Several Local Sites Prepare for June Kick Off of Summer Food Service Program

Posted on May 30, 2019
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI

To ensure that no Hoosier student spends their summer break hungry, the United States Department of Agriculture and Indiana Department of Education partner with area schools and organizations to provide meals through the Summer Food Service Program.

This program was created to help bridge the gap for students who rely on the free or reduced breakfast and lunch as their primary source of sustenance during the school year. 

Several local sites will kick off their programs during the first week of June. The communities of North Judson, Hamlet, Knox, Culver and Monterey will be providing meals through this program this summer.

For years, the program has provided children and teens ages 18 and under with access to free, nutritious meals and snacks during the summer months.

At some of the locations, adults may also get meals for a nominal price. Costs vary depending on the site so call in advance if you have any questions.

Additional information, such as times and dates as well as the locations of local sites, can be found below:

Oregon-Davis Elementary School:

Dates: Monday, June 3rd – Thursday, June 27th
Breakfast: 7:45 a.m. – 8:15 a.m.
Lunch: 11:00 a.m. – 11:40 a.m.
Offered: Monday-Thursday

Knox Elementary School:

Dates: Monday, June 3rd – Thursday, June 27th
Breakfast: 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Lunch: 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Offered: Monday-Thursday

Knox Middle School:

Dates: Monday, June 3rd – Thursday, June 27th
Breakfast: 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Lunch: 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Offered: Monday-Thursday

North Judson-San Pierre Elementary School:

Dates:
Monday, June 3rd – Friday, June 7th (Monday - Friday)
Monday, June 10th – Thursday, June 20th (Monday - Thursday)
Monday, June 24th – Wednesday, June 26th (Monday - Wednesday)
Breakfast: 7:30 a.m. – 8:15 a.m.
Lunch: 11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

Monterey-Tippecanoe Public Library:

Dates: Monday, June 3rd – Friday, August 2nd
Lunch: 11:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Offered: Monday, Wednesday, Friday

Culver Community Middle/High School:

Dates: Monday, June 3rd – Thursday, August 1st
Breakfast: 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Offered: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday

Culver Elementary School:

Dates: Monday, June 3rd – Friday, August 2nd
Breakfast: 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
Lunch: 11:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Offered: Monday-Friday

Culver-Union Township Library:

Dates: Tuesday, June 4th – Thursday, August 1st
Lunch: 11:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Offered: Tuesdays & Thursdays

The information listed above was provided through the Indiana Department of Education. If there are any errors, let us know and they will be corrected immediately.
Phone: 574-772-6241 ext: 104
Email: news@wkvi.com

Knox High School, Oregon-Davis Elementary Earn A’s in Latest School Accountability Grades

Posted on November 16, 2018
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI

Three local schools saw their letter grades decline in the latest round of School Accountability Grades. Knox Middle School and West Central Elementary School both got a D for the 2017-2018 school year, down from a C the year before. North Judson-San Pierre Elementary dropped from a B to a C.

The biggest increase in the local area was at Oregon-Davis Elementary School, which jumped from a C to an A. Meanwhile, Winamac Middle School and Culver Community Middle/High School both improved from a C to a B.

All other schools in Starke and Pulaski counties saw their letter grades stay the same. Knox was the only high school in the area to earn an A.

In the corporation-level accountability grades, North Judson-San Pierre declined from a B to a C, while Culver Community Schools did the opposite. The Knox and Eastern Pulaski community school corporations kept their B grades, while Oregon-Davis and West Central remained at a C.

The 2017-2018 School Accountability Grades were released this week by the Indiana Department of Education. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Jennifer McCormick said in a statement that the “grades are an indication of the great education Indiana students are receiving,” and that the state’s work is paying off.

A complete list of School Accountability Grades for 2017-2018 can be found on the Indiana Department of Education’s website.

North Judson-San Pierre Receives Metal Detectors, Policy Development and Staff Training to Follow

Posted on August 27, 2018
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI

Back in July, Governor Eric Holcomb announced that handheld metal detectors would be provided to public, private and charter schools at no cost as one element of the state’s comprehensive approach to bolster school safety efforts. North Judson-San Pierre was one of more nearly 370 Hoosier schools that requested metal detectors.

At last Tuesday’s NJSP school board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Annette Zupin reported they recently received the four detectors that were requested. She said now that they have these devices, a few more steps will have to happen before they can be utilized.

She explained, “We need to make sure we have the guidance that we need in order to use those appropriately, we will need to have some written policy and we will need to have some training of staff.”

Dr. Zupin said that they will be referencing guidance provided by the Indiana School Board Association and the Department of Education. She also noted that some policies will come before the school board for consideration next month.

Zupin added that the policies will likely be amended as more information is provided from state officials and as the school becomes more familiar with the practice of using the metal detectors.

Laws in Place Looking Out for the Health and Well Being of Hoosier Students

Posted on August 20, 2018
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI

With the back-to-school season in full swing, State Representative Jim Pressel recently sent out a release that highlights some of the ways legislators are looking out for students.

Some different laws that were passed this year were emphasized in the release, including a few that focus on the health and well being of students.

There is one law that focuses on the safety of student-athletes. House Enrolled Act 1024 establishes a certified coaching education course on how to prevent and respond to heat-related medical issues. School and intramural sports coaches for students in grades 5 through 12 are required to undergo this training.

Another law is meant to support foster youth. Nationally, 56 percent of children in foster care graduate from high school and only three percent graduate from college.

State officials are apparently working to develop tools to help foster care students succeed. House Enrolled Act 1314 requires the Department of Education, the Department of Child Services and the State Board of Education to produce annual reports on the educational outcomes of students in foster care.

Another very important law that was put into place addresses the high number of Hoosier students who report feeling suicidal. According to the Indiana Youth Institute, Hoosier youth are significantly more likely to consider or attempt suicide than their peers nationally.

Senate Enrolled Act 230 aims to prevent suicide deaths by updating awareness programs for educators, health care providers and emergency medical technicians. With this new law, the already mandatory annual training must be demonstrated to be an effective or promising program and it has to be recommended by the Indiana Suicide Prevention Network Advisory Council.

Help Combat Childhood Hunger By Sponsoring a Food Service Program This Summer

Posted on February 1, 2018
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI

The Indiana Department of Education is seeking participants for the 2018 Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). Rural areas such as Starke, Marshall and Pulaski Counties, are especially in need of services to help combat childhood hunger.

This program provides funding assistance to meal service sites in low-income areas where children may lack access to good nutrition during the summer months.

SFSP reimburses local sponsors that provide healthy, cost-free meals and snacks to children 18-years-old and younger when school is not in session.In addition to providing free meal services to the community, many sponsors offer additional educational or physical activities.

Last year, over 270 Indiana sponsors served more than three million meals and snacks at about 1400 feedings sites across the state. Schools and qualified community organizations are encouraged to join the cause and current sponsors are being asked to consider expanding their existing programs.

Sponsorship is open to public and private nonprofit groups, including local governments, religious organizations, summer camps, recreation centers, and others. Sponsors are trained on how to plan, operate and monitor a successful program. All new sponsors are required to attend a training workshop.

The application deadline for potential SFSP sponsors is April 30. For more information on becoming a sponsor or to sign up for training, click here.

New Partnership Aims to Bring High-Speed Internet to All Hoosier Students

Posted on October 26, 2017
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI

Governor Eric Holcomb and Indiana State Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Jennifer McCormick have announced a partnership that aims to give all Hoosier students access to the tools and resources needed for digital learning with high-speed internet in every classroom.

The state is teaming up with Education Super Highway (ESH), the nation’s leading non-profit focused on upgrading internet access in every public school classroom in America, at no cost to tax payers. ESH will work with the Indiana Department of Education and local school districts to determine need, whether that’s fiber infrastructure, greater and more affordable bandwidth or Wi-Fi upgrades.

Nearly 38,500 Hoosier students currently don’t have the needed bandwidth required to take advantage of technology in the classroom. There are 30 Indiana schools that still need high-speed fiber connections, 88 percent of school districts are not meeting national benchmarks for affordable broadband and there is more than $47 million remaining in federal E-rate funding to improve Wi-Fi in Indiana Schools.

This partnership will help the state best utilize the $2 million allocated in the state budget to support school internet connectivity and leverage these funs to secure more FCC E-rate match dollars to connect schools to fiber at low or no cost to schools.

NJ-SP Sees Increase in Student Enrollment

Posted on September 23, 2017
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI

The Indiana Department of Education does an annual student count in schools and their findings are used to determine state funding. When the average daily membership count took place at North Judson-San Pierre on Friday, September 15th, the ADM count was 1,031 students. Superintendent Dr. Annette Zupin said that for the first time in about 10 years, the school corporation saw an increase in their enrollment figures.

The school corporation had six more students enrolled than last year. Dr. Zupin stated that even though six more students may not seem significant, it points to progress and indicates that they are seeing some stability.

Vice President of the board, Derrick Staulbaum, mentioned that the additional students will result in approximately $42,000 more in state funding.

Superintendent of Public Instruction Visiting Local School This Thursday

Posted on August 21, 2017
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI

In an effort to provide updates and discuss educational initiatives, Indiana State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Dr. Jennifer McCormick is holding a series of teacher and community meetings across the state. Less than ten meetings have been scheduled but fortunately, local residents have the opportunity to attend the North Judson-San Pierre meeting and reception as long as they register prior to the Thursday.

During a N.J.-S.P. school board meeting last week, Superintendent Dr. Annette Zupin presented details to the board, “It will be August 24th, from 5 o’clock to 6:30 she will be speaking in the auditorium. The Indiana State Teacher’s Association is hosting a reception prior with finger foods and just a chance to speak with Dr. McCormick. That is 4 o’clock to 5 o’clock and will be in our cafeteria.”

Since the program is offered through the Department of Education and the reception is hosted by I.S.T.A, individuals must register for both separately in order to attend. Register for the 4:00 p.m. reception here. Register for the 5:00 p.m. teacher and community meeting here.

New SCILL Program Benefits from Haas Foundation Grant

February 13, 2016AuthorTyler Maffitt, WKVI 

A local organization dedicated to improving the skills of the labor force in Starke County and the surrounding areas has received a bit of a boost.

Representatives from the Gene Haas Foundation appeared in Knox on Friday to present a check in the amount of $5-thousand. The funds will be used to help support the development and implementation of a training program at the SCILL Center for students and adults in automation, robotics, and equipment maintenance.

Starke County Economic Development Foundation Special Projects Coordinator Ron Gifford says they were recently notified of the grant award.

“We’re excited about, not only launching the program, but what it could mean for – not only the citizens of this county – but those that adjoin us,” says Gifford. “Their folks can obtain additional training and take well paying positions within those industries. So we are excited about that program.”

The grant will be paired with other commitments, including $250-thousand from the Office of Community and Rural Affairs, and a $100-thosuand grant from the Indiana Department of Education. The Knox TIF Fund has also pledged $100-thousand.

The Gene Haas Foundation has been tasked with improving access to manufacturing education in the form of grants and scholarships. According to the foundation, more than 1,200 charitable donations have been made.

Jeff Holtzapple is a Vice President and General Manager for the factory outlet in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. He says things have become easier when creating matches between the foundation and the organizations supporting the educational programs.

“We have a robust HTEC (Haas Educational Training Centers) program where many schools use our machines and we will get the word out that way,” says Holtzapple. “But for quite a while after the foundation started, money was just sitting there. Again, we can’t do the work for the schools and institutions and organizations, they have to do it themselves.”

Despite working as a charitable gift, there is an aspect involved that addresses what is commonly referred to as the “skills gap” in manufacturing. By training the workforce with machining and manufacturing skills, the grants look to play their part when attempting to fill projections of about 2-million jobs over the next decade.

Department of Education Issues New ISTEP Requirements

Published: February 20, 2015
By: Tyler Maffitt, WKVI

Calls for reduced test times have prompted the Indiana Department of Education to issue guidance eliminating certain questions from the ISTEP test.

The reductions come shortly after new rules were adopted by the Indiana General Assembly. Those alterations, however, come close to the actual testing dates.

Plymouth Community Schools Superintendent Dan Tyree says if testing times can be reduced; it should’ve been done well in advance.

“I think the public should be irate that we have political volleyball being played with the ISTEP test and that’s exactly what’s happening,” says Tyree.

According to guidance released by the Department of Education, portions of the Math and Language Arts sections will be dropped. By eliminating those portions, it will save test takers about three hours and five minutes at all grade levels.

ISTEP is used to measure student progress, but is also used in teacher evaluations around the state. Multiple school corporations in the immediate area have criticized using ISTEP as an evaluation tool.

Tyree says it’s an unusual step to use one test as an evaluation.

“Their principal sees what they’re doing throughout that entire 180-day period and then you take a 7-hour period on a test and say ‘well, you didn’t do very well this year’ and so you’re going to get an F or you’re going to get a D,” says Tyree.

ISTEP tests will be administered in many area schools in March and April.

Private schools receiving choice vouchers may soon have the option to administer a test other than the ISTEP under a bill being considered in the Indiana Senate. Whether reducing ISTEP test times makes public education more competitive remains to be seen.

Tyree says he recommends residents ask how much ISTEP costs taxpayers, and ask educators if the test is effective at measuring student knowledge.

Indiana DOE Releases School Grades

Published: November 6, 2014
By: Anita Goodan, WKVI

The Indiana Department of Education released the A-F grades for all schools in the state on Wednesday. The release of the grades was delayed after the State Board of Education had received appeals from several schools.

Locally, Knox High School and Knox Elementary School received an A grade, along with Culver Elementary and Middle Schools, the North Judson-San Pierre Elementary School, West Central High School and Elementary School and all three Eastern Pulaski schools.

Oregon-Davis Elementary School received a B and the junior/senior high school received a C. North Judson-San Pierre Junior High and high school both scored a C. Knox Middle School raised its grade from failing to a C. West Central Middle School also received a C.

A full list of schools and their grades can be downloaded here: Final_Corp_School_Grades_2014 (1)