ThisWeek Grandview 6/30

Page 1

June 30, 2011

Four finalists interviewed for AD job By ALAN FROMAN ThisWeek Community Newspapers

Four finalists for the Grandview Heights City School District’s athletics director position were interviewed Tuesday and Wednesday, June 28 and 29, by a committee comprised of administrators, school board members and parents. The finalists are: • Nicholas Gaston, assistant athletics director at Hilliard Bradley High School. • Chad Little, athletics director for the Bloom-Carroll Local School Dis-

• Troy Slattman, athletics director and assistant principal at Licking Heights A closer look High School. The four were among 19 candidates The four finalists were among 19 Superintendent Ed O’Reilly interviewed candidates Superintendent Ed following a review of the resumes the O’Reilly interviewed following a district received for the position, In all, review of the resumes the district about 50 candidates applied for the job. received for the position, In all, The other candidates interviewed by about 50 candidates applied for O’Reilly included: the job. • Michael Beck, former superintendent of Garfield Heights City Schools. trict in Carroll, Ohio. • Joseph Bline, athletics director of • Thomas Phillips, coordinator and St. Marys Memorial. head football coach at Pickerington • Tony Blake, an assistant elemenCommunity School. tary principal of London City Schools.

• Michael Braun, dean of students and transportation director for Triad Local Schools in North Lewisburg, Ohio. • Timothy Dailey, a physical education teacher at Union Scioto Schools. • Denise Dilsaver, a high school principal for South Central Local Schools in Greenwich. • Nick Elam, a math teacher and junior varsity baseball coach at Northridge High School. • Scott Elwer, a middle school social studies teacher for Lakewood Local Schools. • Milton Folson, assistant principal and alternative middle school coordi-

nator in the Springfield City School District. • Kenneth Kish, an English teacher and head football coach with Centerburg Schools. • Peter Laihr II, assistant principal and athletics director of Pickerington High School Central. • David E. Lewis, director of athletics for Reynoldsburg City Schools. • Brian McFee, a high school assistant principal for Mt. Healthy City Schools in Cincinnati. • Michael Tanchevski, a government See JOB, page A2

Connors excited about retirement, but sad to leave Grandview schools By ALAN FROMAN ThisWeek Community Newspapers

Photos by Paul Vernon/ThisWeek

Competitors in the Men’s Category 4 race round the corner of Urlin Avenue at Goodale Boulevard during the Tour de Grandview on June 26. For more photos from the event, see page A5.

While he’s excited about what the future may hold, Grandview Heights High School guidance counselor Joe Connors admits he has some mixed feelings about retiring. “It feels really good to retire, but it sure is tough to leave Grandview,” he said. “But I knew it was time to try something new. “I told (Superintendent Ed O’Reilly) in my letter I submitted to him that it’s been a distinct privilege and honor to work in this dis-

trict,” Connors said. “Grandview is an amazing place with wonderful students, teachers and community. I feel lucky to have spent the last 32 years here.” Connors retired earlier this month. After an initial stint teaching at Bishop Watterson High School, Connors came to Grandview in 1979, first as an occupational work adjustment teacher and, since 1985, working as a guidance counselor. But a career in education “happened purely as accident,” ConSee CONNORS, page A2

Tour de Grandview men’s pro race decided in photo finish By ALAN FROMAN ThisWeek Community Newspapers

Jonathan Atwell of the Scholars Inn Bakehouse cycling team won the men’s pro race in a photo finish at the Tour de Grandview Cycling Classic June 26. Atwell was one of four riders who finished at virtually the same moment. A review of the video of the finish showed that Atwell just edged out Ryan Knapp of Team Panther for the victory. Knapp finished just ahead of Atwell for second place in the total points count for the weekend of racing that included two Cincinnati-area races on Friday and Saturday. The overall points winner was Clay Murfet of the RideClean p/b PatentIt.com Cycling Team. The women’s race was won by Jane Weakley of the Secret Cycling Team. But it wasn’t only the men and women professional cyclists who were pedaling in competition Sunday.

stretch of the actual race course along First Avenue. It was held on Sunday, scheduled between two of the professional races. The girls race, ages 5-7, was as close as the men’s professional race, with 6year-old Norah Taylor and 7-year-old Sofia Sivilotti finishing in a tie for first place. Taylor said it was “amazing” to win, but said she was mainly “just out to have fun.” “I really like to ride my bike,” she said. “I ride almost every day.” Sivilotti said winning the race “was fun.” Although she wanted to win, “I mainly just wanted to have fun,” she said. Leah Wolfe, 10, won the girls category, ages 8-10. Jane Weakley (right) with team Secret, “It’s exciting to be in the race, but I also crosses the finish line ahead of Sally felt kind of nervous,” she said. “I didn’t Price of team Texas Roadhouse to win really have any strategy. I just focused on the Women’s Category 1/2 race. the finish line and went as fast as I could.” Beck Bockbrader, 5, was the champ of Area youngsters participated in the annual Kids Sprints event. See RACE, page A2 This year’s kids’ event was held on a

By Chris Parker/ThisWeek

Grandview Heights High School guidance counselor Joe Connors is retiring after 32 years with the high school.

Parks & Rec offers something new for kids, adults By ALAN FROMAN ThisWeek Community Newspapers

The Grandview Parks and Recreation Department will be offering some new programs this summer for both kids and adults. Youngsters ages 3-8 will be able to work on their balance, agility and coordination while beginning to build healthy habits at the JumpBunch “Fun in the Sun” camp.

The camp will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 1-6 in the McKinley Field Shelter. “JumpBunch is a private business that works with various parks departments around the area,” recreation supervisor Mike Patterson said. Campers will participate in such activities as Frisbee games, beach volleyball and relay races. “It’s a chance for young kids to work on developing skills like balance and coordination while participating in some

DIRECTORY

activities that are different than the usual things like baseball or basketball,” Patterson said. Participants should bring a snack and water bottle each day to camp. More information about JumpBunch Sports and Fitness for Kids is available at www.JumpBunch.com/camps. The cost for the camp is $94 for residents of Grandview and Marble Cliff and $112 for non-residents. Registration should be made with Grandview

Parks and Recreation, but checks should be made payable to JumpBunch. The Land and Water Challenge youth biathlon will allow youngsters to compete against each other in an event that will combine running and swimming. “We have such a good turnout for our Tiny Tot Pumpkin Trot and our swim team, that I thought we’d try to do something that combined running and swimming,” Patterson said. “It will be a true biathlon event.”

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The competition will include boys and girls divisions for ages 8-11, 12-15 and 16-18. The Land and Water Challenge will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 27, at the Grandview municipal pool and Buck Park. Cost is $20 for residents and $35 for non-residents. Registration deadline is Aug. 12. See PARKS, page A2

Still looking for fun things to do with your money? Find things to do for $10 or less with the Cheap Thrills blog at www.ThisWeekNews.com.


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