North Judson-San Pierre Athletic Director Explains What Is Required to Participate in School Sports

By: Ben Haut, WKVI 

Published: August 6th, 2013

The beginning of the school year is quickly approaching, and many student athletes are gearing up to get back into the game. Rob Vessely, athletic director at North Judson-San Pierre High School, told WKVI that there are a number of forms that student athletes must fill out and turn in before they can compete in any IHSAA-sanctioned sports.

Vessely said two forms are required by IHSAA, including a physical form and a signed concussion waiver. The physical form indicates that the student has passed a physical exam and is capable of playing sports, while the second form focuses more on a potential injury.

“The IHSAA also requires student athletes to sign off on what’s called a concussion waiver. All it does is, the parent and the student athlete sign that form so they understand and they’re aware of the risks associated with playing sports and that concussions are a risk of playing any type of sport,” said Vessely.

North Judson schools also require two additional forms, according to Vessely. He said the corporation also requires an insurance form and an emergency form; the insurance form states what kind of insurance coverage or lack thereof the student’s family has, while the emergency form contains contact information to be used in case of an emergency.

Vessely said the school has contracted with IU Health to provide athletic trainers on site at the schools to provide athletic training services, and toward the end of the school year, the gymnasium is used to conduct sports physicals for student athletes, giving them the physical form to be used in the next year.

“That way, they can come in – this past year, for example, it was only $10, they do a full circuit of examinations and they come out with a physical they can use in the next school year,” said Vessely. “It’s a great service they provide.”

Check with your child’s school corporation to ensure that all the paperwork required to participate in sports has been filled out correctly.

Free and Reduced Lunch Guidelines Effective for New School Year

By: Anita Goodan, WKVI 

Published: August 6th, 2013

A number of students in our area utilize the federal Free and Reduced Meals program offered and the new guidelines are now in effect until June 30, 2014.

The guidelines apply to schools participating in the National School Lunch Program and other programs. The program’s eligibility and other mandates are adjusted annually and are based on the Federal income poverty guidelines. They are stated on household size.

Definition of income as explained in the guidelines means income before any deductions such as income taxes, Social Security taxes, insurance premiums, charitable contributions and bonds.

Reduced price meals account for 185 percent of the Federal poverty guideline and free meals account for 130 percent of the Federal poverty guideline. A complete income guideline chart can be found here.

The number of free and reduced students becomes a factor when analyzing ISTEP+ scores as those students are in their own group. They can either improve or worsen a school’s overall performance on the test.

8/7 & 8/2013 Kid’s Closet Ministry Pack-a-Backpack Event This Week

By: Ben Haut, WKVI
Published: August 6th, 2013
 

With the supply drives behind them, Kid’s Closet Ministry’s Pack-a-Backpack event is coming up this week. On Aug. 7 and 8 from 5 to 7 p.m. CT at the North Judson Methodist Church, Linda Lewandowski said the ministry will be giving away school supplies to children in need.

“We’re looking for children in need. So, basically, if your children are on free or reduced lunch, then they should qualify for a free backpack and school supplies. You just need to show up on Aug. 7 or 8, Wednesday and Thursday, 5 to 7 p.m. at the Fellowship Hall at the North Judson United Methodist Church and we will have paperwork for you to fill out – a registration form for the children. The children have to be present with the parent or guardian,” Lewandowski explained.

Kids will receive a backpack, crayons, scissors, and just about everything they need to start the school year. Supply drives held last month went a long way in providing the items needed for the event, and Lewandowski said other fundraisers and donations are helping them continue with their mission.

“We’ve always known the need has been there. I’ve heard of kids that have told me stories that they have themselves taken things in for kids in their classroom that have needed things. So this is just an idea that stemmed from a child and we just decided to start the program in the spring of this year and it’s just a trial and error kind of thing. We’re trying to figure out how we can meet the needs of kids in this community,” Lewandowski said.

The program looks to help children in Starke County by providing them with the essentials they need for school. She said children are sent to the ministry at the recommendation of teachers or through Love INC, where children are screened and then turned over to the program for assistance.

8/31/2013 Car Wash Fundraiser For American Legion Ladies Auxiliary & NJ-SP Pop Warner Dance

GED Changes Create Time Crunch for Students

By: Mary Perren, WKVI
Published: August 5th, 2013
 

Students who are studying for their GED have until the end of the year to pass the test before new state standards take effect. Bob Hornung teaches GED classes in Starke, Pulaski and Jasper Counties. He says the entire test is changing to a new, more intensive version.
“It’s going to have writing across every subject, because up to the core standards is what the new test will represent, the new state core standards. Everything’s going to be in line that way. Unfortunately someone who has taken a test with the old version can’t carry those passing scores over from the old year. They have to start all over from scratch under the new rules of the test,” Hornung said.

Hornung says students who are working toward a GED can finish up by the end of the year if they work hard. He says the time frame for completing the test depends on several factors, including the individual’s starting point.

“Some come in and maybe they’re just recently out of school and maybe have gotten through the 11th grade completely, they’re going to have a more recency effect to draw on. We have some people that may have been out of school for many years and may have only went to the 9th grade equivalent there, so there may be some catching up to do,” said Hornung.

Hornung says a student’s will to learn is equally important.

“It’s really determined on kind of where their starting point lies and the intensity they put in. How often they come to class and how hard they work when they get here will really determine the rate at which they can get from Point A to Point B,” said Hornung.

The new GED test will also be more expensive, as it is entirely computer-based. The test now costs between $50 and $70, but that cost will go up to $120 when the new standards take effect. Test takers should also know the content of the test will change. The current test has five sections: reading, science, social studies, language, and math. The future test will combine the two language arts sections, reading and language, into one comprehensive test. They will also change the format of the essay. Currently, students are mostly prompted to write something about themselves. The future test will ask test takers to write a short research essay. The new GED test also promises to have more challenging math questions and may likely include skills from trigonometry as well.

GED resources are available at the Starke County Adult Learning Center, 6, N. Shield St., Knox, 574-249-8720 or 574-772-6882 ext. 3 or at the Starke County Adult Learning Center, North Judson-Wayne Township Public Library, 208 Keller Ave., North Judson, 574-896-2841.

8/7/2013 School Registration @ St. Peter Lutheran School

If your children will be going to St. Peter Lutheran School, registration will be on Wednesday, August 7 from 3-7 pm (cst).   All students preschool-8th grade are included for registration.  

You can access more information about their school at St. Peter Lutheran School.

8/15/2013 Blood Drive @ United Methodist Church

The North Judson United Methodist Church is sponsoring a blood drive on August 15th from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.  It will be held in the Church Hall located at 210 W. Central Avenue, North Judson, Indiana.

To schedule an appointment call 1-800-RED CROSS or go to redcrossblood.org, sponsor code "umcnj".

8/17/2013 Civil War Encampment @ Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum

Here's something interesting to do - visit the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum on August 17th for their Civil War Encampment. Visit with Civil War reenactors, enjoy authentic period displays, watch and listen to cannon fire and learn about this pivotal period in American history. Train rides at 11:00 am, 1:30 pm and 2:45 pm (all Central Time, of course).

To purchase tickets visit Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum.

8/1/2013 Notes From Nubi - "Work Like A Dog Day" Is Coming!

Monday, August 5th, is “Work Like A Dog Day.”

OK, I can hear mom sniggering in the background, implying that I don’t do any work.  But when was the last time that a leaf assaulted the yard without being challenged?  Or how about all those people on the other side of the street who keep walking past the house when they hear me barking?  I earn my kibble every day!

And once school starts on August 14th plenty of others will be working like a dog.  Like all those students getting up early for school.  Moms and dads will be getting up even earlier to wake up the kids for school, some will even have to go in under the covers and drag them out, just like a Terrier.  Teachers, support staff, and administrators will go into school early and leave late, while also getting their kids up and ready for school.  The list goes on and on.

But did you ever wonder what it means to “work like a dog?”  According to Holiday Insights:

Work Like a Dog Day honors and recognizes the hardest working among us.

Some people skate by, doing as little as possible. Others, do only what they have to. Others still work like a dog. While work is to be done, they dig in relentlessly. They seldom take a break until the task is completed. 

We want to make sure to differentiate between "Work-A-Holics" and those who "Work Like a Dog". Work-A-Holics are always working, even though they may not be working hard. Those who work like a dog, work very hard while they are working. But, they do not work all of the time. 

Today is a day to show appreciation for those who carry more than their load, and work like a dog. You can also honor them by working like a dog today.

So if you happen to cross paths with someone working like a dog today, be sure you:

• tell them what a good boy/girl they are, 
• give them a pat on the head or back (a nice scratch behind the ears or under the chin really makes me happy), 
•  and be sure to carry a nice treat to give them for a job well done.

You may just make their day.

Quote of the Month - August 2013

With school starting I thought this was rather appropriate.