NEW BREMEN – New hires for teachers and aides were part of the discussion at the New Bremen Board of Education meeting Wednesday night, March 17. Student athletes were also recognized.
The board agreed to use the $144,000 Phase 2 Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funding (ESSER) to hire a new math teacher for the 2021-22 school year, as well as two additional aides. The decision to hire additional staff was made after review of the math curriculum. It was determined it would be beneficial to have more one-on-one tutoring for grades 5 to 12 and more help out with junior high transition. Plus, the district would like to offer statistics and more college credit plus classes.
Superintendent Jason Schrader said it was the district’s intention to keep these positions filled in the future, taking advantage of attrition and retirement.
He also said the past Phase 1 ESSER funds were used to hire two subs for the 2020/2021 school year plus another sub to help elementary students catch up on their math skills lost when school closed in March of 2020.
Schrader said Gov. Mike DeWine indicated there may be a third ESSER funding coming to schools. ESSER funds are intended to address the impact that Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has had, and continues to have, on public and nonpublic elementary and secondary schools.
Athletic Director Chad Wells offered congratulations to all the winter sports athletes and coaches for their efforts.
He said the boys basketball had achieved regional runner-up with a third place finish in the MAC (6-3) and a record of 19 wins and 9 losses.
Girls basketball made it to sectional finals attaining fouth place in the MAC (5-4) and a total win/loss record of 13-10.
Boys bowling made it to sectional competition with a third place overall in the MAC. Girls bowling also made it to sectional play, placing sixth overall.
In swimming competition, the girls placed third in the MAC and the boys placed sixth.
Junior/Senior High School Principal Marcus Overman reported they were touring Waynesfield-Goshen’s makerspace with several teachers from the district looking for additional ideas on how the students and staff can incorporate their new space into the school curriculum.
He said they were also working with Edison State Community College to see if the school can increase the number of College Credit Plus courses offered. He said Edison is looking through teacher transcripts and will provide feedback on what we can and cannot offer as well as what teachers can do in order to offer certain classes.
He thanked instructor Kayla Steinemann for all of her work on the STEM Fair held recently. He also congratulated Pierce Whitlatch, Trevor Topp and Ryan Dwenger for winning the competition for their design called ‘The Building Buddy.’
He said thanks go to agricultural education teacher Maria Homan for her work creating various activities for students of all grades during FFA Week and arranging for Leah Fullenkamp to come in to share her story titled, ‘In the Blink of a Fly.’
Overman also offered congratulations to Emma Bambauer, Rachel Brown, Emma Homan, Katie Howell, Abigail Sniegowski, Eli Tangeman, Jared Weigandt, Jordan Weigandt, and Jarred Underwood on earning their FFA degrees. Max Homan was named a state finalist in Dairy Production Placement, Forage Production, and Diversified Agricultural Production.
Also, Liam Homan was named a state finalist in Agricultural Repair and Maintenance Entrepreneurship and Diversified Agricultural Production. Emma Homan was named a state finalist in Agricultural Sales Placement. TechnoBirds won the Compass Award, finishing second in the Connect Award, and Qualifying for State.
He told the board that prom and promenade will be held at the pavilion this year. All guests will be required to attend the catered dinner prior to promenade. More details will be communicated to students in the near future and tickets will be on sale soon so meal numbers can be communicated with Speedway Lanes.
K-6 Principal Diane Kramer told the board that the end of the third nine weeks will be Wednesday, March 24. Report cards will be sent home Wednesday, March 31.
Round one of COVID vaccinations for staff was held Feb. 26 and round two will be
held March 26.
She said that currently 60 students are registered for kindergarten screening, which will be held on April 13-14 in the Komminsk Center.
Kramer said that on the weekend of March 26, the drama club will be presenting four shows of “Into the Woods Junior” under the direction of instructor Holly Smith. She added this year’s cast includes both elementary and high school students.
She added that a video of the fourth-grade class presented the musical “The Oregon Trail.” The play was March 11.
The elementary principal also said she is finalizing schedules with teachers for 2021-22 school year. She said they are looking at having a common start of the day and end of day times for the elementary and the high school.
Last week, staff members recognized Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week in honor of two staff members who have been diagnosed with MS.
Kramer thanked everyone who came to the March 15 Open House to see the classroom and art projects on display throughout the building. She said many people complimented the new building.
