Knox, North Judson-San Pierre Schools Ready for New Year

Posted on Author WKVI

Summer is almost over for students attending area schools.

Knox Community School Superintendent A.J. Gappa said the staff is nearly ready for the start of school.

“Everybody is trying to get everything ready,” said Gappa. “The building administrators are getting things going. We have some professional development days this week for all of the staff members. New teachers are coming in Friday and all staff members will report on Monday, Aug. 11. We also have back to school night from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in each of the buildings. Parents can come in and meet the teachers and see what the classrooms are like and get going from there.”

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Open House for The Crossing

Posted on Author WKVI

The CrossingThe new alternative faith-based school, the Crossing, hosted an open house Wednesday at their location in Knox. So far about 10 students are enrolled to attend. They will be hosting another open house today from 8 a.m until 3 p.m at the old Sears store in the Mint Leaf Plaza off of U.S. 35.

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The Crossing Set to Open Next Week in Knox

Posted on Author WKVI

The CrossingStarke County’s newest school is set to open on Friday, Aug. 1. The Crossing has leased the old Sears retail location south of Knox on U.S. 35 for it’s alternative school. The mission statement on the Goshen-based nonprofit organization’s website says The Crossing believes in “empowering struggling students to become contributing members of their communities through academics, job training and faith-based mentoring.” Continue reading →

N.J.-S.P. Revises Budget Adoption Calendar

Posted on Author WKVI
Michael Shireman, Jim Menis, Larry Lambert Marsha Reimbold and Patricia Goin
Michael Shireman, Jim Menis, Larry Lambert
Marsha Reimbold and Patricia Goin

The North Judson-San Pierre School Board has revised its budget adoption calendar. The corporation was selected as part of a state pilot program and as a result cannot adopt a budget until Oct. 15. The Starke County Council will conduct a public hearing on Monday, Aug. 18 on the school corporation’s general, debt, pension and transportation funds. The next day the school board will meet in special session to adopt the 2015 Capital Projects Fund and Bus Replacement Plan. Continue reading →

Kid’s Closet Ministry Schedules School Supply Drive

Posted on Author WKVI
Look for these donation boxes at the Knox and North Judson Dollar General stores throughout the month of July.
Look for these donation boxes at the Knox and North Judson Dollar General stores throughout the month of July.

The Kid’s Closet Ministry at North Judson United Methodist Church is taking steps to equip Starke County youngsters with supplies for the start of school. They are hosting their second annual “Pack-a-Backpack” event on Aug. 4 and 5 at the church from 5 until 6:30 p.m. for all youngsters in need who attend local schools. First they need supplies. Continue reading →

North Judson-San Pierre School Board Reorganizes

Posted on Author WKVI
Michael Shireman, Jim Menis, Larry Lambert Marsha Reimbold and Patricia Goin
Michael Shireman, Jim Menis, Larry Lambert
Marsha Reimbold and Patricia Goin

The North Judson-San Pierre School Board reorganized in an early morning meeting on Tuesday.

Superintendent Lynn Johnson told WKVI News that Pat Goin was retained as the board president, Larry Lambert will remain as vice president and Marsha Reimbold will serve another year as secretary.

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Area Track Athletes Compete in the State Finals

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

IHSAAIn the Girls State Track Finals yesterday the Kankakee Valley was well represented. Culver Community High School had four girls competing in five events, while North Judson was represented by the school’s record holder in shot put. Kayla Shaffer (Culver) finished in 14th place in the 100m dash, while teammate and fellow senior Denisha Brown (Culver) finished in 24th. In the 200m Dash Shaffer finished in 15th place. Brown then went on to place 27th in the long jump competition. Shaffer and Brown were also two members of the 4×100 relay team which finished in 19th place. The 4×100 team was rounded out by Mickella Hardy and Justine Dexter. Hardy also competed in shot put where she finished 15th overall. Caitlin Dvorscak of North Judson also competed in the shot put where she placed 20th.

Congratulations to all of our area athletes on a job well done representing the Kankakee Valley at the State Finals!

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

Posted on Author WKVI

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.

N.J.-S.P. School Board Approves Wi-Fi Vendor

Posted on Author WKVI

WIFIThe North Judson- San Pierre School Board approved a contract to add wireless Internet to the schools. They received two bids for the project. IT Solutions offered a lower price, but it did not include installation or tech support. Cubit Technology’s price includes both. Director of Media Services Sheila Akers is confident in their ability to successfully do their job. The school board voted unanimously to go with Cubit. The project will be paid for with a common school loan. Even though the board isn’t sure how much money they will get, they had to act quickly. Installation needs to begin by July 7 in order to be finished when school starts.

North Judson-San Pierre School Board Waits on Spending Cuts

Posted on Author WKVI
Michael Shireman, Jim Menis, Larry Lambert Marsha Reimbold and Patricia Goin
Michael Shireman, Jim Menis, Larry Lambert
Marsha Reimbold and Patricia Goin

The North Judson – San Pierre school board has postponed definite decisions about how to slash $1.2 million from the corporation’s budget.

They’re awaiting more information about retirements and transfers. Monday evening the board members did approve a budget calender. Treasurer Guy Richie will present information to the school board and superintendent on July 15.

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Drug Sweep Conducted on the North Judson-San Pierre Campus

Posted on Author WKVI

hobart-lockrm2Officers from the North Judson Police Department, with the assistance of the Hobart K9 officers, conducted a drug sweep at the North Judson-San Pierre high school and at the middle school on Wednesday morning.

North Judson Town Marshal Doug Vessely told WKVI that there was nothing found during the sweep. The four K9 handlers and dogs checked lockers and vehicles and officers did not find any illegal substances. The K9s did indicate on a couple of items, but Vessely believes it was a passive result as no evidence was found.

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Budget Reduction Recommendations Anticipated at N.J.-S.P. Board Meeting

Posted on Author WKVI
Michael Shireman, Jim Menis, Larry Lambert Marsha Reimbold and Patricia Goin
Michael Shireman, Jim Menis, Larry Lambert
Marsha Reimbold and Patricia Goin

The North Judson-San Pierre School Board will consider final recommendations to slash $1.2 million from the corporation’s budget when they meet this evening. Superintendent Lynn Johnson has repeatedly stressed the committee tasked with finding places to cut wants to eliminate positions and not jobs. She says several faculty members are retiring this year, and those positions likely will not be filled in order to bridge the gap.

The board may also move forward with the implementation of wireless Internet access this evening. The goal is to have that infrastructure in place when school starts in August. Other items on tonight’s agenda include approval of textbook fees and school meal prices for the upcoming year and discussion of the summer swim proposal at the high school pool. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. in the board room at the N.J.-S.P. central office.

Community Invited to N.J.-S.P. Grand March

Posted on Author WKVI

NJSP High SchoolNorth Judson-San Pierre High School students and their dates are putting the “prom” in promenade on Saturday. For the first time, the school is hosting a grand march in the high school gym from 6 until 7 p.m. The community is invited to come see the prom goers in their formal finery before they head off to the main event at Chesapeake Run Golf Course east of town.

North Judson-San Pierre Drama Department to Present Familiar Musical

Posted on Author WKVI

The North Judson-San Pierre drama department will present Grease: The Musical on May 8, 9, 10 and 11.

Director Erin Sprouse said the musical will mirror the movie.

“The movie was actually based off the play,” said Sprouse. “It’s a lot of fun. We’re doing a lot of the costuming from the movie and trying to keep it as true to form so that everybody is really excited about it.”

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