By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
A new project at Bowling Green City Schools is matching up young readers with high school athletes. The result is second graders listening as their heroes read to them – and sports stars learning to serve others off the field, court or track.
The “2nd and 7” program was started in 1999 in Columbus and has donated more than half a million books to kids in need all across the country. The mission is to promote reading by providing free books and positive home-grown role models to kids in need, while encouraging young athletes to pay it forward.
At Tuesday’s Bowling Green Board of Education meeting, second grade teacher Stacey Higgins and Athletic Director Michele Wolf talked about the program’s success.
The book series used in the program, called “The Hog Mollies,” addresses themes of respect, healthy choices, leadership, diversity, teamwork and manners.
“The second graders love it when their high school students come in,” Higgins said.
“Our high school athletes enjoyed it as much as the second graders did,” Wolf added.
Calla Higgins, one of the athletes reading to young students, said the experience made her feel better on tough days.
“The best part is getting to talk about the sports we do and hear the kids talk about how they wanted to be like us,” Calla said. “It gives me the drive to keep going.”
Wolf said the project tests athletes who are confident in their sports to try something they aren’t accustomed to. She told of parents sharing that they heard their son talking in his room, and found him practicing the book he was to read the next day.
When asked how the program could be improved, the student-athletes asked if they could visit the schools more often and do more activities with the second graders.
In other business at Tuesday’s meeting, the board approved the following funds:
- Patrick DeLuca Memorial Scholarship, established by Jack and Betty Whitacre for an annual scholarship in memory of their grandson, for an eligible senior pursuing higher education in the fields of music or drama.
- AP Exams and PSAT Fund to account for collections and disbursements associated with the tests, including supplies, fees and rental space.
- High School Gay Straight Alliance Fund, for a student-led organization at the high school with the intended purpose of providing a safe and supportive environment for all students. The account would be used for fundraising efforts in order to provide supplies and snacks for meetings.
- Middle School Drama Club Fund to account for monies received and expensed for the middle school drama program. The program would include student-directed plays, with fundraisers supporting club activities.
- School Safety Grant Fund established to account for receipts and expenditures of funds from the Ohio Attorney General’s School Safety Grant.
The board accepted a total of $4,440 in donations from community members for scholarships, 1BookBG, the Kiwanis Inspirational Educator program, Happy Camper Award, the district’s lunch program, Bobcat Basics, school supplies and books.
Board member Ginny Stewart reminded those at the meeting to help stock the Bobcat Basics program during the summer, so it has supplies when school starts in August. Among the items needed are individually wrapped snacks and bottled waters, plus hats, gloves, socks and sweaters for the colder months.
The board voted to approve the school food price increase as set by the state legislature. Elementary student breakfasts will increase 50 cents to $2; adult breakfasts will go up 50 cents to $3; adult lunches will be raised 50 cents to $4.75; elementary student lunches will go up 25 cents to $3; and middle school student lunches will increase 25 cents to $3.25.
Also at the meeting:
- Food Service Director Tabitha Hiler-Young reported on the Clean Plate Awards received from the Wood County Health Department. She recognized Ashley Bodi, the Conneaut food service manager, and Julie Clauson, the Crim food service manager.
- The board recognized outstanding athletes in girls and boys track and field, boys tennis, baseball and lacrosse.
- The board voted to employ Hope Nevins for high school Spanish, Amy Kreilick as elementary library specialist, Laurie Russell as high school reading specialist, and Sabrina Egli as Crim Elementary reading specialist.
- The board hired Katie Perkins as the district’s new curriculum coordinator, with a base salary of $88,000 a year.
- The board hired Richelle Oberlin as assistant treasurer, with a base salary of $82,000 a year.
- The board accepted the resignation of Katie Bacon, assistant principal at the high school.
