NJSP Schools Seeking K-12 AdvancED Accreditation

Posted on Author WKVI
North Judson-San Pierre Superintendent Lynn Johnson

The North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation is currently undergoing the process of K-12 accreditation through AdvancED, which Superintendent Lynn Johnson said is a very lengthy ordeal. She explained that prior to this, each school was individually accredited; however, because the corporation contains three schools, the corporation decided to go with K-12 accreditation.

“We decided to go through K-12 accreditation, so it really helps align the whole process as far as our curriculum instruction. So we went through the process of making sure that the conditions were ready that we could meet the criteria through AdvancED and become a candidate for accreditation,” said Johnson. “It’s a good process; it’s a huge learning process.”

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NJSP School Board Approves New Evaluation Plan

Posted on Author WKVI
North Judson-San Pierre Superintendent Lynn Johnson

The North Judson-San Pierre School Board this week approved the new teacher evaluation plan for the current school year. Superintendent Lynn Johnson explained that they had been previously evaluating certified staff members “per negotiation,” which she explained separated the teachers into three categories: semi-permanent, tenured, and newly-hired.

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North Judson School Board Approves Purchase of Three Buses

Posted on Author WKVI
North Judson-San Pierre Superintendent Lynn Johnson

The North Judson-San Pierre School Board approved a motion this week to advertise for the purchase of three new school buses. The bids will be opened in December and they will be delivered in the summer.

The board also learned that students involved in the FFA program will be attending the National Convention next week in Indianapolis. Superintendent Lynn Johnson said the organization has grown to 40 members which is the largest it’s been in several years.

Johnson said the next school board meeting on Nov. 20 will feature a representative from AdvancED who will be discussing the corporation-wide accreditation process. The individual schools were accredited in the past and now the entire corporation will go through the process as a whole. If the corporation passes, the accreditation will be good for five years. The process is part of a school improvement initiative.

Return To School Went Smoothly Throughout Kankakee Valley

Posted on Author WKVI

This was the first week of school for area students.

Superintendent A.J. Gappa talks about how the first week went for Knox Community School students.

“After talking to the principals at each building, I guess the one word we could use is smooth,” said Gappa. “There were no major glitches. Bus loading and unloading seemed to go well. I talked to the people at the transportation garage and all of the routes seemed to be in place and moving well. I don’t have any preliminary numbers, but hopefully our student population is at least as much as last year.”

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North Judson-San Pierre Schools To Endure Hefty Budget Cuts

Posted on Author WKVI
North Judson-San Pierre Superintendent Lynn Johnson

The North Judson-San Pierre School Board discussed the budget outlook for the next two years and Superintendent Lynn Johnson said the school will take a major budget hit in 2012 and 2013.

“Close to one million dollars,” said Johnson. “One of the things we lost was the restoration grant and the small schools grant. Those two losses did come up to about a million dollars. Of course, it depends on enrollment. If we have an increase in enrollment, of course that will help us. There’s a lot of variables we have to look at, but right now we are looking at decreased revenue and I’m sure we’re not the only school corporation.”

On top of the budget cut, Johnson says they are also suffering from a decrease in enrollment.

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NJSP Schools Pleased With ISTEP Scores

Posted on Author WKVI
North Judson-San Pierre Superintendent Lynn Johnson

The ISTEP scores at the North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation improved overall this year, according to Superintendent Lynn Johnson.

“This year’s results were very good,” said Johnson. “Our three-year trend has shown some significant gains. Our fourth graders scored 86 percent in math and the fifth graders had 91 percent.”

Johnson said the results show in the corporation’s analysis of the three-year trend.

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Free Lunch Available At North Judson-San Pierre Schools

Posted on Author WKVI
North Judson-San Pierre Superintendent Lynn Johnson

The USDA Summer Food Service Program is in full force at the North Judson-San Pierre Schools. Superintendent Lynn Johnson encourages you to eat at the school – for free.

“Any student under the age of 18 can come and eat and there is no cost at all,” said Johnson. “I would encourage families, whether or not they fall under the guidelines of free and reduced lunch, it is open to every student, or every child, under the age of 18.”

The USDA Summer Food Service program continues through July 22. Breakfast is served from 7:45-8:15 a.m. CT and lunch is served from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. CT in the North Judson-San Pierre Elementary School. Meals are free for those aged 18 years and younger. Adults may eat lunch for $2.

Most of the schools in our listening area are participating in this program. Free breakfast and lunch are available at most sites.

North Judson Seniors, Staff Prepare For Graduation Ceremonies

Posted on Author WKVI
North Judson-San Pierre Superintendent Lynn Johnson

Seniors from the North Judson-San Pierre High School participated in their final events for their high school careers this week. Superintendent Lynn Johnson said a banquet was held Wednesday night for the students.

“We had our Senior Night and we did recognize many of our Senior students with scholarships from different community organizations,” said Johnson. “We did honor our Valedictorian, who is John Eckert, and the Salutatorian Christopher Lippelt. Both boys have done a wonderful job in their school careers academically, athletically, and in community service.”

A staff breakfast has also been scheduled for today at 8 a.m., something that Johnson says is done every year.

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NJSP Graduation To Take Place In June

Posted on Author WKVI

The North Judson-San Pierre High School graduation will be in June this year and Superintendent Lynn Johnson said it will come down to the wire as to who will be named the Valedictorian and Salutatorian of the graduating class of 2012.

“It’s not been made official yet as far as those winners,” said Johnson. “Our graduation is Sunday, June 3 at 2 p.m. CT in the high school gymnasium and that is a change. We had it on a Friday night but we had some conflicts with some schedules with students, so we did move it to that Sunday.”

NJSP School Board Discusses Summer Enrichment Program

Posted on Author WKVI
North Judson-San Pierre Superintendent Lynn Johnson

The North Judson-San Pierre School Board met Tuesday night and Superintendent Lynn Johnson said the Board approved several items on the agenda.

“The school handbooks for the 2012-2012 school year were approved, the textbook adoption for next year for fine arts and technical arts, the Summer Enrichment Program which will run July 24 through August 2, and also the budget calendar for the 2013 budget,” said Johnson.

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North Judson Town Marshal Presents Information to School Board

Posted on Author WKVI
Doug Vessely
North Judson Town Marshal Doug Vessely

North Judson Town Marshal Doug Vessely gave a presentation to the North Judson-San Pierre School Board this week.

“We had a presentation by Police Chief Doug Vessely on substance abuse within the community and Starke County,” said Superintendent Lynn Johnson. “His information will be helpful as we are in the process of revising our policies to implement next school year. This was an informational session by Officer Vessely.”

North Judson-San Pierre School Board Learns IREAD Results

Posted on Author WKVI
North Judson-San Pierre High School

The North Judson-San Pierre School Board got an update on how the third grade students performed on the state mandated IREAD test. This is a new test and if the students do not pass the test the first time, they will have a second chance in the summer. If the student cannot pass the test the second time, the child will be held back to retake the third grade reading class.

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North Judson-San Pierre School Board Discusses J.E.S.S.E. Reorganization

Posted on Author WKVI
North Judson-San Pierre Superintendent Lynn Johnson

The J.E.S.S.E. Cooperative is reorganizing to where all schools in the Cooperative will house their own services and classes for Special Education students. The North Judson-San Pierre School Board discussed that issue during their meeting and Superintendent Lynn Johnson relays that information.

“We are moving more services into our school district then we’ll have a service district comprised of Starke County – Knox, Oregon-Davis and North Judson-San Pierre,” said Mrs. Johnson. “This year is a transitional year and beginning July 1st most of our special education employees will become North Judson-San Pierre employees. Right now this is a transitional year. We are in the process of reorganizing and it’s an ongoing process this year.”

North Judson-San Pierre School Board Discusses Teacher Evaluations

Posted on Author WKVI
North Judson-San Pierre Superintendent Lynn Johnson

The North Judson-San Pierre School Board discussed teacher evaluation requirements at their meeting this week. Superintendent Lynn Johnson said that evaluations are necessary due to state law and those evaluations will determine merit pay for the teachers. The components that will be required are still being determined.

Kelly Manning from 21st Century Scholars and Senator Ed Charbonneau recognized Suzie Matzat during the Board meeting. She has been instrumental in keeping the program alive in the Middle School where she was the Guidance Counselor for many years and in the High School where she maintains that position. She was given a plaque as a result of her positive promotion in getting the word out about the program where students can earn free tuition to an Indiana College or University if they sign a contract and remain drug and alcohol free throughout their school career.

North Judson-San Pierre School Board Submits Bus Purchase Order

Posted on Author WKVI
North Judson-San Pierre Superintendent Lynn Johnson

Lynn Johnson, the Superintendent of the North Judson-San Pierre School system, talked with WKVI News this week about the highlights of the most recent School Board meeting.

“We did put in a bus purchase notice,” said Mrs. Johnson. “We’re looking at the possibility of purchasing one 72 passenger bus, one special needs bus with a lift, and one multi-purpose bus. Depending on funding, we may purchase two out of the three. We just don’t know yet.”

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North Judson-San Pierre School Board Hires Teacher for Math, Science Classes

Posted on Author WKVI
North Judson-San Pierre High School

The North Judson-San Pierre School Board met in regular session last week.

“We have increased numbers at the high school in our Math and Science classes so we did hire a teacher who is going to do part-time Math and part-time Science at the secondary level,” said Superintendent Lynn Johnson of some of the highlights of the meeting. “The boys basketball team are going to have their annual Golf Outing on October 15th. That’s their fundraiser for the year. We also had the adoption of the 2012 budget.”

North Judson-San Pierre School Looking Into Signage Possibilities

Posted on Author WKVI
North Judson-San Pierre High School

Advances in signage technology have made it easier for advertisers to communicate with fans at sporting events. Faced with rising athletic costs, high schools are now getting into the advertising business.

Recently, Superintendent Lynn Johnson at the North Judson-San Pierre School district talked about signage with Athletic Director Rob Vessely.

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North Judson-San Pierre School Board Approves Retirements

Posted on Author WKVI
North Judson-San Pierre High School

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.

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