GPA: Alumni to be honored at Waite Purple and Gold Dinner

        Morrison R. Waite High School is celebrating its 110th year as an educational institution in East Toledo in 2024.
        At the 60th Annual Purple and Gold Dinner Celebration, set for April 13, five Waite graduates will be honored and inducted as Distinguished Waite Alumni.
        The 2024 inductees include:
        • Barry W. DeShetler, class of 1969 – Religion and Community Service.
        • Linda M. Duez Everhardt-Kardux, class of 1969 – Business and Community Service.
        • Joe Guerrero, class of 1971 – Education and Community Service.
        • Philip J. LaFountain, class of 1992 –Military and Community Service.
        • Robert W. Yenrick, class of 1993 – Education and Community Service.
        These and previous winners have distinguished themselves as successes in their respective careers and/or have served as benefactors to mankind.
        The Purple and Gold Celebration Dinner will be held at St. Michael Centre, 4001 Navarre Ave., Oregon. A social hour and gift basket raffle will begin the evening’s festivities at 6 p.m. Soft drinks, beer and wine will be provided. Dinner will be served at 7 p.m.
        The five Inductees will be introduced at approximately 8 p.m. Fellowship will follow from 9:30-10:30 p.m. A $50 per person reservation is required for the evening.
        Additionally, on Friday, April 12 at 9:30 a.m., the five alumni honorees will be presented to the Waite student body and staff at a special program in the school auditorium. Each inductee will have an opportunity to speak to the members of the audience about their high school life and how they achieved their lifetime goals.
        For information regarding reservations and donations, contact David M. Yenrick at 419-697-1949 or david.yenrick@gmail.com.
 
Imagination Station, Cenovus Energy partner for solar eclipse kits
        Imagination Station is partnering with Cenovus Energy to bring the wonders of the upcoming total solar eclipse to fifth-grade students in Lucas and Hancock counties, as well as Lima and Dublin, with a special Totally Solar Kit.
        The eagerly anticipated total solar eclipse on April 8, will be for many, a rare once-in-a-lifetime event.
        The Totally Solar Kit is designed to support educators and enhance the learning experience. The kit includes print materials, hands-on activities, safety information sheets, eclipse glasses and fun mementos.
        “We believe education is the key to unlocking a world of possibilities, and our partnership with Cenovus allows us to enhance this experience to over 700 fifth-grade classrooms throughout the Toledo region and beyond,” says Imagination Station Chief Executive Officer Lori Hauser. “These kits are just one way we can provide educators with valuable tools to engage students in the wonders of eclipses, nurturing a lifelong curiosity for science.”
        “One of Cenovus Energy’s core values is ‘Do It Together,’ which is why we’re so excited to partner with Imagination Station in bringing students and teachers across Ohio the tools and support to help enhance this once-in-a-lifetime solar eclipse,” says Heidi Hurst, vice president, Toledo Refinery. “By sparking an interest in science and learning today, we are helping develop the next generation of innovators and leaders in our communities.”
        This outreach is part of Imagination Station’s broader commitment to educating and exciting the community leading up to the total solar eclipse. The array of offerings available to schools this year includes workshops, festivals and a STARLAB planetarium. In addition to the outreach programs, Imagination Station invites schools to plan field trips to the science center to explore further and learn about the total solar eclipse.
        For more information about Imagination Station and its available programs, visit imaginationstationtoledo.org.
 
‘Under the Sea Art Camp’
        Students in grades 1-3 are invited to dive into creativity at Oak Harbor's “Under the Sea Art Camp,” which will be held from June 3-7.
        The camp promises a week of artistic exploration and fun. Participants will engage in two art projects each day, guided by Oak Harbor High School art teacher Elly Gilbert. The highlight of the week will be a culminating art show on June 7 from 12-12:30 p.m., where students can display their masterpieces.
        Space is limited, and reservations may be made by contacting Gilbert at egilbert@bcssd.com
 
Kindergarten screening
        Genoa Elementary will host its annual Kindergarten Screening on April 10 and 11, with April 12 being an overflow day.
        In order to be eligible for kindergarten screening, a child must be 5 years old by Aug. 1. All kindergarten students must be screened and registered in order to begin the 2024-25 school year.
        Parents/guardians can call the elementary office to set up an appointment day and time. There will be three appointment slots each day – 8-10 a.m.; 10:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. as well as 1:15-3:15 p.m. with a 12-student limit per session. Appointments will be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. Call 418-855-7741, ext. 4904 to set up an appointment.
        Parents/guardians will need to attend a meeting during their students’ screening. All information will need to be completed in Final Forms prior to screening appointments.
        Proof of residency, the child’s birth certificate and Social Security card or number, parent ID and custody documents, if applicable, are required at appointments.
        Parents/guardians will be given physical, immunization and dental forms to complete. Forms are available in advance at the school office or online at genoaschools.com, under “health services,” forms.
 
Kindergarten registration
        Kindergarten registration is under way for Northwood Elementary School.
        To be eligible for kindergarten, children must turn 5 years old by Aug. 1. Parents/guardians of eligible children may visit northwoodschools.org to download the registration packet. Visit the website home page, click on “Kindergarten Registration,” print the documents and return them to school.
        Forms may be emailed to nsmith@northwoodschools.org, mailed to the school at 600 Lemoyne Rd., Northwood, OH 43619 or dropped off at the school office.
        A mandatory Kindergarten Parent Meeting will be held Tuesday, April 16 at 5:30 p.m. in the school cafeteria. For more information, call 419-691-3888.
        Parents/guardians of children age 3-5 are reminded to consider Northwood Preschool. Contact the Wood County Educational Service Center at 419-354-9010 to register for the preschool program.
 
Oak Harbor Kindergarten Registration Parent Night
        Benton-Carroll-Salem School District will host a Kindergarten Registration Parent Night on Thursday, April 25 at 6 p.m. in the RC Waters/Intermediate School gym.
        At this meeting, parents will get information about kindergarten, receive a kindergarten enrollment packet, and register their child for a screening appointment. (Children do not need to attend the Parent Night.)
        Students entering kindergarten will be screened in the areas of vision/hearing, motor skills, concepts, and language. Kindergarten screening appointments will be on Monday, June 3 and Tuesday, June 4 at R.C. Waters Elementary.
        In order to be eligible for kindergarten, a child must be 5 years old by Aug. 1. All kindergarten students need to be screened and registered to begin the school year.
        Parents/guardians who cannot attend the meeting may call the school office at 419-898-6219 after April 25 to make an appointment.
 
Gibsonburg Safety Town
        The Gibsonburg Police Department has announced a new Safety Town Program for the upcoming kindergarten class.
        Safety Town will be available to any Gibsonburg or homeschooled student at no cost. During the three-day program, students will learn about bus, water, crosswalk, railway and other safety topics.
        Volunteers from the Gibsonburg Police Department, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Gibsonburg Township Fire Department and Sandusky County EMS will participate.
        Safety Town will be hosted at the Gibsonburg Elementary School, 301 Sunset Ave., Gibsonburg, from 5:15-7 p.m. on June 13 and 14 and from 10:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on June 15.
        Students will receive a complimentary gift bag and a T-shirt for attending. Registration forms will be available using the link on the Gibsonburg School website (gibsonburgschools.org), in the Gibsonburg Elementary School Office and at the Gibsonburg Police Department.
        Applications can be submitted online or returned to the Gibsonburg Police Department or Gibsonburg Elementary School (attention SRO Sirse). The deadline for registration is Wednesday, May 15.
 
Stecher named football coach at Woodmore
        Scott Stecher (pronounced: steak – er) has been named the new football coach at Woodmore High School after he was approved at the board of education meeting on March 18.
        Stecher, an Upper Sandusky High School and Heidelberg College graduate, most recently spent the 2022 season as an assistant coach (offensive line coach) at Port Clinton High School, where he helped the Redskins to a state playoff berth.
        Stecher was the head coach at Monroeville from 2014 through 2020, leading the Eagles to state playoff appearances in 2015, 2016 and 2020.
        At Monroeville, Stecher was twice named the Firelands Conference Coach of the Year and the Eagles were the 2020 league champions. He coached six players at Monroeville who earned All-Ohio honors.
        Stecher began his coaching career in 2001 as the junior high coach at Danbury and followed that with stints at the high school level at Plymouth (2006), Danbury (2008), Genoa (2009-2011), Lakota (2012), and St. Joseph Central Catholic (2013).
        Stecher lives in Marblehead with his wife, Betsy. They have two adult children and one grandchild.