Employee and Student Handbooks Approved by NJSP School Board

The North Judson-San Pierre School Board members approved the certified and non certified employee handbooks Tuesday night.

In the certified employee handbook, some information was included about the teacher evaluation process and the section on child abuse reporting was amended to match the new state law. The non-certified handbook also addressed the new policy on child abuse reporting and provided some clarification about holidays and unpaid days. With both handbooks, some changes were made to assist with organization and clarity. Continue reading

North Judson-San Pierre to Bring Back Blue Jay Fun Fair

An event that hasn’t been offered at North Judson-San Pierre for some time will be making a come back next month, according to Superintendent Dr. Annette Zupin.

“Several years ago, there was an elementary school fun fair.” Dr. Zupin explained, “In fact, a lot of our parents remembered that, and remembered good times with that, so they wanted to bring that back.” Continue reading

NJSP Elementary School Principal Speaks Highly of Successful Attendance Initiatives

At Tuesday night’s North Judson-San Pierre School Board meeting, Elementary School Principal Julie Berndt informed school board members about a few initiatives that are positively impacting the attendance records of her students.

Principal Berndt talked about the “Attendance Champions” program where each teacher’s attendance percentage is posted every month. The class with the highest number gets announced and receives a bag of candy, a temporary trophy for their class room and bragging rights. She said so far it has been a pretty competitive and successful initiative. In November, there weren’t any classes that reported less than 91 percent attendance. Continue reading

North Judson-San Pierre Schools Partner with Cheryl Lyn Welter Family Charitable Foundation

North Judson-San Pierre is the latest school to form a partnership with the Cheryl Lyn Welter Family Charitable Foundation. Harold Welter provided the NJSP School Board with an informative presentation when they met Tuesday night.

Welter explained to board members that the foundation was established in memory of his daughter Cheryl who passed away in an automobile accident her senior year. He provided a bit of background, saying she was a major people person and had been accepted into Purdue University’s School of Child and Family Counseling.

He said Cheryl’s love of helping others and interest in children inspired him to focus the foundation’s mission on helping students at the elementary, middle and high school levels.

Another reason they decided to go with this kind of assistance is because Harold saw a lack of available resources that allowed teachers to apply for immediate assistance. The fund was created as a way to keep teachers from having to pay out of pocket for various things like school supplies, field trip fees and other little items that can really add up after awhile. Continue reading

North Judson-San Pierre School to Serve as Healthy Mobile Market Site

The Healthy Mobile Market will be making a stop in North Judson tomorrow to assist local families in need of food assistance. From 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, the Food Bank of Northern Indiana will have their mobile unit stationed in the North Judson-San Pierre Elementary School parking lot.

The service is provided free of charge for families in need but it is first come, first served based on available product while supplies last. Bring along bags or boxes to transport items home. Items that will be offered include frozen and canned meats including ham, whole chicken, hamburger as well as canned fruits, flour, fresh cheese and more.

The Food Bank provides SNAP Outreach at all healthy mobile markets. If weather conditions are inclement or product is unavailable, there is a possibility of cancellation. Location is also subject to change.

N.J.-S.P. Teacher Receives Grant for Bicentennial Program

Indiana BicentennialA local teacher recently received a grant from the Northern Indiana Community Foundation to help fund an upcoming Indiana Bicentennial celebration. Donna Rowe teaches fourth grade at North Judson-San Pierre Elementary. That’s when students get their first formal exposure to Indiana history. Rowe says the $300 grant will offset the cost of a Bicentennial celebration on Dec. 9th. Continue reading

N.J.-S.P. Board Approves Optional Elementary School Relocation

NJSP Elementary School
North Judson-San Pierre Elementary School

The North Judson-San Pierre School Board is keeping options open with regard to the future of the elementary school building. It’s currently a kindergarten-6th grade school with 513 students enrolled. The board has discussed moving the elementary school into the now-vacant middle school building at the end of the current school year. Continue reading

N.J.-S.P. Superintendent Backtracks on Elementary School Closure

NJSP Elementary School
North Judson-San Pierre Elementary School

The North Judson-San Pierre School Board will revisit plans to close the current elementary school building at a future meeting, according to Superintendent Dr. Annette Zupin. It will open as a kindergarten-6th grade facility when school starts next week following action by the board at a special-called May 9th meeting. Seventh and 8th grade classes will meet at the high school. Continue reading

North Judson-San Pierre Students Ready to Rock the ISTEP

ISTEP Crue 1Students at North Judson-San Pierre Elementary are ready to rock the ISTEP. Exams begin this week. On Friday teachers took a break from instruction for fun activities like movies, healthy snacks and class parties. The day was capped off by a rock concert on the high school football field from the ISTEP Crüe. The band consisted of principal Mike McBride, aka James Michaels, on guitar and lead vocals, drummer Tommy Lee Wilbanks, better known to many students as computer teacher Bob Wilbanks, and guidance counselor Chuck Rebeck, moonlighting as Crüe bassist Chucky Sixx. They jammed out to tunes like “Born to Take ISTEP,” “Keep on Testing Me Baby,” “Rock ‘n Roll All Nite (and ISTEP Every Day) and the always popular “Takin’ Care of ISTEP Business.” Continue reading

N.J.-S.P. Hosts Summer Food Service Program

NJ-SP ElementaryThe North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation will take part in the federal summer food service program this year. Free breakfast and lunch will be available to all children through age 18 each Monday through Thursday from June 9 through 26. Food will also be served to adults who are enrolled in a state approved education program for the mentally or physically disabled. All meals will be served at the North Judson-San Pierre Elementary School cafeteria. Breakfast will be offered from 7:30 until 8 a.m. daily. Lunch will be served from 11:15 a.m. until noon. Adults may eat there for a nominal charge. Adult breakfasts cost $1, and lunches are $2.

North Judson-San Pierre Elementary Kindergarten Registration Scheduled

NJSP ElementaryProspective kindergarten students and their parents are invited to check out what North Judson-San Pierre Elementary has to offer.

The school’s kindergarten registration will take place Tuesday, April 8 from 5 until 7 p.m. Youngsters will get to visit the kindergarten classrooms and meet the four kindergarten teachers. Principal Mike McBride and staff will also be there to answer questions and help parents with the registration process.

Continue reading