Mentone Elementary collecting coins for Riley

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Mentone Elementary School Student Council is sponsoring a coin drive to raise money for the Kosciusko County Riley Kids Fund and Riley Hospital for Children.

This year’s goal is to raise $1,000 by filling a large jug with money, primarily pennies and other coins.

“We chose to focus on pennies because we felt like e very student would be able to participate in this,” said Rebecca Hartzler, school treasurer and student council co-advisor.

Half of the money raised will go to the Kosciusko County Riley Kids Fund to help the families of children that receive treatment at Riley Hospital for Children with expenses such as gas, food, and lodging.

The other half of the money will go directly to Riley Hospital for Children. The school will accept donations the week of Feb. 13 – 17. Checks will also be accepted and should be made out to Mentone Elementary School.

“This drive is important for us because we have had some students here benefit from the services Riley offers. We just want to make sure every child who needs medical care receives it,” said Hartzler.

The collection jar will be inside the main office at Mentone Elementary School, located at 301 E. Jackson Street. Anyone in the community interested in making a donation can stop by the office Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The student council will then present a check during WRSW Riley Radio Days in March for the total amount students collected.

Nominations sought for Tippecanoe Valley Distinguished Alumni Class of 2017

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The Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation is seeking nominations for the Tippecanoe Valley Distinguished Alumni Class of 2017.  Distinguished Alumni are graduates of Tippecanoe Valley High School, Akron High School, Beaver Dam High School, Burket High School, Mentone High School, or Talma High School (living or deceased) who have led successful lives while making substantial contributions to their chosen field of work or have provided outstanding service to their community, state, or country.  The Class of 2017 will serve as a vivid example for current and future students of what is possible for Tippecanoe Valley graduates.

Individuals selected as Tippecanoe Valley Distinguished Alumni will be asked to share their experiences with current Tippecanoe Valley High School students when they are honored publicly in September.

To nominate a graduate for the Tippecanoe Valley Distinguished Alumni Class of 2017, go to the corporation website at www.tvsc.k12.in.us.  Click on the Distinguished Alumni tab under Students or the Distinguished Alumni Quicklink in the middle of the page.  Select either Electronic Nomination or Download and Mail Nomination.

Paper copies of the Tippecanoe Valley Distinguished Alumni Nomination Form are available from the office of any Tippecanoe Valley school or the administration office.

Nominations are due no later than May 1, 2017.

Questions about the Tippecanoe Valley Distinguished Alumni may be directed to Tippecanoe Valley Superintendent of Schools Brett R. Boggs at 574-598-2759, ext. 2767.

Tippecanoe Valley High School to host blood drive February 3

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The Tippecanoe Valley High School student council will host a blood drive on Friday, February 3rd from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the high school gymnasium.

This is the third of four blood drives the high school student council hosts throughout the school year. The American Red Cross provides scholarship money to students depending on the number of blood donations collected at the blood drive.

The blood drive is open to anyone who meets the donor requirements outlined by the American Red Cross. Community members can also donate blood as long as they register before the event. People can register by calling Crystal Heckaman at (574) 598-2129 or email [email protected].

According to the American Red Cross, a blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

A blood drive hosted by the Tippecanoe Valley High School student council on Friday, December 2, collected 54 units of blood for the American Red Cross.

TVSC awarded $30,000 planning grant through counseling initiative

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The Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation has received a planning grant of $30,000 under Lilly Endowment Inc.’s Comprehensive Counseling Initiative for Indiana K-12 Students.

Lilly Endowment Inc. announced on Jan. 20 the recipients of planning grants in the first phase of its Comprehensive Counseling Initiative for Indiana K-12 Students, a five-year effort to strengthen how public school corporations and charter schools help students from elementary grades through high school prepare for academic, career, and personal success.

The Endowment is awarding a total of $9.14 million in planning grants to 284 public school corporations and charter schools in Indiana. The individual grants range from $8,302 to $50,000. The amounts for which the recipients could apply were based on the enrollment of each school corporation or charter school.

“This holds the potential to bring important opportunities that will be of tremendous benefit to our students, staff, and the community,” said TVSC Superintendent Brett Boggs.

As part of the planning grant process, a committee made up of staff members from all Tippecanoe Valley schools will spend the next three months collecting and analyzing data, assessing the district’s current counseling programs, identifying best practices, visiting programs, engaging community partners, and many other activities.

After the planning and study phase, Tippecanoe Valley will submit an implementation grant proposal to fund the strategies the committee develops to move the district closer to a comprehensive counseling model that addresses the academic, college, career, and social and emotional needs of its K-12 students.

“The Endowment is committing funds to this initiative because Indiana needs to increase significantly the number of K-12 students who are emotionally healthy, can realize academic success, and graduate from high school,” said Sara B. Cobb, the Endowment’s vice president for education.

Although the planning grant phase was not competitive, the implementation grants will be competitive. Implementation proposals, which must be submitted by May 19, 2017, can be used during a four-year grant period. Applicants may request up to $100 per student enrolled, and the amounts may range from $100,000 to $3 million. Nearly 1,800 students are currently enrolled in the Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation. Notification of implementation grant approvals is expected by Sept. 30, 2017.

About Lilly Endowment Inc.

Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly and his two sons, Eli and J.K. Jr., with gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical company. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion and maintains a special commitment to its hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana.

 

Aaron Zolman

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Kosciusko County native and Tippecanoe Valley graduate Aaron Zolman says he is looking forward to his new role as a school board member, which became effective on January 1, 2017.

“I am excited for my opportunity here to help our school continue to head in the right direction, and getting our students the best possible education, allowing them to become successful adults,” said Zolman.

Zolman was born in Warsaw, but grew up in Mentone. He graduated from Tippecanoe Valley High School in 2002 with an Academic Honors Diploma.

He then attended college at Indiana Tech, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering.  Zolman has a Journeyman’s Card with the U.S. Department of Labor for Design Drafter and Engineering Technician.

Zolman is also a certified Six Sigma Black Belt! He has served the community by teaching Junior Achievement for three years. He has also been a youth football coach.

Zolman worked for 10 years at Symmetry Medical in Warsaw. His most current position there was a special manufacturing engineer. He currently works at Medtronic, where he is part of the company’s advanced sourcing group out of Memphis, Tennessee, residing in Warsaw. He holds a position of sourcing engineer, where he focuses on new product introductions and commercialization.

Zolman has been married to Kacie Zolman for seven years. They have two daughters, Gwendolyn, age three, and Gia, age one.

TVHS Honor Roll | First Semester | 2016-2017 School Year

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Freshmen All A Honor Roll

Quintin Allen

Shelby Baker

Alyssa Bell

Caleigh Byrer

Colt Demske

Amber Evans

Valeria Jimenez

Faith Kamp

Kaitlyn Lewis

Aleesa Marshall

Alexis Michael

Jace Potter

Luke Prater

Delaney Sandbakken

Tucker Shull

Tanner Trippiedi

Shakira Vail

Kirstyn Yoder

Freshmen A & B Honor Roll

Evelin Alarcon

Allison Atwell

Amy Baca

Allison Betten

Cade Brouyette

Jaydin Conley

Emma Craig

Kole Dillon

Mayde Fear

Wendy Garcia

Nathaniel Heckman

Bethany Johnson

Kelton Johnson

Jakob Jones

Jadyn Kolesiak

Olivia Livengood

Tahya Lybarger

Allison Miller

Roni Newsome

Jalen Potter

Misael Ramirez

Jorge Rosas-Jimenez

Mercedes Roszak

Michael Schuster

Mitchell Smith

Tracy Smith

Grace Smythe

Jasten Snapp

Mason Stephen

Jaxon Torpy

Dortha Tucker

Jillian Walls

Jessy Weitzel

Makenzie Woodcox

Karina Young

Sophomore All A Honor Roll

Sophia Bussard

Hannah Durkes

Olivia Ellenwood

Billy Gillman

Hannah Jansma

Sarah Myers

Makenzie Oldham

Emily Peterson

Rachael Randall

Shayleigh Shriver

Sarah Tucker

Dylan Wood

Kamile Yocum

Sophomore A & B Honor Roll

Alexis Aguilar

Damian Banghart

Kennedie Brooks

Laura Campos

Madison Francis

Cameron Gearhart

Alexandra Gomez

Joshua Hazard

Andrew Heltzel

Tiphanie Hodge

Elijah Holder

Jonathan Humes

Patrick Kelley

David Krebs

Hannah Lewallen

Haley Lewis

Sierra marshall

Kylee Masterson

Noah Miller

Marlea Myers

Brant Norris

Gabrielle Olson

Cameron Parker

Justin Peconga

Hanna Prater

Kelly Randall

Grace Revere

Kaitlin Shepherd

Olivia Smith

Lauren Sponseller

Chevy Teeter

Maria Vargas

Anna Walters

Lucas Walters

Junior All A Honor Roll

Hannah Ames

Brenna Baney

Cody Craig

Bryce Cudney

Mackenzie Fear

Jalyssa House

Hunter Hyden

Kelsey Justice

Gary Klinger

Addy Miller

McKenzie Murphy

Susan Nickerson

Asia O’Connor

Cheyene Oldfather

Amy Ortiz

Dakota Parker

Gretchen Runyon

Bradly Shepard

Olivia Trippiedi

Junior A & B Honor Roll

Cora Alber

Daisy Arroyo

Seth Baird

Olivia Bell

Alyssa Brito

Chase Brower

Tyler Craft

Alejandra DeLaRosa

Bailey Engholm

Macy Engstrand

Garrett Feldman

Hannah Gibbons

Drew Hartman

Kaitlynd Heiden-Moore

Seth Hoffman

Trent Houchin

Derek Hunsberger

Travis Hyden

William Johnston

Victoria Kratzchmar

Jacob McDonald

Adam Myers

Angelica Ortega

Michael Paseka

Makayla Sandbakken

Kaleigh Shumaker

Lea Stouder

Camden Tucker

Jack Utter

Eric Wright

Carissa Ziemek

Senior All A Honor Roll

Abigail Betten

Amanda Heltzel

Guadalupe Hernandez

Alexander Kromkowski

Andrea Moquete

Adrian Velazquez

Christopher Wilhite

Senior A & B Honor Roll

Joseph Alspaugh

America Baca

Victoria Biddle

Meredith Brouyette

Hannah Brower

Bryston Canada

Madison Conliff

Alexia Durkes

Hunter Early

Jerrid Edmonson

Mael Ferrier

Lindsay Gamble

Brianna Haney

Victoria Heredia

Daniel Horton

Audrey Jackson

Jeremy Julian

Baylee Kolesiak

Keegan Larimer

Ponesupuk Mahamat

Dylan Manwaring

Monika Marshall

Jared Mikel

Lucas Mills

Laira Myers

Kennedy Niedbalski

Braydon Ott

Kaitlyn Prater

Diana Ramirez Rosas

Angela Ramirez

Sierra Rudd

Rosio Sanchez

Sydney Schaeffer

Melissa Schmidt

Gracie Schwenger

Anne Secrest

Christopher Secrist

Aerin Shewman

Yarley Smalley

Dylan Sponseller

Mikaela Thacker

Morgan Thomas

Motoko Tsuzuki

Cole Walters

Riley Weitzel

Avander Wimsatt

John Young

 

 

VALLEY INSIGHT: TVMS – Striving for a better future for students and the community

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Written By: Scott Backus, Tippecanoe Valley Middle School Principal

“We’re not the same middle school that we were when you were here.”  It is exciting to get to say this to parents, community members, and former students!  I do not say this to diminish the importance of the staff, students, and school of the past.  I say this to celebrate the changes that have been made and the exciting new opportunities that our students have today that past students did not get to experience.

The most exciting new opportunity is the one-to-one initiative.  At the beginning of this school year, every TVMS student was issued a Dell Education Series Laptop with Windows 10.  We operate our technology initiative in a non-traditional style.  Student devices are checked out to begin the day, used in all classes throughout the day, and then they are checked into charging carts at the conclusion of the school day.  Managing our devices in this manner holds costs down, limits repair needs, and helps to protect our network cyber-security.  Student work is saved in a web-based management system and can be accessed on any connected device from home.  The new learning opportunities that the devices provide for our students are exciting!

In addition to current laptop technology, students at TVMS experience Project Lead the Way Gateway curriculum.  The old IT lab area was remodeled in 2015 to integrate the new PLTW curriculum.  A brand new computer lab and Vex kit equipment was set up to allow students to experience robotics, computer aided drafting (CAD), computer programing, etc. in this high tech classroom.

TVMS also takes advantage of STEM science kit curriculum from Purdue University.  Students learn science in a hands on, lab based classroom.  Testing hypothesis, thinking critically, analyzing data, and problem solving are all 21st Century learning skills that are necessary to be successful in these courses.

Starting this semester, TVMS students will experience Life Skills curriculum provided by Kosciusko Cares.  This course focuses on healthy choices, coping with anxiety and anger, communication skills, social skills, and resolving conflict.  We’re excited to be able to provide this personal mental and physical care course for our students!

TVMS recently upgraded the old wood shop into a weight room facility.  We had the original 1975 TVHS equipment refinished and reupholstered.  We purchased new equipment, such as kettlebells, through the Viking Strong program.  We developed space for calisthenics, yoga, and other group cardio activities.  The PE/health curriculum is much richer because this facility is now available.

Many other great things happen daily at TVMS in all classrooms.  We are seeing the results of our efforts with better test scores, an improved school letter grade, better attendance, fewer discipline issues, and an overall pleasant feel when you come and visit us.  The school is beautifully maintained, the staff cares about our kids and community, and we are passionate about always being better tomorrow than we were today!

At TVMS, we are striving daily to better equip our students with the skills necessary to be successful 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.

Adult education classes offered at Tippecanoe Valley schools

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The Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation is offering adult education classes at various school sites now through March.

Courses offered include canvas painting, first aid and CPR certification, high school equivalency test training, and an open weight room.

The classes are open to the public for a fee, or for free depending on the class. Here is the schedule of classes offered:

Canvas Painting

Date: January 31 and March 14

Time: 6 to 8 p.m.

Location: Mentone Elementary School

Cost: $15

Details: Paint on an 11×14 canvas. Enter class through door J. Pre-register or pre-pay online at www.happypaintbrush.com or call (574) 268-4977

CPR/First Aid Certification and Recertification

Date: February 2, 9, and 16

Time: 6 to 8 p.m.

Location: Tippecanoe Valley High School

Cost: $30

Details: Training provided by the American Heart Association. You will also be able to use this class to satisfy your licensure renewal requirements with the class. Contact Debbie Johnston or Jeff Shriver at (574) 598-2100 to register.

High School Equivalency

Date: Monday and Wednesday nights

Time: 6 to 9 p.m.

Location: Akron Elementary School

Cost: FREE

Details: Class helps people learn the necessary requirements to complete High School Equivalency (HSE) test. Contact Debbie Johnston at (574) 598-2100 ext. 2134 to register.

Open Weight Room

Date: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings

Time: 6 to 8 p.m.

Location: Tippecanoe Valley High School

Cost: FREE

Details: The weight room is open to the community and staff members free of charge. The room features newer treadmills and equipment for people to use.

Stephen Moriarty named head football coach at Tippecanoe Valley High School

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A familiar face to Tippecanoe Valley High School will now serve as head football coach.

Stephen Moriarty has been hired to lead the football program. The appointment was made official by the school board at the Jan. 16 board meeting.

Moriarty has almost two decades of coaching experience, with several of those years coaching assistant varsity linebackers and offensive line at Tippecanoe Valley. He says serving as head football coach has always been a dream of his since graduating from TVHS in 1995.

“I have great pride in what I have accomplished as a coach and where I have coached. Through teaching discipline, loyalty, and character, I will build a program on all levels that will revive the old and build a new tradition,” said Moriarty.

Moriarty graduated with a teaching degree from Purdue University in West Lafayette. He is currently the assistant superintendent at the Kosciusko County Highway Department.

Moriarty is also active in the community as a board member of the Mentone Youth League, a member of Mentone United Methodist Church, and a member of the Mentone Lions Club.

TVSC board of trustees elects new officers, sets new meeting time

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The Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation Board of Trustees elected new officers for 2017 at its January 16th meeting.

Todd Hoffman will serve as the board’s president, while Stan Miller will serve as vice president. Adam Heckaman was elected secretary and Jessica McFarland was appointed treasurer.

Heckaman, along with Aaron Zolman, were both recently elected to the school board. They were officially sworn in and took the oath of office during the meeting.

The board also voted to change the start time of future school board meetings from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. The dates, starting times, and locations of school board meetings are set annually by the board in January.

Future meeting dates and locations are as follows:

  • February 13, 2017 | 7:00 p.m. | Tippecanoe Valley Middle School
  • March 13, 2017 | 7:00 p.m. | Tippecanoe Valley High School
  • April 17, 2017 | 7:00 p.m. | Mentone Elementary School
  • May 8, 2017 | 7:00 p.m. | Akron Elementary School
  • June 12, 2017 | 7:00 p.m. | Mentone Elementary School
  • July 10, 2017 | 7:00 p.m. | Mentone Elementary School

Photo: Back row left to right: Assistant Superintendent Blaine Conley, Secretary Adam Heckaman, and Superintendent Brett Boggs. Front row left to right: Vice President Stan Miller, President Todd Hoffman, Board Member Aaron Zolman, and Board Member Bryan Murphy