School notes: Margaretta, SMCC, Port Clinton, Clyde

Want to see your student or teacher featured on the Schools page? Email news and photos to reporter Caitlin Nearhood at nearhood@sanduskyregister.com, or call 419-609-5849 for more information. CASTALIA • Before their holiday break, Margaretta Elementary students and staff participated in a series of Christmas- and winter-themed games in the school's gym. • Margaretta Schools cafeteria employees Marilou Neill and Linda Elliott will retire Dec. 31. Marilou is retiring after 31 years and Linda completes her career after 22 years. SANDUSKY Last week, members of St. Mary Central Catholic High School's boys basketball team sang Christmas carols at the Ohio Veterans Home. The event was followed by pizza and a gift exchange back at school. PORT CLINTON • On Dec. 12, Port Clinton High School hosted a "Student Wellness Day" for students organized by high school staff with the help of the Ottawa County Prevention Coalition and NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness). Students heard presentations on substance abuse and suicide prevention. The program RUOK? provided education on understanding and preventing suicide and on what helps to establish or maintain mental health wellness, where to get help and how to get help. Presenters were from NAMI Northwest, serving Seneca, Ottawa, Wyandot and Huron counties. The Ottawa County Prevention Coalition through the Ottawa County Health Department and Drug Task Force spoke to students about substance abuse in Ottawa County, educating students on the physical and emotional effects of drug use and that there are people and agencies in Ottawa County available to help. NAMI Northwest Ohio's Katelynn Sheppard shared her compelling personal story and struggles with addiction. After a morning of tough topics, time was built in the afternoon for discussion and connecting with each other. The afternoon wasn't all fun and games, student sessions taught different methods of unwinding and unplugging. Staff led sessions like crocheting, quiet reading, euchre, meditation, Chinese calligraphy, woodworking and more. The event was organized by assistant principal Brian Hughes, counselor Heidi Steyer and principal Gary Steyer. Speakers that day included Michelle Veliz, Trevor Johnson, Julie Richards and Ann Rusher from NAMI Northwest Ohio. • Bataan Memorial Intermediate hosted its annual program on Dec. 14 to benefit the local Holiday Bureau. Students brought a non-perishable food item to donate and then enjoyed a sing along of some holiday favorites. Bataan Intermediate music teacher Toby Farrell coordinated the musical entertainment, which included the Bataan Intermediate show choir, bell choir and recorder choir. This program is a tradition that began in the 1970s by then-principal Bill Pope at the former Jefferson Elementary School. CLYDE • Members of Clyde High School's Teen Leadership Corps met with freshmen students last week for mentoring sessions, during which they discussed topics like peer pressure, social media and healthy relationships.