TVSC builds in time for students to read at school each day, but research shows that this may not be enough. Students who read at home in addition to reading at school tend to have higher test scores. Here are some ways to incorporate reading at home this summer!

• Read the cereal box each morning
• Find a reading website or app that your child enjoys
• Look up information about a favorite subject on the computer
• Take regular trips to the library and join the summer reading program
• Start a book club with friends
• Model reading by reading in front of and to your children each day

Tippecanoe Valley is privileged to have access to technology in and around the classroom. With this privilege, comes a responsibility to use this technology in the way that it was intended. We call this being a good “Digital Citizen”. We expect staff, students and parents to uphold their role in creating good digital citizens.

As a parent or adult, you will need to set ground rules on technology use. In addition to this, monitoring media use and discussing appropriate sites to visit will help. It is also recommended that you know your children’s passwords and codes for their devices. Regularly checking their social online behaviors will help as well.

It is important for students to be aware of what acceptable online practice is. Students should avoid sharing or posting inappropriate images, sharing passwords, posting personal information and communicating with unknown numbers or individuals. Students can also be aware of suspicious behavior such as, being asked for pictures; being asked to use a webcam and being asked if they are alone. Students are also expected to refrain from cyber bullying such as bullying, spreading rumors or gossip, posting pictures of others without their permission, pretending to be someone they are not and threatening or harassing others. If students are aware of cyber bullying, they are asked to inform an adult as soon as possible.

Students must be aware that once a picture, comment or file is placed on a public internet site, it’s out there forever and it cannot be taken back or deleted. It is more important now than ever that parents know what their children are doing online. Take the time to talk to your children about this important subject. For more information, please visit www.commonsensemedia.org.

• We are very fortunate at Tippecanoe Valley High School to have a variety of stakeholders; students, teachers, parents, support staff, administrators, community members, coaches, etc.; that not only respond reliably to change, but also initiate positive change. Some constructive examples of change that have, and continue, to occur at TVHS are:
• Suicide prevention (QPR) training for all students grades 9-12 with the inclusion of this training regularly into the health class curriculum;
  Increased and improved communication including a regular newsletter and Facebook page;
• New Dual Credit offerings including Spanish and United States History;
  The Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program;
• The introduction of archery as a component of our physical education classes;
• The acquisition of cardio equipment for the weight room with access for community members;
• Hunter Education classes included as a regular part of the health class curriculum;
• The development and introduction of teacher lead, small group, study halls to help struggling students;
• The Rachel’s Challenge Group;
• The development and introduction of improved English as a New Language classes;
• The continued progression toward a Professional Learning Community model at TVHS;
• Social Studies textbook adoption to reflect new standards and technology; and
• New ECA (standardized testing) computer software for English and Mathematics.

We pride ourselves at Tippecanoe Valley High School with responding to, and initiating, change in a positive and productive manner. Constructive dialogue with stakeholders makes this process practical and beneficial for the students we serve.

The Annual Mentone Thanksgiving Food Drive will be held from November 11th-22nd and is sponsored by the Mentone Student Council. The school goal is to beat the 2,800 pounds of food donated last year. We are working on this goal together! If the school surpasses 3,000 pounds, the whole school will be treated to a special prize. Monetary donations will also be accepted. All food from our food drive will benefit the Helping Hands Food Pantry. For more information on the food drive, please contact Lee Ann Rock or Rebecca Hartzler (Student Council Sponsors) at the school.

The Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation has immediate openings available for the following employee classifications: Custodians, Instructional Assistants, Cafeteria Staff, Bus Drivers and Substitute Teachers. The starting rate for the positions are as follows:

• Custodians: $8.45 per hour
• Instructional Assistants: $8.00 per hour
• Cafeteria Staff: $8.00 per hour
• Bus Drivers: $76 per day (3 hours)
• Substitute Teacher: $60-70 per day

Applicants may obtain a Classified Application Form here. They may also stop at the TVSC Administration Office at 8343 S. State Road 19, Akron to complete an application. Questions may be directed to Dawn Rowland at 574-353-7741.

The Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation announces a revision to the 2014-2015 master calendar. The Staff Development Day scheduled for Monday, January 5, 2015, was moved to Monday, October 27, 2014. As a result of this change to the calendar, school will be in session on January 5, 2015.

Rachel’s Challenge came to the Tippecanoe Valley schools and the Tippecanoe Valley community September 2-4. Rachel’s Challenge is a national non-profit organization dedicated to creating safe, connected school environments where learning and teaching are maximized. Based on the life and writing of Rachel Scott, the first victim of the Columbine tragedy in 1999, Rachel’s Challenge provides a continual improvement process for schools designed to awaken the learner in every child. Rachel’s Challenge motivated students, staff and community to start and sustain a chain reaction of kindness and compassion that transforms our schools and communities!

The Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation announces a revision to the 2014-2015 master calendar. The Staff Development Day scheduled for Monday, January 5, 2015, will be moved to Monday, October 27, 2014. As a result of this change to the master calendar, school will be in session for students on Monday, January 5, 2015. School will not be in session for students on Monday, October 27, 2014.

During the 2013 legislative session, the Indiana General Assembly passed Public Law 286. The new law required the Indiana State Board of Education to review, adopt and implement new K-12 college and career readiness standards that are aligned with post-secondary educational expectations. This was to be accomplished prior to July 1, 2014.  Indiana teachers are expected to implement Indiana’s new College & Career Ready Academic Standards during the 2014-2015 school year. Accompanying the new academic standards will be new student assessments. The Spring 2015 ISTEP+ English/Language Arts and Mathematics Assessments, as well as the Spring 2015 Algebra 1 and English 10 End of Course Assessments, will assess students on the new academic standards.

The Staff Development Day scheduled for October 27, 2014, will be used by Tippecanoe Valley educators to focus on the successful implementation of the new K-12 College & Career Ready Academic Standards and the new ISTEP+ and End of Course Assessments.

Questions about Indiana’s new College & Career Ready Academic Standards and the new ISTEP+ and End of Course Assessments may be directed to the building principal of any Tippecanoe Valley school.

Attached is a digital picture of the Tippecanoe Valley High School Distinguished Alumni Class of 2014. The nine-member class was honored Thursday evening, September 18 during a formal dinner at Tippecanoe Valley Middle School. Induction Day was Friday, September 19 at TVHS. The inductees gathered at 7:30 a.m. for a “Welcome Breakfast,” where each was introduced to their student liaison for the day. Following the breakfast each inductee made four separate presentations, in which they shared with students about the career and life experiences that led to their selection. Included in each presentation was information about the inductee’s time as a student at TVHS and how their high school experiences impacted their future. The inductees spent the student lunch periods in the cafeteria speaking with individuals and small groups of students. The afternoon consisted of individual interviews conducted and recorded by The Rochester Telephone Company (RTC) for future showing on RTC’s local community cable television channel. The inductees were honored at halftime of the home football game, where each was presented with a beautiful commemorative plaque.

During Thursday evening’s TVHS Distinguished Alumni Dinner, each inductee was asked to recognize a Valley K-12 educator(s) that made a significant impact on his/her life. The following educators were recognized: Eloise Eberly, Jan Mills, Doug Heinold, Scott Bibler, Dianne Pearson, Lois Buss, Terry Screeton, Shelly Walgamuth, Beth (Barr) Henriques, Duane Burkhart, Julia Teel, Lynette Shoemaker, Duane Smith and Lynn (Caraway) Howie.

Seated (left to right) are the inductees in to the Class of 2014: Amy (Heckaman) Parker, Brooke Smalley, Dr. Katti (Stroup) Sneed, DeShawn (VanDeWater) Wert, and Diana (Erp) Nettleton.  Standing (left to right) are Richard Terpstra, Andrew Heckaman, Adam Heckaman, and Mike Yazel.

We can all be very proud of these TVHS graduates who have gone on to lead successful lives while making substantial contributions to their chosen field of work or having provided outstanding service to their community, state or country.

Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation is excited to introduce some new educators that will begin the 2014-15 school year. Continue reading →