RIBBON CUTTING HELD YESTERDAY FOR HC ELEMENTARY PLAYGROUND

The Homer-Center Elementary School cut the ribbon for their new playground facility on Friday.

The new playground was built over the summer, and contains the latest playground equipment, and according to Elementary Physical Education Teacher Scott Bauer, the biggest improvement is the playground surface which went from wood chips to rubber. This will allow children in wheelchairs to go straight to the playground from the sidewalk and allow them to play with their friends easier.

First row (six people, left to right) Jennifer Sheesley of Parker Surveying, Julie Rado (school board), Vicky Smith (school board), Scott Bauer (elementary teacher), Ursula Friedel (parent volunteer), Chad Carrick (REA Energy); second row, Dan Fabin (school board), Mark Longwell (Waste Management), Candy Shaffer (Homer-Center PTA), Jeremy Lee (parent volunteer), Tom Dessell (parent volunteer), Jim McLoughlin (school board), Logan Dellafiora (school board), Jimmy Gatskie (Center Township), Justin Smyers (school board), Mike Stofa (elementary principal), Fred Hayes (school board), Jon Longwill (Rep. Dave Reed’s office),

Butch Smyers (Center Township), Paula Hencel (Bork Foundation)

Also on Friday, a grant of $10,000 was presented from the America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education program to the School District to help further STEM education in the district. The money for the grant comes from the Monsanto Fund. Cathleen Hays, the elementary science chairperson, said the $10,000 will definitely help out the district. Homer-Center Elementary will use the money to provide Tower Gardens that will enhance the current STEM curriculum with hydroponic gardens.