Several Area Schools Considering Balanced School Calendar

By: Ben Haut, WKVI
Published: January 24th, 2014

A number of area schools are considering the possibility of implementing a different school calendar than has been the norm for more than a century. North Judson-San Pierre School Superintendent Lynn Johnson told WKVI that she presented the school board with a presentation for the 2015–2016 school calendar using the “balanced calendar” system which stretches breaks out over a school year.

“A balanced calendar means that your breaks are balanced throughout the school year, and so basically instead of having a long summer break, you have intersessions every nine weeks. One of those breaks would be for intersession for remediation, so instead of waiting until the summer break, we’re able to remediate kids and, hopefully, in the future, also offer enrichment opportunities during that time period,” Johnson explained.

Johnson said NJ-SP is considering implementing the calendar along with the Knox, Oregon-Davis, Culver, Triton, and Plymouth school corporations, among others. She said community meetings will be held in March at all the area school corporations to present them with information about the balanced calendar system.

The balanced calendar system includes two-week intersession breaks between each nine-week session, but would require students to start school earlier in August. The calendar would also include a summer break, but it would be no longer than eight weeks long, according to Johnson.

“The major benefit is that we don’t have that large learning gap over the summer break. We’re no longer an agrarian society; kids don’t need to be available to work on the family farm. It’s a model that was established 150 years ago and it’s just no longer relevant. So the balanced calendar is not a year-round calendar; it’s still 180 days, it’s just broken up differently,” Johnson said.

The first meetings will be held on March 4 and March 6 at the North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation, beginning at 7 p.m.

Extras Are Needed in a Movie Being Filmed in Culver

Do the bright lights of Hollywood beckon you? Are you waiting to be discovered? This might be your chance. If you are interested in being an extra for the film they are shooting in Culver then click on the link in this story from WKVI and follow their lead.

By: Anita Goodan, WKVI

Published: August 9th, 2013

The movie “Little Savages” is currently being filmed in the town of Culver.

Producer James Simmons is looking for extras. If you are interested, follow this link and fill in the required fields. On the second page you will find a calendar of days in which extras are needed. Simply choose “yes” or “no” on the days you are available.

After you complete the form, you will receive an email with times you will need to respond to the set, as well as the location, contact information and wardrobe required.

The filming has been ongoing since Monday. Here is a short synopsis of “Little Savages”:

Visiting the charming lake town of Culver, Albie, a boy genius and Tiffany, his sister, race against bullies to find a treasure recently hidden by an eccentric philanthropist. Todd Savage, Eddie Savage and Winnie Savage are local kids who welcome in Albie, while Tiffany is torn between the two groups. The movie follows the adventures of the group as they look for the treasure.

Several well-known actors are in this movie including Noah Lomax, Jamie Kennedy, Adam Hicks, Leigh-Allyn Baker, Aiden Mincks, Katherine McNamara, Aubrey K. Miller and Kenton Duty.

Trick-or-Treating Hours Updated

North Judson – 5:00-6:30 p.m. CT (San Pierre usually follows the same schedule)

Knox- 5:30-7:00 p.m. CT with costume judging to be held after 7:00 p.m. at the Knox Community Center.  Refreshments and prizes will be given for three age groups.  The costume judging is sponsored by Starke County A.B.A.T.E.

Hamlet – 5:30-7:00 p.m. CT

Winamac – 5:00-7:00 p.m. ET

Francesville – 5:00-7:00 p.m. ET

Medaryville – 5:00-7:00 p.m. ET with costume judging at 7:15 p.m. ET at the Lion’s Club

Monterey – 5:30-7:00 p.m. ET

Culver – 5:00-7:00 p.m. ET

Plymouth – 5:00-7:00 p.m. ET