The SCILL Center is pleased to announce the Student of the Month recipients for the month of January.
Tyler Wickizer from LaVille High School and Tyler Keeton from Knox High School were the AM class recipients of the award. Anthony Chasse from Knox High School and Hayden Haimbaugh from Culver Community High School were the PM class recipients of the award.
One of the most famous bridges in Starke County might be abandoned. The bridge over Eagle Creek on 600 East at County Road 25 North was recommended to be closed by engineering firm, Beam, Longest and Neff. If abandoned, the bridge would be turned over to the farmers in the area who use it, and they would be in charge of maintenance to be able to get their farm equipment over the structure. It would not be open to traffic.
The Knox Community School Board spotlights one positive event going on within the school corporation during the school board meetings. On Monday, Mr. Sullivan from the Graphic Arts program at the High School talked about his program and the equipment the students get to utilize while in class. Superintendent A.J. Gappa said Mr. Sullivan talked about some of the upgrades and additions to the program.
The Knox Community School Facility Study Committee is going to meet with ICE Miller and Umbaugh and Associates this month to talk about what the school corporation needs to do in order to move forward with the Palmer Wing at the Elementary School. Superintendent A.J. Gappa says something needs to be done.
The Knox Community School Board approved the addition of a new Data Systems Coordinator position Monday night.
There are so many tests that need to be dissected every year from the ISTEP, End of Course Assessment Tests and to the NWEA testing at the lower grade levels, one person needs to be in charge of assessing the data being brought into the corporation.
Superintendent A.J. Gappa says that data is helpful to figure out lesson plans and unit plans and much more.
In 1999, Knox Community School Board members were reviewing plans for a proposed $15 million renovation project of Knox Middle School.
One of the biggest concerns was moving the football field to the high school.
Costs were totaled after adding the new addition, renovation, demolition of the existing building, site work, new football field, track, concession building, restrooms, and locker rooms.
The Knox Community School Board has taken action against a teacher accused of inappropriate behavior with a 16-year-old student.
“The Board did approve a letter of suspension with pay for Mr. Ryan Corbin, teacher at Knox High School,” said Superintendent A.J. Gappa. “Beyond that, I’m not at liberty to discuss personnel matters so I have no further comment.”
The Board approved the letter during their regular Board meeting last night.
The Knox City Police Department continues to investigate an alleged improper internet contact incident between a Knox High School gym teacher and a student.
Police investigated a complaint last week where a parent reported the act. Robert “Ryan” Corbin, 27, of Knox, was arrested Sunday as a result of the preliminary investigation. He faces preliminary charges of Child Seduction and Attempted Child Seduction, both Class D Felonies. He is being held in the Starke County Jail under no bond.
Kindergarten Roundup for students entering the Knox Community Elementary School is scheduled for Wednesday, April 25th.
Four sessions will be held beginning at 9:00 a.m. Open registration is at 6:00 p.m. CT at the Elementary School. Parents should bring a birth certificate, social security card and an immunization record for each student that enrolls.
The Starke County Youth Club is getting ready for its annual WKVI Radiothon fundraiser to be held May 4th.
The Director of the SCYC, Irene Szakonyi, said they recently had their annual evaluation.
“We had our annual evaluation this year, and our results were phenomenal,” she praised. “All of our sites were visited by the state, and out of all possible points we only missed two. It’s fantastic! We’re proud of our staff and kids.”
The Knox High School Indoor Percussion Ensemble closed out their season on Saturday, March 17th, at the Indiana Percussion Association State Prelims in Avon.
Their 2012 production, entitled “The Dark Knight”, featured music from the movie soundtrack of the same name. The group started the season in Percussion Scholastic Class AA, but was quickly identified by the IPA Board of Directors for promotion to Class A. The entire ensemble was recognized in a special ceremony at a contest earlier in the year, and was recognized again at State Prelims for their outstanding achievement.
The Knox Envirothon team has once again earned the honor of competing at the State Envirothon competition. Two Knox teams competed Wednesday, March 14th at Camp Buffalo in Monticello, Indiana.
They were tested over soils, water quality, forestry, and non-point source pollution topics. One of those teams was chosen to move on to the next level and compete at Purdue University on Wednesday, April 25th.
The Spotlight on Success feature of the recent Knox Community School Board meeting included the preschool program. Superintendent A.J. Gappa talks about the presentation.
“We host a preschool program that is part of J.E.S.S.E. Mrs. Suseland invited in four students, two from the morning class and two from the afternoon class, and they showed the Board a beaver lodge that they had built in class as a replica in their study of wild animals. They also showed the Board some of the drawings that they had done, talked about what they do in class, and just gave an overview of how the class operates.”
Knox Library Director Sheila Urwiler and Library Board members Dave Bullock and Amie Flora discussed the library’s proposed construction plans with the Knox Community School Board Monday night. Superintendent A.J. Gappa talks about their presentation.
“Since three sides of their property borders the Knox school property, they wanted to give an update on what they want to do and also ask for some cooperation with the board on movement of a sidewalk and tying some sanitation lines into the lines that come through our property which could be a money saver for everyone because if it’s cheaper to tie into these lines and it’s feasible, it makes perfect sense. As they expand their parking lot on the south side of the library, they may tie an entrance or exit into the horseshoe drive of the Elementary School, that is located off of Culver Road, to help with the traffic flow.”
Gappa said the project may be a win-win for both the Corporation and the Library.
During the last Knox Community School Board meeting, Superintendent A.J. Gappa and Bob Wise from the J.E.S.S.E. Co-op presented the board with the J.E.S.S.E. reorganization recommendation that moves the organization from a Co-op to a Localized Educational Agency, or LEA. Gappa tells us what that information entails.
“That information includes students being where they’re going to be with as little transport as possible. Next year, most of the teachers will become employees of the local corporations instead of J.E.S.S.E. employees. The Board did approve, on their part, the reorganization. It also has to go to the other eight boards of the corporation members and we will move forward with that reorganization,” stated Gappa.
Plymouth School Corporation will remain the fiscal agent while Knox will be the main site for the Starke County schools. North Judson-San Pierre and Oregon-Davis will be in a group with Knox and can share services, if needed. The North Judson-San Pierre School Board has also approved the proposed recommendations.
Knox Community School Superintendent A.J. Gappa reported to the School Board this week that he attended a presentation by the Fostering Accuracy Involvement and Responsibility (FAIR) non-profit organization.
he Department of Education has developed a new test for third grade students called IREAD. Director of Curriculum and Instruction at Knox Community School Corporation, Peggy Shidaker, talks about the IREAD test.
“It’s a little bit different from ISTEP in that IREAD measures only foundational reading skills that students should have acquired from Kindergarten through grade three.”
The Knox High School Instrumental Music Department had three soloists perform at the ISSMA State Solo & Ensemble Contest on Saturday, February 25th at North Central High School. Brenden Owens earned a Gold rating on an alto sax solo, Hannah Janson earned a Gold rating on a horn solo, and Matt Miller earned a Silver rating on a trumpet solo. All three students were accompanied by Mrs. Char Geisler on piano. Congratulations to these students on their fine performances!
It’s the test students have been preparing for. Director of Curriculum and Instruction at the Knox Community School Corporation, Peggy Shidaker, says the ISTEP test will be administered at the Knox Community Schools this week beginning today.
“ISTEP, the applied skills portion, begins Monday. The test window is March 5th-14th. We will be testing, like every other school corporation, students in grades three through eight for Language Arts and Math,” said Miss Shidaker.
Seventh grade students from the Knox Middle School will be visiting Ancilla College today. According to Todd Zeltwanger, Executive Director of Institutional Advancement at the college, the students will tour the facility, visit classrooms, the dining area, and Chapel. They will also visit with faculty members including those in the nursing department.
