The Midwest Regional Educational Service Center hosted opening day activities Tuesday for employees across Hardin, Logan and Shelby Counties.
The staff members gathered for a socially distanced annual meeting that included mandatory masks, separated seats and small group break-out sessions.
Superintendent Scott Howell addressed concerns about the upcoming school year involving the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s going to be weird…. We are excited about the opportunity, as it stands today, to get back to school.”
Howell told the group made up of therapists, classroom aides, intervention specialists, psychologists and more that they are essential to the children they work with, their parents and the economy.
The superintendent covered updated Title IX training and handed out service awards.
Lori Scott earned a 25-year service award. Fifteen-year awards went to Jennifer Taylor, William Hoewischer, Michelle Meyer, Thomas Roll, Patricia Schmiesing and Sybil Truster. Ten-year service awards were handed out to Brandy Faulder, Cheryl Miller, Catherine Scharf, Monica Schwartz and Denise Slonaker, while five-year awards went to Don Epps, Ressa Hall, Kristen Hopf, Kathy Metz, Jamie Ross and Roberta Young.
Howell also reinforced his “STAR” philosophy, focusing on service, teamwork, attitude and reliability.
“Attitude is more contagious than COVID-19,” he said. “Be a contagion for good.”