGO building, and much more.
The students will have a make-up snow day on Friday.
