Mid-term exams went well;

Pertussis update given  

by Richard Westlund

     Gowanda Middle School Principal David Smith reported that in the fifth grade social studies exams, 90 percent of the students scored at levels three and four with only five percent at level two and five percent at level one. Level four is the highest level. He also reported that the middle school Valentine dance went very well. It was attended by 196 students, was well chaperoned and everyone had a good time.

     High School Principal Kimberly Moritz reported 98 percent of students passed math Regents and 81 percent passed English. These are normally given in June, but they were taken now to allow any who did not pass to have another opportunity in June. One hundred percent of the students who had previously failed the history and environmental exams and retook them at this time passed them successfully. Moritz also spoke of the “Taste of Gowanda” coming in April. There will be three categories of dishes competing for recognition: Appetizers, Main Dishes, and Desserts. Anyone wishing information or possibly making an entry may call Sue Rebmann at 532-3325, extension 6002.

     District Superintendent Charles Rinaldi updated everyone on the pertussis (whooping cough) situation. When first reported two weeks ago, there had been five cases. That has now risen to nine. The puzzling thing is that children must be immunized against this before entering school. The present cases involve students in the elementary school, and records show that all those who have contracted the disease have been previously immunized. It is hoped that with no school attendance in the coming week, there will be less exposure of the students to the contagion. Parents are advised to encourage frequent hand washing by their children, and to be careful about covering their mouths when coughing. In the recent free immunization program at the school, 187 children were vaccinated.

     District Clerk Tana Troke informed everyone that anyone wishing to become a board of education member may want to consider enrolling in a class to be given at Erie County BOCES in West Seneca, March 18 from 8:30 a.m. to noon. For more information or to register, call 821-7297. She also reminded all again that the Cattaraugus County deadline for STAR applications is March 1. The deadline in Erie County is May 1.

     The board conducted a first reading of policy changes in the following areas: Expense reimbursement; Attendance by BOE members at conferences, conventions and workshops; Telecommunications equipment use by staff; Employee credit/purchasing card use; Use of school-owned materials and equipment; and Authorized signatures. These policy changes are submitted to the board for review and possible modification a couple times before being submitted finally for acceptance as school policy.

     In other matters, the board:

   •  Approved the appointment of Jason Miller as school resource officer, effective Feb. 16.

   •  Approved Deborah Nykyforchyn, Katie Ketcham, Elizabeth Jolles and Karlin Matwijow as substitute teachers, effective Feb. 16.

   •  Appointed Kristina Homan as teaching assistant, with probation beginning Feb. 16 until Feb. 16, 2009.

   •  Appointed Richard Gabel as substitute teaching assistant, substitute study hall monitor, substitute lunchroom monitor and substitute food service worker, effective Feb. 16.

     The next regular meeting of the Gowanda Board of Education will be on Wednesday, March 1 at 7 p.m. in the middle school.