TIPPECANOE VALLEY INSIGHT
By Adam Heckaman, TVSC School Board President

Akron, IN –In 1975, the Tippecanoe Valley community began a transformation that led us to where we are today. We have faced many challenges, experienced much success, but most importantly, we have consistently risen to each occasion presented and grown as a school corporation and community.

Most would agree that at the center of every community is its public school. When schools and community work together, both move towards a positive future. So, what makes our community and school system different? From my perspective, it is clearly the amazing support shared by all our corporation’s stakeholders. If not for our school system, what future would our community hold? If not for our community, what would our school corporation look like?

Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation and the surrounding community have the common goal and commitment to foster student success through development of character, leadership and literacy. We accomplish this through the support of our many extracurricular programs, such as but not limited to our athletic programs, the arts, and vocational programs, as well as the outpouring of public assistance for special events such as the Miracle Tree, a locally sponsored event designed to provide a special Christmas holiday to those needing a little extra help in our community. By building a sense of community within each of our schools, we strengthen our bond with the greater community. The more positive the effect students feel from this bond, the stronger their ties become to the community. Both the community and the school benefit when working together. I believe TVSC’s future is bright and is truly blessed to have such a supportive community for our children to be a part of.

Margaret Mead once said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” At TVSC, we consistently bring together a small group of people to help change the world. This small group of people is the amazing teachers, counselors, administrators and various support staff who create a safe and encouraging space for all our children to grow and learn. Classroom educators are on the front line every day; not only do they instruct, but they mentor, tutor, nurture and counsel. They believe in their students and treat them as family. They work together to achieve goals and encourage students to dream bigger, search harder and reach farther.

As an Alumnus of Tippecanoe Valley High School, I have often asked myself where my sense of pride for my school and community comes from, and why is it so strong? What is it about the school and the community we grew up in that holds such a special place in the hearts of Valley Alumni? I believe the answer is in the bonding of life-long friends, memories made, dreams created, knowledge gained, and the educators who cared and encouraged us to succeed. Those of us who have graduated from TVHS understand the sense of Valley Family – Valley Pride which resurfaces when we take time to reflect and appreciate our past and present as Vikings! This pride overflows us as we walk the halls of our old stomping grounds and reflect on the choices and paths our time at Tippecanoe Valley led us down. The experiences and memories from TVSC have shaped us into who we are as individuals. This is our community; this is our school; this is our family. Valley Family – Valley Pride

TIPPECANOE VALLEY SCHOOL CORPORATION
NAMED RILEY CHILDREN’S FOUNDATION
RED WAGON CORPORATION

AKRON, IN (August 13, 2018) – Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation (TVSC) has been recognized as a Red Wagon School Corporation by the Riley Children’s Foundation Kids Caring and Sharing Program. To be eligible, each school in the district has donated at least $1 per student. TVSC schools include Akron Elementary, Mentone Elementary, Tippecanoe Valley Middle School, Tippecanoe Valley High School and Burket Educational Center.

TVSC’s students and staff repeatedly exhibit the heart of Valley’s Mission of being committed to student success through the development of character, leadership, and literacy. Tippecanoe Valley is also committed to giving back to others in need, in and out of their community.

Kids Caring & Sharing is the named philanthropic partnership between the Riley Children’s Foundation and the Indiana Association of School Principals (IASP) that offers students simple ways to help other children by raising funds through their schools to benefit Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health. Participating in the KCS program provides an opportunity to engage students in service learning and character development projects. Since the statewide program’s 1985 inception, Indiana K-12 students have raised more than $15 million for Riley Hospital.

Riley Children’s Foundation is the fundraising arm of Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health and the founding organization that opened Riley Hospital in 1924. Today Riley Hospital is recognized as one of the best children’s hospitals in the nation and is the only comprehensive children’s research hospital in the state of Indiana. Our mission is to raise funds statewide to support Riley Hospital funding priorities: pediatric research and patient care, maternity and newborn health and family support programs. Riley Children’s Foundation also funds Camp Riley and the James Whitcomb Riley Museum Home and Billie Lou Wood Visitor Center. For more information, visit RileyKids.org.

VALLEY INSIGHT

by Cory Cooper
Assistant Principal
Tippecanoe Valley Middle School
A Goal for the Future

Tippecanoe Valley Middle School (TVMS) added a coed soccer program this past spring. The School Board approved the TVMS Soccer Team in 2017 and two new coaches were hired – Gary Craft and Angie Lowe – who not only had prior coaching experience, but also were also excited to start the middle school soccer program. Multiple options for a new logo for the soccer team jerseys were created by Roberts Signs and voted on by students. The coaches had team callouts and over 30 students, boys and girls in grades 6-8, showed interest in playing soccer during the 2017-2018 school year.

Open gyms were set in February and almost every student who signed up came to the fundamentals sessions. The coaches were well organized and planned great practices that not only taught skills but also reinforced love for the game. The team jerseys came in the week of the first game and it was great to see the excitement of the players, most of whom had never played a competitive team sport for TVMS. These students would now represent TVMS in its first year of middle school soccer. The emphasis on being a part of the school’s history was communicated every practice by the coaches with the intent to set traditions and expectations from the inception of the team. The “team concept” was discussed at every practice. It was exciting to see boys and girls compete for spots while working well with each other.

After a first game cancellation due to inclement weather, TVMS’s first game was played against the Peru Tigers. Peru’s middle school team arrived and the TVMS parents, despite the very cold weather, all came out to witness their student-athletes make history. The referees whistled the ball in play and the game began. The two middle school teams would play two 30-minute halves with a 10-minute halftime. Nervous energy was everywhere. A Valley player fired a shot that hit the post and was quickly kicked out of the box by the nearest defender. Then it happened! A quick steal and possession went to Valley. A through ball allowed the talented midfielder, Christian Ramirez, to shoot from outside the box and everyone watched as the ball exploded off his foot and quickly found its way into the top of the goal in the third minute. TVMS had scored the first of many goals in the team’s first ever home game in front of an enthusiastic crowd. Then it happened again! Once in the 17th minute and four more times before the game was over.

The TVMS soccer team went on to finish the season with 8 wins, 1 loss, and 1 tie. For a first year team, this is a feat unheard of. For that, I want to thank our coaches for inspiring our athletes and allowing them to dream big, the players for being coachable and doing the work in practice that translated to results and goals in games, the School Board and administration for providing the resources, and the parents for supporting the team and their athletes. Soccer is alive at Tippecanoe Valley!

VALLEY INSIGHT – CORY COOPER – JUNE 2018