McClain administrators provided a brief update on positive things happening at the school to the Greenfield Board of Education at its last regular meeting of the year.
Principal Matt Shelton spoke about one of McClain’s programs that helps students find possible career paths. It’s through Ohio’s GRIT project. The program was piloted in May with seniors who were undecided on plans after graduation. This school year the program also opened to juniors and sophomores.
With the program, students are surveyed to determine their interests, then receive coaching from people in those areas of interest, whether that is staff members, business owners, or members of the community.
Shelton also talked about the high school’s MHSmart and the new addition of a food pantry, the latter of which is also available to families.
High school students in need don’t tend to get the help that younger students do, whether it be for lack of programs to help or the teenagers not asking out of embarrassment. With MHSmart, a student can make a private request through a Google form on the school’s website. When the need is addressed, the student is notified and can pick up whatever they requested when it is most convenient for them.
The food pantry is in an old records room in the basement. It also has food and hygiene items. Requests from the food pantry can also be made through the Google form on the school’s website and by contacting the high school directly.
Shelton also discussed the National Art Honor Society and what the students have done in the area, which includes art projects at Highland County Community Action in Greenfield, YUSA, and soon at the Highland County Health Department in Hillsboro.
The principal said the art students’ work is not only a testament to them, but to a connection with the community.
Assistant principal Randy Closson spoke to board members about Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), an initiative about the focus shifting from punitive measures to positive interactions and changing the mindset of how desired behaviors are achieved.
It starts with setting and communicating clear and consistently-defined expectations for students. There are posters in classrooms, in the hallways, and even in the bathrooms that clearly state the expected behaviors for those specific areas.
The initiative rewards the desired behaviors, and with the undesired behaviors the ability to identify the issues and intervene, providing guidance and support to help students be successful. It helps provide skills that will serve students beyond high school.
Closson also talked about a recent streamlining of how information is shared with staff and students. The district is already on a Google platform, but Closson said things started to get overwhelming with how information was shared. To alleviate that and make sure all information was easily accessible by staff and students, two central points were created, one for staff (Tiger Hub) and one for students (Student Hub). They are central locations for information and are their own tabs when Google classroom is accessed.
In other business, superintendent Quincey Gray read a report from Greg Barr, who serves as joint vocational school delegate for the district. Gray said Barr’s report talked about the Great Oaks Education Foundation, which is made up entirely of volunteers. The group has raised more than $100,000, which is used for things like aid, food and classroom scholarships.
Gray noted that while the new gym construction is running longer than anticipated at the start of the project, things are nearly done. One of the things happening this week is toilets going into the renovated women’s restroom in the lobby.
The superintendent also said there is a lot going on in the district with student activities and without the restrictions of a year ago. She encouraged people to get out and see the kids.
Board president Charley Roman, who was not re-elected for a new term, was recognized for his years of service with a plaque presented by Gray. Roman said his time serving on the board has been “an honor.”
Items on the consent agenda approved by board members included the resignations of Brittany Massie, aide; Donna Campbell, aide; and Jo Ellen Gossett, high school English. Campbell and Gossett are resigning for the purposes of retirement after many years with the district.
Gray said the women are two “very valuable employees that will certainly be missed quite a bit.”
Board members again recognized fall athletes, many of whom were unable to make it to November’s school board meeting. The following athletes received Frontier Athletic Conference and/or district recognition in their sport. Those were: Wes Potts, boys golf, All-FAC and FAC Player of the Year, district tournament team qualifier, first team all-district and academic All-Ohio; Iva Easter, volleyball, All-FAC and honorable mention all-district; Evelyn Vanzant, volleyball, All-FAC and honorable mention all-district; Luca Matesic, girls soccer, All-FAC and first team all-district; Macey McCune, girls soccer, first team all-district; Andrew Newland, boys soccer, All-FAC and first team all-district; Jase Allison, boys soccer, All-FAC and second team all-district; Braden Wright, football, All-FAC and first team all-district; Andrew Potts, football, All-FAC and special mention all-district; and Landen Eubanks, football, first team all-district.
Employment recommendations as approved by the board were: Anna Ehlers, certified substitute and half year girls varsity swim coach; Amy Borsini, aide/monitor; and Evan McGlone and Taylor Baker, each sharing the winter weight room supervisor role.
Angela Shepherd is a correspondent for the Greenfield Exempted Village School District.
