The North Judson-San Pierre School Board met in special session Tuesday night to discuss retirements.
Superintendent Lynn Johnson said nine retirements were approved and eight of those were due to Reductions in Force. Incentives were given to teachers to retire as part of a Reduction in Force initiative. The Board will post a couple of those positions and hope to fill those internally but applications will be accepted. Two positions will be Elementary positions and two will be secondary English positions in the Middle and High Schools.
Ruby Frasure, Andrew Frasure, Jr., Rabion Frasure, and North Judson-San Pierre High School Principal, Annette Zupin
North Judson-San Pierre High School has the honor of having both the Starke and Pulaski County Lilly Scholarship winners this year.
Andrew Frasure, Jr., a Senior at the school, has been named the Pulaski County winner, while Jessica Jachim was named the Starke County winner.
Jessica is the daughter of Michael and Sherri Jachim. Andrew Frasure, Jr. is the son of Ruby and Rabion Frasure, of rural Winamac.
Frasure is interested in majoring in Chemistry, and possibly pursuing a career in Dentistry. He has narrowed his college choices down to Valparaiso University, I.U.P.U.I. and the University of Indianapolis. His grade point average was 4.1 on a 4.0 scale in high school.
Also a member of several sports teams, Andrew has been selected to play in the Indiana East-West All Star game on April 23rd.
Students from the three Starke County schools will be attending a Shakespearean play tomorrow afternoon at the North Judson-San Pierre High School Auditorium. Thanks to a grant from the Starke County Community Foundation and the Tri Kappa organization, it is possible for actors who star in Shakespearean plays at Navy Pier in Chicago to come to the County to present a classic play for the kids.
“This year they’re doing Macbeth,” said Knox Middle School Principal Steve Cronk. “All the eighth graders from Oregon-Davis, North Judson-San Pierre and Knox, as well as seventh graders from all three schools, as many as we can put in there, will see this presentation from Noon until 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 5th.”
Members of The Confused team proudly display their winnings after the conclusion of the Starke County Drug Free Double Dare competition
The Starke County Drug Free Double Dare Challenge was held Sunday, at the Knox Middle School. Four teams from Knox and North Judson-San Pierre competed. The High School team, The Confused, from North Judson-San Pierre won the challenge with 310 points. The Orange Dinosaur team from North Judson-San Pierre Middle School came in second, the Blue Man Group from Knox Middle School was third and the 7 Musketeers from Knox Middle School was fourth. They all did a great job in answering questions about drugs and the dangers of drugs. If either team did not know the answer to a question, they participated in a variety of physical challenges. Continue reading →
Knox, North Judson-San Pierre and Oreon-Davis students in grades 6-12 will be competing in the annual Drug Free Double Dare event Sunday, April 3rd at 1:30 p.m. CT at the Knox Middle School.
“Drug Free Double Dare is based on the concept of the Nickelodeon Double Dare,” explained Knox Middle School Guidance Counselor, Chris Ross. “We give it an anti-drug twist. The students received a study guide with information about different types of drugs. On Sunday, the students will then answer questions based on what they’ve studied.”
Darienne Griffith, a student at Knox Community High School, and Jennifer Atkinson of North Judson-San Pierre High School, were two of a select group of students who attended the 12th Anniversary Molecular Medicine in Action program at the Indiana University School of Medicine. Continue reading →
A North Judson-San Pierre High School student has been named the recipient of a full four year scholarship as the Starke County Community Foundation 2011 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar. Jessica Jachim will receive full tuition to the Indiana college of her choice and an $800 yearly stipend for required books and equipment. Jessica is the daughter of Michael and Sherri Jachim and she plans to study English Literature or Journalism.
She is a member of the National Honor Society and is President of SADD. A representative of Hoosier Girls State, Jessica has shown her leadership skills in community and church fund raising activities and on the field as a four year member of the Blue Jay Girls Softball team.
The North Judson-San Pierre marching band performs in a contest in October
The North Judson-San Pierre School Board discussed the marching band at its recent meeting. The marching band will continue and go through a rebuilding year. The Board hopes to see more fundraisers for the band and recruitment in the next year.
The Board hopes to work with the students and the band department to keep the program alive. Future meetings will entail planning and restructuring the marching band program to make it a sustainable program.
North Judson-San Pierre Superintendent Lynn Johnson
The North Judson-San Pierre School Board discussed Reductions in Force (RIF) at its most recent meeting. RIFs had to be sent by April 1st as that is the school’s contract date and seven notices have been sent out to teachers. Superintendent Lynn Johnson told WKVI said that two high school teachers, one middle school teacher and four elementary teachers received notice last week. She said certification and seniority were the criteria looked at when the cuts were discussed. Those cuts will make up approximately $250,000 of the almost $1.2 million that will need to be cut from the overall budget. Mrs. Johnson said non-certified staff, extra curricular positions, teaming, hours, custodial hours, stipends, and other cuts are being discussed.
The North Judson-San Pierre High School Academic Super Bowl team is the 2011 Northwest Hoosier Academic Conference champion. The Bluejays competed at River Forest on Tuesday, March 15, against six other teams: Kankakee Valley, Lake Station Edison, Lowell, North Newton, Rensselaer, and River Forest.
Accumulating 82 points, the Bluejays handily earned first place against rival Lowell which placed second with 73 points and Rensselaer, the third place finisher with 72 points.
North Judson-San Pierre Superintendent Lynn Johnson
North Judson-San Pierre and Oregon-Davis Schools will be in grave financial trouble next school year. North Judson-San Pierre stands to lose $1.2 million and Oregon-Davis stands to lose $500,000 in funding next school year because of a change in the state funding formula.
They say larger class size, fewer programs offered and teacher layoffs may be the only way to make the necessary budget cuts. According to North Judson-San Pierre Superintendent, Lynn Johnson, and Oregon-Davis Superintendent, Dr. Steve Disney, education reform is making it difficult for public school administrators to provide the best opportunities possible. Mrs. Johnson, for one, is leery of what vouchers will do to her corporation.
North Judson-San Pierre Superintendent Lynn Johnson
“It’s just devastating.” That’s the way North Judson-San Pierre School Superintendent Lynn Johnson and Oregon-Davis School Superintendent Dr. Steve Disney described the cuts these two systems will have to make in the 2011-2012 school year.
Lynn Johnson talked about the cuts to her system.
“We are possibly losing $1.2 million,” said Mrs. Johnson. “For a small school, that is a devastating amount.”
On Saturday March 5th, the Winamac Community High School Robotics Team won the Jay County Vex Robotics Tournament. The team finished the qualifying rounds 9-0 then won the elimination rounds. Members of the team are Eric Sass, Alex Gudas, Natasha Daugherty, Eric Newman, Brett Beach, Kohl Hoover, and Greg Zellers.
(L to R) David Elliott, Drew Shearin and Craige Pihpps. Photo provided.
Lafayette Jefferson World Premiere of “Uncertainty”, composed by Knox High School Student Andrew “Drew” Shearin, occurred on March 2nd, 2011. The Lafayette Jefferson High School Annual Concerto Concert was the forum for this special performance. Drew was represented with his plaque signifying winning the IMEA (Indiana Music Educators Association) Young Composers Competition Concert Band Class which he received at the IMEA State Convention. Drew was asked to introduce the piece that was performed by Lafayette Jefferson’s top Wind Ensemble with a short speech. “Uncertainty” was wonderfully performed and both the piece and Drew received a 2 minute standing ovation. After the concert was concluded, Drew was greeted and congratulated by many of the concert goers and the various attending directors as well as the Knox School Corporation instrumental music staff.
The North Judson-San Pierre marching band performs in a contest in October
The North Judson-San Pierre School Board did not make a decision concerning the future of the marching band program at its meeting this week.
Superintendent Lynn Johnson told WKVI that she gathered information on cost and number of students in other marching bands and presented that information to the Board. Several community members, parents and students attended the meeting and voiced their opinions and concerns about the marching band. The Board hopes to work with the students and the band department to keep the program alive in the future. Future meetings will entail planning and restructuring the marching band program to make it a sustainable program.
The North Judson-San Pierre Marching Band performs in an Invitational in October
A discussion of the marching band program is on the agenda for tonight’s North Judson-San Pierre School board meeting. The numbers have dropped to 14 which is not comparable to other schools the size of North Judson-San Pierre.
Superintendent Lynn Johnson told WKVI News yesterday that no decision has been made as to what to do with the program. She and the School Board looks forward to any positive input parents and the community have on this issue.
NJ-SP Decathlon Team Front Row: Hope Harlamert, Rhiannon Millard, Melissa Spears and Jennifer Atkinson. Back Row: Jacob Kieskowski, Steven Miller, Lucus Howard, and Sarah Green
For the sixth time in seven years, the North Judson-San Pierre Academic Decathlon team has qualified for the State Finals in the Small School Division. The NJ-SP competitors scored 25,314.9 points, earning the Blue Jays a 10th place finish in State rankings and the last qualifying spot. The team will compete in the State Finals on Friday and Saturday, February 11th and 12th, at Purdue University in West Lafayette.
(L to R) Brendan Owens, Brittany Shannon, Allie Bulick, Katelyn Peters, Hannah Janson, and Drew Shearin
Congratulations to the Knox MS and Knox HS participants in the Indiana State School Music Association District Solo and Ensemble Competition. The Middle School and High School had nearly a hundred students perform in competition at Valparaiso HS in Valparaiso, Indiana on Saturday, January 29th. They combined for a total of 41 Gold Division Ratings with 8 State qualifiers. Brendan Owens, Brittany Shannon, Allie Bulick, Katelyn Peters, Hannah Janson, and Drew Shearin will compete on February 26th, 2011 at North Central HS for State Gold. Congratulations to all participants and Good Luck State Qualifiers!
The North Judson-San Pierre Bands participated in the annual Indiana State School Music Association District Solo/Ensemble Contest on Saturday, January 29th at Twin Lakes High School. The following ratings were given:
Silver Rating Performances: Connor McBride, Chase Collins, Sarah Green, Paige Madsen, Rachel Brent – woodwind quintet; Matthew Godsey – baritone solo; Sarah Green – clarinet solo; AJ Garay, Katie Farler, Matt Godsey, Austin Stacy – low brass quartet
Gold Rating Performances qualifying for the ISSMA State Solo/Ensemble Contest for February 26th in Indianapolis: Austin Stacy – tuba solo; Rachel Brent-clarinet solo; Carter Tucker – Flugel Horn solo; Rachel Brent, Sarah Green, Paige Madsen – clarinet trio; Matt Godsey, Carter Tucker, AJ Garay, Katie Farler, Austin Stacy – low brass quintet.
Photo provided by Knox High School Principal, Dr. Elizabeth Ratliff.
North Judson-San Pierre Superintendent Lynn Johnson
The North Judson-San Pierre School Board approved a field trip request from the North Judson-San Pierre Marching Band. The band will perform in the Kentucky Derby Pegasus Parade on May 5th. Superintendent Lynn Johnson said the students have worked hard and are excited to perform in this parade.
The Board approved the 2011-2012 school calendar. The beginning of school for the next school year will be Tuesday, August 16th.
The Board retreat is Thursday, January 27th. The Director of the Indiana School Board Association will facilitate the meeting and he will evaluate the Superintendent and her duties since being in office.
Austin Stacy, a Junior from North Judson-San Pierre High School, successfully participated in the Indiana Music Educators Association High School Honor Band weekend. Austin was among approximately 100 band students from around the state that rehearsed and gave a performance at the Embassy Theater in Fort Wayne for the IMEA Convention this past Saturday. The guest conductor for the IMEA Honor Band was Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser.
In other music news:
Congratulations to the Knox High School Winterguard. The KHS Guard was in competition this past Saturday at DeKalb High School where they earned 4th place out of 11 competing units. The KHS Guard will be in competition again on February 5th at Anderson High School in Anderson, Indiana.
The North Judson-San Pierre High School Choral Department has tickets available for this year’s Madrigal dinner on Friday and Saturday, December 3rd and 4th, at 7:00 p.m. CT and Sunday, December 5th, at 1:00 p.m. CT. All performances will take place at the Grand Central Station restaurant in North Judson.
This is the 20th year for the Madrigal dinner. For tickets, call Choir Director, Donna Ness, at (574) 896-2158 or (574) 896-5041.
