Category Archives: TV Middle School

8th graders – Think Ortho Tour is for you

This entry was posted in News, TV Middle School on September 15, 2017 by Keith Lang.

OrthoWorx recently announced the upcoming Think Ortho Tour, a program for eighth-grade students of area schools and their parents/guardians that encourages students to pursue technical careers in the growing orthopedic industry.

The event will be held on October 5th and will include tours of Ivy Tech’s Orthopedic and Advanced Manufacturing Training Center (OAMTC), the Warsaw Area Career Center (WACC), and a local orthopedic company, Precision Medical Technologies.

Students and parents on this tour will learn about the orthopedic industry, advanced manufacturing career opportunities available in the Warsaw region and the skills needed to pursue those exciting careers. Tour times are 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. Registration is required for this event. To register as a parent or student, please contact your school’s guidance counselor.

The Think Ortho Tour is part of OrthoWorx’s Talent Development Initiative to address the skills gap in the orthopedic industry, particularly in advanced manufacturing fields. The program started as a bus tour for local teachers, administrators and guidance counselors, but has now grown to include students and their parents.

“Ivy Tech Community College aims to generate awareness around the various career options available in orthopedic manufacturing here in Kosciusko County,” stated Tom Till, Director of Advanced Manufacturing at the Orthopedic and Advanced Manufacturing Center at Ivy Tech Warsaw. “There is a critical need for people to fill these positions that come with good wages. Many require postsecondary education but not always a traditional four-year college degree. The Think Ortho Tour will provide individuals a chance to see these high-level careers first-hand as well as the local educational resources that can prepare them for these positions.”

This program is open to students from Warsaw Community, Tippecanoe Valley and Whitko Community Schools whose students feed into the Warsaw Area Career Center. The tour is also open to eighth-grade students from Wawasee Community Schools.

Tom Edington, Superintendent of Wawasee Community Schools, stated, “Though our students take advantage of the vocational training and courses of the Wawasee Area Career and Technical Cooperative, I recognize that the skills students learn at our facility can prove useful for careers in the burgeoning orthopedic industry in Kosciusko County. We are excited to partner with other school systems within the county to provide students and parents with this experience.”

Selected eighth-grade students and their parents/guardians will be receiving communications from their respective schools throughout the weeks leading up to the Think Ortho Tour. If you or your student are interested in learning more about how you can participate, please contact the guidance counselor at your middle school.

Formed in 2009 with initial funding from the Lilly Endowment, OrthoWorx is a community-based initiative that works strategically and collaboratively with the orthopedic industry and other stakeholders to ensure that the Warsaw region continues to reap the social and economic benefits that derive from its position as The Orthopedic Capital of the World.®

Tippecanoe Valley enhancing security with Raptor check-in system

This entry was posted in Akron, Mentone, News, TV High School, TV Middle School on September 12, 2017 by Keith Lang.

Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation is enhancing security measures across the board with the installation of the Raptor Visitor Management System, a software-based security check-in process used at schools across the country.

Each school within the corporation – Tippecanoe Valley High School, Tippecanoe Valley Middle School, Mentone Elementary and Akron Elementary – are now using the Raptor system in place of paper sign-in sheets.

The Raptor system will perform basic background checks on each visitor to these schools. The background check will scan registered sex offender databases in all 50 states and will also search for any sort of restrictive orders that would prevent someone from being on school grounds or coming in contact with children.

“Our hopes are to have another layer of security for kids and create a safe and secure environment above what is already in place for our schools. Raptor is providing the type of information we wouldn’t have access to otherwise,” said Jon Hutton, assistant principal at TVHS.

Visitors who have not yet checked in through the Raptor system must first do so through the secretary in each building’s main office. The secretary will take the visitor’s state-issued identification card, a driver’s license for example, and scan it. A basic background check will then be performed. If the check clears, a stick-on badge will print for the visitor.

The next time that person visits a school, he or she will only have to scan their driver’s license at the front kiosk instead of with the secretary, and indicate on the computer a reason for entering the school. If the background check clears, the system will again automatically print a badge. Any visit in the future will follow this same process.

If a visitor’s background check does not clear, the system will automatically send an alert to a school administrator. The administrator will meet with the visitor to address the issue and decide whether or not to allow the visitor to enter the building.

Once a person’s visit is complete, he or she will check out through the Raptor system by scanning their driver’s license again at the kiosk in the school’s main office. A badge will be printed for each future visit and the same badge cannot be used for multiple visits.

“The ink on the badge is actually temporary and will begin to fade after about eight hours,” said Hutton.

The Raptor system is for day visits only and does not take the place of the extended background check for people going on fieldtrips or working with children in an unsupervised capacity.

“Any adult who is going on field trips off school grounds will still need to complete the background check that has been a part of our corporation policy for the last several years,” said Hutton.

People attending large events during the school day are encouraged to come in beforehand for the initial check-in, so all he or she would have to do the day of the event is walk in and scan their driver’s license.

“It’s all about the safety of the kids and the teachers. It really is,” said Keith Lang, director of technology for the school corporation.

According to the Raptor Technologies’ website, the system has identified and alerted officials to more than 50,000 sex offenders attempting to enter schools and has issued more than 250,000 custody alerts. A safety and security matching grant paid for part of the Raptor system implementation at Tippecanoe Valley.

Community blood drive scheduled for Sept. 15

This entry was posted in Akron, Mentone, News, TV High School, TV Middle School on September 11, 2017 by Keith Lang.

The Tippecanoe Valley High School student council and the American Red Cross will host a community blood drive on Friday, September 15, from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the high school gymnasium.

The blood drive is open to anyone who meets the donor requirements outlined by the American Red Cross. Anyone interested in donating blood can go online to www.redcrossblood.org and register using the zip code 46910. You can also register by emailing Crystal Heckaman, student council sponsor, at [email protected].

“There is a huge shortage right now with all the natural disasters that have hit and blood drives that were subsequently cancelled. We would love for the community to come donate and help save lives,” said Heckaman.

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.

Tippecanoe Valley honors Distinguished Alumni Class of 2017

This entry was posted in Akron, Mentone, News, TV High School, TV Middle School on September 9, 2017 by Keith Lang.

The eight members of this year’s Tippecanoe Valley Distinguished Alumni Class of 2017 were recently honored for their outstanding accomplishments since graduating from high school.

Distinguished alumni are graduates of Tippecanoe Valley High School or any of the district’s prior high schools – Akron, Beaver Dam, Burket, Mentone and Talma. Distinguished alumni may be living or deceased and 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 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).

Each were honored during a formal dinner at Tippecanoe Valley Middle School on Sept. 7. Following the dinner, the inductees spoke about an educator, or educators, that had a significant impact on their life.

Induction Day activities followed on Friday, Sept. 8th, at Tippecanoe Valley High School. The day opened with a welcome breakfast followed by each inductee making four presentations to groups of freshmen through seniors, in which they shared their high school, career and life experiences.

“The students realized that earning their diploma, through hard work and by taking advantage of the many opportunities available to them, was an important initial step in the successful life of each inductee,” said Superintendent Brett Boggs.

The inductees were also available to speak with individuals and small groups of students during lunch. They were then introduced and presented a plaque at halftime of the home football game later that evening.

Nominations are being accepted for the Tippecanoe Valley Distinguished Alumni Class of 2018. Anyone who would like to submit a nomination may obtain a nomination form from any Tippecanoe Valley school, the administration office, or the Tippecanoe Valley website. Nominations can also be submitted online through the Tippecanoe Valley website.

Photo front row left to right: Wayne Cumberland, Ashley Lindenmier, Teresa Petrosky Wallace, Jose Jurado. Back row left to right: Craig Brouyette, Mike Biddle, Rodney Williams, Dan Tucker

TVMS holds donation drive for hurricane relief

This entry was posted in News, TV Middle School on September 8, 2017 by Keith Lang.

Students and staff at Tippecanoe Valley Middle School recently ended a four-day donation drive for people affected by Hurricane Harvey.

TVMS collected $671 and more than 370 pairs of new underwear for people impacted by the storm. The school had a grade level competition to encourage students to donate. Each grade level received one point for each pair of new underwear collected and one point for every dollar raised.

The idea for an underwear drive came from a Facebook video featuring Dr. Brené Brown, a research professor at the University of Houston. In the video, Brown talks about the need for new underwear for storm victims – an item often overlooked in disaster collection drives.

“Everyone has been asking about what you can do to help. I’m going to ask you for what we really need because this is not a community that needs things to be pretty or wrapped in a bow. We need underwear,” Brown sternly said. The video has 3.7 million views and more than 75,000 shares on Facebook.

TVMS began collecting new underwear on Sept. 5 and tallied the points on Sept. 8. Sixth grade won the grade level competition with 456 points. Eighth grade came in second with 331 points and seventh grade had 247 points.

“One of our themes for this school year is empathy, so this really fit in with that,” said Susanne Siebrase, guidance counselor at TVMS. “Also, one of our goals for our students is for them to positively impact the community.”

The school also held special days where students could pay a dollar to wear a hat. Staff members also chipped in by donating some of their own money or by purchasing new underwear.

“I really wanted to help because if that happened to me, I would be really sad,” said sixth grade student Braedon Wallace.

Several sixth grade students also wrote letters of encouragement to send with the new underwear – 150 letters in all – that featured inspiring messages.

The new underwear and the money raised by TVMS will be shipped to the non-profit organization Undies for Everyone in Texas. The organization will then determine where the biggest needs are and distribute the supplies in either Houston or surrounding communities.

“It feels good knowing that I helped some people down in Texas get something they need to wear,” said sixth grader Ainhoa Bush.

TVMS has held community service projects in the past including a sock drive last October and a food drive in November.

Pictured front row left to right: Juan Campos, Emily Holstein and Braxton Noll. Back row left to right: Tiffany Bullington, Kyler Johnson, Braedon Wallace, Ainhoa Bush, Porter Rich and Braxton Grevenstuk.

TVSC staff raise $6,184 for United Way

This entry was posted in Akron, Mentone, News, TV High School, TV Middle School, Uncategorized on September 6, 2017 by Keith Lang.

Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation staff donated a total of $6,981 to United Way of Kosciusko County (with some donations earmarked to Fulton and Wabash counties) in 2016.

To add some incentive to give in 2017, the Tippecanoe Valley United Way committee arranged 14 prize packages. Any certified staff member who donated a minimum of $1 per paycheck ($26) or classified staff who donated any amount to United Way became eligible for the prize package raffle that took place on August 18. The first name drawn picked the package of his or her choice. The second person got to pick from the remaining prize packages until all 14 were given away.

In addition to the raffle, all employees who contributed at least $26 received a free breakfast buffet coupon to Teels Family Restaurant in Mentone. Plus, ALL employees who contributed were allowed to wear jeans the third week of school! At last check, 118 Tippecanoe Valley staff members have raised a total of $6,184! Thank you to all of the businesses that donated items or services for our prize packages!

Sara Dye from Mentone Elementary School received a free, all day Saturday pontoon boat rental for up to 11 people! It’s a $250 value courtesy of Splendor Boats in Silver Lake and Warsaw!

Rod Hamman from Tippecanoe Valley High School received a Valley football, a gift bag full of goodies from 1st Source Bank in Warsaw, and three free 6″ subs from Subway in Mentone!

Rebekah Parker from Tippecanoe Valley Middle School received $20 in gift certificates to Buffalo Wild Wings in Warsaw!

Precious Brenton from Tippecanoe Valley Middle School received four free oil changes courtesy of Warsaw Buick GMC CDJR!

Lisa Lynch from Tippecanoe Valley High School received one lane for up to six people for 90 minutes of bowling, shoe rental, large pizza, and a 100 oz. fountain drink from The Bowling Alley in Warsaw!

LeAnna Bell from Akron Elementary School received a free oil change from Shepherd’s Chevrolet Buick in Rochester!

Jeanna Lidecker from Mentone Elementary School received a Tippecanoe Valley basketball signed by Coach Bill Patrick, a Valley football, and a fleece blanket from Lake City Bank in Mentone!

Gwen Cooper from the Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation technology team received a $15 gift certificate to Creighton’s Crazy Egg Cafe & Coffee Bar in Warsaw!

Genoveva Ramirez from Tippecanoe Valley High School received a $25 gift certificate to The Waldo Golf Course in Roann!

Crystal Heckaman from Tippecanoe Valley High School received a $25 gift certificate to The Waldo Golf Course in Roann!

Cheryl Huff from Tippecanoe Valley Middle School received a $20 gift certificate to Jarrety’s Place in Rochester!

Andrew Murphy from Akron Elementary School received one free Tippecanoe Valley apparel item from Roberts Signs in Warsaw!

Alysha Beachy from Mentone Elementary School received six free admissions to Saturday night Rock City cosmic bowling at Country Lanes in Rochester!

TVMS looking to fill 5 coaching positions

This entry was posted in News, TV Middle School on August 31, 2017 by Keith Lang.

Position:

8^th Grade Girls’ Basketball Coach

Building:

Tippecanoe Valley Middle School

Rate of Pay:

As per contract

Responsibilities:

Teaching Fundamentals of basketball Supervision

Qualifications:

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Ability to work well with students and staff

Ability to multi-task

Positive Attitude

Patient

Cooperative

Child-Centered

Neat Appearance

Contact:

Cory Cooper, Athletic Director

Tippecanoe Valley Middle School

11303 W. 800 S.

Akron, IN 46910

(574) 353-7353, ext. 3109

Email resumes to:

[email protected]

Application Deadline:

Applications accepted until positions are filled

—————————————————————————————————

Position:

8^th Grade Boys’ Basketball Coach

Building:

Tippecanoe Valley Middle School

Rate of Pay:

As per contract

Responsibilities:

Teaching Fundamentals of basketball Supervision

Qualifications:

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Ability to work well with students and staff

Ability to multi-task

Positive Attitude

Patient

Cooperative

Child-Centered

Neat Appearance

Contact:

Cory Cooper, Athletic Director

Tippecanoe Valley Middle School

11303 W. 800 S.

Akron, IN 46910

(574) 353-7353, ext. 3109

Email resumes to:

[email protected]

Application Deadline:

Applications accepted until positions are filled

————————————————————————————————

Position:

6th-8th Grades Assistant Track Coach

Building:

Tippecanoe Valley Middle School

Rate of Pay:

As per contract

Responsibilities:

Teaching Fundamentals of track Supervision

Qualifications:

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Ability to work well with students and staff

Ability to multi-task

Positive Attitude

Patient

Cooperative

Child-Centered

Neat Appearance

Contact:

Cory Cooper, Athletic Director

Tippecanoe Valley Middle School

11303 W. 800 S.

Akron, IN 46910

(574) 353-7353, ext. 3109

Email resumes to:

[email protected]

Application Deadline:

Applications accepted until positions are filled

———————————————————————————————-

Position:

6^th Grade Cheer Sponsor Coach

Building:

Tippecanoe Valley Middle School

Rate of Pay:

As per contract

Responsibilities:

Teaching Fundamentals of cheer leading Supervision

Qualifications:

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Ability to work well with students and staff

Ability to multi-task

Positive Attitude

Patient

Cooperative

Child-Centered

Neat Appearance

Contact:

Cory Cooper, Athletic Director

Tippecanoe Valley Middle School

11303 W. 800 S.

Akron, IN 46910

(574) 353-7353, ext. 3109

Email resumes to:

[email protected]

Application Deadline:

Applications accepted until positions are filled

———————————————————————————————-

Position:

6^th Grade Girls’ Basketball Assistant Coach

Building:

Tippecanoe Valley Middle School

Rate of Pay:

As per contract

Responsibilities:

Teaching Fundamentals of basketball Supervision

Qualifications:

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Ability to work well with students and staff

Ability to multi-task

Positive Attitude

Patient

Cooperative

Child-Centered

Neat Appearance

Contact:

Cory Cooper, Athletic Director

Tippecanoe Valley Middle School

11303 W. 800 S.

Akron, IN 46910

(574) 353-7353, ext. 3109

Email resumes to:

[email protected]

Application Deadline:

Applications accepted until positions are filled

Community invited to attend suicide prevention training

This entry was posted in Akron, Mentone, News, TV High School, TV Middle School on August 29, 2017 by Keith Lang.

The Tippecanoe Valley Community Mental Health Task Force invites the public to attend an upcoming session of QPR suicide prevention training.

QPR stands for Question, Persuade and Refer – three steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. People trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade and refer someone for help.

The training session will be conducted by Huntter Randall, corporate training coordinator for the Bowen Center. Randall is a highly-skilled trainer who brings a vast background of meaningful and applicable experiences to his training sessions.

The training will take place on Tuesday, September 26, starting at 4:15 p.m. in the Large Group Instruction room at Mentone Elementary located at 301 E. Jackson Street in Mentone. There is no charge to attend. The training will last until approximately 5:30 p.m.

Anyone interested in attending the training should check in at the front office a few minutes prior to the start of the training session. All Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation staff hired since last year’s training will be required to attend.

The Tippecanoe Valley Community Mental Health Task Force is comprised of close to 50 people from several different counties, professions, businesses and non-profit agencies. The task force was formed as a result of two suicides in the Tippecanoe Valley area in December 2012.

The task force met for the first time on February 19, 2013, with the goals of providing suicide prevention training to the community including Tippecanoe Valley staff and students. Its mission is to develop strategies to both increase knowledge and provide support, while reducing the stigma of mental illness. The task force meets once a month during the school year.

TVMS to establish coed soccer team

This entry was posted in News, TV Middle School on August 22, 2017 by Keith Lang.

A coed soccer team is coming to Tippecanoe Valley Middle School this spring. The board of trustees unanimously approved at an August 14^th board meeting a request by TVMS Athletic Director Cory Cooper to get a team established.

Students in sixth through eighth grades will have the opportunity to play soccer against Running Rivers Conference (RRC) schools North Miami, Whitko, Peru, Wabash and Manchester. Cooper said the schools will play a total of 10 games on a home and away schedule.

“I’ve been asking kids over the past year or two of their interest in playing soccer. There was always a large group of kids interested. It wasn’t surprising that there are still that many students that want to play. They are very excited,” said Cooper.

37 students have expressed interest in playing this spring so far. Cooper has been working with the RRC and the head soccer coach at Tippecanoe Valley High School to help develop the middle school soccer team.

“This will work out better for our eighth grade soccer players transferring to the high school because they’ll actually be playing all year long,” said Cooper.

Fifth grade students will be allowed to participate, if numbers permit. The season begins on Monday, March 5, 2018. The first game will take place against North Miami on Monday, April 9.

Category Archives: TV Middle School

Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation Launches New Website