Madison High School updates policy to curb student violence:
Health department expects county to move into ‘no mask in public’ category on March 9:
Eric John Grove
Madison High School is addressing a rise in fighting with a new disciplinary policy.
High school Principal Sean Conway said the change in policy is meant to protect students’ safety and educational experience. He also explained that since students have been back from winter break, there’s been an uptick in violence among them. Conway says he thinks the behavior is standard across the country. The new approach is not a zero-tolerance policy, but it does take a firmer stance on fighting in school. Under the old policy an average first offense for a fight might have been three days, but now, Conway feels the need to be more firm. To send a message that this type of behavior will not be tolerated.
A letter to parents said that students who engage in a fight will receive a minimum consequence of a five-day suspension. The more likely consequence will be a 10-day suspension and a recommendation of expulsion from school. The letter also said that “students who engage in physical aggression may be subject to additional consequences through the Richland County Sheriff’s Department and the school resource officer.”
Conway clarified Wednesday the administration will take into account the unique circumstances behind each incident. Students who played no role in provoking or escalating a conflict won’t be punished. And administrators said the policy won’t take away a student’s right to defend themselves. Rather, it clarifies that students who had a role in provoking the conflict will be punished whether or not they threw the first punch.
Students have also been encouraged to report concerns to a teacher or administrator before conflicts become physical. Right now, the change in policy is only in effect at the high school. However, Supt. Rob Peterson said administrators at the middle school are also discussing how to address “similar concerning behaviors.”
To celebrate Women’s history month, we’ll be spending the first week of March featuring famous women from our state.
Today we’re celebrating another famous Ohioan named Annie — Annie Glenn, wife of former astronaut and statesman John Glenn. Annie was born in February 1920 in Columbus. Her family moved to New Concord when she was three. She met John when she was very young. In fact, Annie has said she can’t remember a time when she and John didn’t know each other. The pair started dating in high school, and continued dating through college. They tied the knot in 1943.
Annie found herself thrust into the spotlight when her husband was named one of the Mercury 7 Astronauts – She’d achieve further notoriety when John became the first American to orbit our planet. Because of her stutter, though, Annie did her best to stay out of the spotlight. Even so, as a member of the Astronaut Wives’ club, she and the other wives of the Mercury 7 became national symbols of patriotism and American success. But, Annie Glenn was so much more than just some wife of a famous astronaut. She was an incredibly talented musician. In fact, she received a scholarship to play pipe organ at the Julliard school in New York City, but declined the offer so she could remain in Ohio with John.
Annie also tirelessly advocated for those who experienced communicative disorders, and would eventually become an adjunct professor for the Speech Pathology department at Ohio State University. She’d live to be 100 years old, and tragically passed due to complications with COVID-19 in spring of 2020.
Now, we’d like to take a moment to highlight an event that you should know about. On March 4th, 5th, and 6th, head over to Loudonville’s beautiful historic Ohio Theatre to watch “Death of the Nile” in period appropriate accommodations. The film is the latest installment in Kenneth Branagh’s reboot of Agatha Christie’s legendary detective mystery series and the sequel to 2017’s Murder on the Orient Express. Rotten Tomatoes says “Death on the Nile’s pacing isn’t perfect, but this all-star mystery has a great cast and plenty of entertaining twists.”
Next, From Knox Pages. At Monday’s Mount Vernon City Council meeting, Deputy Health Commissioner Zach Green said Knox Public Health is transitioning to the endemic stage of COVID-19. The endemic stage is when a large section of the population becomes immune to a disease. Green said the state has condensed its monitoring metrics and under state guidelines, communities in the low-to-moderate category of risk can move to a policy of no masks in public places. He expects Knox County to move into this category on March 9th.
Knox Public Health Health Commissioner Julie Miller noted that KPH is rebuilding and reintroducing itself to the community. She said: “All the community has known for two years is that we’re the good guys or the bad guys. We’re either the good guys taking care of people and helping them through their quarantine and isolation period and their vaccine questions, or we’re the bad guys because we give vaccines, don’t answer their questions, or we don’t agree with them.” In addition to COVID-19, Knox Public Health continued its more than 30 other programs in 2021, including tobacco cessation; immunizations and flu shots; campground, pool, and food inspections; and nuisance investigations and abatements.
Finally, we’d like to take a moment to remember the life of Eric John Grove.
Age 43, of Ontario, he was affectionately known as “Grover” throughout his life. Eric was born in Bucyrus and graduated from Ontario High School in 1997 and Ashland University in 2003. He was an Academic Advisor at North Central State College for the past 17 years and impacted student’s lives in a most powerful way. Eric was a member of the Ontario Civil Service Commission for the past 3 years. He was the “Voice of the Warriors” at football and basketball games and was a very proud lifelong supporter of Ontario high school athletics and education. He was an avid football fan of The Ohio State Buckeyes and Cleveland Browns. A big man known for his big heart, he was always helping someone. His kindness and giving nature will remain a legacy for those whose lives he touched. He’s survived by his mother, father, sister, grandparents, numerous aunts, uncles and cousins; and friends. Thank you for taking a moment with us today to remember and celebrate Eric’s life.
