Ridgemont Board of Education members offered a moment of silence during their recent meeting to honor the memory of longtime friend and supporter of the school district, Cheryl France, who passed away Feb. 19.
France retired from Ridgemont after serving as an English and music teacher for 36 years. She helped lead the FCCLA program, direct musicals and Company R, and was also a 6 ½ year board member.
As a board member, she was involved in levy support and from the beginning was instrumental in the design of the pre-K through 12 building.
“While we are saddened by her passing, let us remember and celebrate her life and the impact that she had on the Ridgemont community,” Superintendent Sally Henrick said.
Also during the meeting, the board accepted the retirement resignations of Marianne Galyk, visual arts teacher, and Frank Galyk, route bus driver, each effective at the conclusion of the 2021-22 school year.
Mrs. Galyk was a substitute teacher and was hired as an art teacher. She has shared her talents with the students for more than 22 years. Mr. Galyk was a substitute bus driver, was hired as a route driver, and has served the district for more than 10 years.
“Both have spent numerous hours going above and beyond for the students of Ridgemont. Thank you Marianne and Frank for your dedication to Ridgemont,” district officials said.
In buildings and grounds matters, Henrick reports that planning meetings have begun for the new preschool classrooms in the Ridgeway building, as well as for the additional playground space and track project. All projects are slated to be completed by the beginning of the 2022-23 school year.
Members also learned that students in Megan Looney’s Creative Writing class now have their stories published in a book called “Spine Chillers 2021.”
Elementary students have a challenge to complete 1,000 acts of kindness. Each act of kindness is represented by hearts placed on the “kindness tree” in the Gopher Den area. Teachers have also been supporting the theme by offering lessons and activities in their classrooms.
Officials noted several upcoming calendar items, including a two-hour delay planned for March 8 for teacher professional development.
There is no school March 24 for grades pre-K through six, while grades seven through 12 participate in job shadowing that day. March 25 is also a teacher professional development day, and there will no school for students.
In other action, the board:
Recognized the following student athletes and their honors: NWCC League Honors: Girls Basketball — First Team – Brooke Nelson; Second Team – Callie Cromer; Honorable Mention Emma Smith and Jenna Ward; Brooke will be playing in the District 8 All Star Game; and Boys Basketball — NWCC Player of the Year – Landon Newland; Second Team – Mason Stuck; Honorable Mention – Grant Reppart and Colten Whitaker. District Honors: First Team District 8 – Landon Newland; Second Team District 8 – Mason Stuck. Landon and Mason will be playing for the East Squad in the District 8 All Star Game
• approved the following volunteer coaches: Lauren Fulwider and Nikia Rudasill, assistant softball coaches; Josh Shreve, assistant baseball;
• approved motions for the payment of reading tutoring, book study stipends and a stipends for Orton Gillingham training for teachers.;
• approved the OHSAA membership for 2022-23;
• thanked the VFW Post 6817 in Mt. Victory for the $1,000 donation to the Ridgemont Athletic Department; to the VFW Post that is now disbanding, district officials aid “thank you for all of your support and donation of flags over the years”;
• expressed appreciation for the following donations: Ridgeway United Methodist Church for donating to the Nurse’s Clinic for children in need; Keri and Dustin Robinson for their donation of clothing to the Nurse’s Clinic; Jessica Osborn for donating a historic trumpet to the Music Department in memory of her son, Sean Tyler; and Hardin County Farm Bureau for the donation of books to our school library.
The next meeting is 4:30 p.m. Thursday, March 24, in math room 304.