5/7/2012

The city’s annual Independence Day parade and fireworks display are a go!  The North Canton Jaycees have partnered with recent Hoover District occupant Suarez Corporation and multinational retail giant Sam’s Club to provide the financial backing for the yearly show – the largest single day event on the organization’s calendar. Due in large part to economic concerns, the yearly celebration had recently been placed in limbo. However, partnerships forged with local businesses over the past few years have ensured a successful attraction.

The 4th of July parade will begin at Memorial Stadium at 10:30 a.m. and travel down Seventh Street before proceeding southward on Main Street toward its terminus at Maple Street in the downtown area. Fireworks launched from the stadium area will light the skies after sunset.  Entertainment and concessions will be provided in the stadium parking lot

• City Council and administrations officials are weighing the benefits of joining a technology-powered alert system for city employees.  The Wireless Emergency Notification System (WENS) is a text message based system to alert city workers of emergencies, requests, or orders.  The cellular technology could provide faster response times.  The ability of including the regular citizenry with such a method is a possibility.

• Two additional full-time officers were recently appointed. The addition of Cody Dollinger and Matthew Buzzard brings the police department’s enrollment to 15 officers.

• Twenty people have applied for the superintendent position at North Canton City Schools.  The spot will be left vacant as current superintendent Michael Gallina departs for a private sector job during the summer months.

• In upcoming weeks City Council will further review the city’s housing and landscaping codes.

Walsh University - Senior Benjamin Louis has been selected as Fulbright Award Winner to South Korea.  Louis is the first Walsh University student to receive this honor.  The Fulbright program is the flagship International educational exchange program sponsored by the US government and is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries.  Recipients are chosen for their academic merit and leadership potential.  “As a Fulbrighter, Ben impressed the national selection committee with his academic credentials and his commitment to becoming a leader in service to the international community” said Dr. Douglas Palmer, Executive Director of Global Learning.  Ben will be teaching the English language in South Korea high and middle school from July 2012 – July 2013.

Walsh University to host Midwest Conference on Whole Brain Teaching July 11-12 at the University’s North Canton campus at 2020 East Maple Street.  The conference is free to interested teachers and administrators, as well as pre-service teachers from area colleges and universities.  Whole Brain Teaching is based on cooperative learning and current brain research on learning and successfully employs strategies to engage multiple areas of the brain while students work peer to peer.  For more information call 330-490-8573.

Kent State at Stark – Kent State University at Stark will see one of the first students to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in music from its music technology program. Spencer Martin, a senior studying music technology, explains his passion for music and the program have enabled him to pursue his dream by earning a bachelor’s degree in music production and audio recording. Martin decided that Kent State Stark was the university for him because the music technology program focuses on not only the technical aspects of music production, but also on the practice and understanding of musicianship.

University of Mount Union – held its 166th Commencement Ceremony on Saturday May 5 in the Peterson Field House of the McPherson academic and athletic complex.  Nearly 470 students participated in the ceremony.  International students from Brazil, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Japan, Malaysia, Peru, Serbia and Vietnam were among those graduating from Mount Union, with flags of those nations displayed as part of graduation regalia. This year’s Commencement speaker was E. Dominic Capers, 1972 graduate of the University of Mount Union and defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers.

Malone University- and the Canton Marathon are collaborating to present An Evening with Coach Jack Hazen, Wednesday, May 23 from 6:30 – 8 p.m. in the Johnson Center main auditorium, located at 2600 Cleveland Avenue N.W. in Canton. The event is free and open to the public. For information contact Julie at 330-471-8240.

Students L to R: Emily Rorrer, Matthew Gross, Brayden Hall, Alaina Pitts, Luciana Pierce, and Layna Heckert

By Traci Langfitt

Students received a reading certificate and books as a result of the school wide reading service project that was held for two weeks in March. Teachers encouraged their students to a challenge of reading books and asking for sponsors for their pledged minutes of reading. The 270 kindergarten students read a total of 78,303 minutes and raised in total pledges $7,329.92 for the purchase of books. The service project was in partnership with Gibbs Elementary School in Canton. Gibbs Elementary Principal, Mr. Herman Clifford Reynolds was presented a check for $3,878.57 for the purchase of books for Gibbs Elementary. This service project was coordinated by Mary L. Evans Early Childhood Kindergarten Teacher, Miss Kerrie Steepleton and Usborne Books Community Outreach representative, Cynthia Hess.

(L to R) Joe Schnettler, 6th grade & Maclain Spencer, 8th grade

By Julie Mathie-Cross

In a final challenge at the North Canton Middle School, a team of five teachers and parents faced off against a team of students in a battle of wits and knowledge during the last Academic Challenge. Questions about agricultural nuisances, latitude, medications, climate zones, insects, numismatics, propaganda and probability were asked and answered within 10 seconds (15 seconds for math questions.)

“They were a deep thinking, knowledgeable group of kids,” stated Val Heban, who has been the coach for the past two years. “They practiced buzzer skills, strategies, and learned to communicate. We capitalize on areas of strength and interest when we put teams together.”

Team members “try out” in the fall. Over 80 students tried out, and 14 first year players were selected. They joined the five students from last year’s team for a total of 19. Out of eight meets, they ended their season 5-3. There were a total of 12 teams in the league.

Who won the final challenge? “The kids beat us!  Of course they have more practice with the buzzers! That’s our story and we’re sticking with it,” said coach Heban.

(L-R) Doug Lane, North Canton Chamber; Donna McDaniel and Randy Smith, Westfield Bank

By Julie Mathie-Cross

Donna McDaniel, third grade teacher at Northwood Elementary School, earned the April Educator of the Month award through the Chamber of Commerce, Westfield Bank and Washington Square Starbucks. The monthly award honors a North Canton City Schools staff member who exemplifies excellence in education in their interaction with students, parents and other staff members. Donna has 32 years of experience in education, with 27 of those years in North Canton.

During the course of the 2011-2012 award cycle persons from each of the district’s seven buildings were honored. Previous winners include Hoover High School mathematics teacher Carol Couch, Middle School science teacher Darlene Howald, teacher Laura Luikart from the Early Childhood Center, Greentown Education Assistants Heidi Nudo and Darlene Pryse, Cheri Andrews from Orchard Hill and First Grade teacher Debbie Russell from Clearmount.

Alexis Long enjoys creating an instant volcano.

By Traci Langfitt

Kindergartners, 270 in all, recently enjoyed the last math and science fair day to be held at the Mary L. Evans Early Childhood Center. Kindergarten classes will take place at Northwood and Clearmount elementary schools when the district moves to all day, every-day kindergarten in the fall.

Students from the high school and middle school, Walsh students, parents and grandparents helped the kindergartners rotate through the sixteen math and science-based stations. The most popular stations turned out to be the usual dinosaur bone dig, microscopes, bottle balloons, and the ever popular instant volcanoes.

Kudos to Kindergarten teacher Laura Luikart, and parent volunteers Sarah Mallamaci and Justin Woods, along with the many other assistants for their hard work and dedication to this wonderful project for the students.

Chase LeChance, dressed as Aerial the Mermaid, poses with Superintendent Gallina.

By Julie Mathie-Cross

After passing through a castle entrance, one could find a room was filled with primary multi-age students dressed as their favorite fairy tale characters. Harry Potter, the Big Bad Wolf, Rapunzel, knights, kings and queens, and even Aerial the Mermaid were just a few in attendance. These Greentown Elementary School students spent several weeks learning about fairy tales, and then celebrated with a feast fit for a king.

The students learned that there are 150 versions of “Cinderella.” After a quick review of the seven characteristics of a fairy tale, a proclamation was read declaring the start of the event. Special guests in attendance were Superintendent Michael Gallina and Principal Bryan McKenzie.

The students created their own fairy tale, “Pizza Magic at Greentown School.” They wrote the story with the help of their teachers Mia Thomas and Kimberlee Testa, and then illustrated the pages with creative artwork. A copy of the book was presented to each special guest. A celebration followed with everyone enjoying the feast of sandwiches, cupcakes and magic potion punch.

The donation for a walker with one dog is $10. Or, you can walk with the whole “litter” for $20. Caring Tails on Stark Trails t-shirts will also be available for a donation of just $5.

The doggie dress-up contest will begin at 11 a.m. Participants are asked to donate a $5 entry fee. There will be pet exhibitors, fun activities and prizes! To learn more or to pre-register visit aultman.org/ caringtails. If you have questions about the event call 330-479-4835.

(L to R) Keely Smith, Sarah Matthews, Jim Rennaci and Nathan Burns

By Julie Mathie-Cross

Hoover High School AP Government students had the privilege of meeting U.S. Representative Jim Renacci from Ohio’s 16th Congressional District. He spoke briefly about his education, business background, his campaign for the House seat and what it is like to be a congressman. He emphasized that he is not a politician, but a businessman, and decided to run for office when the government took away his car dealership.

Renacci explained to the students what it is like to be a member of Congress, and what happens when a vote takes place. He also talked about exaggerated media coverage, and stressed to the students to “get to the truth by looking into the background at what is being said,” and to “zero in on the facts.” Students lined up to ask Renacci questions about such topics as jobs in Washington, volunteer opportunities, taxes, bills he has introduced and the Ryan Budget, just to name a few. Renacci encouraged all students to get a job in the real world first, before pursuing any political aspirations.

Northwood Stomp students

By Julie Mathie-Cross

Pictured are Northwood students performing during a school concert which featured their instructor, Elec Simon, former cast member of the Off-Broadway Show STOMP.  Twenty-two students were enrolled in his class as part of the After School Enrichment Program. Using drumsticks and five gallon plastic buckets donated by Home Depot, students were taught by Simon and his band how to be percussionists. A total of 250 students participated in the after school program at Northwood which offered ballet, TGA golf, horseback riding, basketball, Legos, pottery, cooking and painting.

Elec Simon has been influencing both aspiring and established musicians of every age for most of his life. From early childhood on, this self-taught musician and tap dancer has viewed everything around him as an instrument for sharing his passion for music and percussion. In 2005 Elec first joined the professional realm as a cast member of the critically acclaimed Broadway production of STOMP where he still performs occasionally on tour.