The Pilot News - Interim assistant named for Bremen Middle School

Overpeck’s experience includes work at Penn Harris Madison as assistant principal and interim associate principal at Penn High School.
A resident of South Bend, Overpeck retired from the South Bend School Corporation in 2004 but he has been working in education since.
He is currently also working with Bethel College, supervising student teachers and administrative interns.
“You just can’t get it out of your blood. It’s great to work with students, community and staff. My hopes and goals are always to be supportive of the administrative team and the school corporation policies and procedures. I hope to continue to work with students and staff and the curriculum, “said Overpeck.
“I feel very good about that and am very impressed with what I see in the school corporation and I think it will be a very pleasant experience,” added the new interim assistant principal.
School counselors Mei McCormack, elementary-middle school, Melissa Manges, high school 10-12 and Michelle Wood, 6-9, all believe that there is a definite need to hire another counselor for Bremen Public Schools.
Manges, who presented information to the Board in regard to the request, read a statement from McCormack that summed up the counselor’s feelings on the issue. In the letter she noted that the department “does NOT have the time needed to provide optimum, and in some cases, even adequate support. We are faced with providing guidance and support for many tiers of students with needs ranging from academically talented to academically challenged, from the very well adjusted to the severely at risk emotionally and socially, and from very well-supported to the student with no support system at all…we are asking that you provide another counselor so we can provide the optimum support to Bremen students that can truly make a difference on their futures,” said McCormack.
“We are not here to complain or to be negative, “said Manges who also presented the board a detailed folder packet of information on why they felt their request was warranted. Part of that packet included the history of the guidance office which noted that in May of 2006, the guidance staff had been cut from four to three positions. Board member Frank DeSantis, said he remembered that period of history and that he agreed that there is a need.
“I do remember. I’ve been there and I know what they (counselors) do. I think it’s crucial to have a second counselor in the high school. I think it’s important especially because they are going on to a career. I feel really passionate about this,” said DeSantis who added he felt a male should be considered especially at high school age when many boys would feel more comfortable speaking with a man.
The board decided to explore the possibility of an additional counselor and how the position would be part of the current budget. Mikel will meet with High School Principal Bruce Jennings and Elementary School Principal Tracy Tredway to discuss possible options.
School lunches will soon cost more for K-5 students next year as approved by the board.
The Board approved a request from Hope Andrews, Food Services Director, to increase the price of K-5 lunches 15 cents to $1.75 effective 2008-2009 to make all lunch prices uniform. Junior high school and high school students also will be paying $1.75 as they have this year.
Andrews said that because of the requirements by the state and food prices increases at a record high, she felt a need to make the request.
The price for breakfast for $1 and milk for 35 cents will remain the same.
A strategic goal setting committee meeting will be held Monday, April 21 at a location yet to be announced as approved by the Board and announced by Mikel.
   Information from these meetings will be used to come up with a “fluid plan” with specific goals for the future which will be addressed by the administration and board at a summer meeting. “I am kind of excited about this whole process,” said Mikel who thinks it will be a great thing for the corporation overall.
   In other matters, in his report to the board, Jennings said that a Driver’s Education call out meeting will be held Monday, March 24 at 8 a.m. Parent-teacher conferences are also scheduled for that day from 4:30 to 7 p.m.
   On Wednesday, March 26, there will be an early-release day with a presentation by Isabel Burk on “Secrets of the Street” from 1-3 p.m. which is free and open to the public.
   Of “special note” Jennings announced that Eric Zeltwanger, junior, and Sean Kelty, senior, qualified for the National DECA Competition with a 2nd place finish in the state competition in the category of “Financial Analysis.” The national event will be held on April 26-29 in Atlanta, Ga.
   The next Bremen Board of School Trustees meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 15 at 7:30 p.m. in the High School Library-Media Center.