For the first time this year, The Starke County Community Foundation has adopted an open grant-cycle meaning that grant applications will be accepted and awards will be given year-round. $5,000 worth of grants were recently distributed to several local non-profit organizations. Continue reading
Knox Seniors Take Honor Walk Through Elementary School
Knox High School’s graduating seniors took one last walk through their old elementary school before they graduate. Wearing their caps and gowns, the seniors walked in procession through the elementary school Friday morning, as “Pomp and Circumstance” played over the school’s intercom. The elementary students lined the hallways to high-five the soon-to-be graduates. Continue reading
Lil’ Redskins Boosters Give Update to Knox School Board
The Knox School Board got an update Monday from the Lil’ Redskins Boosters. Continue reading
Knox Elementary School to Add Second Kindergarten Countdown Camp
Knox Elementary School will be able to expand this year’s Kindergarten Countdown, thanks to some help from the local community. Director of Curriculum and Instruction Peggy Shidaker told the school board Monday that the program typically helps students with no preschool experience adjust to kindergarten. Continue reading
Knox Elementary School to Get Outdoor Learning Center
Knox Elementary School will be getting an outdoor learning center. Superintendent A.J. Gappa says an outdoor chalkboard, seating, and landscaping will be installed on the west side of the school. Continue reading
Knox Elementary School to Host Block Play Event for Starke County Children
Starke County children ages birth through kindergarten have the chance to have some fun while learning valuable skills this week. Knox Elementary School is hosting its third annual Block Party Thursday evening. Continue reading
Knox School Registration Starts Today
School registration begins today at the Knox Community School Corporation. The first opportunity for Elementary School registration will be today from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Registration for all three schools takes place tomorrow from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Continue reading
Preschool Block Party Planned at Knox Elementary
Starke County families with children ages birth through kindergarten are invited to a free educational event at Knox Elementary School. The Block Party will take place Thursday, March 17 from 5 until 6 p.m. in the gymnasium. Continue reading
Knox School Board Tours New Elementary Cafeteria
The newly completed Knox Elementary School cafeteria and cooking kitchen were a focus of last night’s meeting of the School Board. The board meeting was held in the cafeteria itself. Tours of the cooking kitchen were given by Superintendent A.J. Gappa. He reported the elementary building project is near completion. The new lunch facility has a seating capacity of about 150 students. The school’s enrollment of 450 eat there daily in three shifts. Continue reading
Knox Elementary Art Program Will Continue
Students in the Knox Elementary School will enjoy art classes in the 2015-16 school year, after a Tuesday clarification of Monday night’s school board vote in a reduction in force recommendation. If approved, art instruction would have been moved to the classroom. Continue reading
Knox Elementary Art Program Faces Uncertain Fate
The Knox Elementary School MAY or MAY NOT have an art program in the 2015-16 school year. In an action on reduction of force (rif), the administration recommended that cancellation of contracts be approved for two teachers, including that of elementary art teacher Derek Eveland.Knox School Board Prepares for Graduation
Knox High School’s 112 senior candidates for graduation will complete their high school careers in services at the Weinberg Gymnasium, Friday, June 5 at 7 p.m. Principal Dr. Elizabeth Ratliff also reported to the Knox School Board Monday that seniors will receive their earned honors in a Friday morning program, the 22nd, at the High School gymnasium. The public is invited to the 8:15 a.m. activity. Continue reading
Storm Water Plans Presented to Knox Board of Public Works
The Knox Board of Public Works discussed plans for a storm water system for the new addition to the Knox Elementary School.
Andy Bearman from Commonwealth Engineers said that the addition will create an additional one percent rain-water run-off as a portion of the ground covered with grass will be dug up for the project. That soft area was able to absorb the extra water so it wouldn’t create any water build up anywhere on the property.
Enjoy the Sounds of the Season at Knox Music Programs
Annual Christmas music programs are scheduled at the Knox Elementary School starting with 3rd grade students today. The 2nd grade, tomorrow; 1st grade, Wednesday, Dec. 10th; and kindergarten students, Thursday, Dec. 11th. All programs begin at 6 p.m. in the Knox Elementary School gymnasium. A “Book Fair” for students and parents follows each concert.
The Middle and High School Holiday Band Concert begins at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 10th in the Weinberg Gymnasium.
Knox School Board Spotlights Tech Tribe
Members of the Knox Elementary School’s “Tech Tribe” were in the “Spotlight” portion of the agenda at Monday’s Knox School Board meeting. The students, under the direction of Laura Barnes, who meet in weekly after school sessions, displayed their work in video production, showed board members and the Superintendent one of 13 that they have produced. Continue reading
Knox Superintendent Discusses Proposed Elementary Project
A final public hearing on the renovation and addition project for the Knox Elementary School is scheduled for Monday, November 3rd. Superintendent A. J. Gappa explains the proposed 5,500 square foot addition.
“When the referendum failed a year ago, plan B was as things go along and failed,” explained Gappa. “We had to fix them but that can become expensive in the long run. One of our major perceived needs was our kitchen situation where we have a 60-year-old cafeteria doing all the cooking and then carting the food down for the half of the building at the west end serving and warming the food at that point in time.”
Knox School Board Considering Elementary School Renovation, Expansion
A public hearing was held by the Knox School Board Monday evening for the renovation and addition being planned for Knox Elementary School. The project is designed to expand the kitchen and cafeteria areas by about 5,500 square feet. A final hearing is scheduled for November 3rd.
Superintendent A.J. Gappa presented a detailed summary the 2015 budget, expressing a concern about the effect of reduced revenues on operations. The board will hold the final hearing on that budget on October 20th.
The purchase of a 78 passenger bus was approved, as was the hire of four substitute teachers and substitute personnel for food service and custodial work.
Raelyn Binkley was approved for the position of Middle School Treasurer, effective October 20th, subject to the customary criminal history report.
In the “Spotlight on Success” portion of the agenda, Middle School Principal Josh Pugh and three students made presentations on the successful Manufacturer’s Day event, attended by 7th grade students from Knox, North Judson and Oregon-Davis schools last week.
New Science Club Excites Entire Knox Elementary
Knox Elementary School has a new science club program. Members meet once every seven school days with science teacher Marge Wood. Students get to visit the outdoor lab and see different forms of wildlife in the area. A pond with minnows and frogs is also part of the lab. Approximately 120 kids have signed up to be in the club. Principal Glenn Barnes says the students are really getting into the program.
Kindergarten Countdown Benefits 20 Students
The Kindergarten Countdown program held at the Knox Elementary School in June was a success this year.
Twenty children received an early education before they enter Kindergarten this fall. Students who attend preschool often obtain better scores on tests, have better social skills and are more understanding of routines than those who do not attend a preschool program.
Knox School Board Approves Administrative Changes
Back to school season is upon us.
Teachers are prepping their lessons and classrooms for their incoming students, students are choosing new school ensembles as well as the best supplies to buy and administrators are settling in to their new positions. The Knox Community School Corporation has shuffled around their principals and added on a new member.
