1. education
2. school

PARENTS’ PARAGRAPHS
for KOUTS Elementary, Middle & Senior High Schools
Volume 49 Number 2
January 15, 2015
Elementary Grades K-5
Visitors Lunch
Daily $2.15/Weekly $10.75
Middle/High School Grades 6-12
$3.10
Daily $2.25/Weekly $11.25
(choice not available to elementary)
VISITORS: To reserve a lunch you must call the school by 9:00 a.m.
MONDAY
1/19
Chicken Nuggets
Green Beans
Juicy Pineapple
Cookie
MILK
Choice
Mexicali Rice
TUESDAY
1/20
Grilled Cheese
Tomato Soup
Pear Chunks
Jell-O
MILK
WEDNESDAY
1/21
Beef Nacho
Tortilla Chips
Red Beans & Rice
Applesauce
MILK
THURSDAY
1/22
Chicken Sandwich/Bun
French Fries
Fresh Fruit
MILK
FRIDAY
1/23
Cheese Pizza
Broccoli
Peaches
Sherbet
MILK
Choice
Spicy Chicken
Choice
Biscuit & Gravy
Choice
Mini Corn Dogs
Choice
Surprise
Calendar
Thursday
Jan. 15
Friday
Jan. 16
Saturday
Jan. 17
Monday
Jan 19
5:00 PM
5:30 PM
All Day
6:00 PM
9:00 AM
9:00 AM
5:30 PM
4:00 PM
5:30 PM
Wednesday Jan. 21
8:25 AM
5:30 PM
Friday
Jan. 23
3:00 PM
5:30 PM
Saturday
Jan. 24
11:00 AM
6:00 PM
8:00 PM
Boys C-Team Basketball Rensselaer H
Girls Varsity/JV Basketball @ Winamac
No School for Students – Teacher Pro. Dev. & Records Day
Boys Varsity/JV Basketball @ Wash. Twp.
Boys 7th Basketball @ Hebron Tourney
Boys 6th Basketball @ WT
Boys Varsity/JV Basketball Rensselaer H
Boys C-Team Basketball @ Hebron
Girls Varsity Basketball PCC Tourney @ Hebron
5:30 Kouts vs MT
Late Start Wednesday – School starts at 8:25 AM
Boys Varsity Basketball PCC Tourney @ BG
5:30 Kouts vs. LaCrosse
Report Cards Emailed
Girls Varsity Basketball PCC Tourney @ Morgan Twp.
5:30 Monday night winners, 7:30 Tues night winners
Boys Varsity Basketball PCC Tourney @ Hebron
11:00 Wed night winners, 12:30 Thurs night winners
Girls Varsity Basketball PCC Tourney Championship @ BG
Boys Varsity Basketball PCC Tourney Championship @ BG
From The Guidance Department
The James W. and Betty Dye Foundation is offering academic scholarships to seniors from Lake, Newton, Porter, and
Jasper County high schools. Scholarships range from $500 to $3,500 per undergraduate semester. Minimum
requirements are a combined SAT score of 1650 or 24 ACT, 3.25 GPA and acceptance to IU Bloomington, IU
Northwest, Purdue University West Lafayette, Purdue University Calumet, IUPUI or Ball State University. Scholarship
information and downloadable applications are available online at www.dyescholarships.org. The deadline is March
1, 2015.
The Valparaiso Family YMCA Foundation is offering a scholarship to a high school senior continuing his/her education
beyond high school. The criteria involves being accepted to an accredited public or private, college, university or
technical school, financial need, academics and capacity to succeed. If interested, please see Mrs. Robinson for
further information. The application deadline is March 5, 2015.
The Porter-Starke Services Foundation is pleased to offer four scholarships up to $1,000 dollars each. The Impact
Scholarship Award recognizes a high school senior whose life has been impacted by mental health or who has made
a positive impact on the mental health of others. If interested, please see Mrs. Robinson or download an electronic
application at www.porterstarke.org/scholarships. Applications are due by March 20, 2015.
Indiana Breast Cancer Awareness Trust, Inc. is currently accepting applications for the Nancy Jaynes Memorial
Scholarship. The scholarship of up to $1500 for college or post-secondary technical schooling is awarded to an
Indiana High School Senior(s) whose parent is battling breast cancer or who has lost a parent to breast cancer.
Applications can be downloaded at www.breastcancerplate.org. The deadline is February 9, 2015.
Kankakee Valley REMC is offering the Operation Roundup Trust Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded once a
year to six graduating high school seniors who are planning to continue their education at a college or university. For
students to be eligible for the Operation Roundup Scholarship, their parent/guardian must live on the Kankakee Valley
REMC system and be contributors to Operation Roundup at least one month prior to the scholarship deadline. The
deadline for submitting the scholarship application is February 26, 2015. Please see Mrs. Robinson for an application.
Information
Juniors and Seniors: Vincennes University Aviation and Logistics, in partnership with the Dallara Indycar
Experience, invites students to enjoy three tours for the price of one. Experience how the aviation technology
programs, logistics programs, and the racing industry all work together to provide education and career opportunities
for students. The Dallara tour costs $8 per student for the Dallara portion of the tour. The Aviation and Logistics tours
are free. If you would like to make a reservation, contact Corinna at CVonderwell@vinu.edu or 317-381-6040
Kankakee Valley REMC will sponsor six 6th grade boys/girls to participate in the 2015 Touchstone Energy Camp.
The camp takes place at Camp Tecumseh in Brookston, Indiana from June 3-6. The boys and girls will learn about
electrification, electric safety and understanding the cooperative business principles. If interested, please see Mrs.
Robinson for further details.
Kankakee Valley REMC is running its annual Co-op Calendar art contest for the 2016 wall calendar. Complete rules
for this contest can be found at www.kvremc.com under Programs and Services.
Kankakee Valley REMC will sponsor two students to participate in the 2015 Indiana Cooperative Youth Tour to
Washington, D.C. to be held June 11-June 18 2015. The tour is open to youths who will have completed their junior
year in the spring of 2015 and who will be returning for the senior year in the fall of 2015. The trip is an excellent
opportunity for a young adult to learn about our government and the cooperative philosophy of business. If you have
a youth who is interested in participating in the tour, please have them see Mrs. Robinson for an application
KMS KEEP THE DATE!
Friday, January 16
NO SCHOOL!
Saturday, January 17
B 6 BB @ Washington Twp - 9:00am
B 7 BB Tourney @ Hebron - 9:00 am
MS Academic Super Bowl Teams are beginning to meet! See the following
teachers for details if you are interested:
English - Mrs. Dutko
Math - Mrs. Leek
Science - Mrs. VanKley
Social Studies - Mrs. Press
East Porter County Schools: Amanda Forum
Dare to Date Safe Leadership Workshop
Did you know…?
One in three teens will be affected by teen dating violence
81% of parents think teen dating violence is NOT an issue
1.5 million high school students experience physical
abuse from a dating partner
Guys and Girls,
JOIN THE MOVEMENT!
Learn how to LEAD your school
at The Amanda Forum Dare to Date Safe Workshop:
When: Saturday, January 17
th
Where: Washington Township High School Cafeteria
Time: 10am-3pm
With dynamic multi-media presentations, group discussion, and team building activities,
presenters and peer mentors from the Amanda Forum will help students from East Porter Co.
Schools set goals and create a mission statement for educating their own student bodies on
this important issue. Learn how to mentor and inspire your peers to form happy, healthy
relationships! Join us for a great day of leadership, fun, and food!
Lunch and snacks will be provided.
SIGN UP TODAY IN YOUR GUIDANCE OFFICE!
Check us out on Facebook and Twitter: facebook.com/theamandaforum @daretodatesafe
Check us out
Kouts High School
2015 Dance Clinic
Date: Saturday, February 7th
Time: 9am to 12pm
Location: Par Gym
Cost: $25.00 per person which includes a T-Shirt
Make Checks payable to: Kouts High School Poms Squad
Program: Come ready to move, which means wear comfortable clothing and shoes (no jeans). We will
start the day with a warm-up, some basic techniques and across the floor movement. We will also be
learning a short routine.
Who can attend: 1st grade thru 5th grade
A light snack will be provided
All those attending the clinic will perform at half- time of the JV basketball game that same evening
Saturday the 7th. Girls will need to be there by 5:30pm. We are asking all students to wear their Tshirts that they received the morning of camp with black bottoms. Clinic participants will be admitted to
the game free of charge.
Registration Form:
Turn in registration form no later than 23rd of January to the elementary or high school office for Coach
Boomer.
Name: _____________________________________ Grade_____
T-shirt Size YOUTH Small_______ Medium_______ Large________
ADULT Small______ Medium __________ Large_________
Phone Number: ________________________________
Parent/Guardian Permission:
I understand that my child will be attending the dance clinic on Saturday February 7th, at Kouts High
School Par Gym from 9am to 12. I assume all responsibilities for my child at the clinic.
_____________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature
Elementary Echoes
Kouts Elementary
Volume 8, Number 19
www.epcsc.k12.in.us/kes
Thursday, January 15, 2015
Coming Soon . . .
Pint-size Hero Blood Drive Is Scheduled
Tomorrow....................................No School—Records Day
The Blood Drive will be held next Tuesday, January 20,
Jan. 19…………………………..Followers Bible Club, 2:45 PM
from 8:30-6:00 in the elementary gym foyer; exact times
Jan. 20………………………………..Art Club—Gr. 4, 2:45 PM
are currently tentative due to snow days. Walk-ins will
Jan. 23…………………………………………….....Report Cards
also be welcomed.
Jan. 27..........................................Art Club—Gr. 5, 2:45 PM
consideration of donating.
Jan. 27............................Market Day Pick-up, 4:20-5:00 PM
reach our goal of 35 pints of blood donated!
Family Fun Night Is Scheduled
At the last PETT meeting, the spring Family Fun Night
was scheduled. It will be held on Friday, March 13, from
6:00-8:00 PM in the elementary gym. Tentative planned
activities are open gym for basketball, bowling, golf, hula
hoops, Wii Just Dance, and an inflatable bounce house
and obstacle course. Refreshments will also be served.
All activities are completely free, so mark your calendar
now and plan to attend FFN, courtesy of PETT.
Snow Make-up Days Scheduled
We hope you can help us
An extra copy of the registration form can be found
included
in
this
newsletter
and
on
our
website,
www.epcsc.k12.in.us/kes under “Miscellaneous Forms.
“Katie Strong” Bracelets Are Now on Sale
With sixth grader Katie Reasoner soon to return to
school, the KMS Student Government is sponsoring a
“Katie Strong” bracelet fundraiser. The bracelet below is
being sold for $2.00, with all proceeds going to the
Reasoner family.
Due to last week’s three missed school days, the following
built-in make-up days will be required: Friday, February 13;
Monday, February 16; and Monday, April 6. Parents,
please mark your calendars now and plan accordingly.
Thank you in advance for your
Show your continued support for
Katie’s recovery by purchasing a bracelet in her honor.
Bracelets will be available for purchase in the elementary
office, high school office, and during middle school
lunch. Thank you in advance for your continued support.
The Valentine’s Day classroom parties have been moved to
Friday, February 13, since students will be in attendance.
Box Top Collection Deadline Is Monday
The deadline for the first semester BT collection has
been extended to Monday, January 19th.
The top-
collecting classroom will receive a pizza party, courtesy of
PETT. The current counts are as follows:
1.
Mrs. Spagna—1,786
2.
Mrs. Dickinson—1,663
3.
Mrs. Dorgan—1,483
4.
Mrs. Gant—1,152
5.
Mrs. Eichelberger—1,140
6.
Mrs. Miller—1,038
individual
long night of coping with a sick child. If your child has
had a fever in the last 24 hours and/or is vomiting, please
to others. In addition, your child’s level of learning for
the day will be greatly hindered by symptoms and possible
trips to the nurse for relief. We thank you in advance for
your cooperation with our policy.
for our 2014-2015 collections to date. Classroom teachers
their
Parents, you may be asking yourself this question after a
keep him/her at home, as it’s likely s/he may be contagious
We recently received a check in the amount of $2,568.70
receive
“Is My Child Too Sick for School?”
class
dollars
for
use
in
supplemental classroom materials. Thank you!
Should you have any questions, please call Nurse Cathy
Garzella at 766-2231, ext. 4307.
New TIS Introduced
We are very excited to announce that the new KES
Pledge Leaders Announced
Technology Integration Specialist has been selected.
Leading the Pledge and/or read morning announcements
Mrs. Laura Tharp, formerly our fifth-grade Instructional
this week were the following students:
Aide, will move into her new position on Monday.
Olivia Hessling
(2S), Ava Smrzlick (3S), and Emma Poitras (3K).
students continue to do a great job!
The
Visit us @ www.epcsc.k12.in.us/kes.
Elementary Echoes continues on the next page.
Elementary Echoes
Kouts Elementary
Volume 8, Number 19
www.epcsc.k12.in.us/kes
Thursday, January 15, 2015
New Fifth-grade Instructional Aide Selected
Student Birthdays Recognized
With the move of Mrs. Tharp to the TIS position, Mrs.
Happy birthday to the following students that celebrated
Dena Hancock has been selected to fill the fifth-grade
their special day during the week of January 12-18:
Instructional Aide position.
Kindergarten—James Crownover and Alyssa Schultz;
Mrs. Hancock previously
held the kindergarten Instructional Aide position last year
First
on a temporary basis. We’re excited to welcome her back
Stewart; Third Grade—Joey Cooper; Fourth Grade—
to KES.
Gunner Dzomba; and Fifth Grade—Dani Crenshaw and
Planned Absence Policy Explained
Grade—Chloe
Salyer;
Second
Grade—Hailee
Kitty Woods. We hope your day was extra special!
Although avoidable absences during the school year are
strongly discouraged, East Porter does have a policy in
place for planned absences.
One planned absence per
school year, not to exceed three days, may be excused if
the following requirements are met:

The request form is turned in to the office at
least four days before the planned absence

The absences do not fall during any Statemandated testing dates

The student’s previous absences and tardies are
not excessive
Happy half-birthday to the following students that will
celebrate their special day during the weeks of July 14-18:
Kindergarten—Destiny Van Autreve; First Grade—Noah
Gudeman;
Second
Myers, Lillian
Grade—Spencer
Planned absence forms may be picked up in the
elementary office.
Grade—Morgan
Morris, and Vivian
Andrews;
and
Kaminskas,
Wheeler;
Fifth
Sara
Fourth
Grade—Kaylee
Poole and Isaac Wittmer. We hope your summer birthday
is extra special!
Kindergarten Round-Up Is Coming
Super Reader Recognized
Third grader Lane Evans has been tearing through the
Harry Potter series, already having read five of the books
in the past few months and started on the sixth. To date,
he’s read 16 books, read 895,000+ words, and earned 202
Scholastic Reading Counts points. Way to go, Lane! We’re
very proud of you! (Last week’s newsletter featured an
incorrect last name for Lane. We apologize for the error.)
Parents Invited to Lunch with Their Children
Parents, did you know that you’re able to lunch with your
children? You may bring your own lunch or pre-order a
school lunch by calling 766-2232 by 9:00 AM. As a friendly
reminder, no fast food or soda may be brought into the
cafeteria. Whether a surprise or planned lunch, students
absolutely love to eat with their parents!
Student Half-birthdays Recognized
Parents, we
hope your schedule will allow an occasional lunch with
your child.
IXL Math Access Available at Home
Good news, parents! The math program your child enjoys
at school is available at home, too. Simply log on to
www.ixl.com/signin/eastporter to access the website.
Make sure to take a peek at what’s available for math
practice and reinforcement of skills.
The 2014-2015 Kindergarten Round-up will be held on
Monday, March 2, at 7:00 p.m.; the location is to be
determined. Children whose fifth birthday falls on or
before August 1 may be enrolled at this time. Parents,
please bring a copy of your child’s birth certificate and
immunization records. The brief informational meeting
will address immunization requirements; the full-day
kindergarten program; screening procedures and dates;
and any questions parents may have for the teachers. In
order to be more efficient, we kindly ask that parents do
not bring children to the meeting. Thank you.
Although local preschools have been informed of the
round-up date, please help us spread the word to Kouts
parents without school-aged children.
Fifth Grade Receives Grant
Fifth-grade teacher Mrs. Dorgan recently received great
news
that she was
awarded
in date
grantapproaches.
money to be
More reminders
will be
posted$750
as the
used toward the upcoming Rendezvous with a Comet at
Purdue
University.
participate
in
All
hands-on
fifth-grade
activities
students
that
will
simulate
performing procedures necessary for a successful space
flight. Mittal Steel was the grant benefactor. 