GPA: Nominations sought for Waite Distinguished Alumni Awards

By: 
Press Staff Writer

        The Alumni Association of Morrison R. Waite High School is seeking nominations for the 2020 Distinguished Waite Alumni Awards.
        Recipients will be recognized at the 56th Annual Purple and Gold Celebration April. 4 at St. Michael’s Centre in Oregon.
        The award, established in 1982, recognizes Waite graduates who have maintained alumni status for at least 10 years; who have excelled in their fields of employment and who have gone above and beyond leading and serving their communities and country.
        To nominate a Waite High School graduate, call Dave Yenrick, Waite Alumni Association Chairman at 419-697-1949 or david.yenrick@gmail.com. The deadline for nominations is Sunday, Dec. 1.
 
NDA open house,placement tests set
        Notre Dame Academy (NDA) invites all families interested in learning about their seventh- and eighth-grade academics, athletics, tuition assistance options, and more to a free discussion over coffee and pastries Wednesday, Oct. 30 at 7:30 a.m. on the academy campus, 3535 W. Sylvania Ave., Toledo.
        Attendees can talk with faculty, staff, students, and parents. For more information and to register, contact Jamie Orians, director of admissions, at 419-475-9359 (1280) or visit NDA.org.
        In addition, NDA will hold an Open House Sunday, Nov. 10 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Attendees can take a private campus tour lead by parents, students, and alumnae; meet NDA teachers and administrators and learn about the academy’s schedule, athletic programs, SportsLeader ministry, and the new makerspace and resource center.
        Students will present theatre, speech and debate, as well as other fine art talents. Attendees will also hear about NDA’s spiritual retreats, local and international service trips and the various clubs that NDA has to offer. IZZY the Eagle will also be on hand.
        In addition, NDA invites prospective high school students to the following events where they can learn more about testing practices, awards, and scholarship information.
        • Wednesdays, Nov. 13 and 20, 6-8 p.m. – Free High School Placement Testing (HSPT) Experience Part I and II for eighth-graders. Learn tips and techniques to get comfortable with the HSPT. RSVP is required at admissions@NDA.org.
        • Saturday, Dec. 7, 8 a.m.-noon – High School Placement Test. The HSPT is required for eighth-graders wishing to enter Notre Dame Academy in the fall of 2020. Honors Scholarships are based on HSPT scores. A Parents’ Coffee & Questions session will be held from 8-9 a.m. RSVP is required at admissions@NDA.org.
        Apply to NDA online at www.nda.org, during the Open House, or visit NDA to receive an admission packet.
       
Small Business Basics
        The Ohio Small Business Development Center at Terra State Community College is offering free, two-hour “Small Business Basics” seminars designed to answer questions about starting, buying or expanding a small business.
        Attendees will learn the basics of name registration, licensing, taxes, zoning, business entities, employees, insurance, financing and business planning.
        The November schedule includes:
        • Wednesday, Nov. 6, 9:30-11:30 a.m., Ottawa County Improvement Corporation (conference room), 8043 W. SR 163, Oak Harbor.
        • Wednesday, Nov. 20, 9:30-11:30 a.m., Erie County Chamber of Commerce (conference room), 604 W. Washington St., Sandusky.
        • Tuesday, Nov. 26, 4:30-6:30 p.m., Terra State Community College (Building B, Room 103), 2830 Napoleon Rd., Fremont.
        To register or for more information, contact Bill Auxter, Director of the Ohio Small Business Development Center, at 419-559-2210 or bauxter@terra.edu.
 
Energy Awareness video contest set
        Ohio K-12 and college, technical or trade students are invited to participate in the 2019 Ohio Energy Awareness video contest.
        Sponsored by the Ohio Oil and Gas Energy Education Program (OOGEEP), the competition gives students and teachers the opportunity to demonstrate their creativity and energy knowledge during National Energy Awareness Month.
        Submissions may come from individual students or from classes grades K-12. In addition, college, technical or trade students may also submit videos. All participants have until Oct. 31 at 5:30 p.m. to submit a two- to three-minute video that demonstrates how everyday tasks rely on petroleum-based products.
        Each entry will be reviewed, and the top awards will be determined by OOGEEP representatives. A total of 26 winners will be selected from two categories; K-12 school/classroom submissions and college, technical or trade submissions. Cash prizes will be distributed to both categories include a $1,000 grand prize; two $500 gold prizes; four $250 silver prizes; four $100 bronze prizes and two $25 honorable mentions.
        Students under the age of 18 must have a teacher of a classroom or club submit their videos. Students over age 18 may submit their own videos. All videos must be uploaded to jumpshare.com/i/oogeep or emailed to info@oogeep.org.
        Contest winners will be announced by January 2020.
 
Environmental ed mini-grants awarded
        Oregon City Schools were among seven Ohio organizations receiving Ohio EPA Environmental Education Fund mini-grants for programs focusing on watersheds, water quality, storm water management and rain gardens, geology and land use, and hydroponics. Mini-grants are awarded for up to $5,000. This fall’s grants total $26,263.
        Oregon Schools will receive $2,526 for an augmented reality watershed project to provide hands-on learning about watersheds, nutrient management, storm water management, and habitat restoration to students. Located in Lake Erie’s Western Basin area, the project is intended to encourage best management practices, awareness, and appreciation of the watershed.
        The Ohio Environmental Education Fund provides grants each year for environmental education projects serving kindergarten through university students, the public, and the regulated community. OEEF grants are funded with a portion of the civil penalties Ohio EPA collects for violations of Ohio’s air and water pollution control laws.
        Eligible grant recipients include environmental groups, public and private schools, colleges and universities, trade or professional organizations, businesses, and state and local governments.
        There are two grant cycles annually. Letters of intent for the next grant round are due to Ohio EPA no later than Jan. 8, 2020, with applications due no later than Jan. 15, 2020. Prospective applicants are encouraged to visit the Ohio Environmental Education Fund online or call 614-644-2873 to discuss project ideas.
 
Fedor appointed to State Report Card Study Committee
        State Sen. Teresa Fedor (D-Toledo) was appointed last week to a state study committee that will examine Ohio’s school report cards.
        “We need to fix our broken school report card system,” Fedor said. “There is increasing evidence that school report cards, across the board, do not reliably measure the quality of education that our children receive. In fact, they’re a better measure of poverty than academic achievement. This causes a harmful ripple effect impacting our children, our schools and our communities.”
        The 10-person State Report Card Study Committee will work with educators, advocates, parents and the business community to evaluate the current report card system. By Dec. 15, the committee will report their findings to the Ohio General Assembly.
        A former public school teacher for 17 years, Fedor has been an outspoken critic of Ohio’s report card system and its direct impact on the placement of schools under the supervision of academic distress commissions. She is the Ranking Minority Member on the Senate Education Committee and, during the approval of the 2019-20 state budget, served on the Finance Subcommittee on Primary and Secondary Education.
        Also appointed to the study committee Monday were state Sens. Peggy Lehner (R-Kettering) and Louis W. Blessing, III (R-Colerain Twp).
 
CIFT bus tour
        In celebration of National Manufacturing Day Oct. 4, CIFT, a partner of the Ohio Manufacturing Extension Partnership (Ohio MEP), hosted a bus tour to five Northwest Ohio companies.
        Area high school guidance counselors, teachers and legislators participated, including U.S. Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur. The tour included:
        • O-I Innovation Center (Perrysburg) – a 24,000 square foot building at O-I’s global headquarters which enables the creation of new processes and prototypes without interrupting factory lines.
        • Marsha’s Buckeyes (Perrysburg) – iconic candy made in Northwest Ohio for more than 30 years.
        • Garlic Expressions (Perrysburg) – a classic vinaigrette dressing which has a cult following across the nation.
        • Lott Industries (Toledo) – provides meaningful educational and vocational opportunities for people with developmental disabilities; serves business locally and beyond.
        • Bollin Label Systems (Toledo) – for more than 50 years providing custom and stock labeling solutions for many products and industries.
        The bus tour was part of an effort to change perceptions about today’s manufacturing environment and draw attention to the opportunities that a career in manufacturing can provide:
        • Manufacturing is technologically advanced, with ample use of automation, 3-D printing, robots, and screen technology.
        • The annual average salary of manufacturing workers in Ohio is $74,679.
        • Manufacturers have the highest job tenure in the private sector.
        • Ninety percent of manufacturing workers have medical benefits.
        • For every $1 spent in manufacturing, another $1.89 is added to the economy.
        Manufacturing Day is an annual national event executed at the local level supported by thousands of manufacturers as they host students, teachers, parents, job seekers and other local community members at open houses, plant tours and presentations designed to showcase modern manufacturing technology and careers.
 
Housing authority hosts delegation
        The Lucas Metropolitan Housing Authority, along with some of their 2Gen Partners, recently met with a delegation from Azerbaijan, to collaborate on best practices for early childhood education.
        The delegation was sponsored by the U.S. Open World Program—funded by the U.S. Congress and administered by Rotary International. Azerbaijan is a former Soviet republic and is a small petroleum exporting country.
        The group, hosted by Adrian Morning Rotary, finished their weeklong visit on Oct. 18 with a presentation on the 2Gen strategies being implemented at LMHA developments. LMHA, along with representatives from Lucas County Family Council, Zepf/NetWORK and Brothers United, outlined how this emerging concept in educating and supporting not only pre-school age children, but their parents as well, produces positive results in our communities.
        The 2Gen Program is an anti-poverty initiative that provides integrated support for both children and their parents. The approach has proven effective in breaking children and their families free from the traps of poverty and empowering them to live up to their full potential. It helps children and families get the education, workforce training, social support (such as parenting skills) and healthcare they need to create multi-generational economic stability and overall well-being.
        Research shows that a parent’s education, economic stability and overall health has an impact on a child’s trajectory. A 2Gen approach helps both generations make progress together and gets closer to fulfilling all parents’ wishes that their children will do better than they did.
        The government of Azerbaijan’s goal is to expand early childhood education to centers, for children ages 3 and 4, throughout their country. They were looking at the 2Gen model as well as gathering information from schools, preschools and daycare centers. They also visited educator training institutions at Eastern Michigan University, Adrian College and Siena Heights University.
        “We were extremely happy to have hosted this delegation and familiarize them with our 2Gen approach,” said Coleena Ali, Vice President of Resident Services for LMHA. “LMHA, along with our 2Gen partners, are striving to make this approach work for the betterment of our community.”
 
Vanguard-Sentinel programs
        The Vanguard-Sentinel Career & Technology Centers’ Aspire program offers free classes to help adults improve their reading, math, writing or basic skills.
        Aspire classes are available for adults interested in obtaining a GED or preparing for college, an apprenticeship, an adult certificate training program, or additional workforce training.
        Orientation is required before enrollment in Aspire classes. At orientation, attendees will set goals, complete placement testing, and develop an individualized learning plan. The next orientation dates are:
        • Fremont –Vanguard Adult Workforce Development Center, Nov. 5 and 7, 9 a.m. or 5 p.m. Call 419-334-6901, ext. 2703.
        • Oak Harbor – Ottawa County Resource Centre, Nov. 12 and 13, 9 a.m. Call 419-960-2025.
        • Port Clinton ­­– Ida Rupp Public Library, Nov. 12 and 14, 5 p.m. Call 419-960-2025.
        English for Speakers of Other Languages
        The Vanguard-Sentinel Aspire Program also offers ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes in Sandusky, Seneca, and Hancock counties. The classes are held at the Vanguard Adult Workforce Development Center in Fremont Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
        Prior to enrollment, language testing and orientation must be completed. Call 419-334-6901, ext. 2703 to register.
 
Marine Services Technician Program
        For nearly 20 years, the Great Lakes Community Action Partnership (GLCAP) offered courses through its Marine Mechanics Training program.
        In May 2019, the course became a full-fledged Marine Services Technician Apprenticeship Program, offering a greater range of training opportunities to students who learn through a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on experience. Additionally, students who successfully complete the course earn a state-certified apprenticeship credential, which puts them at a significant advantage when seeking employment in marine trades industries.
        “There are many employment opportunities in the marine industry on Lake Erie, and that’s the main reason why our Marine Services Technician Apprenticeship Program exists,” GLCAP Planning & Development Coordinator Kerrie Carte said.
        “GLCAP and our partners designed the course so that students would have the skills that employers wanted and needed,” Carte said. “Students will be employment-ready with this course.”
        Students in the course train in marine electricity and electronics, HVAC troubleshooting, welding, boating safety, forklift operation and other related skills. Students also have access to career coaching support and job placement services through Great Lakes Community Action Partnership.
        Along with GLCAP, the Marine Services Technician Apprenticeship Program is a partnership of Terra State Community College, Vanguard-Sentinel Career & Technology Centers, Ottawa County Improvement Corporation, Lake Erie Marine Trades Association, Volvo Penta, and Yamaha Motor Corporation.
        Learn more or apply online at www.glcap.org/marinetech.
 
OSU Band performance
        The Ohio State Marching Band will stop in Perrysburg to perform on its way up to the Michigan football game. The concert will take place Friday, Nov. 29 at 7:30 p.m. at Perrysburg High School.
        The Ohio State Alumni Club of Wood County is hosting the performance.
        The 228-member all brass and percussion marching band is known as the “Pride of the Buckeyes” and will perform music from their 2019 halftime shows along with many traditional Buckeye favorites.
        Five of the band members are from Wood and Lucas counties.
        Tickets for the concert are $20 for adults, $15 for students and available at https://tinyurl.com/PerrysburgOSUMBConcert. Seating is general admission and tickets are limited.
        This concert only happens every four years. All proceeds from the event support the Ohio State Alumni Club of Wood County endowed scholarships for Wood County students and The Ohio State University Marching Band. In the past 44 years this event has raised more than $287,000 providing 150 scholarships to Wood County students.
 
 
 

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