Immigration legal services offered during parent-teacher conferences

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The Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation will host immigration legal case worker, Carina Requeno, at Akron Elementary School during parent-teacher conferences from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 15.

Ms. Requeno is associated with Immigrant Connection at The Bridge, a Department of Justice recognized and accredited immigration legal services office located in Logansport, Indiana.  Immigration Connection offers low cost immigration legal services to immigrants and refugees, including naturalization, legal permanent residency, temporary protected status, family-based petitions, DACA applications, work authorization, as well as many other immigration processes.

Their office has served over 1500 immigrants from over 75 different countries. The Logansport office is a part of the Immigrant Connection network which has 18 immigration legal offices across the United States. Ms. Requeno will be present during parent-teacher conferences to answer any immigration related questions and set up consultations as needed.  No appointment is necessary.

Akron Elementary School open house set for March 18

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Akron Elementary School will hold a public open house and dedication ceremony on Sunday, March 18, to officially welcome the new school building to the community.

The ceremony will begin at 2 p.m. in the Akron Elementary School gymnasium. State Senator Randy Head will be the keynote speaker. Other guest speakers will include Chrissy Mills, Akron Elementary School principal, Brett Boggs, Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation superintendent, Adam Heckaman, TVSC board of trustees’ president, Kirk Robinson, purchasing manager at Pike Lumber Company, Gunnar Crispen, Akron Elementary School student council president and Karegan Callahan, Akron Elementary School student council vice president.

Representatives from The Skillman Corporation, the construction company that managed the project, will present a plaque during the dedication ceremony. The building will be open for tours after the ceremony with Akron Elementary School teachers and staff available to answer questions.

The $17.6 million new construction and renovation project began in June 2016 after being approved by the school board in April 2015.

TVMS Honor Roll – February 2018

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Tippecanoe Valley Middle School

2017-18 School Year – HONOR ROLL

 

6th Grade-2nd Semester All “A”    

Anahi Ramirez Brito

Chesnee Miller

Elijah Love

Emily Holstein

Erika Henderson

Jorge DeLaRosa Jr.

Katelyn Stump

Kaylynn Miller

Lorna Apt

Makynna Rentschler

Valeria Garcia

Zoe Miller

7th Grade-2nd Semester All “A”

Abigail Bowers

Abigale Koch

Caden Davis

James Jacob Flinn

Jonathan Ruiz

Kaydence Mellott

Lily Ault

Madelyn Weaver

Makena Smith

Marcus Jansma

Molly Moriarty

8th Grade-2nd Semester All “A”

Andie Schwenger

Ava Rich

Brandon Hoffman

Cheney Canada

Damion Kohler

Mallory Durkes

Shane Wood

Sydney Petersen

6th Grade-2nd Semester All “A/B”

Abigail Goble

Adriana Vargas Hernandez

Aiden Kohler

Aliksandra Vera

Andrew Arroyo-Rodriguez

Braedon Wallace

Braiden Hurley

Brayden Farmer

Breanna Callaway

Bryauna Clodfelter

Carissa Stoneburner

Caroline Stump

Carson Craft

Chevy Rogers

Cody Black

Cody Eastgate

Corynn Whitworth

Dalton Alber

Damion Brown

Devin Boggs

Elias Ruiz

Erin VanMeter

Evan Richards

Giovanni Arriaga

Hailey Swope

Issiac Ramsey

Jadyn Virgil

Jailyn Johnston

JayShaun Tuttle

Jessa Schroeder

Jimena Ruiz

Jordan Shoemaker

Kiera Smythe

Kolyn Grossman

Kyler Johnson

Kynan Cords

Landon Durkes

Macy Petersen

Madeline Smith

Madison Poe

Nate Engstrand

Nathan Parker

Olivia Jones

Philip Smith

Porter Rich

Robert Burke

Shelby Becker

Sidney Nelson

Sierra Albert

Sydney Mills

Traddin Black

Trent Marshall

Wade Jones

7th Grade-1st Semester All “A/B”

Abigail Banghart

Alejandra Jimenez

Alex Parson

Alexander Bailey

Alexandra Ellenwood

Alexis Estep

Allyson Lozano

Annikan Pettit

Ashaya Martinez

Autumn Swindell

Breanna Messer

Brendyn Stump

Brian Isley

Brittany Benn

Cameron Lynch

Carissa Slone

Carolyn Schnitz

Corinna Stiles

Dawson Ault

Dominick Utter

Dylan Neese

Ella Myers

Emily Harter

Emily McGriff

Emma Wright

Evan Harsh

Evan Myers

Galvin Shambaugh

Gerardo Hernandez-De La Luz

Grant Nelson

Gregory Miller

Hailey Scott

Jessica Brito

Kaitlyn Ault

Kellan McNeiley

Kennedy Kohler

Kylee Trepanier

Lilly Lowe

Lucas Parson

Lydia Miller

MacKenzie Reese

Madison Smith

Micah Hume

Noah Prater

Noelia Ruiz

Nolan Cumberland

Paul Leasure

Rily Honeycutt

Shaylin Wilcox

Talia Holder

Tyler Jones

Wyatt Reiter

8th Grade-2nd Semester All “A/B”

Abigail Beliles

Alicia Johnson

Ashton Irwin

Brandon Hammer

Branson McBrier

Brayden Baney

Brianna Feldman

Brianna Sheetz

Bryce England

Caleb Petgen

Chloe Shepherd

Corrine Kimble

Cristian Garcia

Dakota Kimble

Damian Elliott-Neace

Destiny Spry

DJ Estep

Drake Montelongo

Emma Howard

Emma Tucker

Erika Poyser

Gavin Grossman

Grace Wilson

Grady McGriff

Haley Gamble

Hannah lowman

Jaeda Carpenter

Jamasyn Virgil

Jesse Scott

Joel Ordaz Cisneros

Kaiden Meade

Katelyn Lowman

Kaylee LaFollette

Keenan Deniston

Kyle McVay

Macy Kirchenstien

Madalyn Woodward

Malachi Ferrell

Mallory Bowers

Maressa Calderon

Maria Henderson

Mateo Salazar

Mercedes Snapp

Miranda Bays

Morgan Smith

Myra Jamison

Nataly Rodriguez

Nicole Ziemek

Owen Kirchenstien

Patrick O’Connell

Sage Shoemaker

Sarah Kelley

Sydney Rhamey

Wade Melanson

Yadira Garcia-Vera

Solar panels installed at Mentone Elementary School

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Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation is planning to use solar energy to offset the cost of electricity at Mentone Elementary School.

TVSC installed a 44-panel solar array on 1.5 acres of school property northeast of the school. The estimated annual energy output of the solar array will be enough to power the entire school. It is expected to officially begin producing electricity sometime in March.

“With concerns about reductions in state funding for public schools, it is imperative we continually explore opportunities that help our schools maintain educational programs and services by generating revenue in new and different ways,” said TVSC Superintendent Brett Boggs.

Revenue generated by the production of electricity will be used to cover the annual lease payment for the solar array. At the end of five years, the solar array will be purchased at fair market value and will belong to the school corporation.

The electricity produced by the solar array will be sold directly to Northern Indiana Public Service Company, which will credit the school corporation for the electricity produced.

“The value of the estimated energy produced by the solar array the first year will be well over $70,000, with additional revenue generated by carbon credits,” said Boggs.

The total installed cost of the solar array was $875,000. The system is being purchased from and installed by Ag Technologies of Rochester. The adjustable steel support systems for the solar panels were manufactured by Craig Welding & Manufacturing, Inc. of Mentone.

In the fall of 2014, TVSC began exploring solar energy as a means of providing electricity for some of its facilities. The board of trustees approved several resolutions at the Nov. 13, 2017, school board meeting regarding the solar array to officially get the project underway.

“Bringing solar power to Mentone Elementary School is a wise financial decision that will benefit the school corporation for many years to come,” said Boggs.

A school-wide conversion to LED lighting will be completed at Mentone Elementary School during the summer of 2018, which will result in improved lighting inside the school and consume less electricity.

Tippecanoe Valley has taken other initiatives in recent years to improve energy efficiency throughout its facilities. In 2009, a Guaranteed Energy Savings project was completed at the Burket Educational Center, which included a new geothermal heating and cooling system, renovation of restroom areas, a new roof and new energy-efficient doors and windows. In 2011, a wind turbine was built on the corporation’s main campus.

VALLEY INSIGHT: Working hard to equip students to be successful

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Written by Mentone Elementary School Principal Randy Dahms

As a principal, when I think about education today, I find myself looking at our current students and asking myself, “How do we best prepare our students to be successful in the ever changing world that they are going to live in?”  I suppose that education is like any other industry where there are current fads and trends.  In today’s world, it is critical for an organization to be able to step back and assess new ideas while at the same time, stay true to the values of what our school system believes in.  Tippecanoe Valley’s Vision Statement reads, “Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation does whatever it takes to equip all students to be outstanding today, tomorrow, and beyond.”  So what actions need to be taken to reach that admirable vision?

At Mentone Elementary, I am encouraged on a consistent basis to see our staff and the Mentone community reaching out and working tirelessly to form a positive culture. It’s typical around Mentone to see a staff member who is taking time out of their day to eat lunch with a student or to go out of their way to encourage them in some way.  Sometimes, I see our full-time school counselor reaching out and teaching classes along with frequently meeting with individual students throughout the day.  Our community plays a big role, as well.  Midwest Spring, a local business in Mentone that is owned by CJ Overmyer, has worked with us to form a partnership. Some of his workers come to the school with the goal of encouraging the students they are mentoring.   The Mentone Lions Club recently made a donation of funds to provide students with school supplies during this second semester.  Our local parent support group consistently comes in to help whenever there is a need.  Sometimes I see students encouraging each other during Family Groups when our fifth grade students are leading their younger peers in a monthly activity as we build a positive culture within our student body.

At Mentone Elementary it’s nice to see student growth and academic success.  This last school year, Mentone was an awarded an A by the Indiana Department of Education.  People can argue about the validity of these assessments, but as a principal, what I am most proud of is seeing the Professional Learning Community culture take hold at Mentone as we consistently look at individual student results/data over concepts that are essential to the grade level.  As a principal, it’s nice to see student growth on a day-to-day basis, and it is validating when your hard working staff is recognized for their efforts.

Mentone Elementary is the host site of two kindergarten readiness classes taught by certified teachers, the Little Vikings Developmental Preschool for young children with special needs, and a Head Start classroom that has been at Mentone for several years.  All of these programs exist to give our students the best start possible going into their kindergarten year.  The leadership of our school system has shown their commitment to meeting a local need in our community for children to receive a high quality preschool experience.  Numerous clubs and opportunities exist for students to participate in throughout the school year.

Though things in society may change, I believe there are principles that will stand the test of time such as commitment to excellence, building relationships, and refining practice to meet student needs.  These are pillars that Mentone Elementary will carry forward to meet our school system’s vision, “To do whatever it takes to equip all students to be outstanding today, tomorrow, and beyond.”

Valley Insight is a recurring monthly article written by administrators on a variety of topics related to education and the Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation. Articles will be posted to the district’s website and also shared with the local media.

Akron and Mentone Elementary Kindergarten Roundup set for March 19

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Akron Elementary School and Mentone Elementary School will host kindergarten roundup events on Monday, March 19, at 6:30 p.m. for parents or guardians wanting to enroll their child for the 2018-2019 school year.

Attendees will learn about the expectations of kindergarten, meet teachers and school staff members, tour each school, and discuss the variety of programs offered along with the subjects their child will be taught.

School nurses will be on hand to discuss the state-required vaccines and other medical-related documents a student needs to have on file at the start of school year. Parents planning to attend either kindergarten roundup event should bring their child’s birth certificate and immunization records.

Staff members at both schools will be helping parents with online registration in computer labs. Parents will need an email address or cell phone number to setup an account for online registration.

Free childcare will be provided at both events. An interpreter will also be available at Akron Elementary School for parents and children who primarily speak Spanish.

Children who are five years of age on or before August 1, 2018, are eligible to attend kindergarten.

Parents who cannot attend either kindergarten roundup event should call Mentone Elementary School at (574) 598-2590 or Akron Elementary School at (574) 598-2367 prior to March 19th for information on how to register their child.

Hannah Gibbons signs with University of Saint Francis

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Tippecanoe Valley High School senior Hannah Gibbons has officially signed on with the University of Saint Francis to continue her academic and track career next year. Gibbons, surrounded by her family and coaches, officially signed on Feb. 19.

Pictured in the front row from left to right are Joyce Gibbons, Hannah’s grandmother, Tammy Gibbons, mother, Hannah Gibbons, Jeff Gibbons, father, Max Gibbons, grandfather.

Pictured in the back row from left to right are Corey Birchmeier, USF Ass’t,  Jenny Moriarty, TVHS Head Track Coach, Jason Rice, TVHS Ass’t Coach, Kyle Allison, USF Head Track Coach

Mentone Kindergarten Readiness Center open house set for March 6th

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Parents seeking an alternative to traditional preschool can now register their kids for the Mentone Kindergarten Readiness Center for the 2018-2019 school year.

The program is taught by certified teachers using a research-based curriculum and ensures children are being taught with the skills that are essential to kindergarten. It runs three to five days a week from 8:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. at Mentone Elementary School located at 301 E. Jackson Street.

Parents who need to drop their children off earlier or later than the program’s scheduled hours can purchase additional childcare located inside the school through the Kosciusko Community YMCA Kid’s Club.

The costs of the program are $160 a month for five, full days a week or $145 a month for three to four days a week. Parents who meet certain financial guidelines can get a 25 percent discounted price per month.

A registration open house will be held on Tuesday, March 6th at 6 p.m. at Mentone Elementary in the Large Group Instruction room for parents wanting more information or to fill out an application.

Demand for the program is high. Interested parents are advised to register their child as soon as possible. Anyone with additional questions can contact the school at (574) 598-2590.

Kerlin Motors presents $6,000 check to TVHS

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Tippecanoe Valley High School was presented a $6,000 check from Kerlin Motors at the Feb. 12, 2018 school board meeting.

On Sept. 22nd, 2017, TVHS in partnership with Kerlin Ford of Silver Lake, sponsored a Drive 4 UR School event.

Brand new Ford vehicles were available to be test driven in the high school parking lot during the home football game. For every test drive taken that evening, the school received $20 with a maximum amount of $6,000. The money will be used to support programs at TVHS.

Picture from left to right are Val Kerlin, TVHS Principal Chad Cripe and Rick Kerlin

Rise’n Roll fundraiser happening at Akron Elementary through March 2

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The Akron Parent Support Group is sponsoring a fundraiser! Students are asked to sell Rise’n Roll products now until March 2nd.

Products include donuts, pies, cookies, jam, salsa, pickles and much more. All orders and money will need to be turned in by Friday, March 2nd. If you need more order forms, please see the office.

The top seller in the school will get a Walmart gift card. The top selling class will get a popcorn and movie party and the top selling grade will earn extra recess. Please help our school raise money!