By Lydia Beers
Staff Writer
PLYMOUTH
— The Plymouth Community School Corporation was one of nine Indiana
schools recently awarded up to 3,000 each in grants from the Indiana
Arts Commission. The money will be used to fund a "virtual book club" at
Lincoln Jr. High School and Plymouth High School — an extension of the
"One Book, One Town" community-wide literacy event. This year, the theme
is the Civil War — specifically, the 150th anniversary of the Battle of
Shiloh.
Anna Liechty, planning committee member and literacy
consultant for the schools, said that the book club will help students
reach literacy goals set by the schools as well as increase their
understanding of material taught in their classes.
"Literacy is being
able to really make information your own, so that you can talk about
it, and critically think about it," said Liechty.
Students will read
the book "Behind Rebel Lines" by Seymour Reit, and participate in
online discussions with their classmates about the story.
"It's so
hard to keep kids engaged after spring break," said Liechty, noting that
the book club is scheduled to begin in April, a typically "sluggish"
time for students.
Liechty added that more than 300 students have
committed to participate in the program. Most of the grant money
($2,300) will be used to host historical re-enactor Debra Conner.
Connor will be assuming the persona of Mary Edwards Walker, the only
female surgeon who served during the Civil War, during performances at
the schools in spring. The remaining $1,600 of the grant money will be
used to purchase hard copies of the book for students.
Although this
is the eighth year that Plymouth will be doing "One Book, One Town,"
this is the first year that students have been involved as part of
school requirements. Liechty said that the eighth grade is covering the
Civil War this year in their curriculum, so the virtual book club
coincides nicely with their schedule. High school students are
participating in the club on a volunteer basis.
Around 50 volunteers
in total have stepped up to match the grant money dollar for dollar,
either in financial donations or "in kind" donations of their time,
expertise, or materials. Liechty said that the total cost of the program
is about $9,700.
Reprinted by permission of the Pilot News
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Plymouth Schools to help students address health issues
By Carol Anders
Correspondent
PLYMOUTH — With the increased demands on students to perform at higher academic standards, many are experiencing difficulties with anxiety, sleep associated difficulties, attention problems, and behavioral issues.
Clinical Psychologist Dr. Carrie Cadwell will be sharing her expertise on these very topics at presentations starting in January. The doors of Menominee Elementary are being opened for parents/guardians and any other interested members of the community who want to learn more about how to address the issues. All of the presentations are being offered at no charge.
On Jan. 10, Dr. Cadwell will speak on “Childhood Sleep Issues.”
Cadwell said, “The largest group of children I see in my practice are from kindergarten to fourth grade.”
According to Michael Dunn, principal of Menominee, he and Cadwell began brainstorming ideas of how they could help parents after the topics were mutually brought up during meetings of the Plymouth Community Schools Improvement Committee.
Dunn said, “Dr. Cadwell is dedicated to this cause. She is an active parent of an elementary-age child and sees first hand what some of our parents are up against.”
Dunn explained that kids are sometimes barely getting six to eight hours of sleep when they really need 10 hours each night.
“In the world we live in now," he said, "kids have to put in extra study time along with fitting in extra-curricular activities and family time. When we were trying to figure out why some kids weren’t reading nor focusing as well as they could, we found that often a lack of sleep was the issue.”
Cadwell concurred saying, “Many times I find that those I see for problems noted by parents or physicians are actually sleep deprived.”
She is also concerned that the state’s mandate that kids who can’t pass a reading test at the end of third grade will not be passed on to fourth grade.
She said, “Parents often think that kids will just outgrow attention problems, but there may be ways that they can help now.”
Other presentations and topics scheduled are as follows: Feb. 9, ADD/ADHD; March 13, Anxiety; and April 5, Autism Spectrum Disorders. all of the presentations will be held from 6 to 7 p.m.
Cadwell stressed that parents may be reluctant to attend the sessions because they don’t want others to think their child has a problem; but indicated that this is just a way to gain knowledge.
“Parents who generally have more information up front, know what to do if a problem arises," she said.
Cadwell has been working in the field of mental health since 1994 and as a licensed psychologist in 2005. She practices in Plymouth at Cadwell Psychological Services, LLC.
Reprinted by permission of the Pilot News
Correspondent
PLYMOUTH — With the increased demands on students to perform at higher academic standards, many are experiencing difficulties with anxiety, sleep associated difficulties, attention problems, and behavioral issues.
Clinical Psychologist Dr. Carrie Cadwell will be sharing her expertise on these very topics at presentations starting in January. The doors of Menominee Elementary are being opened for parents/guardians and any other interested members of the community who want to learn more about how to address the issues. All of the presentations are being offered at no charge.
On Jan. 10, Dr. Cadwell will speak on “Childhood Sleep Issues.”
Cadwell said, “The largest group of children I see in my practice are from kindergarten to fourth grade.”
According to Michael Dunn, principal of Menominee, he and Cadwell began brainstorming ideas of how they could help parents after the topics were mutually brought up during meetings of the Plymouth Community Schools Improvement Committee.
Dunn said, “Dr. Cadwell is dedicated to this cause. She is an active parent of an elementary-age child and sees first hand what some of our parents are up against.”
Dunn explained that kids are sometimes barely getting six to eight hours of sleep when they really need 10 hours each night.
“In the world we live in now," he said, "kids have to put in extra study time along with fitting in extra-curricular activities and family time. When we were trying to figure out why some kids weren’t reading nor focusing as well as they could, we found that often a lack of sleep was the issue.”
Cadwell concurred saying, “Many times I find that those I see for problems noted by parents or physicians are actually sleep deprived.”
She is also concerned that the state’s mandate that kids who can’t pass a reading test at the end of third grade will not be passed on to fourth grade.
She said, “Parents often think that kids will just outgrow attention problems, but there may be ways that they can help now.”
Other presentations and topics scheduled are as follows: Feb. 9, ADD/ADHD; March 13, Anxiety; and April 5, Autism Spectrum Disorders. all of the presentations will be held from 6 to 7 p.m.
Cadwell stressed that parents may be reluctant to attend the sessions because they don’t want others to think their child has a problem; but indicated that this is just a way to gain knowledge.
“Parents who generally have more information up front, know what to do if a problem arises," she said.
Cadwell has been working in the field of mental health since 1994 and as a licensed psychologist in 2005. She practices in Plymouth at Cadwell Psychological Services, LLC.
Reprinted by permission of the Pilot News
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Faces in the Crowd
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Pilgrims celebrate Thanksgiving at Christmas
Director of Development and Alumni Affairs
PLYMOUTH - Game day started a little earlier for Plymouth's Pilgrims.
Meeting Whitko on the floor at PHS in the evening, Coach Ryan Bales team met some real VIP's earlier in the day. The team "adopted" several families in Plymouth to help brighten their Christmas holiday with gifts and food.
"It's something that I started doing in North Judson and with other teams that I've been a part of as a player," said Bales. "We're always trying to find ways to show our guys this is more than just basketball. We are very fortunate to have the things that we have and to be able to play this game and we shouldn't take that for granted. We need to give back to our community."
The team went shopping for their families over the weekend and then after walk through on Wednesday morning gathered the gifts and food to deliver to their families.
"I think it's good for our seniors to see that sometimes people struggle a little and we all just need a little help from others from time to time," said Bales. "Its important that our seniors drop everything off in person so they can see the impact that can have on people. Sometimes it gets really emotional and just to know how much people appreciate your help makes everything worth it."
"It's great to help other people in need," said John Ruff.
"We're really close as a team and I think that makes you want to share that feeling with others," added Ryan McNeil
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
PHS School of Inquiry accepting applications
By Carol Anders
Correspondent
PLYMOUTH - With the application date for applying for inclusion in the School of Inquiry at Plymouth High School only weeks away, Director Ken Olson is busy getting the word out.
Officially, the first day for submitting an application for incoming freshman for the 2012-2013 school year is January 3. Applications are expected to be considered until January 15-16.
Olson said, “The first 50 students to enroll will be guaranteed a spot. If there are more than 100, a lottery system will determine those that will be accepted in the maximum of 100 students.”
The first year, only 100 students will be enrolled. Then, 100 will be added each year for a total of four years.
Olson presented an overview of the proposed program to the Plymouth School Board on Tuesday night and to parents/guardians and other community members on Wednesday night.
The School of Inquiry will be, in essence, a school within a school. Students in the program will be using project-based leaning methods as they work through a number of different real-world projects. However, there will also be ample time for students to take other elective courses along with some of the core courses needed for graduation in the more traditional classroom setting.
Olson explained that the first year offerings will be Global Perspectives, 21st Century Communication, and Leadership Institute in the New Tech School. Students will then “passport” out of the school to take math, foreign language, and other electives.
Although future course work in the School of Inquiry could change, Olson outlined what could be added during a student's sophomore, junior and senior years.
Although the school board members only voted on the offerings for the first year, Olson suggested new courses that will be added in future years including Democracy in America, Personal Finance, European Perspective, Agrinomics, and Food Engineering.
According to Olson, project-based learning was introduced in 1990’s in Silicon Valley, California with funding from the Bill Gates Foundation. To date, there are 85 schools using the concept nationwide, with 19 of those being in Indiana. Plymouth will be number 20. Other area high schools that are using the New Tech programming include Rochester, South Bend Riley, Columbia City, Huntington, and Ft. Wayne Wayne.
“It’s a new way of learning, but not necessarily a new way of teaching,” said Olson, “It is inquiry based. We want students to ask questions. We want to turn out students who will seek knowledge.”
“It’s not about students sitting in class and having the teacher tell them what will be on the test. It’s about collaborative learning. Experts say that 80 percent of the jobs that these students will be working at in the future have not been invented yet. Students will have to have skills to adapt to the world that’s ever changing with an economy that is unknown.”
The first year, classes will be held in the Learning Center room that is located in the middle of PHS and in the speech room / small theatre. Olson said they are meeting with architects to talk about the design of the space that would look more like a professional open concept setting than a traditional classroom with desks and will have flexible furnishings.
The area of PHS that now houses the pool will be renovated for the School of Inquiry.
Reprinted by permission of the Pilot News
Correspondent
PLYMOUTH - With the application date for applying for inclusion in the School of Inquiry at Plymouth High School only weeks away, Director Ken Olson is busy getting the word out.
Officially, the first day for submitting an application for incoming freshman for the 2012-2013 school year is January 3. Applications are expected to be considered until January 15-16.
Olson said, “The first 50 students to enroll will be guaranteed a spot. If there are more than 100, a lottery system will determine those that will be accepted in the maximum of 100 students.”
The first year, only 100 students will be enrolled. Then, 100 will be added each year for a total of four years.
Olson presented an overview of the proposed program to the Plymouth School Board on Tuesday night and to parents/guardians and other community members on Wednesday night.
The School of Inquiry will be, in essence, a school within a school. Students in the program will be using project-based leaning methods as they work through a number of different real-world projects. However, there will also be ample time for students to take other elective courses along with some of the core courses needed for graduation in the more traditional classroom setting.
Olson explained that the first year offerings will be Global Perspectives, 21st Century Communication, and Leadership Institute in the New Tech School. Students will then “passport” out of the school to take math, foreign language, and other electives.
Although future course work in the School of Inquiry could change, Olson outlined what could be added during a student's sophomore, junior and senior years.
Although the school board members only voted on the offerings for the first year, Olson suggested new courses that will be added in future years including Democracy in America, Personal Finance, European Perspective, Agrinomics, and Food Engineering.
According to Olson, project-based learning was introduced in 1990’s in Silicon Valley, California with funding from the Bill Gates Foundation. To date, there are 85 schools using the concept nationwide, with 19 of those being in Indiana. Plymouth will be number 20. Other area high schools that are using the New Tech programming include Rochester, South Bend Riley, Columbia City, Huntington, and Ft. Wayne Wayne.
“It’s a new way of learning, but not necessarily a new way of teaching,” said Olson, “It is inquiry based. We want students to ask questions. We want to turn out students who will seek knowledge.”
“It’s not about students sitting in class and having the teacher tell them what will be on the test. It’s about collaborative learning. Experts say that 80 percent of the jobs that these students will be working at in the future have not been invented yet. Students will have to have skills to adapt to the world that’s ever changing with an economy that is unknown.”
The first year, classes will be held in the Learning Center room that is located in the middle of PHS and in the speech room / small theatre. Olson said they are meeting with architects to talk about the design of the space that would look more like a professional open concept setting than a traditional classroom with desks and will have flexible furnishings.
The area of PHS that now houses the pool will be renovated for the School of Inquiry.
Reprinted by permission of the Pilot News
New classes to help PHS students compete globally
By Carol Anders
Correspondent
PLYMOUTH — The Plymouth School Board has approved the addition of two new courses for Plymouth High School for the school year 2012-13.
Plymouth High School Principal Jim Condon briefly outlined the two new proposed offerings to the board and both were unanimously approved.
The first addition will be Digital Electronics. Condon explained the course is the third in a series of four for Project Lead the Way, targeting those students who want to pursue studies in engineering.
The second class will add a foreign language and, at the same time, phase out another. Starting next year, the school will be offering Chinese and begin the process of taking out French classes.
Condon said he and Superintendent Dan Tyree have met with administrators from Valparaiso University and will be forming a partnership with the University’s Confucius Institute. Although not all of the contract details have been ironed out, Condon said the cost of a hiring a certified English as a Second Language teacher will be shared by the corporation and the Confucius Institute. The contract will be for a period of three years.
Condon said in talking with other schools corporations and Valparaiso officials, it is recommended that the study of Chinese begin before students enter high school. Plans are now to offer the Chinese I at Lincoln Junior High and PHS the first year. The second year, PHS will add Chinese II and in year three, Chinese III. The classes at LJH will continue with just Chinese I. The course work will include both written and spoken Chinese.
There is also a possibility of allowing students from other corporations to attend the classes, according to Condon.
French instruction will continue until those students already signed up for the credits have graduated or completed the requirements. Aimee Portteus, guidance counselor, said there is also the possibility of using online course work.
Condon said they have a list of about 40 students now who have indicated an interest in taking Chinese.
“Whether they can all take the course will depend upon fitting it into scheduling,” he said, adding students need to be prepared for the global future.
Reprinted by permission of the Pilot News
Correspondent
PLYMOUTH — The Plymouth School Board has approved the addition of two new courses for Plymouth High School for the school year 2012-13.
Plymouth High School Principal Jim Condon briefly outlined the two new proposed offerings to the board and both were unanimously approved.
The first addition will be Digital Electronics. Condon explained the course is the third in a series of four for Project Lead the Way, targeting those students who want to pursue studies in engineering.
The second class will add a foreign language and, at the same time, phase out another. Starting next year, the school will be offering Chinese and begin the process of taking out French classes.
Condon said he and Superintendent Dan Tyree have met with administrators from Valparaiso University and will be forming a partnership with the University’s Confucius Institute. Although not all of the contract details have been ironed out, Condon said the cost of a hiring a certified English as a Second Language teacher will be shared by the corporation and the Confucius Institute. The contract will be for a period of three years.
Condon said in talking with other schools corporations and Valparaiso officials, it is recommended that the study of Chinese begin before students enter high school. Plans are now to offer the Chinese I at Lincoln Junior High and PHS the first year. The second year, PHS will add Chinese II and in year three, Chinese III. The classes at LJH will continue with just Chinese I. The course work will include both written and spoken Chinese.
There is also a possibility of allowing students from other corporations to attend the classes, according to Condon.
French instruction will continue until those students already signed up for the credits have graduated or completed the requirements. Aimee Portteus, guidance counselor, said there is also the possibility of using online course work.
Condon said they have a list of about 40 students now who have indicated an interest in taking Chinese.
“Whether they can all take the course will depend upon fitting it into scheduling,” he said, adding students need to be prepared for the global future.
Reprinted by permission of the Pilot News
Monday, December 19, 2011
Riverside students next to have 1:1 computers
By Carol Anders
Correspondent
PLYMOUTH — Riverside Intermediate will be the next school in the Plymouth Schools system to offer 1:1 computers for their students in grades 5 and 6.
Principal Donna Burroughs asked the school board members this week for permission to purchase computers for 30 certified staff members, an anticipated 571 students for the 2012-13 school year, and 49 reserve units. The annual cost was noted at $165,351.75 and would be under a four-year contract totaling $661,407.50.
Burroughs said she will be following the steps taken at Lincoln Junior High and Plymouth High School for implementing the program at the intermediate level. Each student in the schools has a computer assigned to them. At LJH and PHS students are allowed to take home the units. Burroughs did not indicate whether that practice will be in place at Riverside as well.
Burroughs said she has been focusing on staff training in the technology needed.
“This will increase the levels of engagement on behalf of students and parents in technology,” she said.
According to Bruce Johnson, corporation technology director, the infrastructure is already in place in the building. Burroughs said she will have to add four more access points during the 2011-12 school year.
“A team is piloting the 1:1 program this year and the team members will train the other teachers,” said Burroughs, adding there are a group of students who have been using the 1:1 program this year and will be helping other students next year.
Burroughs said she is developing a plan to instruct students on the proper use and care of the computers.
In order to help monitor what sites the students are visiting, Burroughs said she is purchasing a monitoring program for the office staff, adding that the current library aide will be trained in the asset manager program as a part of the project.
Superintendent Dan Tyree said the corporation will seek quotes for the purchases. Burroughs said the purchase has been budgeted in the Capital Projects fund.
Reprinted by permission of the Pilot News
Correspondent
PLYMOUTH — Riverside Intermediate will be the next school in the Plymouth Schools system to offer 1:1 computers for their students in grades 5 and 6.
Principal Donna Burroughs asked the school board members this week for permission to purchase computers for 30 certified staff members, an anticipated 571 students for the 2012-13 school year, and 49 reserve units. The annual cost was noted at $165,351.75 and would be under a four-year contract totaling $661,407.50.
Burroughs said she will be following the steps taken at Lincoln Junior High and Plymouth High School for implementing the program at the intermediate level. Each student in the schools has a computer assigned to them. At LJH and PHS students are allowed to take home the units. Burroughs did not indicate whether that practice will be in place at Riverside as well.
Burroughs said she has been focusing on staff training in the technology needed.
“This will increase the levels of engagement on behalf of students and parents in technology,” she said.
According to Bruce Johnson, corporation technology director, the infrastructure is already in place in the building. Burroughs said she will have to add four more access points during the 2011-12 school year.
“A team is piloting the 1:1 program this year and the team members will train the other teachers,” said Burroughs, adding there are a group of students who have been using the 1:1 program this year and will be helping other students next year.
Burroughs said she is developing a plan to instruct students on the proper use and care of the computers.
In order to help monitor what sites the students are visiting, Burroughs said she is purchasing a monitoring program for the office staff, adding that the current library aide will be trained in the asset manager program as a part of the project.
Superintendent Dan Tyree said the corporation will seek quotes for the purchases. Burroughs said the purchase has been budgeted in the Capital Projects fund.
Reprinted by permission of the Pilot News
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