I think this was the first time they had an overseas Yeah. Yeah. And new territory, literally, for everyone. Yes. So, we wanted to thank the board first for approving us for international travel. It's really exciting and something that like Mrs. McFerrin said we had not done in middle school before. So, I figured why not start out big. So, we went to Italy and we visited Naples and Rome. We had a group of 22, 11 adults, 11 students. So, it was a much better ratio because I was a little nervous going there. But, overall it was a great trip and we wanted to just give you a brief recap of it. Next. So, day one and you'll see pretty quickly we traveled with EF Tours. They really packed our days full with activities. So, we started out the morning visiting a local buffalo mozzarella farm. Not like our buffalo.
Uh I was amazed a few years ago when a group went to um you know, the southern part of Florida and explored things for our class, and I can see the value to it, but I will also tell you uh it's not only uh important to you, it's important to us as leaders in the district and our board and our community. So, uh the more of this the better, and I appreciate uh Mr. Park and Dr. Park's investment in the kids, but I appreciate the kids being here tonight and to share their experience. It goes a long way with people like us and on the board to understanding the value of this. So, thank you. And since this was the last official trip that Dr. Park and I will be leading, um this year we had a commemorative sticker for uh for apes made, and so we're going to bring We had extra made for all of you as well.
Good work, sir. Congrats, guys. Congratulations. Great job, coach. Congratulations, guys. Thanks, coach. Congrats, guys. Thank you. Congratulations, sir. I assume the crowd's been out there for a little while. Yeah, let's get them out. Great to see you, but can I give you a You okay? Yeah. Thank you again and congratulations to all of our award winners, parents, coaches, teachers. Um we always enjoy this night. Moving into our information items. Just a point of clarification, you'll notice the screen looks a little different tonight. BoardDocs, our platform provider, is out. This is across the country. But thankfully we can pivot and we're good to go. We have all the information we need. So I will turn it over to Dr. Nesbitt, 3.1 with the blue ribbon update. Thank you, President Norman, members of the board, Dr. Smith. Let's take a look at blue ribbon phase two. Here's a update for you.
So, it's great to see folks like Garrett and Vivven kind of helping out over here. It's really fun, especially this time of year. Um, I know Jacob Adola has um Padullo, I'm sorry, has been doing a lot of the baseball games. So, one of our three Jacobs from the uh basketball team. He's now one of the key voices for Ashlin baseball. So, trying to get Jacob maybe do a couple of other uh sports besides that. But, a huge shout out to Jacob. And again, thank you again to Garrett, Vivian, and of course, Paul and Jeff. Always do an incredible job. Fall, winter, spring, sports, town halls, graduation. All right, we're about to start the second quarter over here. We I see Maggie, uh, Lily, Vidy, and, uh, Payton Trip. And that looks like number 11 on Cassidy McMillan Jr. for Westwood going up against Maggie McGinness.
That's why you need like some teammates or coaches to players on the sideline to really scream and be like >> Shoot! I like 5 seconds left. You need the the fans help with the countdown sometimes. >> Yeah, exactly. So, after one, Raiders in charge. Seven to nothing right now. We'll be back in a minute and 35 seconds. >> Yeah, stay tuned. >> All right, we are back for some second quarter action. 12 minutes on the clock. Once again, I am Brad Crandall alongside my brother Cam Crandall, Alyssa Suxon camera, and Sienna What's your last name? Petter on the Instagram. I thought doesn't your Instagram say something else or something? Oh, yeah. One of our solid volunteers that has been here since her freshman year, I think. You never knew that? Oh, well. Wow, that's funny, right? Oops, sorry. All right. Well, you learn something new every day there, Sienna.
>> White. Let's move. >> Whitmer with the onehanded switch going by Northampton. Gets the ball over the restraining line. gets the ball over to Crims. >> Crim behind the net. >> Pelier. >> Pelter with the ball. Pelier goes by one. Pelier goes by two. Pelier works her way in. Gets the ball knocked away. Northampton comes up with the ball. Robin with the ball. She throws it over to Little. Little throws the ball away. Kylie Marino >> gets knocked loose. Mac Witward trying to knock it loose and North Dan comes up with it. >> Brain with the ball. Brain still with the ball. Brain throws the ball up. That ball comes loose. Gianna Byron comes up with it. Yeah, nobody from Northampton is going to catch her. Janna Byron gets the ball over the straining line. Gets the ball the wide open Peltier. Pelleter turns it around just Peler goalie.
So with that work, we are currently using three core programs in the special ed department. We do use other supplemental material, but these are the three core programs that we're currently using. Uh we're using the Wilson reading system, which is uh what our reading specialist is using. It's an evidence-based program that provides structured multi- um sensory instruction for students who need foundational decoding support. Read Naturally is also an evidence-based program that focuses on fluency, helping students build accuracy, speed, and confidence. Those are the two programs that our reading uh specialist is currently using. In addition, um we're also using language live. We have three teachers that have been trained in this program in addition to the reading specialists. Together, these programs allow us to support students across all areas of literacy and move them towards independence. Each one is targeting a different area. So, when we're looking at our students in the special ed department, currently we have 68 students that are receiving reading services through their IEP.
So, um that was something that I hadn't thought about. So, um I was like, "Wow, you know, it makes sense." So. >> Thank you. Um so, the recommendation ultimately was to keep both of those holidays on the calendar as well. Uh the PL day before the February break, um the recommendation is to keep it as it was presented. Uh and we considered some pros and cons uh for mo- moving moving it in the future, the 27-28 school year, that early release days uh to Fridays was discussed, and I think that would be something that we would ask the board to maybe talk about um next school year while we're, you know, drafting up that following school year calendar, the 27-28 school year. So, that would be something for us to to discuss and contemplate. Uh I believe my understanding was at one point that's they were on Fridays, then they were moved, and and now the question is we should just have that conversation.
It is truly an honor to recognize this year's teacher of the year for school eight, Ms. Mary Campenizi. Three years ago, when I arrived at as the new principal of school eight, one of my earliest conversations was with our custodian. He told me, "There's a new teacher coming from school five, and she has 77 boxes in the gym, and they're very big." The boxes were piled from the front of the gym to the back, and I remember thinking, "Where on earth is all of that going to go?" Shortly after, I met Ms. Campenizi for the first time. With complete confidence, with calm, she re- reassured me, "Don't worry, everything will find its place." And she was absolutely right. Just a few days later, I walked into her classroom, and I was amazed. It was beautifully decorated, perfectly organized, and thoughtfully thoughtfully designed. One of the most inviting and in- effective learning environments I've ever seen for for young learners.
Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, everybody. Sorry. All right. Oh, section eight. 8.1, school board member reports. >> Good afternoon board. Um, just want to thank you everyone for being here. So today we're going to give our final update on SSAC. Um, so at our previous meeting we celebrated SSAC's accomplishments and you know, we had everyone attend and it was just a great time to get together and celebrate everything. Um, we did get a chance to reflect on SSAC and to see how um like how we've done this year, our progress and to define it into terms of glows and grows. So in terms of glows, so what went successful this year, what we did right. Um you know, being a part of other organizations that focus on student voice like coalition helped navigate SSAC. Conversations were specific to current student needs.
So, lot This is the season to say thank you, um and to take time and to honor those who are on the front lines. And I just want to uh begin that by just recognizing them here at the board in preparation for Finally, it's also always important to take a moment and reflect and give back. And this coming Friday, we have our monthly food pantry distribution. Uh we want to thank all the families and the the uh volunteers who come out and support that effort. It's going to be at Old Trapper uh facility on Franklin Street. It is open to anyone in the community. This is a resource that you can access. You don't, you know, no questions asked. Uh come. Uh we know that it there these are free services that our community's able to work to coordinate, and that we're committed to continuing, and we want to welcome you.
And next week we'll be celebrating uh educator appreciation week. So celebrating all of our teachers, pair professionals, related service providers um throughout the entire week. All of these folks work tirelessly to support our students and your work is very much appreciated. And then just finally, district calendar. We have a lot coming up. It's uh only April, but it seems like the end of the year is right around the corner. So just a reminder, April 24th and May 6th are early release half days. May 18th is the next committee of the whole and Tuesday May 26 that's because of the Memorial Day holiday is the next board of education meeting and uh our students will be very relieved to know the last day of school is June 2nd which is also a half day. So thank you very much. Our curriculum update um we don't have one tonight.
So, with that, I'll let Mrs. Parent read the commendation for our dance team. Yes, I feel like we need to just make a seat or several seats for you behind here with the your frequency here. That's awesome. The Avon Community School Corporation Board of School Trustees would like to congratulate the Avon Varsity Dance Team Large Ensemble with passage of the following resolution. Whereas the Avon Varsity Dance Team won the 2026 State Championship in the Large Ensemble category, earning their sixth consecutive State Championship. Whereas the Avon Varsity Dance Team Large Ensemble has dedicated countless hours of practice to earn yet another undefeated season. Whereas the Avon Varsity Dance Team Large Ensemble has demonstrated perseverance to achieve excellence at a high level and has demonstrated excellent work ethic, determination, and commitment. Whereas the Avon Varsity Dance Team Large Ensemble has earned the respect of the entire school community for their high standards and expectations.
So, my exposure to all these activities and awards are only due to BCSC's amazing staff and faculty. So, thank you so much. >> Hello and good evening. Thank you for having us all here. My name is Harshel Gandhi and I plan to go to Purdue University to major in computer science and eventually I hope to get a master's degree in computer science as well. I'm heavily involved in this uh clubs at Columbus North. I'm the founder of our computer science club, the president of our environmental club, president of our beta club, and the vice president of our robotics club. And with Beta Club, I've been able to place nationally in math competitions partially due to the club, but also the teachers here at North that have helped me. And speaking of teachers, my two favorite teachers are Mr. Spock and Mr. Schiffer because when I've gone through their classes, they've provided me an understanding of math, computer science, and physics that went past just basic classroom curricular.
There are also important logistic risks to consider. What happens if the renovations are not completed on time? What if spaces do not pass inspection? These are not minor setbacks. They are directly going to impact our ability to open our schools smoothly and safely. Most importantly, we need to think about our students. When they walk into our classrooms in August, we want those spaces to be ready, organized, welcoming, and prepared for learning. Not in transition, not unfinished, not a construction zone. And first impressions matter. For example, our future kindergarteners have already toured our building, entered our classrooms here at CNP. We are trying to maintain and even increase student enrollment. Having this much upheaval in such a short time may make us appear disorganized as a community. A rushed timeline puts that at risk. This is why decisions of this scale are typically made in such an earlier part of the year.
Um they're going off to study at Mizzou and Ball State and all over the place for communications. And those that aren't studying communications or or broadcasting are studying uh political science, uh marketing, public relations. So, they're taking these skills that we're providing them every day and doing stuff that I could have only dreamed about back then. But I'm so incredibly proud because they're involved in multiple activities, hold jobs, take on special activities when I call them and ask them to shoot pictures for me at the last minute. And they get a constant stream of criticism. I like to think of it as constructive criticism. Uh in education we call it assessment, but it's tough. It's real world and doesn't come with a box of tissues when it's from me or from our program and from each other. And they have held each other to a standard that is sometimes I think beyond college level.
It pretty much just looked like cows with really big horns. We took a guided tour of the Naples historic city center and then we toured with a local guide and saw some of their beautiful buildings and architecture. Castel Nuovo, Piazza del Plebiscito. I'm going to butcher that one. And then we saw the Naples Royal Palace and then we participated in a pizza making class to finish out our day. That was actually some of the best pizza I think I've ever had in my entire life. Also, on the buffalo mozzarella farm we were even able to bottle feed baby calves. So, that was really great. And the upper right hand corner you see a picture, all of that is fresh mozzarella with fresh local honey and it was amazing. Even me as a picky kid, I loved it. So, next, please. On day two, we did a tour of the ruins of Pompeii with an expert local guide and on the corner you can >> [laughter] >> Stopped in the town of Nemi on the way back to Rome.
So, uh please take one as a on behalf of us as a huge thank you. And Dr. Park uh Mr. Park, I did really enjoy the first chart. That is kind of nice. So, nice job. Thank you. Well done tonight. Thanks, everyone. All right, moving to C3. HCCS and Ryan and Taylor Tobin MOU and fire rescue release of liability form. Thank you for being here tonight, Principal Drummond. Hey, I'm on time this time. I I I didn't make out as well, but thank you for being here. Thank you. Well, good evening. I'm excited to present two documents to you tonight that you've received in advance. The first is an MOU between Huntington schools and Ryan and Taylor Tobin. The Tobers are The Tobens are collectors of fire engines and they brought a very generous offer for you tonight. They have purchased a 1991 Pierce Dash fire engine and have generously offered to lend this fire engine to the LC's fire and rescue program.
It's been about a month. Uh our overview's going to look the same. We are doing a lot of design work on McKenzie. We've been meeting about two to three times a week with different departments in the morning before school as we meet with those teachers and the instructors make sure we get it right. Uh Craig Academy's cruising along real well and then our classroom additions uh continue on. We'll take take a look at some pictures to those. And then on our next slide I got to tell you energy savings uh winding ridge is underway uh on the roughing we have a it's about oh a third torn off and uh we're working real early and real late to dodge uh statewide testing and then once that ends here in the after next week we'll we'll get into it full days there. Uh Crestview Elementary, here's a look at the outside and then you can't quite tell but that that picture on the right there that's the playground.
Westwood coming in green. Ashlin with the white jerseys. Again, keys to the game over here. Clearly, if we can uh continue to be successful with these with these faceoffs, I think that's really important. Samantha side over to Payton Trip. Payton trip over to Lily Viddy. Ashton's leading scoreer, goals, assist for her four-year career over here. Her career is definitely not over. Lilia, I think I saw, is going to San Diego State. Also, one of our key varsity players for girls volleyball to Ashley Forester. I think that is >> is that early? I It's tough to tell over here. Again, no complaining about this sun. It's a beautiful day. It's just where they are. Right over there. Right behind them is that beautiful sun that's always glaring. Great pass to Ashley goal. I think that was Ashley Forester. That's her second goal. Again, Ashley through her career has been primarily a defender.