GPA: Terra State closes campus; postpones graduation ceremonies

       In keeping with Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s decision to close all physical non-life-sustaining business in Ohio, Terra State Community College officials closed the school campus, including all classrooms, on-campus labs, student services, computer labs, offices and the conference center.
        Offices are being staffed remotely by employees working from home. Employees critical to the operation of the physical plant will report on an as-needed, limited basis.
        Classes are continuing online. Students with required on-campus labs will receive a temporary incomplete on their grade report and will receive an additional four weeks to complete the lab(s). The Spring 2020 Dean’s List will not be released until after these students have completed the classwork.
        The 2020 commencement ceremony has also been postponed.
        Student support services, including academic advising, tutoring, library resources and assistance with admissions and financial aid are available online or via phone.
        Students should continue to check their Terra State email and Canvas for further updates. Other details regarding COVID-19 are available at terra.edu/covid19.
        “Terra State Community College is committed to continuing to provide education and services to our students. The College has been maintaining best practices from the CDC and the Ohio Department of Health throughout the COVID-19 public health crisis, and is now following directives of Gov. DeWine,” Terra State President Dr. Ron Schumacher said. “We will adapt as needed during this unprecedented time, and continue to monitor the situation. As a
husband and father, and community leader, I urge you to follow the Governor’s directives so that we pass through this challenging time as quickly as possible.”
 
Marine Services Tech Program tuition funding
        Full tuition funding is now available for eligible students interested in pursuing a career in the marine trades.
        The Marine Services Technician Apprenticeship Program through Great Lakes Community Action Partnership (GLCAP) provides classroom and hands-on experience in marine industry skills that lead students to a state-certified apprenticeship credential upon completion of the course.
        Funding is available for students whose household income is at or below 125 percent of federal poverty guidelines (e.g. $15,950/household of one; $32,750/household of four).
        Students in the course train in marine electricity and electronics, HVAC troubleshooting, welding, boating safety, forklift operation and other related skills. Students also have access to career coaching support and job placement services through GLCAP. Courses take place at locations in Sandusky and Ottawa County.
        Along with GLCAP, the Marine Services Technician Apprenticeship Program is a partnership of Terra State Community College, Vanguard-Sentinel Career & Technology Centers, Ottawa County Improvement Corporation, Lake Erie Marine Trades Association, Volvo Penta, and Yamaha Motor Corporation.
        To learn more about the apprenticeship program, visit www.glcap.org/marinetech, or call GLCAP Lead Career Coach Patty Hall at 419-332-2412.
 
Reunion planned
        Eastwood High School will be the setting for an all-class reunion being planned for Saturday, Sept. 26.
        Eastwood Alumni along with alumni from Pemberville, Troy-Luckey and Webster Schools have formed a committee to plan the event.
        Class representatives are still needed for several graduating classes including the 1950s, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1965, 1966, 1981, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2008 to present. Interested persons willing to serve on the committee should contact Marcia Cousino at 419-287-4078 or Janell Vickers at janellvick@bex.net.
        Watch for additional information and ticket sales on the Eastwood Schools website – Alumni tab.
 
Water & Sewer District
donates hydrant to educate
Penta Fire, EMS students
        The Northwestern Water and Sewer District (The District) is teaming up with students enrolled in the Penta Fire and EMS program to educate them on an important safety device – the fire hydrant.
        On Feb 26, two District employees who are also volunteer firefighters presented Penta’s 2020 senior Fire and EMT class with a fabricated cut-out fire hydrant. Jay Carter is Chief of the Milton Township Fire Department and Josh Nutter is Assistant Chief of the Center Township Fire Department.
        The District donated a decommissioned hydrant for the project, and a team of District water professionals rebuilt it and fabricated it into a learning tool for students.
        “Some firefighters don’t know the inner-workings of a hydrant. It’s important to know how they work and how to use them because in an emergency, every second counts,” Nutter said. “This is especially important because, if used incorrectly, a fire hydrant can be damaged or can cause damage to a water distribution system.”
        According to Penta Fire and EMS Instructor Paul Perry, “The cut-out hydrant shows our students how a hydrant works from the inside and how it’s interconnected to the water system. This unique perspective of a hydrant will give them insight on how to use this important life-saving piece of equipment.”
 
Classmates sought
        Genoa Class of 1970 will celebrate its 50th class reunion on Aug. 15. Reunion organizers are looking for the following classmates:
        Mary Alicia Zapata Estrada, Carmen Almaguer Castillo, Cindy Baltzel Green, Laura Cornell Smith, Esther Sandwich, Larry Heilman, George Heilman, Irma Martinze, William Cowan, Donna Bloofmield Johnson, William Brown, Kathy Johnson Bognuda, Amelia Torres, Norma Tristin, Mary Jane Vargo, Ruth Noble, Diane Dunlap Wolfer, Valerie Kern Russel, Jane Caudill, Sue Diekman, Tom Jones, Sue Adcock Schuster, Betty Benton Aring, Maria Boyas, Jane Bower Webster, Frank Dietrich, Carolyn Lassiter Blausey, Irene Trejo Vasuke,
        Those who have info may call 41-855-4104 or send to 20203 W. Trowbridge Rd., Martin, OH 43445.
 
CROWN Act introduced
        State Reps. Juanita Brent (D-Cleveland) and Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo) on March 3 introduced legislation, known as the “Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act,” which would ban discriminatory policies in Ohio schools that penalize students, especially students of color, for wearing natural hairstyles that embrace their cultural identities.
        “We want our schools to be welcoming places that embrace diversity—not discriminate against it. And yet, we continue to hear of instances of discrimination against black and brown kids who wear their hair naturally. The CROWN Act would end that,” Rep. Brent said. “This commonsense bill protects our kids and ensures they have the same opportunity to fulfill their promise as any other child in our state.”
        “The CROWN Act is a good first step to help eliminate the unconscious biases that too often hold people of color back in Ohio,” said Rep. Hicks-Hudson. “We work for you—and that means taking on discrimination whenever it happens, especially in our schools. At the end of the day, the way you wear your hair should not limit your pursuit of the American Dream.”
        Under the CROWN Act, Ohio schools would be prohibited from discriminating against anyone who wears a natural hairstyle or protective article that embraces their cultural identity. This would extend not only to class time, but to athletics and other school-related functions.
        Under the bill, those who allege discrimination would be able to file a civil action in any court of competent jurisdiction.