In the News: Newcomerstown schools accept grant for camera system
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NEWCOMERSTOWN — The Newcomerstown Board of Education met in January and accepted a grant of $112,773 from the Dept. of Justice grant under the 2021 COPS Ohio School Violence Prevention Program to update the district’s camera system.
The board also accepted a donation of $9,190 from the Reeves Foundation towards a new kiln and damp proof clay closet at West Elementary.
Administrators congratulated members of the past year’s Board of Education as part of the Ohio School Board Association’s Board Recognition Month. Members of the Board for the past year were Randy Addy, Tom Addy, Dave Archer, Steven Brode and Arlene Maynew.
In other action, the board approved:
• Hourly rate of $9.30 for substitute secretaries, instructional aides, and cafeteria and custodial workers.
• Mileage reimbursement rate of 58.5 cents per mile.
• Membership in the Ohio School Boards Association.
• Resignation of Ryan Hendershot as a junior high track coach; employment of Ian Morrow as assistant track coach and Lindsay Gray as junior high track coach; contracts for Jon Kellish, varsity assistant softball coach; Steven Scott, varsity head baseball coach; Matthew Ramsey, assistant varsity baseball coach; contract for Chase Addy, assistant track coach.
• Volunteers, including Riley Relish and Steve Ingle, varsity assistants softball; Robb Hendershot, varsity assistant baseball; Trevor Garretson, Tony Russell, Tom Addy and Steve Meeks, track; Jade Johnson, junior high track; and Lindsay Gray, Ian Morrow and Jamie Lewis, indoor track.
• Use of West School gymnasium for 8-under and 10-under softball.
• Tiffany Quillen as a substitute preschool teacher.
Art contest winner
The Cy Young Days Festival Committee congratulated Graham Shepherd, 15, of Newcomerstown, for being named 2022 Cy Young Days Festival Art contest winner.
Graham is a freshman at Newcomerstown High School. He has captured the committee's theme and mission to reflect the fun, tradition, Cy Young and baseball in his artwork. The contest was open to artists of all ages and skill levels.
Graham's art will be featured on festival t-shirts and posters as well as social media channels. He will be presented with a cash prize, t-shirt, signed baseball and more.
Committee members extended thanks to all who participated.
Spread the Love
Daniel and Kristen Bias of the Home Plate Project, a faith-based program, expressed thanks to all who took part in the “Spread the Love” project for Valentine’s Day.
“What an amazing time we had during our ‘Spread The Love’ project this Valentine's Day,” they said. “Our goal was to find a way to show our community leaders and first responders that we love and appreciate them. What better way than with food, and Valentine’s Day cards from our elementary LEAD program.
“We are humbled to serve those who served us first. Every day they are out saving lives, or figuring out ways to make our town better. They spend countless hours doing whatever it takes to get our kids to school and back home safely. So to Tri-County EMS, Newcomerstown Emergency Rescue Squad, Inc. Newcomerstown Mayor's Office, Newcomerstown Board of Education , Newcomerstown Police Department, Newcomerstown Fire Department, Newcomerstown Chamber of Commerce, from our town to you, thank you.”
During that outreach, the program spent around $300, and organizers said the Home Plate Project is accepting donations towards offsetting that expense and getting a head start on the annual Easter Egg Hunt.
“We say all of that to be super honest and let everyone know where their donations are going. We constantly are trying to find ways to give back to the community. We will continue to always do that because we want to show Christ’s love more than ever! We still need your help in doing so.
“We are asking that you consider donating your quarters to the Home Plate Project. We currently have a fundraiser going on to help with other events coming up! We will be spending hundreds if not thousands over the next few months in pouring back into our community. If you are able, please contact myself (Kristen Bias), Daniel Bias, Wendy Miller, Paul Miller, Kara and Mark Cooper, Travis and Brandi Frye, Vanessa and Garrett Schwedt, or Julie Bryant.”
Art to Love
ARTSNCT, College Street, will be hosting “Arts to Love” from March 5-31, featuring artworks by students from Newcomerstown High School and Newcomerstown Middle School.
The exhibition will kick off with an artists reception from 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, March 5.
The reception will also feature the unveiling of a new mural by Marlie Moner, a junior at Newcomerstown High School.
Cheer parents
For students interested in trying out for cheerleader for next school year, there will be a parent meeting on Monday, March 7, at 6:30 p.m. in the Newcomerstown High School cafeteria for parents of students who will be in grades 7-12 next year.
Tryout practice will then be March 8-11, 6-8 p.m. at the West Elementary School.
Tryout day will be March 12, beginning at 8 a.m.
Golf League
A golf league is being created at River Greens Golf Course, West Lafayette for two-man teams, 55 years and older. For information, call Bruce Geese at 740-439-4747 and leave a message.
Tax forms
Tax forms from the Regional Income Tax Agency are now available at these locations: Newcomerstown Public Library, Newcomerstown Post Office and Newcomerstown Mayor's Office. They are also available for download/printing here: https://www.ritaohio.com/Media/701534/2021%20FORM%2037v2.pdf.
Student support
The Newcomerstown Exempted Village School District students and staff supported the Conotton Valley School District in remembering a student who was killed and another who was critically injured in an automobile accident.
School officials said, “We set out today to let Conotton Valley schools know that we are standing with them during this terrible time. What a great job by the Newcomerstown High School students and staff for wearing green to support our friends of Conotton Valley. We are thinking and praying for your families, friends, and staff of Conotton Valley.
“We will be able to donate over $750 dollars just from the students and staff, and well over $1000 dollars as a school district. We know that pales in comparison to what you are going through, but we hope that this helps a little bit. An absolutely great life lesson for our students of helping out your neighbor in a time of need, even when we don't know that person very well.”
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This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: In the News: Newcomerstown schools accept grant for camera system
