By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green area residents, businesses and organizations opened their wallets again last month, donating another $22,490 to Bowling Green City School District.
“That is an exorbitant amount of money to support our students,” Superintendent Ted Haselman said during Tuesday’s Board of Education meeting.
Thanks to donations, the district will have a new Bobcat mascot outfit, plus a new high jump and pole vault pit.
Donations also came in for the choir program, high school basketball, drama club, after-prom, DECA program, Bobcat Basics, and Key Club. Others in the community donated Dilly Bars as treats, clothing including coats for children in need, school supplies, snacks, art supplies, golf balls and 23 pumpkins.
“The response was absolutely incredible,” said board member Ginny Stewart, who every month reports on the needs at each school building and then announces the donations received.
During her service on the school board, Stewart took it upon herself to check with principals about the current student needs. In the fall, it may be school supplies. In the winter, it may be hats and gloves. And during every season, it’s snacks.
Since Stewart began reporting on student needs, the number of donations ramped up. Local residents and businesses donated money for supplies for fifth graders going to camp. They paid off mounting school lunch bills. They donated shampoo and deodorant for students in need.
For the last time on Tuesday, since Stewart is retiring from the school board, she gave her final report.
“I have been touched monthly by the generosity,” she said.
The following needs were reported:
- Kenwood Elementary needs snacks, plus thick winter socks for boys and girls.
- Conneaut Elementary needs boys and girls pants in all sizes, but especially size 6, as well as size 6-8 underwear.
- Crim Elementary needs winter gloves and hats, plus snacks.
- Bobcat Pantry is in need of snacks, winter clothing items and hygiene items.
The most popular snacks are individually wrapped Goldfish crackers, Cheez-It crackers, fruit gummies, granola bars without nuts, and water bottles.
All items can be taken to the Middle School to be dispersed, or they may be dropped off directly to the building they are intended for.
Stewart announced that Tara Loar will take over her role of checking with each school building monthly about their needs and informing the public of those needs.
Stewart also reported that the Dear Santa program, which helps Bowling Green district families in need at Christmas, is again thankful to the community, local businesses and organizations. But more donations would be welcome, she said.
“The need is very great, and every bit helps,” Stewart said, noting that contributions are needed soon, since the Dear Santa volunteers plan to deliver food and presents to the families on Dec. 16.
Donations to the Dear Santa program may be sent through Venmo to Dear-Santa, or through PayPal to donate@dearsantasociety.org. Donors should note that the contributions are for the BG Chapter.
Also at Tuesday’s meeting, the retirements of five teachers were announced: Anne Babcock, intervention specialist at Crim Elementary; Hans Glandorff, high school science teacher; Debra Pinchoff, second grade teacher at Kenwood Elementary; Brenda Haynes, middle school math teacher; and Patrick Hetrick, physical education teacher at Conneaut Elementary.
In other business at Tuesday’s meeting, three Bowling Green coaches were recognized for being named Cardinal Division Coaches of the Year. They were Patrick Carney, coach of high school girls and boys cross country; Andrew Drumm, coach of high school girls tennis; and Erica Kimple, coach of high school girls soccer.
Several students were also recognized for their achievements in their fall sports. Receiving top honors were:
- Girls golf: Lily Pollick.
- Boys golf: Brandon Schoenherr and Nathan Cavanaugh.
- Girls tennis: Libby Barnett, Julia Barnett and Teeda Cromwell.
- Boys soccer: Eli Metzger, Luca Brininger and Tomas Meek.
- Boys cross country: Aidan Novinsky, Erek Kendrick and Landon Fry.
- Girls cross country: Annie Oberlander, Shelby Janes, Natalie Neeson and Averie Crawford.
- Girls soccer: Maddy Adams, Ella Koester, Tessa Kirchner and Ella Billiot.
- Volleyball: Madi Cowan and Hanna Heinze.
Also recognized were members of the Middle School Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports team, which recently earned a bronze award from the Ohio Department of Education. Members of the team are Eric Radabaugh, Jillian Powell, Amanda Pasley, Vicki Speck, Michael Headley, Tyler Nye, Marshal Headley, Heather Fallis, Debra Ondrus, Erin Schneider, Patrick Carney, Ashley Schmeltz, Daniel Stutzman and Laura Reyes.
In other business at the meeting:
- Allie Reucher, executive director of public services, reported that Bowling Green City School District received a perfect score in its special education rating from ODE.
- Board Vice President Tracy Hovest reported on two Penta students from Bowling Green who were recently recognized for their skills in the culinary department.
- Haselman said his next coffee with the community is scheduled for Jan. 18, from 8 to 9:30 a.m., at Novel Blends, 116 S. Main St., Bowling Green.
