MCHS Vocal kids heading to Branson

Mercer County High School vocal music instructor Abby Hicks will be taking several students to Branson, Mo. to next year.

Hicks estimates there will be 30 members of the show choir attending as well as four or five chaperones. The cost of the trip is $675 per student but could be less if she can sign 40 students to attend. "They will be singing on a dinner cruise," said Hicks. "Rockridge is taking the trip this summer." Hicks plans to preview the trip this year and then take her students the next year June 4-7.

The Mercer County School Board approved the trip at their March 12 meeting.

Boucher discussed the new school calendar for next year noting the teachers had a lot of input on the calendar. "The teacher's union brought five to six representatives and then we put out a survey to the staff afterward," said Boucher.

New Boston Elementary School Principal Nancy Robinson said the new security cameras have been installed at the school and all but one of them is running but, as of that day, they had nothing to view them on.

Robinson said they IHSA pep assembly was a hit. MCHS football coach Nat Zunkel brought several athletes and drummers to the assembly and the players offered words of wisdom for the children.

Apollo Principal Bill Fleuette reported that The Jump Rope for Heart campaign netted $8,000 this year for the American Heart Association.

Fleuette said that a request for art supplies to Dick Blick brought in nine pallets of art supplies for the school. Fleuette said he delivered a card of thanks to the retailer and the board indicated it would be honoring Dick Blick at its next meeting. Fleuette said there were so many items on the pallet that they are sharing the wealth with the other schools in its area.

MCHS Principal Gavin Sronce gave a glowing report about a welding simulator program that he believes is a great fit for the high school. The board agreed and will dedicate about $5,000 to the program from its technology budget. The Ag department procured a matching grant.

"You can learn without burning your fingers off," said Sronce. "I think it will be good for newbies and veteran guys."

The intermediate school is planning a fifth and sixth grade art show in late April, early May.

The board renewed its IHSA membership.