Byesville Rotary learns about GCBDD then and now

Pictured: Kelly Brown, Superintendent of GCBDD; Ashley Crawford, Pr for GCBDD; and Chuck Fair, President, Byesville Rotary.

Guernsey County Board of Developmental Disabilities (GCBDD) is celebrating almost 60 years of service to Guernsey County. Kelly Brown, Superintendent of the GCBDD, explained that in the 1950’s, parents were told that disabled children would not thrive. Many children were warehoused in institutions which were woefully understaffed and were able to provide only the basics of shelter, food and clothing. This type of environment insured that the children did not thrive.

Kelly stated that in 1957, a group of parents and interested people in Guernsey County established the Guernsey Council of Retarded Children with the object of raising funds to provide special classes for disabled children. The first class consisted of 8 children. The original organization was authorized by the Guernsey County Child Welfare Board.

Om 1969, an adult program was added to provide training to disabled adults. By that time, the Guernsey Council of Retarded Children was supporting 3 classes of school aged children. The adult classes attracted 44 students from Guernsey and Noble Counties. Each adult student paid tuition in order to attend class.

Kelly went on to say that as needs changed, additional services were requested. Kelly pointed out that a major change in thinking about working with disabled person also took place. Caregivers began to demand that the disabled should not be just warehoused in large wards, They wanted their disabled loved ones to be more engaged and prepared to deal with normal activities of life such as learning how to find a job, hold down a job, live as independently as possible, and develop to the highest degree possible.

A big step was taken in 1972 when the board established the Golden Rule School. As times and services changed, the name of the Guernsey Council of Retarded Children also changed to the Guernsey County Board of Developmental Disabilities.

Brown and, Ashley Crawford, newly hired to provide PR for the GCBDD, pointed out that in October the organization celebrated National Disability Employment Awareness month. They shared some interesting facts about how well disabled persons do as employees. Currently the GCBDD has 22 disabled persons employed by businesses in the local community. Disabled people develop into flexible employees who have better than average attendance rates. Their performance on the job is typically average or above average and so are their requests for sick days.

Connect with Byesville Rotary at: www.Byesvillerotary.blogspot.com or https://www.facebook.com/pages/Byesville-Rotary/256548047818283. The club meets 7:30 am, Tuesday at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Walk-ins are welcome at the club’s meeting.

Byesville Rotary learns about Guernsey County Library and Rolling Hills partnership.

Pictured: Natalie Warren, Rolling Hills Program Coordinator; Donna King, Children’s Librarian Guernsey County District Public Library; and Shana Fair, Speaker Host.

“Libraries are the gate to the future.” Donna King, Children’s Librarian at Guernsey County Public Library, introduced herself by quoting from children’s author Neil Gaiman. The Guernsey County Library offers programming that helps prepare kids for their future. King added that this year children’s programming is being offered at Main and Byesville as well as at Crossroads.

King has been a children’s librarian for over 25 years. She stated that she “loves her job. It is never boring, always changing, and when children’s eyes light up with wonder, it includes a little ‘magic’.”

King said the library offers programming for infants to teens. Many programs are aimed at pre-school children and kindergarteners. Some children in these age groups enter school lacking the literacy skills they need to be successful in school. Participating in library programs is one way to introducing babies and toddlers to books which will help them develop needed literacy skills. Information about fall programming for children and youth can be found on the library’s home page at http://www.gcdpl.lib.oh.us/ .

King stated that in addition to providing programs to organizations such as Head Start and other pre-school organizations, library staff helps interested parents and caregivers develop habits that will help their children develop reading skills. King pointed out that activities as easy as sitting down with a child, looking at a picture book, and talking with the child about the pictures is a great start. Adults can also recite nursery rhymes or sing songs with their kids. More tips for helping children get ready to read can be found at http://everychildreadytoread.org .

Natalie Warren, grant program coordinator for the Rolling Hills School district, accompanied Hill to the meeting. Guernsey County Library and Rolling Hills are partners in a joint project funded by a $200,000 21^st Century Community Learning Center Competitive Grant. Warren reported that over 200 Ohio schools applied for the grant. Rolling Hills is 1 of 20 schools that received the grant.

At Rolling Hills, the program funded by the grant is called C.O.L.T.S. Club. Warren explained the program offers before and after school activities focusing on 4 areas—reading/literacy, math, student development, and family engagement. She stated that economically disadvantaged students showing low performance in language arts and math were invited to participate. Sixty slots were quickly filled. The program currently has a waiting list indicating parents recognize the need for additional educational opportunities.

Warren explained that students enrolled in C.O.L.T.S. may arrive early at school. Help in reading and math is offered in morning sessions. After school sessions offer snacks and homework help. Mondays and Tuesdays, students will focus on reading and literacy; on Wednesdays, math. Thursday activities vary and include family fun nights, athletics, game nights, field trips, and technology exploration.

Connect with Byesville Rotary at: www.Byesvillerotary.blogspot.com or https://www.facebook.com/pages/Byesville-Rotary/256548047818283. The club meets 7:30 am, Tuesday at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Walk-ins are welcome at the club’s meeting.

Byesville Rotary plans for Christmas giving

Pictured: A couple of Santa’s elves ready to Stuff Santa’s Stocking.

Byesville Rotary members have a busy holiday schedule which starts Saturday, October 8, with their first fundraiser for the club’s annual Christmas food basket program. Club members will be standing in the Main and 2^nd street intersection asking community members to help Stuff Santa’s Stocking. Watch for Rotarians holding Christmas stockings.

Monies raised will be used to help provide food baskets for 150 to 200 families living in the Rolling Hills School District. The club estimates that they will be providing food for about 600—800 people. Each family will receive one box of perishables including a turkey and one box of non-perishables and canned goods. The club will be holding sign-ups for the Christmas baskets in October. Baskets will be distributed on Saturday, December 18.

At the club’s December 6 meeting, club members will celebrate Christmas early. Each club member is asked to bring gifts for kids to this meeting. The gifts will be donated to the Meadow Brook Interact club in support of their Angel Tree project and to the Secret Santa program.

The club will also host a Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, December 10. Pancakes, eggs and sausage are on the menu. Santa will be at the breakfast and free pictures with Santa will be provided with the purchase of a breakfast.

The club will be partnering with the Meadow Brook Interact Club and the Rolling Hills Schools to collect canned goods and other non-perishables for the Christmas food baskets.

Connect with Byesville Rotary at: www.Byesvillerotary.blogspot.com or https://www.facebook.com/pages/Byesville-Rotary/256548047818283. The club meets 7:30 am, Tuesday at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Walk-ins are welcome at the club’s meeting.