Seventeen UWE members met at the Wood County Senior Center on March 21 at 6:30 p.m. Shanna Gerken was the guest speaker who gave a presentation about the Parent Mentor Project. She explained that a Parent Mentor helps parents navigate the special education process. Anyone who becomes a Parent Mentor must have a child with a disability. Gerken shared specifics of what parent mentors can do to help parents. She has an office at the WCESC and stated that the program is grant funded through the state of Ohio. She is prepared to work with Wood County parents and teachers, to help children with disabilities.
President Lois Zeh opened the business meeting. The secretary’s and treasurer’s reports were presented and approved. The treasurer, Cheryl Sharp reported that $425 was made at UWE’s Christmas silent auction and that just over $1,000 was available now for our mini-grant scholarship program for area teachers, who can apply and then be selected to receive funding for a special project they wish to do with their students. Sharp also reported that Mary Kay Williams became the newest UWE member, bringing the total UWE membership to 30, plus 3 honorary members.
Scholarship chairperson, Jan Hover reported that five teacher applicants were selected to each receive a $200 mini-grant scholarship for their classrooms. These five recipients are the following:
1. Noreen Overholt – Crim Elementary (BG) art teacher. Her project for grades 2 and 4 involves students making coasters of infused glass; she also plans to add new projects of small assembled aliens, birds, and other forms using cut pieces of colored glass. Funding will be used to purchase specific supplies for this special project.
2. Jennifer Moorman – Eastwood High School art educator. Her project is entitled “Eagle Artist Market.” This exciting and educational venture not only fosters creativity, but also teaches valuable skills in entrepreneurship, marketing, and teamwork. Funding will help with the cost of art supplies, training workshops to teach business and marketing strategies, and promotional projects.
3. Marny Mazzarella and co-chair Erin Harte (Yellow Oak Club) – Perrysburg High School. Their project involves a student led Yellow Oak Club hosting a fundraiser – “Harbor Walk for Hope.” Harbor is an organization dedicated to advocating for mental health and providing resources to teens who may be struggling. Grant money would be used for expenses needed to set up various stations along the walkways during the fundraiser in Woodland Park, Perrysburg, on May 11.
4. Allison Mills – Otsego High School science teacher and intervention specialist. Her project involves “the science behind sewing and fiber arts” which is a new semester long course. Funding will help pay for start-up materials and tools that students will need to learn about identifying plant fibers, mastering natural dye techniques, and understanding the intricacies of fiber processing for environmentally conscious and creative textile production.
5. Bethany Bombi – Kenwood Elementary (BG) art teacher. Her project (along with all the elementary art departments of BG schools) involves hosting a miniature art show involving 4th and 5th graders, to be held at the Wood County Library in March. Funds will help offset the cost for art supplies (5×5 in. canvases, miniature easels, air dry clay etc.) needed to create space-themed artwork that relates to both 1Book BG and the solar eclipse in April.
The next UWE meeting is scheduled for Tuesday beginning at 6:30 p.m. and will be held at First United Methodist Church. The program will be about the Starship Robots – BGSU, presented by Jon Zachrich.
