All posts by Ashley Sager

Feature

World Language Week activities begin

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To attribute the multiple cultures across the world, the high school’s foreign language classes will participate in a World Language Week celebration.

World Language Week is celebrated from March 16 to March 20.

The activities students participate in earned them stamps, which form into something representing a passport.

In order to prepare, classes hosted many different activities, beginning as early as March 9.

Students are able to create a “Mini Mural,” which would promote WLW. These murals would later be sent to elementary schools so they could color them. Along with this, students could design a poster and submit it in a contest. The deadline for this contest was March 12.

The last activity students could do to prepare for this celebration was donating to the funds to build a Stow school in Mali. They can bring in money Mon., March 9 through Thurs., March 19, and the class who raised the most money was awarded with a donut party.

If all the classes raise $500, Latin teachers Peter Lund and Christopher Fonda will have their heads shaved in the commons.

Students can also teach a lesson to another class, which would earn them two stamps. If a student correctly completed the Teacher Travel Trivia Quiz, he/she earned one stamp. Two other week long activities to earn one stamp are having a conversation with any teacher outside of the foreign language department and wearing a t-shirt that related to one of the world languages.

Day-by-day activities are also available for students.

On Monday, they can participate in a door decorating contest with up to three friends. Doing this would earn the students one stamp each.

On Thursday, students can write a paragraph summary of their favorite and least favorite movie. The review is to be written in the foreign language the student is taking. Also on Thursday, students could visit the local Sweet Frog, where DECA was holding a fund raiser for their Stow school in Mali. In order to earn a stamp for doing this, students were required to bring in their receipt or show their teacher a picture of them enjoying their frozen yogurt.

On Friday, each foreign language class will participate in a trivia day. The students who won each received one stamp.

Spanish teacher Jennifer Hasebein said, “It allows us to celebrate and promote cultural diversity in our school and community.”

News

School treasurer suspended with over twenty allegations by B.O.E

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With over 20 cited allegations, the Board of Education has voted 4-1 to suspend Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer Catherine Bulgrin.

On Tues., Feb. 10, during a special BOE meeting, Bulgrin was officially suspended, pending a pre-disciplinary/pre- termination conference, which occurred on Thurs., Feb. 12 at 5:30 p.m. in the District’s Central Office.

David L. Osborne was hired as interim treasurer on Tues., Feb. 10. Osborne’s position became effective on Feb. 11. He will be paid $400 as a daily rate.

His contract says Osborne’s position will remain in place until the Board finds a permanent treasurer.

During this meeting, the BOE also approved to request the state auditor’s office hold both a “forensic audit and special investigation audit” at the treasurer’s office.

According to the district notice, her suspension is without benefits or pay.

According to Stow Sentry, Board member Pat Matthews, who cast the dissenting vote, said, “I stand behind [Bulgrin].”

Prior to approving the sus- pension, the Board unanimously voted to issue a letter, which requested Bulgrin’s attendance at the Thursday meeting. According to the letter, the BOE planned to have the conference in an executive session, but Bulgrin had the right to “demand the opportunity to be heard in open session.”

At the disciplinary hearing held on Jan. 29, Bulgrin’s attorney, Jack Morrison Jr., stated Bulgrin wanted the conference hearing to take place as an open session.

Bulgrin’s original contract was scheduled to expire in July 2016. On Jan. 13, the BOE informed Bulgrin they would not be renewing her contract. Six days later, the board assigned Bulgrin to work from home, starting on Jan. 21. This is when the board cited over 20 allegations, which may result in disciplinary action or even ter- mination of Bulgrin’s employ- ment. The board’s resolution ended in a 4-1 vote, Matthews again being the member with the dissenting vote.

Community, News

Freezing temperatures allow calamity days and city warming center

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Temperature highs for the area are staying within the single digits, and with factors, such as wind chill, temperatures are plummeting into negative double digits, reaching as low as -25 degrees.

The City of Stow has opened a temporary Warming Center for Stow residents who have no where else to go or whose heat is malfunctioning.

According to a press release, the Warming Center is in the Community Room at the Stow Safety Building, which is located at 3800 Darrow Road. People will be able to visit the center now through Feb. 21 at noon. One may contact the City of Stow at 330.689.2700 for more information regarding the Warming Center.

According to Stow’s local news station, 19 Action News, weather conditions should return to normal ranges by Saturday.

The school district called a calamity day for today, Thurs. Feb. 19, as well as many other districts in the vicinity. During a call on Wed., Feb. 18, Superintendent Thomas Bratten told families to “make contingency plans” for a possible school closure on Fri., Feb. 20.

On Thurs., Feb. 19, a call went out, informing students and their families of school cancellation for Friday.

The National Weather Service has issued a wind chill advisory for Summit County, which will remain in effect until 8 p.m. this evening. A wind chill warning will remain in effect from 8 tonight to noon on Fri., Feb. 20. According to The Weather Channel, wind chills will reach as low as 25 to 30 below, with temperatures at 16 below overnight. Wind gusts may reach up to 25 mph.

These temperatures create a dangerous environment for exposed skin. The National Weather Service advises people to dress warm and avoid long exposure to the cold as the low temperatures can cause hypothermia and frostbite.

News

Superintendent Dr. Jones makes room for new leadership

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With the new semester beginning, Dr. Russ Jones has decided to step down from his position as superintendent, which he announced on Sept. 8 at a special Board of Education meeting.

Jones grew up in Kent, Ohio and attended Kent Roosevelt schools. He was immediately drawn to his US History and Public Speaking classes. History was his favorite because people are able to understand the present by studying the past, he says.

After graduating from Kent Roosevelt high school, Jones attended Kent State University for four years. He graduated with a degree in Educational Administration.

“My father instilled in me the importance of school at a very early age,” Jones said. “I always knew I wanted to be a teacher and have always appreciated the importance of education in our society.”

Jones began his educational career by teaching social studies and summer classes at Kent Roosevelt. He then moved into the position of Assistant Principal at Tallmadge High School and later became principal at Tallmadge. Soon after, he became principal at Aurora High School. He then finished with nine years as superintendent of Stow’s public district.

“When I was a teacher, our principal at Kent Roosevelt, Marty Kane, inspired me,” Jones said. “He had a tremendous influence [with] leading the teachers of the building, and I saw the positive impact it had for the students.”

Jones lists John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr. and Theodore Roosevelt as his inspirations.

“I’m inspired [by] people who dream, people who believe, people who make it happen,” Jones said.

Outside of work, Jones enjoys cooking, working out, playing with his dogs and sports.

Jones is married with two children. They spend time together by watching TV, eating, traveling and chasing their rescue dogs, Senor and Jackson, around.

Jones enjoys watching MLB, NFL and NCAA sports. He follows the Indians, Browns, Buckeyes and of course, the Bulldogs.

Basketball and baseball used to be part of Jones’ activities, but he does not play them as much as he used to. He also spent much of his time playing mens fast pitch softball.

Perseverance, communication, consistency and a sense of humor are included in Jones’ list of leadership qualities he believes a person has to have in order to run a district.

“A clear understanding that the interest of the students comes first [is important],” Jones said.

The new superintendent, Thomas Bratten, will begin his contract on Feb. 1, 2015, after Jones’ retirement on Jan. 31, 2015.

“I am fully confident Mr. Bratten will be an outstanding leader for our school district,” Jones said. “I’ve had the honor and pleasure to work with him the last few weeks during the transition phase, and he is a fine man, great educator and is interested in what’s best for kids.”

After retirement, Jones plans to spend his time “watching the Price is Right and sleeping.”

Jones does not currently have any long term plans, such as moving houses or vacation, but he says he will still be involved with education.

Jones said, “I will likely stay in the field of education, which is where my heart is.”