By Jennifer R. Hill
A former Athens High School student who now has a son in the athletic program told the Athens City Board of Education Thursday that he has become alarmed by the use of excessive profanity during games and practices.
Superintendent Orman Bridges told the parent, Kenny Brinkley, that he had noticed foul language being used by students and coaches and had addressed it immediately.
Conduct on the playing field carries over into other parts of life and even the classroom, the parent said.
“I just don’t want our kids to learn that that is the way,” Brinkley said. “Someone has to be on watch.”
If profanity is not allowed in the classroom during school hours, it should not be allowed during school events or sports either, he said.
School board president James Lucas reassured Brinkley that teachers and coaches are kept to strict standards, and Bridges once more assured Brinkley that the issue had been addressed.
H1N1 vaccines
Bridges gave an update on H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine for students. Elementary students in the Athens City School systems should be sent home with consent forms Monday for the H1N1 vaccination. Students in kindergarten through fourth grades, 9 years and younger, will be able to receive the nasal mist flu inoculation on Wednesday, Dec. 2, Bridges said.
A second round of doses should be available in January, when it would be made available to all students, he said.
Other business
School board members approved the following extracurricular activities items:
• Athens Middle School, Coach Donaldson to take 18 students to the University of Alabama Huntsville Wellness Center in Huntsville on Nov. 24
• AMS, Sherry McEwen and Linda McClary to take Civic Tag classes to the elementary schools for a presentation on various topics concerning civics.
• AHS, JROTC to participate in the Athens Christmas Parade, Dec. 3
• AHS, Jazz band to perform at the Athens Rotary Club, Dec. 4
• AHS, JROTC Outreach to Athens City Schools, dates to be determined
• AHS, wrestling schedule for the 2009-2010 year
• AHS, baseball schedule for the 2009-2010 year
Personnel
The following personnel items were approved:
• Retirement of Donnie Powers, Transportation/Maintenance supervisor effective Jan. 1, 2010
• Resignation of Thomas Lovell, crossing guard at Julian Newman Elementary School effective immediately
• Employment of Dana Grammer as head softball coach at AMS; and of Julie Morgan as girls head soccer coach at AMS
• Certified teacher pay for: Haley Hays, substituting for Sharla Birdsong, third grade teacher at JNES; Christa Young, substituting for Brittany Wiseheart, second grade teacher at Athens Elementary School effective Dec. 3, 2009.
• Volunteers for AMS and RSVP.
