SHS Fitness Center To Open To Community In January
BY KRISTEN FRITZ— MIRROR REPORTER
Just in time for New Year’s resolutions, residents of the Springfield school district will have a new place to get in shape beginning in January.
At its November 30 meeting, the Springfield board of education approved a proposal to open the fitness center at Springfield High School to the community free of charge three evenings each week.
Beginning January 3, the facility will be open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. A $3,000 grant from Paramount will cover the cost of hiring an attendant to staff the center.
Those who wish to use the facility must be at least 18 years old and complete a registration form, provide proof of residency, sign a waiver form and provide a photo ID. Each participant will be issued a card to use the center.
The fitness center, which is used as a training facility by Springfield athletes and coaches, was funded with a bond issue approved by voters in 2008.
“We made a promise to the community when the bond levy was passed that when possible, we would open the center to the community,” superintendent Kathryn Hott said.
Public hours at the fitness center will continue until April 27.
Also at the meeting, the board members:
• Recognized teachers Brandy Bilek, Barbara Eckhart, Kelley Kulevich and Kathy Zeitler, who earned master teacher designation from the Ohio Department of Education.
• Recognized reporters Janet Romaker of The Blade and Kristian Brown of WTVG 13 ABC for being named to the Ohio School Board Association media honor roll.
• Accepted a certificate from state Rep. Barbara Sears recognizing Holloway Elementary for earning an excellent rating on the Ohio Department of Education 2011 report card.
• Approved the treasurer’s report.
• Approved the superintendent’s staff recommendations.
• Approved attendance at a Math Mania Workshop for Freda Drake at a cost of $175.
• Authorized the treasurer to request tax advances from the Lucas County auditor as they become available during 2012.
• Renewed membership in the Ohio School Board Association for 2012 at a cost of $6,674.
• Approved payment in lieu of transportation for students attending schools outside of the district.
• Entered into executive session to discuss evaluation of the treasurer and superintendent.
The next Springfield board of education meeting will be on Wednesday, December 14 at 5:30 p.m.
Guest Speaker Helps Holland Elementary Students Focus On Abilities
BY KAREN BERGER — MIRROR REPORTER
Seth Ryan thought, “If I was a blind man, how would I get around?”
“So I tried walking down the hall with my eyes closed,” the fourth-grader told his peers at Holland Elementary School.
“How did you get around before you had a dog?” Seth asked Angie Hiser, who visited the school on December 2.
Hiser, information and outreach coordinator for the Ability Center, lost her eyesight 13 years ago, and at first used a white cane with a red tip. Now she travels with her guide dog to speak about focusing on abilities.
“We are people like everyone else,” she said. “We may walk or talk different, but we’re still the same. We want to be treated with respect.”
Respect is the character trait of the month for December at Holland Elementary. So when counselor Karen Schultz heard about Hiser from school psychologist Lisa Clair, she saw a good fit.
Hiser was 32 and pregnant with her fourth child when she became ill with pancreatitis and lost her eyesight – something that’s quite rare.
“Just because I lost my eyesight doesn’t mean I can’t do anything,” she said. “I’m a mom; I’m a grandma. I can cook, clean my house and do laundry, but I can’t drive.”
Tanaya, a 7-year-old yellow lab, is her guide dog, keeping her safe, such as stopping when they approach steps or a low-lying branch.
The dog had two years of training at Guide Dogs for the Blind, where Hiser trained for 28 days. The dog is her second – her first dog, Ballet, helped her gain independence when she first became blind.
The dog always attracts attention, and Hiser welcomes children and adults to pet Tanaya – as long as they ask first.
“Her job is to keep me safe, so she can’t be distracted,” Hiser explained.
Although she has a dog, Hiser said she sometimes gets turned around or might need help. She encouraged youth to offer assistance.
“If you see someone in the grocery store and they’re looking up like they want something from the top shelf, ask if you can help,” she told the youth.
The Ability Center offers independent living training, modifications for houses, summer camp, mentoring and legislative liaisons. One of its other goals is to raise awareness so the community can be supportive – which is where Hiser comes in.
“I love to talk to newly disabled people, because I want to tell them that life is not over,” she said. “I’m a Christian, and I believe that God has a purpose for me.”
Holland Springfield Rotary Presents Students Of The Month
Springfield High School seniors Kaitlynn Hersch and Kurtis Taylor have been named Rotary Students of the Month for the month of December.
These students are now eligible for one of the service organization’s scholarship opportunities.
Kaitlynn, the daughter of Tom and Sharon Hersch of Holland, is a member of National Honor Society, captain of the swim team and a member of the cross country team.
She has volunteered at Safety Town, Lutheran Village at Wolf Creek, the alumni association craft show and the drama club’s carnival prior to the musical Barnum. In addition, she has served as a tutor at Crissey and Glendale Fielbach elementary schools, and works at the Fort Meigs YMCA as a lifeguard and swim instructor.
Kurtis is the son of Rodney and Karen Taylor.
He is a letter-winner in both football and track, and served as a football captain. He has volunteered with the drama club’s Trick or Treat So Kids Can Eat campaign, the annual Rollie Run and at the Glass City Church Soup Kitchen. He also works with children at the Taylor Learning Center.
These are sample articles that ran in The Mirror Newspaper.
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