It’s hard to believe that the school year will start up again in just a little over a month.
The Knox Community School Board members were informed of the registration dates and times for the three buildings during their meeting this week.
Knox Principals Give Progress Report to School Board
Middle School Principal Dave Miller explained that the Starke County Youth Club summer program will be wrapping up Thursday. He added that he’s really pleased with how the students have been doing in the program. Forty students are engaged in English and Math classes in the morning and then they participate in their choice of 16 different enrichment programs in the afternoon.
Spotlight Falls on Spring Stampede
Instructor Jenny Fletcher explained that the severe and profound special needs students participated in a Spring Stampede near the end of the school year and all instructors and students had a great time. There were over 80 special needs students from Argos, Plymouth, LaVille, John Glenn and Knox and 30 high school volunteers helped with activities.
Summer School in Progress at Knox Community Schools
The Knox Community School Board members received an update on summer school Monday night.
The three building principals reported that summer school is going well in each school. The second summer school session at the high school will begin in July. The middle school is not in charge of summer school as the Starke County Youth Club is working to aide children with activities and academics this summer. Principal Dave Miller said it is going very smoothly.
High School Principal Dr. Elizabeth Ratliff informed the board that the USDA Summer Food program is going well with many families and students taking the opportunity to eat free meals at the high school. Many athletes participating in summer scrimmages are finding the meals handy as they end activities. Breakfast and lunch are served for free Monday through Friday.
Culver Building Trades Class Finishes Project
The Culver Building Trades class recently finished a project at Bass Lake. Vocational Director Jerry Hollenbaugh said a beautiful home – and one of the largest the class has worked on – was built for A.J. Gappa and his family. Students from Culver Community Schools, North Judson-San Pierre Schools and Knox Community Schools participated in this project under the direction of Kyle Elliott.
Knox Community School Board Discusses Bus Inspection
The Knox Community School Board got an update on the recent bus inspection conducted by the Indiana State Police.
On April 12, 36 buses were inspected with 31 passing. One bus needed seat covers repaired, one needed a muffler replaced while another bus had low tire tread. Other minor issues were cited and fixed within the same day. All buses eventually passed inspection.
The troopers were quick to tell the maintenance staff that this is the second year where they have seen the buses needing very little repair and noted that Knox had one of the best bus inspections.
The board commended the staff of a job well done.
School Referendum Voted Down in Special Election
Voters Say No to School Referendum
The results for the Knox Community School Corporation Special Election have been tallied and the voters in the school district have said no to a construction and rehabilitation project at the Palmer Wing of the Knox Elementary School.
There were 1,014 votes cast and of those, 556 votes were for against the referendum and 458 votes were for the referendum.
ISTEP Testing Issues Could Cause More Problems
Knox Community School Board Dissects IREAD Results
The IREAD test is a state test given to all third grade students to measure their reading abilities and comprehension. If the student does not pass the test, he or she will be able to go through remediation and take the test again in the summer.
Knox Community School Board Spotlights Music Program
Band Director Craige Phipps talked to the board about the successful season of the winter drumline, the winter guard and the groups who participated in state competitions this year.
Superintendent A.J. Gappa explained that the band got to go down to Disney World during spring break to play some music.
“After working with a professional musician for just about 45 minutes and doing some sight-reading, they played the music to the Disney cartoon Tarzan. They played the actual soundtrack. The board enjoyed watching that cartoon. It was kind of neat!” Gappa exclaimed.
Update on Preschool Class Given to Knox School Board
“The enrollment in the preschool program is now up to thirteen students in each class – one class in the morning and one class in the afternoon. Three of those students are new students who entered the class as the result of the recent Kindergarten Roundup,” said Gappa.
Those students will be entering kindergarten this August with the rest of the kindergarten students.
Palmer Wing Tour Offered Tuesday Afternoon
Voters who reside within the Knox Community School Corporation limits can see for themselves the problems with the elementary school’s 60-year-old Palmer wing during an open house and tour this afternoon at 4 p.m. It’s sponsored by the “Whatever It Takes” Committee, who claims the original school lacks the electrical infrastructure necessary to support today’s high-tech classrooms, the heating and air conditioning systems are over-taxed, and foundation problems are causing cracks in the floor. Additionally, they say the kitchen is too cramped for cafeteria staff to prepare enough food for the entire building.
Knox Community School Corporation Announces Summer Feeding Program
The Knox Community School Corporation will once again offer breakfast and lunch to area youngsters this summer. The Summer Feeding Program starts on Monday, June 3 and continues through Thursday, July 25. All meals will be served in the Knox High School cafeteria. Breakfast will be available from 7:15 until 8:15 each weekday morning. Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. until noon. Free meals will be available to children ages 18 and under and to persons over age 18 who are enrolled in a state-approved educational program for the mentally or physically disabled. The program is funded through a federal grant. If you would like more information, call Knox Community School Corporation Director of Food Services Sandra Landry at (574) 772-1632.
Knox High School Principal Commended for Achievement
The Knox Community School Board this week recognized High School Assistant Principal Mike Bendicsen for a notable education achievement. Superintendent A.J. Gappa explained that Mike Bendicsen finished his educational doctorate through Oakland City University.
“This was a time for the board to bring him in and give him the credit he deserves for going through that process and obtaining that degree,” stated Gappa.
Knox School Board Spotlights Graphic Arts Department
Superintendent A.J. Gappa said some of the students were nationally certified in using the flexograph machine.
Preschool Classes to begin April 2 at Knox Elementary School
Knox Community School Superintendent A.J. Gappa brought the school board up to speed on the progress of the preschool class that will begin April 2.
“We have 23 students that have been tested and found to be eligible,” stated Gappa. “We have 12 signed up for the morning session and 11 in the afternoon session. We are providing transportation for the morning session. We will reevaluate that later to see if that could be added also for the afternoon session.”
New furniture will be installed this week during spring break.
“Supplies have been ordered and everybody’s been positive so far. The kids seem eager to go to school and the parents are all behind it 100 percent,” Gappa explained.
Knox Community School Board to Soon Approve School Calendars, Board Policies
The board also received board policies for review.
“The board received a set of NEOLA policies and guideline recommendations for updates and revisions. The board will bring those back to discuss them at the next board meeting and we probably will adopt revisions and updates at the first board meeting in April,” stated Gappa.
Knox Community School Board Accepts Boldry’s Resignation
In light of Todd Boldry’s permanent surrender of his teaching license, Superintendent A.J. Gappa said the Knox Community School Board Monday night approved his resignation as an educator at the Knox Middle School.
“Todd Boldry’s resignation had been submitted by his lawyer and the board did accept it,” said Gappa. “His position had been filled by a teacher on a temporary contract from the time he was suspended earlier this school year,” said Gappa.
Knox School Board to Attend Seminar March 14
The Knox Community School Board received information about an upcoming seminar and presentation by Author Patrick Carr. Superintendent A.J. Gappa said he will be discussing his book “Hallowing Out the Middle: The Rural Brain Drain and What it Means for America”.
“The book is about how many top students in many high schools leave the community and go to college and never return to the local community. They move on to other places and other parts of the country to find jobs elsewhere. That is a brain drain, as he called it, on the local community. If your top students are leaving, then who’s coming in to replace them?”
