Starke County Students Encouraged to Utilize Available Resources to Report Bullying

Bullying is a serious issue that many students face and unfortunately with the introduction of new technology, it no longer stays in the schoolyard.

It can infiltrate multiple aspects of a child’s life to the point where they feel they’ve lost control. In order to raise awareness about this prevalent problem, October is recognized as Bullying Prevention Month. Continue reading

Calling Job Seekers of All Ages: SCEDF to Host Career Fair Today & Manufacturers Day Tomorrow

The Starke County Economic Development Foundation wants to help community members of all ages find a job that’s right for them. That’s why they’re hosting a few different events this week that will highlight a variety of local career options.

Today, WorkOne is teaming up with the SCEDF to host a career fair from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. in the Knox Middle School auxiliary gym. Job seekers are invited to attend this event to find out more about the kind of opportunities that are out there. Attendees are asked to enter through door number five. Continue reading

North Judson-San Pierre Pool Repairs Complete, Facility Renovations Expected to Start in the Spring

North Judson-San Pierre Superintendent Dr. Annete Zupin told school board members that repairs to the pool are finished. The final step in the project was being completed during the school board meeting Tuesday night.

During her report Dr. Zupin said, “The pool is filling with water as we speak, so it will be ready to go in January and we’re excited about that.”

The school corporation recently had to deal with an unexpected issue where corroded main drain boxes needed replaced and the area had to be re-tiled. Continue reading

Starke County Youth Club Seeks Funds to Expand Programs

The Starke County Youth Club is able to provide after-school programs to students K-12 across the county thanks to grant funding.

One grant the club utilizes is the 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant. SC Youth Club Executive Director Irene Szakonyi said they’re reapplying for that grant this year and the deadline for it is coming up soon.

Szakonyi explained that and a part of the grant process, Youth Club representatives are working with their partners to determine particular needs. She said their partners include all the county schools, the public library system, the Starke County Economic Development Foundation and Purdue Cooperative Extension Services.

“We really do work together to make sure that there are high quality programs for kids in this community that address academic outputs, and personal success for kids.”Szakonyi continued, “Things like homework help and tutoring, science, technology engineering, and math, life skills, college and career readiness. All of those things that make sure that a kid is prepared to be successful in school and in work and in life.” Continue reading

Starke County Economic Development Foundation Manufacturer’s Day

The theme of this year’s Starke County Economic Development Foundation’s Manufacturer’s Day is “Focus on Your Future”. Students from Oregon-Davis, North Judson-San Pierre, Culver and Knox Community Schools will attend today’s event at Knox Middle School with their sights set on future employment.

More than 350 7th grade students and 200 senior students are anticipated to attend the program which is intended to ensure that students are aware of the available job opportunities within the county and the required skills, training and education needed to obtain a position and keep it.

Representatives from more than ten industries from around the county will be available to share any details about what their jobs entail and what they look for in potential employees. Continue reading

KHS Laptop Pick-Up Dates Provided

macbookStudents attending Knox Community Schools will have their first official day on Tuesday, August 4th. Prior to that first day back, high school students must obtain their laptops from the school. This can be done during Freshman orientation on July 31st from 8 until 11 am or during back-to-school night on August 3rd from 4 until 6 pm. Orientation pick-up is limited to Freshman students only. Continue reading

Students Gearing Up to Head Back to School This Week

 
 

It’s back to school week throughout the Kankakee Valley and many children are doing their best to enjoy these last few days of freedom from teachers, homework and classes. Registration is behind them, they’ve got their shots and it’s time to begin the new school year.

At Knox Community Schools, students will be heading to the classrooms for their first day back today. Elementary students begin their day at 7:50 a.m. and leave at 2:50 p.m.; middle school students start at 7:35 a.m., leaving at 2:40 p.m.; and high school students begin at 8 a.m. and leave at 2:55 p.m. Students will be dismissed a half-hour early every Friday.

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Knox School Officials to Attend Patrick Carr Book Discussion and Seminar

Superintendent A.J. Gappa
Superintendent A.J. Gappa
Officials at Knox Community Schools will be attending a seminar in Plymouth next week, according to Superintendent A.J. Gappa.

“Four board members, along with high school Principal Dr. Ratliff and myself, will attend the Patrick Carr discussion in Plymouth on March 14. Mr. Carr is the author of ‘Hollowing out the Middle: The Rural Brain Drain and What it Means for America,’” said Gappa.

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Knox Community Schools to Implement School Messenger Program

Superintendent A.J. Gappa

The Knox Community School Corporation will soon be implementing a new program that will enhance communications between the three schools, parents, guardians and patrons.

School Messenger will be utilized to help get the message out to subscribed patrons about important school events such as closings or delays or school emergencies. Superintendent A.J. Gappa explained that a mass text message will be sent out on Monday, Jan. 14.

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Knox, Plymouth, John Glenn March To 40th Annual ISSMA Competition

Knox, Plymouth and John Glenn marching bands will be participating in the 40th annual ISSMA Marching Band competition season beginning this Saturday, Sept. 29.

One hundred seventy-six high school bands will compete with over 16,000 students in the District competition. Winners will advance to the Regional competition on Oct. 13. The top ten scoring bands from each northern and southern Regional contests will move to the Semi-State level and then to the marching band finals on Nov. 3 in Indianapolis. The state competition will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium.

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Knox Schools Up Three Students From Last Year

Knox Community School Superintendent A.J. Gappa

The Knox Community School Board heard about the successful start to the new school year at their meeting Monday night and Superintendent A.J. Gappa gave a report on enrollment figures.

“It appears we’re up about three students total from last year’s ADM count. Last year at this time, we had approximately 1,998 kids and this year we’re about 2,001,” stated Gappa.

The official ADM, or Average Daily Membership, will be taken on Sept. 14.

Work Session Shows Community Support For New Knox Wing Construction

Knox Community School Superintendent A.J. Gappa

The work session held by the Knox Community School Board last week shed some light on the feelings of the community concerning the Palmer Wing project at the elementary school. Superintendent A.J. Gappa explained that of the three options available – do nothing, renovate the existing wing, or build a new one – the consensus seemed to favor constructing a new wing.

With just over a dozen patrons in attendance alongside staff members at the meeting, Gappa says the majority seemed to favor the idea of building a new wing and carrying on with classes as normal until the wing has been completed. Then, classes would be added to the new wing, and the 60-year-old Palmer Wing would be torn down. Gappa explained the new wing would likely be at the west end of the newer structure of the elementary school.

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School Starts Tomorrow For Many Schools, Back to School Night Tonight

School starts this week for our students!

Several back-to-school events are happening tonight. Back to School Night for all Knox Community Schools will be tonight from 4–6 p.m. The Elementary School has a different schedule for all grades. Parents can refer to the school registration page for Knox schools on our website at wkvi.com for specific details. The first day of school is tomorrow!

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