Cambridge Primary School principal April Massey spoke to the Cambridge City School District Board of Education members about the importance of students attending school during their April meeting Tuesday at the Primary School.
The Primary School is implementing a system that provides more positive, early intervention for truancy.
Board member Ron Miller interacts with students at Primary School during a presentation at the April Board of Education meeting. According to Massey, the school tries to find out what factors are associated with absences while at the same time communicating with students, parents and guardians about the State attendance polices, the State’s legal process for dealing with truancy, and how truancy affects students.
Massey pointed out that Dean of Students Sean Byerly heads up the the attendance process for the school and actively participates in all attendance meetings.
Families whose children attend the Primary School will receive a letter from Mrs. Massey when their students miss five days and again when they miss 10 days of school. After 10 absences, a meeting is scheduled with the parents to assess the situation and identify solutions.
A letter is also sent out after 15 absences. Subsequently, a meeting is scheduled with the Guernsey County Juvenile Court.
While the letters and appointments can help reduce the number of truant students, Massey believes relationships with students are more impactful.
“We work hard the first few weeks of school to build relationships and establish expectations,” Massey said. “When students feel supported, they are more likely to engage in learning and have better academic outcomes.”
The Primary building, like the Intermediate School, uses Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and PAX to reward and encourage good behavior.
In addition to the relationship building, the school also offers a SELF class. SELF stands for Social Emotional Learning with Friends. The SELF class meets once per week as part of the specials’ rotation and helps students recognize and deal with big feelings. It helps them self-regulate.
Primary School STEM teacher Melinda Dyer and a couple of students demonstrate what they are learning in STEM class. Last year the school started the Primary Prowlers walking club in which all second-grade students can participate. The Prowlers, open to all second graders, meet once per week. The members walk for 15 to 20 minutes. 83 students have enrolled in the class.
Also at the Board meeting was Middle School Intervention Specialist Mary Rich who told members of her intention to start a Junior National Honor Society at the Middle School.
The program mirrors the National Honor Society at the High School and is intended to motivate students to do well in the classroom. Rich is already planning academic and community service activities for the members.
As part of the treasurer’s report, the board accepted three donations totaling $4,500 that will support a Middle School field trip, STEM at the Primary School, and decodable library books at the Intermediate School.
The Board also accepted the annual Single Audit of the District’s financial records; approved the payroll schedule and supplemental pay schedule for the 2024-2025 school year; approved the salary schedules for the 2024-2025 school year for the Administrative, Administrative Classified and Personal Services groups; approved the treasurer Ed Wright and Director of Business Operations Dave Caldwell for Sunshine Law training on behalf of the board.
In preparation for the end of the 2023-2024 school year, the Board approved the graduating senior class of 2024 contingent upon student completion of the requirements for graduation. Those approved include:
Jada Nicole Alexander
Members of the Class of 2024 pose for a group photo in preparation for graduation. Brenley Renee Alloway
Bryson Xavier Anderson
Lynn Marie Anker
Sydney Chyanne Augenstein
Blade Kobain Bachmann
Mason Carter Bailey
Ethan Joseph Beldean
Jasmine Grace Tabugan Bell
Kaitlyn Elizabeth Biddle
Ethan Ryan Blanchard
Sydney Ann Blanchard
Blayne Lee-Odell Bourst
Trinity Brookel Bricker
Taylor Michael Britton
Austin James Brown
Cameron Sebastian Campbell
Aidan James Castello
Danica Brooke Ceculski
Matthew Ray Chambers
Emily Florence Clark
Tristan William Dale Cramblett
Ivory Alexis Daniels
Mary Michelle Davis
Keyaira Michelle DeLancey
Emma Marie Dempsey
Emma Jane Devereux
Caiden Michael Dillon
Caleb Gabriel Durham
Brody Titus Dyer
Dylan James Earle
Eli William Edwards
Maxwell Jordan Elerick
Alexis Marie Eltringham
Landon Carter Engle
Caitlynn Rain Enos
Madeline Rose Enright
Paige Alizabeth Evans
Jovi Lynn Filippis
Bree Madison Fogle
Lucas Benjamin Gallant Jr
Destiny Kayla Garcia
Cheyenne Danielle Nicole Gibson
Hallie Breeann Gordon
Alexandria Marie Graham
Aubrey Lane Green
Bradyn Thomas Gregg Jada Patience Summer Hall
Michael Paul Hamersley
Kaidynce Marie Jo Harper
Shaun Alan Harrington
Dillon Cash Hartley
Aaliyah Marie Haskins
Nicholas Joshua Hatfield
Kaiden Micheal-John Heskett
Karen Marie Hickman
Roy Donald Hickman
Elaina Lin Marie Hines
Isaiah De'Vaunte Hollingsworth
Sam Russell Holsinger Maverick Paul Christopher Jewell
Reed Phillip Johnson
Rogan Lee Johnson
Easton Scott Jones
Adriana Diane Kennedy
Alivia Kathleen Kidwell
Savannah Marie King
Angelina Dehava Kissinger
Averee Sue Knaup
Keaton Andrew Kyser
Anna Marie Lab
Shane Michael Lacey
Jaedyn Sharelle Lallithan
Eva Marie Lamphear
Anastasia Jaime Maria Lattea
Emma May Lehman
Jayden Cole Lester
Ayden Nicholas Like
Vincent Andrew Lopez
Selah Hope Lowery
Ashton Cole Loy Landaker
McKenna Anne Mack
Abigayil Jo Mann
Lillyonna Jean Manning
Aaliyah Marie Markey
Bailey Justine Markey
Ian John-William Martin
Chelsea Renee Massello
Keegan Lyric Mathers
Taylor Jade Mayle
Ciarra Ja'Lean McCoy
David Russel McCullen
Abigail Jo Mead
Carli Joann Mesarchik
Rayann Louise Mitchell
Levi James Moyer
Brady Logan Murphy
Broc Liam Murphy
Kiara Michelle Murphy
Patrice Nicole Myers
Noah Isaac Neal
Ross Douglas Newlon
Piper Jade Nicholas
Adelia Rose Ogle
Devin Fredrick Ogle
Gabrielle Elizabeth Oliver
Luis Guillermo Otero-Burgos
Kailea Rosalind Pacanas
Kalena Kaimana Lynn Pacanas
Coen Thomas Phillips
Michelle Dawn Pittillo
Alyssa Renee Polasky
Ella Grace Reed
Jackson Myles Reed
Brianna Grace Riggs
Benjamin Tyler Rivers
Addison McKade Robertson
Dalton James Robertson
Abby Mae Roe
Dominick Christopher Rogers
Owen Thomas Rogers
Regan Allen Rogers
Janelle Marie Rominger
Melanie Rose Ruiz
Saylor Don Paul Schaad
James Robert Schaefer II
Rylea Noel Scott
Ta'Lique Ja'Karr Scott
Isabelle Laken Sedor
Ryan Eugene Seery
Kaydence Raneigh Lynn Serban
Brody Allen Shaffer
Regan Leeann Shaw
Parker Ryen Shiflett
John Charles Dallas Siegfried
Brandon Lee Skidmore
Joseph David Slechter
Caleb Malachi Stanberry
Alivia Cantrell Stanley
Coen Beau Stoner
Alexandria Marie Strahler
Smith Conner Sylvis
Gabriel Troy Tabler
Easton Tyler Philip Tipton
Evy Elizabeth Todd
Andrew Joseph Vannorsdall
Markel Diez Villapalos
Kiyana Janae Villers
Bayne Michael Voorhies
Alexis Lynn Wagner
Brayden Paul Wagner
Michelle Lynn Wamsley
Andrew Fisher Waugh
Cierra Renee Waugh
Cameron James Weaver
Matthew Landon Reed Williams
Quinzye Allen Wilson
Aubrey Aleah Wolfe
Denae Brianne Worley
Taylor Renae Wright
Frankie Layne Yakupcak
Torrie Nila Yontz
Jenna Ann Young
Lewis Eden Young III
In other business, the board proclaimed the week of May 8, 2024, as the observation of Staff Appreciate by the Cambridge City School District Board of Education. The board encourages everyone in the district and community to observe this week by honoring and recognizing our staff.
The board also approved a resolution creating the National Junior Honor Society at the Middle School; approved urgent necessity for the renovation/replacement of a portion of the parking lot at McFarland Stadium.
In personnel, the board approved Laura Perkins as Summer Learning and Opportunities Grant Fiscal/Payroll/Budgetary administration; Laura Carpenetti as Summer Learning and Opportunities Grant Fiscal administration; Samantha James as Summer CATS Camp transportation secretary; approved Audra Carpenter and Kendra Hines as Summer CATS Camp transportation secretary substitute;
Approved Randy Wheatley and Vicki Leeper as Summer CATS Camp bus monitor/aides; approved Mike Mesarchik, Marcia Rose, Shanna Surrarrer, Annie Price, Cristal White and Waylon Mohler as Summer CATS Camp bus drivers; approved Jan Leeper, Nathan Wright, Raylin Forshey and Scott Meredith as Summer CATS Camp substitute bus drivers; Olivia Critser, Michele Haverfield, Marcy Law, Jodi McGuire, Tricia Nichols, Susanna Mascolino and Zach Ogle as Summer CATS Camp teachers; approved Kelsey Robinson, Tammy Engle, Reagan Flood, Becky Smalley, and Andy Ogle as Summer CATS Camp aides.
The board approved Kim Valentine as substitute coordinator, the unpaid leave for Kelsey Robinson and Kim Kennedy; extended service for Tammy Province and approved medical leave for Jennifer Coulter.
The board approved hiring Parker Long, Andrew Yanico, Garrett Carpenter, Rylan Mathews, Bryce Murdock, Kendalynn Burt, Kaitlyn Biddle, Tony Mascolino, Brock Valentine, Jake Valentine, Trent Valentine, Alex Kitner, and Abagail Roth for seasonal employment.
The board approved Kaitlyn Hardesty, Asa Shaddix, Stephanie Davidson, Cheryl Spires as volunteers for the rest of the school year.
The board approved athletic supplemental contracts for Logan McCort as head boys’ basketball, and Tamara Gibson as assistant athletic director.
The May meeting of the Board of Education will be Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at 5 p.m. at the High School.