The Akron Parent Support Group will be selling Valley Viking garden flags for $15 during the first home football game against Culver Academy on August 25.
Anyone who wants to purchase a flag can contact Deb Miller at 574-598-2367 or email [email protected].
Checks can be made out to Akron Parent Support Group.
Written by Superintendent Brett Boggs
According to the Mental Health Foundation, mental health problems affect about one in ten children and young people. They include depression, anxiety, and conduct disorder and are often a direct 
response to what is happening in their lives. Sadly, 70% of children and young people who experience a mental health problem have not had appropriate interventions at a sufficiently young age.
Most children grow up mentally healthy, but surveys suggest that more children and young people have problems with their mental health today than 30 years ago. If left untreated, mental health disorders can impede all aspects of health, including emotional well-being and social development, leaving young people feeling socially isolated, stigmatized, and unable to make the most of their social, vocational, and interpersonal contributions to society.
The emotional well-being of children is just as important as their physical health. Good mental health allows children and young people to develop the resilience to cope with whatever life throws at them and grow into well-rounded, healthy adults.
The Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation (TVSC) understands the importance of good mental health for its children and young people. TVSC also understands we serve children and young people whose lives are negatively impacted by mental health issues. It is for this reason that TVSC has contracted with the Bowen Center to bring a Student Assistance Program (SAP) to Tippecanoe Valley. The Tippecanoe Valley Student Assistance Program is available to all students. The SAP is a benefit provided by Tippecanoe Valley that provides every student two free prepaid sessions of counseling at any of several Bowen Center outpatient locations. Services may also be provided at the school if available. There is no co-pay, deductible, or pre-authorization required. Following the initial two counseling sessions, the parent/guardian and student may decide if they would like to continue in treatment at their own cost. There is fee assistance available for those who qualify.
Children and young people may be referred to the Student Assistance Program by a parent/guardian, a school staff member, or the child may refer himself. Students have access to the free counseling sessions at any time during the school year and summer break. All sessions are private and confidential. Parental consent is required for any child under the age of 18.
An additional counseling service available this year to Tippecanoe Valley students is the presence of a school-based therapist one day each week. This individual is a mental health therapist who can work with students that have gone through the referral process with the school counselor and the child’s parent/guardian.
The Student Assistance Program and school-based therapist services are in addition to those already provided by Tippecanoe Valley’s five full-time school counselors and a full-time mental health therapist.
The mission of the Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation is our commitment to student success through the development of character, leadership, and literacy. TVSC’s commitment to student success is demonstrated by the provision of these programs and services designed to promote the good mental health and emotional well-being of our children and young people.
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.
The Tippecanoe Valley Distinguished Alumni Dinner will be held on Thursday, September 7, at 6:30 p.m., in the Tippecanoe Valley Middle School Commons to honor the Tippecanoe Valley Distinguished Alumni Class of 2017. The public is invited.
The menu for the formal Tippecanoe Valley Distinguished Alumni Dinner features baked chicken breast, mashed potatoes & gravy, green beans, salad, dinner roll, cheese cake, and drink. The cost is $6 per adult and $3 for students. Children five years of age and under eat free. Starting Wednesday, August 9th, tickets may be purchased from any Tippecanoe Valley school or the Tippecanoe Valley Administration Office. Tickets should be purchased by no later than Wednesday, August 23rd. The purchase of tickets prior to the dinner is necessary for planning purposes.
Following the dinner local radio personality Rita Price will conduct a personal interview with each honoree.
The eight-member Class of 2017 includes Mike Biddle (TVHS – ’96), Craig Brouyette (TVHS – ’93), Wayne Cumberland (Beaver Dam HS – ’58), Jose Jurado (TVHS – ’09), Ashley Lindenmier (TVHS – ’04), Dan Tucker (TVHS – ’91), Teresa Petrosky Wallace (TVHS – ’78), and Rodney Williams (Mentone HS – ’72).
The Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation along with Kosciusko Community Hospital hosted a presentation for all fall sports athletes and their parents/guardians on Thursday, August 10.
Presenters from KCH discussed topics such as heat-related illnesses, proper nutrition, and the prevention of concussions.
Jessica Riffle, a clinical dietitian at KCH, talked about athlete nutrition. Matt Hauck, a physical therapist with KCH Regional Rehabilitation, gave a presentation on concussions and heat-related topics.
Anyone who was unable to attend can read the concussion presentation by clicking here and the healthy eating presentation by clicking here. (Note: you must have Microsoft PowerPoint to view)
The Tippecanoe Valley Distinguished Alumni Class of 2017 has been named. The eight members of this year’s class join a noble group of Tippecanoe Valley graduates 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 stands as a vivid example for all current and future students of what is possible for Tippecanoe Valley graduates.
The Class of 2017 includes:
A formal dinner – to which the public is invited – will be held in honor of these individuals on Thursday, September 7, at 6:30 p.m., in the Tippecanoe Valley Middle School Commons. In addition to the meal, local radio personality, Rita Price, will interview those being honored. Each honoree will also recognize an educator that made a significant impact in his/her life.
The Tippecanoe Valley Distinguished Alumni Class of 2017 will participate in Induction Day activities at Tippecanoe Valley High School on Friday, September 8. Induction Day will begin with a Welcome Breakfast, introductions, group pictures, and an orientation to the day ahead. The honorees will spend the morning meeting with students to share information about their lives and chosen careers. They will eat lunch with the students, providing opportunities for individual interactions. In the afternoon, RTCtv will record individual interviews with the inductees. Induction Day will conclude with the introduction of the inductees at halftime of the football game. At that time, a commemorative plaque will be presented to each member of the Tippecanoe Valley Distinguished Alumni Class of 2017.
Teachers Credit Union is the corporate sponsor of this year’s Tippecanoe Valley Distinguished Alumni Dinner and the Induction Day activities.
MIKE BIDDLE 
1996 Tippecanoe Valley High School graduate Mike Biddle is a Viking through and through. He coached football for years at Tippecanoe Valley and has since remained active in the Kosciusko County community.
Biddle is a Shriner, a Freemason with Pierceton Lodge #377 and even started his own business Biddle Auction Company. He holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Bethel College and spent 10 years as a registered nurse before becoming a licensed auctioneer.
He credits much of his success to working hard and never giving up. Biddle says it wasn’t easy growing up poor and becoming a father while still a teenager, but says his story is proof anyone can make their own destiny in life and be successful. He’s thrilled to see his daughter follow in his footsteps by becoming an auctioneer and helping grow the family business.
CRAIG BROUYETTE 
Craig Brouyette is a familiar name in the Akron community. The 1993 Tippecanoe Valley graduate went on to Manchester University to earn a degree in business administration. He has since led a successful career with Pike Lumber Company as the current Executive Vice President. He also serves on the board of directors for Pike Lumber Company and the Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen’s Association.
One nominator described Brouyette as a person who displays class, character, and compassion for the community. He helps to maintain the Akron Community Center and is a current member / past president of the Akron Lions Club.
He is married to his wife Michelle, a 1994 Tippecanoe Valley graduate, and has a son and three daughters. Brouyette enjoys spending time with his family, biking and working outside.
JOSE JURADO 
Jose Jurado became a role model for his two younger siblings by being the first person in his family to go to college. The 2009 Tippecanoe Valley graduate holds a computer engineering degree from Purdue University. His professional life has taken him from the Midwest all the way to Connecticut after landing a job with the sports network ESPN as an internal application developer.
Jurado started school without knowing a single word of the English language. He says as a young student, it was hard for him to fit in. He overcame this obstacle by never giving up on learning the necessary communication skills.
He volunteers his time at the Purdue Alumni Association of Connecticut to recruit prospective students to Purdue University. He also holds an advisory position through his fraternity Delta Pi Rho to help answer any questions young Latino students have, and is actively involved at ESPN helping develop a supportive work environment for Hispanics and Latinos.
ASHLEY LINDENMIER 
One nominator described Ashley Lindenmier as an excellent role model for any young woman, and said her ambition and determination demonstrates that you can do anything you put your mind to.
Lindenmier graduated from Tippecanoe Valley in 2004 and went on to achieve great success at both Valparaiso University, where she studied Spanish and political science, and at the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, where she graduated with honors and won various awards – all while working full time at a law firm.
As a practicing attorney, she obtained notable jury verdicts, received state and national recognition, and had successful arguments before state and federal courts. Lindenmier has since taken on a role as a special agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation working to dismantle violent gangs and child predators.
TERESA PETROSKY WALLACE 
Life beyond Tippecanoe Valley has taken 1978 graduate Teresa Petrosky Wallace all across the country. She received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Purdue and a master’s degree in family and child development at Kansas State. She then worked in suburban Chicago youth services before moving to Wyoming.
Wallace recently retired after 32 years as a helping professional; 26 of those at Casper College where she initially coordinated a special populations grant. She then moved into a counselor position and was later promoted to director of counseling. Her expertise regarding mental health/wellness-related issues has led to several accolades in her community. She has earned state recognition through the Wyoming Counseling Association, while her writing endeavors have gained national attention.
She is an enthusiastic supporter of the arts and theatre and also volunteers with local branches of the American Cancer Society and the National MS Society. She has been described as an unsung hero for merely doing her daily job of caring for, listening to, and assisting individuals who are struggling mentally or emotionally.
DAN TUCKER 
Dan Tucker is known by many as a man who puts others before himself. The 1991 graduate went on to pursue a career as a physical therapist assistant after earning his bachelor’s degree in exercise science from Ball State University and an associate degree in physical therapy from the University of Indianapolis.
Tucker has spent almost 20 years working for two separate contract companies who provide Lutheran Health Network Kosciusko Community Hospital with inpatient and outpatient, physical, occupational and speech therapy services. One nominator described him as a true credit to his profession. He has also spent the past eight years as a director for Kosciusko REMC and continues to serve as vice chairman of the board.
Tucker has also had to overcome many obstacles in the past that have given him the opportunity to help others struggling with the grief of losing a loved one or having serious injuries. He is currently married to his wife Caren of 10 years. They have two children, Kaytlin and Konner.
RODNEY WILLIAMS 
In the years since graduating Mentone High School in 1972, Rodney Williams has advanced as a scientist and entrepreneur. He continued his education graduating Huntington College with a B.S. in the Sciences and pursued graduate studies at Indiana University, Bloomington.
Rod has been granted more than 15 patents for his work in synthetic organic chemistry, composites, and processes. His work is found in products we use today, such as electronic circuits, composite windows and decking, and lead free weights for fishing, ballistics, and transportation. In 1988, he and two colleagues founded Aspen Research Corporation to provide analytical, process, and product development services that became instrumental in the launch of novel medical, computer, food, and building material products. He has worked across the globe with many companies both large and small, and currently holds the position of Chief Scientist for Tundra Companies.
Rod is an active private pilot donating right seat time to Wings of Mercy. He and his wife Lisa, of 39 years, are also involved in their church and local fundraising events. They have three children and two grandchildren.
WAYNE CUMBERLAND 
Wayne Cumberland is a familiar face to many people in the Tippecanoe Valley community. The 1958 Beaver Dam High School graduate went on to study mathematics and physics at Manchester College before studying mathematics at the University of Notre Dame. He then taught for 42 years, 40 of those years in the Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation, before retiring in 2004.
Aside from teaching, Cumberland volunteered for decades to keep the high school basketball scorebook, football statistics and being the swimming pool director. He even organized, started, and chaperoned the annual senior trips to Washington, D.C. up until his retirement.
During his time as a teacher, he became known for demanding and encouraging students to give their best effort. He truly wanted them to be successful in and out of the classroom.
Cumberland volunteers for several hours a week at the local United Methodist Church in various capacities. He also volunteers at the Wabash County jail each week tutoring inmates who are preparing for their GED.
Written by Pam Mort, parent of a TVHS graduate
I am the mother of a 2017 graduate of Tippecanoe Valley High School. I would like to say THANK YOU to all the teachers for doing such a great job with our children and to share my feelings about a couple of the activities and teachers that touched my child’s life in a significant way.
Let’s begin with the Viking Guard. Band is not just a class…it is a way of teaching discipline, guidance, acceptance and being a secondary family. With that thought in mind Miss Janell Riner is the second mother to all of these kids. I want to say thank you to her for making each and every single one of them feel like they belonged and like they should take pride in their work, in their community and in their accomplishments. She will be a part of our lives for many years to come and she should know that she touched each of the kids in the band both in mind and in heart!
The dedication that Mr. Mark Williamson and Mrs. Katie Williamson show and the personal time they take for the students is amazing! From allowing them to be creative and use their imagination to the encouragement and teaching of life skills these two teach our children some of the most wonderful skills needed to make their lives successful and to help change the world for the better. They teach them that all things are possible if you try and that the world is only limited by what limits you place upon yourself. They teach them to be accepting of others and of their own faults. They teach them to laugh at mistakes and yet learn from them at the same time. They encourage the students to use their imagination to see things in ways that maybe others don’t see and to think outside the box. These are important life skills and ones that will allow them to do great things with their lives.
Mr. Jeff Shriver’s total support of the students is awesome! His work with the Archery Club outstanding! He takes these kids and his time before school and teaches them to work as a team! He shows them that people from all walks of life can bond together with encouragement and commitment to succeed. He takes pride in their accomplishments and encourages them to know that no one is perfect and that they don’t need to be as long as they do their best. He supports them, praises them and guides them when they need it while still allowing them to make their mistakes. There is no judgement in his interactions. He shows the kids respect and treats them as young adults, not in a negative way but in a positive way. That respect is mutual and evident in everything they do.
It is the dreamers of the world that will make the changes and growth we need to succeed as a people and it is people like the above mentioned teachers that create those dreamers! THANK YOU!
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.
The Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation board of trustees unanimously approved during a July
10 meeting Chad Cripe to be the new principal of Tippecanoe Valley High School (TVHS).
Cripe comes to Tippecanoe Valley from Manchester Junior Senior High School (MJSHS) where he served as assistant principal. During his time at MJSHS, he was highly involved with Professional Learning Communities and adding dual credit and AP classes to the curriculum. Cripe is also a certified School Safety Specialist.
“He brings with him a solid high school background, the ability to establish strong individual relationships, a solid work ethic, high integrity and moral values, and the dedication necessary to bring out the best in students and staff,” said Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation Superintendent Brett Boggs.
Prior to becoming an administrator, Cripe taught numerous high school social studies courses during 14 years as a classroom teacher and was a head varsity boys’ basketball coach at East Noble High School and New Prairie High School.
“There were many characteristics of TVHS that attracted me to the school and community. The two areas that stood out the most were the rich history of academic excellence and the family atmosphere of the community,” said Cripe.
Cripe earned a bachelor’s degree in social studies education from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis in 2002, followed by a master’s degree in educational administration and supervision from Ball State University in 2013. He is currently working on a doctorate degree in education administration and supervision from Ball State University that he plans to complete in the fall of 2019.
“Chad has the personality, skills and abilities to be an outstanding high school principal. We are glad to have him join us as a member of the Tippecanoe Valley family,” said Boggs.
Cripe replaces Dr. Michael Bendicsen who served as TVHS principal for the past three years. Bendicsen submitted his resignation in May and will serve in an administrative role with Fort Wayne Community Schools.
“I am looking forward to meeting new people, celebrating success and embracing the challenges that come with being a principal,” said Cripe.
Several students from Mentone Elementary and Akron Elementary took part in summer leadership camp held June 18-21 at Manchester University.
The camp contained experiential learning with an emphasis on goal setting, communication, group process, team building, problem solving, organization, community service, project idea sharing, officer roles, inclusion, tolerance & diversity, citizenship & patriotism, and networking with leaders from all over Indiana.
Pictured above are Mentone Elementary fifth graders Chloe Haussmann, Lydia Craig, Madison Thompson, Kade Francis, Colton Crabb, Brock Derf and Reed Jones.
Pictured below front row left to right are Akron Elementary fifth graders Elise Smith, Audrey Bendicsen and Karegan Callahan. Pictured back row left to right are Asher McGriff, Bobby Burke and Gunnar Crispen.
The Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation (TVSC) will hold on-site registration for the 2017-2018 school year at each of its schools on July 25 and July 27.
Akron Elementary, Mentone Elementary, Tippecanoe Valley High School and Tippecanoe Valley Middle School will each hold on-site registration from noon to 8 p.m. on those days for new and returning students. Akron Elementary’s on-site registration will take place at the Akron Carnegie Public Library located at 205 East Rochester Street. Registration can also be done online any time after July 17 at http://www.tippecanoevalleyschools.com/enrollment.
Returning Tippecanoe Valley students must have a snap code in order register. Snap codes will be mailed out July 17. Parents and guardians who lost or did not receive a snap code should call the school their child will be attending to obtain one. During registration, parents can also make textbook payments either with cash or check.
August 7 is the deadline for students to have immunizations completed for the upcoming school year. Students in all grade levels must meet the requirements determined by the Indiana State Department of Health. These requirements extend to children ages three to five that will be attending special education programs, child care, or preschool in a TVSC building.
“In Indiana, the only exemptions allowed are for medical or religious reasons. Each one has specific rules for filing these exemptions with the school,” said Debbie Potter, head nurse for Tippecanoe Valley.
Parents of students enrolling in a school for the first time need to provide a written immunization record. As new immunizations are required for students in six through twelfth grades, parents also need to provide written proof to the school that the updated shots have been completed.
The complete list of immunizations required for the new school year can be found on the Indiana Children and Hoosier Immunization Registry Program website and on the Tippecanoe Valley website. Nurses will be available during school registration hours in July if parents need help.
Enrollment for non-resident transfer students is also currently underway at Tippecanoe Valley. A non-resident transfer student is one whose legal settlement is not within the boundaries of the school corporation and would like to attend any TVSC school. Non-resident transfer student applications can be found on the school corporation’s website under the “easy enrollment” link in the middle of the homepage.
In addition to on-site enrollment on July 25 and July 27, Mentone Elementary is planning an open house on Thursday, Aug. 3, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. This is an opportunity for students and parents to tour the school, meet teachers and obtain more information about the upcoming school year. Akron Elementary will not have an open house this year due to construction.
Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation, 8343 S State Rd 19, Akron, IN / Main: 574-598-2759