Recent sports season deemed as a success by Eden Schools’ AD
By KERRIE BLOOM
Sun correspondent reporter
Eden Central School District Athletic Director Douglas Beetow commended all those involved with the recently completed fall sports season at last Wednesday (Nov. 18) night’s meeting of the Eden School Board.
“The sports season was a success,” said Beetow, pointing out that 417 students participated in some type of extracurricular athletic activity this past season, a figure which, according to Beetow, is quite impressive.
“That’s a huge number,” said Beetow.
Beetow was pleased to report that he only had to have a discussion with one student related to him/her needing to keep their grades up to par with the athletic department’s standards.
Among some of the highlights of the season included the girls varsity field hockey team making it to the semifinals, the varsity football team winning the Class C North division championship, the varsity golf team earning a co-division title, the girls varsity soccer team earning a team sportsmanship award, the girls varsity swimming team placing first in the Tonawanda relay competition and the varsity boys and girls volleyball teams again turning in stellar seasons that make them among the best teams in the state.
Beetow gave special thanks to the district’s Booster Club for enclosing the bleachers, which he said was a “huge help,” as well as to the community for installing a planter box around the scoreboard.
Beetow also thanked the district’s transportation department for safely getting students to and from games played “on the road” and David Martin and the building and grounds department for giving the teams “every fighting chance to use our facilities.”
Beetow also expressed gratitude to the board for “allowing trips and making things happen.”
“Eden is a special place because we try things,” said Beetow.
In other action from the meeting, Eden Junior-Senior High School Principal Marc Graff gave an update on the college credit courses. He indicated that there are 235 students enrolled in nine different advanced placement college credit courses.
“The bottom line is kids really want it,” said Graf, adding that he is focused on offering more college credit courses into the curriculum and getting more students involved.
While the district is selective in choosing which students take the AP classes, Graff acknowledged that the courses better prepare students for state tests and future college courses.
Some of the major issues associated with AP courses are scheduling and expense. Putting more AP courses into the school schedule throws the whole schedule off, making it difficult to fit them in.
Additionally, AP classes are not cheap.
“Some kids can’t take those courses because of the cost associated with them,” Graff said.
Board Vice President Deborah Gardner suggested looking into a scholarship fund for students who can’t afford to take a particular course.
In other action, the board:
• Heard Eden Elementary School Principal Richard Schaefer give a presentation on the physical education program’s compliance with regulations.
Schaefer indicated that the school exceeds state requirements in most cases, with all students receiving the required amount of physical activity on a weekly basis. Recess, also known as supplemental physical education, can serve as a substitute for physical education.
Schaefer also played a portion of a new 35-series DVD set purchased for the school called “Deskercise.” The video, which shows students how to exercise while still remaining seated at their desks, is to be used when weather conditions do not allow students to take recess outside.
Superintendent Ronald Buggs also said that the district has purchased 12 Wii Fit systems for student use.
• Heard a presentation by Future Business Leaders of America members Jessica Kramer and Chad Blanar on the state conference held in April in Rochester. Three major awards are given out at the conference: Mr. FBL, Mrs. FBL and Chapter of the Year.
The conference competitions, which consist of business law, business math, macro/micro economics, and job interviews test business knowledge, said Blanar, who placed third in the Mr. FBL competition.
• Approved the following new business items: Graff’s tenure as principal, the excessing of 55 textbooks, the donation of a piano from the Kevin Escher family, and a budget increase of $250.
• Heard Superintendent Ron Buggs report there are rumors from the state education department the May 18 budget vote may be moved to May 11.
“There is no confirmation yet,” he said, but added he will keep everyone informed.
On a related note, Buggs admitted that the next two years will be “challenging” as far as funding from the state is concerned and that he is “anticipating some type of mid-year cut, reduction in state aid, or both.”
Buggs reassured the public that the district is already looking at cost saving measures.
• Heard Buggs report the net loss of teaching staff last year was half-a-percent, acknowledging that there has been some misconception regarding layoffs. He reported that the number of layoffs from last year was minor.
• Heard Gannon praise the district for its staff and teaching.
“What we really do best here is affirm children,” he said. “We’re very proud.”
Gardner agreed, saying the board is proud of Eden’s teachers and the administrative staff.
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