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. 

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.