MINGO JUNCTION — Good news abounds at Indian Creek as school board officials noted all of the positives during their recent session.

During the Nov. 20 session at Indian Creek Middle School in Mingo Junction, Superintendent T.C. Chappelear said Indian Creek High School’s Creek Squad IT team took part in the Student Achievement Fair at the Ohio School Boards Association Capital Conference in Columbus, where they made a presentation. The Creek Squad, which is currently in its second year and includes about 20 students, travels to district buildings twice a week to assist faculty, students and administrators with tech needs such as repairs. Members made their appearance at the conference which was held on Nov. 16-18 with teacher Dave Moffat and discussed their program at an informational session.

“I was impressed by hearing them open up about being involved in Creek Squad pathway to learn how to be IT professionals and how it impacted their outlook for the future,” Chappelear added. “The greatest thing is to provide for kids so they feel hopeful for the future.”

Board member Dr. Ted Starkey added that students were obtaining drone licenses and certificates in robotics which could also help them obtain gainful employment.

“You could substitute in (any of the pathways) and the students will say the same thing,” Chappelear replied. “These are programs that are helping kids find a passion and a place at Indian Creek.”

He also praised district employees, saying Indian Creek was fortunate to have them on board.

“We have struck the jackpot with all of our employees. There are people in positions who make the magic happen.”

Public Relations Specialist Amy Colantoni informed officials that the district’s online presence was growing and partnerships were building within the community.

“The online presence of social media platforms has grown over the last two months and I wanted to share the importance of the human connection,” Colantoni added.

She shared that the district was working with the United Way of Jefferson County for the Meals of Hope project that will benefit Indian Creek students. Colantoni said officials met with United Way Executive Director Marci Crawford and agreed to team up for the initiative. Each school has been holding fundraisers to help support the cause and a special check presentation was being planned for the National Day of Giving in December.

“The United Way will provide 30,000 freeze-dried meals to residents and we discussed how some of our families receiving meals, so we’ll receive approximately 1,000 meals,” she said. “If we work together, beautiful things happen.”

“We’ll present a check to the United Way for Meals of Hope on Dec 2,” Chappelear said. “We are going to get 1,000 meals — or 250 per building — to give out to families around Christmas break. Each building will distribute the meals and we’re definitely proud to help.”

Among other matters:

• Colantoni mentioned Indian Creek High School’s Veterans Day event, which involved Janet Maxon’s sociology class leading the program and also planting flags outside the school. She said it emphasized the importance to continue working with people. Colantoni further noted upcoming events including the Indian Creek Foundation’s third-annual Christmas Concert at 7 p.m. Dec. 13 in the high school auditorium;

• Nicole Marshall, district food service manager with Nutrition Inc., then said the Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Program kicked off in the elementary schools and students were being introduced to new items to expand their tastes. The district received a $45,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and administered through the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce and kids were trying such foods as pears and cucumbers along with holiday-themed fare, including candy cane beets. She also highlighted Thanksgiving feasts held at ICHS and ICMS where more than 700 total meals were given, while Friendsgiving activities were held at Hills and Cross Creek elementaries Tuesday prior to the holiday break. Marshall noted that daily participation was on target while they were exceeding the a la carte budget. Other updates included the addition of a new service line at Hills and plans to acquire a new oven at the middle school;

• Hills Elementary Principal Erin Alloggia said students attended the Turkey Bowl unified sports flag football game at Kettlewell Memorial Stadium on Nov. 19 and it was a good experience for the children. Alloggia added that her school was selling “Thankful Feathers” as a fundraiser to assist with the United Way project, while the site also collected food in a separate event and distributed 13 Thanksgiving dinners to local families. More plans included supporting the Jefferson County Humane Society with a collection in early December;

• Board member Dan Bove praised the ICHS football team for its successful season, which ended with a 9-2 record in the Division IV playoffs, and he said it was the team’s best start since the 1990s. Bove gave special mention to the Creek Squad for their presentation at the OSBA conference; Janet Maxon’s students for their Veterans Day program; the ICHS Marching Band; the Spooky Bowl and Turkey Bowl unified sports games; ICHS students Gracie Higgins and Cameron Minor for being published in the Young Writers anthology; and Hills Elementary’s successful canned food drive;

• Board President Dr. John Figel recognized students and staff for their efforts and lauded Bove and Brianne Schoolcraft for succeeding in the recent elections as board members, with Bove retaining his seat and Schoolcraft soon to replace the departing Figel, plus Indian Creek Advisory Council leader Anthony Mougianis was recognized for his work on helping to pass the renewal measure. The levy, which dates back to 1995, will generate more than $3.28 million annually to sustain operational expenses such as staffing, utilities, buses, curriculum and programming. Officials added that it would help maintain quality education programs, safe facilities and innovative opportunities in addition to funding teachers, staff, and classroom resources which impact student success;

• Linda Lenzi, gifted services coordinator for the Jefferson County Educational Service Center, presented three $700 Best Practice Grants to teachers Amanda Renner of Hills and Mary-Lil Giusto and Rachel Bodo of CCE to implement their programs. Giusto intended to use her windfall for STEM bins in the afterschool program, Renner’s portion will fund M-Bots to code and program in her third-grade class and Bodo’s grant will support physical and cognitive systems;

• Assistant Superintendent John Belt provided an update on the Jefferson County Innovation Center construction project, saying the roof trusses were going up and the roof decking was getting underway, while the exterior and interior walls were being framed. The building should be enclosed in December and plans are to have it completed in mid-August. Once it is finished, WVU Medicine will offer a walk-in clinic while the JCESC’s Quest Center alternative school will serve students from Jefferson and Harrison counties, plus the Jefferson County Community Action Council will provide an Ohio Means Jobs access point with resume assistance, life skills training and other resources for adults and dislocated workers, plus a day treatment program will be available for youth;

• Officials approved one-year limited contracts to cooks/cashiers Carley Barnes and Kassandra Bauer and approved Dana Brown as a substitute cafeteria worker, secretary and paraprofessional;

• Leaders proclaimed Nov. 16-22 as Ohio Public Education Appreciation Week.