Teens ‘locked in’ to mock accident

More than 500 students experienced a mock vehicle accident that could influence their driving when it’s their turn behind the wheel.

Northeastern High School hosted the accident scene, inviting all its students plus Randolph Southern’s juniors and seniors.

NHS Principal John Markward told the school board at its Sept. 17 meeting that all the students were “locked in and paying attention.”

He said some teens became a little woozy from seeing the blood makeup used on the “victims.”

Seeing the “injuries” really affected some of the students whose siblings participated in the accident, he said.

Markward thanked area law enforcement and first responders who helped with the planning, which started last year, and those who participated that day. Two partners included CareFlight and Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, which recorded the happenings with a drone.

The crashed vehicles stayed in the school parking lot through Homecoming weekend.

Markward said the event went “flawlessly,” although a debriefing was planned to discuss potential improvements. He has set a goal of repeating the accident every three years.

In other business

With 4-0 votes, the board approved agreements with Indiana University to provide courses for high school students interested in becoming teachers, Centerstone for its counseling and social services for qualifying students, Reid Health for athletic trainer services, and Mazi Education for English language development services.

For $3,000 per year, Mazi works virtually with students. Northeastern doesn’t currently have anyone with an English learners license. Board member Angela Smith was absent.

• Marci Lindahl, Communities in Schools site coordinator support, filled in at Northeastern Middle School until Haley Dingwerth assumed NMS’ site coordinator role. Kathy Loomis serves Northeastern Elementary and Linette Dillevig serves NHS.
• Northeastern’s previous superintendent said a second ag teacher opening would not be filled, but Superintendent Jennifer O’Brien said a search has begun for a teacher to start in January.
• Northeastern Early Learning Center is full with 48 students and has a wait list even after adding a preschool class.
• Williamsburg Lions Club donated $1,000 for NES reading supplies.
• Northeastern received an exemplary behavior report for sportsmanship. During the cross country Randolph Invitational, NHS’ Nicolas Markward was running his cool down when he saw a middle school girl from a different school struggling and stopped to encourage her.
• Northeastern Elementary teachers are visiting Fairview Elementary in Richmond to observe teachers utilizing NES’ new reading materials.
• Eighth graders attended a Junior Achievement event in New Castle to visit business booths, pitch a concept in 30 seconds and use career exploration virtual reality headsets.
• Judy Jackson, who runs the reset room at Northeastern Elementary, completed coursework to be a Certified Mindfulness Practitioner, offering evidence-based intervention for anxiety, trauma and behavior.
• John Roberts asked the board to allow a truck/tractor pull to benefit FFA at the test plot at the east ball diamonds. Northeastern owns the land. He’s active in the Darke County Tractor Pullers Association and said the cost for a track would be minimal because he could secure volunteers and donations. The board took the suggestion under advisement.
• One policy was modified to include additional permissible reasons to meet in executive session (employee specific compensation or employment matters of individual employees) to match new state laws. Two additional policies on mandatory curriculum and audio/video/digital recordings of meetings advanced to second readings.

The board’s next meeting begins at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15, in the student services building, 7299 U.S. 27 N., Fountain City. The public may attend.