8/16/2018 Parent and Community Presentation on Internet Safety

A parent program will take place at 5:30 on Thursday evening in the NJ-SP Auditorium. All parents and community members are invited.

Cathie Bledsoe, a Youth Educator for Indiana’s ICAC Task Force, will discuss dangers that the internet poses for children and teenagers.

The Internet Crimes Against Children or ICAC works with state and local law enforcement agencies to develop an effective response to technology facilitated child sexual exploitation. ICAC encompasses investigation, training, prevention and community education.

Cathie Bledsoe has over 10 years of teaching experience with children, adults, gifted students and juveniles in the probation system. and has been a presenter on Internet Safety and Cyber Bullying for the past 7 years. She holds a Master Degree in Secondary Education-Instructional Technology.

Downtown Additions Discussed During North Judson Town Council Meeting

Posted on April 24, 2018 
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI

North Judson Town Council members considered the purchase of 30 new banners from OTES Signs and Graphics when they met last Monday.

Councilman James Young explained that the town already has the mounting brackets and hardware needed to hang them, so they would just need to buy the banners themselves. He said the price for all 30 banners came to $960, which breaks down to $32 per banner.

He added that the look of the new banners would be consistent with existing signage, “With a design that would look similar to what we have coming into town, it just says ‘Welcome to North Judson’, something bright and colorful.”

Councilman Josh Brown stated that he thought the banners looked great and other council members were in agreement. The motion to purchase all 30 banners passed with unanimous approval.

Young also informed members about a few potential projects that he’s been looking into with North Judson-San Pierre art teacher Clayton Howard, “I also talked to the high school art teacher about painting fire hydrants and some possible murals on some of the buildings downtown.”

Young explained, “He’s supposed give us a report about coordinating with the art class to be doing that in the near future.”

No official actions were taken on those proposed ideas. However, Young said he will continue speaking with Mr. Howard about the painting projects.

NJ-SP High School Academic Super Bowl Teams

Congratulations to the High School Academic Super Bowl Teams for a wonderful performance last night at the Lowell invitational!

The Math and Science teams placed 2nd and the Social Studies, Fine Arts, and English teams took home 3rd place ribbons. Way to go teams! The next competition is March 13th at River Forest.

English Academic Team (Not pictured - Erin)

Math Academic Team

Science Academic Team

Social Studies Academic Team

3/16/2018 Kids' Night Out @ NJ-SP High School

Kids' Night Out (Sponsored by the NJ-SP Junior Class): 5:00-8:00 PM (Pre-register at 4:30)

For grades 1-6  Cost is $10!

You can pick up a copy of the following form at the Liberty Elementary School office.

1/26/2018 2nd Annual NJ-SP BlueJay Showcase

On North Judson...

Ah, memories - sitting in the NJ-SP high school gym for a pep rally, listening to the band playing “On North Judson”, and admiring the BlueJay logo recently painted in the jump circle.  Does this give you any clue as to how old I am? 

For several years (OK, it’s been decades) the North Judson-Wayne Township Public Library has been in possession of the jump circle from the original North Judson High School.  During that time it has undergone a few tweaks, although we haven’t done anything to change the condition it was in when we received it, just a few minor things to preserve it and make it easier to present.  And just last Friday (December 9, 2017) it was mounted behind the circulation desk so everyone could enjoy it. 

So the next time you come in to the library take a few minutes to check it out and let the memories come flooding back. 

2/6/2017 Financial Aid Night @ NJ-SP High School

North Judson-San Pierre High School will be hosting the annual Financial Aid Night on Monday, February 6^th, starting at 6:30 p.m. in the high school library.

A college representative will be present to discuss the financial aid process.  The rep will walk parents through completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form that must be completed online.

If you have a senior planning to attend post-secondary education, make sure to come to this important event! 

The deadline for the federal processor to receive the FAFSA is March 10, 2017. 

1/21/2017 NJ-SP Showcase

N.J.-S.P. Students to Compete in National Rodeo

Posted on July 7, 2016
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI 
   
Three North Judson-San Pierre High School students will compete in a national rodeo. Caleb Bope, Michael Wilcox, and Tyler Woods have qualified for the National High School Finals Rodeo July 17 through 23 in Gillette, Wyoming.

Billed as the “World’s Largest Rodeo,” the annual event attracts about 1,500 contestants from the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Bope is scheduled to compete in Team Roping, as well as Steer Wrestling. Wilcox will take part in Bull Riding, while Woods will compete in Saddle Bronc Riding.

According to the National High School Rodeo Association website, contestants who finish in the top 20 in each event will move on to a final round of competition. They’ll then have the chance to compete for national titles, as well as a share of thousands of dollars in college scholarships.

Bope, Wilcox, and Woods qualified for the National High School Finals Rodeo based on their success in state-level competitions. No one from Indiana has ever won a national title at the high school level in any of the events in which they are competing, according to the Rodeo Association’s records.

5/17 & 19/2016 Sign-up for 2016 Swim Lessons @ NJ-SP Highschool

Sign-up for swimming lessons will be held from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 17th, and Thursday May 19th, at the North Judson-San Pierre High School Pool.  You must sign up in person, no phone calls or emails.  The cost is $32 and must be prepaid with cash or check payable to NJSP. 

June 1 to June 14, 2016 Classes 

8 to 8:45 = Beginners I, 5 to 6 year olds  

9 to 9:45 = Beginners I, 5 to 6 year olds  

10 to 10:45 = Mommy & Me, 5 to 6 year olds (one parent MUST get into the water) 

11 to 11:45 = Beginners I, 7 years and older  

12 to 1 = Lifeguarding 1, must be 15 or older/Junior Lifeguarding 1, must be 12 or older (Plus extra Red Cross Lifeguarding fee 15 or older only)

June 15 to June 28, 2016 Classes 

8 to 8:45 = Advanced Beginners (Must have passed beginners) 

9 to 9:45 = NEW CLASS Intermediate (Must have passed Advanced Beginners) 

10 to 10:45 = Beginners II, 5-6 year olds who have taken Beginners I 

11 to 11:45 = Beginners II, 7 years and older and have taken Beginners I  

12 to 1 = Lifeguarding 2, must be 15 or older/Junior Lifeguarding 2, must be 12 or older (Plus extra Red Cross Lifeguarding fee 15 or older only)

4/22,23,24/2016 N.J.-S.P. Production of ‘Annie’ This Weekend

April 20, 2016AuthorMichael Gallenberger, WKVI 

North Judson-San Pierre High School

A musical classic is being staged by North Judson-San Pierre students this weekend. Performances of “Annie” will take place Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at the High School Auditorium.

Director Donna Ness says “Annie” was an easy choice for the spring musical, “Looking at the kids that we had, we’re a little low on guys right now in the department, and so “Annie” just seemed a natural, with all the girls in it. I knew [freshman] Carl [Rose] could step up to the task of the “Daddy” Warbucks, and we have another freshman who is doing a really good job with Rooster. So just looking at the kids that we had there, that’s how it happened.”

She says it’s a young cast taking part in this play, with many freshmen and sophomores, in addition to several middle school students taking the part of orphans. The role of Annie, meanwhile, went to Hannah Kleist. “I’m a sophomore, so it was kind of a shock to get a lead role, and I’m kind of proud,” says Kleist.

She adds that she and her cast-mates are enjoying rehearsals so far, “Everything is going really well. I haven’t seen people this excited, cast-wise, in a really, really long time, and we’ve all put a lot into it choreography-wise and set-wise, and it’s fantastic.”

Performances will be held at 6:30 p.m. this Friday and Saturday and at 2:00 p.m. this Sunday. Tickets are $6 for adults and $5 for students. Admission is free for children five and under.

4/27/2016 North Judson-San Pierre Art Show

NJ-SP Band & Choir Concert

From the North Judson-San Pierre Middle School Facebook page:  

The Band and Choir Classes did a fantastic job on their concert. Thank you to Mrs. Ness and Mrs. Flores for a job well done. If you missed this one, there's still one more in May!

     

From the North Judson-San Pierre High School - JayFeed:  

The Music Department demonstrated their outstanding abilities at last night's concert. Over 100 students performed! AMAZING! 

March is Disability Awareness Month

March is Disability Awareness month and in celebration of and to honor our special needs students, NJ-SP schools will be selling t-shirts. The cost is $15.00 for Youth/Adult sizes and $18.00 for Plus (2XL, 3XL, 4XL) sizes.

You can order using this link:  

https://docs.google.com/…/1P-yUFlGNC0fv7tRe2danrnN…/viewform

The deadline is Tuesday, February 16th.

Championship Pictures @ North Judson-San Pierre High School

From the Facebook page of:  North Judson-San Pierre High School - JayFeed 

Our newest champion picture was recently hung in the PE hallway--The 2015 Sectional Volleyball Champions! This is right down the hall from the oldest pictures in the hallway from the 1970's!

N.J.-S.P. Principal Responds to Volleyball Allegations

October 23, 2015AuthorMary Perren, WKVI 

The WKVI News and Sports Departments and General Manager met this week with officials from North Judson-San Pierre High School to discuss allegations raised by two parents during the Tuesday, Oct. 21 ‘s school board meeting and reported by WKVI News. We received this response from them this morning and agreed to publish it in its entirety on our website. We have also removed the original story from our site in an effort to stop the spread of misinformation.

Statement From NJ-SP High School Principal (Annette Zupin):

As the principal of North Judson-San Pierre High School, I do not make a habit out of publicly commenting about school business.  The allegations of misconduct that were recently made at a school board meeting (and subsequently reported by WKVI) are serious.  I choose to comment publicly on this situation now because it is serious, and because it is important for anyone that has read the initial report to know the truth.  

The truth is that we did have conflict on our volleyball team.  That conflict was first reported to us on Thursday, August 27th.  On the afternoon of the 27th, members of our administrative team interviewed players and coaches from our volleyball team.  On Friday the 28th, a second series of discussions were held.  There were small group meetings (all junior varsity players together with a coach and an administrator in one room & all varsity players together with coaches in a different room) followed up by a large group (full team) meeting with coaches and an administrator present.  There were also several meetings over the course of these two days with various groups of parents.

As in any situation involving conflict, it is never just one thing.  The common themes that were discussed on that Friday were … miscommunication over a team gathering that made the junior varsity players feel left out, poor body language between teammates, and the fact that a large number of underclassmen had earned significant roles on the varsity team.

At the end of the meeting on Friday, the vast majority of the players in the volleyball program were pleased with the progress that had been made and were ready to move on.  On the Monday after that meeting, two junior varsity players chose to leave the team.  Soon after that, two other junior varsity players were lost for the season for medical reasons.  At that point, we were able to add three more girls to our volleyball program which allowed us to complete the junior varsity season.  At no point during the rest of the season did we receive any more reports of conflict within the team.

For these same allegations to emerge two months later is quite curious to me.  We’re not perfect.  We will never claim to be.  But we are also not what was portrayed in the WKVI article.  Morale is so low that nine girls quit?  The correct number is two, and three more joined the team in the next three days.  Bullying?  No.  Conflict?  Yes.  Was it mediated?  Yes.  This situation has been addressed, and we have moved forward.

We take great pride in working to provide the best possible environment for our students to succeed … both inside and outside of the regular school day.  That environment is not problem-free.  When problems arise, we work through them.  We don’t ignore them.  In cases of severe misconduct, we take severe action.  In cases where other corrective measures are appropriate, we use those.

I know not all of you have the view from the inside of the school that I do.  I know it’s easy to find negativity if you seek it.  But I look forward to coming to work at North Judson-San Pierre High School everyday because of the students and the staff that I get to work with.  I am proud to be a Bluejay, and I will always be proud to be a Bluejay!

Walorski Looks at North Judson-San Pierre to Learn How to Help Students Graduate

Published: September 1, 2015 By: Michael Gallenberger, WKVI 

U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski is taking a look at local schools in her district, to see what steps they are taking to increase graduation. One of her stops Monday was at North Judson-San Pierre High School. That school district has been challenged by budget issues, but school officials are working to keep programs in place to help struggling students graduate.

For instance, students who fail a class have the chance to take it again online, but Susie Matzat, one of the program’s teachers, says that system helps other students, too, “Our credit recovery we do use for students who fail courses, but occasionally we use it for that student who’s in band, choir, honors English, calculus, their schedule won’t work. So they sometimes take an online class through that as well. I administer that program, and I can make the class more difficult or easier, depending on the needs of the student.”

There is also a similar system letting students take classes online that are not offered at the school. For example, due to budget cuts, there’s no longer a German teacher at the school, but students can keep taking German classes online.

Walorski is focusing on education because she says the biggest issue among manufacturers in her district has shifted from uncertainty in the market to a gap in the labor pool, “Schools are the bridge to employment, and we can do all kinds of things at this level, but when we have a shortage of workers like we do right now sitting on such an expansion of jobs, this is the place that the attention has to be paid.”

She also praised the school for its efforts to teach students skills they can use in the manufacturing and agriculture industries.

North Judson-San Pierre High School Graduation Rate Soars

Published: April 24, 2015
By: Anita Goodan, WKVI

The North Judson-San Pierre High School principal attributes the uptick in the graduation rate at the corporation to the efforts of determined students, staff, and counselors.

The rate has only gone up slightly each year for the past few years, but Annette Zupin told the school board this week that it means a lot to see students improve. Zupin believes an 11 percent increase in the graduation rate between 2013 and 2014 is due to the determination of students to graduate. The graduation rate was at 84.7 percent in 2013 and 95.8 percent in 2014. The school board members are hoping for the same or better results this year.

Zupin also credited the counselors for creating an avenue to direct students in the right direction, so they get the help they need to pass End of Course Assessment tests. She believes the A+ credit recovery program at the school helps students who are failing in English/Language Arts. Students who may not have strong English/Language Arts skills can utilize the program to strengthen those skills and it’s available online. The online course is offered in addition to a classroom course for help. A separate English remediation class is also available.

4/30/2015 Fight for Public Education

5/7/2014 NJSP & IU Health Athletic Physical Night

NJSP & IU Health present – Athletic Physical Night

Wednesday, May 7, 2014
5-8 p.m. CST
North Judson-San Pierre High School Gym

Student-athletes of all ages can receive an athletic physical for the 2014/15 school year for only $10.

Students from area schools are invited to attend.  The first 100 students will receive a free Powerade drink.  Athletic physicals meet IHSAA requirements.  No appointment needed.