School Board hears of student fine arts achievements
Student achievements kicked off Monday's School Board meeting with recognitions given to Masyn Schutter, Hannah Rovang and Damon Sheets.
Both Schutter and Rovang are four-year participants in All-State Orchestra — an achievement that doesn't happen all that often, according to High School Principal Jason Uttermark.
Rovang wasn't able to attend Monday's meeting, but Schutter, who plays violin, said she hopes to pursue a music education degree. A three-year participant in All-State Band and All-State Jazz, Schutter has yet to hear if she's been selected for those two programs as well, which would make her a four-year participant in all three programs. Schutter plays saxophone in band and baritone saxophone in jazz band.
Sheets was recognized as a member of The Salvation Army marching band and was one of two from this region to march in the Rose Bowl Parade on Jan. 2.
Sheets said he wasn't originally picked to march in the parade, but when another member dropped out due to a conflict, he was asked to participate.
"After two cancellations of flights and 23 hours in an airport, I made it to California," he said.
Sheets was one of four rows of musicians playing the tambourine in the parade, and, he said, one of the first male players.
"I was one of the first male tabrilists marching in 133 years, and the only one who is a minor," he said.
When he arrived, he discovered he learned the entire song using his left hand, which was the wrong hand, so he had to re-learn the song using his right hand.
Also recognized during the good news portion of the meeting were the three staff recognized with Golden Apple awards. They were Simmons Elementary Principal Kim Aman; Band Instructor Jeremy Schutter; and Special Education Coordinator Mendy Jones.
More:Golden Apple Awards presented to Schutter, Aman and Jones
May Overby Principal presents update
During regular business, May Overby Principal Mike Neubert gave an overview of recent events at the elementary school, which included a week-long residency with the Dakota Players in September. That show featured more than 50 students who each got a part in, "Space School Musical."
The school board also heard an overview of projects and tasks handled through the makerspace program from makerspace educator Taylor Barbato who gave an overview of activities and challenges students complete. Some of those programs incorporate games involving robots with math concepts.
In one challenge, she said, students are asked to come up with a plan on how to build a wind-powered car. The cars are then built and tested.
Board adopts policy updates
In final action, Monday, the school board approved four policy changes. Two of the changes were the tobacco free policies for employees and students. In those policies, the district added vaping as a discouraged activity.
In other policy changes, the board approved additional language to the district's equal access policy. This language provides clarity when it comes to sponsored and non-sponsored organizations.
The board also approved a reorganization of the district's policy when it comes to the addition of club sports. Superintendent Becky Guffin said when the district was considering adding softball as a club sport she found the policy clunky when it came to determining what the school, athlete and club are responsible for. The new policy lists these responsibilities in different sections.
The school board approved the first reading of each of these policies. A second reading is needed for final adoption of the changes.
This article originally appeared on Aberdeen News: Aberdeen School board hears of student fine arts achievements
