Seventy-five people gathered to recognize students who made great strides incredit recovery through the Student Achievement Program, May 29.

Ottawa County Juvenile Court Judge Kathleen Geisler with some of the people honored May 29 at the Student Achievement Program.

Twenty-three students took advantage of SAP this year. Of those, eight students earned enough credits to graduate from high school and five students completed two years' worth of work in one year.
SAP is a program of the Ottawa County Juvenile Court in partnership with the Department of Job and Family Services and the EHOESC. It provides an educational alternative to the traditional classroom. Students who are credit deficient complete all their courses online. Students hear a variety of speakers and take numerous field trips. They also participate in physical education, counseling, and life skills development. Personal growth, self-awareness, interpersonal skills and responsibility for one's behavior are stressed throughout the program.

Some of the highlights of the year were a tour of Guardian Industries in Millbury, a presentation by Captain Steve Levorchick on the Ottawa County Special Response Team, completion of a First Aid/CPR course, and participation in Tiger Woods' "The First Tee" golf program at the Oak Harbor Golf Club.

Originally published July 21, 2008, Port Clinton News Herald

School board honors Flagship Award winners
News Herald reports

PORT CLINTON -- At the April 22 meeting, the Port Clinton Board of Education recognized the following individuals with Flagship Awards.

Flagship Award winners were honored at the April 22 Port Clinton Board of Education Meeting. Pictured left to right: Patrick Adkins, superintendent of Schools, with Flagship Award recipients Jack Berning, Michelle Kodak, Suzanne Cuevas, Donna Drusbacky, Judge Kathleen Giesler and Board of Education President David Belden.

Judge Kathleen Giesler, Crew Award; There is no greater advocate for children in Ottawa County than Juvenile Court Judge Kathleen Giesler. She is a strong supporter of education and is a true partner with the Port Clinton City School District. Her cooperation and concern for the well-being of children has made a great impact on the students of this district.
In constant cooperation with the administration of Port Clinton City Schools, Giesler has initiated numerous programs. The SAP program offers students a second chance at high school graduation. Her court also sponsors the "You Gotta Love Parents" Week Essay contest for fourth grade students to honor their parents and practice writing skills.
Grade five students also visit the court each year and participate in a mock trial then tour her court.
Bataan Crossing Guards, Suzanne Cuevas, Donna Drusbacky, Erin Gibbons, Michelle Kodak, and Rachel Lawson, First Mate Award; Through rain, sleet, or snow the Bataan Crossing Guards reported to duty to keep the children of Bataan Memorial Elementary School safe. They help students cross the street and monitor traffic in the area.
These volunteers answered the call to help when the transition teams determined the need for adult crossing guards due to the district reconfiguration. These dedicated individuals help each school day in the morning and afternoon to improve the safety of our students. Under the direction of Physical Education Teacher Adam Siefke, they have continued to come day after day, week after week, and have truly endured some undesirable weather conditions.
Jack Berning, Captain Award; If you ever need help, no matter what the reason, Jack Berning at PCHS is at your service. For the past 14 years, Berning has been in charge of maintenance at Port Clinton High School. The high school is the hub of activity for the community and he graciously works with others to make sure that PCHS is ready to welcome the many students and guests that enter the doors on any given day, officials say.
He works closely with all staff making repairs, doing electrical work, pulling wires/cords for computer equipment, and much more. If you ask Berning to do something it is done.
It is true, his job is to know all about the high school building...but his eagerness to help and pleasant nature makes Jack Berning special. Berning is always accessible, willing to help, and his knowledge makes each job easier, he is a true member of the team.
The Flagship Awards are part of Port Clinton City School District's recognition program to honor parents, community members, staff and students that help the district fulfill its motto of "Proudly Charting a Course for Success.

Originally published May 5, 2008, Port Clinton News Herald

CASA gains independence
Ottawa County has its own children's advocate program
By CATHARINE HADLEY
Port Clinton News Herald

Jonathon Bird/News Herald Leslie Lynch, the director of CASA, looks over some paperwork along with Connie Snyder and Kami Sayre.

A local program that represents children in court has now become independent.
The Ottawa County Court-Appointed Special Advocate program, which had been part of the Erie County program, became an independent nonprofit organization earlier this month.

Volunteers speak for children during court proceedings.

Ottawa County Juvenile Court Judge Kathleen Geisler said the program has been established for a few years. "We wanted to start a CASA program and through the help of Erie County we were able to do that jointly with them," she said. "I really appreciate all that Erie County did for us in getting it started."
She said the work of the volunteers help her do a better job.

"I'm called upon in cases involving abuse, neglected and/or dependent children based on what I hear in the court," Geisler said. CASA volunteers give her more information, which is "valuable in making better decisions," she said.

"They are literally the voice of the child in the courtroom. Children don't come to court in those kinds of cases, and they are able to provide that information that the child has given, that information that they see at home, and it is invaluable for me to make the best decisions that I can," she said. "I can only make decisions regarding those types of cases with information given to me in the courtroom or pre-trial conferences."

Geisler said she receives some information from a child's caseworker, "but they have a caseload and they can only do so much."

"She's very interested in what we have to say," said Leslie Lynch, new CASA director. Along with Geisler, Lynch said the program has received support from Ottawa County Common Pleas Court Magistrate Bruce Winters and State Rep. Chris Redfern.

Lynch said it was time for the local CASA to separate from the Erie County branch. "Erie and Ottawa County, our populations are just very different, and so they kind of mentored us for the last three years and we felt that now was a good time to kind of spread our wings and go out on our own." =

She said the volunteers do thorough research on behalf of the children they represent before they go into the courtroom.

The children are abused, neglected or "dependent on the court to find them a place to live, someone that's going to care for this child," Lynch said.

"We see the worst of the worst," she said. Volunteers gather information about the child through family members and school personnel. "We have a court order stating that we can collect information from doctor's offices, psychological records ... We always get police reports, check the police departments and see what's going on, if the parents have been in trouble before."

The program checks the background of prospective volunteers, then gives them 30 hours of training before they take a case.

"We really need more volunteers," Lynch said. The local program has about 15 volunteers, who learn about domestic violence, substance abuse, neglect and anger management as part of their training.

Volunteer Connie Snyder said she has learned "how to spot some of those things when you're dealing with a case," she said, including "how to ask a child pertinent questions."

She said the work takes a considerable commitment of time. "We're not allowed to have more than two cases," she said. "The total number of hours you put in a month is anywhere from two to 30."

"When you get a case, it's not over in six months," she said. A CASA volunteer may follow a child's progress until the child turns 18 years old, Snyder.

Snyder was the Volunteer of the Year last year. "The biggest reward as a volunteer is to see happy smiling children," she said. "They're allowed to be children again."

Kami Sayre is the funding coordinator for the program, which recently became a non-profit organization.

"We get a lot of our money from the United Way, and we're also funded by the courts," she said.

Lynch said the program is run on a "shoestring budget," and fundraisers will be planned in the future.

Originally published January 23, 2008, Port Clinton News Herald

Juvenile court will now accept credit cards Ottawa County Juvenile Court has announced that it is now accepting major credit cards including MasterCard, Discover and American Express, along with debit cards that have the MasterCard logo.

The leading payment transaction provider, Official Payments Corp., will charge a nominal fee for this service. Payments will be accepted for court costs, fines and deposits in person at the court, online at www.officialpayments.com or by calling (800) 272-9829. At the prompt, enter jurisdiction code 4578.

Methods of payment now include cash, cashier check, money order, personal checks, and credit and debit cards.

Ottawa Co. CASA swears in volunteers
News Herald reports

The new Ottawa County CASA/GAL volunteers stand with Judge Kathleen Giesler (left), Krista Underwood, Tara Myers, Nichole Velliquette, Lolita Blay, Ottawa County CASA Director Leslie Lynch, Yvonne Hall and Candy Bensch.

Juvenile Court Judge Kathleen Giesler had the opportunity to swear in six new Ottawa County CASA/GAL volunteers.
The Court Appointed Special Advocate mission is to support and promote advocacy for abused, neglected and dependent children.
The CASA volunteer's job is to ensure that the best interests of the child are represented in all court proceedings.
These volunteers are the eyes and ears of the juvenile court judge by providing pertinent information to help in the decision-making process. The information is vital in helping to provide a safe and healthy environment for children. The main quality needed when deciding to become a CASA volunteer is the desire to make a difference in a child's life.
For information about the program, contact the CASA office at (419) 734-7705

Originally published July 3, 2007, Port Clinton News Herald

To Top

By ROBERTA REDFERN
News Herald correspondent

Truman took on the role four years ago and now works closely with the Ottawa County Juvenile and Probate Court and Judge Kathleen Giesler, who took the bench in February 2003. The overall goal of the mediation program is to keep students in school and out of court -- the less apparent goal is to deal with underlying issues that result in problems later.

"It really gets the parents involved in what the kids are doing in school, as well as the problems of why they are not getting up and going in the first place.," Truman said. "We definitely try to keep the kids from standing in front of the judge. Mediation is just one bite of the apple."

"Everything has been pretty positive for us. The first year we took over (and implemented the program) there were a lot of students who had been cited into court. The trend has been that we have more kids attending school on a regular basis. And the schools are getting more involved and getting them into mediation too before we have to send in a (truancy) notice."

At Port Clinton High School, there has been a push to make student attendance a priority,

even before the judge's mediation program was in place, said Bob Beck, assistant principal at PCHS.

"Over the last few school years we have put a stronger emphasis on attendance and have been working hard with the judge on the programs she has implemented," Beck said. "Our attendance rates have increased the last two or three years, and as those rates go up, our students have a greater opportunity to excel in the educational arena because we have worked on this."

In the program's first year, Truman was a part of 11 mediations. The program has grown so much, that during the last school year, he was involved in 186 mediation referrals.

Although Truman was no stranger to controversy and sometimes butted heads with public officials during his time as Genoa police chief, his dedication to the community he was working in must have been apparent to some. The 58-year-old was approached to take on the attendance position shortly after his retirement while he was doing some work for a private investigative agency.

While he works on all aspects of school law in his position, he concentrates mostly on the truancy aspect. The program goes beyond working within the mediation process -- Truman also provides education on the subject to students in the classroom through talks and hands-on activity to improve student success. He believes in the cause strongly, even offering to come into the family's home and work on issues if need be.

"When they told me about the program, I said 'Where do I sign?' This way I can still be involved with the community and the schools," he said.

Originally published September 8, 2005 Port Clinton News Herald

To Top

The cost of high school dropouts is huge for Ohio. Although the state and area school districts are implementing programs to get students to stay in school, more work needs to be done.

The statistics are staggering. According to information gathered for a three-day series that we published on the dropout problem here and across the state, the financial toll in Ohio is as much as $8 billion, which includes lost productivity and funding for adult educational services, welfare, indigent health care, legal fees and incarceration.

An estimated 45,000 Ohio teenagers are projected to dropout this year, about as many students enrolled at Ohio State University in Columbus. That's three out of every 10 students.

Many of the dropouts will earn General Education Development diplomas, but education and employment experts say the GED isn't the same as a high school diploma. Although it's better than no diploma, a person holding a GED will have more difficulty finding a job and will be paid less over their lifetime than a person with a regular diploma.

A variety of programs are in place or being developed in the area to keep students in school.

In Ottawa County, Juvenile and Probate Judge Kathleen Giesler has started programs, including the Student Achievement Program, which seeks to cut down on truancy.

Port Clinton schools have started the Virtual Learning Academy, a Web-based program that helps students keep track of their class credits and stay in school.

At Fremont Ross, new Principal Sandy Werling wants to cut into a 16 percent dropout rate by creating a dropout prevention team that includes Werling, guidance counselors, attendance clerks and students.

Clyde High School uses a different learning environment at its Alternative Learning Center to keep students on track for a diploma.
These and other programs are necessary, and more needs to be done to keep kids in school. It costs less in the long run.

Originally published September 20, 2005 Port Clinton News Herald

During this week, Ottawa County is once again celebrating Parents' Week. It is a time set aside specifically for the purpose of recognizing the vital role that parents play in the lives of our children.

As county spokesperson, I have the opportunity each year to visit all of the fourth graders at our area schools. After introducing myself and telling them a little bit about my job in the juvenile court, we get down to the business of talking about parents. I have come to the conclusion that we have some very good parents in our midst. That's not to say, however, that fourth graders do not have a bit of parenting advice to make good parents even better.

This year each of the school children were asked to contribute a tip for a parenting book that we are assembling for distribution during Parents' Week. Since we have more than 400 fourth graders in Ottawa County, responses were quite varied -- from "sit down and talk to me after school" to "don't get vegetable chips!"

There were three key areas, however, that seemed to emerge from the multitude of recommendations. It would be wise for our parents to heed their advice. Our 9- and 10-year-olds certainly have their opinions as to discipline. They do not like it when parents yell. Grounding is specifically frowned upon. Talk to your children about consequences. Give warnings before you apply discipline.

A popular response dealt with school and learning. Kids want their parents to help them with their homework. Ask them about school when the family gathers at the end of the day. Read to your children. Take them to the library.

Above all, many fourth graders want their parents to spend more time with them. How? They suggest that you play with your child. Eat dinner together. Help practice sports and attend their games. Take vacations. Simply pay attention to them.

We should be proud of our parents here in Ottawa County. In most instances, they are doing a great job.

A Portage fourth grader said it best, "Put a lot of good memories in your child's head for when they're older so they can look back and say what good parents I had."

Kathleen Giesler is the Ottawa County juvenile court and probate judge. She is also the county spokeswoman for the local Parents' Week celebration.


Originally published September 29, 2005

To Top

Ottawa County kicks off Parents Week

Ottawa County celebrated Parent's Week with a kickoff breakfast Tuesday in Oak Harbor.

Ottawa County Commissioners' President John Papcun read the proclamation for Ottawa County declaring Sept. 26 through Oct. 1 as "You Gotta Love Parents..." Week in Ottawa County.

Judge Kathleen L. Giesler of the Ottawa County Probate and Juvenile Courts is the spokesperson for Parent's Week and emphasized the "wonderful job" parents and caregivers do with raising the children in our community.

Fourth grade classes in the county were given the opportunity to write an essay on either "What Makes a Good Parent" or "I Hate It When My Parents...., But I Love It When My Parents..." The winners of the contests, as well as their parents, were recognized at the kickoff breakfast.

Winners included Quinton Babcock -- St. Boniface; Whitney Best -- Danbury; Hannah Kneisley -- Portage; Hannah Sarty -- ICS; Cheyenne Meek -- Jefferson; Shelby Gerwin -- Bataan; Alexandria Erd -- Allen; Megan Dunn -- Graytown; Amanda Sosa -- Carroll; Elyse Hablitzel -- RC Waters; Trinity Gephart -- Rocky Ridge; Madeline Pugh -- Put-In-Bay.

Each winner received a bag of prizes donated from local business. Cedar Point, Monsoon Lagoon, and African Safari Wildlife Park donated the grand prizes.

Community leaders, school officials and parents and grandparents were present to recognize and celebrate people raising children and to promote the role of positive parenting throughout the county.

The Parent's Week Committee consisted of Chairperson Kathy Booher, Judge Kathleen L. Giesler, Lori Clune, Gabi Felter, Carl Koebel, Marcia Jess, Ralph Yoss, Sue Harger, Susan Gore, and Sharon Hartenstein.

The event was sponsored by Family & Children First Council and made possible by the generous donations of Brush Wellman, Inc., Toledo Edison, Community Markets, and US Gypsum.


Originally published September 28, 2005

To Top

In early November, members of the newly formed Ottawa County Youth Leadership Group solicited donations by offering free lollipops to shoppers leaving Bassett's Market on East Harbor Road in Port Clinton.

Proceeds went to various organizations, such as Ruth Ann's House, Angel Tree and Toys for Tots, to help improve Christmas for kids in the community.

"It was really great of Bassett's to allow us to reach out to the community in front of their store," said Shannon Lang, adult chaperone of the Success Youth Program.

In order to successfully implement this project, the youth requested permission from Bassett's management to solicit donations, they made up slogans and created signs, as well as bought their own bags of lollipops. Over the past few meetings, they bought age appropriate gifts, stockings and stocking stuffers from local merchants. At a recent leadership meeting, members decorated and stuffed stockings for the children of Ruth Ann's House, which were individualized for each child. Christmas presents have been delivered to Angel Tree and Toys for Tots collection sites. During the week of Christmas, the group delivered the Christmas stockings to Linda Hartlaub, executive director of Ruth Ann's House.
The Ottawa County Youth Leadership Group was formed in early October and is comprised of the Youth Experiencing Success sponsored by Ottawa County Juvenile Court Judge Kathleen L. Geisler, The Youth Achievement Program of TDH Enterprises and the Success Youth Program of The Giving Tree.

The group holds weekly meetings at the Oak House on Buckeye Boulevard and are actively planning another community outreach project for the upcoming New Year.

To Top

The Student Achievement Program was formed in 2005 through the joint efforts of the Ottawa County Juvenile Court, the Erie-Huron-Ottawa Educational Service Center and the Ottawa County Department of Job and Family Services. Other agencies contributing to the success of the program include the Mental Health & Recovery Board of Erie and Ottawa Counties, the Ottawa County Commissioners, the Giving Tree and the Ottawa County Transportation Agency.

The goal of the program is to provide students with the necessary academic and life skills to be successful citizens with career-oriented goals. The students earn academic credits through a Virtual Learning Academy and are assisted by on-site tutors. In addition to the academic component, they can participate in counseling to address drug/alcohol issues, emotional distress and school performance. The Juvenile Court’s YES! Program coordinates youth leadership activities, mentoring, and employability skill-building sessions.

“Not all students are able to excel in the traditional learning environment. The VLA provides students an opportunity to complete their coursework at a pace compatible with their style of learning”, stated Juvenile Judge Kathleen Giesler. “This educational alternative allows students to be engaged and experience short-term successes that motivate them to continue in school”.

Danbury Superintendent Martin Fanning and High School Principals Jim Henline of Genoa, Keith Thorbahn of Oak Harbor and Dale VanLerberghe of Port Clinton presented certificates of Achievement to each student.

Also on hand to congratulate the students were Judge Giesler, Kent Watkins, Executive Director of the Ottawa County ESC and many members of the community.

Port Clinton Senior Amanda Thebeau completed all of her coursework a semester ahead of her classmates. She shared her experience of academic success and personal growth. Port Clinton Senior Shane Oliver went from being a “kid who smoked weed and didn’t care about the future to a college-bound student on his way to something great”. He told his underclassmen peers, “Obstacles are easy to overcome. You can go over or around them. Never let them stop you. The only thing that can stop you is yourself...”

Genoa Junior Justin Flores ranks first in the Student Achievement class and serves as Student Legislation President. Together with his classmates, he presented a power point presentation identifying the positive attributes of each of the students.

For more information regarding the program, contact the Ottawa County Juvenile Court at 419-734-6840.

To Top

Sheriff planning crackdown
Underage drinking could be to blame for recent deaths
By KRISTINA SMITH
Staff writer

PORT CLINTON — Authorities believe the deaths of two Ottawa County teens in the past month were related to underage drinking parties, the sheriff said.

Ottawa County Sheriff Bob Bratton would not comment on the cases because they are under investigation.

But local residents’ concerns regarding them and other underage parties has pushed Bratton, the Ottawa County Juvenile/Probate Court and other officials to crack down on illegal social gatherings. As the weather warms and graduations approach, officials expect these parties to become more prevalent.

Police agencies across the county plan to carefully watch for these events and arrest parents who play host and those younger than 21 who drink, Bratton said.

“We’re not trying to catch people being bad,” said Lori Clune, juvenile/probate court administrator. “We’re trying to keep bad things from happening. We view it as a serious problem.”

Parents who allow their children and their children’s friends to drink in their home are not protected if they simply take car keys and refuse to let anyone drive home, Clune said.

“It’s not just the car accidents and drinking and driving,” Clune said. “It’s sexual assaults or someone drinking too much and choking on vomit.”

Parents who don’t know their children are drinking in someone else’s home could also take legal action against those who allow the parties in their homes, Bratton said. Officials want to hold parents who play host accountable.

“The parents want to be their kids’ friends,” Clune said. “They want to be cool.”

Being cool comes at a price. They could be charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor, a misdemeanor that carries a maximum punishment of 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine, Clune said.

Drinkers younger than 21 face an underage drinking charge, a misdemeanor that carries a maximum punishment of 30 days in jail and a $250 fine.

While some parents are happy to host, others don’t know their children are having parties.

“They could be out of town or out with friends,” Clune said. “By the time they get home at 2 in the morning, the party is over.”

Police agencies have not busted any of these parties but found out about them after they occurred, Bratton said.

He and Clune are asking parents and community members to watch out for these gatherings and to let law enforcement know they are happening. Some have already lent their help by asking for increased enforcement.

At least four worried parents have called Bratton at home to discuss the two teens’ deaths, which occurred in the past month.

“We don’t want to see it happen again,” Bratton said.

Juvenile court and the sheriff’s office are doing everything they can to make parents aware of the problem and the plan to curb the drinking, including an advertisement in the News Herald.

“The first logical procedure seems to be to educate the parents,” said Lynn DeTray, director of probation and court services for juvenile/probate court. “(Hosting) just isn’t worth it. I think there’s a lot of parents out there who are smart enough to internalize that.”

Meanwhile, law enforcement officers are changing how they handle underage drinking parties, Bratton said. Instead of waiting until after the offenders have been released to their parents to get statements, officers will hold the minors until they share their version of events.
Officials hope this procedure will make it easier to force teens to stick to their stories, Bratton said.

“The kids will not tell the truth,” he said. “We’ve had to dismiss charges because they have not maintained their story.”

Some of the county’s initiatives include measures that could affect legal drinkers.

Deputies plan to monitor area bars to make sure everyone drinking is of age and that bartenders do not serve to people who are already drunk. The Ohio State Highway Patrol is scheduled to set up checkpoints around the county to screen drivers, he said.

In June and July, the sheriff’s office plans to send a minor to local carryouts to see if he or she can buy liquor or beer illegally. The stores that make the sales will get a warning.

And if they make another illegal sale during the second operation, the sheriff’s office will fine them, Bratton said. Initial warnings should save stores money because they would normally get an immediate fine, he said.

“We’re showing them we want to work with them,” he said.

Originally published in the Port Clinton News Herald on May 16, 2006

To Top