Gamma Sigma Chatter
THE DELTA KAPPA GAMMA SOCIETY INTERNATIONAL
OHIO STATE ORGANIZATION ~ DKG
Volume 22 ~ February 2020 Issue
Educator in Action
Gamma Sigma member, Katrina Carpenter, Education Specialist for Perry County Waste Reduction and Recycling, works with New Lexington Elementary students to create an experiment to determine what will decompose into compost soil by spring. Students were responsible for bringing trash items in to add to the experiment and for making predictions about what they think would decompose. We can't wait to hear what they learn.
COUNTING REALLY MATTERS
Amber Kohler, a Partnership Specialist for the U.S. Census Bureau, spoke at our September meeting about the importance the census data has on educational funding. She shared how important the accuracy of the count is in determining the allocation of funds schools receive. The 2020 count will affect things such as: special education services, Head Start, after-school programs, classroom technology and food services for the next ten years. Ms. Kohler urged members to help educate the public about how important an accurate census count is. Melissa Marolt, Director of the Perry County District Library, shared how the public can complete the necessary census questionnaire at any of the county libraries.
BE WISE CAMP ATTENDEES OFFER IMPRESSIVE REPORTS
Five of the nine middle school girls who attended the 2019 Be Wise Camp at Kenyon College were in attendance at our October meeting and shared their experiences and lessons learned at the camp. According to Be Wise, the camp is designed to develop interest, excitement and self confidence in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. Our chapter, under the direction of Deb Adam and Louann Henderson, secured funding to enable nine girls to attend the 2019 Be WISE Camp. Both Deb and Louann worked diligently with corporate sponsors and community organizations to ensure several Perry County girls were able to attend this amazing week-long camp. Our chapter used funds we raised to sponsor one of the girls. This was our chapter's second year of sending girls to Be Wise Camp.
2019 Camp Attendees
An attendee from Sheridan Middle School
An attendee from Crooksville Middle School
Beat Michigan!
Both Melody Blake and Susan Wills attended the Fall Ohio State Organization Executive Board Meeting in October. The declining membership of DKG internationally and in our Ohio State Organization was a major topic of discussion. Ohio State Organization President, Diana Kirkpatrick, shared a challenge the Ohio State Organization and Michigan State Organization have collaborated on to make building our membership fun. The Buckeye - Cherry Membership Challenge began on Sept. 1, 2019, and will run for a period of one year. Each chapter is encouraged to grow their chapter membership during this time period. The team, either Ohio State Organization or Michigan State Organization, with the most new members by percentage will be declared the winner. The losing team will donate $100 to the DKG Educational Foundation in the name of the winner. Gamma Sigma members who attended our October meeting were provided with a buckeye treat and given a take-home tag as a reminder to recruit new members for our chapter.
Christmas Auction
Our Special Projects Committee organized another successful Christmas Auction at our November meeting. Proceeds funded our Gamma Sigma Grant-In-Aid. This Grant -in-Aid is awarded to a Perry County senior student who plans to major in education.
LOOKING AHEAD
- March 16 ~ Crooksville K-8 Library, Judge LuAnn Cooperrider will share about Famous Trials. Membership applications will be available this night for potential new members.
- April 27 ~ New Lexington High School, A Night of Service. It is not too early to start gathering early literacy books. Come and enjoy fellowship as we make blankets for foster children.
- May 18 ~ Thornville Masonic Lodge, Installation of New Officers, John Ulmer will speak about Perry County activities.
2020 Summer Trip
Members who went on the summer trip to Marietta last July raved about the planning, fellowship and overall fun they had. Please come to the April meeting with ideas for another trip this summer.
CHAPTER CONTACTS
President: Melody Blake, melody.blake13@gmail.com
First Vice President: Susan Wills, sueellewills2@gmail.com
Second Vice President: Louann Henderson, louannsh@msn.com
Secretary: Debbie Adam, mdadam@sbcglobal.net
Treasurer: Jenny Mohler, jennymohler74@gmail.com
Newsletter editors: Melody Blake, melody.blake13@gmail.com & Susan Wills, sueellewills2@gmail.com
Chapter website: https://gammasigmapc.weebly.com/
Mission Statement:
The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International promotes professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education. To unite women educators of the world in a genuine spiritual fellowship.