Tippecanoe Valley High School Freshman Makenna Bradley, a student in Darren Parker’s Computer Applications class, was recently honored as the creator of a poster  that will be proudly displayed in all Tippecanoe Valley schools.  Makenna created a poster that reads, “Congratulations Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation – We are #1 in Graduation Rate Among Public Schools in Kosciusko County – Great Job! – Akron Elementary School – Mentone Elementary School – Tippecanoe Valley Middle School – Tippecanoe Valley High School – Burket Educational Center”. 

 Makenna was awarded a Subway gift certificate for her fine work.

 Pictured are Makenna Bradley and Darren Parker.

Tippecanoe Valley High School (TVHS) is pleased to announce its 2015 graduation rate of 92.3%, the top graduation rate of the public high schools based in Kosciusko County and well above the state average of 88.7%. Graduation rates have taken an upward trend at TVHS since 2012-13 (75.8%) and 2013-14 (85.1%). The Tippecanoe Valley community can be proud of its students, teachers, guidance counselors, parents and all staff for making this high rate possible.

This rise in the graduation rate can be attributed to several factors, but four in particular stand out:

1. This is a pre-school through 12^th grade accomplishment. Many people play an important role in helping kids graduate. This starts in their formative years of school and culminates in a walk across the stage at age 18. Parents ensure kids go to bed on time and do their homework. Teachers monitor student goals and progress. Coaches instill a sense of pride, hard work and teamwork. Pastors support students’ work at school. Custodians keep the buildings sanitary and presentable. Administrators help provide a safe and orderly environment in which to learn.
2. The professional learning community (PLC) approach to student learning and success plays a large role. This method and philosophy helps teachers work as teams to analyze student data, progress, and needs. It helps transform the entire school system into a graduation machine. Failure is not viewed as an option. Teachers are given time to collaborate and meet the needs of individual students.
3. Gradway and the graduation coaches it sponsors at Tippecanoe Valley High School that promote graduation, one relationship at a time.
4. Great teachers create great success. Tippecanoe Valley has excellent educators throughout the school system that make huge differences every day in the lives of children.

GRADUATION RATE – 2014-2015 – SNR

The Board of School Trustees of the Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation honored three staff members at its December 7^th meeting.  Honored with the Pillar Award for Outstanding Support Staff were Tippecanoe Valley High School Head Cook Shelly Holloway and Tippecanoe Valley High School Technology Associate Mason Veach.  Tippecanoe Valley Middle School Art Teacher Krystyna Martin was presented the World Class Teacher Award.

Tippecanoe Valley High School Principal Dr. Mike Bendicsen said the following about Shelly Holloway:  “Mrs. Holloway consistently displays a positive attitude.  She does an excellent job balancing the many demands of her job which includes:  staffing, meeting State nutritional guidelines, ordering massive amounts of food, budgeting, accounts receivable, student discipline, field trips, staff and community events, and last minute requests.  The school kitchen is kept very clean and the food is of very good quality.”

TVSC Director of Technology Keith Lang offered the following about Mason Veach:  “Mason Veach is a young man dedicated to the success of our students and staff through the use of technology.  Mason is a graduate of Tippecanoe Valley High School that has repeatedly, in his two years with the school corporation, successfully stepped in to fill a need within the technology department.  Mason has served as the technology associate at the elementary schools and currently serves in the high school, overseeing our 1:1 program as well as any other technology need within the building.  Mason’s desire to learn coupled with his excellent customer service skills are the keys to his success.”

Tippecanoe Valley Middle School Principal Scott Backus shared the following about Kystyna Martin:  “Krys Martin is a very energetic teacher who is passionate about the success of students in her art classes.  She is quickly becoming one of the key staff leaders in our school.  She is a Student Council sponsor and helps run the Social Committee.  The Art Show that she put on for parents that coincided with the Honor Society Banquet was an outstanding display of student art that was all created under her guidance.”

Pictured, left to right, are Shelly Holloway, Mason Veach, TVSC School Board President Bryan Murphy, and Krystyna Martin.

New Phone System Coming to Tippecanoe Valley in January

The Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation (TVSC) is pleased to announce that over the holiday break, all TVSC schools and facilities will be transitioning to a new Voice over IP (VoIP) phone system.  The new system will be operational as of Tuesday, January 5, 2016, replacing an aging phone system that can no longer be updated or in many cases repaired due to failure. The new phone system will allow TVSC to maintain the highest level of service to its patrons.

Please note that all phone numbers throughout the district will be changing to a 598 prefix, making calls to any school a local call for most patrons. The new numbers will be: Akron Elementary School (574-598-2367), Burket Educational Center (574-598-2600), Mentone Elementary School (574-598-2590), Tippecanoe Valley Middle School (574-598-2200), Tippecanoe Valley High School (574-598-2100), Tippecanoe Valley Bus Garage (574-598-2490), and Tippecanoe Valley Administration Office (574-598-2759).   Staff phone extensions will also change.

TVSC eagerly anticipates the many benefits that will accompany the installation of this new phone system.

Pictured left to right: Todd Glenn, Director of Maintenance TVSC, Randy Dahms, Mentone Elementary Principle, Christopher Pieri, NIPSCO Major Accounts Manager.

Akron, IN – Christopher Pieri, NIPSCO Major Accounts Manager, recently presented Randy Dahms, Mentone Elementary School Principal, and Todd Glenn, Director of Maintenance, Tippecanoe Valley School Corp, an energy savings rebate check for $3725. The rebate was for the first phase of an energy savings project at Mentone Elementary School. The project consisted of replacing inefficient fluorescent classroom lights with “dimmable” LED retrofit kits. The “Little Vikings” Preschool fluorescent lights were also replaced with new fixtures. The second phase of the project, which is presently underway, is the replacement of all “high bay” gymnasium lights with LED fixtures. This part of the project will provide an additional $4500 energy savings rebate, making the total rebate $8225.

Overall, the project will reduce affected area power consumption by more than 50%, provide a one year pay-back, eliminate bulb replacements, and best of all greatly improve the quality of lighting for our students, staff and patrons.

TVSC Maintenance Staff, Todd Howard and Matt Cavender, installing LED light fixture.